When bath time comes, your mission is clear: to efficiently clean the baby from head to toe.
Bathing your little one is more than an excellent splashing time; it is an essential parent-child bonding time.
However, things don’t go like what we all expect… And bath time is no exception!
The key to an enjoyable experience for all?
A Bath Toy..
Giving some funny and exciting water toys during shower time makes your little one happy and busy and allows you to clean him properly.
This article will include:
- The importance of bath toys and why most parents use them
- A review of the best-selling bath toys for toddlers and babies
- A detailed buyer guide
- ..and a lot More!
Regardless of what stage your baby is in, try to make them happy with whatever they do.
Take a look at our Top Picks to enjoy bathtime!
- Introduction
- How To Make Baby Bath Toys Safe? (5 Easy Ways)
- 1 – Comfylife Bath Letters & Numbers
- 2 – LOUHUA 50PCS Rubber Ducks
- 3 – The First Years Stack Up Cups
- 4 – Dwi Dowellin Fishing Game
- 5 – Nuby octopus floating bathtime toy
- 6 – Green Toys, Tugboat
- 7 – Baby Bath Books
- 8 – Boon PIPES Building Toddler Bath Tub Toy
- 9 – Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy
- 10 – Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark
- 11 – Munchkin Barnyard Friends Bath Toy
- Buyer’s Guide: How Do You Choose Baby Bath Toys?
- FAQ
- Our Verdict: Best Baby Bath Toy
- Conclusion: Best Bath Toys For Toddlers
Introduction
What Are The Benefits Of Using Toys In The Bath?
Children are not the same; some might enjoy taking their baths while playing with some water toys.
Others (like mine) might be scared of the water and prefer their bathtime as quickly as possible.
Whatever the case is, it is good to have some bath toys inside the tub to get your kid to enjoy his bathtime.
Besides reducing the kids’ resistance to showering, playing with bath toys can also be an opportunity for fun and exciting communication between you both.
While having fun, our children learn a lot…
For this reason, playing is the primary learning method and is essential in the growth process in children’s early stages.
Related: Keep It Soft And Silky: Here Are The Best 10 Baby Lotions
How To Make Baby Bath Toys Safe? (5 Easy Ways)
If you are relatively new to parenting, one of the biggest challenges is keeping baby bath toys safe.
It’s no surprise that babies love splashing water…
Amid bathing and spattering water, what keeps them busy is the baby bath toys. in this part of the article, we will discuss how one can make baby bath toys safe for the kids.
What Makes Bath Toys Unsafe?
The first thing babies do whenever they spot something new is to put the item inside their mouth. We are not familiar with the scientific reason behind this behavior, but it comes so naturally to all infants.
Grabbing a toy and sticking it inside their mouth is very common for babies, but the problem arises whenever your baby starts sucking the germs and mold out of any toys.
It’s unsafe, unhygienic, and can even lead to health-related issues like respiratory problems and allergies.
How Often Should You Clean The Baby’s Bath Toys?
In the heat of the matter, ABC News conducted a study where they invited parents to send bath toys to examine the level of germs on them. The study revealed that almost all bath toys had traces of mold and bacteria.
Other toys even had traces of fecal matter, which raises further concern. Children suffering from encopresis are prone to smudge their toys with feces.
The study further revealed that rubber bath toys are the scuzziest!
While you can’t stop a baby from sucking on a toy or a sipper, you can surely clean the item time and again to avoid any bacteria entering your child’s mouth.
As per expert recommendation, you must clean your children’s bath toys weekly. If there is someone sick at your home, make sure that you clean baby toys daily.
5 Ways To Clean Bath Toys?
Then again, cleaning bath toys is a must to keep your baby’s playing time healthy and safe!
Instead of throwing away the bath toys after a few usages, we recommend you go through these five simple cleaning ways to ensure that the thing your kid is nipping upon is clean and hygienic.
Bleach Water:
There is no better way to sanitize your kid’s bath toys than to put them in bleach water. It cleans the bathtub toys thoroughly and disinfects all the bacteria within minutes. You need to add 1/2 cup of regular bleach per gallon of water and soak the toys for ten to fifteen minutes.
Vinegar:
Another method you can adopt to clean the bathtub toys involves using vinegar, which is known for killing pathogens, including bacteria. Vinegar is best suited for cleaning and disinfecting bathtub toys. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to one gallon of water and soak your toys for an hour or so.
Boiling Water:
Simply boil the toys in hot water. You can use tongs to squeeze out the dirt from inside. Let the toys cool and dry thoroughly, and hand them over to your kids while they enjoy their baby bath.
