Bath Time Activities

Written By Rob Mineault

Bath time can be a time of fun, learning and relaxation. Here are a few ideas to make bath time an event to look forward to. As always please do not leave children unattended in the tub and use the floor as a change surface.

Getting ready

  • Identify items of clothing or pjs to be put on after the bath and set them out.

  • Pick out waterproof toys, containers, utensils (whisk, plastic strainer etc.) and take them in to load up the tub.

  • Get your child to help pick out a bath towel and place it in the dryer to make it "toasty" when getting out of the tub.

  • Guide your child as they learn to take off her/his clothing and place them in a specific spot out of the way so they will not get wet with any splashing.

Running the water

  • Running the water is a great opportunity to practice and develop the concepts of: on/off, hot/cold, full/empty and go/stop.

  • Talk about the sound of the water filling the tub (or falling in the shower) as you adjust the temperature and encourage the child to come along for a bath.

  • Encourage your child to come along for their bath and help them feel the water coming from the faucet and let it run over their hands.

Face cloth play

  • During bath time a washcloth can be used to:

  • play a game of peek a boo!

  • drape over toys and encourage them to find them

  • drape it over body parts and encourage child to find the body part

  • While washing each part of the body you can ask them to identify the body part and talk about them i.e.: "we're washing your feet…what can you do with your feet?"

  • Hold the cloth up and listen to the water drip

  • Teach your child to wring it out and hang it up - this helps develop hand strength and they will learn where it is kept.

Cups

Putting a variety of different types of cups and containers in the bath can be a great way to explore water! Experiment with scooping up water and pouring water

  • Pour water over objects or body parts

  • Pour water into cups or funnels

  • Pour from up high and down low; compare the sounds

Lighting

Try adding glow sticks to the bath, or a small torch/flashlight in a waterproof container

  • Attach a flashlight to the curtain rod

  • Try a string of Christmas lights draped on the counter or curtain rod with the bathroom light turned off.

  • Lighting may also come from a candle with or without a scent.

*Note the scent and positioning of lights- candle can distract a child with CVI from viewing objects in the tub.

Toys

  • Try bringing in toys your child enjoys in other routines/activities of their day and bring them into the bath

  • Foam toys including balls, animals, letters and numbers can become a fun game of catch or kick, hide and seek or stick as many as you can on the side of the bath.

  • Bring in different sized and coloured sponges. Let them completely fill with water and try to squish all the water out.

  • Add soap to the sponges and squish them to make bubbles. This also helps to develop hand strength.

  • Incorporate some imaginative play

Credit: Blind Beginnings, PRCVI, BC Blind Sports, Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada
Photo Credit: Photo by Curology on Unsplash

Rob Mineault
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