The Best Bath Toys For Toddlers In 2023!

Pretty much anything that can go into water can also double as bath toys toddlers will love.

For most toddlers, bath time is an enjoyable event; however for some, being in the bath can be quite traumatic.

If your child is not a fan of the bath then having some fun and interesting water toys nearby can turn this routine into something enjoyable.

Assuming that you don’t want to run around the house trying to find items you can use in the water, check out these 10 Cool Bath Toys for Toddlers I have discovered!

Actually, there are only 8 as 2 of the “toys” are storage containers.

Bath time is a great routine where you can focus on your toddler’s (1-3 year old’s for the purpose of this article) language development and learning through play.

Before getting in to the toys, let’s take a look at some general language and learning tips that can be incorporated into your toddlers bath time routine.

Bath Time Language and Learning Opportunities:

This is a great time to work on vocabulary:

♦ Body Parts

Head, hair, eyes, nose, mouth, shoulders, arms, legs, hands, feet, tummy.

You could also sing songs such as “head and shoulders” while bathing your child

♦ Water

Wet, dry, warm, cold, etc

♦ Actions

Splash, pour, dump, sit, spill, etc.

♦ Clothing/Accessories

Pajamas, shirt, pants, dress, underwear/diaper, socks, etc.

♦ Label Bath Toys

Duck, fish, turtle, boat, plane, etc. (label each toy, whatever it may be).

♦ Counting

Count all of the toys that are in the bath, or count fingers and toes.

♦ Colors

Talk about the colors of the different toys.

But remember, keep it natural.  Bath time is not supposed to be school work.

If your child is reaching for the duck you could say “I see the yellow duck”.

♦ Prepositions/concepts

Up, down, in, out, on, under

♦ Sequencing

Talk about what is happening first, next and last.

For example, first let’s wash your hair, next it’s time to play in the bath, last it’s time to get out and dry off.

If your toddler already has a good grasp of single words, encourage combining words into 2-3 word phrases.

For example “I see _______” and talk about things you see in the bathtub.  Describe what is happening.

If your child labels something with one word, add another word or 2.

Children learn from example and you are your child’s best teacher!

 

Water Toys For Toddlers Allow For Even More Language & Learning Opportunities!  

Each toy will bring with it unique opportunities to learn new vocabulary.

Children need to hear a word thousands of times before they will start using that word regularly in their own speech.

So although you may feel like a broken record constantly repeating yourself, your toddler is learning so much.

But keep in mind that your child is now old enough to hear correct grammar and real words.  Try to limit the baby talk as much as possible.

If you are using baby sign language with your little one, this is a great time to introduce new signs and spoken words when talking about new vocabulary words.

Bath time is also ideal to work on motor skills such as grasping and throwing as well as hand eye coordination.

As you can see there are many opportunities for language development and learning during a routine activity such as a bath.

However, to make it even more fun, you can get some exciting bath toys your toddler will love!

10 Bath Toys Toddlers Will Jump In The Bath For!

3 Bees and Me Fun Play Toys (Boats and Planes)

Pros:

• Can be used both in the water and out of the water
• Target vocabulary around transportation: boat(s), plane(s), up, down, fly, float, colors
• Eco-friendly, certified BPA free, lead free and phthalate free.
• Solid construction so mold/mildew shouldn’t form inside
• Great for boys and girls
• 18 months and up (as recommended by manufacturer)

Cons:

• Hard plastic so they will eventually sink or float lopsided

ALEX Toys Rub a Dub Tub Soup

Pros:

• Comes with12 pieces including 9 foam soup “ingredients”
• Great for vocabulary (label carrot, tomato, corn, salt, spoon, bowl, scoop, stir, etc.)
• Made of EVA (BPA and phthalate free)
• Foam will stick to all wet surfaces
• Can be used both in and out of the water.  Would also work well with a play kitchen!
• Perfect for learning colors
• If you have a doll that can go into the water this set is great to practice feeding the doll!
• 2 years and up (as recommended by manufacturer)

Cons:

• Salt squirter is susceptible to mold/mildew as water can stay trapped inside (my kids loved squirt toys in the tub.  I always made sure to look at them every once in a while to check for mold.  If I see some, then they get thrown out and replaced.  Make sure you try to squeeze out as much water as possible after the bath has ended).
• Foam pieces sometimes don’t stick well to all tile.

