24 Bath Toys for Good, Clean Fun
When bathtime rolls around, your mission is clear: Get baby clean from head to toe. While scrubbing food off that little face or paint off their fingers might feel like a chore, bathing baby can actually be a splashing good time. The key to an enjoyable experience for all? A collection of exciting bath toys to offer up when the going gets tough—or better yet, before baby turns into a squirming, slippery mess! Below, we’ve rounded up some buying tips, plus a list of the best bath toys to keep babies and toddlers entertained.
Ready to start shopping? Check out our top tips for choosing the best tub toys for babies, toddlers and kids.
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Choose a toy that’s age appropriate. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), baby bath toys aren’t necessary for young infants—the water itself is thrilling enough. That said, once baby is old enough for the bathtub, toys are a welcome addition. When shopping for baby and toddler bath toys, always defer to the manufacturer’s age guidelines to guarantee they’re suitable for your little one.
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Look for sensory bath toys. The more fun your child has in the tub, the better! Bath toys will keep babies and toddlers happy (and distracted!) while you get them spick and span. Sensory toys, in particular, help encourage healthy development and learning that can strengthen key motor skills. Options like stacking and draining cups or light-up baubles are great for rousing their senses.
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Pick toys that are easy to clean and dry. To prevent mold and mildew, bath toys should be air-dried between each use. Soap scum and grime build up over time, so regular cleaning post-use should be a priority. To make life easier, purchase bath toys that dry fast or are dishwasher-safe.
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Avoid squeezable toys with holes. These types of bath toys are notoriously hard to clean and can harbor mold. Moreover, opting for bath toys that are hermetically sealed—meaning they’re designed without holes—and are resistant to water retention (the culprit of mold proliferation) is the way to go. If you have trouble finding no-hole playthings, set your sights instead on toys with large openings or those that come apart, as they “can be easily drained, cleaned and dried,” says Emily Neese, co-founder of Bubbles & Joy, a bath toy subscription service.
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Pay attention to materials. Babies and toddlers put everything in their mouths (both food and toys alike), squeezing and biting as a way to learn and explore—so when you’re on the hunt for entertainment, “it’s especially important to know what the bath toys you give your child are made of,” Neese says. She recommends looking for toys that are BPA-free and made from non-toxic materials like natural rubber.
Bath toys may be designed to keep babies and toddlers engaged and occupied, but they should never offer an excuse to leave your child unattended in the water. For safety reasons, always stay within arms reach of your little one during bathtime.
Ready to shop for baby bath toys that’ll have your little bather giggling with glee? Here are some of our favorite options for the first 12 months. From floating boats to plush washcloth characters and more, here you’ll find bath toys to delight the youngest children.
Scoop and spill boat
- Reviewers say it’s durable and floats very well
- Doubles as a scooping toy
- Made from 100% recycled plastic
- Some wish the boat came apart for easy cleaning
Babies love to explore their environment, especially when in the tub—and this boat bath toy lets them do just that. It’s designed with a spout, allowing baby to scoop and pour water during aquatic adventures. It’s also made from recycled plastic and free of BPA, PVC, phthalates or external coatings, making it both eco-friendly and completely safe for infants.
Age rating: 6+ months | Material: 100% plastic
Interlocking caterpillar cups
- Promotes color recognition and hand-eye coordination
- Parents say it’s easy to store
- Not suitable for younger infants
Stacking cups are a baby-approved activity out of the tub, so adding water just takes things to the next level. These baby bath toys come in eye-catching colors, and your little wave maven can connect them to create a cute caterpillar or stack them to build an impressive sea tower—learning hand-eye coordination along the way. Baby will undoubtedly have loads of fun scooping, draining and stacking this sweet bath toy set, and you’ll be able to nest it all together for compact storage once bathtime is over.
Age rating: 9+ months | Material: N/A
Floating bath boat
- Soft and safe for baby to chew on
- Sealed design prevents water from entering
- High price point, compared to other options
Sophie la Girafe is known for their teethers, but did you know the beloved French brand makes bath toys too? Made from unfinished hevea wood and natural rubber, this little sailboat will bob along on baby’s bath water. And, thanks to the baby-safe material, it’s safe for teething babies to chew on too. Bonus: Shop this item on Maisonette and take 10 percent off orders of $75 or more with code BUMP10 (valid for new customers only).
Age rating: 0+ months | Material: Hevea wood and rubber
Penguin puppet washcloth
- Inspires imaginative play
- Machine-washable
- Reviewers say it isn’t as soft as expected
Narrate bathtime with this sweet penguin puppet. It’s made from cuddly cotton, and doubles as a washcloth, making it a perfect bathtime buddy for infants who start panicking as soon as they catch sight of soap and a regular cloth. Use it to both clean and comfort baby, and once the sudsy session is over, squeeze out the excess water and hang the arctic comrade up to dry using the convenient fabric loop. Best of all, it’s totally safe to throw in the washer and dryer.
