Anyone who has ever raised a child knows that kids love to play and the bigger the mess, the greater the fun. Everything from cooking to finger painting must be explored, and little fingers often need cleaning. Sometimes, especially in a classroom full of twenty or more kids, it's not always easy to get them clean before an even bigger mess is made. What most people do not know is that there is a great product specifically designed to make this a breeze, the Portable Sink.

Portable sinks come in a wide variety of styles and configurations suitable for every sort of situation a child can imagine. A portable sink is a self-contained unit. It offers both hot and cold water for proper, healthy hand washing. A cabinet style sink, this type of product is very easy to use. Simply fill the tank inside with water, and plug it in. Extra, or larger tanks may be purchased, as well as a number of accessories. The sink bowls themselves come in a variety of styles and materials. Hands free faucets are available as well. Many day care centers use portable sinks to comply with state regulations regarding hand washing. There is a portable sink for just about every application.

An extremely useful portable sink for a day care setting, or at home, is the diaper changing station and sink combination. This style provides a large changing area with a storage cabinet underneath for wipes, creams, diapers, and supplies in addition to the portable sink. Preschool aged children can benefit from toddler height portable sinks. These sinks are lower and smaller, scaled to be appropriate for toddlers to use independently. The cabinet below the sink locks, so there is no worry of little fingers exploring plumbing and electricity before their time.

Outdoor portable sinks make wonderful additions to the playground. After a busy day in the sandbox or catching the unwary insect, kids can easily wash hands before lunch. Another great option for the active classroom or day care center is a modular portable sink. These come as single or double sink units, and give the added bonus of a bit of counter space. They can be configured in straight rows or turning corners, and make the usual "center time" kitchen useful.

Instead of merely pretend play, instructors can teach the children how to prepare simple foods like "ants on a log". The kids can wash their hands and the celery themselves, add the peanut butter, and place the raisin "ants". When all is said and done, they can clean up as well. A portable sink can add a little bit of learning to play time.

Portable sinks are wonderfully useful items, and when not in use simply may be rolled away. A great addition to the art studio, restaurant, health care center, day care center, school, or home, portable sinks can handle a lot of the big messes in life. And it's a good thing, because life is full of big messes.