B.Fish and Splish Boat

Pros:

• Comes with many pieces (boat, captain, life preserver, fishing hook and 4 fish, 3 nesting cups, octopus comb and whale nailbrush
• All items can be stored in the boat (flip it over and its like a storage bucket – but there are no holes for draining)
• Many language opportunities – fish, whale, octopus, captain, boat, colors, catch a fish, comb, brush, pour, dump, etc.
• Can be used both in and out of the water
• 6 months and up (as recommended by manufacturer)

Cons:

• Not ideal for children under 1 as they can get their fingers stuck in the boat.  The hook could come off of the fishing rod and pose a potential choking hazard.
• Water can get into the captain which can cause mold/mildew if not drained properly

Green Toys Ferry Boat

Pros:

• Made in USA, BPA, PVC and Phalate free, 100% recycled plastic
• Can be used both in and out of the water
• Boat floats well and ramp can slide up
• Dishwasher safe so if mold/mildew starts to form, boat can be taken apart and put in dishwasher
• Great for transportation based vocabulary – car, boat, ferry, ramp, colors, float, up, down, etc.
• You can talk about how the toy is made out of recycled plastic with older children
• 3 and up (as recommended by manufacturer) – This toy would probably be fine for 2 year olds.

Cons:

• Water can get into the boat which may cause mold/mildew, but it can be put in the dishwasher

Corolle Mon Premier Bebe Bath Dolls

Pros:

• Great for babies and toddlers
• Introduce early play skills
• Does not require batteries
• Meant to go into the water and is machine washable – hang to dry
• Label body parts (eyes, nose, mouth, hands, feet, arms, etc)
• Focus on bath time vocabulary such as: wash, clean, soap, water, pour, cloth
• Talk about the bath routine and involve the doll (e.g. first the baby has to take his/her clothes off, next the baby gets into the tub, last the baby gets washed/plays)
• There is a boy and girl doll

Cons:

• The dolls are not anatomically correct, so once the clothes are removed, they look the same.   Clothes should be taken off before the doll goes in the bath, but it isn’t necessary as the clothes will dry
• If you purchase the boy doll it may come in a girl themed box.

Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station

Pros:

• Interactive – squeeze the trigger and watch water come out of the sprayer.  Spray the water onto the items stuck to the side of the tub and watch more water come out.
• Teaches cause and effect
• Sprayer can be used to wash baby or toddler’s hair if they do not like much water on their head
• Keeps child entertained in the bath – great for kids who aren’t a fan of bath time
• 2 and up (as recommended by manufacturer)

Cons:

• Requires batteries – batteries are housed in the submarine but compartment is waterproof

Tolo Toys Funtime Fishing

Pros:

• Worm is a strong magnet so it makes catching the fish easy
• Great toy for bath tubs or water tables
• Introduce fishing vocabulary: fish, fishing rod, reel, colors, splash, “it got away”, “reel in the fish”, worm, float, sink, bubbles, underwater
• Helps develop hand eye coordination
• Fish float well and can be semi submerged
• 3 years and older (as recommended by manufacturer – probably would be fine for 18-24 month olds with supervision)

Cons:

• Water can get into fish which may lead to mold/mildew
• Can be difficult to reel fish in as the rope sometimes gets stuck

Munchkin Scoop and Drain Bath Toy Organizer

Pros:

• Large capacity basket can hold many toys
• Does not require hardware to install – mounting bracket is secured with strong adhesive
• Holds up to 5lbs (that is a lot of water toys)
• Can be used to scoop up toys that are in the bath

Cons:

• Adhesive strips will wear eventually, however you can purchase 3M command hooks as a replacement, these work well

JoJo Kids Shark Bath Toy Organizer

Pros:

• Attaches to shower/tub via strong suction cups
• BPA Free, QUICK DRY, Machine WASHABLE and Mold Free
• Wide mouth opening for easy storage
• Comes with foam numbers (1-10)
• Cute shark design that little ones love!

Cons:

• There really aren’t any.  If you keep this product for many years, I am sure the suction cups will eventually wear out.

That’s it for my Top 10 List of Bath Toys Toddlers Will Love.

With so many bath tub toys on the market it really is hard trying to choose the perfect ones.

I hope that this list has helped you find something that will work for you and your family.

If you have any of these products let me know what you think of them.  Or if you feel I have missed some let me know! Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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