A water table is a wonderful thing. Water play is an amazing thing (see my post on water play for more information) and while a water table is not necessary for good water play, it is a great thing to have around because it can be used for many, many, many other things other than water (of course any large container can be used as well!)
You can put almost ANYTHING in a water table for kids to explore and play with including (of course you need to keep in mind the age and habits of your children. Young children need to be watched closely when exploring small and/or non-food items and the best way to keep an eye on things is to get in there and play yourself!):
- Sand
- Oatmeal
- Rice
- Dirt
- Pumpkin or Squash Guts
- Watermelon (or other melons)
- Snow or Ice
- Leaves
- Flowers
- Newspaper
- Tissue paper or streamers (DON’T mix with water, the color will bleed and stain!!!)
- Pattern Paper
- Hay
- Animals
- Batting/Stuffing
- Cornstarch
- Pasta (raw or cooked)
- Beans
- Shaving Cream or Whipped Cream
- Unpopped or popped corn
- Grass (real or fake)
- Packing Peanuts
- Pom Pons
- Pipe cleaners
- Ribbons/String/Yarn
- Toilet Paper
- Clean Mud (recipe)
- Soap/Bubbles
- Paint
- Cereal
- Ping Pong Balls
- Pebbles or River rocks
- Mulch
- Buttons
- Marbles (round or flat)
- Legos
- Fabric Scraps
- Applesauce
- Foam blocks or pieces
- Beads
- Pencil or Crayon Shavings
- Marker, bottle or small jar lids
- Rhinestones/Gems
- Feathers
- Candy Wrappers
- Jell-o
- Easter Eggs
- Seaweed (dry or wet)
- Birdseed or Grains
- Sawdust
