Won’t Get In, Won’t Get Out: 6 Bath Time Games for Toddlers
Bath time is a two-part struggle. Nine times out of ten, there’s an absolute refusal to get in – and once you’ve finally managed it, there’s an equally determined refusal to get out!
So the trick here is to use games to get them in, and then carry that same play through to get them back out.
Play gives them a reason to join in. Instead of trying to pull your toddler away from what they’re doing and into the next part of the routine, you can sometimes make the transition itself part of the fun.
Here are 6 playful bath time games for toddlers – three for getting in, and three for getting out.
Games for Getting In
1. The Bath Treasure Hunt
Best for: Toddlers who need convincing to get in
What you need: A few bath toys or safe objects you already have, bubble bath
Run a nice bubbly bath and hide the toys underneath the bubbles. Your toddler’s mission is to find them all. If you’ve got a couple of extra minutes, draw the toys on a piece of paper so they can check each one off as they find it – though you might want to be the one holding the pen, to keep the paper from going soggy!
2. The Animal Bath
Best for: Toddlers who love pretend play and don’t want to stop what they’re doing to get in
What you need: Just imagination
Let your toddler choose an animal that’s making its way to water:
- A frog hopping to the pond, racing to reach his favourite lily pad before the others get there
- An elephant heading to the watering hole – give them a cup or bottle to use as a trunk to wash themselves with
- A penguin who’s been invited to a penguin party, waddling up the stairs to find the others
- A pig who’s been rolling around in the mud and needs a wash
- A fish swimming along the stream, looking for the ocean (the bath!) to find its home
The beauty of this one is that the game can start before you’re even in the bathroom – you don’t need to mention the word “bath” at all, just start playing.
3. The Bath Train
Best for: Toddlers who like vehicles, journeys or having a clear destination
What you need: Just imagination
Turn the journey to the bath into a little train ride. You can be the driver and your toddler the passenger – or swap roles.
“Doors closing! All aboard for the bath!”
“Next stop… the bathroom!”
Make train noises as you move through the house, then:
“You have now reached your destination – everybody off!”
Games for Getting Out
4. Who Can Save the Bath Toy?
Best for: Toddlers who resist the moment the plug comes out
What you need: A couple of floating bath toys
Once the plug’s out and the water starts draining, the plughole becomes a mighty waterfall. “Quick – grab the duck before it goes over the edge!” As soon as the toy is safely in your toddler’s hand, swoop in as the rescue helicopter and hoist them both out to safety.
5. The Towel Monster
Best for: Toddlers who need a reason to leave the water
What you need: Just a towel
The towel becomes a monster – hungry, tickly, or simply looking for a friend to hug. Give it a silly monster voice, because what toddler can resist that?
“I’m so hungry! Wow, you look really tasty…”
“My hands are itching to tickle… I wonder how ticklish you are?”
“I’m so soft and cosy, I’d love a friend to wrap up tight!”
The monster can change character as it dries them off — once it’s had its cuddle, maybe now it wants to play.
6. Three, Two, One… Blast Off!
Best for: Toddlers who need a clear ending to bath time
What you need: Just imagination
A countdown works wonders when a toddler needs help understanding that one thing is ending and another is beginning. Launch straight into the game – inviting them to join in before there’s time to refuse.
(In your best space-mission voice) “Pssht – we are now ready for the countdown.”
To your toddler: “Astronaut Max, is your spacesuit done up and your helmet secured?”
“Get ready for countdown… three, two, one… blast off!”
Lift them straight out of the bath and into the towel. “Oh no, there’s a leak in the rocket, it needs drying! Now we need your special safety moon suit on…”
Your chance to make the adventure as ridiculous as possible!
What If Your Toddler Still Doesn’t Want to Get In or Out?
Sometimes the game won’t work. You can have the best idea in the world and still have a toddler who says no.
Play isn’t about finding the perfect trick that guarantees cooperation every single time. If your toddler is really upset, adding more excitement or trying harder to make the game funny isn’t necessarily going to help. I don’t want play to become another thing parents feel they have to get right – it’s simply another tool you can reach for when the usual approach isn’t working.
In my own experience though, the right game can significantly lighten the mood and increase the chances of cooperation. And it goes without saying, you might find one game works brilliantly for a few weeks and then suddenly stops. The goal isn’t to find the one game that always works – it’s to have a few playful ideas you can pull out when you need them.
It turns bath time from something we need to get done into a moment of playtime and connection in an otherwise busy evening.
Bath time isn’t usually a standalone battle.
If getting in or out of the tub is tricky, there’s a good chance something else in your routine is too – maybe it’s brushing teeth, maybe it’s the mad dash to get shoes on, maybe it’s just getting your toddler into the car without a meltdown.
The good news is, the same trick works for almost all of it: find the playful way in, rather than the direct instruction.
I’m working on exactly that at the moment – a new book called Brush to Hush, full of playful games for teeth, bath and bedtime, with funny illustrations and free printables to go alongside them. More on that soon.
If mornings are your particular battleground – getting dressed, breakfast, out the door, into the car – I’ve already put together something for that: my FREE Morning Routine Games Starter Kit. Pop your email below and I’ll send it straight over.
Because most of the time, the routine doesn’t need fixing. It just needs a more playful way in.