Essential Bath Time Tips for Parents

4 min read

Last Modified 31 January 2025 First Added 5 September 2024

Author Heather

Bath time is a cherished routine for many, bringing some joy, a lot of bonding, and sometimes, a bit of chaos! If you have a baby, toddler or young child, ensuring bath time is safe, engaging, and developmentally beneficial can involve some tactical balancing.  

With this in mind, we have written this guide filled with essential tips to help make the most out of bath time.  

1. Prioritising Bath time Safety  

Despite bath time being an enjoyable experience for both parents and children, it is important to be conscious of the risks and how to avoid any accidents. To minimise any possibility of risks, children should never be left unattended while in the bath.  

  • Keep everything you need within arm’s reach; this may involve having to reorganise your essentials before starting the bath.  
  • Using a non-slip bath mat can prove to be useful in preventing any slips or falls.  
  • Always check the water temperature first with either your elbow or wrist. Ideally the temperature should be warm, not hot, around 37-38 degrees. 

2. Create a Soothing Bath Experience

Bathrooms can sometimes be full of overwhelming sensations for children, whether it’s the sound of running water, bright lights, or even the echoes. Creating acomfortable environment can lead to a more enjoyable experience for both of you. 

  • Using a small jug to pour water over your child’s body can be a calming and relaxing experience compared to the intense shower head.  
  • The ability to use soft lighting and a calm tone of voice can make your child feel more at peace.  
  • Having a warm towel ready after bath time can keep your child feeling warm and comfortable.  

3. Bath Toys for All Ages

Toys can turn a boring bath into a fun adventure for children. Using age-appropriate toys that are safe and easy to clean can transform any bath time. Research conducted by the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) highlights the important of avoiding toys which have small parts that can lead to a choking hazard, especially for children under three .

We have some great ideas on bath toys for any age or how about diy and houshold object toys for a more sustainable bathtime. 

4. Incorporating Learning in Bath Time

Getting your child ready for a bath can also lead to some great learning opportunities. Water play unlocks a variety of sensory developments, supporting motor skills and even language acquisition. Research from the University of Sheffield found that bath time can significantly boost a child’s cognitive and social development.  

Some bath toys can teach basic concepts such as sinking and floating, pouring and scooping and even colours, numbers, or animals.  Playing with toys during bath time such as pouring and squeezing can help develop fine motor-skill and hand-eye coordination.  

5. Keeping Bathtime positive

There are lots of ways to encourage a love of bathtime, from games and toys to enjoyable sensations and routines, some great tips for encouraging a positive experience are:

  • Scheduling in bath time at the same time each evening (if possible) can become a part of a child’s bedtime routine.  
  • Having a calming activity after their bath like reading or listening to a story can signal that it is time for bed soon.  
  • Staying positive and keeping the experience light-hearted can be beneficial for both of you rather than focusing on rinsing and washing.  
  • Praise your little one for small wins, whether they get soap in their eye or have a little slip, praise them for overcoming it and carry on making the experience a fun one.  

Bath time can involve a lot more than just washing, it can be a space to create some fun moments and a lot of bonding experience. Ensure to prioritise safety, keep the environment comfortable and make a splash with the best bath toys

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About the Author

Heather

Expert in Copywriting

An experienced copywriter, Heather Aqel uses her broad knowledge and astounding vocabulary to write in-depth and enchanting pieces about fun activities, tips and tricks, and our products.

Heather also moonlights as a children’s author, writing magical stories to inspire and bring wonder to little ones.

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