Water Table for Kids Made with PVC



Summer is here and that means that the weather is warm, and the kids are out of school. If you have younger children at home this summer, you are probably looking for engaging, educational, and inexpensive ways to get them outdoors and away from watching screens. One way to do that is by making a fun sensory table for them to play with outside. The one we will show you is easy to make, it won’t break the bank, and your kids will stay cool and have fun playing with it for hours.

Materials Needed for PVC Water Table

These materials are what you will need to make a table that is about 36” X 18” and 18” tall. However, you can customize your table based on the size of the storage bin you’re using.

Materials Needed
(8) ¾” 5’ PVC pipes
(14) ¾” Tees
(4) ¾” Elbows with three pipe openings
(8) ¾” 90 Degree Elbows
(4) Table Caps
(2) Cross Joints
Storage Bin (35.5” X 16.5” X 6.5”)
Tools Needed
PVC pipe cutters or hacksaw
PVC glue
Spray paint (optional)
Tape measure
Sharpie

Steps for PVC Water Table Construction

Now that you have all your materials, follow the steps below to construct your sensory table.

#1 - Determine your measurements

You’ll want to base your table dimensions on the size of storage bin you are using. Be sure that you measure your bin before you start planning the rest of the table. Sometimes the dimensions that are printed on storage bin labeling isn’t accurate.

#2 - Cut PVC into needed lengths

Using a sharpie and measuring tape, measure and mark your PVC pipes for cutting based on the measurements you took. Using the PVC pipe cutters or hack saw, cut your pipes to the desired lengths.

#3 - Assemble the table

Starting with the top of the table, use the elbow connectors with three openings to create the corners of the table. The shorter sides of the table-top will need to be: PVC pipe, Tee fitting, PVC pipe. This will allow you to attach the pipes for water play to the top of the table after it’s assembled. Use PVC pipe at each connection to ensure the table is strong enough to hold the tub of water.

Continue the assembly based on your dimensions, following the picture below.

constructed water table with blue spray paint
Image sourced from Frugal Fun for Boys and Girls

#4 - Spray paint the table

If you would like to spray the table, now is the time to do it. Be sure to allow ample time for it to dry.

#5 - Add pipe system over the top

With the remaining pieces of pipe and elbow connectors, you can create a pipe system to go over the top of the table. Use the Tee connectors on the short side of the table to attach it. You can be creative here, allowing open Tee fittings at the top to put funnels in for adding water to the pipes. This part of the table doesn’t have to be glued unless you decide to have it as a permanent fixture. Don’t use glue if you want to be able to change the configuration or remove the top piping for storage.

#6 - Add water or sand and play!

Your sensory table is ready to go! Just add water or sand and your little ones will have a blast!

Customizing Your Sensory Table

One of the best things about this water table is that you can easily customize many parts of it however you would like. If you have a different size storage bin, you can adapt your measurements to fit it. If you want to make the top pipes even more fun to watch as water moves through, you can use clear PVC instead of the regular white pipe.

You can remove the pipes over the top of the table and use sand in the bin instead of water to create a fun sand table with digging toys. You and your children can use your imaginations and create the perfect outdoor water or sand table for fun this summer.