Bathing plays an important role in the physical and psycho-emotional health of a young child. In addition to the hygienic value itself, water procedures help to relieve increased muscle tone. Bath toys are also important for your baby's full development.
They make bathing easier, distract naughty children, relieve water-related phobias, and ensure safe bathroom behavior.
When buying, you must monitor the quality of toys, follow all the rules for drying and storing them. Taking these criteria into account allows you to turn the water procedure into a real holiday that the child will want to repeat over and over again.
Choosing a bathroom toy based on age
In stores you can find many different play accessories for bathing procedures. Experts advise choosing toys based on the age of the child.
To fulfill this condition, a table will help, which lists all types of bathing toys that are most suitable for children of a particular age period.
| Child's age | Toys for water treatments |
|---|---|
| 0 to 6 months | Various and familiar to many rubber toys (ducks, boats, etc.), sets of buckets, mechanical toys that can swim will do. |
| From six months to a year | Parents purchase sprinklers with sound and light "special effects", sets of various buckets, containers of different sizes and colors, inflatable rugs, adhesive items, fountains, toys with suction cups and mills. |
| 1 to 2 years | Various pyramids, fishing kit (fishing rod and fish on a magnet), boats, magic crane, toy submarines. |
| After 2 years | Various constructors, balls, spray guns, special letters and numbers. |
In addition to age, when choosing toys for bathing, it is necessary to take into account the individual preferences of the child. Only in this case, the acquired duckling or boat will become a real friend for the kid, with whom he will not want to part for a long time.
0 to 6 months
In the first half of life, the baby adapts to the conditions of the surrounding world. A newborn pays little attention to toys, however, in the second month of life, an interest in bright and unusual objects already appears. What to buy for a baby?
Rubber toys
These play accessories are very popular among parents and kids.
Toys are distinguished by simplicity of shape, softness, there is emptiness inside them, so they freely “drift” on the water surface, which attracts a child.
High-quality rubber products do not have sharp edges, small or protruding parts, they are allowed to be tasted by the tooth. That is, such play accessories are completely safe and suitable for the development of the first motor skills of an infant.
The variety of shapes and colors impresses in such toys. Parents can please their baby with rubber:
- frogs;
- turtles;
- ducklings;
- octopuses;
- baby dolls;
- mermaids;
- boats.
There are toys on the market that change color when exposed to soap and water. This additionally captivates the baby and ensures complete mutual understanding between mother and child.
Multi-colored buckets
The containers of various colors and sizes are of particular interest for children of the first half of their life. Kids watch with pleasure how water flows from one bucket to another.
Preference should be given to containers made of light, durable plastic. The buckets will become more attractive if you decorate them with bright, cheerful stickers.
Buckets of different sizes perform an important function - by folding them into each other, the child begins to realize the size, and different colors allow him to further orient himself in the main colors.
But even after six months, these containers will be interesting to children. Fish, ducklings, frogs or magical mermaids can swim in large buckets. In addition, such products can be used in a sandbox - for making Easter cakes.
Mechanical toys
Wind-up toys for bathing children contribute to the development of general and fine motor skills.
Pelicans, frogs, mermaids, fish, turtles, submarines, octopuses - and this is an incomplete list of power-driven products that can independently move around the bathroom.
Individual self-propelled toys can be equipped with various special effects: glow and music. Such toys should be given with some caution to the baby, because at such an early age he can get scared.
But older children will like these toys. Two-year-old children are looking at clockwork ships with special interest, reminiscent of the famous filibuster caravels.
Another attractive toy is a submarine that will adorn the children's fleet.
A very detailed article on how torticollis occurs in babies and how to fix it with bathing and toys for the bathroom.
Bathroom set FIREK Fruits (С-772)
From six months to a year
At this age, the child already knows how to sit, which significantly expands his behavioral capabilities. In addition, some children try to get up and even walk, so for children's safety it is recommended to purchase special anti-slip mats that fit on the bottom of the bath.
Stickers
Such sticky toys are useful for those kids who already sit confidently without parental support.
These stickers are designed to be repeatedly attached and peeled off from the surface of the bathtub or tile.
In children's stores, stickers are sold that have the shape and appearance of popular fairy-tale or cartoon characters: The Little Mermaid, Cheburashka, Smesharikov. There are also pictures of funny animals and birds.
Such Velcro allows you to study colors, shapes and sizes with your child from an early age. But five-year-olds will be able to use stickers-letters and stickers-numbers when teaching literacy and mathematics. Individual Velcro can change color when interacting with water.
