Capturing those precious bath time moments with your little ones just got more fun and engaging! As parents, we all want to provide our babies and preschoolers with toys that not only entertain but also foster their development. When it comes to bath toys, safety and educational value should be at the forefront of our considerations.
Opt for toys crafted from non-toxic, phthalate-free materials that are easy to clean and devoid of small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Durability is another key factor, ensuring that the toys can withstand the rough handling and occasional drops that come with playtime. Look for sturdy designs that can withstand being chewed on or submerged in water without compromising their integrity.
Beyond safety, seek out bath toys that offer interactive and educational elements. Alphabet or number sets, for instance, can introduce early literacy and numeracy concepts while keeping little ones engaged. Toys that float, sink, or create bubbles not only delight but also encourage exploration of cause and effect. Stacking and nesting toys promote problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
As you embark on your search for the perfect bath toys, remember that the best choices are those that strike a balance between fun and learning, safety and durability. With a little thoughtfulness, you can transform bath time into a cherished bonding experience that nurtures your child's development while creating lasting memories.
Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy: Best Educational Bath Toy for Sensory Development
Munchkin - Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy - 2 Pack -- $4.98(Walmart)
Float & Play Bubbles™ Baby and Toddler Bath Toy, 4 Count -- $8.99(Amazon)
Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy, 4 Pack -- $8.99(Amazon)
Bath Toy Scoop with 4pk Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy -- $22.98(Amazon)
Why We Picked It
The Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy is selected for its ability to turn bath time into a fun and educational experience for babies. These toys are designed to stimulate a baby's senses, including sight, hearing, and touch, while also encouraging the development of hand-eye coordination. The floating bubbles with textured rings and unique center toys that rattle, bobble, spin, and shine are perfect for little hands to explore.
Who It's For
This bath toy is best suited for babies aged 4 months and older who are beginning to develop their sensory and motor skills. It's an excellent choice for parents who want to provide their children with engaging toys that promote learning and development during bath time.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Stimulates baby's senses and motor skills | ❌ Must be dried properly to prevent mold growth |
| ✅ Textured rings and moving parts for tactile exploration | ❌ Small parts may require supervision for younger babies |
| ✅ High customer satisfaction with a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating | ❌ Potential for water to get trapped inside toys over time |
Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station: Best Educational Bath Toy
Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station - Bath Toy - with A Water Pumping Syste... -- $34.95(Yookidoo)
YOOKIDOO SUBMARINE SPRAY STATION -- $34.36(Limolin)
Yookidoo Bath Toy Submarine Spray Station Battery Operated Water Pump wi... -- $34.95(Amazon)
Yookidoo Bath Toy Submarine Spray Station with A Water Pumping System an... -- $39.99(Storkland)
Why We Picked It
The Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station is a unique bath toy that combines fun and learning by incorporating a water pumping system that encourages independent play and exploration. It's designed to captivate children's imagination and stimulate their senses, making bath time an enjoyable and educational experience.
Who It's For
This toy is best suited for children aged 2 to 6 years who enjoy water play and could benefit from a toy that enhances their motor skills and spatial awareness. It's also ideal for parents looking to reduce water anxiety in their children by providing a controlled and playful water experience.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Encourages independent play and exploration | ❌ Requires 4 AA batteries (not included) |
| ✅ Helps develop eye-hand coordination and motor skills | ❌ Needs periodic cleaning to maintain the pump system |
| ✅ Reduces water anxiety with controlled water play | ❌ May vary in styles and colors, limiting customization options |
Boon Building Bath Pipes Toy Set: Best Educational Bath Toy
Boon Pipes Building Bath Toy -- $15.49(Amazon)
Boon Bundle Building Bath Toy Set (Cogs, Pipes & Tubes) -- $27.49(Target)
Bundle Baby and Toddler Bath Toys - Includes Boon Pipes, Cogs, and Tubes... -- $27.49(Amazon)
Boon Pipes Building Bath Toy Set (Teal & Pink) -- $18.99(Fredericksburg Natural Baby)
Pipes Toddler Bath Toys - Interactive Toddler Sensory Toys - Suction Bat... -- $16.99(Amazon)
Pipes Building Bath Toy -- $16.99(Elegant Mommy)
Why We Picked It
The Boon Building Bath Pipes Toy Set is selected for its educational and entertainment value, providing children with a playful experience that also enhances their cognitive skills. It encourages kids to explore problem-solving and creativity as they fit the pipes together in various configurations to make water flow, turning bath time into a fun and developmental activity.
