Anything that sits in water runs the risk of becoming mouldy so you'll need to wash your child's bath toys regularly.

They're also great for playtime on dry land too – just pop your baby in their playpen and watch their delight at the towers they build while developing their sensory skills. 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. 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. The alternative for those who are mould-averse is to simply replace your bath toys every few months, but the impact on the environment and your budget could be off-putting. What is the best bath toy?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). Familiar characters and toys with buttons to push or levers to pull will distract toddlers from the dreaded hair wash and help develop their understanding of cause and effect. Also, make sure anything you give your child is safe to go into their mouth as the reality is, that that's the first place it will go. Look for lightweight objects that they will later be able to grab. Simple bubbles blown in the bathroom will catch their eye, and they might also like toys that light up underwater.

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 Educational benefits - What learning experience does the bath toy offer? Will it help with a new skill or experience appropriate to your child’s age? The benefits of educational bath toys can include everything from developing and encouraging imagination and creativity to motor skills, understanding cause and effect and communication skills.From around six months, or when your baby has learned to sit and has possibly outgrown their baby bouncer, you can move on to toys that fill and pour, before introducing toys and games to keep their interest as they get older. And, whilst your child is happily engaged and distracted with their toys, it makes it far easier for you to focus on essential bathing jobs like hair and body washing, avoiding unwelcome bath time tears – just make sure the water is right for your little one first, the best baby thermometer can help with this.