Step2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center
by Step2
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Our Price: $199.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $149.25 (click here) Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of Step2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center
Customer Review: My three "3-and-unders" LOVE IT! (So do I!)
Summary: 5 Stars
We recently opted to purchase this particular activity center for our 3 children (ages 3-and-a-half, 2 and 1) mainly because of the rectangular design -- they all have plenty of room to play. Because we live in the Arizona desert, I have opted to fill both sides with water and dress the children in their swimsuits when they play at this table so as not to be concerned with the fact that children WILL get wet when they play with water. ;) Not only do I love the entertainment and educational values of water (and sand) play, I love the "look" of this product. The natural color and the "zia" (sun) design on the lid flow nicely with our desert landscaping. (We also own the Naturally Playful sandbox and picnic table, and plan to purchase a coordinating playhouse in the future.) We do have slight leaks where the legs are screwed to the table, but do not plan on using it indoors when it is filled with water and are not at all bothered by little water drips. When we purchased this table our box was missing the umbrella, as were the remaining boxes in stock at the store. When I called Step 2, they readily offered to send me an umbrella right away. In addition to the one Step 2 is sending, I will likely purchase a larger beach umbrella that will provide a bit more shade. I expect this sand and water activity center to be a huge hit with my children for years to come. I highly recommend this one!Customer Review: One of the BEST Summertime toys available!
Summary: 5 Stars
We bought this for our son's third birthday last year. It was a total hit, not only with our son, but also with our one and a half year old daughter, and all of our friends' children, all the way up to age 10! By far, one of the best features is that the children do not actually get inside the sandbox to play. This helps prevent sand in diapers/underwear and dumping sand on heads of other children (although this did happen a couple times). My kids love to mix the sand and water, and I had to give up on trying to keep them separate after a few days. Yes, the children do still get rather sandy, but not nearly as much as if they were sitting in the sand. We have found this to be durable, and have had no problems with the umbrella. I love the look of it in the backyard. The neutral colors don't scream at you and blend nicely with the look of a 'grown up' yard. The kids love to run cars on the top of the table even with the lid on. My son did get into the table and jump up and down, and now the water plug leaks. I don't feel this is a design flaw, because it was never made to hold children. We love the secure lid because I don't have to worry about what has been in the sand while we were away. Overall, I highly recommend this toy and would definitely buy it again.Customer Review: Fantastic Play Center
Summary: 5 Stars
We bought this sand and water activity center for our great granddaughter a few weeks ago. It's just perfect for the deck, the umbrella is not only functionable but attractive. We chose this one for the reviews we read on ALL the ones out there. Not one bit sorry we got her this one. She is only 15 months old but learned quick to sift her sand, and makes molds to her hearts content. It keeps her entertained for long periods of time.
Problem one: There is no way to keep the sand out of the water nor the water out of the sand side.
Problem two: We could not keep her from pulling herself up on the water side to get the little boats. I found her sitting up in the water side twice...and I was right there with her!!
Solution: We drained the water out of the water side, and filled the whole box with sand. She plays with her cars on the "water" side and the little pots and shovels on the sand side. We also got her a moulded pool where she floats the boats and plays with her bath toys Outside of needing to watch her like a hawk, she has a fun time with her outdoors toys
For those wondering how much sand it takes to fill. We bought one bag of playground sand and still have some left over after filling both sides
Customer Review: Engaging and fun -- but drain hole a problem
Summary: 5 Stars
We love this sand and water table and would absolutely buy it again. The lid stays on, it has a convenient drain hole for the water side, and the umbrella is a nice touch. It's also big enough that four kids or more can play at the same time. I know, I've done it! We play with it outside on our concrete patio, even in a Northern California winter. But I can't wait until it's warm enough to send my twins out in diapers only. Until then I use sleeved water resistant bibs which keeps most water and sand off of the upper torso and arms.
Too bad the drain plug is easily reached and pulled by my 14 month old girls since it's located in the top, center of water side. This lets all the water out and gets shoes and pant legs wet -- which makes for cold winter play. After a few frustrated attempts to keep them from pulling the plug, and putting pots under the drain hole, I finally wisened up and pushed a wine cork into the drain hole from underneath the table. The water stayed in and we stayed dry. Success!
One other item I might keep on hand is a soft bristled brush like a shoe shine brush or even a cheap dustpan brush set. This is useful for brushing sand off of clothes, skin, and shoes before coming indoors.
Customer Review: Well worth the money
Summary: 5 Stars
My 15 month old has a great time splashing in the bath and playing with water at daycare, so I researched the various water tables and decided on this one. I am thrilled with our choice, as his eyes light up every time he sees it. He will crawl over to the door and say "outshiide? outshiiide?" so that he can go play with his water table. We don't fill it with sand, just water, and he loves every little toy it comes with.
Pros:
* A convenient drain hole in the water side
* An umbrella (but see cons below)
Cons:
* Weak legs. They're screwed in but they buckle easily. Don't drag it across any surface, carry it.
* Given the con above, carrying it would be near impossible if there were sand in it, due to its bulk. If you have a place you can park it or don't plan on using sand, this isn't a problem.
* The umbrella is great but it's not big enough (or poseable) to block him from the sun at all times of day. It basically only blocks sun at high noon.
Overall this is a fantastic toy and I know it will last him a long time. I especially love that the lid has a race track on it, he already loves matchbox cars and I can see him clearly driving the cars along the race track in another year.