Dishwasher:
If you are too tired to perform the manual work, you can toss the baby bath toys in the dishwasher and let the machine and the detergent do the rest. It allows you to save a lot of time and cleans the toys thoroughly. However, you must go through the toys’ label and see if they are dishwasher-safe before you through them inside the machine.
Disinfectant Wipes:
Using disinfectant wipes to clean an infant toy is often underestimated, despite being an easy and quick way to clean the bathtub toy thoroughly. These wipes can just be used once, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
Easy Tips For Keeping The Bath Toys Safe
Most bath toys have a hole below them that absorbs the water and squirts inside. As a result, the toy collects mold quickly.
If you are still looking for a much easier alternative to cleaning mold and making bath toys hygienic and safe for children’s usage, use a hot glue gun and glue each hole of the kids’ toy shut, thus not allowing the mold to dip outside.
Instead of spending hours cleaning your child’s bath toys, this is a simple and easy way not to allow any water to go inside.
Overall, all these methods will help you take better care of your newborn and keep them safe and sound.
1 – Comfylife Bath Letters & Numbers
Best Educational Bath Letters & Numbers
Bottom Line: These educational foam bath letters and numbers are super cute, durable, and educate your kid with the basics in a fun way.
Pros
Easy to use and install letters and numbers
Sturdy and strong foam
Very easy to clean
The bath toy set includes a mesh bathtub toy holder
Cons
The suction hooks don’t stick for too long
These foam bath toys are stimulating for preschoolers. They educate your kid with the basics while having fun in the water.
These letters and numbers are super cute; they come in different colors, stick to the bathtub once they get wet, and are safe for children.
The best part?
You will get a storage mesh fabric to store the toys once your child is done with his shower. It comes with two compartments; one for the toys and the other for the baby bath essentials – like shampoo and sponge!
Besides keeping the toys dry and clean, letting your kid store his toys by himself teaches him basic organization skills.
Most importantly, these educational bath toys with their organizer are sturdy, convenient, good quality, and have a long service life.
The proper age to use them is three years old and up. However, you can introduce them to your kid at an earlier age. They are non-toxic and safe to get in contact with little kids.
2 – LOUHUA 50PCS Rubber Ducks
Best Classic Rubber Bath Ducks
Bottom Line: If you are looking for classic bath toys to introduce to your kids, these rubber ducky bath toys are suitable for you.
Pros
Perfect design for little ones to hold
You get a good amount of ducks at an affordable price
Cons
The question mark at the bottom of the ducks might cause a choking hazard
Molds are expected if the water goes inside the duck
It might be more challenging to clean than other bath toys
When we think about baby baths, the first thing that crosses our minds is a cute little baby in a bathtub with lots of mini ducks floating around him.
These rubber ducks are classic bath toys that most parents get for their kids. The set comes with 50 small ducks to fill out the bathtub!
They are super cute!
The yellow color is perfect for stimulating the baby’s eyesight, the rubber material is perfect for little teethers, and the overall design is ideal for the little hands to grasp.
It is a basic sensory toy for babies…
Bath toys have a unique design that helps keep them safe and easy to clean. However, those ducks have a tiny question mark at the bottom of each duck that can be removed if your child tries to pull it out.
That’s said, always stay around your kid when playing in the bathtub with these ducks!
Also, mold in rubber duckies is possible! So, make sure to remove all the water that might go inside the ducks by accident to avoid building mold.
3 – The First Years Stack Up Cups
Best Montessori Bath Toys
Bottom Line: These stack up cups grow with your baby; they are suitable for little babies and toddlers and improve their problem-solving abilities.
Pros
Durable, robust, and easy to use
These toys improve the baby’s problem-solving skills
Promote the eye-hand coordination abilities
Mildew free bath toys
Cons
It might hurt the baby mouth if he bites them
The cups might not stay piled up
Is your baby ready to sit by himself in the tub? Is he excited to move his hands all over and grab whatever he wants?
Sounds great!
These plastic and colorful bath toy cups are here to make bathtime a fun thing to do…
Starting at the age of 6 months old, your baby will enjoy stacking these 8 cups together, with numbers at the bottom to teach him how to count.
Yes! Your baby can recognize numbers at an early age…
The design of these cups is super simple yet, efficient in preventing mold from building up. There are small holes at the bottom of each cup to let the water leak out to avoid mold scenarios!
Last but not least..
