By Olivia DeLong, former senior health editor at BabyCenter and What to Expect.
Let’s be honest, moms: bath time isn’t always the bubbly, giggle-filled moment we see in commercials. Some nights, it’s pure splashes and smiles. Other nights? Negotiations worthy of a hostage situation.
My daughter is 6, and I still never quite know which version I’m going to get: the kid who cannonballs in without a second thought, or the one who suddenly forgets how to step into a tub.
The good news: we’ve figured out a few simple tricks that have turned bath time into something she actually looks forward to (most of the time, because, parenting). So if you’re currently bracing yourself for pre-bath protests or post-bath meltdowns, take a deep breath. I’ve got you.
Fair warning, though: these ideas worked well for me… you might have trouble getting your little one out of the tub. (Don’t worry: we’ll tackle that part next.)
1. Bust out the music
Okay, so as long as you keep your music source away from the inevitable splash zone, I’m telling you playing something your kids love works like magic every time.
My daughter requests Taylor Swift on Spotify (what can I say? She’s a Swiftie already!), but she also loves bringing her Tonies or Yoto boxes into the bathroom to listen to a story. Honestly? If bath time turns into a mini dance party or story hour, that’s a win in my book.
If you need some inspiration, here's a Get Bubbly playlist we've curated for bathtime.
2. Get a bath visor (yes, you read that right)
For a solid two years, hair-washing at our house sounded like I was committing a crime. The second I reached for the shampoo? Instant tears.
I’m not sure why it took me so long to grab one of these bath visors (Amazon’s got plenty), but once I did, things changed. The soap stayed out of her eyes, the rinsing went faster, and the drama level dropped significantly. We got the princess style one of course, but the options are absolutely endless. If you’re in a pinch, you can also just roll up a washcloth and place it over their eyes to keep the soap and water out.
3. Make a snack plate
One of my greatest mom hacks of all time is creating a snack plate for meals or… snacks, obviously. But if your little one is giving you a hard time about getting in the bath, offer up a snack plate that they can take in the tub. Grab a muffin tin and load it with their favorite healthy snacks.
Bonus: a satisfied belly usually means a smoother path to bedtime. Our go-tos? Berries, pretzel sticks, cheese cubes, carrot sticks, cucumber slices… even a few chips for fun. Just don’t forget to wash out the crumbs afterward.
4. Fill the bath with toys they actually want to play with
We went through a lot of trial and error with bath toys. Some filled with gunk over time, some just didn’t seem interesting to Amelia, and some were straight up annoying. After trying what feels like a million, foam toys always came out on top. These Bath Foam Puzzles from Lalo are adorable and keep the littles entertained for probably longer than you want (in a good way!).
A big concern for me with bath toys is always mold. These puzzles are mildew-resistant, made with EVA foam, and are ridiculously easy to sanitize. Plus, there are a few different sets to choose from, so you can find one your child will absolutely love. Seriously, they’re basically perfect in every way.
5. Get a bath bomb or bubble bath
One night when we were having trouble getting Amelia in the bath, I grabbed one of my own bath bombs and threw it in the tub. A new obsession for her unlocked: she loved it! We also started adding bubbles, and let me just say, it can sometimes be hard to get her outta there.
We especially like safe-to-use bath bombs shaped like mermaids or fruit (Pacha is great), but the options really are endless depending on what your little one is into. Our favorite bubble bath is by Alaffia.
6. Put on a faucet cover
For some reason, our daughter had a fear of the faucet there for a while, so we knew we had to get creative. I never knew a product like this existed, but a faucet cover was the magic solution, and we still have it years later.
Lalo’s Spout Cover is made of soft silicone, so if your little one bumps their head, it’s gentle. And the best part? It’s sleek and stylish, not a clunky eyesore like some covers can be. Problem solved.
7. Cups, cups and more cups
Hear me out: if keeping your little one entertained during bath time feels impossible, try letting them raid the kitchen for some plastic cups. Toss them in the tub and watch the magic happen. They can splash, stack, and pour for way longer than you’d expect.
At our house, my husband happens to be a collector of cups from football games and events, so let’s just say… we’re never short on options. It’s simple, cheap, and somehow endlessly entertaining.
Happy bathing!
About the writer:
Olivia DeLong is the former senior health editor at BabyCenter and What to Expect. She’s been an editor, writer, and content strategist for over 15 years, holding staff positions at WomansDay.com and Sharecare prior to her role at pregnancy and parenting brands. After a traumatic fertility journey, she’s now a mom to her 6-year-old miracle girl, and lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. She loves digging into parenting, women’s health, and wellness trends with experts, and believes that speaking up about just about anything is so important for moms to feel seen.