Who It's For
This toy set is ideal for toddlers and young children aged 12 months and up who are developing their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and understanding of cause and effect. It's also great for parents looking for toys that offer both fun and educational benefits during bath time. However, due to small parts, it's important that children are supervised to prevent any choking hazards.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Promotes problem-solving skills and creativity | ❌ Small parts may pose a choking hazard |
| ✅ Enhances motor skills and hand-eye coordination | ❌ Requires supervision for younger children |
| ✅ Suction feature for less messy play and easy storage | ❌ Limited play options without additional sets |
Nuby Floating Purple Octopus with Hoopla Rings: Best Bath Time Playmate
Nuby Floating Purple Octopus with 3 Hoopla Rings Interactive Bath Toy -- $6.88(Amazon)
Buy Nuby Floating Purple Octopus with 3 Hoopla Rings Interactive Bath To... -- $6.88(Belly Baby & Beyond)
Floating Octopus Toy with 3 Hoopla Rings - BPA Free Baby Bath Toy for Bo... -- $6.88(Amazon)
Floating Purple Octopus with 3 Hoopla Rings Interactive Bath Toy Bath Fu... -- $11.67(Amazon)
Nuby Floating Octopus with 3 Hoopla Rings Interactive Bath Toy Purple -- $13.89(Walmart - SoldAndShip)
Floating Purple Octopus with 3 Hoopla Rings and Nuby Starfish Ring Toss ... -- $26.99(Amazon)
Why We Picked It
The Nuby Floating Purple Octopus with Hoopla Rings is an engaging and interactive bath toy that encourages the development of hand-eye coordination in preschoolers. The fun of tossing rings onto the octopus's tentacles makes bath time an enjoyable and educational experience.
Who It's For
This toy is best suited for toddlers and preschoolers aged 18 months and up who enjoy water play. It's ideal for parents looking to add an element of play to bath time that is both fun and beneficial for their child's development.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ BATH TIME FUN – Comes with 3 rings for interactive play | ❌ Rings may get moldy if not dried properly |
| ✅ VERSATILE – Suitable for both bathtub and outdoor water play | ❌ Price varies depending on the package and retailer |
| ✅ DURABLE – Fully sealed design prevents water from entering the toy | ❌ May not hold the attention of older children |
Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy: Best Eco-Friendly Bath Toy
Green Toys Ferry Boat With Mini Cars Bathtub Toy, Blue/white -- $43(eBay - the1994s)
Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy, Blue/White -- $34.99(Walmart - Dragoon Toys)
Green Toys Ferry Boat Green/White w/Cars -- $39.51(Sears - Mac Marvel's)
Why We Picked It
The Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy is an excellent choice for parents and gift-givers looking for an environmentally responsible toy that promotes imaginative play. Made from 100% recycled plastic, it is a sustainable option that helps reduce waste and supports eco-friendly values.
Who It's For
This toy is ideal for children who love playing in the water, be it during bath time or at the pool. It's designed for kids who enjoy vehicles and imaginative scenarios, making it a great addition to their playtime. However, it may not be suitable for households with very young children who are still at the stage of putting small objects in their mouths, due to the potential choking hazard.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Eco-friendly, made from 100% recycled plastic | ❌ Cars are small and could pose a choking hazard for younger siblings |
| ✅ Encourages imaginative play with a fun ferry boat and cars design | ❌ Price may vary depending on color and retailer |
| ✅ Safe for bath time play and easy to clean | ❌ May not be as engaging for children who prefer more technologically advanced toys |
Skip Hop Zoo Bath Pull and Go Submarine: Fun & Educational Bath Toy
Skip Hop Zoo Bath Pull & Go Submarine, Monkey -- $9(Skip Hop)
Baby Bath Toy, Zoo Pull & Go Submarine -- $8.99(Amazon)
Skip Hop Baby Bath Toy, Zoo Pull & Go Submarine - My TinyToys -- $8.99(My Tiny Toys)
Baby Bath Toy Buckets, Zoo Stack & Pour Buckets, Pastel -- $9.99(Amazon)
Scuba™ Swimming Toddler Bath Toy -- $8.14(Amazon)
Skip Hop Bath, Skin & Hair | Skip Hop Zoo Pull & Go Submarine Bath Toy |... -- $5(Poshmark)
Why We Picked It
The Skip Hop Zoo Bath Pull and Go Submarine is an engaging and fun bath toy designed to make bath time more enjoyable while promoting motor skills development in young children. By pulling the string to activate the submarine's propeller, kids learn about cause and effect and enhance their motor skills in a playful, aquatic setting. Its affordable price, coupled with its educational benefits, makes it a valuable addition to any child's bath time routine.
