Bath toys are essential because they keep the little one occupied while you’re doing the washing. And to be honest…they make the bath time more fun for adults too.
Although there are hundreds of different toys out there, I’ll give you the three best bath toys for a toddler or a baby. These have worked particularly well for us.
I also reveal some cool bath toys for men that you may find interesting when looking to expand your kid’s collection.
So if you’re planning your baby’s first bath, check out the three in the beginning. They’ll get you started, and you can always buy more toys later on.
The next three are great bath toys for older kids and even adults.
At the end of the article, you can also find some ideas on how to store bath toys.
Best Bath Toys For Babies And Young Toddlers?
If you’ve got an infant at home or searching for the best bath toys for a one-year-old, then keep reading.
The reason I’ve picked these three are:
- They are small, so they don’t disturb the bathing process and are effortless to store
- These toys are very simple which means that they are suitable even for infants
Munchkin Swimming Penguin (also sold on Amazon)
This penguin was one of the first bath toys that my wife bought, and it’s actually quite fun…even for dads. You can wind-up the arms, and the bird swims in the water. The wind-up mechanism is built for parents and older children because babies don’t yet have the skills to use it. For example, my boy first used it as a chewing toy.
Some parents have complained that the water stays in, but that’s not our experience. It dries up really well, but we have a quite warm and dry bathroom.
You may find some scratching marks on the face of the penguin if your baby chews on it (well it’s not a chewing toy after all). Considering that my toddler has tasted everything from small stones to sand, I’m not making a drama of a minuscule amount of blue paint.
PROS:
- The wind-up mechanism is fun and may encourage motor skill development
- You can choose between a blue and a pink penguin
- It’s lightweight
- This is an affordable toy
CONS:
- After a year of use the wind-up mechanism doesn’t work as well as it used to, but with that price, you can afford to buy a new one
Yellow Rubber Duck (Check out the Novelty Place Duck sold on Amazon)
The rubber duck has been one of the favorite bath toys for over 60 years. In the 1940s sculptor, Peter Ganine patented the design, and it became a hit. It’s also one of the favorite toys of my toddler. If you have a baby at home, I suggest that you buy a small duck. It takes less room than a larger version, and it’s easier for your baby to grasp. No wonder that it belongs to the Toy Hall Of Fame of the U.S.
PROS:
- It’s a classic bath toy that adds color to the mix
CONS:
- –
Small Watering Can (Check out the Prextex Beach Toy Set, also sold on Amazon)
Although it’s not a classic bath toy, it has been one of the favorite items for our boy. He just loves to pour water with it. I suggest that you buy a toy set that contains a miniature watering can because they suit better for using in small baby baths. Toy watering cans that are sold separately are generally too big for bathing.
PROS:
- It’s a practical toy. You can use this to rinse the hair after applying the shampoo. If you have a garden, you can have your kid water the plants and have a nap (never happened so far but fingers crossed)
CONS:
- You may have to buy a set of toys to get a small watering can. It’s a problem if you’re aiming to buy only stuff that you need. That said, you usually require beach toys when the sun’s shining and you’re planning a beach vacation with your kid
Best Bath Toys For Older Kids And Adults?
If you’re looking for the best bath toys for two-year-olds or have already an older kid at home, then keep reading this section.
If you’re buying stuff, you may as well purchase something that will make the bathing time more fun for adults too. So I listed three great bath toys that are perfect even for grown men.
SwimWays Avengers Dive Characters (also sold on Amazon)
You get three soft, flexible characters from Avengers that are designed to sink to the bottom of the pool for your kid to retrieve them. That said, they can also make your bath time more fun if you have an older kid.
PROS:
- You get three characters: Captain America, Iron Man and Hulk
- They are officially designed for older than 5-year-olds, but as young as 2-year-olds have found them interesting
CONS:
- –
Green Toys SubMarine (also sold on Amazon)
Even if you’re not old enough to know the song „Yellow Submarine,“ you probably agree that they are one of the coolest bath toys. The one by Green Toys is made of 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, so it’s safe. They wouldn’t put milk into toxic containers. This site promotes items that help to make a more safe environment for our kids so this submarine get two thumbs up.
PROS:
- It’s made in the U.S and of 100% recycled plastic milk jugs
- You can open to wash it, and the boat is actually dishwasher safe
- It has a moving propeller in the back that gets the attention of younger kids
CONS:
- If you have a small baby bathtub, it may be too big
Fred & Friends Koi Toy (also sold on Amazon)
Men get easily bored and washing a kid isn’t exactly lion taming (usually). Buying a glowing bath toy can make the bath time more fun. You could buy a couple of them and turn off the lights to enhance the experience. These fish reportedly look good in pools and midnight party punch bowls too:)
PROS:
- When you put it in the water, it glows in different colors
- The fish stays upright and looks realistic
CONS:
- You cannot replace the batteries
Bath Toy Storage
It’s essential that the baby bath toys don’t gather any residue water, so it’s best to store them in a warm, dry place. Don’t always keep the toys under direct sunlight because UV rays degrade many materials and cause colors to fade.
Bath toy organizers are great because they are designed for damp bathrooms:
- All the materials should be waterproof
- The design should enhance trying
- The attachment systems need to be thought through
If you’re looking for bath toy storage ideas, then check out the top five recommendations.
Three Best Bath Toy Organizers For DadProgress
Ubbi Freestanding Bath Toy Organizer (also sold on Amazon)
I think it’s the best bath toy organizer for most parents because it’s practical and has a modern look. You can scoop up all the toys easily with this large container and let them air-dry on a base. Thanks to the station, the mess in contained and the organizer is dishwasher safe. You can choose between two colors. The dimensions are 7.5“ x 10“ x 7“. I can think of only two reasons to look for other organizers. First, you don’t have enough room for a standing version. Second, you wish to get a bigger container.
KidCo Bath Toy Organizer (also sold on Amazon)
If you have a bathtub at home, then this organizer is one of the best options out there. You get a simple plastic container with separators that has holes in it to enhance trying. You can adjust it so it can rest on the sides of your bathtub. That said, it may not be the best option if your bath has rounded sides. Before buying it’s also worth double checking that the tub lip/tub deck is wide enough to support such a device.
Munchkin Scoop And Drain (also sold on Amazon)
This large bath toy organizer lets you scoop all the toys and rinse them in bulk. The concept is excellent, but it’s not surprising that it doesn’t stick well. I have yet to see an attachment system that attaches well if it only uses adhesive strips. It’s an excellent option if you don’t have heavy toys or are prepared to install better hooks (if necessary).
Conclusion
I hope this article helps you to find a suitable toddler bath for you or your kid so the next time you’re the one waiting for the bath time.
