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The Best Bath Toys Toddlers (& How to Keep Bath Toys from Growing Mold!)

July 17, 2019 by Natasha Leave a Comment

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Discover the best bath toys for toddlers, learn how to clean bath toys to keep them from getting moldy, and discover two simple ways to keep bath toys from growing mold.

Toddlers sure love water! My daughter would splash and play with water all day long if I let her and bath time is always at least 20 minutes. While some of her favorite bath toys are very simple (like a scoop from protein powder), it’s also fun to have “real” bath toys, too!

I hope you enjoy this collection of the best bath toys for toddlers and tips for how to keep bath toys clean.

bath toys for toddlers text overlay on image of redhead toddler in a tub

How to Clean Bath Toys

Before we get into my favorite toddler tub toys, let’s talk about something important: how to clean bath toys.

Bath toys, especially ones that squeak and/or squirt water, are the ideal environment for growing mold. It’s basically impossible to get the inside of these toys completely dry, and mold thrives in dark, moist places. The mold multiplies and spreads. Eventually it can contaminate the outside of the toy and it can definitely get in your toddler’s bath when it’s used.

I’ve seen people recommend spraying bath toys down with bleach. I like to avoid using bleach around my toddler as much as possible, so I prefer to use vinegar.

Easy natural bath toy cleaner

Mix 3 parts hot water with 1 part distilled vinegar. You can put this mixture in a lage not, clean dishpan, or your bathroom sink if the stopper is good and it holds water well.

  • Add your bath toys. Make sure to squeeze them a few times to pull the vinegar solution inside.
  • Gently scrub the outside of the toys with a nail brush or old toothbrush to get anything trying to grow in the cracks and crevices.
  • Allow the toys to soak for 10-15 minutes.
  • Rinse the toys with plain water and dry them as thoroughly as possible. Make sure to squirt out as much water as you can from inside the toys.

Please see the bottom of the post for an easy printable version of this how-to so you can keep it on hand for easy reference.

Text "2 simple ways to prevent mold in bath toys" with an image of a mom and toddler playing with a rubber duck

Table of Contents

  • How to Keep Bath Toys from Getting Moldy
  • The Best Bath Toys for Toddlers
  • More toys and books for toddlers

How to Keep Bath Toys from Getting Moldy

Preventing mold growth is easier than cleaning it out once it’s already taken over the inside of a toy.

There are two ways to help prevent mold in bath toys. Whenever you get a new toy with a hole, either stop the hole up or make it bigger.

Plugging a hole with silicone can help prevent water from getting inside the toy. It obviously won’t squirt/squeak anymore, but it will still float and be fun to play with. You’ll need to check the hot glue plug from time to time to make sure it’s still holding up.

I’ve seen people recommend plugging bath toys with hot glue, but in my experience silicone works better. I like to use food/aquarium grade pure silicone so I know it’s safe.

The other option is making the hole larger. This makes it easier to get excess water out after bath time and easier to get a cleaning solution inside the toy, as needed. Creating a larger hole also means the toy will still squirt water!

You can carefully cut away at the hole with a pair of scissors or a hobby knife, or you can use a drill. Drilling out things I’m holding with my hand really freaks me out, so I recommend using a vice or clamp to gently hold the toy in place while you drill.

Whichever method you use for enlarging the hole, make sure the hole is large enough to fit a rolled up paper towel inside so you can dry and clean the toy more easily!

Make sure to Pin this post now to your toddler activities & toys board so you don’t lose track of it!

Photo of toddler in tub with caption "super fun bath toys for toddlers"

The Best Bath Toys for Toddlers

Alright, now that you know how to keep baby toys clean and safe, let’s look at the top bath toys for toddlers!

A couple months ago, LG started becoming more interested in playing with running water than just splashing in the tub. It’s a fun opportunity, but I hate to waste water! The Yookidoo spray stations are the answer.

They have several different models of sprayer that all spray water continuously (using a battery operated pump) to allow your toddler to play with running water without wasting it. Some models, like this one, stick to the tub wall, but smaller sprayers like this elephant can also be used in the sink. The larger toys also come with suction cup buckets and gears for even more bath time spraying fun!

