Want all the fantastic fun of a water table WITHOUT the crazy cost?? Here’s how to make your own inexpensive-but-totally-fun DIY water table!
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Water tables are fantastic for keeping little ones (and not-so-little ones) cool, occupied, and happy on hot summer days. But whew! They can get pricey.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 7+ years of parenting, though, it’s that kids love simple just as much as fancy. In fact, it’s often the simple things that captivate them longer than the flashy or expensive. (I mean, think about how many times your kids have been more entertained by a cardboard box than the toy it once contained.)
Parenting lesson: we often make things more extravagant and expensive than they need to be when it comes to entertaining and caring for our kids.
That’s why I’m going to show you how to make your own DIY water table. It’s much simpler, significantly more affordable, and perfectly customizable. But just as much fun.
How to Make Your Own DIY Water Table
Want something that will delight your kids this summer, provide hours of entertainment, and keep them cool on those crazy hot days? Want to save a ton of money doing it? Follow the instructions below to create your own DIY water table!
What You’ll Need:
- A shallow plastic container (under-the-bed storage works the best)
- A collection of cups, bowls, scoops, tub toys, etc. (more ideas below)
How to Make Your DIY Water Table
- Fill a shallow plastic container (I’ve found the under-the-bed storage kind works best) with water.
- Throw in a collection of cups, scoops, bathtub toys, sponges, and whatever else you have on hand. (More ideas below)
- Let them play!
That’s seriously all there is to it. Your kids’ imaginations will do the rest!
It seems so simple, I know. Almost too simple! But again, kids can do more with their own imaginations and creativity than we give them credit for. They can entertain themselves with simple pleasures. Especially when we give them plenty of opportunities and practice. They don’t need fancy or expensive set-ups to have fun.
I promise.
What to Put in Your DIY Water Table
Wondering what to put in your DIY water table? You can use whatever you have on hand OR purchase a few inexpensive items. You don’t have to go crazy — simple is usually better! — but here are a few ideas:
- Cups
- Plastic shovels or scoops
- Toy sieve
- Sponges
- Funnels
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Bath tub toys (we love these buckets and these boats)
- A simple water wheel
- Toy cars they can “wash”
- Bug catcher nets
- Rocks
- Plastic animals
- Mini colanders
- Color changing toys (like these color changing bath toys or Color Shifters Hot Wheels)
- Grow in Water capsules (you can find them on Amazon or check your local Dollar Tree!)
Water tables make for great summer fun, and I hope you see now that they don’t have to be fancy and they don’t have to cost a lot of money. Given the chance, kids are great at making their own entertainment with even the simplest materials. With a few inexpensive additions or things you have around the house, these DIY water tables will provide hours of fun for your family this summer.
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