The best bath toys for babies and toddlers help make bath time fun while also providing a way for little ones to learn and explore. There are a variety of bath toys available, so it is essential to choose ones that are safe and appropriate for your child’s age and development.
Bath toys are important for keeping young children entertained while they’re in the bathtub. Simple containers, floating toys, and waterproof books can all help keep your child distracted and amused while you clean them.
Over the years, bath toys have become much more advanced. Many toys today are mold-free, either come apart for easy cleaning or have smooth surfaces with no crevices. This enables water to drain freely as they dry, preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
We’ve done a thorough inquiry into the best baby bath toys available, and we’ve found some great options that even the youngest newborns will enjoy. These toys can help children learn to recognize numbers, colors, and letters and develop their fine motor skills.
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Bath Toys For Babies and Toddlers Picks
1. Green Toys Tugboat
This Tugboat is designed to float effortlessly and comes with a spout that lets your little ones scoop and pour water for hours of entertainment. It’s made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. Plus, it’s completely safe for young children, as it’s free from harmful substances like phthalates, BPA, and PVC. Even the packaging is eco-friendly, using soy inks and recycled materials. Age: 6 months+
2. The First Years Stack N Count Cups
These nesting cups are not only great for playtime at home, but also perfect for poolside fun. Kids love the endless possibilities of how they can play with them – stacking them up, fitting them inside each other, turning them upside down to hide things inside.
The bright colors and large numbers printed on the base of each of the eight cups are perfect for teaching number recognition and counting skills to older kids. And for some watery excitement, each cup has unique holes on the bottom for water play – watch the water trickle out as you fill them up! Age: 6 months+
3. Ubbi Interchangeable Bath Toys
The adorable animals that make up the Ubbi Interchangeable Bath Toys are designed to spark your child’s creativity and advance the growth of hand-eye coordination. With these simple-to-use snap components, you can alter the toy’s body and head to create your own aquatic creatures. All four of the plush and colorful sea creatures are ready to splash about and go on an exciting journey, and your child can fill, pour, mix, match, and pretend with them. Age: 0 months+
4. Munchkin Caterpillar Spillers Stacking and Straining Cups
This lovable bug toy comes with seven numbered cups that can be stacked, scooped, and strained. Your little one will love pouring and splashing water with these vibrant cups for hours of entertainment. They can even be stacked to create a huge paddle wheel, adding more fun to your child’s bath time routine. Age: 9 months+
5. Green Toys Disney Baby Exclusive Mickey Mouse Seaplane
Your little one will love seeing the cheerful Mickey Mouse pilot in the cockpit of the bright blue and red plane with its extra-large pontoons. It floats well in the bathtub and doubles as a fill-and-spill toy. And when bath time is over, just toss it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
There are no sharp edges, small parts, or loose pieces to worry about. Plus, it’s made in the USA from recycled plastic that’s food-safe and free of phthalates, PVC, and BPA. Age: 6 months+
6. Munchkin Fishin Baby and Toddler Bath Toy
This toy will turn bathtime into an exciting fishing adventure for your little one. The fishing hook is specially designed to fit perfectly into your toddler’s hands and can easily catch the bobbing marine animals that make up this fun bath toy set.
As you reel in your catch, the reel makes satisfying clicking sounds, adding to the realism of the fishing experience. The Fishin’ Bath Toy is not only entertaining but also helps improve your child’s hand-eye coordination and teaches cause and effect. Age: 24 months+
7. Little Tikes® Foam Letters & Numbers
These soft and colorful toys will make the alphabet and counting skills a blast to learn. Your child will love the way they feel and look. They’re easy to pack for travels, trips to a grandparent’s place, or even in the car. With them, you can start by practicing letter recognition, counting, and color matching. Then, move on to spelling out simple words together. Age: 36 months+
8. Alex Rub a Dub Star Crayon
These bath crayons come in six vibrant colors and are designed to make bath time more imaginative and exciting. The sturdy container is perfect for small hands, and the crayons are easy to use, making it a great way to introduce art to your little ones.
