When bathtime rolls around, your mission is clear: Get baby clean from head to toe. While scrubbing food off that little face might feel like a chore, bathing baby can be a splashing good time. The key to an enjoyable experience for all? A collection of bath toys to offer up when the going gets tough—or better yet, before baby transforms into a squirming, slippery mess!

Here, we've rounded up a list of some of the best bath toys for keeping babies, toddlers and big kids entertained.

Before you start browsing, there are two things to remember. First, no matter which bath toys you buy, you'll have to clean them periodically. The wet, warm environment they live in means they're susceptible to things like mold and bacteria. Second, bath toys aren't an excuse to leave your child unattended—ever. Just because they distract kids doesn't mean they keep them safe.

In this article:
How to choose bath toys
Best baby bath toys
Best toddler bath toys
Best kids' bath toys

How to Choose Bath Toys

Ready to start shopping? Check out our top tips for choosing the best tub toys for babies, toddlers and kids.

• Choose a toy that’s age appropriate: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), bath toys aren’t necessary for young infants—the water itself is exciting enough. But once baby is old enough for the bathtub, toys are a welcome addition to bathtime. When shopping for children’s bath toys, always check the manufacturer's age guidelines to make sure they’re suitable for your little one.

• Look for sensory bath toys: The more fun your child has in the tub, the better. Bath toys will keep babies and toddlers happy (and distracted!) while you get them spick and span. Sensory bath toys encourage healthy development and learning and can help strengthen key motor skills. With this in mind, look for toys that engage their senses, like stack and drain cups and light-up bath toys.

• Pick toys that are easy to clean and dry: To avoid mold and mildew, bath toys need to be air dried between each use. Plus, soap scum and grime can build up over time, so don’t forget to clean bath toys regularly. To make life easier, purchase bath toys that are dishwasher safe and dry fast. Pro tip: Avoid squeezable bath toys with a hole in the middle—they can be especially difficult to keep clean.

Best Baby Bath Toys

Newborns need to ease into bathing. First comes sponge baths, then baths in an infant tub, and then, once your little one can safely sit up, an introduction to the big-kid bathtub. Regardless of what stage your child's at, when shopping for bath toys, always check product labels for age guidelines and hazard warnings.

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Munchkin White Hot Safety Bath Ducky

When it comes to picking out baby bath toys, start with (modernized) basics, like duck bath toys. For just a few bucks, this rubber ducky tells you when the water is too hot for baby's sensitive skin. Plus, the infant bath toy is easy to grab and hold, not to mention watertight (read: mildew resistant).

Age: 0 months+
Buy it: $3, Walmart.com

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Green Toys Tug Boat

There's something babies (and older kids) just love about pouring water—which is why this boat bath toy is designed with a spout. It's also made from recycled plastic right here in the USA, so it's eco-friendly to boot.

Age: 6 months+
Buy it: $10, Target.com

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Munchkin Caterpillar Spillers

Stacking cups are another baby-approved option. These baby bath toys come in eye-catching colors. Your kid can connect the cups to create a cute caterpillar or stack them to build a colorful tower. Baby will have hours of fun scooping, draining and stacking this sweet bath toy set.

Age: 9 months+
Buy it: $5, Munchkin.com

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Sophie la Girafe So’Pure Bath Toy

We've got great news: The beloved Sophie la Girafe teether comes in bath toy form. Say hello to baby's chicest tub time plaything.

Age: 0 months+
Buy it: $24, Maisonette.com

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Munchkin CleanSqueeze Mold-Free Bath Squirts

How fun are these mold-free bath toys for babies? Made for little hands, these squirty tub toys are sure to be a big hit. Pick up the scuba diver and shark or opt for the walrus and penguin set—they’re both super cute. Oh, and the toys twist apart for easy cleaning and drying after each use. Hooray!

Age: 9 months+
Buy it: $5, Munchkin.com

Best Toddler Bath Toys

Searching for the best bath toys for 1-year-olds and 2-year-olds? Start with these tub toys for toddlers, designed to help your little one continue to learn and grow through play.

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Pinkfong Baby Shark Bathtub Basketball

Basketball? Inside? With toddler bath toys like this, you're about to be the coolest parent around. The Baby Shark basketball hoop secures to glass or tile with suction cups and comes with three floating balls. This toddler tub toy is a real slam-dunk.

