Bathtime can be stressful with a newborn. Many first-time (and even experienced) parents face wrangling a slippery infant into a tub of soapy water with a certain amount of trepidation. Eventually, though, most caregivers begin to enjoy the process of giving their baby a bath – and little ones grow to love it. Bath time is a wonderful opportunity for play. Even just splashing around teaches babies about how their bodies operate, different textures, and how cause-and-effect works. For many children, the bathtime ritual becomes an essential part of their nightly bedtime routine and an important bonding experience with their caregivers.

In the early days, you won’t really need bath toys. As your child gets older, however, bath toys are a great way to keep them entertained and content in the tub. Bath toys are available in a variety of styles and materials and for all different ages and skill levels – which can make choosing the best bath toys for toddlers and babies a little tricky.

Choosing the Best Bath Toys for Babies and Toddlers

When searching for bath toys for your baby or toddler, there are two important factors to keep in mind:

• Select materials and shapes that dry quickly. Despite spending lots of time in warm, soapy water, bath toys can harbor a lot of mold and mildew. This is especially true for toys that have lots of little nooks, crannies, and tight spaces that may not dry completely (we’re looking at you, squirty toys).
• Choose toys that offer educational benefits. Little ones spend a lot of time in the tub. Look for toys that help teach them colors, numbers, or letters. Bath toys that make interesting noises or have unusual textures are also fun for little ones.

Take a look at our picks for some of the best bath toys for babies, toddlers, 2-year-olds, and 3-year-olds that are certain to make their bathing experience even more fun.

Best First Bath Toy: Sophie La Girafe Bath Toy

The legendary Sophie La Girafe teether now has a bath toy look-alike that floats and is soft enough for your baby to grab, splash, and chew. Sophi is a perfect bathtime companion for teething babies!

Sophie La Girafe

Best Classic Bath Toy: Schylling Large Rubber Duck Bath Toy

Who can refuse these larger than life ducks? Make bath time a SPLASH with Schylling Large Rubber Duck Bath Toys! Assorted with straw hat and sailor hat. 

Schylling Large Rubber Duck Bath Toys

Best Practical Bath Toy: Yookidoo Elephant Baby Shower

The Yookidoo Elephant Baby Shower is a battery-operated compact and portable baby shower designed for ease of use by parents and gentle comfort for babies. Easy activation shower head with on/off nobs allowing easily pausing or continuing water flow. A gentle stream enables easy reach and wash of hair, neck and baby folds. Designed for safe, gentle and easy maneuvering while bathing babies. Suits all types of bath tubs.

Yookidoo Elephant Baby Shower

Best Imaginative Play Bath Toy: Itzy Ritzy Bitzy Finger Puppets

Are you looking to make bath time more enjoyable and interactive for your baby? Itzy Ritzy Bitzy Finger Puppets are designed to add character and fun to your clean routine, perfect for bath time or anytime play.

Itzy Ritzy Bitzy Finger Puppets

Best Basic Bath Toy: Mushie Bath Vehicles 4 Pack

Let your child's imagination travel far and wide with the Mushie Bath Vehicles 4 Pack that includes a helicopter, car, truck and excavator. Made from 100% food grade silicone, the soft material is easy for little hands to hold while wet or dry. Its inventive design allows each toy to open into two separate pieces for thorough cleaning and fast drying. This feature allows the toys to remain mold-free with its easy-to-clean pieces that are dishwasher safe. After each use, we recommend opening the pieces to rinse out and air dry before storing.

Mushie Bath Vehicles 4 Pack

Best Eco-Friendly Bath Toy: Natruba Peacock Bath Toy

The Natruba Peacock Bath Toy has textured feathers, an air-filled body, a solid beak, and a silk-like surface touch. Natruba creates products you can feel 100% confident in, designed in an elegant and timeless Scandinavian design. All Natruba products widely use nature's materials to reduce the impact on humans and the environment.

Natruba Peacock Bath Toy

Best Creative Bath Toy: Yookidoo Jet Duck Create a Mermaid

The Yookidoo Jet Duck Create a Mermaid is a fantastically fun, battery-operated duck, zooms through the tub, turning bath time into an action-packed adventure. Dress it up for the mermaids’ ball or use its 15 mermaid accessories to create… well, anything your child's imagination can come up with.

 

Yookidoo Jet Duck Create a Mermaid

Best Boats for the Tub: Mushie Bath Boats

Set sail with stackable Mushie Bath Boats that encourage independent play for children of all ages. Packaged as a set of five, these plastic boats link together to create a floating train of toys. Made in Denmark, these nautical classics will inspire the imaginations of even the littlest sailors.

Mushie Bath Boats

Best Sensory Play Bath Toy: Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station

This Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station is the perfect bathtime toy for your little one! Baby bath toys are a great way to encourage learning and fun in the tub. Yookidoo’s new bath toy encourages independent play and exploration while teaching young children complex forms of cause and effect. Make bath time fun for your baby with this spray station, as they simultaneously improve their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. The battery-operated circulation pumping system that attaches to the bottom of the tub draws water through the submarine, up to the diver shower head.

Yookidoo Submarine Spray Station

Best Bath Toy for Color Lovers: Munchkin Color Buddies Bath Bomb and Dispenser Toy Set

Colorful bath water is a fun trick for getting even the most bath-averse toddler into the tub. A brilliant addition to the bath routine, Munchkin Color Buddies Moisturizing Bath Bomb and Dispenser Toy Sets are kid-friendly bath bombs that infuse water with clean, multi-hued fun. Made with natural skin-loving ingredients like Vitamin E and shea butter, our colorful bath bombs are moisturizing and safe for kids (grownups, too!). Simply drop the bath bombs into the dispenser of choice, fasten the safety cap, immerse in water, and watch as colors fizz and bloom. With 20 included bath bombs, you can teach little ones how to combine colors to make new ones. The nontoxic formula is super easy to clean and won’t stain tubs or skin. And the adorable whale and puffer fish dispensers double as floating bath strainers, extending playtime even more. Color us captivated!

Munchkin Color Buddies Moisturizing Bath Bomb and Dispenser Toy Sets