Bath time for kids

If you kids consider bath time as just one more interruption to their play schedule, try adding a little fun along with the soap and water. After a few nights, the kids will meet you in the bathroom.

Make Bath Time Fun

Start with a treasure hunt in your kitchen. Plastic measuring cups, pitchers, bowls, and strainers make wonderful bath toys. And the kids will be so surprised you are letting them use your things. In between baths, you can drop the toys in your dishwasher and restock your cabinets. Or find some permanent toys at garage sales and thrift shops. Buy some sponges and help your kids cut out shapes before they go to the bathroom. These toys can do double duty as wash cloths.

Next, add some music. Turn bath time into a sing a long with your kids. Or play their favorite CD. Turn down the tempo as you near the end of the bath to help your little ones get quiet and ready for bed. Instead of, or in addition to, music you can read a book or listen to an audiobook.

Better still, use this time to talk with your child about his/her day. After all, you'll have a captive audience! It's a more relaxed time to talk about problems or worries.

Make Your Own Bubbles

A word of caution about bubble baths. Although kids (and moms) like to soak and play in bubbles, commercial bubble baths can cause urinary tract infections. You and the kids can make your own bubble bath with essential oil, Castile soap and glycerin. It might not be as bubbly, but your kids will be thrilled that they made it themselves!

photo by V. Fouche