What to Buy The 20 Best Water Toys That Will Make Your Kids Want to Play Outside All Day Inflatables, soakers, water tables, and more fun toys for kids of all ages By Lauren Finney Harden Lauren Finney Harden Lauren is a freelance writer and former magazine editor who has over 15 years of experience in lifestyle verticals. She is mom to a toddler daughter. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 16, 2023 Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD LinkedIn Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr LinkedIn Twitter Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Verywell Family / Brian Kopinski Who doesn't have fond childhood memories of playing outside all day during the summer? But if you want your kids to choose the outdoors over video games or hanging out in the air conditioning, you might need to provide an incentive—and that's where water toys come in. Slip 'N Slides, pool floats, sprinkler toys, and other active games will make them want to wake up early and stay up late to maximize their summer fun. And to get you started, we've rounded up the best water toys to play in the backyard, the park, the ocean, or the pool. In addition to being super fun, water toys can serve an important purpose in your child's development. According to Kimberly A. Morrow, M.Ed., an experienced classroom teacher and author, playing with water can support cognitive development and improve gross motor skills by doing things like pouring, kicking, or splashing. Younger kids can advance their fine motor skills with games that require them to squeeze, pour, or squirt water, says Tamar Levy, former educator and founder of That Peach Mommy. To find the best water toy for kids of all ages, we spoke to education and parenting experts and researched dozens of top-rated toys. In addition, we analyzed trends and looked at classic as well as innovative toys that are both entertaining and developmentally appropriate. We narrowed our list down based on recommended age, durability, material, safety, and how easy to clean the toys are. Safety First Water play is entertaining and beneficial, but children should never be left unattended around water. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the pediatric age group, and drowning rates are the highest among children between the 1 and 4 years old. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SplashEZ 3-in-1 Splash Pad at Amazon Jump to Review Best Water Slide: Jambo Triple Lane Slip, Splash, and Slide at Amazon Jump to Review Best Water Table: Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table Playset at Amazon Jump to Review Best Sprinkler: Melissa & Doug Sprinkler Toy at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Active Play: SUNNY & FUN Water Slide Park at Amazon Jump to Review Best Water Game: Hoop Shark Swimming Pool Basketball Hoop Set at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Backyard Fun: Jasonwell Unicorn Sprinkler Inflatable at Amazon Jump to Review Best Inflatable: Intex Gator Ride-On at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splash Pad: Jasonwell Splash Pad Sprinkler at Amazon Jump to Review Best for the Pool: JOYIN Diving Pool Toys at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks How We Selected What to Look For FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall SplashEZ 3-in-1 Splash Pad Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Adjustable sprinkle height Large, with plenty of room for play Has a print featuring letters and animals for learning Cons Requires garden hose Might need a hose adapter Does not come with a repair kit This splash pad combines sprinkler action with a shallow pool ideal for kids ages 12 months and up. With a 60-inch diameter and a depth of about 2 inches, this splash pad is big enough for a few kids (and maybe even an adult) to play together, whether they want to sit and explore the letters and animals on the bottom of the pool or cool down with the water as it shoots upward all around them. For best results, the splash pad should be used on grass, as concrete could rip the vinyl. An outdoor hose is all you'll need to set it up—the water fills the pool's rim and activates the sprinklers. Price at time of publication: $30 Key Specs: Material: BPA and phthalate-free vinyl | Recommended Age: 12 months and up | Dimensions: 60 x 60 x 4 inches Best Water Slide Jambo Triple Lane Slip, Splash, and Slide Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros 3 lanes wide Includes 3 inflatable bodyboards Water shoots out from both sides Cons Weight limit 110 pounds This slip-and-slide is triple the fun: it's three lanes wide for three children to slide together. The standard water slide is 16 feet long, but it's available in extra large (20 feet) and extra-extra large (32 feet) as well. It also includes three inflatable body boards, although children can slide on their stomachs like we all used to if they prefer. Water shoots out from sprinkle holes on both sides to maximize the slippery effect. Keep in mind that the slide should only be used on a high-traction surface such as grass to minimize ripping, and it's designed for kids ages 5 and up. The weight limit is 110 pounds, so as tempting as it might be, adults should avoid using it. Price at time of publication: $60 Key Specs: Material: BPA- and phtalate-free vinyl | Recommended Age: 5 years and up | Dimensions: 14.88 x 12.6 x 3.07 inches Best Water Table Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table Playset Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros Two-tiered table creates rain shower effect Basin holds up to 5 gallons of water Comes with accessories like animals, buckets, and shovels Cons Assembly required There's a very good reason why you'll find water tables in preschool classrooms and other educational settings: through play, they allow young children to engage with scientific and mathematical concepts, sensory exploration, creativity, and social skills, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table