Fun in the Sun #12: Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm ~ Review & Giveaway

Whether it's playing in our yard, going to the pool or hanging out at the park...we spend more time outdoors during the summer months than we do inside. After being cooped up in the house all winter long, the kids and I enjoy the warmth and getting to run around outside. We usually keep pretty busy, but when it comes to playing in our own yard...Kaelyn and Kaden get bored more quickly. That's why I'm always looking for fun things they can do together and know I can always count on Step2 for great outdoor toys.
Founded in 1991 on the simple philosophy of quality, value, and service backed by commitment to customer satisfaction, the Step2® Company was born. What began as a company with just 5 employees has grown tremendously over the last 20 years..becoming the nation's largest toddler toy manufacturer offering a huge selection of high quality children's products that build imaginations and enrich the family's celebration of childhood. In their quest to become the leader in developing innovative products for family and home, Step2 strives to go 'A Step Beyond'.

Over the years we have owned many Step2 products. We've come to find that we can count on them for high quality toys that are made to last for years of fun. As I browse the Step2 website, I am always impressed with their great selection of children's products. With everything from play kitchens, kids furniture and more...there's sure to be something that suits your kids' interests perfectly.

With summer weather finally here, I have been especially interested in their outdoor toys and sand/water toys. With an extremely user-friendly website with easy to locate tabs and categories, I quickly found a product I knew would be perfect for both Kaden and Kaelyn.

We were sent the Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm to review.
Features/Benefits:

• Two compartments for both sand and water
• Includes farm figurines, tractor, two pull carts, shovel, barn, and funnel (sand not included)
• Raised table helps keep feet dry
• Designed to hold a 40" Umbrella (sold separately)
• Minimal adult assembly required
• Designed for ages 2+ years
• Several activities
• Durable construction
  
• Easy to clean
  

When the Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm, Kaelyn caught site of it right away and couldn't wait to play with it. I have to admit, even I was excited to check out all that it had to offer.

Upon opening the box, I was happy to see that there was minimal assembly required.

With two little ones, I have limited amount of time to put things together, so this was definitely a huge plus! With easy to use instructions, I got the legs and stickers put on in no time at all.


Once everything was set up, I could tell right away that the quality is top notch. Step2 definitely did not disappoint. The Sand & Water Fun Farm is durable, sturdy and the type of surface that's very easy to keep clean. I can tell it's something we'll be able to enjoy for a long time.

The table includes a lot of fun pieces like farm figurines, tractor, two pull carts, shovel, barn, windmill, and a funnel. This is really what sets this sand & water table apart from others we've seen and used. The barn acts as a tunnel and fits right on the track and the tractor can be hooked to the two cards and runs the perimeter of the table. These pieces really make for a lot of fun for the kids. Having so many activities add up to hours of creative, interactive play which is fantastic! It's something that both my 1 1/2 year old and 3 1/2 year old can enjoy doing together.

With the weather so nice lately, we've had several opportunities to play with the Sand & Water Fun Farm. Since there is no plug to let out the sand and water from the bottom, we decided to use it with just water or just sand (not both together). It's easier that way, and the kids love it too. We have used it both ways and each one provides hours of fun.

We have used sand and water tables in the past that were either too tall or too short. This one has really been perfect for both Kaelyn and Kaden. They stand up to it easily and are able to reach everything they need to to get the most out of playing with it.


Since it's something that sits out on our screened-in porch or outside, I do think it would be nice if it had a cover of some kind just to keep leaves and other things out of the water and/or sand. I do think it's neat though, that it's designed to hold a 40" Umbrella which is sold separately on Step2.com. This would help keep it shaded and covered a bit.

Overall, we've been very happy with the Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm and would recommend it to other parents with young children. The quality is great and it offers a number of activities that help promote creative, interactive play. It's been the perfect outdoor activity for the kids so far this summer.

Buy It: You can purchase the Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm for $59.99 at Step2.com.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Sand & Water Fun Farm from Step2!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Step2 and let me know another one of their products you'd love to have!

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry - Like Step2 on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry - Follow Step2 on Twitter

4. 3 extra entries- Grab our Fun in the Sun Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

5. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Step2) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

6. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Fun in the Sun 12: #WIN a Step2 Sand & Water Fun Farm http://bit.ly/mrrZB1 Ends 7/1 #giveaway

7. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

8. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

9. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

10. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

11. Enter any of my other Fun in the Sun giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end July 1st and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Step2. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own.**