Age rating: 0+ months | Material: Cotton
Color-changing bath book
- Features six color-changing pages
- Safe for newborns, infants and toddlers alike
- Takes a while to air dry, according to some reviewers
If you have a little bookworm at home, then you’ll need to start building your bath library too! Mudpuppy has a number of tub-time titles that we absolutely love for their quirky illustrations and easy-to-follow storylines. All of the bathtime friends in this marine life page-turner perk up when their colors magically appear after getting wet.
Age rating: 0 to 4 years | Material: N/A
Geometric stacking cups
- Features sprinkle holes
- Stackable for easy storage
- Available in two colorways
- Slightly higher price point than other options
Who said baby bath toys can’t be aesthetically pleasing? Case in point: These stylish stacking cups from Lalo. Your little one will love stacking, sorting and splashing with them—and you’ll love that they’re made entirely from non-toxic, BPA-free silicone. Each cup comes in a different earth-toned color and features clever bottom cutouts that allow the water to drain in various patterns. We’re obsessed!
Age rating: 6+ months | Material: 100% silicone
Temperature-sensing rubber duck
- Temperature-sensing safety feature
- Easy for small hands to grab and hold
- Suitable for use from birth
- Some say the temperature indicator can be hard to decipher at times
When it comes to picking out the best bath toys for babies, start with (modernized) basics, like the rubber ducky. This version of the classic toy serves as a temperature indicator for the bath, thanks to a blue disc on the bottom that tells you when the water is too hot for baby’s sensitive skin—not bad for just a few bucks. Plus, the infant bath toy is easy to grab and hold, not to mention watertight (so long, mildew!).
Age rating: 0+ years | Material: Plastic
Colorful sprinkling buckets
- Easy for small hands to grab and hold
- Three different sprinkling effects
- Can also be used outside of the bath
- Some reviewers say that they’re smaller than expected
If your little one loves to experiment, this baby bath toy is sure to check all of the boxes on your list—and then some. Each colorful, smiley bucket is made with several holes, creating three different sprinkling effects for your kiddo to discover. They’ll even be improving their hand-eye coordination and sorting skills as they play! When bath time is over, simply stack them for straightforward storage. Pro tip: These playthings can also be used outside of the tub—think the backyard, beach or pool!
Age rating: 9+ months | Material: Plastic
Neese says that “at around the one-year mark, children become curious—exploring and examining everything,” so at this point, it’s more important than ever to start lathering up their learning opportunities and love for the bath with some of the best bath toys for toddlers.
Best bath toys for 1-year-olds
By the one-year mark, most babies can begin developing fine motor and problem-solving skills that they’ll use for the long haul. In order to foster this, Neese notes you’ll want to seek out “purposefully designed products with a child’s concentration and critical-thinking skills in mind.” Whether it’s a “bauble that comes apart and screws back together, cups with holes for sifting or sprinkling or vessels that pour and transfer water back and forth,” these simple-trick toys are wonderful basics to add to any bath.
Water slide penguin toy
- Encourages imaginative and STEM-driven play
- Sealed design prevents water from entering
- Can also be used outside of the bath
- The base isn’t very stable, according to some reviewers
Searching for an interactive bath toy? These adorable little puffins have weighted bases so kiddos can spin them, float them and send them zooming down the slide into the bubbles below. Since both the penguins and the iceberg are sealed, you don’t have to worry about them becoming waterlogged. What’s more, your little one will learn about buoyancy and motion in the midst of their imaginative play.
Age rating: 1+ years | Material: Plastic
Light-up bath toy
- Water-activated lights for endless entertainment
- Sealed design prevents water from entering
- Can also be used at the pool or beach
- Batteries can’t be replaced
Do unicorns like bath time? They sure do when they’re splashing around with your own little magic maker. Featuring water-activated multicolor lights, this adorable toy is soft and squeezable and lights up when it gets wet. If your little one happens to prefer prehistoric creatures, Skip Hop also offers a dinosaur version.
Age rating: 9+ months | Material: Rubber
Chomping whale bath toy
- Promotes hand-eye coordination
- Can be taken apart for easy cleaning
- Some reviewers say it’s smaller than expected
Looking for a bath toy that’ll spark their imagination and help strengthen hand-eye coordination? This BPA-free set includes three brightly colored sea creatures that don’t stand a chance when they’re eyed up by your toddler. Have them squeeze the tail fin to see the whopper mammal gobble everything up in its path. What we love even more than this fish-frenzy feast is how easily the toy opens up and dries after use.
