DIY Bath Toys: Sustainable Fun for Bath Time

Bath time is a fun and engaging experience for children, but did you know that the toys you choose can make a difference to the environment? Many conventional bath toys are made from plastic, but there are plenty of DIY waterproof toys that you can repurpose from everyday household items.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Bath Toys

Eco-friendly bath toys can be made from sustainable, non-toxic, and biodegradable materials. When shopping for bath toys, look for ranges with biodegradable natural rubber, sustainable wood or plastic that is recycled or plant based.  Alternatively look around your home for the ultimate DIY hack.

DIY Bath Toys

If you’re looking for a fun and sustainable way to introduce new bath toys, why not make your own? DIY bath toys are not only environmentally friendly but also encourage creativity and repurposing materials you already have at home. Here are some simple ideas for waterproof bath toys:

• Cork Boats – Corks float naturally, making them a perfect material for bath-time boat races.
• Sponge Creatures – Cut sponges into fun shapes like fish, ducks, or numbers and letters. Stick to the tiles or play games these are great for little hands to grab and squeeze.
• Paper boats – a classic for many parents but a great activity for little ones, creating their own paper boats ready for bathtime and then testing them out at bathtime, can they make a boat that can hold a sponge? Will it sink or float?

Everyday Household Items That Can Be Used as Bath Toys

You don’t always need to buy new toys to make bath time exciting. Everyday household items can be repurposed into fun, interactive bath toys. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also encourages imaginative play. Here are some great everyday items to use in the bath:

• Cups and Containers – Plastic cups, yogurt tubs, or small bowls make excellent scooping and pouring toys. Kids can experiment with filling, emptying, and sinking them.
• Funnels and Strainers – Kitchen funnels and strainers are fantastic for water play, helping children explore cause and effect.
• Foam Shapes – Cut foam sheets into different shapes and let them float or stick to the sides of the bathtub when wet.
• Silicone Moulds and Ice Cube Trays – These can be used to create floating objects or simple stacking toys.
• Measuring Spoons and Ladles – Small kitchen utensils make excellent water play tools and help develop fine motor skills.
• Swimming Goggles – goggles or snorkels open a world of imagination, diving or snorkelling in the bath is a sure win and a great way to familiarise children with getting their face wet for swimming

Making a Difference One Bath at a Time

Choosing eco-friendly bath toys is a small but meaningful step towards reducing waste and making sustainable choices. Whether you purchase bath toys made from recycled materials, or get creative with DIY and repurposed household items, there are plenty of ways to keep bath time fun while being kind to the environment.  There are lots of games to play in the bath to enhance the fun for parents and children and if you do choose some favourite toys you can read how to clean and maintain your bath toys to extend their lifespan.

By making thoughtful choices and teaching children about sustainability, we can help create a cleaner, greener future—one splash at a time!

 Read our disclaimers here.