These Montessori bath toys efficiently improve the babies’ hand-eye coordination skills and are free from phthalates, lead, or BPA.
4 – Dwi Dowellin Fishing Game
Best No Mold Bath Toys
Bottom Line: This exciting fishing toy teaches your kid how to concentrate and be a winner with a single movement.
Pros
Mold proof bath toys
Good quality and durable
Completely sealed bath toys
Cons
Not easy for the kids to hook the fishes
A little pricey
Well, fishing could be one of the cutest things that your kid will enjoy doing inside the bathtub.
The Dwi Dowellin Fishing Game offers an excellent opportunity for your kid to use his motor skills and hand-eye coordination abilities to be a winner!
The best part?
Your kid doesn’t have to be in the tub to play this game. He can enjoy it inside and outside the shower.
In addition, these cute sea creatures come in different colors and have no holes to be safe bath toys that don’t mold.
The package comes with a fishing pole, net, four fishes, and two whales.
The overall design promotes kids’ safety…
For example, you will notice that the fishing rod is not flexible to avoid being turned in the baby’s neck. Plus, no batteries are needed and are entirely sealed, making them mold free bath toys.
Keep in mind, though; each whale can sprinkle water, so make sure to get rid of the water once done playing to avoid getting moldy toys.
With this fishing toy, fishing with kids can start from the bottom of the tub!
5 – Nuby octopus floating bathtime toy
Best Large Floating Water Toy
Bottom Line: If your kid likes to play with sea creatures, then you must give this rubbery Octopus a try.
Pros
Designed thoughtfully to prevent water from getting inside
Perfect for little teethers
Cons
The material is thick and less flexible than other toys
It comes with six tentacles instead of eight
It doesn’t stay upright in the water
This Octopus is one of the best floating water toys that is big enough and exciting to occupy your kid for a good period.
This Octopus Hoopla comes with 6 arms with 3 rings to go around them for a perfect float-catch experience.
The best part?
This Octopus prompts the baby’s senses development through the vibrant colors and shapes and improves hand-eye coordination skills.
Besides, its material is flexible, super soft, and free of BPA…
You can use soap and water for cleaning and let it dry to avoid getting molds.
6 – Green Toys, Tugboat
Best Bathtub Boat
Bottom Line: This is an old-fashioned water toy that most kids enjoy during bathtime.
Pros
Sturdy and durable design
Detachable and dishwasher safe
Cons
It might be boring for some kids
It fills with water quickly – doesn’t float all the time
This tug boat is exciting and has a cute mechanism for your toddler to learn.
Your kid needs to fill it up with water and watch the water coming out of the spout until it is empty.
It floats on top of the water as well..
Besides, your kid can enjoy playing with this boat inside and outside the water, making it perfect for all-day-long fun.
The best part?
This toy is super easy to clean and is also Dishwasher safe. The recyclable material is also free from BPA and Phthalate to keep your little one safe all the time.
It is a perfect toy to train kids to scoop and pour the water inside the bathtub – or even the pool.
Last but not least, this toy is a Fat Brain Toy Award winner and one of the top 100 Newborn Essentials.
7 – Baby Bath Books
Best Bath Books For Shower Time
Bottom Line: These bathtime books make teaching the little ones how to use books easy to do – even at an early age.
Pros
Soft and chewable fabric for little teethers
Easy to wash and dry quickly
Cons
The books have some inaccurate information
The sounds of the words are not in native English
Books are essential to encourage your kid to read and get used to reading, and it is necessary to start introducing them at an early stage.
During bath time? Why not?
So here come these washable bath books to teach your child that education doesn’t have to be tough all the time.
The best part?
The washable fabric of these books is super soft, non-tearable, and safe to use even for newborn babies. They are unbreakable, so there is no need to worry about any suffocation danger.
Some of the sheets make sounds and lights once the baby squashes them, making them perfect learning bath toys for kids of different ages!
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Furthermore, the set comes with eight books in different themes to pick the one that your child loves the most; the ocean, fruits, animals, graphics, musical instruments, ABCs, transportation, and digital.
The size and weight of these books are perfect for making them suitable to use inside and outside the house, with a washable feature to make them even more convenient.
So, you can say that they are super portable and travel-friendly toys.
Overall, the quality and value of these books make them giftable, suitable as a birthday or Christmas gift.
8 – Boon PIPES Building Toddler Bath Tub Toy
Best STEM Bath Toys
Bottom Line: Those boon building bath pipes are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers to teach them some basic Montessori skills.
