Bath time toys!

Bath time is a big deal in our home. For my son it's part of his daily nighttime routine. It's a way to get out that last bit of energy and freshen up before book and bedtime. It's also a great opportunity to connect and even do a little learning while playing.

I thought I'd share our favorite bath toys. I imagine that most mothers of young ones have many of these items already but as a new mother it's a list of tried and true bath toys for your toddler or young child to help keep bath time interesting.

My personal favorites are foam letters, numbers & animals: Learning letters, numbers, colours and animals in the bath is a game for my son and a way for us to encourage the love of learning. His interest in learning the alphabet definitely started during bath time play and when we saw his interest in animals blossom we got the animal set. Now we match the first letter of every animal name with the corresponding animal. I can see how down the line this will progress to spelling complete words.

Munchkin Bath Foam Letters and Numbers via Amazon

Bright Toddler Bath Gift Bag (includes foam animals, bath book and toy storage net) via Amazon

I wish I had found this item (below) earlier. It's the letters, numbers and animals all in one and the first letter of the animal is actually a puzzle piece within that animal piece! How clever!

Foam Bath Toys Letters and Animals for Kids via Amazon

The following are toys that we have and with which we have a lot of fun:

• Basketball net & balls (We have this exact item)

Muchkins Bath Dunkers Set via Amazon

• Thomas the train and station (We have this exact item originally bought at Walmart)

Thomas The Train Bath Tracks via Amazon

• Stackable containers (We have a similar item to this - I bought ours at the Dollarstore)

Munchkins Stack and Spill Bath toy via Amazon

• Boats (We have this exact item)

Magnetic Boats Bath Toys via Toys R Us

• Plastic animals (We have a similar item to this)

Munchkins Lake Buddy Bath toys via Amazon

• Bath books (We have a similar item to this)

Munchkin Bath Book via Amazon

We're thinking of getting some of these in the future:

• Motorized animals

Tomy Swim N Sing Turtle via Amazon

• Bath markers

Crayola Bathtub Markers via Amazon

• Foam blocks

EWonderWorld Non-Toxic Foam blocks for bath via Amazon

As Yolanda mentioned in previous posts the following our great items to make bath time go smoothly for mommy or daddy:

• Kneeling pad

Skip Hop Moby Bath Kneeler via Amazon

• Storage for bath toys

Skip Hop Bath Toy Organizer via Amazon

Clippasafe Bath Toy Bag via Amazon

I also think these are must haves:

• Grip pads (We have this exact item originally bought at Walmart)

Munchkins Grippy dots 6 pack via Amazon

• Spout cover

Skip Hop Moby Spout Cover via Amazon

• Hooded towels and mitt wash cloth

Animal Hooded Towel via Pottery Barn Kids

Circo Hippo Wash Mitt via Target

• Bubble bath 

Toy Story3 Bubble Bath via Amazon

Combining any of these items into a gift basket would a great gift for any young child or family whether for a baby shower, a birthday or other special occasion.

Hello Monday!: A couple of inexpensive but great weekend finds for 5 year old kids

I loved this puzzle when I saw it.  I find 5 year old kids very curious and I find they love to share what they learned or what they know.  This Map of Canada Floor Puzzle on Indigo's website, I thought, was perfect for my 5 year old nephew as well as other 5 year old kids in my life, both boys and girls.  So I purchased multiple.

Via Chapters/Indigo

Not only is it inexpensive but it also looks like a lot of fun and a great way to learn about Canada and its sites and landmarks.  Then the kids can share what they learned about Canada with me!

How cute is this for a little 5 year old girl:

Best part is that you can get the apron personalized (It is free on Wayfair):

Via Fun Toy mall

Via Wayfair

Friday Fabulous Find: Scholar's Choice

In my neighbourhood there is a store called “Scholar’s Choice”.  I have lived in the area for 4 years and I pass the store almost every day and never visited.  At first I thought it was a store for school teachers, educators, etc. but then I heard it sold toys to anyone.  So yesterday, I needed to kill some time as my son was taking a quick nap in the car (of course, I left him with my husband) and decided to take a peak in the store to see what this place is all about (for those of you who are very familiar with this store, this probably sounds silly and maybe a little ignorant on my part – too brain washed to just go to Toys R Us for toys).  As soon as I entered and saw all the educational and craft like toys and activities, I was so excited!  I immediately starting thinking of all the kids I know that are on my Christmas list.  It was like a great discovery...I even saw craft kits I would like to buy for myself.  The best part is that Scholar’s Choice has a website, a member's savings card and gift wrapping on site. 

Here are a few of my favourites.

Thinking I would like this for my 10 month old son.  He loves music and banging on things!

Via Scholar's Choice

I purchased this hair band making kit for one of my girlfriend’s daughter’s for her fifth birthday; I would love to try the kit myself.

Via Scholar's Choice

I know there are a lot of DIY projects you can do with your children, but not many mother’s have the time to come up with ideas or have the DIY in them, so I think craft kits like the following one by Alex is great for toddlers.

Via Scholar's Choice

This one I will definitely get for my 18 month old nephew who loves to look at pictures of animals, so this should be fun for him and very stimulating.

Via Scholar's Choice

I definitely recommend this store and I am happy I finally took a peak!