Toddler Sensory Table

The Whitney Brothers Toddler Sensory Table is a low, sturdy toddler sensory table built for children from about 1 to 3 years old. At 14 in high, the top sits at the right height for toddlers who stand or kneel to play, and two clear plastic trays with lids hold sand, water, rice or any other sensory material. An open shelf underneath keeps extra bins and tools within reach. It is made in the US by Whitney Brothers, model WB1854, and ships fully assembled.

How This Toddler Sensory Table Works

The two trays sit in openings on the tabletop, side by side. Each tray measures 10.5 x 13 in and is 5 in deep, so you can run two different materials at once: sand in one and water in the other, or dry pasta next to scoops and cups. Both trays lift out for filling, emptying and washing, and each has its own lid. With the lids on, the table becomes a flat surface and the materials stay covered between sessions.

Below the trays, a fixed open shelf runs along the bottom of the cabinet. It holds extra bins, sold separately, so the next activity is ready without leaving the table. Clean-up is quicker when everything has a place.

Built for Toddler Rooms

All edges and corners are rounded over and sanded smooth. The cabinet is birch plywood with no visible screws or joinery, finished in a non-toxic natural UV finish that the manufacturer says will not yellow and stands up to heavy use. Floor glides are included to protect floors and keep the table steady. The table is GREENGUARD Gold certified, a certification for low chemical emissions that many childcare centers look for in furniture for young children.

Product Details

Is This the Right Toddler Sensory Table?

Height is the first thing to check on any toddler sensory table. A table built for preschoolers puts the trays too high for a toddler, who then has to reach up instead of looking down into the material. This table is 14 in high, sized for children who are just walking or who play kneeling on the floor.

Size is the second. At 29.5 x 18.5 in, the table fits two or three toddlers around it without taking over a small room. For older children, Whitney Brothers makes the larger Mobile Sensory Table with Trays and Lids, with four trays and casters, sized for preschoolers.

Where It Works Best

• Infant and toddler rooms in daycare centers. A sensory station at the right height for the youngest group.
• Early Head Start and early learning programs. Two trays let a teacher offer two activities at one table.
• Montessori toddler communities. Practical-life work such as pouring and scooping, with everything stored on the shelf below.
• Early intervention and therapy rooms. A compact table for one-to-one sensory play.
• Home playrooms. Messy play that stays in the trays, with lids to close it up afterward.

In a toddler room, a sensory table pairs well with wall play. Our sensory wall panels for daycare give children a second station at standing height, and our comparison of a busy board vs a sensory bin explains how the two kinds of play differ. Browse more pieces for the same space in our sensory room equipment collection.

What to Put in the Trays

Good starter materials for toddlers are large and easy to clean: water with cups and funnels, play sand, large pasta shapes, cooked and cooled noodles, shredded paper, large pom-poms and chunky scoops. Running a different material in each tray lets children compare two textures side by side. Many teachers change one tray each week and keep the other as a familiar favorite.

Safety and Care

Toddlers put things in their mouths, so choose materials for a toddler sensory table with that in mind. Avoid small items that fit through a toilet paper tube, dried beans and other choking hazards, and never use water beads with young children. Stay with the children during sensory play, and empty water trays when the session ends.

Lift the trays out to empty and wash them with warm soapy water, then dry them before putting them back. Wipe the wooden table with a soft cloth and a little mild dish detergent, then dry it right away. Avoid abrasive cleaners, ammonia and standing water on the wood. If a tray is ever damaged, ask us about a replacement.

Why Buy From BumbleBeeSmart

BumbleBeeSmart is an authorized Whitney Brothers dealer, so this table arrives new and eligible for the manufacturer's warranty. We carry it alongside our own handcrafted sensory wall panels, so one order can cover a sensory table and a tactile wall for the same toddler room.