Have you been enjoying the warm weather as much as we have? Warm temperatures and cool water always mix nicely so I've been wanting to buy/make our own water table. Something like this well-crafted homemade water table found over at I Make Stuff is ideal. But that requires some planning and a trip to the hardware store. I need a water table right now!
So this is what I came up with in a pinch. I emptied out two shallow toy bins (IKEA Trofast) and then set them on top of a couple of stools. That's it; instant water table. When filled the weight of the water keeps the bins from shifting. Not only was it simple, it was free AND it doesn't require any additional storage space, which I don't have. Best of all the kids really enjoyed it.
Of course we'd love to build something like the table over at I Make Stuff. Check out more photos of her creation at her blog.
Images: I Make Stuff (top), Janie Lee (bottom)
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Awesome. I love it. I am not handy with a saw, nor do I have the time to run to the hardware store. But Ikea--that I can do.
I can assure you that if I placed a bucked on a stool my little guy would dump the whole thing in a matter of minutes - just to see what happened. I've tried. I need something that's set in the table like the first one.
I love the idea of not having another big plastic 'thing.'
Wow, I was JUST doing a search for how to make one of these the other day. Thank you!
Maybe I'm an idiot for suggesting this, but how about a small inflatable pool from wal-mart for about $5? Stays on the ground and if it's really hot they can jump in with the toys. When the summer's over, deflate, fold and store.
I have one of those plastic beverage bins with handles from Target and I fill that with water for my girls to play in on our balcony (no room for a kiddie pool!). It's a great size, and I store their outdoor toys in it when it's not in use.
We have been using old buckets. And since one of them got a leak from having rocks thrown in them with two-year-old force, we're going to dig out the infant bathtub that we never used (sink then straight to tub) and it will serve as the new water table and surely where he'll end up sitting and splashing. But if that gets a leak, I'm going to have to buy a new bucket or two anyway to wash the car with, so it's a never-ending, but cheap way to reuse and recycle.
We also use an infant bath tub - filled with water it's too heavy for a little one to flip, but super fun to play with. Just grab a bunch of bowls, funnels, cups, things that float/sink and you're good to go.