10 Best Bath Toys—Recommended by Parents

Some bath toys come and go, but the rubber ducky is forever. With a built-in thermometer, this bathtime pal adds a fun twist to a classic. “The Munchkin Bath Duck is incredibly easy to use, in theory,” our product tester, Janelle L., says. “It requires no batteries, programming or any type of technology. Simply place the duck in the tub, and the bottom of the duck displays ‘HOT’ if the water temperature is too hot, specifically 104°F or above.”

The duck floats well and stays upright, and the soft, chewable material is baby-friendly—though Janelle notes that “it is a chewable material, but not BPA-free.” While its simplicity makes it perfect for quick temperature checks, it may not hold every baby’s attention for long. For Janelle’s 4-month-old daughter, being so little, she had a hard time gripping it and was more drawn to ones that lit up or with limbs that she could grip.” Still, for just a few dollars, this classic-with-a-twist earns its spot in the tub as a safe, functional and timeless bath companion.

Age rating: 0+ months | Material: Plastic

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The Boon Fleet set includes five colorful, stackable boats that are just the right size for little hands to scoop, sprinkle and splash. They float well enough to tote along other toys, adding even more fun to bath time. These boats earned their spot as the best one-year-old toy for sensory exploration on our guide of toys for one-year-olds, and our product tester, Larissa P., noticed how quickly her little one took to the set. “The toy was lightweight and easy for my baby to pick up and play with during bath time,” she says.

“I showed my baby that if he turned the toy around, it would fill with water, and he could watch the water fall from the holes. This was very entertaining to my child. He didn’t quite understand doing this part on his own, but he enjoyed it when I showed him this feature.”

Better yet is the practical design. Larissa says that she "appreciate[s] that the toy didn’t have small areas that water could get trapped in and cause mold growth.” As for storage, she recommends letting the boats dry first. “When putting the toys away, I realized that I couldn’t stack them cause water would build up, so when storing them, I let them dry first, upside down, and then stack away.” Simple and durable, the Boon Fleet boats grow with your little one and can also be used outside the tub at the pool, beach or water table, making them a versatile addition to any bath toy collection.

Age rating: 9 months + | Material: BPA-free plastic

Simple, open-ended toys often get the most play and this stacking bucket option is a perfect example. I have this exact set for my boys, and they love scooping water, dumping it back into the tub and stacking the buckets again and again. Best of all, they never got moldy, even after months of repeated use. I especially love the drainage holes, which prevent the buckets from holding water for too long, helping to avoid mold buildup—and the inevitable puddles that would happen outside the tub if I were to give my boys regular buckets.

The Skip Hop Zoo Stack & Pour Buckets Baby Bath Toy encourages hands-on exploration, inviting little ones to fill, pour, stack and nest at their own pace. Tester Shon J. noticed the same appeal. “My child immediately enjoyed stacking and pouring the buckets, and it was very easy to show her how to use them. She can play independently, experimenting with filling, emptying and nesting the buckets,” she says. Each bucket features small holes for different pouring and sprinkling effects, helping build hand-eye coordination while keeping bath time engaging.

And the play isn’t limited to the tub. “The toy can be used in the bath or on the floor, giving multiple ways to play and encouraging imaginative exploration,” Shon shares. The simple design also hits the sweet spot developmentally. “Everything is easy for her to use, and the toy is just the right level of challenge,” she observes. It’s simple, age-appropriate and keeps bath time both playful and educational.” When playtime is over, the buckets stack neatly for easy storage.

Age rating: 9 months + | Material: Plastic

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This elephant-shaped toddler bath toy turns everyday soap or shampoo into endless bubble fun. With a simple mouthpiece design, little ones can blow long bubble trains on their own, making bathtime instantly more playful and engaging. Our product tester—and mom of two toddlers—Sierra T. loved how intuitive the toy was for her kids and how easy it was to clean afterward, sharing that both “found the handle easy to hold and not too large for little hands. They had lots of fun making bubbles and putting their hands in the foam.”

Even better? “It kept them entertained for 10+ minutes, which is great for their age!” And then there’s the built-in one-way mouthpiece, which helps prevent kids from swallowing bubbles or soap, making this a fun, low-stress addition to the tub.

Age rating: 3+ years | Material: N/A

This light-up otter bath toy adds both fun and peace of mind to bathtime. Designed to float upright and glow when water temperature changes, it works as a playful toy and a built-in bath thermometer. As our product tester Janelle notes, “It floated well and always righted itself so the light was facing up.” We love that this toy glows blue for too-cold temps, red for too-hot and green for just right!

The otter’s size and shape also make it accessible even for very young babies. “Even though she can't grasp well, she was able to scoop up the [toy] and put it in her mouth,” shares Janelle. While the focus is on function, there are a few practical considerations too. “The paint on the baby otter's face might wear off with time, but I don't see that as a big issue,” she explains.

Still, what really makes this toy stand out is how it grows with your child. “I also like that the flashing lights catch my daughter’s attention now at a young age, but they could also make the thermometer fun to play with as she grows.” Equal parts entertaining for baby and reassuring for mom, this otter is an adorable addition to the tub for practicality and playtime.

Age rating: 6 to 48 months | Material: Plastic

These foam bath letters and numbers turn tub walls into a playful learning space. Made to stick easily when wet, they invite toddlers to sort, spell, count and create while splashing in the bath. The soft foam pieces are lightweight and easy for little hands to grasp, encouraging independent play and early literacy and numeracy skills without overwhelming the senses.

Bath toys like this also align with experts' recommendations for supporting creativity in the tub. Emily Neese, co-founder of bath toy subscription service, Bubbles & Joy, is a big fan of “bath stickers that allow for play along the side of the tub or foaming bubble bath powder that can be scooped and mixed by your child to turn the water bright colors.”. Simple, open-ended toys like foam letters let kids experiment at their own pace, whether they’re sticking shapes to the tub, practicing letters or just enjoying the tactile fun.

Age rating: 3+years | Material: foam

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Designed with an easy-pour spout, this simple bath toy allows babies and toddlers to scoop and pour water during bath time. As much as My First Tugboat supports early cause-and-effect learning while keeping little hands busy, parents love how useful it is beyond play, too. “[My son] got these tugboats for Christmas that pour,” shares Bump forum member, JenJar. “Now, I just hold his washcloth on his forehead and use these to pour water over his head. He loves that his toys are helping.”

Made from recycled plastic and free of BPA, PVC, phthalates and external coatings, this boat is a safe, eco-conscious choice for everyday baths. And it’s not a toy that kids outgrow quickly. Another parent, Into+the+Kitty notes, “[Little one] has been obsessed with this toy for two years now.” Durable, engaging and endlessly useful, it’s the kind of bath toy that earns a permanent spot by the tub.

Age rating: 6+ months | Material: 100% recycled plastic

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