Indoor Sand and Water/Sensory Table...Thoughts on This One?
 

Does anyone have an indoor sand and water table they love? I just received a grant and I'm itching to get a sensory table and some new supplies, but I want to make sure I spend wisely.

Thoughts on this one? https://www.kaplanco.com/product/893...?c=10%7CSW1000

I'm slightly limited by the grant in terms of which I can choose, but there are quite a few others. Originally, I wanted one with dividers, but now I'm not sure.

Thanks!

I prefer the ones with 4-6 separate bins. Less contamination, mess and fighting. They also allow more variation. https://www.worthingtondirect.com/ea...lay-center.htm

Also, you can save yourself a couple hundred bucks and skip the mats that go under them. ;) Washing machine trays work better, anyway. https://www.officedepot.com/a/produc...o-Washer-Tray/

I have the round version of this one...

https://www.discountschoolsupply.com...9287&Category=

It's outside, but the bins lift out so I can bring them inside and use them on our preschool table when it's too cold and windy outside.

Right now it's full of unpopped popcorn and laminated fall leaves and gourds.

Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
I prefer the ones with 4-6 separate bins. Less contamination, mess and fighting. They also allow more variation. https://www.worthingtondirect.com/ea...lay-center.htm

This is the exact one I want! They aren't offering it through the grant for some reason (we have access to a designated Kaplan site). It might be worth just getting that myself and using the money toward other things.

Great tips, thank you!

Kaplan sells it, too, just for almost twice as much (and constant stocking issues, out of stock temporarily). https://www.kaplanco.com/product/889...ds?c=10|SW1000

I was forced to buy everything from them with my grant, too. The majority of the toys and art supplies were useless in under 12 months. I was very disappointed.

ECR4Kids brands seem to be pretty sturdy and affordable, though. likethis

This is the one I have. I like it because it is low enough to the ground for the ages of kids I have. Some of them are really tall so younger kids can’t use them too much. It also has multilevels which I like for dramatic play in the table. I have had this one now for 9 years and love it! Not sure if it is available with your grant. I got it at a local shop, not online.

https://www.meandfreya.co.uk/portabl...nd-water-table

Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Kaplan sells it, too, just for almost twice as much (and constant stocking issues, out of stock temporarily). https://www.kaplanco.com/product/889...ds?c=10|SW1000

I was forced to buy everything from them with my grant, too. The majority of the toys and art supplies were useless in under 12 months. I was very disappointed.

ECR4Kids brands seem to be pretty sturdy and affordable, though. likethis

And we don't even have access to the whole site! A customer service rep explained it is items selected by the grant admins.

When these come around we can choose between Kaplan or Becker, and if there is a next time I think I'd choose Becker. There really isn't a ton I want from the options I'm given and it is SO pricey.

Originally Posted by Ariana:
This is the one I have. I like it because it is low enough to the ground for the ages of kids I have. Some of them are really tall so younger kids can’t use them too much. It also has multilevels which I like for dramatic play in the table. I have had this one now for 9 years and love it! Not sure if it is available with your grant. I got it at a local shop, not online.

https://www.meandfreya.co.uk/portabl...nd-water-table

Oh! One just like this is actually available! I hadn't considered multi-levels!

Originally Posted by hwichlaz:
I have the round version of this one...

https://www.discountschoolsupply.com...9287&Category=

It's outside, but the bins lift out so I can bring them inside and use them on our preschool table when it's too cold and windy outside.

Right now it's full of unpopped popcorn and laminated fall leaves and gourds.

I love this! I didn't realize the bins lifted out. That's great!!

Originally Posted by Ariana:
This is the one I have. I like it because it is low enough to the ground for the ages of kids I have. Some of them are really tall so younger kids can’t use them too much. It also has multilevels which I like for dramatic play in the table. I have had this one now for 9 years and love it! Not sure if it is available with your grant. I got it at a local shop, not online.

https://www.meandfreya.co.uk/portabl...nd-water-table

Kaplan sells it, just for $315 vs the $139 your site charges. -https://www.kaplanco.com/product/39314/transparent-sand-and-water-table?c=24%7CIT1040

I really don't get why that is who we have to buy from, they seem to profit off of it greatly.

https://www.kaplanco.com/product/393...?c=24%7CIT1040

sorry the link broke

Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Kaplan sells it, just for $315 vs the $139 your site charges. -https://www.kaplanco.com/product/39314/transparent-sand-and-water-table?c=24%7CIT1040

I really don't get why that is who we have to buy from, they seem to profit off of it greatly.

