Montessori bath toys: how to bring Montessori into the bath

Montessori bath toys are simple bath toys that let your child discover for themselves: pouring cups, little sieves, floating objects and containers made from materials such as silicone and wood. They follow the same principles as other Montessori toys: independence, open-ended play and a few well-chosen toys. That way, bath time becomes not just a time for washing, but also a calm moment to play and learn.

What are Montessori bath toys?

Montessori bath toys are toys for the bath that follow the principles of the Montessori method. They are made from safe, durable materials, such as silicone and wood, and invite children to do things themselves. Instead of toys that light up or play songs, you choose simple objects your child can experiment with: pouring, scooping, floating and sinking.

What characterises Montessori toys in general is explained in all about Montessori toys. This article looks at how to translate that approach to the bath.

Which Montessori principles suit bath time?

Independence: “help me to do it myself”

Montessori bath toys are designed to be easy to hold and use, so your child is in control. A toddler who fills and empties a cup by themselves, or rubs a flannel over their own arms, experiences: I can do this. That builds self-confidence. Montessori calls such everyday tasks “practical life”, and bath time is full of them.

Open-ended play

Open-ended bath toys have no fixed function. A wooden boat can become a story, create a current or an experiment with floating and sinking. A set of cups can be stacked, poured and used for scooping. Toys like these encourage creativity and imagination and stay interesting for longer.

A prepared environment

You can create an orderly environment in the bathroom too. Put a few toys in a basket or on a low shelf within reach. Let your child choose what to take into the bath and help them put the toys back to dry afterwards.

Few toys at a time

A bath full of toys can be overwhelming. Two or three objects are enough to keep busy for a long time. Rotate regularly, so bath time remains a voyage of discovery.

Real and simple

Montessori prefers real objects to busy fantasy figures. A small jug, a little sieve or a sponge are just as valuable as special bath toys.

What does your child learn from Montessori bath toys?

• Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Holding a container and pouring water into different shapes and sizes trains grip strength and coordination, a foundation for crafts and writing later on.
• Sensory experiences. Feeling, pouring and splashing water, and discovering the different textures of silicone and wood.
• First concepts. Full and empty, floating and sinking, a lot and a little, warm and cold.
• Cause and effect. A hole in a cup makes water flow, a push makes a boat sail.
• Concentration. Filling and emptying over and over again is a focused exercise for a young child.

Want to go deeper into what children learn in the bath? Then read what does a child learn from bath toys?

Which Montessori bath toys suit which age?

Age	What’s going on	Suitable bath toys
6–12 months (sitting in the bath)	grasping, splashing, everything in the mouth	soft silicone cups, a flannel, a floating object to grab
1–2 years	filling and emptying, in and out, floating and sinking	stacking cups, a little sieve, a watering can, a simple boat
2–3 years	pouring with more control, washing themselves, first pretend play	small jug, cups with holes, sponge, wooden or silicone boats
3 years and older	experimenting, making up stories, washing independently	funnel, different containers, water wheel, boats to play out stories

Always check the age label on the toy and consider what your child can already do.

How do you choose Montessori bath toys?

Safety and durability

Choose toys made from safe, durable materials without sharp edges or small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Look for the CE mark and the age label: toys sold in Europe must meet the European safety requirements (the EN 71 standards).

Easy to keep clean

Bath toys are often wet. Choose toys that dry well and are easy to clean. Toys with small openings where water stays inside are harder to keep clean. Read more about hygiene and mould in safe and hygienic bath toys.

Simplicity and functionality

Choose toys without unnecessary bells and whistles. They should invite your child’s imagination rather than prescribe exactly how to play with them.

Suited to their age

Every toy suits a certain stage of development. A baby is happy with something to grab, a toddler wants to pour and experiment.

Variety

Provide different kinds of toys, such as pouring cups, water squirters, little sieves and floating objects, and rotate them.

How do you set up a Montessori bath time?

• Prepare. Lay out a towel, clothes and a few toys before your child gets into the bath.
• Let them choose. Offer two or three toys and let your child choose.
• Show and step back. Calmly show how you pour or how a sieve works, then let your child try it themselves.
• Give words. Name what is happening: “The boat is floating”, “The cup is full.”
• Let them help. Squeezing out the flannel, washing their own arms and putting the toys in the basket afterwards.
• Take your time. A calm bath time without rushing gives space to discover.

For more practical tips on bath time with a baby, see how do you make bath time fun for a baby?

Playing safely in the bath

Water always calls for extra attention. Never leave a young child alone in the bath, not even for a moment. Check the water temperature before your child gets in, use a non-slip mat and let toys dry thoroughly after bath time.

Toys from this article

• silicone stacking cups
• silicone bath toys
• wooden bath boat

Frequently asked questions

What are Montessori bath toys?

Montessori bath toys are simple bath toys that let your child discover for themselves, such as pouring cups, little sieves and floating objects. They are made from safe, durable materials such as silicone and wood. They follow the Montessori principles: independence, open-ended play and a few well-chosen toys.

From what age are Montessori bath toys suitable?

As soon as your baby can sit upright in the bath, around 6 to 9 months, they can play with simple bath toys such as soft cups. Before that, bath time is mainly a moment of closeness and feeling. Always check the age label on the toys.

How many bath toys does a child need?

Very few. Two or three toys at a time are enough. Rotating regularly keeps bath time interesting and stops your child feeling overwhelmed.

Are silicone bath toys better than plastic?

Silicone is soft, flexible and easy to hold, and toys without a hollow inside or small openings are easy to keep clean. Whichever material you choose, look for a good finish, the CE mark and whether the toy can dry properly.

How can I make bath time more Montessori without new toys?

Use everyday objects such as a small jug, a cup, a little sieve or a sponge. Let your child choose, help with washing and tidy up afterwards. Independence and calm matter more than the toys themselves.