These bath crayons are so versatile that your kids can color on the bathtub, tiles, or even themselves! But don’t worry about the mess, as these crayons are mild and can be easily washed off with soap and water. Age: 24 months+
9. Boon TUBES Building Toddler Bath Tub Toy
This three-piece water toy set for newborns is a bathtub necessity if your little one already likes PIPES and COGS. You can use each of these tubing bath toys alone or link them together. TUBES stick to the wall and increase enjoyment by introducing the water-activated motion. Age: 12 months+
10. Boon CHOMP Toddler Sensory Bath Tub Whale Toy
This playful whale features a soft and flexible jaw that can open wide enough to pick up small items in the tub and also comes with holes on the bottom for even more watery excitement. Plus, it comes with three adorable animal figures to add to the fun! Age: 12
11. Color Me: Who’s in the Pond?: Baby’s First Bath Book
Ducks dive underwater, frogs paddle through puddles, but how do you take a bath? Babies enjoy immersing themselves in this watery realm while bathing. Get to know new people while admiring artwork that comes to life in vibrant hues when submerged in water. Little fingers can easily grip pages because of their rounded edges.
These beautiful books from Wee Gallery transform bath time into a wonderful experience unlike any other. They are sturdy and safe for kids and babies to play with, and they ensure hours of tactile bath-time pleasure. Age: 0 months+
12. Munchkin Shake’n Strain Baby Bath Ball Bath Toy
Baby will enjoy shaking, straining, rattling, and rolling this vibrant bath ball at bath time. It is created with a rounded, pierced top that is comfortable and simple for tiny hands to grasp. Excellent for both in- and outside-the-bathroom play, this bath ball contains holes so your baby can create a water shower. Age: 6 months+
13. Nuby Interactive Bath Toy Purple Octopus Hoopla
With three rings to toss onto the octopus’s arms, your child will be entertained for hours, or at least until it’s time to get out of the tub. The vibrant colors and various textures of the Octopus Hoopla bath toy are designed to stimulate your child’s senses. The playful octopus and friendly sea creatures encourage interactive play and teach your child to identify shapes. Plus, the Octopus Hoopla is mold-resistant, ensuring a healthy and safe bath time experience. Age: 18 months+
14. Duck Tubing Floating Bath Toys
This delightful toy consists of three colorful tubes and three rubber ducks that are sure to make bath time a blast. The ducks and tubes float effortlessly in the water, providing endless opportunities for play and exploration. And because the rings are lead-free and non-toxic, you can rest easy knowing your child is safe while they play. Age: 12 months+
15. Boon COGS Toddler Sensory Bath Tub Water Gear Toy Set
These five bright, gear-shaped toys suction onto the walls of your bathtub or shower, where your child can turn them by hand or let the water do the work. They can be connected together or operated independently, giving your little ones endless possibilities for imaginative play. We suggest cleaning them every so often in warm, soapy water to ensure they stay clean and free of mold. Age: 12 months+
16. Yookidoo Baby Bath Mobile
The Yookidoo baby bath mobile is a favorite among babies, toddlers, and even older kids. During bathtime, this sensory toy offers mild cerebral stimulation and diversion. We like how the water element is a playful method to desensitize your child to water spray. The flowers whirl, water splashes, and the bird spits a constant stream of water when the switch is turned on. Age: 0 months+
17. 3 Bees & Me Bath Toy
This set includes a basketball hoop that attaches easily to the bathtub faucet, and it comes with a pair of balls that are completely hole-free, so there’s no chance of mold or mildew forming inside. Made from high-quality, BPA-free plastic that’s non-porous, these balls are safe for kids to play with and easy to clean. Age: 24 months+
18. Munchkin Wind Up Swimming Penguin Baby and Toddler Bath Toy
This cute and colorful penguin toy features a unique design with goggles and a wiggling body, making it a hit with kids of all ages. Made from tough polyethylene and resin, this penguin is built to withstand countless baths and plenty of playtimes. Simply wind up the penguin’s arms and watch as it swims across the water, spinning its arms around as it goes. Age: 9 months+
19. Blockaroo Magnetic Foam Building Blocks
These magnetic foam building blocks are a top choice for parents looking for toys that can grow with their children. The bright colors, delightful sounds, and easy-to-construct design stimulate young children’s tactile learning and shape recognition skills.
