Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.5 Best Bath Toys For Newborns | Teether-Safe Tub Toys For 0+

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This Butterfly Fish is made from 100% pure natural rubber, not synthetic latex or PVC. The material is soft enough to flex under a newborn’s gums — it doubles as a teether during bath time. Because it is one solid piece with no internal cavity, there is nowhere for bathwater to hide, which is the defining safety feature for a toy that will be mouthed repeatedly. The food-grade paint is tested to be Nitrosamine and Phthalate-free, a standard that many molded plastic toys cannot meet.

The surface has subtle textured fins and ridges that give a newborn tactile feedback. At just over an ounce and sized 4 inches long, it is easy for a baby to grab but too large to be a choking hazard. It floats low in the water, bobbing gently rather than sitting high on the surface, which makes it visually engaging as the baby pats the water. The natural rubber has a very faint earthy smell initially — this dissipates after the first few uses and confirms the absence of synthetic plasticizers.

To dry the toy, squeeze it gently after bath time and leave it on a towel. Because there is no hole, you never have to worry about trapped moisture or the smell of mildew developing. For a newborn’s first bath toy, this is the reference standard for material purity and safety.

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This set includes six sealed marine animal toys plus a large mesh shark bag for drying and storage. The animals are made from thermoplastic rubber (TPR) with smooth edges — they feel soft and slightly squishy, similar to silicone but with a little more density. Each toy is completely sealed: no holes on the bottom, no hidden cavities. The drying bag is a genuinely useful addition — you toss the wet toys into the mesh shark after bath time, hang it from a suction hook, and air circulates around them to dry faster.

The set includes a separate shark net scoop that opens and closes, which adds an interactive element for slightly older infants learning cause and effect. For a newborn, the individual floating fish are the main draw — they float high on the water and are easy to chase during tummy-down bath positions. The TPR material is BPA and Phthalate-free, but it is not as soft as pure natural rubber, so it is better suited for babies who are past the intense teething phase and more interested in grasping and squeezing.

The 3 included suction hooks are a thoughtful touch because they let you organize the drying bag and the net right on the tile wall. The set is generous — 6 toys plus the net and bag — making it a strong gift option. The only watchpoint is that the shark bag is a woven mesh that can snag on rough dry hands if you are not careful. For a parent who wants a complete kit with built-in mold prevention infrastructure, this is the most practical all-in-one choice.

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This six-pack features fox, hedgehog, bear, deer, owl, and raccoon shapes made from soft, squeezable PVC. The selling point is the sealed no-hole construction — each animal is a single molded piece with no openings, so water never gets inside. The PVC is Phthalate-free and BPA-free, with a smooth surface that is gentle on a newborn’s skin. Each toy is about 3 inches tall, making them easy to grasp for a baby just starting to develop hand coordination.

The animals float upright and tilt side to side when pushed, which naturally encourages a baby to reach and swat. The hedgehog has small molded bumps on its back that provide gentle tactile variety, while the smoother animals like the deer are better for simple squeezing. Because they are made from a slightly denser PVC than the thermoplastic Masagotti set, they have a satisfying weight in the hand without being heavy. They do not absorb water and dry within minutes when placed on a towel.

The color palette is muted brown and orange tones rather than high-contrast primary colors. This is a deliberate design choice from Tub Works to create a calming visual experience during bath time — less overstimulating for a newborn winding down before bed. The set is advertised for ages 6 months and up, but the sealed construction and lack of small parts make it safe to introduce earlier under supervision. If you want a coordinated woodland theme that feels gentle rather than loud, this is a strong choice.

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This is a six-vehicle set that includes a mail truck, school bus, ice cream truck, taxi, city bus, and garbage truck — all molded from soft, sealed PVC. The same no-hole design principle applies: there is no opening for water to seep in, so mold never forms inside. Each car floats horizontally and can be pushed across the water surface like a tiny boat. The wheels are molded into the body as decorative shapes, not moving parts, which means no crevices for soap scum to collect.

For a newborn, the value here is in the bright, distinct colors — each vehicle uses a different solid hue, which supports early color recognition when you name them during bath time. The PVC used is Phthalate-free and BPA-free, with a slightly firmer feel than the Woodland Animals set. The rounded edges and compact shape make them easy to hold, and at 2 inches in each dimension, they are the right size for a baby to transfer from one hand to another.

The city vehicles theme is especially engaging for babies who will grow into toddlers who love trucks and cars. These toys bridge the gap from passive floating play to more active imaginative play as the child gets older. The lack of moving parts means there is almost nothing to break or wear out — these will survive countless baths. If your household already has a transportation-themed nursery or your partner is a vehicle enthusiast, this set is a fun way to tie the bath routine into a broader interest.

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The Mushie boats are a different take from the soft squeeze toys above. They are made from hard, BPA/BPS/PVC-free plastic and designed to stack vertically or link together end-to-end like a train. Each boat has a hollow bottom cavity that holds air, making it float high on the water. The key difference: these boats have large open bottoms — not small drainage holes. The open bottom means no hidden moisture pockets, and you can rinse them fully and let them air dry upside down in seconds.

The main developmental benefit is stacking. Each boat is slightly smaller than the one below it, so a baby can practice nesting them together. The linking mechanism involves a simple tab and slot system that a 10-month-old can manage with some help. For a newborn in the first six months, the boats serve as floating objects to watch — the bright solid colors and the way they bob in the water hold visual attention. The set works well for multiple ages in a family: the newborn observes the colors while an older sibling stacks the boats.

Mushie is a Danish brand known for minimal, aesthetically pleasing baby products, and these boats reflect that. They are injection-molded with no sharp edges, and the plastic feels dense and well-made. I do want to note that the minimum age listed is 10 months, because the boats and their small linking tabs are sized for a baby who can sit unassisted. For a younger newborn, the CaaOcho or Tub Works sets will be more immediately appropriate. For a baby approaching their first birthday, the Mushie boats introduce a new skill dimension that soft squeeze toys cannot provide.