Step2 started almost 30 years ago as a small manufacturing business. They quickly grew into a direct to consumer website, supplying preschool and toddler toys. They aim to build toys that encourage children’s imagination through play.
They manufacture a broad range of toys from playhouses to ride-on wagons and, of course, their famous sand and water tables. We will take a look at the options they offer for their sand and water tables.
| Title | Price | Prime | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Step2 Cascading Cove Sand & Water Table with Umbrella Kids Sand & Water Play Table | Prime | Buy Now | |
 | Step2 Splash N Scoop Bay Sand and Water Table | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Step2 Fiesta Cruise Sand & Water Table with Umbrella | Kids Outdoor Play Table | Prime | Buy Now |
In this article
- How Does Sand and Water Play Aid Development?
- Step2 Sand and Water Tables
- 1. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Center
- 2. Cascading Cove Sand and Water Table
- 3. Dino Dig Sand and Water Table
- 4. Step2 Splash N Scoop Bay Sand and Water Table
- 5. Step2 Fiesta Cruise Sand & Water Table with Umbrella
- The Final Word
How Does Sand and Water Play Aid Development?
You will see some sand and water play in almost every preschool. Although it looks as though the children are having fun, they are, in fact, practicing some significant areas of development.
To begin with, the outdoor setting, where you will find these kinds of toys, is a crucial factor in children’s health and well-being. The more time children get to spend outdoors, the calmer they will be.
Outdoor activities help release endorphins. Besides that, these kinds of outdoor play experiences are also key to physical, mental, and emotional development.
As children dig, scoop, pour, and build using the sand and water play, they are developing their gross motor skills. These are movements that involve the large muscles of the arms, legs, and torso.
View in gallery
This kind of play also exposes them to opportunities to learn math and science without them even realizing it.
Measurements of volume can be learned by providing children with different sized cups and spoons, different sized containers, and scales to begin the understanding of weight and counting.
Children may discover their love of science through encouragement to experiment with the concept of what floats and what sinks.
Other textures can be added for them to see the impact that water has on them. Rocks can be added to the water to begin discussions about water displacement.
The opportunities for development through water and sand play are endless and a very effective way for children to learn at their own pace.
Step2 Sand and Water Tables
Step2 has a complete range of sand and water table combinations to suit preschoolers and toddlers. They all have the same concept of both sand and water play in one tray. Although both the components do have their separate compartments. Mind you, they will not stay this way for long!
All of their sand and water tables come with a cover so that you can keep the sand clean when it is not being used. The waterside of the table has a plugin at the bottom so that you can easily drain the water when it’s finished with.
1. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Center
This is one of the larger sand and water centers that Step2 manufacture and it has some great features.
This table holds approximately 1.5 gallons of water and 20 pounds of sand. The table comes with a lid to keep the sand dry and clean and the water bug-free. The cover also has some handy straps to connect it to the base to give it that added security.
One of the best features of this table is that it has an umbrella. This will provide your children up to 60 inches of shade to continue playing in the hot midday sun or even a rain shower!
The table is not just a rectangle divided into two sides. It also provides bridges and a molded road for added play with cars or trucks. The table also comes with its own seven-piece accessory set, which includes boats, bridges, shovels, and buckets.
In the box, you will get the sand and water table base, four legs, 60-inch umbrella, table lid, and the accessory set. All you need to add is the sand and water!
2. Cascading Cove Sand and Water Table
This activity table is the same design as the Naturally Playful table above. It does hold more water at 3 gallons but less sand at only 10 pounds.
The umbrella is only 42 inches, although it would still provide good coverage for children to continue playing even on the hottest days.
In the box, you will receive the sand and water table base, four legs, 42-inch umbrella, table lid, and the six-piece accessory set, which includes two boats, two bridges, double-sided rake, shovel, and cup.
Buy on Amazon
3. Dino Dig Sand and Water Table
If your children are dinosaur crazy, then this is the one for you. This sand and water table has a theme of dinosaur adventure. It comes with two molded sides ones for water and the other for sand.
It provides the opportunity for children to play together. This helps them to develop their social and verbal skills by sharing a space and talking about what they are playing.
The sand tray is quite deep. It also comes with a large palm tree in the center of the table. When you pour water over the tree, it trickles down like rainfall into the pool below—providing the perfect spot for a dinosaur watering hole!
The table also comes with a volcano, which doubles up as a cover for the sand, keeping those critters and providing covered storage for toys.
The only negative I have for this table is that there is no umbrella included and that there is no option to add one to the center of the table to provide the shade to make playtime last longer.
In the box, you will receive the sand and water table base, four legs, and a dinosaur accessory set that includes some chunky dinosaur figures.
4. Step2 Splash N Scoop Bay Sand and Water Table
Another fun product from Step2! The Splash N Scoop has a double-sided table, one side for water, and the other side for sand. You also get a water tower that you can attach to the mountain to create a waterfall splash.
If you want, it can be used directly on the water table base for a cool cascade. A useful feature of this sand and water table is its non-leak drain plug that keeps the water in during playtime and for easy clean-up when playtime fun is done.
Along with the table, you have the lid and the accessory set. It has an umbrella holder. However, the umbrella for this table is sold separately.
Buy on Amazon
5. Step2 Fiesta Cruise Sand & Water Table with Umbrella
This table comes in the shape of a cruise ship and is split into two sections, one side for water and the other side for sand. It has some great features like the spiral water slide for toys.
It comes with a great accessory pack, which includes springboard, figures, and a cup. The table also features a cruise-ship-themed lid!
Buy on AmazonThe Final Word
As a parent of children ranging in age from 21 to 1, sand and water play is something that has never gone out of fashion. It is a consistent form of both entertainment and educational development.
Children love nothing more than splashing in a water table, even from a very young age. If you are lucky enough to live somewhere that has a warm climate for most of the year, it is a purchase that you will get your money’s worth.
Even if you live somewhere with only a few weeks or months of warm weather, the children will still play with these tables endlessly.
Personally, I believe that these sand and water tables are a great purchase and relatively inexpensive. They would make a great addition to any little one’s outdoor experience!