is ideal because it holds 5 gallons of water and includes 13 accessories, like a strainer, cups, toys, spinners, and half pipes to create a water maze. We love that it has two levels, so kids can pour water at the top and watch as the rain falls on the bottom tier. It's also big enough for several kids to play together and it's super easy to clean: just drain it and wipe it down with a dry cloth. Levy also recommends this water table because rain showers and waterfalls can have a soothing effect on children. Price at time of publication: $90 Key Specs: Material: BPA-free plastic | Recommended Age: 18 months to 10 years | Dimensions: 39 x 24 x 32 inches The 13 Best Water Tables of 2023 Best Sprinkler Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Splash Patrol Sprinkler Toy With Hose Attachment Amazon View On Amazon View On Melissaanddoug.com Pros Durable Compact design 12 water squirters Cons Water doesn’t shoot very high Sprinklers are great, but add a few fun characters and 12 water squirters, and you have a whole new favorite summer game for young children. As parents, our favorite part is how easy this Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Splash Patrol Sprinkler is to set up. All you need is a garden hose that attaches directly to the toy—no adapter needed. It's specifically designed to introduce younger kiddos (ages 3-6) to backyard water games, so the water pressure is just enough to shoot up but there won't be any scary or painful experiences. Price at time of publication: $25 Key Specs: Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 to 6 years | Dimensions: 8 x 7.5 x 6 inches The Best Water Shoes for Toddlers Who Love to Splash Around Best for Active Play SUNNY & FUN Slide ‘N Spray Inflatable Water Slide Park Amazon View On Amazon Pros Has a climbing wall, water slide, and splash pool Comes with air pump to keep it inflated Includes stakes to secure to the ground and storage bag Cons Has weight, age, and occupancy limits Difficult to store If you’re looking for the ultimate backyard water slide experience, this Sunny & Fun giant inflatable delivers. It has a climbing wall, water slide, and splash pool to keep your kids active for hours. It comes with a pump that needs to be plugged in to keep it inflated, as well as stakes to secure it to the ground. Once up and running at full capacity, the water in the pool is about 8 to 10 inches deep. According to the manufacturer, the water slide is designed for kids ages 3-10. There is also a 350-pound total weight limit (and 117 per individual), as well as a 5-foot height limit and a recommended maximum occupancy of three children at a time. Keep in mind that the water slide needs to be completely dry before it is stored. Price at time of publication: $350 Key Specs: Material: Fabric, nylon, and synthetic materials | Recommended Age: 3-10 years | Dimensions: 16.9 x 12.6 x 7.5 feet when inflated Best Water Game Hoop Shark Swimming Pool Basketball Hoop Set Amazon View On Amazon Pros Comes with a basketball Inflates in four chambers Has large bore valves to make inflating easier Cons Does not come with an anchor Does not come with a patch kit Active families will appreciate this pool basketball hoop for a bit of competitive bonding. The hoop is a good size and pretty sturdy—it inflates to 40 inches tall and 46 inches in diameter. It also comes with a regulation size five basketball. Although it's recommended for kids ages 7 and up, we're pretty confident adults will find it just as entertaining and challenging. This Hoop Shark toy is made of heavy-duty vinyl with reinforced seams. It's divided into four chambers with large bore valves that make inflating it a lot easier. What it doesn't have is an anchor, which some might consider a con because the hoop won't stay in one place, but we personally find it more fun and challenging if the hoop floats around. Price at time of publication: $40 Key Specs: Material: Heavy-duty vinyl | Recommended Age: 7 and up | Dimensions: 40 x 46 inches when inflated Best for Backyard Fun Jasonwell Unicorn Sprinkler Inflatable Amazon View On Amazon Pros Fun unicorn design in a giant size Includes four ground stakes to anchor Can be used indoors as a non-water inflatable for birthdays and parties Cons Does not include a pump Supersize your sprinkler experience with this inflatable unicorn that stands about 6 feet tall. Hook it up to a garden hose, turn on the water, and watch as water shoots out of the unicorn's horn. Although it doesn't come with a pump, it does have large double valves to speed up the inflation process. The toy also includes four ground stakes to keep your magical creature from flying away. And if 6 feet isn't tall enough, the unicorn is also available in a larger inflatable that measures nearly 9 feet. Price at time of publication: $30 Key Specs: Material: Phthalate-free vinyl | Recommended Age: 8 years and up | Dimensions: 83 x 34 x 65 inches when inflated Best Inflatable Intex Giant Gator Ride-On Amazon View On Amazon Pros Nostalgic design Made from durable vinyl Includes patch repair kit Cons Can take a while to inflate Edges could be sharp For parents looking for a nostalgic throwback inflatable ride-on toy for their swimming-age children, this Intex Giant Gator Ride-On fits the bill. It measures 45 by 80 inches, which is long and wide enough for several children to join in on the floating fun. It features four plastic handles and is made of durable vinyl. Like any inflatable, it might take time to blow up. The gator is divided into two chambers that inflate—you might want to use a pump rather than try to blow it up manually. Although it does not come with a pump, it does include a patch kit should there be a leak. Note that the edges of the vinyl could be sharp for some children as they slide on and off the float. Price at time of publication: $31 Key Specs: Material: Vinyl | Recommended Age: 3 and up | Dimensions: Spec 3 The Best Pool Toys to Splash the Days Away Best Splash Pad Jasonwell Splash