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3 Year WarrantyWhich sand or water table is right for your child?
Author: Louise Genna Date Posted:17 August 2026
Step2's sand and water range is the heart of what we do - genuine, double-walled moulded-plastic tables built to take years of Australian sun, splashing and sand. It splits three ways: water tables, sand tables and sandboxes, and combined sand & water tables - and the right one comes down to your child's age, your space, and whether you want water, sand, or both.
The short answer: the Rain Showers Splash Pond is our most popular water table; the Summer Showers Splash Tower is the best value; the Cascading Cove or Dino Dig give a child both sand and water in one; and the Naturally Playful Sandbox is the pick for sand-only play.
Quick picks
- Best value water table: Summer Showers Splash Tower - the most affordable way into Step2 water play.
- Most popular water table: Rain Showers Splash Pond - our best-selling design.
- Best for younger toddlers: Rain Showers & Unicorns - approachable height and simple, engaging play.
- Best combined sand & water: Cascading Cove or Dino Dig - both, without needing two separate setups.
- Best sandbox: Naturally Playful Sandbox - a generous, lidded sand play space.
- Best with a working pump: Pump & Splash Discovery Stone Pond - a hand pump that really moves the water.
- Best premium / two-tier: Waterpark Wonders - two levels of flowing-water play.
- Newest arrival: Rain Showers & Flow - rearrange the maze pieces into 24 different water paths and turn the spigot to steer the flow.
Step2 sand & water tables compared
| Table | Type | Age | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Showers Splash Tower | Water | 1.5+ | Best value water table |
| Rain Showers & Unicorns | Water | 1.5+ | Younger toddlers |
| Rain Showers Splash Pond | Water | 1.5+ | Most popular water table |
| Rain Showers & Flow | Water | 1.5+ | Newest arrival, customisable water maze |
| Pump & Splash Discovery Stone Pond | Water (pump) | 1.5+ | Hands-on pumping play |
| Waterpark Wonders | Water (two-tier) | 1.5+ | Premium water play |
| Dino Dig | Sand + water | 2+ | Combined play, value |
| Cascading Cove | Sand + water | 1.5+ | Combined sand & water |
| Crabbie Sand Table | Sand | 1.5+ | Best-value sand table |
| Naturally Playful Sandbox | Sand | 1+ | Generous lidded sandbox |
Current prices are shown live in the range below and on each product page. Ages are the manufacturer's recommendation - check each product page for detail.
Shop the range
Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table
https://www.step2direct.com.au/rain-showers-splash-pond-water-table Now $197.10
Rain Showers and Unicorns Water Table
https://www.step2direct.com.au/rain-showers-and-unicorn-water-table Now $197.10
Pump and Splash Discovery Stone Pond
https://www.step2direct.com.au/pump-and-splash-discovery-stone-pond Now $287.10
Pump and Splash Discovery Water Table
https://www.step2direct.com.au/pump-and-splash-discovery-water-table Now $179.10
Summer Showers Splash Tower Water Table
https://www.step2direct.com.au/summer-showers-splash-tower-water-table Now $152.10
Spill and Splash Seaway Water Table
https://www.step2direct.com.au/spill-and-splash-seaway-water-table Now $194.65
How to choose a Step2 sand & water table
1. Water, sand, or both?
This is the first decision. A water table (like the Rain Showers Splash Pond) is mess-light, quick to fill and empty, and ideal for summer. A sand table or sandbox (like the Naturally Playful Sandbox) suits year-round tactile play. A combined sand & water table - the Cascading Cove or Dino Dig - gives a child both in one, without needing two separate setups.
2. Match the age
Most Step2 water tables suit children from around 18 months, the Naturally Playful Sandbox is suitable from age 1, and combined tables like the Dino Dig are recommended from age 2. Younger toddlers do best with a lower, simpler table; older children enjoy the pumps, spinners and multi-level designs. Check the specific product page for exact age guidance.
3. Space and how many children
Compact water tables suit a balcony or small courtyard; the two-tier Waterpark Wonders and larger sandboxes want a bit more room and are built for several children to play around at once.
4. Features worth paying for
The extras change the play: a working hand pump on the Pump & Splash Discovery Stone Pond, spinning waterwheels and cascading levels on the Waterpark Wonders, and themed play pieces (unicorns, dinosaurs, sea creatures) that give younger children a story to play out.
5. Sun and setup
Some designs include a shade umbrella - worth having for Australian summers. All Step2 tables drain and refill easily, and the moulded plastic wipes clean and lives outside year-round.
Why choose a Step2 sand & water table
Step2 sand and water tables are made from durable, double-walled rotationally-moulded plastic - colour runs all the way through, so they resist fading and cracking through season after season of sun and water, with essentially no maintenance. As the authorised Australian Step2 distributor, we import every table directly from the manufacturer (not a parallel import), and each carries Step2's standard 3-year manufacturer's warranty. Orders dispatch within 24 hours from our Melbourne warehouse with tracking. See the whole line-up on our sand & water tables page.
Frequently asked questions
What age is a water table for?
Most Step2 water tables are recommended from around 18 months, though some sand play (like the Naturally Playful Sandbox) suits children from age 1. They stay engaging well into the preschool years - older children get more from the pumps, spinners and multi-level designs. Check the specific product page for exact guidance.
Are water tables worth it?
For most families, yes - water play is one of the most reliable ways to keep young children happily occupied outdoors, and it supports early sensory, motor and social development. A durable table that lasts several summers (and can be passed to siblings) earns its keep far better than a disposable paddling setup.
What's the difference between a water table, a sand table, and a combined one?
A water table holds water for pouring, splashing and floating play; a sand table or sandbox holds sand for digging and moulding; a combined sand & water table has separate basins for both. If you want the flexibility of both without two setups, a combined table like the Cascading Cove or Dino Dig is the way to go.
Can Step2 sand & water tables be left outside?
Yes - they're moulded from weather-resistant plastic and are designed to live outdoors. For longest life, empty the water after play and bring lightweight tables under cover in extreme weather.
Are these genuine Step2 products, and what warranty applies?
Yes. We're the authorised Australian Step2 distributor, and every table is imported directly from the manufacturer, not a parallel import. All tables carry Step2's standard 3-year manufacturer's warranty.
