Water Table Fun

Looking for a new way to enjoy that water table? I know that the intended use only occupied my little one for a few uses! If I did not buy it second-hand, I may have been disappointed. I thought – hold up – I can use this item MANY other ways for some water table fun. I’m surprised they do not market these with pamphlets full of other ideas for activities. Creativity is mandatory when caring for toddlers. We continually switch it up to ensure high engagement so this obviously should not be any different. Throw on your thinking caps! Here are some of my favorites:

Winter

Gather up a large amount of snow in a big mixing bowl. I recommend having some cups, bowls and spoons readily available and your little one can decide if they would like to use them. Drop snow into the water-filled table and watch it melt. The opposite would be fun as well. Fill the water table with snow and drop water and other items in the snow! If it does not snow where you live, a great option is making your own version of snow with a slushie machine or by blending ice in a blender! You could also try some Instant Snow.

Spring

Throw some dirt in that water! Make sure that you have some cups and cloths handy. I also like to keep a bowl of clean water beside the table. We started this activity using colorful balls and eventually added other easily washable toys. Now, we have a set of small plastic farm animal figurines that really enjoy their mud baths. Demonstrate how to bathe the toys by pouring the clean water over them and wiping them with the cloth. Notice what peaks your toddler’s interest. Make sure your child is wearing play clothes because they will get messy! A mud handprint t-shirt may be the outcome of this activity!

Summer

Ice cubes and water pair so well for water table fun! Toddlers love watching and feeling the ice melt. If you step up your game and freeze some fun things in the ice beforehand, you will be so glad that you did. Pom poms and small horse figurines are fun items to freeze in ice. HERE are some other things that I like to freeze in ice for water table play. You can throw in some extras, such as cups or scoops if your toddler really enjoys them.

Fall

This activity can be done with or without water. Using the water table is just an excuse to keep things tidy. Collect an ample number of things from around the yard that reflect the season. If you are not using water, you will need more filler. Put the collected items in the table and watch how your toddler inspects each item. You might find leaves, acorns, flowers, grass, sticks, etc.. Have a pumpkin or gourd? Toss it in there! If you use water, you can discuss density by investigating which items float and which items sink.

Isn’t is great that your water table can transform into a variety of sensory table activities? It is also easy to drain and hose off outside once you are done playing.

If you do not want to spend the money on a water table (or do not want to buy one second-hand) a shallow bin or toddler sensory table can be used in the same way!