Bath Time Activities

Bath time is often a child’s very first water environment.

Before the pool. Before swimming lessons. Before beach days.

It is where little ones can begin to feel water on their skin, hear it splash, watch it move, and slowly build confidence in a safe, familiar space.

For children already attending swimming lessons, the bath can be a gentle place to practise simple skills. For babies and young children not yet in lessons, bath time gives parents a beautiful way to introduce early water awareness through play.

The most important thing? Keep it fun. Keep it calm. And always stay right beside your child.

Bath Safety First

Before turning bath time into water play, keep these simple safety tips in mind.

Always supervise your child in the bath.

Stay close enough to touch them at all times. Never leave a child alone in water, even for a second.

Play before soap, shampoo or bubble bath.

This keeps the water clearer and more comfortable for little eyes. It’s also less slippery! Consider using an anti-slip bath mat.

Check the water temperature.

Bath water can cool quickly. A comfortable range is around 35 to 37°C. The best way to test water temperature is with your elbow, hands are tough from dish washing and tolerate hotter water.

Use a silicone bath visor only when suitable.

For younger children a visor helps to keep water and shampoo out of their eyes, ears and faces.

Keep it relaxed.

Bright toys, cups, bowls, sponges, face washers and plastic mirrors can all become wonderful bath-time learning tools.

Praise often. A calm voice, smiles, cuddles and encouragement help children feel safe around water.

Play Bath Toys

Start simple. See our range of rubber bath toys here! 

Let your child splash, stack cups, pour water, knock toys together and explore different textures. Toys can help distract nervous children and make the water feel like a happy place.

Try:

• Foam toys
• Cloth bath toys
• A rubber duck

This helps children practise reaching, holding, splashing and exploring water in their own time.

Trickle Water Over Their Body

Use a sponge, face washer or small cup to gently trickle water over your child’s body.

Start with areas away from the face:

• Back
• Shoulders
• Arms
• Tummy

You can sing a little song while you do it. Something simple like “It’s raining, it’s pouring” works beautifully.

As they become more comfortable, slowly use a cup to pour a little more water over their body.

Practise Lying on Their Back

This is a lovely early step towards floating.

Run the bath deep enough so your child can lie on their back with their ears in the water, while their face stays clear.

Support the back of their head with your hand. Move slowly. Stroke their forehead gently to encourage their head to relax back.

You can hold toys above them, sing softly or make gentle sounds under the water.

Some children love this straight away. Others do not. That is very normal.

Go gently. Keep it playful. Never force it.

Help Them Cope With Splashes

Splashes happen.

If water lands on your child’s face, stay calm. Wipe their eyes once so they can see, then reassure them.

A simple line works best:

“You’re okay. That was just a splash.”

Then move their attention back to a toy, song or cuddle.

Your calm reaction teaches them that splashes are normal and manageable.

Change Positions in the Water

Children learn so much by moving.

Try gently changing their position during bath time:

• Sitting
• Lying back
• Leaning forward
• Supported on their tummy
• This helps them understand that water can be around them in different ways.

Sometimes their ears are in the water. Sometimes they are not. Sometimes their face is close to the water. Sometimes it is far away.

All of this builds comfort.

Deep Bath or Shallow Bath?

Both can be useful.

A shallow bath can feel less overwhelming, but your child may get cold faster because more of their body is exposed to the air. Keep pouring warm bath water over them to help them stay comfortable.

A deeper bath gives more room to move, but children can lose balance more easily. Stay extra close and support them at all times.

The Goal Is Confidence, Not Perfection

Bath time does not need to look like a swimming lesson.

It can simply be a happy, calm place where your child learns that water is safe, fun and familiar.

Small moments matter.

A splash. A kick. A scoop. A little pour of water. A big proud smile.

These early experiences help children build comfort long before they reach the pool. And with you right there beside them, bath time becomes more than just getting clean.

It becomes a beautiful first step into water confidence.