There are many different items my kids use in the bath for play, other than the traditional bath toys like the rubber duck. And bath time doesn’t just happen at night; my son often has a bath during the day as an activity. Below are seven items my kids use in the bath for play.
1. Empty Plastic Bottles
Clean, empty soft drink bottles act like boats in the water. The lid can be left on so the bottle floats, or removed and filled with water, and poured out again.
2. Milk Bottle Lids
The kids recently had a blast playing with Milk Bottle Lid Boats in the rain. Milk bottle lids are also a fun in the bath. They can be used with or without the sail (the sails can be a hazard so are best for older children and under supervision). The more lids, the better! Kids can blow the lids from one side of the bath to the other.
3. Cups and Bowls
Plastic cups and bowls are gold. Kids can pour water into one from the other, make them float, sink or use them any other way they think of.
4. Plastic Figurines
I have fond memories of playing with plastic animal figures in the bath. They are solid so the water can’t get in which makes them perfect for the bath.
5. Laundry Tub
The humble laundry tub can be turned into a sturdy boat or a desert island in the water.
6. Toddler Discovery Shapes
The laundry tub can also be used to hold discovery shapes for toddlers. After a 2 minute glance around the house, I found these bright things: rubber ball, rectangle cube, plastic spoon, half a plastic egg, silicone cupcake mould, ice-cream shape.
7. Piece of Pipe/Tube
This piece of pipe is my son’s favourite bath ‘toy’. He makes a horn sound, blows bubbles and watches the water swish in side the dip.
Do you have any other unconventional bath toy ideas to add to the list? Share them in the comments below.
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Love the milk bottle boats! My kids enjoy playing with a cup more than the conventional bath toys. I’m fed up with those squirty ones because they just get filled with mould unless you clean them everyday and who has time for that!!!
Mr 3 uses the plastic step stool as a bridge and floats things underneath it.
Those squirty toys make me squirm. Blah! They always seem gross so I tend to steer away from them too Cheryl. LOVE the plastic step idea! I think my son would love doing that too!
Haha, yes, my daughter doesn’t really play with her ‘bath toys’. She plays with the rubber ducks sometimes now (She’s 2) only because she’s obsessed with real ducks! Cups and anything that you can pour out of are the best!
My favourite bath toy as a kid were syringes (no needle and not used), best water pistols ever!!!
BAHA! I’m glad you clarified the no needle bit. LOL That made me laugh. Oh yes, I can imagine that would be very fun. That’s awesome.
my girls love taking their dolls in,
they love taking all their kitchen toys in,
and old shampoo bottles and of course those little toothbrushes with the suction bottoms are always the most played with things in the bathtub
My girls love taking their dolls (Barbie) in too. Especially the mermaids.
All time most loved bath toy in our house…a 350mL Berri Juice bottle. Used a nail to punch a ring of holes in the bottom and then one in the centre of the lid and presto a finger operated shower! Good science lesson too…water won’t come out if the air can’t get in! My 2 yr old nephew goes straight to the bathroom to check that “his” bottle is still there ready for bathtime at Aunty’s house!
Jen, that is beyond brilliant!
My daughter loves the shower at the moment, and currently has a think about taking her little plastic chair in to sit on!
She has also taken her plastic figurines in. Usually her ducks (which include the chickens and geese) and they have fun splashing and getting their hair washed!
Love it… if it won’t get wrecked, why not? I love the idea of the laundry tub!
Awww, that’s cute about the ducks.
Little Miss B loves taking her mega blocks into the bath and shower at the moment. She has so many in there I don’t know how she fits!
lol
My littlest one has a couple of kitchen toys in the bath – a funnel – he loves to see the water pour out the bottom, and one of those tupperware melon ballers that was taking up room in my everything drawer.
Oh, a funnel. I haven’t thought of that. Love it Jenny.
My boys love taking things in from the kitchen – silicon lemon juice squeezer is their favourite (see here: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2007/04/01_lime_squeezer.gif – it’s like a mini-shower head), also funnels and cups.
That is so cute!
Favourite rainy/cold/I’ve had enough get them in the bath so I can think toy is make-your-own bath paints. Liquid soap plus food colouring plus some paint brushes and voila – it rinses off the bath really easily!
I just love having all these brilliant ideas in the comments. This is really great Helen.
My son loved the milk bottle lid boats
Thank you!!
YAY!
My son’s favorite bath toy is a bag of 100 play balls made for ball pits. They have no holes so they don’t get water in them but are light and float. Clean up is even fun because he tries to shoot the balls in to the mesh storage bag trying to get them all in the “basket” before the water drains from the tub.
Andrea, I LOVE that idea! My son would love that. Thanks for the tip!
We love putting a couple of glow sticks in the bath and turning off the lights, my boys have a great time, they usually take them to bed afterwards as well, great fun!
I love it!
Ikea had a cheap set of small stacking cups. They have holes in them and are bright colours. My two boys spend ages playing with these.
When I was a kid, my sisters and I took our barbies swimming all the time, both in our pool and in the bath. Great memories.
Love the glo stick idea, going to do that for sure. Thanks!!
Oh yes, duplo is FANTASIC too, isn’t it: because the water doesn’t get trapped. Love it! Thanks Jodie.
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