Check the manufacturer’s age recommendation to ensure your little one plays safely in the tub. Additionally, consider bath toys that are easy to clean and won’t trap mold. We carefully considered age recommendations, design, value, and toy safety when reviewing products. Here are the best bath toys for kids. Price at time of publication: $10 Perfect for ages 9 months and older, the cups can even help teach hand-eye coordination, numbers, and colors. Parents say these cups provide tons of entertainment and can be played with outside of the tub, too. Price at time of publication: $7 Price at time of publication: $12 Customers say that these top-rated bath toys are fun to play with both in the water and out. Parents also love that they are durable and well-priced. Price at time of publication: $11 Customers say it is a big hit with kids, but some wish it came with more rings. Some also warned that it’s smaller than they expected, but overall, thought it was a fun toy that was perfect for bathtime. Price at time of publication: $9 Customers love how durable the letters and numbers are and the fact that they stick well. This is a toy that’s perfect for kids just learning letters and numbers as well as more advanced children beginning to learn how to spell. Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $45 The pipes are perfect for developing basic STEM skills and can keep kids entertained as they grow. Customers caution that you’ll need to wash them periodically and air dry thoroughly after use to prevent mold from growing inside the pipes. Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: $31 Covered in soft terry cloth with an antimicrobial sponge lining the inside, each one features an opening perfect for putting liquid or bar soap. There are also built-in finger pockets to make scrubbing super easy—for you or your child. The sponges are machine washable, too. Price at time of publication: $10 The hygienic product is completely waterproof, which is ideal for quick and easy drying. The rubber material is easy to spot clean or wash with soap and water. The buoy shape is easy for little ones to grasp and splash around with. Also, there is no way for water to get inside—which means no bacteria or mold can grow in there either. This toy can entertain your baby for years and grow with them as they become curious toddlers. It will quickly become a staple of bath time, making it our favorite pick. Price at time of publication: $24 Price at time of publication: $34 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $18 Price at time of publication: $35 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $50 There are lots of alternative options, including a blue whale, sea turtle, hedgehog, gator, lion, beaver, shark, unicorn, or dolphin for starters. These sponges work well for all ages—it’s true—your newborn might like a hippo to hang out with while having their bath. Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $15 Some fit into each other i.e. nesting, while others have holes in the bottom for water to trickle through. The organizing bag is substantial at 15.5 x 14 inches and high quality to hold all the pieces together while the mesh fabric allows them to dry. Price at time of publication: $19 This selection works best for older kids who don’t taste their toys as much, like at least age 3 and older preschoolers. Animals you may find inside include dolphins, sea turtles, seahorses, manta rays, clownfish, orcas, crabs, blue whales, and more. Price at time of publication: $15
What to Look for in Bath Toys
Age-Appropriateness
All kids develop at different rates. However, there are some generally accepted guidelines for age-appropriate play. Check the packaging for toys you’re interested in to be sure they match up with your little one’s age range.
Sensory Experience
Kids, and babies in particular, learn about their environment through their senses. Try to find bath toys that encourage this, such as those that have squishy or squeaky features, encourage cause-and-effect water play, or have water-safe lights and sounds.
Ease of Cleaning
While it’s true that baths are all about getting clean, toys that are repeatedly used without a good cleansing themselves can grow and harbor harmful germs and bacteria. Try to find toys that make clean-up a breeze, such as ones that you can toss in a dishwasher or scrub down easily, and that dry out fast. (Avoid toys with a singular hole in the middle, as they can be especially difficult to clean thoroughly.)
