I loved this water play table! I got a smattering of kitchen utensils out that can be used to pour, mix or dump, and set them out with a full cooler of water on a table outside. I had bowls of different sizes, little pots, a mason jar with a lid, a spray bottle, ladle, wooden spoon, whisk, and a popsicle mold. Really whatever you have. It can be so simple and only a few items. My 3 yo ended up playing for a full hour exclusively with the water, the popsicle mold and the pitcher.

Here she is getting water out of the cooler – this was a neat problem solving fine motor skill that was a little tricky for her at first.

I like that this popsicle mold (from IKEA) is almost like a puzzle with the sticks fitting inside each one. She was gradually filling each one with water.

Pouring from container to container – pouring is a great kitchen and cooking skill and it’s important to be able to practice when spilling doesn’t matter!

Spraying is so much fun. She actually filled this up with water and screwed on the spray top all by herself. My 3 yo is very driven and problem solving oriented, and so capable. I was proud to be able to sit back and watch her do it!

I had prepared her with rain boots but her knees and chairs ended up soaked (no biggie!) this would be an ideal activity for a warm day. TIP: You could totally do this in the bath! Just take a few bowls or a pitcher and a spoon into the bath and voila you are “cooking”.

Later on we played in a group with friends and took all the tools and put them out onto the cement so they were accessible. This was a great fun play date! Side note – the next time I got out the water play stuff we were near a dirt patch outside our house, and somehow the water got poured into the dirt and turned into this awesome mud puddle – play time became so entertaining! They were throwing their action figures into the mud and then fishing them out over and over again. You could basically take some of these supplies, and water, put them by some dirt in your backyard, and have an impromptu mud kitchen. Just be ready to strip down the kids and toss them in the bath after!

Guys what do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!