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Best Bath Toys for Babies & Toddlers: 2025 Picks

Updated
Make bathtime a blast with these fun toys.

Let’s face it: by the time evening rolls around, you are exhausted. The last thing you need is a toddler meltdown because the water is “too wet” or the soap is “too bubbly.” If bathtime has become a battle of wills, bringing in some fresh entertainment can turn things around.

We scouted the aisles and tested the waters to find the best baby bath toys available. From sensory gadgets for newborns to interactive puzzles for energetic toddlers, we found options to suit every stage.

Our top picks encourage development in several key areas:

  • Fine motor skills: Grasping, pouring, and stacking.
  • Cognitive growth: Learning colors, numbers, and cause-and-effect.
  • Sensory processing: Exploring textures, water flow, and sounds.

With the right gear, you can transform the tub into a mini water park and actually enjoy those precious minutes of bonding.

Our Top Picks

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Best Overall: Little Tikes Bath Letters
  • Safety tested
  • Innovative & educational
  • Encourages active & imaginative play
Best for Babies: Yookidoo Bath Mobile
  • Multi-sensory experience
  • Battery operated
  • High-contrast colors
Best for Toddlers: Baby Loovi Bathtub Numbers
  • Non-toxic
  • Educational
  • Economical and convenient
Best Bath Book: BabyBibi Floating Books
  • Asthma friendly & BPA free
  • Set of four bath books
  • Helps develop child's fine motor skills
Best Rubber Duck: Munchkin Baby's First Bath
  • With hot water indicator
  • Useful and fun
  • Durable and easy to clean
Best Musical Bath Toy: Munchkin Bath Beats
  • Easy to operate
  • Four-piece set
  • Quality warranty
Best Sensory Bath Toy: Yookidoo Spin N Sort Spout
  • Various water activities
  • Promotes sensory development
  • Designed for tiny hands
Best for Fine Motor Skills: Crayola Bathtub Crayons
  • 60 fragrance-free bathtub tints
  • Completely washable
  • Free of toxins
Best Whale Toy: Whale Bath Toy
  • Affordable
  • Safe and easy to clean
  • Highly adjustable
Best Fishing Toy: Fajiabao Fishing Game
  • ASTM approved
  • Durable silicone
  • Smooth & sealed construction

How to Choose Safe and Fun Bath Toys

Your baby’s bath is more than just a cleaning routine; it is a prime opportunity for bonding and development. Water play offers a unique sensory environment where children can experiment with physics, volume, and buoyancy without making a mess in the living room.

When shopping for the perfect tub companions, keep these factors in mind:

  • Mold resistance: This is the biggest headache for parents. Toys that seal completely or open up for cleaning prevent trapped water from turning into black mold.
  • Materials matter: Look for BPA-free, PVC-free, and phthalate-free plastics or natural rubber. Since these toys often end up in mouths, safety is non-negotiable (1).
  • Developmental stage: Simple floating animals work best for infants, while toddlers engage better with imaginative play sets, water pipes, or fishing games.

Always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. While some toys are dishwasher safe, others degrade in high heat. Remember that even room-temperature bath toys are exposed to hot steam, so durability is key.

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Product Reviews

We tested splash-proof gears, squirty friends, and floating puzzles to find the best options for your little swimmer.

Little Tikes Bath Letters and Numbers

Best Overall Bath Toy

Foam letters are a bathtime staple because they are simple, effective, and mold-resistant. Since they are solid foam, there are no holes for water to get trapped inside. They float on the surface and stick like magic to tiled walls or the side of the tub when wet.

This set covers the alphabet and numbers 0, 9, making it a fantastic tool for early exposure to literacy and math. The letters are large enough for clumsy toddler hands to grasp easily. You can spell out your child’s name, practice colors, or just let them stick the shapes all over the wall. It is low-tech, educational fun that cleans up in seconds.


Yookidoo Baby Bath Mobile

Best Bath Toy for Babies

Newborns and young infants can be overwhelmed by the bath, but the Yookidoo mobile provides a gentle distraction. It serves as a sensory toy that introduces water flow in a non-threatening way. The battery-operated stream creates a mild shower effect that helps desensitize babies to the feeling of water on their heads.