Age rating: 1+ years | Material: N/A
Color-changing fish set
- Sealed design prevents water from entering
- Teach cause and effect
- Change color in warm water
- Some parents had difficulty switching the heads and tails
Color-changing bath toys are sure to keep your little one engaged as you suds them up and rinse them off. One top-rated option is this set of fish from Munchkin. When bath time rolls around, pop these three fish in the water and watch them “magically” change hue—while also teaching your kiddo about cause and effect. Their unique shape allows them to easily float, and when they dry out they’ll revert back to their original color for endless fun.
Age rating: 1+ years | Material: Plastic
STEM toddler bath toy
- Encourage problem-solving skills
- Super durable, according to reviewers
- Some reviewers say they don’t stick well to subway tiles
Get your tot’s gears turning with this STEM toddler bath toy. The set consists of five multi-colored pipes, each in different shapes and sizes to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving. As your little one plays (and gets clean), they can attach the pieces to the bathtub walls via the suction cups and design unique chains of waterfalls—how cool!
Age rating: 1+ years | Material:
Minimalist bath toys
- Easy to fill with water
- Ergonomically designed
- Dishwasher-safe
- Squirt hole is at the top of the toy
This whimsical raindrop and cloud team up as the ultimate scrub-a-dub duo for one-year-olds. Toddlers can fill up the toys by submerging them in water before uncovering the sprinkle holes to create a mini rain shower. Not only are they impossibly cute and perfectly sized for little hands, but with proper care, these bath toys won’t mold—just open them up and plop them in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy and effective cleaning.
Age rating: 1+ years | Material: Rubber
Best bath toys for 2-year-olds
Bath play, as we’ve reiterated, is great for enriching toddlers’ development. It can encourage motor skills and nerve connection-building and even segue into language development. For this stage, Neese recommends sensory play and toys that engage your little one’s sight, touch, smell and more. She’s a big fan of “bath stickers that allow for play along the side of the tub or foaming bubble bath powder that can be scooped and mixed by your child to turn the water bright colors.”
Foam bath stickers
- Sticks to any smooth surface when wet
- Easy-to-grab stickers
- Comes with a mesh bag for easy storage
- Pieces are bigger than expected, according to some reviewers
Who else remembers foam bath stickers from the ‘90s? (Can’t just be us!) These wet-and-stick foam forms, in shapes like toucans and koala-climbing trees, allow children to create their own imaginary worlds right on the bathroom tiles. When wet, they’re easy to grab and stick to any smooth surface. The zebras and giraffes can gallop right on the edge of the tub too—whatever your kiddo desires.
Age rating: 2+ years | Material: EVA foam
Washable bath crayons
- Large, ergonomic shape
- Made from eco-friendly materials
- Some parents say they’re difficult to wipe off
Drawing on the walls is usually frowned upon, but not when it happens in the tub! Made from a blend of pure New Zealand beeswax, soy wax and plant-based emulsifier, these jumbo crayons come in seven vibrant colors. Store them in the handy canister (equipped with a drain hole) that comes along with the set. Your amateur artists can get daring and doodle while their older siblings practice spelling or math, and when they’re done for the day, simply wash their creations away—easy peasy.
Age rating: 2+ years | Material: Beeswax/soy wax/plant-based emulsifier
Fishing rod bath toy
- Fosters hand-eye coordination
- Sealed design prevents water from entering
- Reel doesn’t adjust the length of the rope
Whether or not your toddler goes on to love fishing, they can at least strengthen their hand-eye coordination by “catching” these super cute (and air-tight) magnetic bobbers with a mini fishing rod. The fishing hook easily attracts sea creatures (which can bob along in the bath on their own), and the handle is thoughtfully made to fit toddler hands. Listen for the fun clicking sounds when they reel in their catch!
Age rating: 2+ years | Material: Metal/plastic
Playful pipe bath toy
- Promotes STEM concepts and teaches cause and effect
- Machine-washable
- Parents say their kids can take it apart easily
Introduce your little one to STEM principles with this engaging bath toy from Nuby. This bath toy set attaches to tiles with nifty suction cups and includes a series of interlocking valves and pipes. Simply fill up the main reservoir and let your kid experiment with the water pressure by twisting the valves. Genius!
Age rating: 18+ months | Material: N/A
Sensory-driven water toys
- Prompt sensory-driven play
- Set of three unique designs
- BPA-free
- High price point compared to other options on our list
This set of three bath toys is bound to keep your little one captivated in the tub. Each vibrant plaything has been thoughtfully designed with different, engaging features so your child can scoop, pour, dunk and squish to their heart’s content. Inspired by coral, they also have a unique texture to inspire even more sensory-driven play.
