My children enjoy bath time. I enjoy them playing quietly in the tub. Therefore I provide them with bath toys.

Of course you could buy expensive toys that turn, fizz, light up, and sing; or you could do what I do for a lot less.

What do I use?

• Lids from empty detergent bottles are one of my favorite things. They are an easy size for the kids to hold and often will stack together.
• Empty yogurt containers of any shape or size.
• Empty soda bottles. These usually only stay in one bath time because they don’t fit on the drying shelf very well.
• Plastic spoons or forks.
• Empty plastic cups from a local restaurant.
• Sand/beach toys. You can usually find them cheap during the off season.

We have very hard water at this house that quickly leaves a white residue on just about anything. With toys such as these I can just throw them out and not feel guilty for not scrubbing them. Plus, it makes the kids happy to have new “toys.”

In hotel rooms I’ve been known to confiscate my hairspray lid, the stack of plastic cups, the ice bucket [when I'm brave], my husband’s lid from his shaving cream, and any plastic spoons to use as bath toys.

I should admit that I’m picky and check to make sure that the toys don’t have a place for the water to collect inside and not drain easily. The duck in the picture [from a yard sale] does not have a hole in the bottom. The hard water will leave yucky black flakes inside; plus if the kids are sick at all I want to be able to rinse the toys well.

Occasionally we will dump a bunch of the girls play dishes in the tub to wash them; or my son will take some army men in. It makes the bath time special and cleans the toys.

That is what Works For Me. Click on the graphic to find many more ideas.

If you have any great moving tips please help me out by commenting on this post.