20+ Ideas for the Water Table this Summer
The arrival of summer also means the arrival of sunny days and scorching temperatures, so it’s time to dust off that water table in the outdoor learning area and put it to good use! Here are 20+ new and creative water table ideas, or ideas for your water sensory bin. They’re perfect to add to your summer theme lesson plans!
As the sun shines brighter and days get warmer, it’s the perfect time to bring out a favorite summer toy: the water table!
But water tables aren’t just for cooling down – they can be fantastic tools for sparking creativity, exploration, and learning through play. Here are some water table ideas that you will find in this post.
- sink or float
- rainbow rain
- volcano eruptions
- soapy suds
- colorful ice cubes
- fishing for letters
- counting and sorting
- washing toy animals
- car wash
These are just a few ideas to get you started for what you will find in the extensive list of water sensory table ideas. With a little creativity, you can turn your water table into a summer learning haven that keeps kids cool, engaged, and having a blast!
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What is a Water Table?
A water table is a shallow basin, often designed for children, that’s filled with water for play. And, it’s one of the best preschool sensory tools you can invest in for your classroom.
It typically has features like channels, pumps, and cups to allow for scooping, pouring, and splashing. While they provide fun in the summer sun, water tables can also be educational tools for introducing basic concepts in science, math, and even literacy through play.
Best Water Tables for Kids
As a veteran preschool teacher, I’ve used some different kinds of water tables in my classroom. These are the ones I like the best.
- 3-IN-1 DESIGN: Remove the table top to reveal two plastic activity bins and turn this picnic set…
- PERFECT FOR SUNNY DAYS: The outdoor design means this table is a great addition to sunny days…
- ADJUSTABLE UMBRELLA: Use the simple release system to move the umbrella up and down, providing shade…
- 2-IN-1 DESIGN: Sand and water table separated into two parts, multiple children can play, use water,…
- INTERACTIVE ACCESSORIES: 6-piece water accessory set, comes with a molded-in roadways lid, providing…
- EASY TO CLEAN: High-quality materials to ensure durability, removable drain cap, making it easy for…
- SAFETY IN DESIGN — This play table is designed for young learners to experiment with water and…
- LARGE SIZE FOR SMALL GROUPS — Use it at home or in the classroom. Children love to gather around a…
- LIDS DOUBLE AS TRAYS — This tub comes with two trays that nest perfectly on top. Use them as a…
- REAL-WORLD SKILLS: Scoop and spray and learn and play! This sensory play table comes ready for all…
- MAKE-IT-YOURSELF: Understand cause and effect with stick-on pipes, spinners, and valves that…
- EDUCATIONAL: Explore sensory play with sand and other sensory materials by dumping, digging, and…
What to Put in a Water Table Besides Water
Water tables are not limited to just water, and some of the ideas on our list reflect that. Here are some other fillers for your water sensory bin.
- ice
- rice
- sand
- mud
- pom poms
- soap foam
- shaving cream
Water Table Toys
We’ve mentioned a few already, but these water toys are our all-time favorites. In fact, sometimes my kids will sneak these toys into bath time.
- BUILD fine motor skills while having fun experimenting with their own version of a tool grown-up…
- ENCOURAGE kids to explore the properties of water, experience cause and effect, and more.
- INTRODUCE young learners to real science tools, perfectly sized for a whole hand grasp
- FINE MOTOR TOOL: These uniquely designed scoopers allow children to use their thumb, index, and…
- SENSORY TOY: Holes in scoops allow for catch-and-release fun during water play, or use in a sensory…
- SET OF 4: Set of 4 Handy Scoopers in assorted colors
- ✨【ENTERTAINMENT】 Conduct splashy science experiments with the chemistry inspired lab bath…
- 🚸【SAFETY FIRST】 Crafted from 100% food-grade silicone and rigorously tested to be safe for…
- 💡【EDUCATION】 Aqualab bath toys inspire young minds through hands-on science fun. These toys…
- Novel ABC Educational Toys : this set includes 26 alphabets. The biggest difference from other…
- Fidget Sensory Toys: This set is not only a normal learning toy for building early color and spell…
- Practical Teaching Tools and Flawless details: for studying, can focus on learning letters, colors,…
- The Sassy Wonder wheel, with over 5mm units Sold, was the inspiration for this unique bath toy….
