The Best Pool & Bath Toys for Your Baby: What to Look For and How to Use Them
Bath time and pool time are some of the best opportunities for babies to explore, play, and build confidence in the water. And one of the easiest ways to make these moments even more exciting? Water toys! The right toys can turn every splash into an adventure, helping your little one develop motor skills, comfort in the water, and even early swimming skills.
But not all water toys are created equal. Let’s dive into what to look for when choosing bath and pool toys, how to use them for fun and learning, and why keeping them as water-only toys can help build excitement for swimming!
What to Look for When Choosing Water Toys
When picking out water toys for your baby, safety and durability should always come first. While fun and bright designs might be tempting, it’s important to choose toys that are safe, easy to clean, and help support your baby’s water confidence. Here are the key things to consider when shopping for pool and bath toys:
✅ Waterproof & Mold-Resistant
One of the biggest concerns with bath and pool toys is mold buildup. Many classic bath toys, like rubber ducks and squeeze toys, have small holes that allow water to get inside. Over time, trapped water creates the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow—something you definitely don’t want your baby playing with!
Instead, choose toys that are fully sealed to prevent water from getting inside. If you already have toys with holes, check if they can be taken apart for cleaning and drying. Silicone and hard plastic toys without small holes are great mold-resistant options. To keep toys fresh, rinse them with clean water after each use and allow them to fully dry before storing.
✅ Soft & Easy to Grip
Your baby is still developing fine motor skills, so it’s important to choose toys that are easy to hold onto, squeeze, and manipulate. Look for soft, flexible materials like silicone or lightweight plastics that fit comfortably in little hands.
Toys with different textures, handles, or built-in grips can provide extra sensory engagement and make grasping easier. Avoid anything too heavy or hard, as babies love to explore by putting toys in their mouths, and a bulky toy could be uncomfortable for them.
✅ Sized for Safety
Choking hazards are often a concern when it comes to baby toys, and water toys are no exception. Choose toys that are large enough that they cannot fit entirely in your baby’s mouth. If a toy has removable parts, make sure they are securely attached and cannot break off.
A good rule of thumb is to check if the toy can pass through a toilet paper roll—if it can, it’s too small for babies under three years old. Also, keep an eye out for wear and tear. If a toy starts to break, crack, or peel, it’s time to replace it.
✅ Bright & Engaging
Babies are naturally drawn to bright colors, fun shapes, and interactive designs, so choosing visually appealing toys can help keep them interested in the water. Floating toys, stackable cups, boats, and animal-shaped toys are all great options for capturing your little one’s attention.
Toys that encourage interaction—like ones that squirt water (if they can be fully cleaned), make gentle sounds, or change color—can also add to the excitement. Just be sure to obviously avoid anything with electronic parts that could be damaged by water.
Keep Water Toys Only for Water Time
One of the best tricks to getting your baby excited for bath time or swimming? Keep their water toys as water-only toys!
By keeping special toys that are only used in the bath or pool, your little one will begin to associate them with fun water play. When they see their favourite toy come out, they’ll know it’s time to splash and explore. This builds positive associations with water and can make transitioning to the pool much smoother.
Here’s how to make it work:
✔ Store water toys near the tub or in a special bag for pool days.
✔ Let your baby see you put them away after bath time, reinforcing that they’re only for water.
✔ Bring out their favourite bath toy when introducing them to the pool for the first time!
Fun Ways to Play with Water Toys
Once you’ve chosen the perfect water toys, it’s time to put them to good use! Playing in the bath or pool isn’t just about having fun—it’s an opportunity to help your baby develop important motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and confidence in the water. Here are three engaging and simple games to try with your little one:
🎯 Scoop & Pour
Perfect for babies who love to explore how things move. Give your baby a set of cups, floating rings, or small buckets, and show them how to scoop up water and pour it out. At first, they might just enjoy watching the water spill out, but over time, they’ll begin to experiment with different ways to pour and transfer the water between containers.
This activity helps babies develop fine motor skills and introduces them to cause and effect—when they tip the cup, the water comes out! If your baby is a little older, you can make the game more interactive by using different sizes of cups and asking them to fill up a bigger container, helping them practice coordination and control.
🐥 Floating Friends
Floating toys like rubber ducks, boats, or sea creatures can be a great way to encourage movement in the water. Place a toy in front of your baby and let them reach for it, push it, or try to grab it as it gently floats away. If you’re in a pool, you can move the toy just out of reach to encourage them to kick or paddle toward it, helping build early swimming skills.
For younger babies, simply watching a floating toy drift around can be fascinating. Talk to them about what they see—“Look, the duck is swimming!”—and guide them in gently splashing to make the toy move. This activity builds their awareness of how water moves and can make them feel more comfortable in it.
🏆 Splash & Catch
This game is all about hand-eye coordination and reaction time. Use a lightweight floating toy and gently push it toward your baby, encouraging them to “catch” it. At first, they may just swipe at it, but as they practice, they’ll learn to anticipate the toy’s movement and grab it more intentionally.
For older babies and toddlers, you can make this more challenging by tossing the toy slightly further away in the pool, prompting them to move toward it. If they’re sitting in the bath, you can make it a playful “hide and seek” game by pushing the toy under the water and letting it pop back up for them to find.
This activity is a great way to build confidence and engagement in the water, and it also helps babies practice reacting to movement—a skill that becomes useful when learning to reach and paddle in swim lessons!
Water toys are more than just fun—they’re tools for building confidence, curiosity, and early swimming skills. By choosing the right ones, using them for playful learning, and keeping them water-only, you’re setting your little one up for a lifetime of happy, safe swimming!
Want more tips on helping your baby love the water? Check out our online baby swim classes and start your journey with watermellow today! 🌊💙
