Toy Review: Bath Toys

On the post Baby Stuff I Love: Bath Toys, I mentioned some of our favorites. Here I will list all bath toys we have and our thoughts on them.

Nesting Cups

Age Range: 6 months and up

Review: These are some of the best toys for your children. Ours are currently in our tub because ours have holes in them. I am going to be getting the cups linked below for McKenna for Christmas this year since ours are in the tub. They are fun at home, in the tub, and on the go.

Buy Again?: Yes. I obviously love them if I am buying another set :)

Rubber Ducks

Age Range: birth and up

Review: Rubber Ducks are some of Kaitlyn's favorite toys for the bath tub. She just loves them.

Buy Again?: Yes, for sure. Here is a link to ducks on Amazon. Just a plain duck might be cheaper at your local store, but they have some fancy ones on Amazon. Rubber Ducks

Tubby Tug Boat

Age Range: 6 months and up

Review: Brayden absolutely loves this. It is a fun boat that comes with lots of fun toys.

Buy Again?: I would definitely get a boat again, but this time I would consider the Fisher Price boat. The reason for this is that Tubby is a lot larger than the Fisher Price one. I don't know which I would get, but I would consider both.

Sassy Sea Creatures

Age Range: 6 months and up

Review: I really like these toys. I am currently searching out what toys to get for McKenna and keep seeing these and wanting to get them again :) I noticed they only have 3 of 5 starts on Amazon, though, so I read the reviews. People said they got moldy fast and that they are hard to squeeze out. These are both true statements. We live in a dry climate, so our toys don't get moldy fast. They are hard to squeeze, but not impossible. I have mentioned many times, but I don't buy a bath toy expecting it to last through all of my kids. I expect to have to get rid of it in a couple of years, and I spend time cleaning them in vinegar every so often. So take that information and see what you think of it in your situation. These have been a favorite bath toy for the last two years in our house.

Buy Again?: Yes, I would. But if I lived in a humid climate, I might not.

Foam Letters

Age Range: birth and up

Review: These are great bath toys. They transcend the ages of your children. Babies love them as do four year olds. It is a fun way to practice letters.

Buy Again?: Yes. We are currently on our second set. These bath toys last a lot longer than most since no water goes inside. You do need to clean them off every so often, still, though.

Foam Cars

Age Range: 18 months and up (maybe 12)

Review: These are some of Brayden's favorites. He loves cars, so being able to play with them in the tub is great fun for him.

Buy Again?: Yes.

Little Tikes Bathketball

Age Range: probably 18 months and up

Review: My parents gave this toy to Brayden. I remember the first time he played with it. I literally had never heard him laugh so hard. He loved it. He and Kaitlyn both really like it still.

Buy Again?: For sure.

Fishing Net Toy

Age Range: 6 months and up

Review: We really like this toy, but we have an older version. There is one review on Amazon, and that person doesn't like it. Our net is different (doesn't squirt).

Buy Again?: I would buy the one we have again, but I would look around before buying the current version. I think nets are really fun for the tub, though.

Giraffe Bath Toy

Age Range: 6 months and up

Review: This was Kaitlyn's new bath toy for last Christmas, and she loves it. I will caution the mom Giraffe is hard to get water out of, but conversely it is hard to get water in it, too.

Buy Again?: Yes. They make a lot of different animals, not just giraffes. We got giraffes because Kaitlyn loves giraffes.

Bath Books

Age Range: Birth and up

Review: We love these books. We don't use them only in the tub, but do keep one in the tub. We have two of Water Water Everywhere so we can keep on in the tub and one out for baby.

Buy Again?: Definitely. I have five of these, and two are the same book, so I obviously like them.

Crayons and Markers

Age Range: 2 and up. Maybe 18 months

Review: We love both of these. We got them last year at Christmas time. At first, I didn't like the markers. Over time, I have come to prefer them, as have my kids. I haven't had a problem with the markers staining at all. I just use cleaner to clean it off. We actually use wash clothes to clean up at the end of each bath (the kids help), but the red doesn't clean off well that way. You need cleaner. The crayons are great, too. They just run out faster and I find them more difficult to clean up. However, I will be getting new crayons this year (we don't need new markers yet).

Buy Again?: Yes. They practice drawing pictures and writing letters with these and have a great time.

That finishes off our bath toys. Please do share your favorite bath toys! I am looking for new toys for this Christmas.

