Step2 Arctic Splash Water Table: A Splashin' Good Time!

This is the third summer we’ve been in our house and so far we’ve resisted a sandbox or sand/water table because we wanted to avoid the maintenance and mess of sand. However, when I saw the Step2 Arctic Splash water table ($32-40), I knew I could provide Anya with some non-pool water fun while skipping the sand.

The table sets up very easily — the three legs snap in — and the “glacier” is made up of four pieces that fit together, but don’t lock or snap together, similar to the Water Rush Quarry. It includes three squirty toys (a penguin, polar bear and walrus) and a pitcher that fits at the top of the glacier. You can either pour the water down the glacier — only the penguin fits down the slide — or fit the pitcher at the top and a small hole in its bottom will allow water to trickle down the slide. Additionally, the two levels of the table provide extra fun as the animals can slide down.

In general, I think the Arctic Splash water table delivers what it promises but I have to admit that even though I had previewed it at Toy Fair in February, but I was surprised how simple it was when it arrived. I feel that for $40, it could contain more bells and whistles (note: Target and Amazon sells it for $35).

A few more activities and toys would have been nice, but at the very least, all three toys should fit down the tunnel — it’s confusing that only the penguin fits. I plan to relocate some of our bath toys for more play but even simple themed plastic toys like icebergs, fish, etc. would have been an inexpensive way for Step2 to enhance play. I would also appreciate a gasket at the bottom to let out the water so I don’t have to tip over the thing to empty it. I also wouldn’t mind paying a few more bucks for a cover so I don’t have to empty it every time we use it (dormant water is an invitation to mosquitoes).

Step2′s other water tables include the WaterWheel Play Table ($35) and Fun Flow Play Sink ($50).

– Danielle, suburban NJ mom to extremely girly-girl Anya, 3.5, with a baby boy due Thanksgiving 2009, believes that it’s worth investing in good gear

Comments

You’re pregnant, Danielle? Congratulations! Now I feel old…I feel like you just announced you pregnancy with Anya.

But anyway, this looks like a great product…cleaner than the sand/water combination.

- G on July 22nd, 2009

I have this table! I got it on sale at target for $24.99 and it was WELL worth it. My boys are 3 1/2 and 19 months and they play with it a TON! They don’t even use the toys they just like to dump water with cups and bowls. It was a GREAT buy!

- Colleen on July 22nd, 2009

Danielle, congrats on your pregnancy!!! I must have missed that announcement!

- Jamie on July 22nd, 2009

I bought this table this summer on sale for $30 CDN and it’s WELL worth it. My almost 3 year old daughter plays with it for hours, while I can sit and relax while watching her. Great, cheap item to have!

- Holly on July 22nd, 2009

Congratulations Danielle! Is Anya excited? From your posts about her it sounds like she loves her baby dolls, and she’ll soon have the real-life version!

- meglet on July 22nd, 2009

Wow Danielle your pregnant again? I was waiting for an announcement or waiting to see if you were expecting again for awhile now! Congratulations! Did you make an announcement? You had so many pictures up when you were pregnant with your first.

- Stephanie on July 22nd, 2009

Yes! I am pregnant AND I have left Celebrity Baby Blog. To follow my pregnancy and my post-CBB career, please follow me on Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/that_danielle

- Danielle on July 22nd, 2009

Really??? When did you leave? Lol…I’m confused.:D

- G on July 22nd, 2009

Haha G me too! I had no idea Danielle left. So, um, who runs CBB now? I get that People owns it, but is the staff (Sarah and others) the same? Who ‘moderates’ the comments?

Danielle, I tried clicking on your website on your twitter link and it didn’t work! I’d love to know more about what you’re up to now. Do you have a blog? Anya updates? New baby updates? (I’m so happy for you!)

- Jamie on July 22nd, 2009

I have this water table for my daughter. I was disappointed that the glacier comes apart so easily, and that the toys given don’t fit the slide…but my daughter enjoys it anyways. It has provided her with hours of water play.

- Renee on July 22nd, 2009

Aw, a baby boy, how fun!

- Anna on July 22nd, 2009

This splash water table is a great idea! It looks like so much fun. I, too, would have wanted all toys that came with it to go down the slide…just makes more sense for lots more play options! Maybe the company will listen to suggestions and come out with a better model OR some additional toys to add to it. It’s a great concept.

- SouthernBelle on July 23rd, 2009

Wow Danielle! Big news on all fronts! Sounds like you’re doing very well these days We have this water table for our 3 year old as well and we LOVE it! (so does she)

- Amanda on July 23rd, 2009