10 Best Bath Toys for Babies and Toddlers

Kids can use the tub as a backdrop for their next sailing adventure with this boat set. The ferry comes with two durable mini vehicles, and we love that it's made in the U.S. from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs. Our testers note that this boat is exceptionally easy to clean and help avoid mold growth, and also love how there aren't any small pieces to come apart and that the little cars can actually roll around. Kiddos can have fun playing with this toy both in and out of the water. But, not all the parts float well, so things may sink down. If you're more into underwater machines, their submarine bath toy is also super fun.

Ages 3+

Great for the bath or the beach, these multi-color cups offer lots of imaginative play, plus they're safe for babies as young as 6 months old. Each cup is numbered so kids can practice their counting, and come with unique holes in the bottom that let the water filter through and offers exciting play. However, this does mean that if you lose one cup, fitting them all back together can be troublesome. One parent we spoke to said their little ones love how much fun these toys are at both the beach and the bathtub and found their filtering abilities great for water playtime. Each set comes with eight cups of various colors with large numbers on the bottom to help encourage number recognition.

Ages 6+ months

Help avoid the inevitable bath toy mold with these fun, colorful pipes that are easy to clean and won't trap any water inside. One parent we spoke to noted that she loved these toys because hers didn't grow mold inside, unlike a lot of bath time favorites, like the classic rubber duckie. Not only are they a fan favorite amongst the parents we spoke to, but they help little ones tap into their creativity while learning about building and water flow. Each set comes with five pipes in various colors that suction cup to the wall so your kiddos can play around without water getting all over your bathroom floor.

Ages 12+ months

Bring the joy of the lake to your bathtub with this adorable fishing bath game. Each set comes with a magnetic fishing rod and three floating toys that will inspire endless fun in your household. This bath toy for 2-year-olds and up is great for developing hand-eye coordination. The pole makes a fun clicking noise while reeling in little fishy friends and the floating toys are great for playing with or without the game. Since it requires quite a bit of coordination, this toy can be difficult for little ones to manipulate entirely on their own at first, but after a few tries they will get the hang of it.

Ages 24+ months

Not only can the pages in these books handle water, when they do get wet, the playful illustrations change color. Our testers love how beautiful the artwork is and note that these books are also great for no mess arts and crafts time since kids can grab a brush and water and "color" the pages outside of bath time, or just dip the book in the bath to watch the colors emerge. Our testers note you cannot use water to make colors appear on the front and back covers of this book and need to stick to the inside pages. Kids can become more familiar with a variety of animals through this toy, and if they're not particularly interested in pond dwellers, there's also an ocean version and rain forest version, amongst other options.

All ages

This cute octopus comes with rings that are meant to be tossed on his tentacles. It's a great way for kids to play and develop hand-eye coordination. One parent we spoke to loved how well this toy kept her little one engaged all throughout bath time. The bright colors and fun designs keep kids entertained while helping them learn about shapes and animals. Each floating octopus comes with three rings in the shape of a star, fish and life preserver. While this toy can be great for a few kids at the same time, since there are only three rings, each round of ring toss may not last very long.

Ages 18+ months

Both creative and fun, this set of bath dropz will ensure your little artist has the time of their life while not ruining your bathtub. Bath Dropz let you turn bath time into a science experiment by mixing colorful pellets to teach kids the difference between primary and secondary colors. (Note from our testing they might stain your and your child's hands a bit.) Great for older kids, it gives your kiddos the chance to redecorate your bathtub without creating too much of a disaster. Let the creativity begin!

Ages 3+

This 36-piece foam set comes with the letters of the alphabet and the numbers 0-9 that can stick to baths and wall tiles when wet. Perfect for a bath time spelling bee! Our testers love how this set makes learning fun and gives kids a chance to practice spelling their name and other words while scrub-a-dub-dubbing. Each set comes with a mesh bag for easy storage, but it's best if they're left out to dry flat since they can take longer to dry than some of their plastic counterparts.

Ages 12+ months

The quickest way to end bath time is with a bop to the head. This cute whale easily fits around your tub spout to prevent bumps against the faucet. We appreciate that it's dishwasher-safe, making it easier to clean, and looks cute while doing its job. While it's not exactly a toy your kid can engage with and move around, according to online reviewers, this cover gives them great peace of mind knowing that their family is safer from bonks against the spout and found it very easy to install. Some little ones even get in on the fun and name him!

All ages

If you've got more than one kid, turn bath time into tea time with this adorable set. One of the parents we spoke to said their little ones adore making "hot drinks" in the bath, and recommends that you add bubbles to the water for an extra bit of fun. This set comes with a teapot, sugar bowl and lid, creamer container and four cups, saucers and teaspoons. While there are so many pieces great for playing with, this means there's also quite a few little bobs and bits to keep track of. Not only will your kids be able to engage in endless imaginative play, but they'll be using their fine motor skills along the way. Plus, the set is easy to pop in the dishwasher and clean.

Ages 3+