Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table
Written: Apr 20 '03 (Updated Apr 20 '03)
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Pros: colorful, sturdy, indoor/outdoor play
Cons: I cannot get the two tables to stay together!
The Bottom Line: Provides hours of independent tactile play with various textures in a sit or stand position
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| bonniesayers's Full Review: Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table |
I have wanted to purchase this Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table for awhile now and had even mentioned it to the Occupational Therapist that works with my almost seven-year old non-verbal autistic son. She comes to our home once a month for a home visit and the last time we were outside and I had mentioned this table would be perfect for him.
The clinic we see the therapist at for my son’s feeding sessions keep several large plastic tubs that contain food items with various toys. There is one container that has flour with water type play toys you might find in a tub. Another one has beans, rice and measuring cups. One time the therapist placed raisins on the floor since my son picks items off the floor for consumption. She has even squirted cheez whiz on the tire tube before he gets on it and on the plastic ladder that leads into the ball pit she put some whipped cream there.
I decided it would be best to not utilize the Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table for sand since my son would dump it all over the house and could try to get some in his mouth. I checked the grocery store for the prices on bags of rice, popcorn kernels and pinto beans. I decided on the beans since they were on sale and larger. My son also likes gluing lima beans on cardboard paper so those might go in next.
There are some boats that come with the Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table, a bridge and some blue round stoppers for the table. I also placed some measuring cups, spoons and other utensil items inside the table filled with pinto beans for exploration. Well it turned out my eight-year old brought his animals to the table and played around with them pretending the beans were food for his animals. My youngest son has spent a good fifteen minutes at the table playing with his brother dumping and filling up cups with the beans and moving them around in the table.
This has all been done once the Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table was assembled. This is not an easy task, although it certainly seems it would be a cinch to put them together. This does not come in a box but just the pieces with some sort of rope/string attaching them. The directions were most difficult for me to follow because they were not clear in the description on how the eight screws get into the table and keep it all together. I would have been lost without the photo I was able to rip off in two pieces that was stuck to the table. While I attempted to figure it all out my eight-year old was following along the directions and placing all the items in the water section, which is the green table. The blue one is for the sand or other items you choose to use for exploration. Ten steps are shown and written in English, Spanish, Italian, French and German. The screws are for the sand (blue) table only. This is not to be used near a pool or steps. The Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table is to be placed on a firm, level surface and with adult supervision. If you are utilizing sand make sure you follow the directions and use the green table as the lid. There is a drain plug that needs to be pulled and release the water when it is being used in that manner.
It is also recommended to not use the Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table outside when the temperatures fall below zero. The plastic may become brittle and crack, so storing in a warm protected place is best. The targeted age is from two to six. We use the chair we have from the Step 2 Art Desk and my kids take turns sitting and standing when playing at the Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table. The only problem I have is storing the other table when they are using it since the two legs are sticking out. It works great to place on top of the table to use for writing or storing things, but we are continually keeping the table open for use when the mood strikes or when either child passes by and wants to dump some beans or swish their hands in them.
I will be adding some rice to it, the texture of these two items feels very relaxing and different. The drain plug will need to be sealed before closing the table. The table can take fifty pounds of sand if you so desire to try that feature. For now this is inside our living room and might go outside at some point in time, depends on the weather and the neighborhood cats. Yesterday when we returned home from the store a lizard was in our yard, so we are all happy to stay indoors for now.
The top of the table is easy to wipe down with a wipe or paper towel. The yellow legs are easy to insert and the fastest part of putting the table together. The price I feel is a bit steep at Toys R Us for $59.99 and the reason I waited so long to make the purchase. When I entered the store two weeks ago I looked at the circulars for an on going sale and found a ten dollar coupon for the Little Tikes Easy Store Sand and Water Table. Without that savings I would not be so happy with this purchase, but then I was perusing a catalog for a toy retailer that had a similar type table with half of it for water and the other half sand. This one was selling for ten dollars more at the regular price, so it seems these type of products are in the fifty to sixty dollar price range.
My eight-year old assisted me with the directions since I could not figure out how the screws were inserted as the diagram showed them going in lengthwise and I wanted to put them in the down position. Well I followed my son’s advice and they went in with some effort and a screwdriver. I ended up with a blister on my thumb that lasted for several days. I would most likely get this again if the coupon were available, because it has helped my kids play together for periods of time and interact at the same table. They have even become a bit competitive in their play and maybe someday my youngest will be able to develop some imaginary skills.
You will most likely find some toy lizards and snakes under the beans hiding if you sit at the table. My kids for the most part are keeping the contents inside the table and only occasionally there are beans dumped on the floor. They are picking them up as well.
There is a limited warranty, but you will need to have the sales receipt, this is good for one year from the date of purchase. For daycare and commercial purchases the warranty is only good for three months! The website is www.littletikes.com or contact them toll-free at 1-800-321-0183.
If you are using this for sand and water it is advised to add the sand first and then the water. You can also use a power screwdriver for the eight screws.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 49.99
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
bonniesayers
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Location: Los Angeles, CA
Reviews written: 842
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