Pros
They offer an open-ended play
Perfect suction power
Promote sensory learning
Cons
Molds are expected after a couple of months – if not dried well after each use.
Some parents said that the pipes don’t stick to each other well
They don’t work on all walls.
If you are looking for science bath toys for your preschooler, these are perfect Montessori bath toys to introduce to your toddler during bath time.
This set includes five leaky pipes with different shapes perfect for an open-ended play. Your baby can quickly put them together in many ways to get different shapes and chains!
Each pipe links to the other one to create a chain of leaky pipes..
The best part?
These Montessori toys are for babies ready to explore the world and use their senses, making them parents’ favorite bath toys for kids one year old and above.
Different colors with unique shapes..
Besides, these pipes have small holes for the water to leak from, making it perfect for teaching your son the cause and effect relationship while playing in the bathtub.
The suction power of these pipes is perfect for keeping them hanging on the bathtub or wall for a good period.
Like other baby toys, the material used to make these pipes are safe for babies, free of BPA and PVC.
9 – Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy
The Cutest Bubble Bath Toys
Bottom Line: If you are looking for toys that help improve your kid’s motor skills and are exciting at the same time, look no further.
Pros
Fun toys for tummy time too
They float and stay on top all the time
Cons
The bubble size is on the bigger side
Fog might develop on the plastic
Water might get inside and cause mold
Hard to clean
These Munchkin bubbles toys float on the water and make your baby enjoy looking and catching these cute bubbles.
The most beautiful part about these toys is that they rattle while spinning and shine while bobbling.
The design is super innovative and simple…
The rolling animals are weighted in a specific way to stay upright once floated on the water.
In addition, the surrounding ring is textured and designed to move around the bubble without any disturbance freely.
The combination of the features motivates your kid to use his senses while having fun in the shower.
Most importantly, the bubbles help your baby develop his motor skills and improve hand-eye coordination abilities.
10 – Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark
Best Swimming Bath Toys
Bottom Line: This swimming shark toy is perfect for baby shark lovers. It is super cute and makes bathtime so much fun.
Pros
Adorable design
Most kids like it
Cons
Some parents said that the shark works only for a few weeks
It doesn’t have an on-off switch
The sound is low
There is a chance for moisture to develop inside – hard to clean
If you hear the Baby Shark song all day long – just like me – then we encourage you to give this baby shark bath toy a try.
My kids adore everything related to Baby Shark.. And this toy is their #1 bath toy!
Besides the shark shape, size, and color, you will adore the intelligent function and how it moves inside the water..
It has carbon sensors activated once you place the shark toy inside the water! It moves and sings the famous baby shark theme song – that I will never forget no matter how old my babies get!
Indeed, a super efficient and adorable baby shark bath toy!
Furthermore, it is available in three different colors, Blue for daddy shark, pink for Mommy shark, and yellow for Baby shark.
All you need to do is to pick your kid’s favorite one..
These Pinkfong toys are battery-powered, yet super safe with a four-minute power-saving mode.
11 – Munchkin Barnyard Friends Bath Toy
Best Animal Bath Toys
Bottom Line: Barnyard toys are exciting for kids to learn about different animals during shower time.
Pros
Recyclable material
Affordable tubs toys
Cons
Water gets inside and develops mold faster
Hard to clean
Less quality than other toys
Animals are part of the toddlers’ learning curve! Playing with animal-shaped toys teaches them the different names, sounds, and colors that enhance their sensory development.
Who doesn’t know about Old MacDonald farm animals?
Well, if you don’t, I guess your kid knows them all!
So why not bring these animal toys for shower time and make it a happy time!!
These munchkin bath toys are eight animals: a cute cow, chicken, pig, sheep, duck, owl, and little frog.. With a squirt feature to make squeezing them an exciting thing to do.
Besides, these animals float and are perfectly sized to fit in your baby’s tiny hands to keep him occupied during shower time.
The best part?
They help your kid develop his motor and sensory skills; they are bright in color and flexible to touch. Perfect as toys for toddlers and babies.
Keep in mind, though; these munchkin clean squeeze bath toys might develop mold inside if you keep them wet or inside the water for too long. Thus, make sure to dry them out after each bath to ensure a long service life.
Buyer’s Guide: How Do You Choose Baby Bath Toys?
Here are the main points to check when choosing bath toys:
Before you start looking at them, remember that bath toys are no excuse to leave your baby unattended, ever. Just because they distract children doesn’t mean they keep them safe.
Based On Baby’s Age:
You must always choose the toys that meet your baby’s age to get the best out of them. With different options available, make sure to consider his learning and interactive abilities.