Related Blog Labels:

• Toys
• Toy Review
• Best Toys for Baby
• Baby Stuff I Love: Bathtime
  

Baby Stuff I Love: Newborn List

I have a list I compiled while I was pregnant with Brayden of things you "need" for your new baby. I made it from several different lists that I had found in books and online. I was just going over it for my next baby, and thought I would post the list here. Then you all can add anything you want to. This post contains affiliate links. That does not increase your price at all.

CAR ITEMS

• Car Seat: I use this early on--obviously. I recommend that before you buy a car seat at any age, you consult Consumer Reports. It is nice to get opinions from other moms and read reviews online, but moms and reviews don't know the safety level unless they have been in an accident with it. Infant Car Seats
• Hanging Toys: I hook a hanging toy on the carseat handle from birth, though the baby doesn't enjoy it immediately. Hanging Toys
• Mirror: I love the car mirror. It is a must from day one for me. It is a mirror that is in front of baby, then the driver can look in the review mirror and see baby. The front passenger can look back and see baby in the mirror, also. I use the Fisher-Price Rainforest Deluxe Auto Mirror. It will not match the decore of your car, but it will be interesting to baby.
• Blanket: I like to have a designated blanket for the carseat. I am planning on making a blanket this go around that is attached to the carseat. That way, it won't fall on the ground!
• Cover: I also like to cover baby with a blanket if she is sleeping. I have always used an afghan that my grandmother would make for my children. She has passed away since Kaitlyn was born, so I am going to make something a friend of mine has that attaches to the car seat. Once again, it won't fall off.

GEAR (see also Big Toys for Baby (not BW))

• Stroller: With Brayden, I used my Graco stroller/carseat combo. By the time Kaitlyn came along, I didn't really enjoy the big bulky-ness of a stroller like that, so I didn't use a stroller until she was old enough to sit reclined and go on walks (she was about 6 weeks). But I love strollers for walks. I am just not a stroller-in-the-store kind of gal. There are a lot of strollers out there. When choosing one, if you want to be able to take baby for walks in the stroller at a young age, be sure it either reclines or can have the car seat hooked on. Strollers
• Playard: This is also known as a playpen or pack-n-play. I love having this. It is where I do independent playtime. It is also our portable bed we take places when we travel. Even when we go camping, we bring the playard. Playards
• Playard Sheets/Protectors: If you get a playard, be sure you get a mattress protector and a a sheet. I like two so one can be in use while the other is being washed. It is much easier to clean sheets and protectors than the mattress. Playard Sheets and Playard Mattress Pad
• Bassinet: This is not something I had for Brayden. We got it for Kaitlyn and I loved it. They are small, so they take up little space. I kept it in my room for about 7 months and she took a nap in there a couple of times a day. Bassinet Of course, if you get this, then you will want a couple of sheets: Bassinet Sheets
• Carrier/Sling: I have a front carrier. It can also go on your back when baby is big enough. Both of my children disliked this. However, I have had several friends and family members who have borrowed it and loved it. Front Carriers. Since Brayden was born, slings have really come to be a popular item. While I wouldn't use it for napping as I moved about the house, it appeals to me for replacing with the carseat or stroller when you go out. I have a couple of friends who had babies in December. They each have a sling that they put baby in at church to sleep. It isn't cumbersome and people don't disturb the baby. I am going to try it out with this baby. I am not sure which brand they have for sure, but it looks similar to this: Infantino Sling Rider Baby Carrier
• Swing: I love swings. This is also not a need; I have a good friend (and fellow BW mom) who has two children and has never owned a swing. But I love my swing. Swings

NURSERY ITEMS

• Crib: I love the crib, naturally. I think most Babywise Moms like the crib. That is where baby sleeps :)
• Crib Sheets: I would get at least two so one can be washed while the other is in use. Crib Sheets
• Crib Mattress Pad: I would get at least two of these also: Crib Mattress Pad
• Changing Table: I love a changing table, though I know people who get along just fine without one. Changing Tables
• Monitor: We got an inexpensive monitor when Brayden was a baby. We then bought a really nice and expensive one when Kaitlyn was born. The inexpensive one was totally fine for short range. We got a more expensive one for Kaitlyn because we had moved into a house with a lot of land. We wanted to be able to be out in the garden and still hear her. Baby Monitors
• Video Monitor: Many readers have sung the praises of the video monitor. I am getting one of these for baby #3!
• Blankets: You might want some receiving blankets as well as some blankets to swaddle. Receiving Blankets and Swaddle Blankets

BATH ITEMS (see Baby Stuff I Love: Bathtime)

