It doesn't matter if it's your child's first bath or their hundredth; good toys make the experience much smoother. Unfortunately, finding the best bath toys for toddlers can sometimes be challenging. Sure, there's the classic rubber ducky.
But what if you want to think outside of the box a little? This buying guide will cover five great and affordable bath toys for toddlers. That way, you can find something your little one can connect with. Let's get started!
1. Munchkin Caterpillar Spillers Stacking and Straining Cups
There's something about stacking cups that makes babies light up. So why not take that activity into the tub? The Munchkin Caterpillar Spillers Stacking and Straining Cups make this fun by allowing the toddler to make a caterpillar shape.
Or, they can take apart the colorful cups and use them for straining the water. Plus, this toy compacts nicely. So storage is no hassle with it.
2. Nuby 5-Pack Easy Clean Bath Time Crayons
Do you have a budding artist in your home? If the answer is yes, then Nuby 5-Pack Easy Clean Bath Time Crayons are a perfect way to stoke creativity in them. The five colors (red, green, yellow, blue, and purple) are encased by plastic.
Whenever your toddler needs more, they push up on it. And don't panic. The bath crayons are easily washable. So, you don't have to panic about your child's masterpiece becoming a permanent part of your bathroom.
Related: How to Bathe Your Newborn Baby
3. Green Toys Tugboat Bath Toy
You can't beat the classics. In a toddler's imagination, a simple tugboat in a bath can be as enjoyable as a real boat at sea. The little details on the Green Toys Tugboat Bath Toy make it an excellent option for budget-conscious parents.
Plus, the toy is designed so your child can scoop and play with the water while in the bath. Best of all, the toy is made from recycled plastic. As such, it's a good choice for parents that want to make a more environmentally conscious decision.
4. Manhattan Toy Penny Penguin Scrub-a-Dubbie Washcloth and Bathing Mitt Puppet
If baths scare your toddler, consider getting them the Manhattan Toy Penny Penguin Washcloth. This combines a stuffed animal with a washcloth. It's a great way to calm your baby down.
Plus, it makes the process of putting soap on them that much more fun. It's a creative toy you can bring to your bathtime.
Related: Teaching Self-Soothing: The Cry It Out Method
5. Nuby Floating Purple Octopus Interactive Bath Toy
Soon, your toddler will outgrow essential toys and want something that challenges them a little more. When they reach this stage (usually around eighteen months), consider getting them the Nuby Floating Purple Octopus Interactive Bath Toy.
The toy has three rings that your child can try to throw around the octopus's tentacles. This is an excellent way to develop your child's hand-eye coordination. It will also undoubtedly make bathtime more of a splash with your toddler.
Want to explore more fun toys outside of the bathtub? Check out some of the products we sell here on 123 Baby Box.
How Often Should You Bathe Your Baby?
As a parent, you might think you must bathe your baby every day. However, that's not the case. The reality is that experts say you should bathe your baby two or three days out of the week.
In fact, if your baby takes a bath every day, it can dry out their skin. To make bathtime easier, we recommend keeping it confined to a particular day. Making a bath part of your child's bedtime routine can do wonders toward making the process easier for you.
How Do You Make Sure Your Bath Toys Are Safe?
There are several good rules of thumb when picking safe bath toys. For starters, look for large toys. Anything that can fit easily into your child's mouth might not be a good fit. Next, make sure you read the label on the toy. It will tell you the recommended age group and instructions to use it safely.
Lastly, look for non-toxic, plastic toys. These types of toys don't tend to have sharp, harsh edges. Because of this, they're a lot better for toddlers. If you want a complete list of tips for buying toddler toys, make sure to check out this guide by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Related: Parallel Play: Using Playtime to Encourage Social Development
How to Make Toddler Toy Shopping Easier
We know that finding bath toys for your toddler that are both safe and fun can be stressful. And it's not just limited to bath toys. As a parent, it's unlikely that you have tons of hours to spend researching various baby products.
If you find yourself in this type of situation, we recommend investing in services like Baby Box 123. Our service takes the guesswork out of finding great baby products.
That way, you can spend your valuable time on what actually matters, like taking care of and bonding with your new child.
Interested in getting hand-picked baby toys shipped right to your house? Explore our subscription packages to find out which one is right for you.
The Importance of Good Bath Toys for Toddlers
At first look, it might not appear like that big of a deal to invest in bath toys for your toddler. After all, aren't baths just for getting your kid clean? In reality, bathtime is a significant bonding activity between parent and child.
One study found that playtime between parents and toddlers helped promote strong development and healthy bonds. Treating your baby's bath like playtime allows you to foster this critical connection.
And a good set of bath toys makes it quite easy to do this. So, if you purchase any of the products on this list, you should be in pretty good shape.