We’ve had ours for several months and it’s still going strong on the same set of batteries.

Yookidoo Bath Toy - Submarine Spray Station - Battery Operated Water Pump...
Yookidoo Bath Toys (For Toddlers 1-3) - Spin N Sort Spout Pro - 3 Stackable...
Yookidoo Baby Bathtime Toy - Submarine Spray Whale - Battery Operated...
Yookidoo Bath Toy - Submarine Spray Station - Battery Operated Water Pump...
Yookidoo Bath Toys (For Toddlers 1-3) - Spin N Sort Spout Pro - 3 Stackable...
Yookidoo Baby Bathtime Toy - Submarine Spray Whale - Battery Operated...
Yookidoo Bath Toy - Submarine Spray Station - Battery Operated Water Pump...
Yookidoo Bath Toy - Submarine Spray Station - Battery Operated Water Pump...
Yookidoo Bath Toys (For Toddlers 1-3) - Spin N Sort Spout Pro - 3 Stackable...
Yookidoo Bath Toys (For Toddlers 1-3) - Spin N Sort Spout Pro - 3 Stackable...
Yookidoo Baby Bathtime Toy - Submarine Spray Whale - Battery Operated...
Yookidoo Baby Bathtime Toy - Submarine Spray Whale - Battery Operated...

The only downside is that the battery compartment isn’t fully sealed, so water can get in and eventually corrode the contact points. I think the sprayers are awesome enough and affordable enough that they’re still worth it, though.

If there’s anything toddlers love more than water, it’s dumping. Suction cup toys with sprinklers, tubes, and spinners allow your little one to dump water while practicing hand-eye coordination and witnessing cause and effect. It doesn’t get better than that!

I love that these toys suction to the tub wall and help encourage water dumping inside the tub, not onto the bathroom floor.

Boon Building Bath Pipes Toy, Set of 5
Boon Cogs Water Gears Bath Toys Set (Pack of 5)
Yookidoo Baby Bath Toys - Fill 'N' Spill Set of Four Stackable Cups with...
ToyerBee Huapeng for Bubble Machine
Boon Building Bath Pipes Toy, Set of 5
Boon Cogs Water Gears Bath Toys Set (Pack of 5)
Yookidoo Baby Bath Toys - Fill 'N' Spill Set of Four Stackable Cups with...
ToyerBee Huapeng for Bubble Machine
-
Boon Building Bath Pipes Toy, Set of 5
Boon Building Bath Pipes Toy, Set of 5
Boon Cogs Water Gears Bath Toys Set (Pack of 5)
Boon Cogs Water Gears Bath Toys Set (Pack of 5)
Yookidoo Baby Bath Toys - Fill 'N' Spill Set of Four Stackable Cups with...
Yookidoo Baby Bath Toys - Fill 'N' Spill Set of Four Stackable Cups with...
ToyerBee Huapeng for Bubble Machine
ToyerBee Huapeng for Bubble Machine
-

Although she wasn’t particularly good at it, LG fell in love with a fishing game at the Atlanta Children’s Museum. A bath fishing set can be a great addition to bath time. Again, it allows children to practice their hand-eye coordination and their motor skills. Many of the sets also come with a net, which is good for times when catching the fish with a net is too difficult and can serve as a convenient place to drain and store the fish.

Biubee 12 Pcs Bath Fishing Game Toys for Baby and Toddlers - Fun Bathtime...
Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy
Fajiabao Bath Toys Set for Toddlers Shower Kids Fishing Game Bathtub Toy...
Biubee 12 Pcs Bath Fishing Game Toys for Baby and Toddlers - Fun Bathtime...
Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy
Fajiabao Bath Toys Set for Toddlers Shower Kids Fishing Game Bathtub Toy...
Biubee 12 Pcs Bath Fishing Game Toys for Baby and Toddlers - Fun Bathtime...
Biubee 12 Pcs Bath Fishing Game Toys for Baby and Toddlers - Fun Bathtime...
Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy
Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy
Fajiabao Bath Toys Set for Toddlers Shower Kids Fishing Game Bathtub Toy...
Fajiabao Bath Toys Set for Toddlers Shower Kids Fishing Game Bathtub Toy...