Age rating: 2+ years | Material: Silicone
Best bath toys for 3-year-olds
Imaginative play has been proven many times over to help boost children’s emotional, creative, linguistic and cognitive development. In the bath, a child is in the perfect setting for their “imagination to go to work,” says Neese. This is a great time to introduce “fun items like bath crayons or paints that allow them to flex their creative and autonomous muscles.” It’s also a wonderful turning point to channel some of their out-of-water engineering abilities and DIY prowess.
Overall best bath toy for 3 year olds
- Easy for small hands to hold
- One-way mouthpiece for simple bubble-blowing
- Can also be used outside of the bath
- Our product tester said her kiddo had a slight learning curve at first
This toddler bath toy was highlighted in our Best of The Bump award series—and for good reason! This elephant-shaped plaything has a fun mouthpiece that allows kiddos to blow endless bubble trains with a bit of soap or shampoo. Our product tester, the mom of two toddlers, loved how easy it was for her little ones to use and how simple it was for her to clean. She told us that both of her kids “found the handle easy to hold and not too large for little hands. They had lots of fun making bubbles and putting their hands in the foam.” An added bonus: “It kept them entertained for 10+ minutes which is great for their age!” Best of all, the mouthpiece has a one-way design to prevent little ones from swallowing bubbles or soap—we’re sold!
Age rating: 3+ years | Material: N/A
“We found this toy super cute! It was loads of fun for both our older and younger toddlers. I think it would make a perfect option for a child’s birthday or baby shower gift!”
Lathering sponge animal
- Infused with cleansing formula
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Only lasts 14 uses
- Squeeze out after each use
Have an independent threenager at home who wants to scrub up and rinse off themselves? If that’s the case, they can take things into their own hands—literally—with these fun animal-shaped sponges. Infused with a gentle, nourishing formula that includes chamomile extracts (and smells amazing), these brilliant buffers just need to be placed underwater, squeezed to absorb and activate the lather and then massaged into the skin in a circular motion. Once they’re done, make sure to squeeze out the excess water and lay it out to dry—it’s good for up to 14 uses!
Age rating: 3+ years | Material: N/A
Foam building blocks
- Foster STEM skills and open-ended play
- Can also be played with outside of the tub
- Dishwasher-safe
- Parents say they wish there were more pieces in each set
As your little one gets a little older, their curiosity and abilities are bound to grow—especially if they’re into building blocks. These expertly engineered, STEM-enriching foam bricks float and give kids the tools to build anything they set their minds to. Thanks to their innovative magnetic system, the pieces always connect and never repel—alleviating the frustration every threenager is known for. They even make a satisfying “click” sound when they’re put together, which helps them foster an understanding of cause and effect that transcends basic tactile learning. And whenever they need to be cleaned or sterilized, just pop them in the top rack of the dishwasher and they’re as good as new!
Age rating: 3+ years | Material: Foam
Creative bubble bath set
- Parents say they love the smell of these body washes
- Promotes creativity
- Gentle enough for sensitive skin
- High price point
Next up is a bubble bath set that’s sure to spark your little one’s creativity. With it, you’ll receive three yummy-smelling body washes, temporary tattoos, a custom mixing bowl and a 12-page recipe book. In the bath, your kiddo can mix and match the soaps, creating an array of fun scents (and bubbles!) for fun that also helps them get clean. For added peace of mind, know that all products are demonologist-tested, certified tear-free, hypoallergenic and gentle enough for sensitive skin.
Age rating: N/A | Material: N/A
Adventurous slide play set
- Car lights up when it hits the water
- Can also be played with outside of the tub
- Assembly required
- Car includes batteries
Last but not least is this adventurous bath playset that’s perfect for fans of Paw Patrol. Thanks to its suction cups, it can be easily mounted on the wall so your kiddo can start playing in no time. With the included cup, your toddler can pour water down the race track to get Chase’s car moving—and when it lands in the tub, it’ll light up! This toy can also be set up outside of the bath for endless play opportunities.
Age rating: 3+ years | Material: Plastic
We get it—there are a lot of playthings on the market, which can make it hard to find top-rated options for your little one. To help you pick out the best bath toys, we browsed dozens of options and did the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. We considered a list of criteria when sourcing bath toys, such as age rating, value, material, care instructions and, of course, safety. We also read user reviews to get the lowdown on how these products work for families, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
To make sure we’re highlighting baby bath toys that are safe and effective, we chat with a mom of three and co-founder of a bath toy company to understand essential features and safety considerations to keep top of mind while shopping. We also followed the safety recommendations of the AAP.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Emily Neese is a mom of three and the co-founder of Bubbles & Joy, which offers bathtime box subscriptions featuring hand-picked, age-based bath toys and activities that are mold-free, BPA-free and made of natural ingredients and materials.
American Academy of Pediatrics, Bathing Your Baby, September 2023
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.
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