They really do. And I haven't found that products are particularly amazing. As we used kaplan playdough this morning I was reminded of that.

Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Kaplan sells it, too, just for almost twice as much (and constant stocking issues, out of stock temporarily). https://www.kaplanco.com/product/889...ds?c=10|SW1000

I was forced to buy everything from them with my grant, too. The majority of the toys and art supplies were useless in under 12 months. I was very disappointed.

ECR4Kids brands seem to be pretty sturdy and affordable, though. likethis

I noticed this too, the ironic thing is when I applied for the grant I only had two kids under 12 months.
I did get some toys with suction cups on them for infants. But the majority of the money I spent on furniture and a stroller which even the grant price is higher than the price I would have paid out of pocket if I had gone to Amazon and bought it.

Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Kaplan sells it, just for $315 vs the $139 your site charges. -https://www.kaplanco.com/product/39314/transparent-sand-and-water-table?c=24%7CIT1040

I really don't get why that is who we have to buy from, they seem to profit off of it greatly.

I feel like any educational store that engages in government grants charge WAY more than normal. Kinda like government contracts. If they know the government is contracting they charge then more for the work.

I paid $250 for it here locally.

I DO NOT recommend this

https://www.kaplanco.com/product/709...e?c=9%7CSC1090

I just got this last week and I do not care for it at all. Maybe I have the wrong things in it... I have sand and popcorn kernels in the two middle sections. They are so shallow that any pouring results in them missing the table and raining sand down onto the shelves below.

Plus the two "mirror boxes"...the mirror is some crappy acrylic that scratches if you look at it wrong. I have marbles in one and it is scratched to hell with very light use.

I'd avoid Kaplan altogether honestly. That Carolina Wood they are peddling is just glorified pressboard. We got some hollow blocks a WEEK ago and they are already badly scratched up and some have gashes in the wood. Just from getting knocked over and hitting the carpeted floor.

sorry, just saw you have to use Kaplan. I'd just avoid the wood stuff.

Originally Posted by Hunni Bee:
I DO NOT recommend this

https://www.kaplanco.com/product/709...e?c=9%7CSC1090

I just got this last week and I do not care for it at all. Maybe I have the wrong things in it... I have sand and popcorn kernels in the two middle sections. They are so shallow that any pouring results in them missing the table and raining sand down onto the shelves below.

Plus the two "mirror boxes"...the mirror is some crappy acrylic that scratches if you look at it wrong. I have marbles in one and it is scratched to hell with very light use.

I'd avoid Kaplan altogether honestly. That Carolina Wood they are peddling is just glorified pressboard. We got some hollow blocks a WEEK ago and they are already badly scratched up and some have gashes in the wood. Just from getting knocked over and hitting the carpeted floor.

What a shame! That *looks* like such an amazing piece! How is their customer service? I wonder if they will make it right?

Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Kaplan sells it, too, just for almost twice as much (and constant stocking issues, out of stock temporarily). https://www.kaplanco.com/product/889...ds?c=10|SW1000

I was forced to buy everything from them with my grant, too. The majority of the toys and art supplies were useless in under 12 months. I was very disappointed.

ECR4Kids brands seem to be pretty sturdy and affordable, though. likethis

I second the ECR4 kids. I think the quality is decent for the price (on Amazon, anyway).

Originally Posted by LittleScholars:
And we don't even have access to the whole site! A customer service rep explained it is items selected by the grant admins.

When these come around we can choose between Kaplan or Becker, and if there is a next time I think I'd choose Becker. There really isn't a ton I want from the options I'm given and it is SO pricey.

Yep, when given the option I ALWAYS chose reimbursement. No choice for that on this round. I literally have to toss that stuff, Kaplan or Becker, in a year or so.

Originally Posted by LittleScholars:
What a shame! That *looks* like such an amazing piece! How is their customer service? I wonder if they will make it right?

The customer service rep said (of the blocks) that's it's just normal wear and tear. I don't think something looking like crap after two weeks of normal to light use is normal wear and tear, but hey. And even if they replaced it, the same thing would happen again. Its not a defect just a lame product line. Sigh.