Suction Cup Toys
It is in the second half of life that they begin to introduce these gaming accessories. For kids from six months and older, you can purchase anti-slip playing surfaces that have areas of various colors and textures.
Such products are real developmental complexes, which also help to ensure the child's stability in a slippery bath. This will prevent unwanted slippage.
Older children like watermills, which are also attached to the bathtub or tile surface. This toy is driven by a jet of water from a bucket. Such games help develop visual memory, fine motor skills and coordination of movements.
Kids are also interested in volumetric music and play centers, which are attached to suction cups. There are many types of such devices:
- car wash;
- submarine;
- fountain;
- boat;
- slides.
All of these play devices have several rotating elements that are powered by a water jet. Such games are very useful for the development of logical thinking.
Bathroom books
Who said that books are prohibited when swimming? On the contrary, experts advise taking toy books to the bathroom.
However, there is one important condition - these literary works must be made of rubber or latex material.
Bathroom books have several advantages. First of all, they are attractive because they change color when interacting with water. Also, while swimming, the child gets the basics of various knowledge. For example, he can learn about pets and their babies.
But for older children, you can purchase special art kits for painting in the bathtub, which consist of an album and special multi-colored chalk that does not lose its properties upon contact with liquid.
Book Canpol Babies Fish
1 to 2 years
A one-year-old baby is becoming more demanding of toys. Now he is interested not only in looking at moving objects, but in interacting with them. The task of parents is to simultaneously ensure the safety of the child
Magic crane
Many kids are attracted by such an unusual toy as a wonderful crane. The child presses on an impressive size button with the image of a funny face, and water flows from the tap.
This jet allows you to organize the game with three different cups.
Children use these containers individually or put them together. A wonderful device can turn from side to side.
The toy will require batteries, the faucet itself can be easily attached to the surface of the bath with reliable suction cups.
It is only necessary to install the device in such a way that the pump unit is submerged in water.
The magic tap promotes the development of skills in handling objects, hygiene skills, imagination, dexterity, attentiveness and memorization processes.
Pyramids
To familiarize babies with shapes and sizes, sets of objects are required that differ in size. For example, a fish of impressive size, which is attached to the bathroom surface with suction cups, "eats" smaller fish.
For playing and bathing in the bathroom, you can make pyramids of animals of different sizes. For example, there will be a large turtle below, and a small octopus will crown the structure.
Such games contribute to the development of the child's spatial and logical thinking, fine motor skills, perception of various characteristics of objects: shape and size.
Fun fishing
Catching fish with a magnetic fishing rod is a fun and useful activity, in which not only the baby himself, but also the rest of the household can become a participant.
This will help develop the child's desire to achieve the goal and obtain a positive result.
The baby becomes a fisherman who catches fish for dinner. In some toys, each successful hit of a marine life on a fishing rod will be accompanied by special effects: a glow or a sound signal.
This toy is distinguished by the presence of small parts, therefore, the baby should "fish" only in the presence of parents. But joint play will help strengthen parent-child relationships.
Children's fleet
The more boats, ships, submarines, sailing ships a child has, the more fun the game is. You can organize an almost real water battle instead of usual bathing.
An older child can generally develop a battle scenario himself, becoming for a while a real admiral. Let him decide who will be the winner - a pirate caravel or a military brig.
Munchkin Bath Set Fishing Merry (11684)
After 2 years
Bath toys for toddlers over the age of two are becoming more diverse and sophisticated. Of course, it is possible and necessary to use toys that the child played with when he was younger, but now he is interested in more technological devices.
For more information about what toys are needed for girls and boys 4-5 years old, as well as about the characteristics of children at this age, read the article by a child psychologist.
Sprinkles
Splatter is perfect fun for 2 year olds. A variety of kits are available for sale with the following features:
- do not get wet or drown;
- high-quality performance;
- ergonomic shape, thanks to which the child can easily take toys with his hands;
- attractiveness.
These toys not only entertain the baby, but develop skills such as thought processes, imagination, visual perception, logic and precise finger movements.
Shooting
Water pistols are a favorite for kids of all ages.
This game will be especially liked by, for example, twins or weather children. Naturally, the “weapon” should be light and have low destructive power, so as not to harm children's health.
Fun with water pistols develops accuracy (you can offer the child to hit a certain target), coordination of movements, various thought processes.
In addition, water weapons can and even should be taken with you on your summer vacation. At the dacha, near the lake, playing with pistols will keep the kids busy for a long time, as well as increase their physical activity.
Cartoon characters
You can continue your acquaintance with your favorite cartoon characters in the bathroom. For example, little girls will definitely enjoy water treatments with a gentle and beautiful Little Mermaid.
