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We updated this article in October 2022 to add more information about the featured products. We also added new selections and answered a few common FAQs.
Getting your little one in the bath at the end of the day can be an uphill battle, but the right bath toys can have even the least enthusiastic kiddos looking forward to their nightly routine. Whether you're looking for something to increase their creativity and spark a little artist, or just a few classic floating toys, there's something for every type of kid. We've got you covered with toys for 1-year-olds, toys for 2-year-olds, toddlers, older kids and beyond. We won't judge if you've still got a rubber duckie for your own bath time.
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute have tested everything from the best strollers to the best new toys on the market, and know everything there is to know about picking out the right parenting products for each family. Bath toys can help your kids' development, make it easier to get them in the tub and, of course, be very fun. While picking out our favorite toys, we scoured the internet to read reviews from top products and brands that our experts and real parents love.
Our top picks:
Head to the end of this guide to learn more about how we chose our favorite bath toys, but first, the best bath toys of 2022.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Made from 100% recycled milk jugs
Cons
- Not all components float well
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+
Pros
- Good for number recognition
- Safe for babies as young as 6 months
Cons
- If you misplace one it makes stacking in order difficult
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
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Pros
- Easy to clean
- Stick to walls
Cons
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
Pros
- Makes fun noises
- Provides extended game play
Cons
- Can be difficult for toddlers to use on their own
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
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Pros
- No mess art
- Can be used inside and outside the tub
Cons
- Can't color on the front and back covers
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
Pros
- Inspires game play
- Develops hand-eye coordination
Cons
- Only comes with a few rings
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
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Pros
- Value with 60 tablets
- Fun colors
Cons
- Can stain kids' hands a bit
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+
Pros
- Helps kids learn alphabet and numbers
- Sticks to walls
Cons
- Takes longer to dry than plastic counterparts
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
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Pros
- Protects against bumps to the head
- Cute design
Cons
- Can't be moved around to play with
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
Pros
- Great for multiple children
- Can be used in or out of the bath
Cons
- Features many small pieces
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+
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How we chose the best bath toys
The Good Housekeeping Institute reviews parenting products of all kinds, from the best baby books to the changing pads. To create this guide, our experts tested a variety of bath toys and spoke with real parents to look at the top toys and brands. We look at each toy's ease of cleaning, price, how much fun they are and more to choose our favorite picks. We also considered toys for all different kids from babies to older kiddos. These picks consist of our product pros' favorites, reviews from parent testers we spoke to and popular brands with five-star reviews.
What to consider when shopping for bath toys
One of the most important things to consider before purchasing new bath toys is how easy they are to clean. While we all love the classic rubber duckie, toys with small openings can cause problems.
Carolyn Forté, the Executive Director of Good Housekeeping's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, notes that "typical rubber duckies can be problematic" since the hole in the bottom of them can lead to trapped water inside and eventual mold growth. "Plastic toys are the easiest to clean, but what's most important is that they're solid and not hollow inside with holes in the bottom," she explains. "Those toys trap water inside and if not removed and thoroughly dried, mold can form." She also suggests sanitizing toys in a solution of bleach and water to ensure they're properly cleaned.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute provides expert reviews and advice on everything a parent needs, including bath toys. Rachel Rothman is the Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering at the Institute. For more than 15 years Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about parenting products. She has been a judge for the Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards since its inception as well as other industry awards, including the Best of Parenting at CES and JPMA Parenting Awards. Plus, as a mom to three kids under five, she's personally tested many of the products we recommend in real life. She vetted many of the products above.
In her role as Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst, Jamie Spain brings years of experience to the Institute, having reviewed products for Good Housekeeping such as hands-free breast pumps and jogging strollers, as well as BuzzFeed, and previously worked in the parenting sphere at People. She updated this guide to include the latest and greatest bath toys.
Jamie spoke with Carolyn Forté, the Executive Director of Good Housekeeping's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, to understand more about the easiest materials to keep clean when it comes to bath toys.
Rachel Rothman
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
Jamie Spain
Parenting & Pets Reviews Analyst
Jamie (she/her) is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People, covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.