Sand and Water Tables - Please share your experiences!

[honeybunmom]

My kids love to play in sand and water. Am I asking for a big mess if I get one of these for them? I do have a splash mat I could put under it . . . but, I'm just thinking about sand being tracked out of the kitchen or play room. We have hard wood floors, so, clean up wouldn't be too bad.

I'm thinking this could be the "share" gift for them and well worth the investment. Surely we'd put it outside in the warmer months.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks!

[Melaniee]

Well we had ours outdoors on a patio, so mess wasn't a big problem. I will say, that I received great advice prior to buying it - only do sand OR water. It really cut down on the mess factor. So in warmer months both sides were water, and in cooler months both sides are sand.

A friend tried the combo and said it just made a muddy mess.

Personally, I wouldn't have sand indoors, but I can't speak from experience. I don't even allow Moon Sand or playdough indoors. I guess it would depend upon how laid back you are. I try to avoid creating situations that will just have me stressing out at them about what they're doing/how they are doing it.

[Zuzu822]

We have a plastic sand/water table that we use primarily for water in the summer months since we also have a sandbox. It's pretty beaten up at this point with water in the legs we haven't been able to drain, so we also have a wood (with removable plastic bins) indoor sand/water table from Discount School Supply that is wonderful! We don't use sand indoors but rice. Similar sensory experience and not too terrible to clean up. You could probably do beans too. We use it for water now and then but of course the sink works for water play too. Either way, it's a lot of fun!
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[zinemama]

I would never have one indoors.

We had one outside that was great, but we put water in both sides of it. The result would have been mud otherwise.

[yukookoo]

we just have dirt outside and a big metal bucket for water that we fill with the hose... works just fine

I have seen people do a large plastic tub like Tupperware style storage containers and put a splash mat under, so its something they sit and play at... I think with supervision it would be fine, i assume you have a vacuum cleaner. WI dont have experience with 2 kids yet, but i know with my 1 i could probably supervise her enough and teach her whats ok with the sand, beans, whatever,

Why do you want it indoors? I think going outdoors nad playing in a dirt or sand box with a bucket of water serves the same purpose and you get fresh air with it

[honeybunmom]

Thanks for all the great responses!

Originally Posted by yukookoo

we just have dirt outside and a big metal bucket for water that we fill with the hose... works just fine

I have seen people do a large plastic tub like Tupperware style storage containers and put a splash mat under, so its something they sit and play at... I think with supervision it would be fine, i assume you have a vacuum cleaner. WI dont have experience with 2 kids yet, but i know with my 1 i could probably supervise her enough and teach her whats ok with the sand, beans, whatever,

Why do you want it indoors? I think going outdoors nad playing in a dirt or sand box with a bucket of water serves the same purpose and you get fresh air with it

We live in Chicago, so, being outside isn't always practical for the winter months; and to the extent it is, playing in sand and water outside in Chicago winter isn't. My 19 mos old loves playing in sand and water and I'd love for him to be able to continue that during the winter months. The rice and beans are a great idea. I do sit him on a splash mat with big bowls of water and cups, but before long, he's sitting in water. I also stand him at the sink . . . and before long he's pouring water on the floor. Easier to get a mat under the table than it is to get it under our cabinet sink!