Kids will want to hop in the bath! A collection of fun bath-time play ideas
The kids’ daily bath time.
It’s great when they hop right in, but when they say, “No! I don’t want to!” convincing them can be a real challenge.
When they just won’t get in the bath, it can leave you at your wits’ end.
So this time, we’re sharing ideas to make bath time fun for kids who say no to baths.
From homemade bath bombs and pretend play you can do in the tub, to toys made from recycled materials—there are plenty of bath-time play ideas that will make kids want to jump in.
Put them to use, and your daily bath time will turn into a fun part of the day!
Kids Will Want to Take a Bath! A Collection of Fun Bath-Time Play Ideas (1–10)
Floating Sea Otter
Introducing a cute otter toy you can make from a milk carton! Milk cartons are sturdy even when wet, so you can float it in the bath and play.
First, cut the milk carton in half, leaving about 2–3 cm above the bottom.
Open the cut section and use a permanent marker to draw the otter’s face and limbs on the sides.
Cut along the outlines, then attach a plastic bottle cap—like a seashell—to the otter’s hands and the inside of the carton, and you’re done! Tapping the bottle caps, which look like shells, makes a castanet-like sound, so it’s super fun and highly recommended!
Singing Bubbles
Even kids who don’t like bath time can’t help but giggle! Let us introduce “Singing Bubbles,” a fun bath-time activity.
Just put some bubbles into a cup of water and blow through a straw.
It’s simple, but if you float little motifs like googly eyes on top of the bubbles, it looks like a face! When you blow on the “mouth” area with the straw, the face moves as if the bubbles are really singing—it’s a lot of fun.
Be careful not to blow too hard or accidentally inhale.
It’s also recommended to style the eyes and other parts to resemble your child’s favorite characters.
Crane catcher
https://www.tiktok.com/@and.connect2023/video/7286791145076673793Kids’ favorite claw machine fun in the bathtub! Introducing the “Crane Catcher.” First, prepare two tall, clear plastic cups.
Cut eight slits into one of them.
Remove every other section, then spread the remaining tabs and fold the tips to make claws.
Poke a hole in the bottom of the second cup.
Make four 1 cm slits in a straw; spread them out and tape the straw to the first cup.
Finally, place the second cup over the first, and you’re done!
Gacha Capsule Shower
Many of you may be holding onto toy capsules thinking, “I might use them for something someday,” right? Here’s a fun way to use toy capsules for bath time! Toy capsules already have holes in them, don’t they? This play idea makes good use of that.
It’s very simple: hold the capsule and submerge it in the bath water, letting it bubble as it fills up.
Once it’s full, tilt it like a watering can and pour the water out through the holes! Watching the capsule fill up is fun too, so it’s a great tip for kids who aren’t fond of taking baths.
Jelly soap
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG-bDqly0D_/Recommended for kids who love sparkly, colorful things but aren’t fond of baths! Here’s how to make clear, pretty “jelly soap.” First, add gelatin to hot water.
After adding hand soap, stir slowly so it doesn’t foam, then add color.
Pour it into molds in your favorite shapes and chill it in the refrigerator to set.
You can also place a small toy your child likes inside before chilling for extra fun.
It’s also enjoyable to think about combinations of soaps and toys, so give it a try!
Splash Ferris Wheel
Even kids who are reluctant to take a bath might get excited if there are toys! Here’s how to make a super fun “Splash Ferris Wheel.” First, cut a milk carton to create the supports for the Ferris wheel.
Next, make slits in a pool noodle with a utility knife, then insert six plastic ice cream spoons around it like a Ferris wheel.
Slide a chopstick through the pool noodle and insert both ends into the two slits in the milk carton, and you’re done! For a finishing touch, attaching toy capsules to the spoons will make it look even more like a real Ferris wheel, which is highly recommended.
Infinite Bubble Play
https://www.tiktok.com/@piyomi_kurashi/video/7408167283400461576Some kids don’t love bath time but do love playing with bubbles! Here’s a recommended idea for those kids: “endless bubble play.” Just put a single pump of body soap into an empty foaming bottle, add water, and you’re done.
If you make this and keep it in the bathroom, you won’t have to worry about telling your child, “Don’t play with the bubbles!” They can play endlessly while getting clean—two birds with one stone.
And if the bathroom ends up covered in bubbles, it’s also fun to finish by doing a bit of bath cleaning together with your child.
Operation: Let the fish swim in the tray
Even kids who don’t like bath time might hop right in! Here’s the “Let’s Make Fish Swim on a Tray!” strategy.
Just draw fish with a permanent marker on the plastic trays that packaged meat or fish, cut them out, and you’re done! Float them in the bath and say, “There are fish swimming in the tub!” Wet trays stick to the bath wall, so besides fish, you can cut out letters for a little learning activity, or make your child’s favorite characters—lots of fun options! Try different tricks to make bath time enjoyable.
Rainbow Bubble Machine
https://www.tiktok.com/@uqa.kosodate_/video/7414087907968863496Bath time fun! Here’s how to make a Rainbow Bubble Machine, perfect for kids who don’t like baths.
First, cut a plastic bottle in half and use a rubber band to cover the wider opening with a baby wipe.
Color the surface of the wipe with water-based markers.
Put some detergent in a tray, then blow through the mouthpiece of the bottle—your rainbow bubble machine is ready! You can substitute with items you have at home.
Instead of a baby wipe, you can use gauze or a dry floor sheet, and you can use bubble solution instead of detergent.
It’s great fun in the bath, so be sure to make your own favorite rainbow bubble machine!
Pop in the bath!
https://www.tiktok.com/@mimita33332/video/7411521323542875399Here’s how to make a fun “Bath Pop!” toy that’s sure to make even bath-shy kids smile.
First, cut a plastic bottle in half and use the half with the opening.
Gather one corner of a plastic bag into a rounded tip, then cut off the bag’s handles.
Draw any picture you like on the plastic bag, and firmly tape it to the cut edge of the bottle with vinyl (duct) tape.
Push the plastic bag down into the bottle—now it’s ready.
When you put it in the bath, the plastic bag will pop out with a ‘pop!’ It’s lots of fun.
Try drawing your child’s favorite characters and play together!