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About 5 years ago my daughter wanted a sand/water table. We made our own version of the sand/water table when our kids were small. I bought two small plastic tubs w/lids for under $2 each. The tubs were about 10 inches deep. I bought a $3 bag of sand to go in one tub. The other tub was for water. The lids prevented cats or other creatures to get to the sand or the water toys when we weren't using them. I was able to stack the tubs in our carport so they were out of the way when the kids weren't playing with them. The kids were able to drag the tubs where ever they wanted to go that day. Those tubs were a huge hit. My kids are 6 & 9 now. My 6 year old has re-purposed the tubs, they are now full of army men and other toys out back. In the winter we use the tubs to make huge blocks of snow that we can stack and mold into snow slides and our version of an igloo.
Also, before your kids come into the house, hose them off outside. It will keep the sand down to a minimum.
I think I am going to go with a water table for now and then when he gets older get a sandbox. The water table I am eyeing is this one: Step2 Waterwheel Play Table : Target
Has great reviews & is pretty inexpensive!
I bought this table 2 years ago and my kids just love it...my son especially loves the tower and how the water makes the gear work. I got it at Toysrus for under $20--it was on sale and I had a $5 coupon. Make sure you sign up for their bday club, BTW, they send coupons throughout the year.
I didn't get the sand version because it's just too messy and they both think it's fun to dump sand on each other, plus wet sand...ugh, I don't want that in my house.
Thanks guys for the water table ideas. I'd just go with a cheap tub but I definitely want something elevated with a drain plug, which the branded tables (eg step 2 water table) have.
we did the seperate areas too - we have the step2 water table - super cute and the kids love it - and a seperate step2 sandbox we love! worked great for us!
I use a table with only one (water or sand) at a time. I don't combine them.
Sometimes i use water and others instead of sand I use Rice, it is alot cleaner and just as fun.
My 5 year old loved his water table at that age! He played with it for a year or two outside. We did keep the sandbox separate. I suspect the two combined would be quite messy. There are other tables you could consider making too, my son's preschool has a sand table, a water table, a pasta/noodle table, and a bean table.
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