• Bath Tub: I like to put baby in the bathtub once real baths can happen. I know people who do the sponge in the tub or just put baby in the sink. I like the baby bathtub. You don't need anything right away, though, since you don't give baths until the umbilical cord falls off. I think something like this is nice: The First Years Sure Comfort Newborn to Toddler Tub
• Towel: I use hooded towels. I like to have two so one can be washed while the other one is in use. Super-soft Hooded Bath Wrap
• Washcloths: I used washcloths also. I like to have about 5-6 so we can have fresh washcloths for each bath. Also, I buy new washcloths for each baby and use them only on baby. Baby Washcloths
• Shampoo
• Soap: Some soaps and shampoos are combined. That is nice and convenient for the newborn.
• Baby Lotion
• Cotton Balls: These are good for cleaning the face--especially the eyes. Kaitlyn had a plugged duct for her first few weeks, so we went through quite a few.
• Baby Oil: I have never used baby oil for any of my children thus far in life.
• Baby Powder: I also have not used baby powder for my children, though I did discover it is useful for keep insulation off of your skin, so if you and/or your husband ever work with insulation, rub baby powder on your exposed skin first.
• Brush and Comb: I use the brush on my babies, but the comb comes much, much later. I have actually never used a comb for Brayden--except when I cut his hair. Baby Brush and Comb
• Nail Clippers: If you are like me, you will definitely want baby nail clippers (not the ones you use). Some people prefer a nail file. You do need these rather soon after birth. Nail Clippers

DIAPERING ITEMS

• Diaper Genie: This is what I have always used and I have no complaints with it. I know there are a lot of diaper systems out there, so if you have one you love, share! I always just throw wet diapers in the garbage and use the diaper genie for soiled diapers. I am frugal like that. Diaper Genie
• Diaper Genie Refills: If you use a system like this that requires refills, I suggest you have at least one for the system and one extra. Refills are also found here: Diaper Genie
• Wet Wipes: I really like Huggies Natural Care unscented. The thing I like about the Huggies over a store brand (because I have tried them; I am frugal) is that you need fewer Huggies wipes to clean a poopy bum. I figure this makes up for the extra money spent on them in the first place.
• Rash Cream: I use Boudreaux's Butt Paste. I love it! It is expensive, but it will really last you a long time. We put it on each night to protect skin through the night. We have only purchased a few tubes in the last four years. Boudreaux's Butt Paste
• Diapers: You might use disposable, you might use cloth, but you must use something :). With a newborn, I do buy the more expensive diaper brands and get the diapers made for a newborn size. As baby gets a little bigger, though, I move to just the store brand.

MEDICAL ITEMS (see Baby Stuff I Love: Sickness)

• Rectal Thermometer: I don't use this. I use a temporal scanner. Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer MODEL# 2000C
• Infant Acetamenophine: You won't be using this right away, but you can use it relatively soon. I would consult with your pediatrition before your first time, though.
• Mylicon Drops: These are gas drops. I used these a lot with Brayden. Kaitlyn never needed it.
• Bulb Syringe: AKA Nasal aspirator. Bulb Syringe

NURSING ITEMS (see Baby Stuff I Love: Nursing/Bottle Feeding Stuff )

• Lansinoh: I sing its praises all the time. I love Lansinoh. I put it on once a day a month before I have the baby. Then at first, I put it on after every feeding. It really makes a HUGE difference for me. I have only had to buy a few tubes over the years. Lansinoh Lanolin Nipple Lotion 2 oz
• Nursing Bras: Get a good one. Also, you might want to wait until after you have had the baby to get one so you can be fitted. I bought a few before Brayden was born based on what the clerk told me should happen. They were really uncomfortable. When he was two weeks old, I bought another one, and I love it! I now purchase these a couple of weeks after baby is born, though I have some to use until then.
• Nursing Nightgown: My mother-in-law gave me one of these when I had Brayden. I really like it. I don't use it the entire time I am nursing. I only use it for the first few weeks, but it is really convenient. You don't have to hold a shirt up or anything, which is great when you are so tired. Nursing Nightgowns
• Nursing Pillow: I love the Boppy. Boppy Bare Naked with Miracle Middle Pillow. If you get this, you will also want at least one pillow case. Two are nice so one can be washed while the other is in use.
• Nursing Pads: When I was nursing Brayden, I used the absolute cheapest nursing pads out there. I figured there was no reason to use more expensive pads. I had been given lots of samples of other brands while in the hospital and wasn't impressed. Well, one time while nursing Kaitlyn the store didn't have the cheapest ones and only had Lansinoh. I had never tried it, but was forced to buy them. What a difference they made! They never got soaked all the way through, so my shirts never did either. They also were less conspicuous and more comfortable. I only ever had to change them because that seemed like the right thing to do. With the next baby, my plan is to use the cheap ones for my heavy engorgement time at first (except for when I am out in public). Once that is over, continue on with Lansinoh brand Lansinoh 20265 Disposable Nursing Pads, 60-Count Boxes (Pack of 3)
• Breast Pump: The breast pump you get will depend on how often you pump. I don't need to pump often, so I just have a couple of hand pumps. One is Medela and one is Avent. I like them both. Breast Pumps

