The 4 Best Water Tables, Tested by Kids (& Approved by Parents)

Ah, the water table: Are there any other toys that can be both a sanity-saver and headache-inducer for parents? On the one hand, they encourage sensory play and can keep toddlers entertained, screen-free, all afternoon (or, at the very least, longer than three episodes of Bluey). On the other, certain styles can take up half your patio, balcony or living room—and, potentially, leak everywhere.

After hearing countless parents share their love/hate relationship with the outdoor toy, the Happy Kid Awards team took it upon ourselves to test the top-rated designs on the market, from brands big and small, to bring you the four best water tables for toddlers and little kids alike.

Over the course of a month, families were instructed to have their kids use the water table at least three times, recording how long they played with it, what held their interest (or didn’t), and what, as parents, they liked and didn’t like. I also asked them to consider the quality and durability of the table, as well as its versatility (could it be used as a sand or sensory table too? Convert to a regular table once they’ve outgrown the water table phase? Packed flat when not in use?). From there, I arrived at the four best of the best.