Bath time can be the best part of the evening or a nightly negotiation about hair washing. A lot of the difference comes down to what's in the tub. The right toy keeps little hands busy just long enough for you to rinse, wash and get them out warm.
Here's what we look for in toddler bath toys, plus a few of our favorites.
What makes a good bath toy
- It does something with water. Pouring, spinning and paddling hold attention far longer than a toy that just floats.
- No batteries. Water-powered and wind-up toys have nothing to charge and no battery compartment to flood.
- It's easy to rinse and dry. Hard plastic toys you can rinse and drain are simpler to keep clean.
- It's the right size for little hands, with no small loose parts for younger toddlers.
Pour-and-watch toys that stick to the wall
These are the hair-washing heroes. Stick one to the tub wall at toddler height, hand over a scoop and let them pour while you rinse.
- The Dino Waterfall rains, sprinkles and spins its wheels when water is poured into the cloud on top. It sticks on with three suction cups and comes with a scoop.
- The Duck & Flower water wheel spins as water runs through it. The duck comes with a scoop and the flower with a little watering can.
Wind-up swimmers
Simple, inexpensive and oddly captivating. Wind it up, set it down and watch it paddle across the tub. The Paddle wind-up comes as a duck or a car, is about 4 inches long and runs on clockwork. For little ones, an adult should do the winding.
Build a small rotating set
Rotating bath toys works just like rotating toys on a shelf: bring in something different every week or so and bath time stays interesting. Ripple comes in 24 styles, from water wheels to swimmers and spinners, each sold on its own, so you can start with one favorite and build from there.
Don't skip the bath mat
Tubs and shower floors get slippery. A suction-cup mat gives little feet a steadier spot to stand, sit and climb out. Lagoon is a 27 by 15 inch tub mat in zoo, dinosaur or octopus prints, and it goes in the washing machine on cold and gentle. For showers, Brook has an open grid that lets water drain through. Both need a smooth, clean floor to grip.
And the towel at the end
The quickest way to end bath time happily is a warm hooded towel. Pop the hood over a wet head and wrap. Puddle is 31.5 inches square, roomy enough for a newborn and still big enough to wrap a sitting toddler, with a little animal face on the hood.
Keep it safe
Always keep your child within arm's reach in the bath, even with a mat and toys in the tub. Use shallow water, check toys for loose parts and let them dry out between baths.
Questions parents ask
How many bath toys does a toddler need?
Two or three at a time is plenty. Rotate the rest.
How do I keep bath toys clean?
Rinse them after each bath, tip out any water and let them air-dry out of the tub. Toys that don't trap water inside are the easiest to keep fresh.
What ages are these toys for?
Most of our bath toys are listed for up to 6 years, and the Duck & Flower water wheel for up to 12. Always supervise.
Bathing a younger baby? Start with our step-by-step guide on how to bathe a newborn.
Before the next bath, read our toddler bath safety rules.
See every bath time favorite in our Bath Time collection.
