Nuby's Foam Bath Letters and Numbers are ideal for children wanting to practice their counting and ABCs, offering an educational and entertaining way to spell out their name or keywords whilst happily playing in the tub. This bold, bright set from Nuby comes at an affordable price and includes 26 letters (A to Z) and 10 numbers (0 to 9). We think Nuby Foam Bath Letters and Numbers are the best bath toy currently available. Mumsnetters praise their versatility, affordability and their encouragement of interactive play. And they're educational too - win-win! How we chose our recommendations Recommendations from real parents The set comes with two large faces and a range of different features including eyes, noses, mouths, glasses and hairstyles, so children can get creative and use their imagination to create the most hilarious combinations.

It’s fair to say that tiny newborns probably don’t need much – the experience of being in the water is stimulating enough. But by the time they reach 12 weeks, they might welcome something new in the bath. Iggle Piggle’s Bath Time Boat Toy has an ever-changing light-up pattern in three LED colours that create a soothing glow under the water that children seem to find really relaxing – perfect for a quiet bath before bedtime.Colour scheme - Toys that are colourful will appeal to children who are eager to play and engage with their surroundings and will be easier to spot in the water. Muted colour palettes can look nicer in a modern bathroom, whilst monochrome and contrasting colours are ideal for young babies. Once they can be trusted not to put everything in their mouths, creative toys like bath crayons are a great buy. Do encourage them to keep their artwork to the sides of the bath though – crayon marks don't tend to come out of the grouting. It comes with two toy cars to load up, a slide-out ramp and a cargo bay that unclips for fuss-free washing. As for design, it's easy to grip in the bath, and it generally feels really solid – we think it will last for years. It's also pretty versatile as bath toys come so you may well find it relocating to your baby play mat or playpen when bathtime's over!

There are lots of small-world bath toys on the market, from sea creatures to pirate ships and more (watch out for any tiny pieces). STEM bath toys are available for all ages, but there are some particularly nifty ones for older kids – from bath cogs and gears to building toys and bath rain clouds that help them discover how the weather works. How to store bath toys But with so much available on the market, which bath toys are the best for your baby or toddler? We've delved into the Mumsnet forums to find out what the real experts - the UK's largest online network of parents - think of the best bath toys currently on offer, from budget-friendly options to stimulating STEM bath toys, foam makers and light-up options.Anything that sits in water runs the risk of becoming mouldy so you'll need to wash your child's bath toys regularly. Plastic jug, cups, watering can and a colander are favourites here!” (Type of toy tried and tested by Mumsnet user BlueEyedFloozy) Our verdict This set of six cups, in muted colours, is made from 100% recycled plastic, are BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free, and can even go in the dishwasher for cleaning. By the time your baby can sit up, fill-and-pour toys (cups to you and me) are good for encouraging interaction. Your child will enjoy having water poured on their tummy and seeing a cup go from full to empty. If you’re on a tight budget, proprietary bath toys aren't a necessity and lots of parents will say they did perfectly well with just a couple of plastic cups, a colander and a whisk to whizz up the bubbles – which, incidentally, is great for helping young children strengthen their wrists in preparation for mark-making and early writing.