It’s fair to say that tiny newborns probably don’t need much – the experience of being in the water is stimulating enough. But by the time they reach 12 weeks, they might welcome something new in the bath. Bath time can be a special time for you and your baby. A bath can not only help to calm and relax your baby before bed, but it can be a great bonding experience too. The best baby bath toys will encourage babies to learn, experiment, and have fun from the earliest weeks, while the best bath toys for toddlers will continue the fun and learning for years to come. Age suitability - Products will usually have a minimum age recommendation, but you should also look out for products that are safe to use and appropriate for their age, including the CE mark. Is there anything more relaxing than In the Night Garden’s Iggle Piggle floating down the river in his boat? It’s a sight that has reduced most parents to tears of gratitude at least once in the early evening.

Start looking for bath toys that do things now, like light up, make a noise or move around, to capture your child's attention. But with so much available on the market, which bath toys are the best for your baby or toddler? We've delved into the Mumsnet forums to find out what the real experts - the UK's largest online network of parents - think of the best bath toys currently on offer, from budget-friendly options to stimulating STEM bath toys, foam makers and light-up options. The boat also has a shape-sorter with foam shapes that float in the water, and Iggle Piggle himself also comes in two parts to act as a water-pouring toy. From around six months, or when your baby has learned to sit and has possibly outgrown their baby bouncer, you can move on to toys that fill and pour, before introducing toys and games to keep their interest as they get older. And, whilst your child is happily engaged and distracted with their toys, it makes it far easier for you to focus on essential bathing jobs like hair and body washing, avoiding unwelcome bath time tears – just make sure the water is right for your little one first, the best baby thermometer can help with this.If you’re on a tight budget, proprietary bath toys aren't a necessity and lots of parents will say they did perfectly well with just a couple of plastic cups, a colander and a whisk to whizz up the bubbles – which, incidentally, is great for helping young children strengthen their wrists in preparation for mark-making and early writing. As with the best baby toys, different bath toys will be enjoyed at different ages and development stages and will boost different skills. Some baby bath toys are suitable from birth, so you can start with some straightforward floating objects to catch your newborn’s eye.

If your child goes through a stage of not enjoying bath time (and many do), a couple of new bath toys might encourage them into the tub. When you’re away or on holiday, seeing a familiar toy come out at bath time may also help them to feel more comfortable and secure. Each pipe does something slightly different to keep their interest. If they’re popular, you can buy a couple of sets to expand the play and increase learning – they work particularly well with the Tomy Boon Cogs set. Familiar characters and toys with buttons to push or levers to pull will distract toddlers from the dreaded hair wash and help develop their understanding of cause and effect.Whilst some bath toys can be used from birth, to get the most out of your bath toys, we recommend introducing them from around six months of age. Whilst all babies differ in terms of their development, at six months your baby is likely to be able to sit up (either unaided or with support) and have good head control. This allows them to really play and explore their surroundings – and is often the turning point for babies who are more reluctant bathers! Which bath toys are safe for babies? Storage - How easy is the bath toy to store when not in use? Does it come with a net or storage bag included or do you need to invest in a separate bath toy storage? While they are recommended for children aged three and over, Mumsnet users say that foam letters can also be a great way for younger toddlers to interact and learn in the water. The only downside? You’ll need somewhere to store them once bath time is over and, unlike some more expensive designs, this particular set doesn’t come with a net storage bag. It comes with two toy cars to load up, a slide-out ramp and a cargo bay that unclips for fuss-free washing. As for design, it's easy to grip in the bath, and it generally feels really solid – we think it will last for years. It's also pretty versatile as bath toys come so you may well find it relocating to your baby play mat or playpen when bathtime's over!