Parents can purchase mermaid dolls that can swim and sing songs. It is also worth buying in addition various stickers with the image of the tailed beauty herself and other characters of the Disney cartoon.
Old toys that the kid played when he was younger are also suitable for the game.
For example, the Little Mermaid can swim on a ship, relax near a fountain, swim surrounded by funny octopuses or frogs. There are a lot of options for using additional gaming accessories.
Water Blaster Nerf Super Soker Piranha (E2769)
Bathroom accessories
Toys are toys, but experienced parents recommend taking care of additional accessories that can make bathing even more fun and safe.
- swimming circle. This device is intended for children from birth to 2 years of age. A big plus for mom - her back will be able to rest while the child splashes in the bathroom on her own;
- hammock for swimming. Restraints in the form of a hammock, slides, and stands help the mother to free her hands, and the children - to take a comfortable position. Slides and hammocks are best used in the first months;
- high chair for bathing. Its functions are similar to the previous device. But they begin to use it when the child learns to sit well and confidently;
- inflatable armbands. Not the most necessary thing, however, may be needed for children from three years old when they want to splash in a deep bath. Also, sleeves are used for swimming in a pool or lake;
- devices for "diving". Glasses and a mask can be useful for a kid over three years old who is fond of "underwater exploration" in the bath. With their help, the child will be able to study how a submarine or a little mermaid swims.
The above additional accessories are not a prerequisite for organizing the bathing of a child. However, they can greatly facilitate the process itself, which is very important for tired parents.
How to choose safe toys?
Attractive appearance is not the only quality characterizing bath toys. Products for children must be safe, which is why experts recommend checking toys for compliance before buying several requirements.
- certificates. Papers confirming the high quality of materials and compliance with safety precautions must be required when purchasing children's products. If the seller refuses to present such documents, it is better to find another store;
- color and smell. The purchase of a toy must be preceded by its inspection. Excessively bright, flashy tones can indicate the toxicity of dyes, moreover, they have a negative effect on the nervous system. The smell is also unacceptable, the toy should not smell;
- the presence of small parts. At an early age, it is better to purchase whole toys, without protruding and small elements. The kid will definitely taste the object, which is fraught with small parts getting into the throat;
- sound. Before buying, listen to how the toy “talks”. If the sound is too harsh or loud, then such a device will scare the baby, and this can lead to refusal to swim;
- integrity. This quality is especially important if toys are powered by batteries (for example, a magic crane or a boat). Make sure that the batteries are securely insulated and water cannot enter the product.
Before direct use, you must test the purchased toy. To do this, it is dipped into hot water, bent, twisted, and other manipulations are performed. If the object is not damaged, does not leak, does not emit a caustic "aroma", you can safely hand it over to the child.
Storage features
Play equipment for bathing accumulates quickly, so sooner or later the question will arise before the mother: how and where to store toys so that they do not become dangerous for the child and just get their rightful place.
If, after each water procedure, the liquid is not removed from the cavities, mucus may form in the toy - ideal conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. If black mold has formed inside the toy, you must immediately send the thing to the trash.
Experts advise to observe two important rules for the safe use of bath toys.
- It is necessary to dry play items after bathing in order to avoid negative consequences (some parents insulate cavities in toys with a safe airtight compound).
- Twice a week, toys should be disinfected with hydrogen peroxide and soda powder diluted in water. These substances remove mucus, kill bacteria, and prevent diseases of the intestines and oral cavity.
In addition, play equipment must be properly dried to allow air to flow and remove excess moisture. Toy manufacturers offer parents special nets for storing rubber ducklings and boats in the bathroom.
These items, also called organizers, are made of a mesh material that allows moisture to drain down without problems. Organizers have different shapes: corner pockets, backpacks, bucket-shaped containers that grab all toys from the bathroom in one motion.
Such devices are held on special Velcro or suction cups. They can be attached in any convenient place (so that the water drains into the bath). Older children will be able to independently take out the desired toy, and after fun, put it back in place - in a magic bag.
The variety of models allows you to choose an organizer that best fits your bathroom design. It is only important to make sure of the hygiene and practicality of the material from which the device is made. In this case, you and your child will not be afraid of mold, dirt and other inconveniences.
As a conclusion
Toys bought for the bathroom are not just for entertainment. Playful actions with these objects allow the child to get to know himself, the surrounding reality, develop movement skills, thinking, general and fine motor skills.
But in order for the kid to be able to realize himself, it is necessary to select only high-quality and age-appropriate play accessories.
In this case, the baby will get a lot of pleasure from the seemingly ordinary water procedures, which will have a positive effect on his general physical and intellectual development.
