There is a lot of do-it-yourself, creating at our house. It’s fun to see how taking a child’s lead can turn into a great play idea. My daughter has been attending swimming lessons and commented that the floats the children use are cool, because they stick to the side of the pool walls. A suggestion from me that the foam craft sheets we have in our making box might be sticky too, if she made them wet, sparked an idea: she could make her own bath toys – great to use in conjunction with painting in the bath tub!
Make your own bath toys
There are three easy steps to make your own bath toys:
1. Take a pack of foam craft sheets and draw some pictures on them using a permanent marker (as you don’t want your designs to wash away.) My daughter has always loved mermaids, so that was the inspiration for her toys, and she added star fish, an octopus, seaweed and fish to create an under-water world. Anything goes though – pirates or sharks fit with the water theme but you could draw fairytale characters or even self portraits.
2. Cut out your shapes with scissors. Even though you’ll supervise your young children any time they’re playing with water it’s still a good idea to make your baths toys big enough so they don’t pose a choking hazard and also so they’re not small enough to head down the plughole.
3. Time to play! Take your foam characters in to the bathtub with you and as soon as they are wet you’ll be able to stick them on the side of the bathtub and enjoy creating some bath time adventures with them – this could lead to some interesting impromptu storytelling.
More bath time play ideas
You don’t have to stop at just using some foam characters. Why not add a little food coloring to your bath water to really set the scene for some imaginary play? Growing a Jeweled Rose has some amazing ideas for glowing outer space and rainbow colored baths.
Bath time is a great opportunity for your children to enjoy some sensory play. They’ll be splashing around any way so why not add in some extra elements. Freeze ice cubes with some food colouring in and add them to the tub or fill some water pistols with colored water. Or if you don’t mind a little extra clear up, take a jello bath!
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About Cathy
Thanks for this idea, I’ve pinned it to use at a later date!
http://pinterest.com/pin/168673948513964731/
Quick and easy! I think I have some of these foam sheets lying around. Now to figure out something very simple to draw, so I will be sure that my son can figure out my pictures.
So simple, and yet perfect! I will definitely be doing this. Anything to make my Son a little more eager to get into the bathtub before bed
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comments – hope you have fun playing with yours!
They have lot of energy.
What a clever idea! My kids would LOVE to make their own toys =-) I shared this with my Facebook readers here – https://www.facebook.com/LivingLifeIntentionally – Thanks for linking up to TGIF! Have a GREAT week,
Beth =-)
Cathy, currently obsessed with this idea….So versatile across themes!
TY.
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing it. I imagine you could even make themes for holidays or birthdays.