sand table

American  

noun

1. a table with raised edges holding sand for children to play with.

2. Military. a table holding a scale model of a tract of land, including trees, streams, buildings, etc., made of hardened sand, used for training in gunnery or tactics.

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sand table British  

noun

1. military a surface on which sand can be modelled into a relief map on which to demonstrate tactics

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Etymology

Origin of sand table

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

There are hammocks, a sand table and raised garden beds with fresh herbs that families can pick, smell and taste.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

Homemade phonics posters hung from the ceiling, dangling above a new a play kitchen, sand table and bins of colorful blocks and puzzles.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2023

New activity centers include an augmented reality sand table, tinker shop with real tools, arts space, and engineering challenges.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2022

Keep little ones busy on a steamy day with Step2’s water and sand table, or waterfall discovery wall.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 26, 2022

A sand table, with a lump of clay for modeling, a blackboard and, in the spring, window-boxes where the children can plant seeds, will all add vastly to the joy of life.

From Furnishing the Home of Good Taste A Brief Sketch of the Period Styles in Interior Decoration with Suggestions as to Their Employment in the Homes of Today by Throop, Lucy Abbot