6 Best Water Tables for Toddlers and Kids

With summer right around the corner, we are getting so excited for warmer weather and more time outside. Once the temps start to rise, water play quickly becomes our go-to activity. We are outside pretty much all day long, and as a result, we are always looking for ways to keep our toddler and kids occupied, engaged, and happy. What better way to do this than with a water table and water play!

We currently have four kids ages 7 and under, so we have a ton of experience with outdoor toys and water play. Our kids love all things water tables, water balloons, squirt guns, sprinklers…you name it! Our current water table is the star of our summer, and we’ve used and tried out a few others as well.

Having four little ones, we found it essential to get a water table that can be used with both toddlers and older children as well. We also wanted water toys that can grow with our children and have the durability to last a long time. Many of these water tables we’ve used (or currently use) in our own homes or friends’ houses, and want to share our favorites.

Scroll down and read to check out our votes for the six best water tables for toddlers and kids.

This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate as well as a member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small compensation from qualifying purchases. All opinions and recommendations are my own. 

1. Step 2 Rain Showers Water Table

Our number one choice for the best water table for toddlers is the Step 2 Rain Showers Water Table. We have this one currently sitting on our deck, and all four of our kids have loved this one from the start.

It has two different tiers. The base tier that you fill up with water, and the top tier that kids can pour water into for a waterfall effect. This is one of my kids’ favorite parts of the water table. We’ve had this water table for about 7 years, and our kids still love it. From our baby to our 7-year-old, it gets played with daily in the summer.

It also comes with levers and spinners on one of the sides, a few squeeze water toys, three buckets, a water spoon with small holes for water trickles, an attachable water spinner, and more.

It comes in two fun designs: the original shown here and a purple unicorn one as well. It is super durable, and it doesn’t blow away in storms (but light enough to be moved around the yard easily if needed).

The only cons we’ve found are that after a few years, we’ve lost some of the smaller accessories, and a little bit of water can get stuck inside it. I am not quite sure how water got in ours, but a small amount splashes around in the base of it. It doesn’t affect the use of it at all, and eventually dries up once brought inside for the winter.

We love that it doesn’t take a ton of water to fill it up (we usually use a pitcher from the house, and it takes about 4-5 pitchers to fill it enough… but we have also used a hose). You can drain the water with the plug on the bottom and refill the water every day or every few days if desired.

Kids can splash in the bottom, use all the fun water maze toys, pour buckets in the top and watch it come down in the waterfall, and more. Our kids also like to throw little plastic figures in it, use it for sensory bins, add boats and water pets to it, and more. It has provided us with endless hours of fun, and our kids love it. That makes it our number one choice for a water table for toddlers.

Pros

• Two tiers for more fun
• Comes with lots of accessories
  • Water Maze levers and spinners
  • Large Spinner that Attaches to the Side
  • Squeeze Water Toys
  • Buckets
  • More
• Plastic can easily be wiped down
• Only takes 4-5 pitchers of water to fill it up
• Plug on the bottom of the base to easily drain water
• Comes in two styles
• Perfect for ages 1+

Cons

• Water can get into the base if left out in the rain, elements
• Accessories are easy to lose and hard to replace (but you can always use your own scoops, cups, etc…)
• Large water table takes up quite a bit of space on a deck, back yard

2. Little Tikes Fish n’ Splash Water Table

Another awesome option for a backyard water table for toddlers and kids is the Little Tikes Fish n’ Splash Water Table. It is a circular water table that comes with a top fish bowl that you can fill and dump, a water toy launcher, fish water toys that you can send down the water stream, a fish pole, a spinner top, and more.

We purchased an older version of this water table used, and it has been a great addition to our backyard toys. While we currently don’t have a lot of the fish toys anymore, it is the perfect water table to just fill up and splash in. My kids love pouring water in the top and watching it splash down the middle water slide areas. They also love throwing small figures and toys down the “water slide.”

If desired, you can always purchase an extra fishing pole and fish toys online from a different brand to use with it if you lose the fish toys that come with, but this isn’t required to have fun with it. Just throw in a few cups, scoops, reusable water balloons, plastic figures, and more, and your kids will have just as much fun as ours do with it.

With a slightly smaller tub area, this one only takes about 3-4 pitchers to fill it to a level where it is good to play in, so if you like using less water, this is a good choice.