FEEDING

• Bibs: I don't use bibs until my baby is eating solid foods, but if I fed with a bottle, I would use it sooner. Just as an FYI, when I did the Baby Stuff I Love: Mealtime post, I had several readers rave about the Kiddopotamus Bibbity Rinse And Roll Bib . I have since bought one. It is awesome. But it isn't for a newborn. This was just a heads up :). Bibs
• Cloth Diapers: These are great as burp cloths. Cloth Diapers. Or you can of course buy actual Burp Cloths

BOTTLE STUFF

• Bottles: I like to give my baby a bottle once a week to ensure baby can and will eat from the bottle. I have previously used Avent, which I have have loved. The bottles I have, though, have BPA in them, and I figure better safe than sorry, so I am purchasing new bottles for baby #3. I am going to try the Adiri Natural Nurser

LAYETTE

• Onesies/Bodysuits: These are great for a newborn. You can have them as undershirts or as the shirt. I find them great for the 0-3 month old especially. I then just put some pants or skirt with the onsie and I have an outfit. Onesies
• Nightgowns: These are nice for an easy diaper change at night. The thing I don't like about them is that they creep up. Nightgowns So then I use something like this: Sleep Bag
• Footed Pajamas: This is what I have my babies sleep in unless it is too hot once they are past the nightgown stage. Footed Pajamas
• Outfits: You will want a few outfits for your baby. Newborns are handled easiest in clothes that are all snapped up like the onesies I mentioned above. But there are still times you want baby to be all cute and dressed up. I just don't use a lot of outfits for the 0-3 month stage.
• Hats: You will need winter or summer hats depending on the time of year. Baby Hats
• Jacket/Sweatshirt: If you have a baby in cooler weather, you will want one of these for newborn stage.
• Socks/Booties

TOYS (see also Big Toys for Baby (not BW) and Best Toys for Baby: Ages 0-3 Months)

• Bouncy Seat: Your baby will be able to sit in a bouncy seat relatively soon after birth. I like to be stocked up for several months, but if you aren't that type, you would wait a month or so before looking into getting one. Fisher-Price Kick & Play Bouncer
• Gym: The gym is a place that can be used from birth. Baby Gym
• Soft Book: I start reading to my baby each day from birth. I got Brayden a little soft cloth book that I read to him each day for quite a while before I started varying which book we read. I used the same for Kaitlyn and plan to do the same for baby #3. Baby Cloth Books

OTHER

• Pacifiers: I don't use them, but I always have a few in case. I don't know why I have them since I don't use them, but I do.
• Anti-scratch Mittens: I bought these before Brayden was born, but I never found a real use for them with him or Kaitlyn. I do know people who love them, though. Mittens
• Nightlight: I use this at first at night while there are several feedings, but I don't like to keep it a constant in life. Not that there is anything wrong with it. I just avoid things that would have to be transported when we travel.
• Diaper Bag
• Scrapbook: Okay, this is definitely not a need. I love to scrapbook and prefer to do pages as we go rather than falling behind and playing catch up (not to say this is the way it always goes, but it is what I prefer). So I like to have it from the beginning.
• Baby Book: If you don't get a baby book right away (or ever), be sure you have somwhere you record things. You think you will remember it forever, but you won't. I really like the Carter's Baby Books or other brands owned by Carters (Just One Year & Child of Mine).

Best Toys for Baby: Bath Toys

I have done a Baby Stuff I Love on bath stuff, but not extensively on toys (see Baby Stuff I Love: Bathtime). First, some of my bath toy tips:

• Buy Short-term: When I buy a bath toy, I look at it with the idea that this will be thrown away sometime soon. This is not a toy I intend to keep around for all of my children, especially if it is a toy that gets water inside of it. Even with meticulous care, bath toys get nasty.
• Dry Daily: I look at the end of bath time the same as the end of any other playtime. The kids are expected to pick up all toys and hand them to me before they get out. I dry them off and put them away. There are some days that for whatever reason we have to hurry and don't clean the toys up right away, but most days we do. This helps prevent mildew and mold.
• Clean Often: "Often" will vary depending on you. It will depend on your standards of clean. It will depend on how well toys get cleaned each day (the more you dry them off, the less often cleaning is necessary). It will also depend on the climate you live in. I imagine that a humid climate is going to create mold inside of bath toys faster than a dry climate.
• Cleaning Tip: Vinegar. I use vinegar to clean our bath toys. It works really well.
• Buy New: When you have more than one child, I really recommend you get your younger baby her own bath toys. When you consider that young babies put everything in their mouths, you don't really want your baby putting old bath toys in her mouth. With Kaitlyn, I got her toys that were just hers. Only she got to play with them until the kids started taking baths together.

