Sand/water tables

[torontokids]

I have been thinking about getting a sand and water table for inside this winter. My question is: how do you keep the sand/water from going everywhere? Outside I obviously don't care but inside I would worry about slipping or too much clean up. Anyone know what the kindergarten classes do to prevent this?

Thanks!

[Other Mummy]

I was thinking this as well. Whenever we do the sensory table....I'm spending 15/20 min cleaning up afterwards. I shudder at the thought of sand and water cleanup inside the daycare.

Maybe a big plastic pool (like a Mr. Turtle) Put the sand/water table inside. Keep kids sock free with a towel and bowl of water at each end to clean and dry off feet? That way they can track some sand/water and not turn the entire playroom into the beach LOL!

[Fun&care]

If I may be honest, that sounds like a nightmare. A whole lot of stress I would rather avoid. I spend enough time cleaning up toys, cleaning up bums, faces and wiping noses...no way I'm cleaning up sand or water everywhere in the house. Tried colored rice for a bit...disaster. They're too young IMO.

[Bookworm]

You could use a plastic table cloth from the dollar store or the like underneath as it will get everywhere.
I would recommend not getting one that uses both water and sand together because you'll just end up with mud. :)

I personally would never be brave enough to do this with my group. I may use the table to do sensory things in, but not sand or water.

[Momof4]

I have a sand/water table outside that I fill with water and sometimes add dishsoap for some great bubbles. The children quickly get dirt into the water and it turns into a mud table every time. Sand would be lost completely in a day so I don't bother with the added expense. In the winter it is a snow table so we get use out of it all year round.

But inside? NO WAY! We have a lot of fun inside on bad weather days without that kind of mess!

[AmandaKDT]

I use shallow bins at the kitchen table, as opposed to a sand/water table. I use the green shallow plastic bins from Ikea that are meant for toy storage.

I cover the kitchen table with a waterproof table cloth and also put cookie sheets under their bins in order to help contain the mess. I have only done sand once, but I have done water (washing baby dolls in sudsy water) and colored rice many times. I found the sand too much clean-up, so will be leaving that for outside. But rice or dried beans are a great alternative. Pom poms are also fun.

I like having it at the table so that the older ones can play without the too young ones messing with anything. That is the difference between a Multi-Age daycare environment and kindergarten, kindergartners can understand and follow rules put in place to contain the mess. I only do it with my 3 and 4 year olds.

I also like the separate bins because then there is no fighting as they each have their own.

[KellyP]

I keep my sand/water table filled at all times. It is available to the kids during free play in small groups. I change out the stuff inside to match our current theme or topic.

I keep it inside a plastic blow up pool that is square shaped. I have never had an issue with it being messier than the pool can contain.

I LOVE sensory bins/tables!!

[Skysue]

I keep my sand/water table filled at all times. It is available to the kids during free play in small groups. I change out the stuff inside to match our current theme or topic.

I keep it inside a plastic blow up pool that is square shaped. I have never had an issue with it being messier than the pool can contain.

I LOVE sensory bins/tables!!

Can you please post a picture of yours!

For me I a few times in the winter will set up my water table in the kitchen on the floor but I use tons of blankets. This activity is only for an hour or so!

[monkeymama]

outside I use sand and water, when I bring mine inside in the winter I use rice or pasta as more of a sensory table. the kids love it and less mess!

[playfelt]

I try to not have anything in the room on a permanent basis that I can't just leave the room for a bathroom trip or diaper change or to stir lunch and be concerned that the babies can swallow something. Sand and dirt is for outside. We do not play in dirt in the house and that includes in potted plants - not that there are any where they can get to them.

[momofnerds]

I'm not that crazy to have that in my house. Omg I can just imagine the mess. I do have have a table that my dh built and I usually put colored rice in it. I did have easter grass in it for easter but it was a huge mess all over the house, I couldn't wait to get rid of the easter grass.

[2cuteboys]

Our playroom is carpet so we don't do water except for outside in the summer. I have done shaving and whipped cream at the kitchen table, and will do rice/bean/pasta sensory bins and play dough at a small table in the playroom.

I must have an aversion to sand because I have absolutely no desire to use it in or around my home in any capacity lol.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I personally hate sand but thankfully we live really close to a sandy playground so I don't feel guilty for not offering it haha. Inside I do rice or pasta in shallow containers. I put toys in their containers so they play longer. I would like to do the coloured cooked spaghetti but haven't gotten around to it yet. Another thing we do is "cloud dough" its a mixture of flour and baby oil, they love it. I haven't done it in awhile but slime is another popular one and it's actually not messy like I thought it would be. I wanna say its borax, white glue and water but it's been awhile so I could be wrong!! I found the recipes on pinterest. Homemade play dough is another good sensory project.

We do most of our water play outside and this year we did a car wash where they got to wash all their cars and outdoor toys. That was a huge hit, will definitely do it every summer. Inside on a low number day I will let them play in the bathtub.

[betsy]

I use shallow bins at the kitchen table, as opposed to a sand/water table. I use the green shallow plastic bins from Ikea that are meant for toy storage.

I cover the kitchen table with a waterproof table cloth and also put cookie sheets under their bins in order to help contain the mess. I have only done sand once, but I have done water (washing baby dolls in sudsy water) and colored rice many times. I found the sand too much clean-up, so will be leaving that for outside. But rice or dried beans are a great alternative. Pom poms are also fun.

I like having it at the table so that the older ones can play without the too young ones messing with anything. That is the difference between a Multi-Age daycare environment and kindergarten, kindergartners can understand and follow rules put in place to contain the mess. I only do it with my 3 and 4 year olds.

I also like the separate bins because then there is no fighting as they each have their own.

Yes, I did rice play with my 2-year old child too in the winter. I just put rice in a big stainless mixing bowl (with other toys, scooper) and let her sit on the floor in the kitchen. She's been instructed that she's not supposed to walk around when we do this special play.
After she plays I brush her off (her pants and feet and take her out of the kitchen), and I just sweep the floor and put the rice back to our special container. Her parents know that rice in that container is meant for play.

Thanks for your tips for multiple kids.