Age: 1 year+
Buy it: $10, buybuyBABY.com

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Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy

Whether or not your toddler goes on to love fishing, "catching" the magnetic bobbers with this fishing bath toy's mini rod will strengthen their hand-eye coordination.

Age: 2 years+
Buy it: $8, Walmart.com

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Boon Cogs Water Gear Bath Toy

Use the tub and shower walls to your advantage. These cool bath toys for toddlers are shaped like gears and stick to bath surfaces. Position the gears side by side and pour over water to watch them spin. Your little tyke will be mesmerized!

Age: 1 year+
Buy it: $11, FatBrainToys.com

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The Rainbow Fish Bath Book by Marcus Pfister

Bath books are a genius, toddler-friendly bath toy idea. The Rainbow Fish is a classic—and water-themed—choice.

Age: 0 to 3 years old
Buy it: $9, BedBathandBeyond.com

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Nuby Octopus Hoopla Bathtime Toy

This BPA-free toddler bath toy is sure to add some fun to your bathtime routine. The floating octopus comes with three colorful hoops to toss around the tentacles. It’ll keep your tot challenged and entertained. Win-win!

Age: 18 months+
Buy it: $7, Target.com

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Boon Chomp Whale 4-Piece Bath Toy in Blue

Make bathtime fun with sensory bath toys for toddlers. This BPA-free set includes a whale and three sea creatures. Squeeze the tail fin and the whale will open its mouth to gobble up everything in its path. A bath toy that’ll spark their imagination and help strengthen hand-eye coordination? Yes, please.

Age: 1 to 2 years old
Buy it: $8, buybuyBABY.com

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Ubbi Cloud & Droplet Bath Toy

We’re obsessed with these clever toddler bath toys by Ubbi. The raindrop and cloud duo are soft and squeezable (not to mention adorable!). Submerge the bath toy in water to make it rain. The best part? With proper care, these bath toys won’t mold! Once bathtime’s over, open each toy and pop them in the dishwasher for easy and effective cleaning.

Age: 1 year+
Buy it: $10, Target.com

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Skip Hop Zoo Light Up Bath Toy Dinosaur

Light-up bath toys? Talk about a sensory experience. This fun, floating dinosaur bath toy lights up in rainbow colors when it gets wet.

Age: 1 year+
Buy it: $6, SkipHop.com

Best Kids' Bath Toys

If you're shopping for bath toys for older kids, we've found tub toys for 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds and beyond. These kids' bath toys are more advanced—and even more fun.

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Boon Marco Light-Up Multicolor Bath Toy

Once your child passes the three-year mark, they might get bored with their old tub toys. Surprise them with new features, like lights! This cute diver illuminates as soon as it touches water.

Age: 3 years+
Buy it: $15, buybuyBABY.com

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Nuby Mirror Bath Toy Set

The best kids’ bath toys encourage independence but still make bathtime fun. That’s why we love this astronaut-themed bath toy set for kids. It comes complete with a mirror, a robot “razor” and a spaceship toy. The mirror promotes self-awareness and good grooming while the toys keep things playful. FYI: Nuby also sell a pretty mermaid mirror set.

Age: 3 years+
Buy it: $10, Target.com

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Munchkin Bath Crayons

It's the only chance they'll get to draw on the walls without getting in trouble. These washable crayons come off bathtub walls with the swipe of a sponge. Get creative and doodle, or practice spelling and math with your preschooler. How’s that for an educational bath toy for kids?

Age: 3 years+
Buy it: $5, Munchkin.com

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Munchkin Learn Bath Letters & Numbers

These kids' bath toys will get their little minds whirring. This set includes all 36 letters of the alphabet and 10 floating numbers. Your child can use the sticky letter and numbers for anything, from simple math equations to spelling out words.

Age: 3 years+
Buy it: $6, Munchkin.com

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Innobaby 7-Pack Bathin' Smart Rainbow Spots Silicone Bath Toy and Scrub Set

Kids' bath toys don't have to focus on just numbers and letters. Introduce your little one to shapes and colors with this quirky tub toy set. The rainbow silicone scrubbers help your child bathe independently but are still boatloads of fun!

Age: 3 years+
Buy it: $25, buybuyBABY.com

Plus, more from The Bump:

Best Developmental Toys for Kids of All Ages

Best Baby Shampoos, Washes and Soaps

Best Baby Towels and Washcloths

Bath Time