Even though this sand and water table is not an inexpensive option, the price is more than reasonable when you factor in the quality of the materials, the amount of accessories included and the carefully designed surfaces that allow for play even when the table is covered. This Little Tikes sand and water table has entertained my 3-year-old for many hours outside this summer. I love that this activity table comes with a detachable Little Tikes umbrella. We use the orange umbrella all the time as sun protection while the kids play. The umbrella is perfect to take with us on beach trips, too. Kids love to let their imaginations run wild, so why not encourage this with a water table, ideal for plenty of sensory play which also brings hours of fun. Putting it together was pretty easy – the only issue we had was putting the little plug into the bottom of the water side of the table. That took two of us and a lot of pushing from my end and pulling from his. But we got it in eventually. Teamwork at it’s finest. We have had, what has felt like, the longest Winter imaginable. But then, as if by magic, we had a few days of glorious sunshine – even here in Northern Ireland! So naturally, when the sun comes out we tend to live outside rather than inside. Which is amazing! We have had so much fun in our garden and even more so since we were sent out the Builder’s Bay Sand & Water table from Little Tikes.

At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. The Little Tikes Builder’s Bay Sand & Water Table is a great replacement for your ordinary sandbox. It has both a sandbox and water table that will surely provide endless hours of fun. It is elevated so that kids get to stand and walk around the table while playing, and it keeps them sand-free!This sand and water table will create a great gathering place in your outdoor area, encouraging children to share, work together and engage in imaginative play – all this helps them develop language and communication skills.

By using a water table for kids, you're encouraging them to dabble with hyper-sensory items which include rough or dry textures and water or dry materials. Using a water and sand table for this is fantastic as it offers both textures alongside a number of a different number of puzzles and games to play within the table. Most water tables are easy to wipe out due to being plastic, so using a damp cloth and soapy water is perfect for cleaning them out.Focusing on a repetitive activity such as sieving, scooping or running their hands through the sand helps children to relax and unwind, whilst improving their ability to concentrate. An added bonus is that the kids really don’t get that messy despite spending hours in the sand. They dig, sculpt and scoop, and we just rinse their hands before they come inside. I have been really happy that the sand stays out where it belongs. Research shows that creating waves, splashing, spraying and pouring water boosts kids’ creativity and imagination, whilst providing opportunities for some fun investigative and scientific learning. If you pair water play with sand play, then the list of benefits doubles: Well, there’s really not much you can do about this since kids are the ones playing. They really would get sand and water mixed together. So long as the kids are having fun, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.

The table arrives in a big box, unassembled. I recommend watching the Little Tikes assembly video just to see how to get the four legs of the table assembled correctly. It does not take long to assemble. However, I found that I needed to use a power screwdriver to get the screws through the heavy duty plastic because the holes are not pre-drilled. I think it would be impossible to get through the plastic without a power tool – but maybe you are stronger than me! Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. The manufacturer’s recommended age is from 2 to 6 years. Several moms claim, though, that the table is much too low for children 5 years and older. Several children can huddle around and join in the fun and help each other build and haul sand here and there. A water table is perfect for helping with sensory play as it allows your children to enjoy exploring and investigating as well as encouraging the development of motor skills and encouraging creativity. Whilst a water table isn't the only way to develop their senses, it's a great way to tie fun into learning.

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There are a few common concerns that people complain about when it comes to the Little Tikes Builder’s Bay Sand & Water Table. The following are the most common, and some useful tips to deal with them: Some people would suggest using a power screwdriver or a drill for easier installation of the screws, as there aren’t pre-drilled holes like many people complain about. Nonetheless, the help of a handyman or another person during setup won’t be necessary. You can even have your kids help in the process. Some helpful tips This Little Tikes table will last through years of play. It is made from the durable, heavy-duty plastic that has kept all of our other Little Tikes toys looking nearly new – and we use them a lot!

I was pleased with the size of this Sand and Water Table. It’s big enough for my 3- and 4-year-old sons to play at the same time without getting in each other’s way. My 6-year-old son joins them occasionally. Water play is a therapeutic activity, especially for children who are naturally hyperactive due to the soothing sensory stimulation that it offers. Most would say that the elastic ties begin to wear down after a few months of purchasing the set and would become too stretched that it no longer holds the lids well. The only logical solution would be to keep in indoors or anywhere covered on a rainy day. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Sponsorship & Advertising Policy This Builder’s Bay sand and water table from Little Tikes has gone down a storm. It’s amazing to play with on sunny days because the water can help to keep my kids cool. Then the bright orange parasol keeps them in the shade. It’s the perfect garden accessory for my youngest daughter – who loves nothing more than digging the sand with the crane and transporting it in the boat over the water.Now, the only issue I have with sand & water tables is that they are impossible to keep them tidy. The water is always going to end up in the sand and the sand is always going to find a way into the water. But that’s OK because the kids don’t care. Even if we do! Playing with sand and water helps children to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills that they will need for important skills such as holding a pen to write, manipulating a knife and fork, getting dressed by themselves, etc. My kids have ended up scooping sand into both sides of the table. They also love to fill both sides of the table with water. It has not caused any issues for us – I knew it would be impossible to keep the kids from doing that anyway. Once it arrived, I think I underestimated how big it was going to be. But that was OK because I am a total ‘go big or go home’ sort of gal. And me being me, I couldn’t wait to unbox it and build it for the kids getting home from school. It’s such a fun, durable and interactive garden accessory for my children. I can see it getting a lot of love over the upcoming, Summer holidays!