There’s a plug in the bottom that makes it super simple to drain and empty the water out. Because there are a lot of interactive features and tipping over of the fish bowl, my kids tend to splash water out more than other water tables, so it is great for fun, but not always if you want your kids to stay dry while playing in it. Expect your kids to need to change clothes or wear a swimsuit when using it.

Pros

• Lots of fun and unique features
  • Dumpable Fish Bowl at the Top
  • Water slide that goes down the middle
  • Water toy launcher
  • Fish squeeze toys
  • Fishing pole
  • Scoops and Cup
  • Spinner toy
• Super Durable Plastic can easily be wiped down
• Uses less water than others – 3-4 Pitchers to fill where you can use it
• Plug on the bottom of the base to easily drain water
• Perfect for ages 1+

Cons

• Water can get into the base
• Accessories are easy to lose and hard to replace (but you can always use your own scoops, cups, etc…)
• Tends to splash a lot – not the best water table to play in if you want your kids to stay more dry
• This specific version – Exclusive can only be purchased online

3. Little Tikes Spirilin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table

The next water table on our list is the Little Tikes Spirilin Seas Waterpark play table. It is similar to the other Little Tikes water table listed above (except the play space is slightly smaller – see note below), but you can find it in a lot more places, and it has tons of different accessories and extras.

This fun water table comes with a circular base, cranks and levers, balls, a scoop, spinners, and a big water spiral in the middle. It is the perfect water table if you have a little one who loves balls. Kids can use the included scoop cup and dump water down the middle, throw the balls down the middle and watch them spin around, put balls in the spinner and spin them into the water, and more.

This particular style has been around for a while, so you know it is a good one. We have friends who have this water table and have played with it many times at their house for a playdate. My kids enjoyed it and had fun, and I know her little guy, who LOVES balls, really loves this one.

It is the perfect height for toddlers, but even grade school kids will love playing and splashing in it. Just like the other water tables, the accessories may be easy to lose, but you can always easily replace them with your own scoops and balls.

The bottom base size is also fairly similar to other Little Tikes water tables, but this one also has a smaller overall play and splash area. Its base is a little taller but more compact and centered around the spiral feature. This makes it harder for multiple kids to have space to splash and play around it.

It takes about 4-6 pitchers of water to get the water high enough to use the rest of the water features with, but it is a super fun one to splash and play in, and kids will love it (especially if they love balls and spinners)!

Pros

• Perfect for ball-loving kids
• Water Features Include
  • Large water slide spinner in the middle
  • Ball Spinner on the side with a crank that kids can spin
  • Balls to go on the spinner and down the slide
  • A scoop/cup
  • Separate spinner to pour and spin water down
• Plastic can easily be wiped down
• Uses 4-6 pitchers to make it usable, but can hold up to 7 gallons of water
• Good price point compared to some of the others
• Style has been around a while
• Plug on the bottom of the base to easily drain water
• Great height for toddlers

Cons

• Water can get into the base if stored out in the rain, etc…
• Accessories and balls could be easy to lose
• Water basin area is more compact but taller, so less space for multiple children to play around it.

4. Step 2 Waterpark Wonders Two Tier Water Table

The Step 2 Waterpark Wonders water table is a super awesome option for families with a lot of kids, as there is tons of room for kids to spread out. Because this table is two different tiers, and because of the way they are set up, this water table takes up more space but allows for multiple kids to play and splash all around it at the same time.

Another great thing about this one is all of the interactive features and add-ons that it has. It has two different basins with a water slide that starts at the top. Kids can send water from all the way at the top to the bottom basin. Water can pour from the top layer down to the bottom layer. Plus, it has a hook-up for a hose to attach to a sprinkler setting, a space for an umbrella, and 11 fun accessories that come with it.

It has a little water path that kids can send one of the two included boats down, scoops and small buckets, an umbrella for shade, and more.

One awesome thing to note…this one says it is for ages 1.5 and up. However, smaller babies may even like sitting next to the bottom basin and splashing in it (or even sitting in it). The bottom could double as a mini pool for kids too. Just be sure to keep your eyes on them at all times. We love that it is a great option for both younger and older children because of the two different height levels of the basins.

Because it is two layers, it does take up more space on the deck or in the yard, so you will need more space to put and store this one (although the lower basin slides into the upper basin for easier storage). It is also one of the more expensive water tables on the list because it comes with so many awesome features.

