floor matting, under water/sand tables

[daycare]

what do you use under your water/sand table?

I thought about a huge piece of plexi glass, but not sure that it will be strong enough..

any other suggestions??

[Country Kids]

what do you use under your water/sand table?

I thought about a huge piece of plexi glass, but not sure that it will be strong enough..

any other suggestions??

I have rocks/grass but mine is outside. Is yours inside?

No way would I do that inside, no way but that is just me-

[daycare]

I have rocks/grass but mine is outside. Is yours inside?

No way would I do that inside, no way but that is just me-

yes all of my stuff is both inside and outside

[daycare]

I found this, but I have carpet and think that it might not lay flat all the way and trip us...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sensory-Table-Mat-Sand-and-Water-Table-Mat-Small-/250994597984#vi-content

[sharlan]

Grass under the water table and concrete under the sand table. Mine are both outside and STAYING there.

[daycare]

Grass under the water table and concrete under the sand table. Mine are both outside and STAYING there.

shahhahahahh

I don't mind mess. I feel that if we arent making a mess then we are not having fun. I am not saying purposely creating a disaster, but just basic mess from things we do....

[sharlan]

Mess is great! Water and sand belong outside, IMHO.

[daycare]

Mess is great! Water and sand belong outside, IMHO.

but it gets really cold here and rains a lot from about now until march. So then we would not have those items..

I just want to know of any mats??? Not where I should place my tables......

But thanks for the laughs.....

[sharlan]

Just teasing you.

That mat says that it dries overnight, so that might work out.

[Blackcat31]

My sand and water table is inside an inflatable kiddie pool.

Keeps the mess contained.

I don't aways put it out for a choice but it is out atleast twice a week.

I have also used a vinyl table cloth under it as well.

My friend took a large piece of vinyl and sewed foam swim noodles around all four edges and made a waterproof underlayment with edges so nothing dripped, spilled or ran off onto the floor around it. I'll see if I can get her to send me a photo.

[daycare]

My sand and water table is inside an inflatable kiddie pool.

Keeps the mess contained.

I don't aways put it out for a choice but it is out atleast twice a week.

I have also used a vinyl table cloth under it as well.

My friend took a large piece of vinyl and sewed foam swim noodles around all four edges and made a waterproof underlayment with edges so nothing dripped, spilled or ran off onto the floor around it. I'll see if I can get her to send me a photo.

oooooh I love that idea.... so a blow up pool..... I think that would work well in the small that I have if I can find a rectangular one...

[LK5kids]

I have always had rice or oatmeal in my sensory table. Rice can be slippery and I've gone to mainly oatmeal. I've thought about foam mats that hook together under the table so the rice wouldn't be slippery. We just sweep it up at the end of free play and it's only open once a day-I have a lid. If I have lots of two's I don't get it out as much. If I have older kids they sweep with little hand brooms and dust pans. Of couse I have to go after them.

Before I had a sensory table I also used a kiddie pool but mine was the smallest hard-sided type. It worked okay, but I still had oatmeal that got dumped out. Maybe you are not filling it with food and using other materials. I know many have gotten away from using food as a play material.

My sensory table is on the small side. I've thought about having my husband build a lower frame where the kids kneel at the table instead of stand at it. I've thought maybe the oatmeal wouldn't be flung out and spead as much that way. But then it would be stuck to their knees and they'd spread it around to other areas that way. My bin can be pulled in and out of the frame easily. I have the of kind S. table that has metal legs with a clear bin. In fact the clear bin cracked once and I just have a storage bin in it now and that's why I have a lid.

I'm like you....not afraid of mess. But I'm totally about everyone doing what works for them. I used to teach entry level child care classes and I always said there are two teams when it comes to playdoh. It's either you LOVE it or HATE it. I always told my classes that if something doesn't work for them, find what does or you won't last. I've always had a separate space for my child care so the messy stuff doesn't bother me. I would have a VERY hard time with a tub of oatmeal or sand in my kitchen!

I only do water play inside because I have this cute little table top water play toy. I only put a bit of water in it with some boats and ducks. I put towels down under it and it's not too much mess

[melilley]

My sand and water table is inside an inflatable kiddie pool.

Keeps the mess contained.

I don't aways put it out for a choice but it is out atleast twice a week.

I have also used a vinyl table cloth under it as well.

My friend took a large piece of vinyl and sewed foam swim noodles around all four edges and made a waterproof underlayment with edges so nothing dripped, spilled or ran off onto the floor around it. I'll see if I can get her to send me a photo.

Wow, I love your ideas, and you have many! I have carpet and was wondering what I could do for the sensory table and the kiddie pool is an awesome idea! You need to write a book on daycare's and all things related!

[Blackcat31]

Wow, I love your ideas, and you have many! I have carpet and was wondering what I could do for the sensory table and the kiddie pool is an awesome idea! You need to write a book on daycare's and all things related!

Aw, thanks.... lovethis

My ideas arent always that great.....they are just born from stupidity..usually my own.

After doing this job for 20 years, you learn real fast what ideas are smart and which ones are dumb.

Unfortunately for me, I learn from "doing" so I do dumb first and before I figure out smart.

[melilley]

Aw, thanks.... lovethis

My ideas arent always that great.....they are just born from stupidity..usually my own.

After doing this job for 20 years, you learn real fast what ideas are smart and which ones are dumb.

Unfortunately for me, I learn from "doing" so I do dumb first and before I figure out smart.

::
well I've been in the child care profession for 14 years, but was in a center setting for that time. I know what/things to do in that type of setting, but it's different for a home in terms of space and the creative things to do to make the space work. Anyways, I'm opening my home daycare after the holidays and I found this site and have gotten many ideas and advice form you through reading posts!