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

[Hunni Bee]

I DO NOT recommend this

https://www.kaplanco.com/product/70903/science-exploration-table?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.

[Hunni Bee]

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

[LittleScholars]

I DO NOT recommend this

https://www.kaplanco.com/product/70903/science-exploration-table?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?

[daycarediva]

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.

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

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.

[Hunni Bee]

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.