Between both of the basins, it does take longer to fill up. However, because you can attach the hose and have a sprinkler help with this, kids can play, and it can be filling up at the same time.

Pros

• Two water basin levels make it perfect for multiple children
• Two water basin levels make it great for different ages as the basins are different heights
• Tons of Water Features Including:
  • Large water slide that starts at the top
  • Two boats that can go down the water channels
  • A top basin that can pour down into the lower basin
  • A hose hookup for the included sprinkler attachment
  • Scoops and small buckets
• Bottom basin can be used like a mini pool
• Bottom basin slides into top basin for smaller storage
• Durable plastic is easily wiped down
• Umbrella and umbrella slot for shade
• Holds lots of water (upper basin 4 gallons, lower basin 16 gallons)

Cons

• Two tiers take up a lot of space
• Price is slightly higher because it has so many neat features
• Some of the accessories can be easily lost (can be replaced with some of your own)

5. Vrogtik Water Table With Fishing Game Set With

Another great one on our list is the Vrogtik water table and fishing game set. This one made the list because it is the perfect budget water table. It is one of the least expensive water tables on our list, but it still comes with tons of accessories and is so much fun for toddlers and kids.

It is three layers, top to bottom. Each layer gets larger as you go down the water table. The first layer is a small layer for scooping and pouring water into that will drain down to the next layer. The next layer is slightly bigger and has a cute octopus on it. The water from the top layer continues through the second layer, where it eventually lands in the larger bottom layer.

The basins on this water table are divided around the table into three sections, and they are less deep than other water tables. The plastic is a little less durable than other tables as well, but it is still a great budget option.

This water table comes with tons of accessories including a water wheel, a water blaster, water-squirting toys, fish to go with the rods, a fishing rod, balls, water buckets and scoops for scooping and dumping, a spray bottle, and more.

It can be used as a sand or water table, or because of the multiple sections in the bottom basins, you could put both in it (just know they will get mixed while playing with it).

Because it is three layers, it is a little taller than most of the other water tables on the list, but it is still great for toddlers and preschoolers. The description says it works best for 3+, but younger children will enjoy splashing and playing in the lower layers as well.

Pros:

• Three levels for waterfall fun.
• Includes tons of fun accessories that are great for both sand and water play
  • Water wheels
  • Water blaster
  • Squirting toys
  • Fishing rod & fish toys
  • Balls
  • Water buckets
  • Scoops and shovel
  • Spray bottle
• Lightweight and easy to move around
• Budget friendly

Cons

• Plastic is not quite as sturdy as other options
• Splash area is not as deep
• Sand and water can (and will) get mixed together while playing if filled with both
• Accessories can get easily lost
• Taller levels might be hard for younger toddlers to reach

6. Simplay 3 Raindrop Falls Water Table

The Simplay 3 raindrop falls water table is a super unique option and awesome for water play with multiple children. It has four different levels for the water to travel down, with the bottom level doubling as a small kiddie pool/splash pad for younger children.

Kids will love how the water flows down this one like a waterfall. Use the included cups and dump water in the top, and it will flow all the way down to the water level. There is also a spot for a hose attachment so the water can flow down it this way as well. It includes 9 water play accessories, including buckets, boats, the hose attachment, and pouring cups.

This one is long – 8 feet long, which can be both a plus and a negative. It does take up a lot of space in a yard because of this. So if you have the space, it is great because it can accommodate multiple children. With the length, children can be on either side of it and by any of the three levels or in the bottom pool all at once. That makes it great for families with lots of children.

It is a really nice quality and a durable plastic, but since it is so long, you do have to assemble some pieces before using it. It is slightly more pricey since it is so large, but the many features and the fact that it can fit so many kids around it make it an awesome choice.

Pros:

• Four different levels and 8 feet of fun make it perfect for multiple children
• Interactive waterfall feature
• Hose hookup helps water run continuously
• 9 Fun water feature attachments
  • Buckets
  • Pouring Cups
  • Boats to send down the waterfall
  • Hose attachment
• Made of strong, durable plastic
• Bottom doubles as a kiddie pool/splash pad for young children

Cons

• A little pricier than other options
• Hard to move since it is so long/big
• Needs some assembly

This post contains affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate as well as a member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small compensation from qualifying purchases. All opinions and recommendations are my own. 