What’s more, because most bathtubs have a metal lining, these foam blocks can float and even stick to the sides of the tub. Cleaning these blocks is a breeze too. Simply pop them on the top rack of the dishwasher for quick and easy disinfection or clean them with soap and water as needed. Age: 36 months+
20. Munchkin Bath Beats Musical Toddler Bath Toy Set
The Octodrum is a three-in-one bathtub toy that serves as a bath drum, a floating octopus, and a portable labyrinth. And the Dingray xylophone is another classic bath toy shaped like a floating stingray, with rust-resistant keys for long-lasting use. And don’t forget the two starfish shakers for even more musical entertainment! With this musical toy set, your child can develop their love of music while splashing around in the tub. Age: 12 months+
How To Choose The Best Bath Toy For Babies And Toddlers?
- Age-Appropriate: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that bath toys are not a necessity for young infants as they find the water itself to be stimulating enough (1). However, as soon as the baby is old enough for the bathtub, toys become a delightful addition.
- Safety: You want to make sure that it’s made from non-toxic materials and that it won’t fall apart easily (2). A bath toy should be able to withstand plenty of water play without falling apart.
- Sensory: Toys that support positive growth and learning can improve fundamental motor abilities (3). To stimulate their senses, options like stacking and draining cups or light-up ornaments are excellent. Sensory toys help babies develop their understanding of touch, smell, sight, and hearing.
- Educational Value: Simple toys can have a lot of educational value for kids. Any item that requires kids to use their hands can promote fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This can be helpful for babies and toddlers as they develop their motor skills and learn to interact with their environment.
- Multipurpose: Some bath toys can also serve a practical purpose, such as helping to wash your child’s hair or providing entertainment during bath time.
When Should I Start Using Bath Toys?
Many parents find that their child is ready to start using bath toys around 6 months old. This is when babies start to become more interested in their surroundings and can start to grasp and play with objects. Bath toys can provide your baby with entertainment and help them practice their motor skills.
Do Kids Need Bath Toys?
Bathtime is a great time for kids to play and explore. But do they need bath toys? That depends on your child’s personality and interests. Some kids love playing with toys in the bath, while others are just as happy playing with the water itself. If your child is bored or seems to be resisting bath time, adding a few toys to the mix may help. Just be sure to choose ones that are safe for the bathtub and that your child can’t choke on.
Why Do They Put Holes In Bath Toys?
One possible reason for putting holes in bath toys is to allow water to enter and exit the toy so that it can be easily filled and emptied. This can be convenient for both children and adults, as it means the toy can be used over and over again without having to be refilled each time. Another possibility is that the holes help the toy float in the water, making it more fun for children to play with.
How Often Should You Get Rid Of Bath Toys?
Children love playing with bath toys, but they can quickly become covered in mold and mildew. For this reason, it’s important to regularly clean and sanitize bath toys. The frequency with which you should do this will depend on how often the toys are used. If they are used daily, you should clean them at least once a week. If they are used less often, you can clean them every two weeks or so.
Why Do Bath Toys Get Slimy?
Bath toys can get slimy because they are often made of porous materials that can absorb water and soap. When water and soap get into the pores of the material, it can create a slimy film on the surface of the toy.
How Do You Keep Mold From Growing In Bath Toys?
Mold growth can be prevented in bath toys by regularly cleaning and disinfecting them. To clean bath toys, mix one teaspoon of bleach in one gallon of water and soak the toys for five minutes. Rinse the toys thoroughly with clean water and allow them to air dry. To disinfect bath toys, mix one teaspoon of bleach in one quart of water and soak the toys for five minutes. Rinse the toys thoroughly with clean water and allow them to air dry.
When Should You Stop Using Baby Tub?
Most parents stop using a baby tub when their child is around 1 year old. At this point, most babies can sit up on their own and no longer need to be supported in a tub. If your child is still enjoying the baby tub, there is no need to stop using it.
