We know that bath time can sometimes feel like a bit of a challenge—getting your little one into the tub and keeping them there happily isn’t always easy. These tips are designed to help make bath time fun, engaging, and a little more exciting for everyone. Whether you’re splashing with a baby, exploring with a toddler, or entertaining older kids, these simple activities can transform bath time into a playful part of the day. Some activities involve things that aren’t taste-safe, so be sure to choose what works best for your child’s age and stage. Let’s dive in!
A quick note on colour: A few of these activities use food colouring to boost the fun factor. You can absolutely skip it if it’s not the right fit for your little one — or try a more natural option like these. We love these ones because a little goes a long and we know it washes off!
1. Yogurt Bath Paints
Let your little one become a tub artist! Mix plain yogurt with a few drops of food coloring to create edible, safe paints for drawing on the tub walls.
What You Need:
Plain yogurt
Food coloring
Small bowls or containers
Paintbrushes (optional)
Prep:
Divide yogurt into small bowls and mix in a few drops of food coloring to create “paints.”
Place the bowls near the tub along with brushes or leave it finger-paint ready.
Safety Tip: While the paint is taste-safe, exploring with hands or a brush keeps the fun going without tummy troubles!
2. Ocean Adventure
Turn the bathtub into an underwater world with a splash of blue and floating ocean animals. Encourage pretend play as your child swims with sharks or saves a stranded whale.
What You Need:
Blue food coloring (optional)
Bath-safe ocean animal toys
Prep:
Add a few drops of blue food colouring to the bathwater for an oceanic feel.
Gather ocean-themed toys and set them near the tub for easy access.
Safety Tip: Choose toys designed for bath play and avoid those with small detachable parts to keep it safe for all ages.
3. Glow Pal Party
Create a magical bath with light-up bath toys like Glo Pals, which are perfect for little ones. These toys light up when they touch water, adding a safe and captivating element to bath time.
What You Need:
Glo Pals or similar water-activated light-up toys
Prep:
Ensure the toys are clean and ready for use.
Dim the bathroom lights for maximum effect and let the glow create a magical atmosphere.
Safety Tip: Stick to toys specifically designed for water play. Even some bath toys have small holes which can sometimes trap water and grow mold over time. If your little is all done with mouthing then sealing the holes with a little hot glue helps them last longer and keeps them ready for play.
4. Bubble Tea Party
Bring pretend play to the tub with a delightful bubble tea party! Kids can "make" and serve bubble tea using plastic cups, scoops, and bubbles. Add a splash of pink food dye to the water for the "tea" and give them a little cup with a different colour to mix in "cream" or "sugar" .
What You Need:
Bubble bath solution
Plastic cups and scoops
Pink food colouring (optional)
Epsom salts or bath-safe mix-ins
Prep:
Pour bubble bath solution into the tub as it fills to create lots of bubbles.
Optional: Add a splash of pink food colouring to the water.
Set up plastic cups, scoops, and Epsom salts nearby for mixing and serving.
Not Taste-Safe: This activity is designed for imaginative water play and pretend mixing only — the materials used (like Epsom salts and bubble bath) are not meant for eating or drinking. Always supervise closely and choose a different activity if your little one is still mouthing.
5. Animal Rescue
Turn bath time into a mission by freezing small toy animals in containers of coloured water and letting your child "rescue" them. They can use scoops or their hands to save the animals as the ice melts and the colours mix.
What You Need:
Ice cube trays or small plastic containers
Food colouring
Small bath-safe animal toys
Scoops or strainers
Prep:
Freeze small toys in containers of water mixed with food coloring.
Just before bath time, pop the ice blocks out and let them float in the tub.
Provide scoops or strainers to help with the rescue mission.
Safety Tip: Encourage children to explore with their eyes and tools, rather than gripping or holding on to the ice.
Choking Hazard: Ice can pose a choking risk, especially if little ones are tempted to bite or suck on it. Be sure to use toys that are larger than mouth-size and made for water play. If your child still tends to mouth things, consider using bigger bath animals or skipping the ice and turning it into a bubble-based rescue mission instead.
General Bath Safety Tips
To make bath time fun and safe for everyone, here are a few gentle reminders:
Always stay within arm’s reach of your child during bath time. The PHAC (Public Health Agency of Canada) website states that even water as shallow as 1 inch can be dangerous without supervision.
Test the water temperature before starting. Warm water around 37°C (98.6°F) is ideal.
Use a non-slip mat to prevent slips and falls.
Keep bath toys clean by letting them dry thoroughly after use.
These activities make bath time more than just about getting clean—it’s a chance for creativity, play, and bonding. With a little prep and attention to safety, bath time can easily become the best part of the day. Happy splashing!
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