The best sand and water tables that kids love for sensory play can be found below. Every backyard should have at least one outdoor play area for kids. Sand and water tables are a perfect option. They are a great way for kids to have fun playing (and learning) while staying cool in the backyard.
A few other great options for kids outdoor play spaces are outdoor chalkboards, fairy gardens, backyard sandboxes, and mud kitchens. Click on the links to learn more about them and how to make your own!
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The Best DIY Sand and Water Tables with Ready-Made Options
Sand and water tables provide several learning benefits to the developing child. They are primarily used for sensory play, but they can also be used for science projects, and pretend or imaginative play.
The best thing about sand and water tables is that they will keep your kids busy for hours learning and having fun!
Our favorite options to DIY are listed first followed by a few inexpensive options you can buy. Click on the creator of each DIY sand and water table for the step by step tutorial!
1. DIY Sand and Water Table | The House of Wood (Jen Woodhouse)
I love that this table has a lid that is an outdoor chalkboard. This table is three play spaces in one! Find the tutorial HERE.
2. Sand & Water Picnic Table | M. Lankreijer
This one is in another language and the site is not secure so I can not link to it directly, but it is amazing!
Copy the following link and paste it in your browser to see the tutorial. (mlankreijer.nl/picknicktafels-steigerhout/)
Another option is to buy this ready-made sandpit and water wooden picnic table.
3. DIY Custom Water Table | Monkey Slaps
This one could easily have a bin full of water, one with sand, and another with river rocks or any other sensory play recipe or bin!
Unfortunately, this DIY water table is also on an unsecured website that I can no longer link to–boo!
Copy the following link and paste it into your browser to see the tutorial. (monkeyslaps.com/diy-custom-water-table/)
4. DIY Sand & Water Table | The Haas Machine
Cemented rocks on the bottom of the waterside give this sand and water table an added sensory element.
5. DIY Sand and Water Play Table | That’s My Letter
You can use the lids of bins to cover each side of this sand and water table when not in use. Learn more about how to make this awesome sand and water table HERE!
6. PVC Pipe Sand and Water Table 
| Frugal Fun 4 Boys & Girls
| This table can be used for sand OR water play. Using it for both at the same time could be fun too! Get the DIY tutorial HERE!
7. DIY Sand and Water Sensory Bin Table | Jax in the Box
Here’s a way to make a sand and water table out of PVC pipe with a bin for sand and one for water. Or, how about combining the table above with this… hmmm. Could be crazy and really really fun!
A similar ready-made sand and water table can be found HERE. I like this set because it comes with lids and the steel legs are fully adjustable and can hook together or be used separately. It comes in sets of two or four bins that come in a square or round shape.
A few other ready-made sand and water tables that kids love are listed below.
8. Naturally Playful Sand and Water Table
If you are looking for an inexpensive version to buy I’d recommend THIS sand and water table by Step2.
We bought it when we ran a daycare in our home and it is still in excellent condition four years later! Originally this table was going to be a placeholder until we made our own. We still haven’t made one because this one is holding up so well!
You can see it pictured below as dirty as it gets after all these years with some of the toys that came with it, a few measuring cups, and a set of CAT mini machines that my daughter loves to use for imaginative play in the sand!
I would guess that the awesome sand and water tables made by the same company below will hold up just as well.
9. Splash and Scoop Bay
See this ready-made sand and water table HERE.
10. Spill and Splash Seaway Water Table
This table is intended for water use, but you can fill one side with sand to make it an awesome sand and water table.
Find it HERE.
Separate Sand & Water Table Option
This best selling big splash waterpark looked so fun I just had to include it. It looks like a super fun water play station! 
If you don’t have a sandbox you can get a ready-made sand table to go with this super fun water table.
See it HERE.
Sand and Water Tables are a great way for kids to have fun while staying cool in the backyard. They are primarily used for sensory play, but they can also be used for science projects, and pretend or imaginative play. DIY or buy one today!
A few other great options for kids outdoor play spaces are outdoor chalkboards, fairy gardens, sandboxes, and mud kitchens. Click on the links to learn more about them and how to make your own!
For more DIY sensory fun be sure to check out DIY calm down sensory bottles 101. Don’t forget to check out our summer bucket list for more seasonal fun.
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
If you liked Sand and Water Tables, You May Also Like:
- Summer Nature Table
- 15 Backyard Pallet Projects
- Outdoor Chalkboard
- Backyard Sandboxes
- DIY Outdoor Art Table and Mud Kitchen
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