When it comes to bath time, parents and children have different agendas. Your first order of business might be getting your child squeaky clean, but the kids? Well, they just want to have fun. You can both get what you want–if you use these easy kids’ bath time tips for all ages and stages.

Infants

Establishing a pleasant bathing routine sets the stage for your little one’s bath time attitude. For newborns and infants, the goal is to create security and comfort — for both of you. One way to do that is to place your baby in a snugly wrap that envelops him or her during bathing (these come as either a removable part of the baby bath or as separate bath wraps). Another way to keep things comfy is by using an attachable sink hose-end sprayer that features a gentle setting. And make sure to wrap your baby in something soft when you’re done, like a terrycloth towel or towel apron that keep you dry and your baby warm and snuggly.

Toddlers

Toddlers are becoming more aware of their surroundings, and they’ll enjoy exploring and playing at bath time with your help. Many infant baths convert for toddlers, allowing your little one to sit up when he’s ready. When it’s time to move into the big bathtub, make sure he or she stays secure and happy by using a non-slip bathmat in the tub.

This is the time to introduce some fun in the bath. Look for floating, squirting rubber bath toys, from the classic duckies to hippos, boats, and cars to elicit squeals of sudsy laughter.

Preschoolers

Provide fun activities and bathing may become your preschooler’s number-one favorite pastime. Now that your child has more developed fine motor skills, you can introduce a wide variety of bath toys, including tub crayons, which allow him to do freely what you’ve told him never to do—write on the walls. Mini squirt guns are also fun—especially if you have more than one little one in the bath.

Easily gather, rinse and hang to dry all of your child’s toys once the bath is done with a bath storage basket.

Grade-schoolers

The grade-school years offer more opportunities for bath time fun, from scented, colored bath fizzies that effervesce in the water, to actual bathtub games like ring toss and paddle ball. You can add an educational twist to the experience with wet-and-stick foam letters and shapes that stick to the bathtub wall, encouraging your child to spell words and create imaginary scenes with animals, such as dinosaurs. Waterproof bath books allow your child to practice her reading skills. Your kid can also play “house” in the bathtub with items like bath-time dolls and tea sets.

Now that you know the secrets to bath-time fun for kids, fill up the tub and let the splashing begin.

Julie Bawden-Davis