- Suction cup base sticks to the bathtub floor, wall And any smooth surface for frustration-free play….
- Spinning wheel encourages baby’s natural batting action. Soft colorful cups move as baby pours water…
Sensory Table Ideas for 2 Year Olds
Like all sensory activities, there are some safety differences in water table ideas for toddlers and water table ideas for preschoolers. We’ve created two lists dividing the two.
Please remember that since these sensory activities feature water, children should never be left unsupervised!
Water Table Ideas for Toddlers
Toddlers will have a blast playing in these easy-prep water tables! They’re all shallow and well-equipped with large accessories that are safe for toddlers. Be sure to supervise your toddler when they play, though; safety first!
Fine Motor Water Activity for Toddlers
Summertime also means water time! This water sensory bin activity is perfect for keeping toddlers nice and cool while they work on strengthening their fine motor muscles. All you need is water and some empty glue bottles.
Cool Off With a Scooping and Pouring Water Bead Water Bin
Preschoolers always look forward to the reappearance of the water bin when summer hits, and it's one of our favorite things about summer learning. Full of water beads, this scooping and pouring water bin is the perfect way to enjoy with warmer weather.
Bear Soup Water Sensory Bin
Call it what you will, but this Bear Soup water sensory bin is full of imaginary play that will allow your toddler to take the lead. This is certainly one to add to your summer activity list!
Bubble Foam Water Table: An Outdoor Activity
Welcome to one of the most epic activity ideas for a sunny day: the bubble foam water table! This is the stuff kids' dreams are made of. Warning: serious giggling will ensue.
Make an Ice Table Sensory Bin
Out with the old water table ideas and in with the new! Try turning it into an ice table sensory bin that's perfect for beating the heat.
Ideas for Water Table Fun with Babies and Toddlers
Explore these themed water table activities for your little one that are sure to bring on the summer fun! Playful ideas using a few fun items from around your house plus a few of our favorite toys for your water table.
Washing Dishes Water Play for Kids
Toddlers love pretending to do what grown-ups do! Adding play dishes to the water table with some soapy water will provide endless fun on a warm summer day...and maybe teach an important life skill, too!
Water Table and Pom Poms
Adding colorful pom poms to your water table is such a fun way to incorporate an interesting texture to the water. Toddlers will have fun scooping, squeezing, and sorting them! Add some sorting bowls for even more fun!
Vegetable Soup Water Table Play Activity
Little kids love pretending to cook, so a fun way to use a water table is to turn it into a large pot of vegetable soup! Toddlers will have a blast stirring, scooping, and serving up their own soup on a hot summer day. Watch as they make up chants and songs while they play, too!
Ocean Sensory Table
Summertime is a great time for toddlers to learn about the ocean. This ocean sensory table is the perfect way to introduce young learners to ocean animals and ocean vocabulary in a playful way!
Water Table Ideas for 3-5 Year Olds
When choosing water table activities for preschoolers, consider both their age and interests. Younger preschoolers might enjoy simpler activities focused on sensory play or exploration, while older preschoolers might benefit from activities that incorporate counting, sorting, or imaginative play.
And the water table is an amazing way to have fun with preschool science, too!
Water Table Ideas for Preschoolers
Water tables can provide a wide variety of fun learning and play activities for preschoolers. Check out this list for some amazing water activity ideas for preschoolers to get you started this summer!
Try a Sink or Float Water Sensory Bin This Summer
Most sensory bin ideas can be transferred to a water table. Doing this science sink or float activity in a water table allows preschoolers a better opportunity to explore the items. There's no need to buy specialty materials, either!
