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23 of the Best Water Table Activities

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Last Updated on August 14, 2025 by Sheryl Cooper

Inside: Water table activities are super easy to set up, and can be a fun part of early learning with toddlers and preschoolers. Here are 23 favorites to try in your home or classroom!
 
What is it about water that can be so soothing? When we have those super energetic days – I’m sure you are familiar with them – we are so thankful for the water table! What I love about water table activities is that they can be done indoors and outdoors, all year long.
 
The water table is like the bathtub for many young children. It helps them unwind. It’s soothing. It’s easy for us to set up, and it’s fun for them!
 
Oh, and it works those fine motor skills. All that squeezing, pouring and dumping? Yes, it has a purpose.
 
So let me share some of our favorites, all done in our toddler and/or preschool classroom!
water table activities
 
 
 
23 of the Best Water Table Activities

CLICK HERE for 10 more water play activities!

Fun Fine Motor Water Bin

Fine Motor Activity Using Basters

Using squeezing tools is perfect for a fine motor water bin!

 

Color Sorting Water Bin

Color Sorting Water Bin

Match cubes and cup with this easy and fun color sorting water bin.

Alphabet Soup Sensory Bin

preschool alphabet sensory play

Expose young children to the alphabet while making alphabet soup.

Fun Color Sorting Fish Sensory Bin

fun color sorting fish sensory bin

Go fishing with real fish nets and colorful plastic fish with this fun color sorting fish water activity.

Rainy Weather Sensory Bin

Rainy Weather Sensory Bin for Preschoolers

Use cotton balls and cups to make it rain in this weather sensory bin.

Ocean Sensory Bin

Ocean theme sensory bin

Add ocean animals and nets to your water table for a fun ocean sensory bin.

Frog Pond Sensory Play

Frog Activities

Create a pond in your sensory bin that includes frogs and lily pads.

 

Toddler Frog Water Bin

This toddler frog activity is super easy to set up using a tub of water. Add squeezers and strainers for some fine motor strengthening!

We used larger frogs for toddler hands-on water fun!

Spring Water Bin

Spring Toddler Water Table with Rubber Ducks

There’s lots of fine motor strengthening happening with this spring water table!

Ten Rubber Ducks Bin

Toddler Spring Sensory Play with 10 Rubber Ducks

After reading 10 Rubber Ducks, put together this fun ducks water bin.

More photos from past water table activities:

 

 

Plastic Bugs

 
water table activities for preschoolers

Depending on the time of year or our theme, we like to add these small creatures to explore.

Washing Legos

water table activities for preschoolers

Fill the water bin with some soapy warm water, add Legos, and their little fingers do the rest.

 

Funnels 

 
water table activities for preschoolers

We added golf balls as a lesson on what could and could not make it through the funnel hole.

 
 

Plastic Eggs

 

 
water table activities for preschoolers

They are perfect for scooping water and fit nicely in little kids’ hands.

 
 

Boats

water table activities for preschoolers
 

 PVC Pipe

water table activities for preschoolers

Add small balls for additional fun.

 

More water table ideas: 

Magnetic Alphabet Fishing (Busy Toddler)

Colorful Cups and Water (And Next Comes L)

Bottle Cap Fine Motor Play (Fantastic Fun and Learning)

Fishing for Numbers (Buggy and Buddy)

Squeeze Water from Bottles (Playdough to Plato)

Pipes and Water Play (Moms & Crafters)

Baby Wash and Care Station (The Imagination Tree)

Tropical Isand Water Table (Craftulate)

Frozen Ocean Animal Rescue (Mama Papa Bubba)

water table activities



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About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 25 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

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