I think these stackable bath boats were LG’s first official bath toy. We love them in and out of the bath.

They float and stack, but they’re also great for pouring. Your toddler can use them for pouring practice (and in conjunction with other bath toys!), then you can use them for hair washing time. They’re also a popular non-bath time toy at our house! (Which is good since I’m not okay with posting photos of my daughter in the bath.)

What toddler doesn’t like coloring on the walls? (Seriously, let me know so we can set up a play date and your child can show mine how to color on paper.) Bath crayons are an awesome invention that allow your toddler to color in the tub! You can also get bath markers and bath paint, so you can pick whichever appeals most to you and your toddler.

Honeysticks Beeswax Bath Tub Crayons for Toddlers & Kids, Non-Toxic,...
Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint 5 Color Variety Pack, 3 Ounce Tubes (Bluetiful...
Munchkin 10 Piece Bath Crayons
Crayola Bath Time Fun Bundle Including Bathtub Markers, Bathtub Crayons and...
Honeysticks Beeswax Bath Tub Crayons for Toddlers & Kids, Non-Toxic,...
Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint 5 Color Variety Pack, 3 Ounce Tubes (Bluetiful...
Munchkin 10 Piece Bath Crayons
Crayola Bath Time Fun Bundle Including Bathtub Markers, Bathtub Crayons and...
Honeysticks Beeswax Bath Tub Crayons for Toddlers & Kids, Non-Toxic,...
Honeysticks Beeswax Bath Tub Crayons for Toddlers & Kids, Non-Toxic,...
Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint 5 Color Variety Pack, 3 Ounce Tubes (Bluetiful...
Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint 5 Color Variety Pack, 3 Ounce Tubes (Bluetiful...
Munchkin 10 Piece Bath Crayons
Munchkin 10 Piece Bath Crayons
Crayola Bath Time Fun Bundle Including Bathtub Markers, Bathtub Crayons and...
Crayola Bath Time Fun Bundle Including Bathtub Markers, Bathtub Crayons and...

Floating bath toys, like boats, are such a classic that I have to include them!

I love that Green Toys has a line of bath toys. Their toys are made from recycled milk jugs and contain no PVCs, phthalates, or BPA. Hooray! Some of the Green Toys bath toys open up to help you clean and dry them, and I believe they are all dishwasher safe.

Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy, Blue/White, Standard
Green Toys Submarine in Yellow & blue - BPA Free, Phthalate Free, Bath Toy...
Green Toys Seacopter, Orange
Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy, Blue/White, Standard
Green Toys Submarine in Yellow & blue - BPA Free, Phthalate Free, Bath Toy...
Green Toys Seacopter, Orange
Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy, Blue/White, Standard
Green Toys Ferry Boat with Mini Cars Bathtub Toy, Blue/White, Standard
Green Toys Submarine in Yellow & blue - BPA Free, Phthalate Free, Bath Toy...
Green Toys Submarine in Yellow & blue - BPA Free, Phthalate Free, Bath Toy...
Green Toys Seacopter, Orange
Green Toys Seacopter, Orange

You can make cleaning floating toys even easier if you go with a sealed natural rubber toy.

I appreciate that the CaaOcho natural rubber toys have safe paints (because you know those toys will end up in your toddler’s mouth at some point!) and no hole.

You’ll still want to dry them and give them the occasional external scrub, but bath toys without a hole are so much easier to clean! I love their ocean bath toys because my daughter loves fish and it feels great to give her toys I trust to be nontoxic.

Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Nalu The Seahorse - Without Holes, BPA,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - La the Butterfly Fish - Without Holes,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Mele the Sea Turtle - Without Holes,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Nalu The Seahorse - Without Holes, BPA,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - La the Butterfly Fish - Without Holes,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Mele the Sea Turtle - Without Holes,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Nalu The Seahorse - Without Holes, BPA,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Nalu The Seahorse - Without Holes, BPA,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - La the Butterfly Fish - Without Holes,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - La the Butterfly Fish - Without Holes,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Mele the Sea Turtle - Without Holes,...
Pure Natural Rubber Baby Bath Toy - Mele the Sea Turtle - Without Holes,...

If your toddler loves Baby Shark as much as mine, they’ll love this floating mama shark with baby sharks. Just make sure to plug up the holes with silicone to prevent mold growth!

Playmaker Toys Rubber Shark Family Bathtub Pals - Floating Bath Tub Toy
Playmaker Toys Rubber Shark Family Bathtub Pals - Floating Bath Tub Toy
  • Shark Family Bath Toy
  • Set of 4 - Mother Shark with 3 Baby Sharks!
  • Larger Shark floats on water and holds 3 smaller water squirters
Check current price

Of course, once you have some bath toys, you also need a tub toy holder. Breathable bath toy holders are important because they allow toys to drain and reduce the risk of mold and mildew.

Bath Toy Organizer Set of 2 Holders+10 Foam Numbers+8 Suction&Sticker Hooks...
Ubbi Freestanding Bath Toy Organizer Bath Caddy with Removable Drying Rack...
SUNDOKI Bath Toy Organizer, Bath Toy Holder Storage Bags with 4 Suction Cup...
Bath Toy Organizer Set of 2 Holders+10 Foam Numbers+8 Suction&Sticker Hooks...
Ubbi Freestanding Bath Toy Organizer Bath Caddy with Removable Drying Rack...
SUNDOKI Bath Toy Organizer, Bath Toy Holder Storage Bags with 4 Suction Cup...
Bath Toy Organizer Set of 2 Holders+10 Foam Numbers+8 Suction&Sticker Hooks...
Bath Toy Organizer Set of 2 Holders+10 Foam Numbers+8 Suction&Sticker Hooks...
Ubbi Freestanding Bath Toy Organizer Bath Caddy with Removable Drying Rack...
Ubbi Freestanding Bath Toy Organizer Bath Caddy with Removable Drying Rack...
SUNDOKI Bath Toy Organizer, Bath Toy Holder Storage Bags with 4 Suction Cup...
SUNDOKI Bath Toy Organizer, Bath Toy Holder Storage Bags with 4 Suction Cup...

I rest hope you’ve enjoyed this roundup of the best toddler bath toys! If you have any favorites, or additional tips for how to keep bath toys clean, please leave a comment and let me know!

How to Clean Bath Toys

Clean mold and mildew from your bath toys without bleach!

Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Materials

  • Distilled vinegar
  • Water

Tools

  • Sink, bowl, or basin

Instructions

  1. Add your bath toys. Make sure to squeeze them a few times to pull the vinegar solution inside.
  2. Gently scrub the outside of the toys with a nail brush or old toothbrush to get anything trying to grow in the cracks and crevices.
  3. Allow the toys to soak for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Rinse the toys with plain water and dry them as thoroughly as possible. Make sure to squirt out as much water as you can from inside the toys.
© Natasha

More toys and books for toddlers

I’m one of those “picky parents” who does all the research before buying things. These posts are the result of my careful research and play testing with my daughter!

The best ocean books for toddlers

Toddlers Love These Board Books About the Ocean!

Frog toys for toddlers

awesome, toddler-approved frog books and toys

Climbing toys for toddlers

The best toys for toddlers who won't stop climbing

Indoor gross motor toys for young toddlers

17+ Gross motor toys for young toddlers. Work off your toddler's energy with these indoor gross motor toys!

Awesome animal books for toddlers

19+ animal books for toddlers
Natashalh of The Artisan Life
Natasha

Natasha Núñez is a former classroom teacher with a Masters of the Arts in Teaching. She also is a registered yoga teacher & holds a certificate in natural skincare formulation from the School of Natural Skincare. She shares her passion for education, positive parenting, free printables, and recipes for DIY bath & home products. Learn more about Natasha and where she’s been featured.

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