For example, avoid toys with small pieces or chewable material if your kid is one year and under to prevent any suffocation scenarios, and consider some Montessori toys to make education exciting.
However, you might find that one toy can serve different ages – those are the best if you have more than one kid.
Consider Your Baby’s Taste:
If your kid is a fan of a specific character or TV show, make sure to get him a related bath toy. Kids love taking their favorite toy wherever they go.. and the bathtub is no exception!
Considering his taste will make bath time even easier and more enjoyable for you both.
Safe Operating Method:
Safety always comes first….
Since you are looking for toys that go inside the water, make sure to avoid light-up bath toys that need batteries to keep your little one on the safe side.
For example, light up bath toys, or the ones that move on the water’s surface and make sounds probably don’t work without batteries.
Kids Friendly Material:
The first thing to check on the toy’s material is the toxic components. Make sure to go through the toy’s manufacturer details before you buy them to keep your kid always safe and away from any harmful materials.
Besides, pick toys that are soft, unbreakable, and unchewable. Those are the longest to serve and the easiest to deal with, unlike the wooden bath toys!
Convenient Design:
Always make sure that the bath toys you are buying are easy to hold by your baby and easy to clean at the same time.
As you probably know, special care must be taken when using water toys, as the chances of getting mold are higher than on dry toys.
Remember: to get mold free bath toys, you need to clean the bath toys periodically based on their guidelines, no matter which material you end up buying. The humid and warm environment makes them vulnerable to mold and bacteria.
FAQ
Q1: Do newborns need bath toys?
Usually, at 6 months old, kids start to enjoy playing with bath toys in the tub; simultaneously, they start refusing it for some reason and give their mommies a hard time bathing them. If you have a newborn baby, then don’t rush buying him a bath toy. Infants enjoy taking a shower while in the water without toys.
Q2: How do you get mold out of bath toys?
The best way to get mold-free bath toys is to mix water (1 gallon) with white vinegar (1 ½ cup), soak the toys for an hour, scrub the toys with a soft brush to take off all the mold, and then air dry them. Sometimes, the vinegar smell may stick on the toys, but it is not a big deal. Just rinse them with clean water for a couple of minutes and dry them properly.
Remember: always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for each bath toy before using and cleaning it.
Q3: Can baby bath toys go in the washing machine?
It depends on the toys’ materials. Some toys are perfectly Dishwasher safe, but some might get ruined. We recommend you check the manufacturer’s instructions before washing them.
Our Verdict: Best Baby Bath Toy
Despite the differences, all of these bath toys are worthy of purchase as they all play an essential role in ensuring children have maximum fun in the water.
That’s said..
..this article reviewed the best-selling babies and toddlers bath toys and compared them based on the parents’ feedback, items’ description, and our personal experience as parents.
So the best baby toy is the one that meets your needs and baby’s desire!
Our comparison is based on the toy’s value for money, easy to clean, durability, and sturdiness.
Take a look at the next section for the comparison results..
| Product | Rating out of 5 |
| Comfylife Bath Letters & Numbers | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Dwi Dowellin Fishing Game | ⭐ 4.25 |
| Baby Bath Books | ⭐ 4.0 |
| The First Years Stack Up Cups | ⭐ 4.0 |
| Nuby Octopus Floating Bath Time Toy | ⭐ 3.75 |
| Green Toys, Tugboat | ⭐ 3.75 |
| Boon PIPES Building Toddler Bath Tub Toy | ⭐ 3.5 |
| LOUHUA 5-PCS Rubber Ducks | ⭐ 3.5 |
| Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy | ⭐ 3.25 |
| Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark | ⭐ 3.0 |
| Munchkin Barnyard Friends Bath Toy | ⭐ 3.0 |
Conclusion: Best Bath Toys For Toddlers
Here is the final part of the article..
We previously mentioned that bath time is not a pleasant moment for all children.. BUT, an excellent way to make them more comfortable, happy, and maximize the bath time fun is undoubtedly the use of bath toys.
All the reviewed bathtub toys are helpful to get the job done.. But are also unique and offer different features to meet various needs.
Let’s introduce you now to our Top Pick, Best Value, and Editor’s Choice options.
- The Top Pick goes to: Comfylife Bath Letters & Numbers
- The Best Value goes to: LOUHUA 50PCS Rubber Ducks
- The Editor’s Choice goes to: The First Years Stack Up Baby Cups
We hope you find this article helpful in making bathtime a happy time for both of you…