Toddler Water Tables Comparison Chart

Water Table Name	Age Range	Water Accessories	Who/What it Is Best For	Durability/ Quality	Approx. Price
1. Step 2 Rain Showers Water Table	1.5yr+	13 Accessories: Spinners, Buckets, Squirting Water Toys, Ramp	Cause and Effect Play with Two Levels for Scooping and Pouring	Super Durable, Thick Plastic, Long-Lasting, Won’t Blow Around	~$80-95
2. Little Tikes Fish n’ Splash Water Table	2+yrs	Pretend Play and Simple Play with Included Fishing Toys	5 Balls, 1 Water Cup, attached spinner, and large water tunnel	Good Quality, Lighter Plastic, Color Fades Easier, Won’t Blow Around	~$50-80
3. Little Tikes Spirilin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table	2+yrs	5 Balls, 1 Water Cup, attached spinner and large water tunnel	Repetitive Motion Play and Kids Who Love Balls	Moderate Durability, Thinner Plastic w/ Simpler Design, Still Long-lasting	~$45-60
4. Step 2 Waterpark Wonders Two Tier Water Table	1yr+	11 Accessories – Boats, Scoops, Buckets, Hose Attachment, Water Slide, Umbrella	Feature Packed Play w/ Multiple Children and Ages	High Quality, Durable Plastic, Sturdy Build Made to Last Multiple Kids/Years	~$125-170
5. Vrogtik Water Table and FIshing Game	3+years (younger children can still enjoy it too)	Tons of accessories – Scoops, Buckets, Balls, Water Squirter Toys, Fishing Pole, Water Blaster	Busy and Imaginitive Play for Mixed Age Ranges	Cheaper Plastic, More Lightweight/Easier to Move, May Blow Around if Empty in Higher Winds, Accessories May Wear Out Faster	~$45-55
6. Simplay 3 Raindrop Falls Water Table	18+months	9 Accessories – Buckets, Pouring Cups, Boats, Hose Attachment	Larger Spread Out Play Space w/ Multi-Level Action and Kiddie Pool-Like Level	Great Durability, Heavy Plastic (Hard to Move Around), Made to Last, Stable Design	~$120-140

What Age is Best for a Water Table?

Depending on the water table and height, children can enjoy water table use as early as their baby years. We purchased our water table for our daughter’s first birthday, and she has been loving it ever since.

Since then, we’ve had three more kids, and they’ve all enjoyed our water table even when they were younger. As soon as our older babies could stand up holding onto things they’ve enjoyed, splashing in the water table. We just prop them next to the taller layer, and they splash while we stand behind them to support them.

Kids as early as 9months could enjoy a water table and possibly even earlier if you get one of the ones with a kiddie pool like bottom. Then they can sit and splash in the bottom level as well.

Some of the water tables above may be a little more difficult for younger children to reach and splash. As long as you are supervising your babies, they can enjoy a water table as soon as you feel that they are ready.

What are Some Fun Water Table Accessories?

All 6 of the water tables above come with some awesome options for water table accessories. However, if you’ve had yours for years, as we have, then you probably have lost or broken a bunch of the accessories at this point. You can always purchase bath toys, scoops and cups for this.

We’ve also purchased a lot of fun add-ons over the year that my kids have loved. Here are some of our favorite water table accessory add-ons.

• Water Pump – We love this water pump that sits on top of our water table and pumps water from the bottom layer to the top, so the water keeps flowing constantly. (The brand sent us this one to try and it is our favorite!)
• Zuru Swimming Animals – These are super cool. Just drop them in the water and they swim around. We have had both the axolotl and clown fish ones, and they are always a hit.
• Fishing Set – A kid’s magnetic fishing pole and fish to scoop and fish out of the water. My kids love playing fisherman, and it is great for fine motor skills.
• Reusable Water Balloons- Water balloons that you just open up and drop in the water table to refill them. Then they seal up, and you can take them out and throw.

Overall, there are some awesome water tables out on the market. Both Step 2 and Fisher Price have a ton of fun options and are long-lasting, well-known brands that create awesome water tables. There are some other options for brands as well that are great for water tables on a budget or larger water tables for lots of children.

Our Step 2 water table has been one of our best purchases for the summer, and we would definitely recommend a good water table that will grow with your children! Head over and check out all of the water table options here!

For more fun baby, toddler, and kid product recommendations for outdoors, be sure to also check out this post on the 5 best outdoor swings for babies or this post on the best push cars for toddlers.