Bath Toys for Every Age

4 min read

Last Modified 31 January 2025 First Added 30 January 2025

Author Samantha

Bathtime is more than just a daily routine, it is an opportunity for children to explore, play, and develop essential skills. The right bath toys can transform an everyday task into an exciting and engaging adventure, encouraging creativity, sensory development, and independent play for any age. Whether you have a splashing toddler or an older child who still enjoys water play, there are plenty of options to make bath time enjoyable.

How to Make Bathtime Fun

For many children, bathtime is a highlight of the day, while for others, it can be a challenge. Ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience can be helped by choosing activities and toys that set up an engaging environment. Here are some tips to make bathtime fun for kids of all ages:

  • Incorporate Interactive Toys: Toys that spray, squirt, or float can provide endless entertainment and keep little ones engaged while getting clean.
  • Encourage Imaginative Play: Bathtime can become an underwater adventure with mermaids, submarines, and pirate ships, or a pretend play session with tea sets and kitchen toys.
  • Use Educational Elements: Alphabet letters, number boats, and shape-sorting bath toys can help reinforce learning in a playful environment.
  • Create a Sensory Experience: Adding bath-friendly paints, foam, or light-up toys can enhance sensory development and make water play even more exciting.
  • Sing Songs and Tell Stories: Introducing bath-themed songs, bathtime games or creating stories around toys can make bathtime more engaging and interactive.

By making bath time playful and engaging, children are more likely to look forward to it as a fun part of their daily routine.

Baby bath time.

Bath Toys for Toddlers

Toddlers are at a stage where they love to explore, touch, and experiment with water. Bath toys designed for this age group should be engaging, safe, and easy to handle. Here are some top picks:

  • Rubber Duckies & Floating Friends: Classic rubber ducks, animal-themed floaties, and friendly bath companions make water play fun and familiar.
  • Stacking Cups & Water Wheels: These simple yet engaging toys help toddlers develop fine motor skills as they pour and watch water flow in different directions.
  • Squeeze and Squirt Toys: Soft, squeezable toys that squirt water can provide endless giggles and encourage hand-eye coordination .
  • Foam Letters and Numbers: Educational bath toys like foam letters and numbers stick to the bathtub walls, making learning fun and interactive.
  • Fishing Sets: Magnetic or hook-and-loop fishing toys can help toddlers refine their hand-eye coordination while having fun.
  • Bath Books: Waterproof bath books introduce storytelling in a new environment, making bath time a great opportunity for early literacy.

Bath Toys for Older Children

As children grow, their interests shift, and they may prefer more advanced bath toys that align with their favourite activities and characters. Here are some great options for older kids:

Baby Born Swimming Doll

The Baby Born Swimming Doll is perfect for children who enjoy nurturing play. With realistic swimming movements, this doll makes water play engaging and interactive. Kids can help their doll float, swim, or even give it a pretend bath alongside them.

Tea Set & Plastic Kitchen Toys

Bath-friendly tea sets and kitchen toys allow kids to host pretend tea parties in the tub. Whether they are “serving” tea, making pretend soup, or pouring water from cups and kettles, these toys encourage creativity and social play. Opt for waterproof, mould-resistant plastic sets to ensure durability and safety.

Action Figures and Dinosaurs

Many older children enjoy incorporating action figures into their playtime. Superheroes, dinosaurs, or favourite cartoon characters can embark on aquatic adventures, adding an exciting twist to bath play.

Vehicles for colour change fun

Some vehicles are designed for water play are a great choice for children who love racing through the bubbles. Choose models with change colour when exposed to warm or cold water like these Thomas & Friends vehicles, providing an extra element of surprise and engagement. Kids can create water-based race tracks or obstacle courses in the bathtub.

Bath time is a wonderful opportunity for children to explore, play, and develop essential skills while getting clean. Whether your child is a toddler just discovering water play or an older child who enjoys imaginative storytelling in the tub, the right bath toys can make all the difference. From classic rubber duckies to Swimming dolls and colour-changing trains, there’s a bath toy for every age and maybe there is room for some inspiration with bathtime games.

Choosing age-appropriate, durable, and safe bath toys ensures endless fun while also supporting learning and creativity. So, next time you’re preparing for bath time, bring along some exciting new toys or maybe consider somethings you already have to hand to make DIY bath toys and watch as your child’s imagination takes the lead.

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About the Author

Samantha

Starting her career in our stores, Sam learnt what customers really want from a toy shop.

Sam’s writing reflects her knowledge of all things data and strategy – she’s a reliable source of information on everything from customer favourites to new playground crazes.

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