It's bath time! Most babies love being in the water, but may get bored quickly. Invest in a baby bath toy to keep your baby occupied while you take care of the bath time basics.
Besides the traditional rubber duckie, what sort of bath toys should you look for to stimulate your baby?
Very young children love toys that pour into one another or where they can watch water drain out of the bottom. These toys will teach your child about water and about cause and effect while he or she is getting squeaky-clean.
As your baby gets a little older, consider purchasing tub crayons. Your child will be able to draw pictures and begin to try copying letters right on the tub tile. These specially-made crayons wash away with water once bath time is over.
Vinyl bath books will also interest your child. Even young babies love looking at pictures, and reading in the tub is a novelty.
Water safe figures can allow your baby to enjoy imaginary play. Toys that are swimming, diving or chugging along in your baby's mind might include plastic boats, divers, and fish.
Numbers, letters and images that stick to the side of your bath tub will entertain as well. You can have your toddler try to spell out words or pick out similar sounding letters. This will enhance learning while providing entertainment for your child.
Although the tub might seem like the ideal environment for squirt guns, water balloons and other water toys, it probably isn't a good idea to give these to your baby just yet. Use bubbles instead, and encourage your baby to blow or wave the bubble wand to create the bubbles.
Over time you will probably rack up a large collection of bath toys. Rather than tossing them into the corner of the bathroom or into the tub, purchase a container for your baby's tub toys.
For convenience, you may want to pick up a container that hangs from the shower head or another part of your bath or shower. This will keep wet, slippery toys up off the bottom of the tub and allow the toys to air-dry; limiting the likelihood of mildew. You can also use a watertight container, but dry the toys prior to putting them inside.
You want to have interesting, safe, clean, mildew-free baby bath toys for your baby. With a small bit of planning regarding the toys and their safe storage, you will have years of bath time fun ahead of both of you.
