The best baby bath toys and accessories

A relaxing bath can be one of the best parts of the day; whether little ones are freshening up in the morning before school or winding down in the evening, this multi-sensory activity is one to enjoy. And, by introducing amazing toys and fun skincare products, it can be an even more exciting event.

In this article, we share the best bath-time accessories for children. From safety items to bath-friendly toys and great skincare products, you’ll find all you need to take your baths to another level as you read on.

Bath toys

Let’s be honest; when it comes to bath time, the lure of bath toys is often the best way to get little ones into the tub. With great bathtub toys to enjoy, you’ll be able to make bathing seem like a fun and exciting activity rather than a daily chore. And, from interactive toys to toys inspired by popular TV characters, you’ll be able to find something to suit your little one’s taste.

Floating bath toys

Does it get any more popular than floating bath toys? From wind-up boats to rubber ducks, there are no more iconic kids’ bath toys than those that float. There are so many options available that regardless of your child’s age, you’ll be able to find something to suit them.

For very young children, just the act of grabbing and playing with these toys when in the bath can help to develop fine motor skills, and they can also help you to teach them language, learning the names of the toys. And, for slightly older children, sea animal toys can be a great way to learn more about the natural world, educating them on the creatures as they play.

If you want to level up your play and find bath toys for toddlers, why not consider an interactive floating toy? This could be something that can be wound up and swim across the tub or even a bathtub game like hook-a-duck. These can be great fun for little ones and grown-ups alike and can help improve hand-eye coordination.

We spoke to Jenny from Monkey and Mouse, who told us what’s popular in her home: “My children's favourite bathtime toy is a submarine. It's made from recycled plastic and has no PVC or BPA, so it's extremely safe for children and eco-friendly too. It looks great and is easy for small hands to hold.”

Light-up and sensory bath toys

Are you looking to turn bath time into a party? There are a great range of light-up and sensory toys available that can be brilliant for adding another level of excitement for bath time. Able to keep little ones attention and, if you turn the lights off, add some fun to the occasion! Why not pump some tunes and turn the tub into a party?

Any flashing toys are great for helping improve focus in little ones and keep their attention whilst you’re bathing them. And, when the toys are also interactive, perhaps with buttons that can be pushed to activate the lights, they’ll also be able to help improve motor skills.

Toy storage

Once the children are bathed and dried, you’ll want to find somewhere to keep their bath accessories and toys neat and tidy. This is where bath toy storage options can come into play and make a big difference. These storage solutions allow you to declutter the bathtub so you can relax without having to try and keep rubber ducks at bay; these storage solutions are also great for airing out toys, so they don’t build up damp.

We spoke to Sarah from The Penniless Parent, who told us about her beloved storage solution: “My children are six and two, and for the last five years, ‘Boo’ our Frog Pod has clung to the side of our bath keeping their bath toys and accessories drip-dried and tidy. The Frog Pod still looks and functions as well today as it did six years ago and shows no sign of needing replacing.

“The reason for getting him was simple, I wanted a bath-toy storage solution that looked good, reduced the amount of cleaning required and made bath time tidy-up an easier affair. The girls love to tidy up at the end of bath time using the Frog Pod to scoop the toys up before holding the scoop under the bath tap to rinse the toys and hanging it back onto the froggy mount, thus allowing the water to drain off the toys and back into the bath.”

Skincare products

When browsing the supermarket, you’ll find shelves upon shelves of skincare products, and it can be hard to know what is right for your little ones. From fun bubble baths to wonderfully-scented shampoos and body wash featuring your child’s favourite TV character to talcum powder, there is plenty you can invest in.

Play foam soap

If you are looking for something that’s both practical and fun, then play foam soap is a relatively new product that’s perfect for introducing to bath time. Helping to make self-care more inviting, this soap comes out on the can in a mouldable texture that can be made into fun shapes before cleaning little ones off. Trust us; they’ll be coming back for more!

This is a personal favourite of Amy, who blogs at Smith Little Life. She told us: “The favourite item for bath time fun in our house is foaming soap. It's a hypoallergenic, dermatologically tested, and pH-balanced foam that comes in a range of colours. It’s a thick mouldable foam that provides endless bathtime entertainment.

“We use it to make princess crowns and hats, draw letters and numbers on the tiles for more sneaky learning time, to cover and wash off our rubber duckies and lots more. It's a great sensory experience whilst still being a gentle moisturising soap.”

Shampoo shield

No matter how careful you are, soap suds can work their way into a child’s eyes which can result in some upset. To help avoid this, the best thing you can use is a shampoo shield. Slipped onto baby’s head, the shield will make sure that you can wash their hair without having to worry about getting water on their face.

Rowena from My Balancing Act told us why she describes a shampoo shield as an essential bath time accessory: “My son hates having his hair washed. It’s an absolute battle every time, but things have improved so much since buying a shampoo shield as the visor stops the water and soap going in his eyes and ears. He can now enjoy bath times without the struggle of trying to wash his hair. He’s happier, and so am I.”

Safety

While the bathtub is a great place for fun and learning, it also poses some hazards, but there are many safety aids in the shops which can help make bathing as safe as possible. This can be extremely useful for new parents who are just getting into the swing of things or just those that want some extra peace of mind during bath time.

Thermometer

One of the most essential baby bath accessories is a thermometer. It is important to make sure the water is at a suitable temperature before any little ones get in, and a thermometer is the easiest and most reliable way to do so. The ideal water temperature for a baby’s bath is between 36-38˚C, and there are plenty of thermometers on offer which can tell you the exact temperature.

This is something that Victoria, from Lylia Rose, recommends people do: “One of our must-have baby bath accessories was a bath thermometer to check the water temperature was suitable before putting the baby in. Now that our children are older, we just test with our hands and arms, plus the kids are happy to tell us if it is too hot or cold when they get in. But, when they were babies, we wanted to be extra sure the bath wasn’t too hot or cold as they couldn’t tell us, so we used floating bath thermometers to be extra safe.”

Bath seats, baby baths and non-slip mats

Keeping a baby upright whilst in the bath is a complex job, as they can move around, and shower gels can make everything a bit more slippery. However, it can be made easier with a bath seat, baby bath or non-slip mat.

A bath seat will sit in your conventional tub and support a newborn baby whilst you are bathing them. This is something that Merith, the blogger at Merith’s Miscellany, used for her daughter. She told us: “Bath seats are great for babies to have a safe place to sit and play in the bath. While, of course, you should never leave a child unattended, bath seats allow parents to have both hands free to play with and bathe their child, with a great deal less worry about them overbalancing in the water. It also keeps them in one place, which is very useful when their desire to explore is greater than their coordination. My daughter used to love her bath seat, and I could make sure her bath toys were within reach without worrying about her turning around and falling back or sideways.”

Alternatively, you can go for a baby bath, which offers a smaller tub helping to keep your baby in place whilst washing them. It will also use less water thanks to its smaller size, which is another positive.

For slightly older children who might want to roam free in the tub but can be prone to slipping around, adding a non-slip mat to the base of the bathtub can be a great option. This means they don’t need to be confined but can make them less likely to slip whilst they’re playing.

Bath time can be one of the highlights of the day when you’re equipped with the right accessories to make it so. From exciting toys to safety products that can make a world of difference, there are plenty of things you can purchase to make this process even more straightforward.

Life is hectic, so to help take some of the pressure off, consider enlisting the help and expertise of some household staff. Having an extra pair of hands to help with chores around the home can mean you’ll be free to complete the beloved bathtime routine and bedtime, moments you’re sure to treasure forever.