Home >> Toys >> Backyard Toys

How to Build a Sand & Water Table

Sand and water tables allow children to learn to measure and mold sand or other similar substances and engage in sensory stimulation activities. Sand tables have been used to encourage communication and imaginative play in therapeutic situations. The addition of water allows children to see the effects of erosion and study the water cycle first-hand.

Things You'll Need

Hand or power drill, 1/2-inch diameter bit
Two clear 24- by 36-inch plastic under-bed storage containers
8 pieces 24-inch long 12- by 12-inch stock lumber
4 pieces 3-feet long, 1/2-inch diameter rebar
Sledge hammer
Clear 1/2-inch diameter aquarium air line
1/2-inch diameter PVC pipe, cut into two 12-inch lengths
Slip-tee connector
PVC cement
5-gallon plastic bucket or washtub
Cheesecloth
Bungee cord same length as circumference of bucket
3 bags fine river pebbles or play sand
Sand and water toys
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Select the location for your sand and water table. Drill 1/2-inch diameter holes through each end of the 24-inch long 12- by 12-inch stock lumber. Stack two pieces on top of each other to make two supports each for the sand and water containers.
- 2
  
  Rebar is used to stabilize stone blocks or stacked lumber.
  
  Use a sledge hammer to pound rebar through each hole in the stacked wood into the ground until the end of the bar is flush with the surface of the supporting wood.
- 3
  Drill a 1/2-inch diameter drain hole at one end of the bottom of one of the under-bed storage containers. Drill a second hole in one of the short sides of each container, as close to the bottom of the container as possible.
- 4
  Place the two storage containers on top of their supports. Connect the two containers using an 18-inch length of 1/2-inch diameter clear aquarium air line. This will allow water to flow between the two containers.
- 5
  Apply PVC inside the straight portion of the PVC slip-tee. Insert one end of one of the 1/2-inch diameter, 12-inch long pieces of PVC into it. Repeat PVC cement inside the slip portion of the tee and center the second piece of 1/2-inch diameter PVC in it. This creates a "shower head."
- 6
  
  A bucket or washtub works well for a catch basin.
  
  Cover the top of the 5-gallon bucket or washtub with fine cheesecloth. Secure it with the bungee cord. This is your filter and tank for the return water. Place it under the drain hole in the sand table container.
- 7
  Fill the sand table with fine river pebbles or play sand. If you use play sand, keep it damp at all times to avoid children inhaling the fine silica dust in some commercial play sands.
- 8
  Fill the water container. Water will eventually flow through the air line to the shower head, creating a rain-like effect. Provide a squeeze bag with a long, narrow tip that children can insert into the air line to force water through as desired. Rubber squeeze bags are available in the infant products section at most drug stores.
- 9
  Provide sand and water toys, including funnels, measuring cups, water wheels, sand sifters and molds.
- 10
  Empty the filter bucket back into the water table as needed by removing the cheesecloth cover. Pour any filtered sand or pebbles back into the sand table.

Backyard Toys