The unit features spinning flowers and a bird that sprays a steady stream. It is versatile, too; you can clamp it to an infant tub or use the suction cups for a standard bathtub as your baby grows.

Hygiene is easy with this one. Since it sits above the water mostly, it dries out well. Just be sure to wipe down the battery compartment to keep it watertight. It folds up for compact storage, so your bathroom doesn’t have to look like a toy store.


Baby Loovi Foam Bath Toys Numbers and Animals

Best Bath Toy for Toddlers

If your toddler gets bored easily, this set offers variety. Similar to the alphabet letters, these foam shapes stick to the tub walls when wet, but this set introduces animals into the mix. It encourages fine motor development as kids practice peeling the shapes off the water and arranging them on the wall.

We love that this set allows for open-ended play. You can sort by color, group the animals, or count the pieces. Because they are flat foam, they don’t hold water, making them incredibly resistant to mold growth. They are lightweight, safe for teething babies who might gnaw on them, and come with a mesh bag for easy drying.


BabyBibi Floating Baby Bath Books

Best Bath Book

You can never start reading too early, and waterproof books make it possible to bring storytime into the tub. The BabyBibi collection is designed specifically for water play, featuring squishy, waterproof pages that can handle submersion and chewing.

This four-pack covers essential topics: numbers, ocean life, fruits, and the alphabet. The pages make a satisfying squeak sound, which babies love. Unlike cloth books that can take forever to dry, these plastic-based books can be wiped dry immediately, preventing funky smells. They are small enough for little hands to manipulate, helping them practice page-turning skills in a low-stakes environment.


Munchkin Baby's First Bath Toy Set

Best Combo

This set covers all the bases for a new parent. You get a classic rubber ducky, a scuba swimmer, and a boat train. It is an excellent “starter pack” that offers variety without cluttering the tub.

The standout feature here is safety: the rubber duck utilizes Munchkin’s White Hot technology. If the water is too hot for sensitive baby skin (approx 104 degrees Fahrenheit), the blue disc on the bottom reveals the word “HOT” in white. It removes the guesswork from temperature checking.

The scuba diver is great for active play, and the boats link together, which helps toddlers refine their hand-eye coordination. Note that the squirting toys in this set will need regular vinegar flushes to prevent mold build-up inside.


Munchkin Bath Beats Musical Bath Toy Gift Set

Best Musical Bath Toy

Combine music appreciation with water play, and you have a recipe for a happy toddler. This Munchkin set turns the bathtub into a concert hall. It is designed to float, so your child can drum away on the water’s surface.

The set features a xylophone, a drum, and two shakers. We love that the construction is sturdy and rust-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about metal parts corroding. It encourages creative expression and helps kids understand cause and effect, hit the drum, hear a sound.

Unlike squirters, these instruments are relatively open and easy to drain, making them a hygienic choice for long-term use.


Yookidoo Spin N Sort Spout

Best Sensory Bath Toy

If you want a toy that will keep a toddler occupied for a solid 20 minutes, this is it. The Spin n Sort Spout attaches to the wall and draws water up from the tub to create a continuous stream. It is a brilliant way to teach physics and mechanics.

The set comes with three stackable cups, each creating a different water effect: a shower, a spinning propeller, and a hidden float. Your child can stack them, hold them under the stream, or play with the spinning gears.

This toy is battery-operated, so you will need to keep fresh batteries on hand. The constant water circulation keeps the water warmer for longer than simply pouring from a cup, and the suction cups are strong enough to withstand enthusiastic play.


Crayola Bathtub Crayons

Best Bath Toy for Fine Motor Skills

Turn your bathroom tiles into an art canvas without the stress of a permanent mess. Bath crayons are excellent for developing the tripod grip and fine motor control needed for writing later in life.

These non-toxic crayons are designed specifically for slick surfaces. They allow your child to draw, scribble, and practice writing letters while they soak. The colors are vibrant, and the plastic casing keeps the crayon from getting mushy in wet hands.

Clean-up is usually a breeze, but we recommend wiping the walls down immediately after the bath. If you have porous grout or older tile, test a small area first to ensure it wipes away cleanly. The included color-changing bath drops are a fun bonus that adds a little “magic” to the water.


