Exciting Bath Activities For Toddlers

The other night, as I ran my 4-year-old’s bath, I could already feel the bedtime struggle brewing.

She didn’t want to come inside from playing, and the idea of a boring old bath wasn’t winning her over either.

That’s when I remembered our collection of bath toys and activities.

I quickly tossed in some bath crayons and floating foam letters, and her reluctance melted away.

She was suddenly the captain of her very own bubble ship, drawing “sea creatures” all over the tub walls.

In moments like these, I realize how powerful a little creativity can be in turning everyday tasks into fun experiences.

If you’re also trying to keep your toddler engaged during bath time while sneaking in some sensory learning and fun, you’re in the right place.

Here are some tried-and-true bath activities that have kept my little one entertained (and clean!), with some easy product suggestions to add a bit of magic to the tub.

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Toddler Bath Activities You Need To Try

1. Colorful Bath Crayons

Let your toddler unleash their inner Picasso!

These washable bath crayons stick to wet surfaces and rinse away easily, making them perfect for drawing on the tub walls. You can even make your own bath paints with this recipe here.

Encourage your child to write their name or practice letters while enjoying the bubbles.

2. Bubble Bath Play Dough

This is a very easy, non toxic recipe that keeps kids entertained in the tub, far longer than they need to be in the bathtub! Check it out here, it’s a good one.

3. Toy Car Wash Station

Set up a “car wash” by bringing waterproof toy cars or plastic figures into the tub. Give your toddler a sponge or toothbrush, and let them wash each toy with bubbles. My little one loves scrubbing her bath toys until they’re squeaky clean.

4. Glow Stick Bathtime Adventure

Turn off the lights and toss in some waterproof glow sticks for an unforgettable glow-in-the-dark bath experience.

This works especially well for evening baths and gives your toddler a whole new way to play with bubbles.

My daughter’s eyes light up every time we make it a “glow night.”

5. Scoop and Pour Games

A set of stackable cups, measuring spoons, or water wheels can entertain toddlers for ages.

Watch as they pour water from one container to another, developing their fine motor skills and learning about volume along the way.

My daughter likes to “serve” me cups of bathwater tea while practicing her pouring skills.

6. Sink or Float Experiment

Introduce a little science with a “sink or float” game.

Gather a variety of small waterproof objects (like rubber ducks and plastic blocks) and ask your toddler to guess which ones will sink or float.

My little one loves the thrill of discovering what happens—and, of course, dunking all the toys repeatedly.

7. Bubble Machine Dance Party

If your toddler loves bubbles, a bubble machine will be their new best friend. Set it up near the bath to create a non-stop stream of bubbles, and you’ll have an instant bath party! I sometimes dim the lights and play music while the bubbles fill the room, making bath time extra special.

8. Animal Rescue Mission

Drop a few waterproof toy animals into the bath and tell your toddler they’ve gotten “stuck” in the water. Give your little one a net scoop toy to “rescue” the animals and bring them to safety. This activity helps improve hand-eye coordination and adds a fun storyline to bath time.

9. Color-Changing Bath Tablets

Add a few color-changing bath tablets to the water and let your toddler watch in amazement as the water changes hue. You can ask them to guess the color beforehand or mix different tablets to make new colors together.

10. Bathtub Story Time with Floating Books

Grab a waterproof bath book and make storytime a part of your bath routine. It’s a fun way to bond while keeping your toddler calm and engaged. My daughter loves pointing out pictures in the book as we read together, and it’s an easy transition into bedtime.

11. Unicorn Bubbles In The Tub

Here is a step by step tutorial on how to make Unicorn Bubbles in the bath – it’s simple, it’s cute. Must try!

12. Underwater Tea Party

Bring in a set of plastic tea cups and saucers and have an underwater tea party. Your toddler will love pouring “tea” (bathwater) and serving it to their toys—or you!

13. Floating Ball Pit

Add some lightweight plastic balls (like those from a ball pit) to the tub. Your toddler can practice counting, sorting by color, or just enjoy splashing the balls around.

14. Fizzy Treasure Hunt

Drop some small plastic toys into an empty ice tray and cover them with baking soda paste. Once dry, place them in the tub and let your toddler “discover treasures” as the paste fizzes away in the water.

15. Bath Toy Hide and Seek

Hide bath-friendly toys beneath bubbles or within floating containers, and have your child hunt for them. This simple game keeps them entertained while also enhancing memory and observation skills.

16. Water Balloon Fun

Fill a few small water balloons (only halfway, so they float!) and let your toddler enjoy squeezing, popping, or chasing them around the tub.

17. Bubbles and Mirrors

Place an unbreakable bath mirror in the tub, and let your toddler blow bubbles or splash water while watching their reflection. It’s a fun way for toddlers to explore self-awareness while playing.

Bottom Line

Bath time doesn’t have to be a chore. With a few fun bath toys and activities, your toddler will actually look forward to getting into the tub.

Not only will these activities make your evenings easier, but they’ll also help your child develop motor skills, practice early literacy, and engage their imagination—all while having fun in the bubbles!

Pro tip: Rotate your bath toys every few weeks to keep things exciting without constantly buying new ones. The magic lies in the small surprises, whether it’s a new bath book, a glowing tub adventure, or a fleet of freshly scrubbed toy cars.

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