Now for our favorite bath toys.

• For the Newborn: The newborn doesn't require any toys. She can't hold one. She doesn't play with it. She just likes to look at the parent bathing her. For a baby 0-3 months old, don't worry about toys for bath time. I am very traditional and love the rubber ducky. Each of my children have had their own rubber ducky at birth and I would take pictures of them in the bath with the ducky. Silly, maybe. But it is what I like :). Both of my kids at ages 3.5 and 1.5 do both like playing with them still. Rubber Duckies
• Toys to Hold: As your baby grows into an age of being able to hold toys and sitting up in the tub, I like toys that are small enough to hold (but of course not small enough to choke on). One of our favorites is the Sally Snap and Squirt Sea Creatures. Kaitlyn got these at her first Christmas. She loved them from the beginning, and so did Brayden once he was able to play with them.
• Foam Letters: My kids have both always loved foam letters. They are great toys for having learning opportunities while taking a bath. One thing to take note of is if your baby has teeth and likes to put them in his mouth, teeth marks will follow. Neither of mine ever took a chunk out, just teeth marks. Foam Letters
• Other Foam: Foam is fun because it sticks to the side of the tub. My son also has foam cars. He has a lot of fun with these. They have several foam items out there, from shapes to "paper dolls" to garden items. Foam Bath ToysCups: My children each have their own cup for the tub. It is just a cup from my kitchen I didn't mind giving up. I wash them in the dishwasher every so often. I don't ever rotate them back into the kitchen use category. They stay with the tub. These cups are by far one of the most favorite toys of both children.
• Boat: The boat is another favorite. There are many brands of boats out there. Look around at them and choose which you think your child might like best. We have Tubby Tug Boat by Parents brand. It comes with several toys. A fun thing for my kids to do with it is fill it up with water, dump it out, repeat.
• Basketball: When Brayden was about two, my parents gave him a Little Tykes basketball toy. I remember the first time he played with it. I had never heard him laugh so hard. He and Kaitlyn both enjoy it today.
• Bath Books: One of Brayden's favorites has always been his Baby Einstein Bath Books. You have to really be diligent about drying these off completely each time you use it in the bath tub. Mold quickly builds up. Because of that, I was less enthusiastic about giving it to Kaitlyn in the bath, so she gets concerned about a book being in the tub and always gives it back to me when I give it to her.
• Bubbles: My children both love bubbles. Over the years, I have tried several different kinds of bubbles. I first tried the least expensive kind at the store. They didn't work well. I then tried Mr. Bubble, which was more expensive but awesome. One day the store was out of Mr. Bubble, so I tried another more expensive brand. It didn't work any better than the less expensive brands. So I do Mr. Bubble. It takes less bubble bath to create more bubbles, and the bubbles actually stay in the tub for the duration of the bath. Mr. Bubble
• Crayola Bath Crayons: For Christmas, each child got a Crayola drawing in the tub bath item. Kaitlyn got Crayola® Bathtub Crayons and Brayden got Crayola Bathtub Markers. The crayons are great. Both children really enjoy them. The crayon is really easy to clean off of the tub. I have the kids clean it off the tub themselves at the end of each bath and they have no trouble. Kaitlyn has also demonstrated that it comes off of skin easily (not something I am allowing to be regularly demonstrated). The markers, however, I wouldn't recommend to anyone. They clean off really easily, they just don't draw in the first place. They might work if you were drawing on a perfectly dry tub surface, but that obviously isn't going to happen.
• Regular Toys: Every so often, I let the kids take a water-safe toy into the tub that is just a normal toy. I let it be in the tub for that one time just so it doesn't get buildup of soap scum or mold. Fisher-price Little People toys are good examples of toys that are safe for the tub.
• Other: There is no shortage of fun bath toys out there. Look through them and find what you think will be of interest to your child. Baby Bath Toys and Toddler Bath Toys.

As always, please share your favorite bath toys!
Related Posts:

• baby stuff I love
• Best Toys for Baby
• bathtime