Who It's For
This toy is best suited for toddlers aged 12 months and older who are developing their motor skills and learning about cause and effect. It's an excellent choice for parents looking to make bath time both fun and educational. However, it may not be the best fit for families looking for a bath toy that withstands heavy use without wear.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Promotes motor skills development | ❌ String mechanism may wear out over time |
| ✅ Teaches cause and effect in an engaging way | ❌ Limited to water play |
| ✅ Phthalate-free and safe for toddlers | ❌ May require adult supervision to ensure proper use |
Munchkin Bath Bobbers Toy: Best Simple Bath Play Companions
Munchkin® Bath Bobbers Mold Free Baby and Toddler Bath Toy, 6+ Months, P... -- $11.23(Amazon)
Munchkin® Bath Toy Scoop with Bath Bobbers Bath Toy -- $25.22(Amazon)
Munchkin® Bath Bobbers Mold Free Baby and Toddler Bath Toy, 6+ Months, P... -- $15.92(Amazon)
Why We Picked It
The Munchkin Bath Bobbers Toy is selected for its simplicity and ability to provide interactive play for young preschoolers. These bath toys are designed to be mold-free and help in developing motor skills. They are lightweight, easy for little hands to operate, and encourage imaginative play, making bath time a delightful experience for babies and toddlers.
Who It's For
Ideal for babies and young preschoolers aged 6 months and above who are just beginning to explore the world around them through play. The toys are especially suited for parents looking for safe, mold-free options without small parts. However, they may not hold the attention of older preschoolers who might be looking for more complex and engaging toys.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Helps develop motor skills | ❌ Limited engagement for older preschoolers |
| ✅ Encourages imaginative play | ❌ May not offer long-term play value |
| ✅ Mold-free and safe for young children | ❌ Simple design might not stimulate advanced learners |
Lamaze My First Fishbowl: Best Developmental Play for Infants
Lamaze My First Fishbowl -- $19.59(Target)
Lamaze My First Fishbowl -- $19.59(Target)
Why We Picked It
The Lamaze My First Fishbowl is chosen for its engaging design that combines fun with developmental benefits. It's a plush, interactive toy that encourages young children to practice their fine motor skills by 'fishing' for soft sea creatures. The tactile experience and colorful design are ideal for sensory development, making it a great educational toy for infants.
Who It's For
This toy is perfect for infants who are beginning to explore the world through touch and play. It's especially suited for parents who want to provide their children with toys that stimulate growth and learning. However, it may not be the best choice for families who prefer toys that are quick and easy to clean or dry.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Enhances fine motor skills | ❌ Fabric may take time to dry |
| ✅ Interactive and sensory-stimulating | ❌ Requires thorough drying to prevent mildew |
| ✅ Colorful and engaging design | ❌ May not be suitable for water play |
VTech Pour and Float Froggy: Best Interactive Bath Toy for Learning
Pour and Float Froggy Electronic Bath Toy -- $23.03(Amazon)
Why We Picked It
The VTech Pour and Float Froggy is an engaging electronic bath toy that combines fun and learning for babies. It uses water activation to teach cause and effect, while also entertaining with music and lights. This toy is designed to enhance bath time, making it an interactive experience that can help in the development of motor skills and cognitive abilities.
Who It's For
This toy is ideal for babies aged 9 months to 3 years who are developing their sensory and motor skills. It's perfect for parents who want to provide their children with a playful learning experience during bath time. However, it may not be suitable for families who prefer non-electronic toys for water play or who are looking for a more subdued bath time routine.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Interactive water play with music and lights | ❌ Requires diligent maintenance to keep the battery compartment dry |
| ✅ Teaches numbers and cause and effect | ❌ Some parents may find the electronic nature less durable for water play |
| ✅ Comes with stackable cups for additional play | ❌ Automatic shut-off may interrupt play if not reactivated |
Thanks for checking out our top picks for bath toys! If you have any questions or need more recommendations, feel free to reach out. Happy shopping!