"Many of us probably remember Ernie from Sesame Street singing, “Rubber ducky, you’re the one, you make bath time lots of fun!” Like many parents, I want bath time to be something my 18-month-old looks forward to rather than something he fights at the end of each day. Toys can help make bath time fun, and it can also be a learning experience. Allowing your child to play during bath time helps them developmentally. Developmental skills they learn during bath time include fine motor skills and engaging their senses through touch.
However, there are some things to consider before you toss the toys in the bath with your kids. While Mr. Rubber Duckie may be a good time, how safe and clean are he and all of his bath time toy buddies? Choosing safe and easy-to-clean toys can lower the risk of any chance of bacteria and mold build-up. Those floating speckles in the bath? They might be coming from your bath toys. Below, we’re sharing the best toddler bath toys that will keep your child happy—plus, info on how to keep them clean!
Key Features to Look for in Bath Toys for Toddlers
If you’re on the hunt for the best toddler bath toys, these are key features to look for, including:
Safety and Age-Appropriate Design
The first feature to consider is the safety of a toy and if the bath toy you’re purchasing is age-appropriate. Did you recently transition from one to two kids and now have a baby in the mix? Reconsider toys that have intricate small pieces. Opt for ones that are easier to grab and hold on to.
Durability
Of course, bath toys are going to have some wear and tear with regular use. Regularly inspecting bath toys for any broken pieces will be an indication of whether or not it’s time to trade one in for a new one.
Easy to Clean
When purchasing bath toys for your baby or toddler, consider ones without holes to eliminate the concern of water getting inside the toy—the main cause for bacteria and mold growth. While they’re called “bath toys,” they still need to be regularly cleaned, so pick ones that are easy to wipe down and disinfect every so often.
The Best Bath Toys for Toddlers
There are so many toddler bath toys out there. It doesn’t have to be difficult when deciding which ones are best. First, ask your little one if they simply like the toy. If they’re easy to clean, then it’s a win-win. Is the toy interactive and educational? Are they innovative and unique? My favorite educational toys are waterproof baby books. My toddler’s favorite toys are the ones where he gets to use his imagination, like a toy submarine. Introducing new toys during bath time makes it so much more fun.
No holes = no mold growing inside this cute toy between bath times!
Tap the head of each dolphin to hear a different musical whistle.
A great choice for easy cleaning. More themes available!
This extra-special bath toy requires some set-up but is sure to entertain littles—plus, it’s advertised as a mold-free option.
The colors of the sea animals change right before your eyes! Comes with an educational book, too.
How to Clean and Maintain Bath Toys
If you consistently put anything in a wet environment, at one point or another you’re bound to come across a mold or mildew sighting. It happens with sponges used for dishes, to-go cups for coffee or water, and even inside teething toys for babies. In a study published in the NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes Journal about the cleanliness of bath toys, microbiologist Frederick Hammes and his research team took a look inside 19 bath toys used in common environments and situations. The results stated that “All bath toys analyzed in this study had dense and slimy biofilms on the inner surface.” Additionally, all of these toys also had a high level of bacteria on them, too.
While this study did state it is likely our bath toys are growing some level of mold and bacteria, it also mentioned this may not necessarily be a bad thing. According to Hammes, “Environmental exposure to bacteria and fungi is not necessarily bad for human health and may indeed even strengthen the immune defense.” But we don’t want to be exposing our children to excess bacteria and mold if we can help it.
Preventing Mold Growth
You’re not the only parent asking, “what if I already have bath toys with holes?” in regards to toys that are more likely to attract mold over time. If that’s the case, squeeze all of the water out of the toy and let it dry completely. Then seal the holes shut with something like hot glue—but they’ll still need surface cleaning as well. You can also find an aerated storage spot for toys to help them dry out after each bath.
General Cleaning Tips
In 2020, a mother’s post went viral as a warning to parents after her son squirted himself in the eye with water from a bath toy and almost lost his vision. In an article about the story on Parents.com, Dr. Gina Posner, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, provided recommendations on cleaning bath toys. “It wouldn’t hurt to throw the toys in a bleach bath every week or two to clean them and throw them out every few months,” she said. “They do tend to grow mold and bacteria inside over time.”
Deep Cleaning Methods
There are several ways to deep clean your bath toys. This includes using either bleach, vinegar, or hot water and soap. Deep clean toys separately from bath time, making sure your little ones are not in the tub during the process.
Bleach
The bleach method is an effective way to kill mold and bacteria, but be aware of the strong chemical fumes and how to properly make your solution. WebMD instructs adding one gallon of water and a half cup of bleach to a large tub and soaking the toys in it for 10 minutes. Make sure you properly ventilate the room while you clean, and know that bleach can break down toys over time. Using gloves and an eye mask will also help protect your skin and eyes.
Vinegar
The vinegar method isn’t as harsh as bleach is. Using equal parts vinegar to water, soak the bath toys in the mixture for 15 minutes or more.
Hot Water and Dish Soap
The hot water and dish soap method is one that can be easily done throughout the week. Fill your tub with hot water, squeeze a couple of drops of biodegradable dish soap, and soak the toys for at least 15 minutes. When the time is up, dry them with a dry cloth or towel. Rinse them again with warm water and set them out to air dry.
FAQs About Bath Toys
How often should bath toys be cleaned?
Ideally, bath toys should be cleaned on a weekly basis. Additionally, there are some daily and weekly cleaning tasks that you can do to prevent bacteria and mold build-up in your family’s bath toys. After each bath, squeeze water out of the toys, rinse them, let them air-dry, and wipe them down. Weekly cleaning includes scrubbing them down and deep cleaning them.
What are the signs of mold or mildew in bath toys?
Signs of mold and mildew include black or grey particles that come out of the bath toys. In some cases, the spots may be paired with a bad odor.
Are there specific materials to avoid when buying bath toys?
Avoid materials that are easy to break, and consider toys that are made from non-toxic materials. If your baby or toddler likes to put toys in their mouth, avoid toys that keep moisture in, like a sponge toy.
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Laura Adom, Contributing Writer
Laura is a writer living in Columbus, Ohio with her two kids and husband. She is passionate about sharing the unfiltered truths of navigating the twists and turns of motherhood and womanhood. She loves belly laughs, tacos, coffee, ice cream, teen drama TV shows, and Moana (even before becoming a mom).
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.