Bath Toys

Bathtub toys are waterproof toys that keep children busy during bath time and stimulate the senses. And honestly: they often make hair washing “doable” in the first place, because the focus is somewhere else for a moment. Bathtub toys are the tub version of bath toys – so more compact, easy to grip and designed for a little water (not for pool action). If you want to browse more widely: in our big overview of bath toys you'll also find ideas for the shower, paddling pools & more.

• Choose by age: baby = grasping, toddler = pouring, preschool = role play.
• Open pieces dry faster than hollow ones – less musty-smell alarm.
• In the tub, one rule always applies: supervision, even with little water. (BZgA/Kindergesundheit-info: Source)
• After the bath: rinse, let drain, store in an airy spot.
• Take warnings & age recommendations seriously – they're not there for decoration. (EU: Source)

Bathtub toys by age: what really fits (and doesn't get annoying)?

The smaller the child, the simpler the toy should be. For babies, one or two pieces that fit well in the hand are often enough – anything more is mostly “decoration in the water” (and you get to dry it afterwards). And to take some pressure off: babies don't need to bathe every day; Kindergesundheit-info writes that once or twice a week for five to ten minutes is usually sufficient. (Source)

Smarter than “a lot” is almost always “a small mix”. One pouring cup, two bath stacking cups and a boat are often perfectly enough – and you'll find the pieces again after the bath without having to dive into the foam.

What kinds of bathtub toys does BIECO offer – and how do you quickly find the right one?

In the bathtub, the toys that work best are those that are easy to grip and easy to dry. Since no products are currently assigned manually to this collection, I can't promise you specific items here – but I can give you the assortment logic that many parents (and yes, we too) use when choosing.

• Pouring cups & scoop cups: great for toddlers, because pouring from one container to another instantly “clicks”.
• Bath stacking cups: can be stacked, poured and used as a “waterfall” – and are usually built open.
• Bathtub boats: ideal for role play, “sailing”, nudging and chasing.
• Bath animals & figures: make stories easier (“the frog needs to be rescued”).
• Squirt toys: fun, but only relaxed if cleaning & drying really works for you.

If you can't find what you're looking for in the shop right now: take the detour via the hub. In bath toys the selection is usually wider – and there you can also look for options for babies or older children.

Material & care: BPA-free, phthalate-regulated – and still practical for everyday life

For bathtub toys, less “complicated” and more “easy to clean & quick to dry” is what counts. Smooth surfaces, few crevices and an open design are worth their weight in gold in everyday life – especially if you don't want bath toy mold to become a constant topic.

“Squirt toy mold” is not a myth, but often a drying problem. If water stays inside, it eventually smells musty – and then fun quickly turns into cleaning bath toys as your evening program.

There are clear EU restrictions on phthalates in toys and baby products. Under REACH (Annex XVII, entry 51), certain phthalates are prohibited in toys/childcare articles at 0.1 percent by weight or more of the plasticised material. (Source)

If you're looking for “BPA-free”: check the product details and the contact area. BPA is mainly relevant for materials that children put in their mouths; the most reliable approach here is to look at the item description and the manufacturer's notes.

If you want to be thorough: we've put together a complete guide. For all the steps (including “What to do if it already smells musty?”), our guide can help: Cleaning bath toys & bathtub toys: the ultimate guide against mold.

Safety & rules: supervision, warnings, EN 71 – short and without panic

In the bathtub, supervision is non-negotiable – even with little water. Kindergesundheit-info explicitly states that babies/toddlers can drown in water just ten centimeters deep. (Source)

There's a clear guideline for temperature: 36–37 °C. Kindergesundheit-info recommends body-warm water at 36 to 37 °C – rather a bit cooler than too warm. (Source)

Warnings such as “Not suitable for children under 36 months” are regulated EU-wide. The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC states that toys which could be dangerous for children under 36 months must carry a corresponding warning. (Source)

And yes: for children under 3, small parts are the classic problem. The Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice center) explains that toys for children under three years must not release any swallowable small parts (a table tennis ball is mentioned as a size comparison). (Source)

EN 71 is the central series of standards for toy safety in Europe. In everyday life, that means for you: check the age recommendations, read the warnings, and choose sturdy, well-made pieces.

Preventing mold: drying is half the battle (and the other half, too)

Mold only grows if things stay damp for a long time – so whoever dries well wins. The German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) explains that mold growth occurs when spores land on damp surfaces. (Source)

• After the bath: rinse briefly, empty out the water, let dry in the open.
• Don't leave them sitting in the water: an airy basket or net is better than the tub.
• If it smells musty: clean it – and if there's visible buildup, better to throw it out.

Tidiness helps with drying – and saves nerves in the family bathroom. If you're looking for a simple solution, take a look at storage.

BIECO & bathtub toys: simple, practical, no fuss

BIECO is a family business from Hamburg – for 66 years. We like modern Scandi design, but above all we like things that work in everyday life: easy to grip, easy to rinse, easy to store. Because bathtub toys should make the evening easier – not longer.

If you want to add water play without even more bathroom clutter: for on the go, small activities from stroller toys are practical, and for quiet playtime at home you'll find classics in wooden toys.

Pros & cons: are bathtub toys worth it?

They're worth it if they bring joy and the care doesn't get out of hand. Two to five well-chosen pieces are often the sweet spot – that keeps things manageable and the toys really do dry through.

• Pro: distraction during hair washing, the routine becomes more pleasant, pouring & scooping makes children proud.
• Con: more pieces to dry, squirt toys can stay damp inside, and it quickly becomes “too much” in a small bathroom.

FAQ about bathtub toys

How can I clean bathtub toys without scrubbing every evening?

Rinse them briefly after the bath and let them dry in the open. That's the biggest lever against bath toy mold. If something smells musty or you want to give it a really thorough clean: in our guide you'll find a step-by-step tutorial: Cleaning bathtub toys: tips.

From what age do bathtub toys for babies make sense?

As soon as your baby is being bathed safely, 1–2 simple pieces are perfectly enough. Look for easy-to-grip shapes without small parts. And if you're wondering whether you bathe “too rarely”: Kindergesundheit-info names once or twice a week for five to ten minutes as sufficient. (Source)

What works best as a bathtub toy for toddlers?

Bathtub pouring cups and bath stacking cups are true evergreens. Pouring, tipping and “playing waterfall” works with them without much explanation. Bonus: these open pieces usually dry faster than hollow ones – which saves you the “squirt toy mold” topic later.

Do I really have to be that strict about warnings?

Yes – warnings and age recommendations are safety rules, not suggestions. The EU Toy Safety Directive regulates, for example, the notice “Not suitable for children under 36 months” where it would otherwise be risky. (Source) Especially in the tub, you don't want loose small parts or unnecessary risk.

Is there such a thing as “sustainable” bathtub toys – or is that wishful thinking?

Sustainability comes mainly from durability and good care. If pieces dry quickly, they stay in use longer – and you have to replace less. For “fewer, but better”, it's worth starting with open cups/boats and keeping just a few favorites.

If you want to browse now: start small and build up as needed. And if, besides bathtub toys, you're also looking for ideas for the shower, paddling pool or summer water fun, take a look at the parent hub: Bath toys.