Whale Spout Cover Bath Toy

Best Safety Accessory

Bumps and bruises can happen in the blink of an eye, especially around the metal faucet. This rubber whale isn’t just cute; it is a vital safety tool. It slips over the spout to cushion any accidental collisions.

We love that it stays firmly in place, making it difficult for curious toddlers to pull off. The opening allows water to flow freely from the bottom, creating a waterfall effect that babies enjoy watching. It is made from BPA-free materials and dries quickly.

While it is more of a safety device than a toy, the friendly whale design makes the tub feel more inviting. It fits most standard faucets and includes an adjustable strap for a secure fit.


Fajiabao Fishing Game

Best Fishing Bath Toy

This fishing set is fantastic for developing patience and hand-eye coordination. It comes with two rods, making it a perfect choice for siblings to play together without fighting over equipment.

The set includes chunky, colorful fish and sea creatures that float upright or bob in the water. The hooks are large and easy to maneuver, reducing frustration for younger toddlers. The fish are fully sealed (no holes!), which means no mold growing inside, a massive win for parents.

Because it requires some coordination to hook the fish, this is best suited for toddlers rather than young babies, though infants will still enjoy splashing with the floating animals.


How to Keep Bath Toys Clean and Safe

The dark side of bath toys is the gross black slime that can grow inside them. Warm, humid environments are breeding grounds for mold and bacteria.

Here is how to keep the funk away:

  • Squeeze them dry: If you use squirt toys, you must squeeze every drop of water out after every single bath. Ideally, aim them toward a drain or towel.
  • The vinegar soak: Once a week, soak your toys in a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to three parts warm water. Suck the solution into any squirt toys, shake, and let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
  • Close the holes: Some parents use a dot of hot glue to permanently seal the holes in squirt toys. You lose the squirting action, but you gain peace of mind against mold.

Storage is just as important as cleaning. Avoid throwing wet toys into a plastic bin where water pools at the bottom. Instead, use a mesh hanging organizer or a scoop-and-store basket with drainage holes. This allows air to circulate and toys to dry completely between uses.

Baby Bath Toys FAQs

Are Bath Toys Necessary?

While not strictly necessary for hygiene, bath toys significantly improve the experience. They distract fussy babies, encourage developmental play, and can help a child who is afraid of water feel more secure and in control.

How Do You Clean Bath Toys When a Baby Poops in the Bathtub?

Immediately remove the toys and the baby. Sterilize the toys by soaking them in a solution of 1/2 cup of bleach per gallon of water for several minutes, then rinse thoroughly and air dry.

How Do I Keep My Bath Toys From Molding Inside?

The most effective way is to prevent water from entering in the first place by sealing holes with hot glue. If you want to keep the squirt function, flush them with vinegar weekly and store them in a well-ventilated mesh bag.

How Often Should You Replace Baby Bath Toys?

Inspect toys weekly. If you see black flakes coming out of a squirt toy, throw it away immediately, it cannot be saved. Otherwise, replace plastic toys every 6 to 12 months if they show signs of wear or slimy buildup.

Which Bath Toys Are Safe for Babies?

Look for toys labeled BPA-free and phthalate-free. Avoid toys with small removable parts that could pose a choking hazard, and steer clear of brittle plastics that might crack and create sharp edges.

Are foam bath letters safe for teething babies?

Most foam letters are non-toxic, but they can be a choking hazard if a baby with teeth bites off a small chunk. Always supervise teething babies closely with foam toys, or stick to hard rubber toys until they stop mouthing everything.


The Bathtime You’ve Dreamed Of

If you used to dread the evening routine, hopefully, these ideas help turn the tide. The right gear can change a stressful chore into a highlight of the day for both you and your child.

Our top recommendation remains the Little Tikes Bath Letters and Numbers. They are durable, mold-resistant, and educational, offering the best value for your money. Plus, the games you can play with them grow alongside your child.

Whether you choose musical instruments, safety spouts, or simple foam shapes, the goal is connection. So pour the bubble bath, toss in a few toys, and enjoy the splashes.

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Headshot of Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

Reviewed by

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN

Mary Sweeney, BSN, RN, CEN is an oncology nurse navigator and freelance medical writer. Mary has 4 years of experience as an officer in the Navy Nurse Corps. including emergency/trauma, post-anesthesia, and deployment medicine.