• Make it fun. Even adults like pretty packaging for their bath products, so fun products geared toward tots can make shampooing and soaping during bath time that little bit easier.
• Ensure the water is warm, not hot, and conversely, that the bathtub itself isn’t cold enough to give them a bad shock if they brush against it going into the tub, particularly in the winter.
• Go for no-tear shampoos that won’t sting their sensitive eyes. There are a few accessories you can purchase to keep water out of their eyes when rinsing, like a bathing visor. You can also try a low-tech approach of holding a towel just over their brow line, or, if they’re old enough, they can cover their own eyes with a thick towel until you’re done.
• Some toddlers fear the sound of water gurgling down an emptying drain. Take them out of the bath first, or make it fun by singing them a song or making a game out of pulling the plug.
• Have bath-only toys. Toys that your little one doesn’t have access to during the rest of the day can provide novelty when it’s wash-up time. You don’t necessarily have to spend a small fortune on gadgety toys, either. Sometimes simple toys are best; a little watering can or plastic measuring cups from the kitchen can make them as happy as any boatload of store-bought toys.
• Think outside the rubber duckie. Freeze a bath toy in water, and watch the ice melt. Or, buy an inexpensive toy fishing net and let your toddler catch his floating toys with it.
• Switch toys up, rotating them each week so they’ll feel “new.”
Page 1 of 2 -- Find more easy ways to make bath time fun for your little ones on page 2
