Bath time is often part of a calming routine for young babies, but as children reach the toddler stage bath time can become an extension of play time. Some considerations to keep in mind while shopping for bath toys can include the age and developmental level of the child, material type, which skills each toy encourages and preferred price range. Here are some of the best bath toys for toddlers that have gotten the stamp of approval from parents.
7. The First Years Disney Baby Bath Squirt Toys, Finding Nemo
- Ages: Infant and Up
- Materials: Soft Plastic
- Includes: 3 squirt toys
- Promotes: Fine Motor Skills, Cause and Effect, Color Recognition, Hand/Eye Coordination
These fun squirting toys let a child share their bath with their favorite Disney characters. Brightly-colored Dory, Nemo and Turtle toys are a great size for small children to easily grasp and handle, making it easy for kids to help their friends swim around the tub.
Toddlers can also work on their motor skills and coordination by learning how to fill and squirt the toys themselves, and providing a simple target can also help a child perfect their aim. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and The Little Mermaid sets are also available.
6. Boon Water Bugs Floating Bath Toys with Net
- Ages: Nine Months and Up
- Materials: Hard Plastic and Mesh
- Includes: 3 floating bugs and a net
- Promotes: Hand/Eye Coordination, Motor Skills, Color Recognition, Shape Recognition
This set includes a net and three floating bugs that your child can scoop up before they drift away. The act of catching a moving object is a great way to hone a child’s coordination and can provide a fun challenge for older toddlers.
Also see: 6 Best Toy Cars for Toddlers in 2018
All pieces feature vibrant colors and BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free material. Each item is also a solid piece of plastic with no holes that could retain water or harbor mold, which is a top reason many parents consider this to be one of the best bath toys for toddlers.
5. Nuby Octopus Hoopla Bathtime Fun Toys
- Ages: 18 Months and Up
- Materials: Hard Plastic
- Includes: 1 octopus and 3 rings to toss around the tentacles
- Promotes: Color Recognition, Shape Recognition, Hand/Eye Coordination, Motor Skills
This fun purple octopus from Nuby comes with three ring-shaped toys and provides several play options, making it one of the best bath toys for toddlers up to older children. The BPA-free octopus bobs and floats, and the easy-to-grasp head and tentacles make it fun for young children to play with.
Slightly older kids will enjoy the challenge of tossing the rings onto the curved tentacles. The three rings come in fun nautical shapes like a life preserver, a fish and a starfish.
4. Green Toys My First Tug Boat
- Ages: Infant and Up
- Materials: Hard Plastic
- Includes: 1 tugboat
- Promotes: Cause and Effect, Motor Skills, Hand/Eye Coordination, Color Recognition
The best bath toys for toddlers can be safe and fun for children while also being good for the environment. BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free plastic sourced from recycled milk jugs make this toy boat from Green Toys an eco-friendly upgrade on the bath time classic.
Little captains can have fun steering their boat around the tub or can practice their scooping and pouring skills. This tugboat features bright colors and a large handle that is easy for even young children to grasp. Some fun details on the tugboat include five windows that reveal a chair and steering wheel as well as molded lights, a life preserver, an anchor and a ladder.
3. Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy
- Ages: Infant and Up
- Materials: Hard Plastic
- Includes: 2 fun characters and 2 whirly toys
- Promotes: Motor Skills, Hand/Eye Coordination, Color Recognition, Animal Recognition
This set of four plastic balls from Munchkin provide bobbing, rattling and tossing fun for a young child. Two of the balls contain a sea turtle and a penguin that will always float along upright thanks to a weighted bottom, and the remaining two each feature a spinning center with rattling beads.
A brightly-colored bumpy ring encircles each ball and makes the bubbles easy to pick up. The clear plastic outer shell is a breeze to clean and resists leakage and mold growth.
2. 3 Bees & Me Magnet Boat Set
- Ages: 18 Months and Up
- Materials: Hard Plastic
- Includes: 4 twin boats that float
- Promotes: Motor Skills, Color Recognition, Shape Recognition, Hand/Eye Coordination
Boats will always be one of the best bath toys for toddlers, and now your child can have their own fleet with this set of four toys. Each boat has magnetized ends that allow your child to make a line of two or more. Unique facial features and painted numbers one through four give each toy in the set an individual look.
Designed to fit comfortably into a young child’s hand, these boats are easy to steer around the tub. Bright primary colors lend appeal for small children, and solid construction with plastic that is free of lead, BPA and phthalates is a parent-pleaser.
1. Baby Bath Toys for Kids – Whale Island
- Ages: 12 months and Up
- Materials: Hard Plastic
- Includes: 1 spraying fountain, toy figures, mesh bag, you will need 3 AA batteries that are not included
- Promotes: Motor Skills, Hand/Eye Coordination, Color Recognition, Shape Recognition, Cause and Effect
Versatility is often a key feature in the best bath toys for toddlers, and the battery-powered Whale Island toy provides a number of interchangeable play options that allow children to use their imagination while having fun. Water shoots from the top of the whale with enough force to hold a ball in midstream, and removable toys can also be rearranged to allow the water to spray upwards or out the sides.
Simple switches control the power and fountain direction. All pieces float easily, and the entire toy is fully submersible. The included mold-resistant mesh bag makes for simple storage. A safe, watertight interior compartment houses the required three AA batteries (not included).
Conclusion
Play can be a great learning experience and bath time can do more than just produce a clean child. The best bath toys for toddlers harness the power of fun to encourage your child’s development.
What about you? Do you have any other favorite bath toys? We’d love to hear your suggestions and thoughts in the comments!
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