Duck Pond Sensory Play
Adding some adorable rubber ducks, pebbles, wood blocks, and other pond themed items to your water table will provide preschoolers with endless play and learning fun. Watch your preschoolers get in lots of language practice as they make up stories about their duck pond!
Washing Farm Animals Sensory Bin
One of the best things about water tables is they often have two sides. This water table idea uses dirt on one side and soapy water on the other. Kids will love make the dirty animals clean again while using fine motor muscles to scrub and wash. If you don't have a water table, you can easily convert this activity to two small sensory bins that sit side-by-side.
Water Bead and Shaving Cream Sensory Activity
Water beads and shaving cream is an amazing sensory experience for preschoolers. Doing this activity outside in a water table will make clean up a breeze.
Disney In Ice Escape Water Table STEM Activity
Cool off on a hot summer day with your preschoolers' favorite characters frozen in ice in the water table. Kids will have so much fun trying to break and melt the ice cubes to free the toys.
Beach Water Table Invitation
If you don't live near the ocean, you can bring the beach to your preschoolers with this fun beach themed water table! Kids will love exploring the soft white sand, seashells, and cool blue water with this activity.
Colorful Ice Boats
This water table activity encourages preschoolers to explore buoyancy, temperature, and colors while having fun outside playing with water.
Frog Counting Activity
Preschoolers will love this water table activity that features a favorite pond animal: frogs! It's a great way to incorporate counting, one-to-one correspondence, and number recognition into a playful activity for summer.
Water Table Dinosaur World
You can turn your water table into almost any imaginable small world. This amazing dinosaur world is sure to get your preschooler interested in dinosaurs and pretend play!
Nature Soup – Nature and Water Play for Preschoolers
Fill your water table with all sorts of natural materials and let your child's senses run wild with a nature soup. This is an excellent way for preschoolers to explore nature with the five senses. It's perfect for summer or for a five sense theme.
These 20+ water table ideas just might save your bacon this summer.
With rising temperatures, we want our preschoolers and toddlers to be safe while learning and playing outside; water table activities are the perfect way to keep them cool. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen and keep your little ones hydrated, too! And just as important, always supervise your preschoolers and toddlers when they play around water!
Must Have Items to Keep Kids Safe This Summer
Don’t forget to take special precautions when teaching preschoolers in the heat of the summer. Here are some of my favorite items I keep on hand to keep my preschoolers cool and safe while learning and playing outside.
- no melt
- gluten free
- preservative free
- ORIGINAL SPF 70 SUNSCREEN LOTION . This is the stuff we use every day. It’s the formula that…
- MOISTURIZING SUN PROTECTION. Dermatologist and Sonny approved, this non-comedogenic sunscreen…
- HOW TO USE. 15 minutes before sun exposure, apply liberally to all areas of the skin and avoid the…
- VACUUM INSULATED WATER BOTTLE – Whether you’re sending your child off to school or on a family…
- PREMIUM 18/8 STAINLESS STEEL – This water bottles are made of high quality 18/8 stainless steel and…
- LEAK PROOF LID – Our straw lid leak proof when in closed position. The leak-proof straw lid and soft…
- Wide Brim Sun Protection Hat for Baby Toddler Kids Boys and Girls, UPF 50+ protection blocks 98% of…
- 7cm Wide brim protects & shields eyes from the sun, chin strap and adjustable toggle at back for…
- Breathable, sturdy, durable, lightweight and portable for easy on the go
- ATTENTION: Due to different screen display, there may be a little color difference from image
- CAUTION & CARE – The base is not included in this item. You can buy the JEAREY umbrella Base Stand…
- HIGH-DURABILITY FABRIC – 9 feet diameter patio straight umbrella for extra strength, featuring…
I’m Sarah, an educator turned stay-at-home-mama of five! I’m the owner and creator of Stay At Home Educator, a website about intentional teaching and purposeful learning in the early childhood years. I’ve taught a range of levels, from preschool to college and a little bit of everything in between. Right now my focus is teaching my children and running a preschool from my home. Credentials include: Bachelors in Art, Masters in Curriculum and Instruction.
