A sand and water table is a great activity toy that can help promote learning in children. Children using the table won’t even realize they’re learning vital skills as they play. This kids toy design is the best variety to have. They not only offer hours of fun but also great educational value. A sand table in the back garden will offer children the opportunity to use their imagination and play freely.

Although the sand table is ideally placed in the garden, it can also be placed in the house. Depending on how much space is available will determine how large the layer of sand and water can be. There should be a variety of different objects available to play with to help encourage different activities. Any object that can help children manipulate the sand is ideal. Funnels, rakes, pots, and measuring spoons will help kids get creative. Although free play is encouraged, some form of structured activities will also be great.

Hiding small objects like small animals, letters, rocks and toy bones in the sand allows children to have their own treasure hunt. For slightly older children, asking them to put them into categories or colors will give them an additional task. Asking children to trace numbers and letters in the sand is a great way to encourage writing. Placing an alphabet chart near the sand table can help them identify and recognize letters.

Weights and measures can also be taught using the sand and water table. Have the children estimate how much sand and water it will take to fill the measuring cups they are playing with. This will help them recognize that different objects have different volumes. Although sand can provide many different activities for children, the water element of the sand and water table is fantastic. Children can explore how different objects behave in water and which ones float and which ones sink. The combination of the two elements of sand and water will add a totally different dimension to children’s play.

Wet sand can be shaped and molded to create amazing shapes and structures. The basic activities of filling containers and emptying them into another can help with hand-eye coordination. Although sand is the most common part of the sand and water table, it can be filled with many different materials. Pasta, rice, cotton, wool, and even cooked spaghetti can be used to teach children different sensory experiences. The entire time the children are playing with the sand table, conversation and interaction are taking place.

They will be learning new words and descriptions of what they are playing. Children learn much faster if they are not aware that they are learning. All of your senses will be challenged and utilized when using a sand and water table. They will explore different textures while being creative and imaginative. Although there may be some mess at the sand table, knowing that children are gaining a wealth of knowledge and skills makes a little mess worthwhile.