We researched the best bath toys on the market, considering the safety, recommended age, and educational value of each. Through our research, we chose the Sophie Bath Toy as our favorite pick. The iconic giraffe teether now has a bath toy counterpart that floats and is soft enough for your little one to grab, splash, and chew on. Here are the best bath toys for babies, toddlers, and older kids. The hygienic product is completely waterproof, which is ideal for quick and easy drying. The rubber material is easy to spot clean or wash with soap and water. The buoy shape is easy for little ones to grasp and splash around with. Also, there is no way for water to get inside—which means no bacteria or mold can grow in there either. This toy can entertain your baby for years and grow with them as they become curious toddlers. It will quickly become a staple of bath time, making it our favorite pick.  

There are lots of alternative options, including a blue whale, sea turtle, hedgehog, gator, lion, beaver, shark, unicorn, or dolphin for starters. These sponges work well for all ages—it’s true—your newborn might like a hippo to hang out with while having their bath. Some fit into each other i.e. nesting, while others have holes in the bottom for water to trickle through.  The organizing bag is substantial at 15.5 x 14 inches and high quality to hold all the pieces together while the mesh fabric allows them to dry.  This selection works best for older kids who don’t taste their toys as much, like at least age 3 and older preschoolers. Animals you may find inside include dolphins, sea turtles, seahorses, manta rays, clownfish, orcas, crabs, blue whales, and more. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP), young infants don’t really need bath toys—just being in the water is exciting enough. But once a baby is old enough to sit in a regular bathtub, toys like containers, floating toys, even waterproof books are key. Be sure to check manufacturer packaging for the recommended age to ensure the toys you choose don’t have parts that are too small for young babies. This will also help you gauge whether a toy may be too elementary for older children.

Educational Value

Toys don’t need to be complicated to have great educational value. Any type of toy that requires children to use their hands can help encourage hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, says Hafeez. There are plenty of bath toys that meet these criteria. Look for sorting toys, toys with knobs and levers, or even small stacking cups. “Any type of toy that requires children to use their hands can help encourage hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills,” says Hafeez.

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KJ Callihan writes for The Spruce and has enjoyed creating gift, shopping, and activity guides for several companies including AAA Northeast magazine, CNET, and Finfrock Marketing. She loves to spend hours looking for just the right gifts for her family and friends. Julie Evans is a writer and editor who has worked with a host of diverse companies including Microsoft, USA Today, Realtor.com, Brit + Co, CafeMom, and SheKnows among others. She reviews toys and home improvement products for The Spruce.