Pad Sprinkler Amazon View On Amazon Pros 68-inch diameter Can spray water up to 3 feet high Fills to ankle-deep water Cons Can be slippery; water shoes advised A large splash pad can quickly turn a boring backyard into the neighborhood's favorite hangout. Measuring 68 inches in diameter, this Jasonwell Splash Pad Sprinkler is big enough for multiple kids to play together, but larger options are also available, including a 75-inch and an 87-inch pad. When at full water pressure, the sprinklers can shoot water up to 3 feet in the air. To operate, simply plug your garden hose into the attachments provided and you'll be up and running quickly. The water might spray outwards at first; if so, roll the edges of the splash pad inward to keep the water flowing to the center where it can accumulate. When full, the pool should have water as deep as an adult's ankles, or about 2 inches deep. When using splash pads, always put them on a surface with lots of traction, such as grass, to prevent injury. Although this splash pad features a non-slip textured surface, it's safer if you have your kids wear water shoes to prevent falls, especially if multiple children are playing together. Drowning can happen even in inches of water; always directly supervise water play on a splash pad, even if your child is older. Price at time of publication: $32 Key Specs:Material: BPA- and lead-free PVC | Recommended Age: 18 months and up | Dimensions: 68 x 68 x 3 inches Best for the Pool JOYIN 30 Pcs Diving Pool Toys Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Contains 30 pieces Comes with a mesh storage bag Children can dive for them or play with them outside the pool Cons Some pieces can break off easily If your kiddo enjoys diving for treasures in the pool, this toy is a must. Diving rings and sticks, squid, torpedoes, fish, and gems—30 pieces total—will keep them entertained for hours. They can also be used poolside for sorting games or in the bathtub for imaginative play. When pool time is over, all the treasures can be stored in a convenient mesh bag that allows air to circulate to prevent mold. Price at time of publication: $20 Key Specs: Material: Rubber and plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up | Dimensions: Assorted Best for the Beach Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set Amazon View On Amazon View On Melissaanddoug.com Pros 7-piece set Can be used with sand and water The turtle mixing bowl doubles as a sifter Cons Younger children might struggle to keep the lid closed Little cooking enthusiasts will love this sand playset from Melissa & Doug. It can be used at the beach, in a sandbox, at the pool, or in the bathtub for imaginative play. It comes with three shell-shaped measuring cups, an octopus whisk, a crab mixing spoon, and a mixing bowl. The cute turtle lid doubles as a strainer, and all the pieces can be stored inside the bowl. The lid does not snap shut, which might be frustrating for some children, but it is lightweight enough while empty for them to transport it themselves. Price at time of publication: $25 Key Specs: Material: Plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up | Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.5 x 7.5 inches Best Measuring Toys Battat Stacking Cups Amazon View On Amazon Pros Comes with 10 nesting cups Promotes developmental skills and open-ended play The largest cup has a handle for easy transport Cons Recommended age is 18 months plus "Object building" is an essential skill that kids develop in the toddler years, and toys like these Battat Stacking Cups are an easy way to encourage this and other key abilities. The set includes 10 cups, and the largest one has a handle so little hands can store them neatly and carry them around for fun on the go. Unlike the First Years Stack Up set, these cups don't have holes on the bottom, so they're more appropriate for measuring, pouring, stirring, and transferring water between cups. They're also much larger, allowing for taller towers and creations. The cups come in a variety of colors and sizes ranging between 1.5-5 inches in diameter. Since they're larger, they're recommended for kids ages 18 months and up. Price at time of publication: $9 Key Specs: Material: BPA-free plastic | Recommended Age: 18 months plus | Dimensions: 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.25 inches (nested) Best for the Bathtub Nuby Floating Purple Octopus Interactive Bath Toy Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Soft and flexible toy in a cute octopus shape Comes with three rings for ring toss Cons Replacement rings are not available for purchase Whether your little one wants to take a dip in the kiddie pool or the bathtub, this adorable Nuby Floating Octopus is guaranteed to be tons of fun. The toy is made from flexible BPA- and latex-free materials and is designed for kids ages 18 months and older. Kids can try their hand at ring toss, which promotes hand-eye coordination, although some children might find it frustrating that the rings don't catch the curved tentacles easily. One minor detail that sea creature-obsessed kiddos might notice is that this toy only has six legs, while a real octopus has eight—but we're willing to overlook the tiny inaccuracy. We love that the octopus and the rings both float, so toddlers won't have to go under the water to find them. And since there are no holes in this toy for water to gather, it won't get all moldy. Price at time of publication: $9 Key Specs: Material: BPA- and latex-free rubber | Recommended Age: 18 months and up | Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 5.5 inches Best Water Balloons Zuru Bunch O Balloons Multi-Colored 10 Bunches Amazon View On Amazon Pros Can fill and tie 100 balloons in one minute Comes with 350 balloons Stems and caps made from recycled plastic Cons Not guaranteed that all balloons in each bunch will fill properly Requires adult help Take the grunt work out of filling and tying water balloons with the Zuru Bunch O Balloons. Each stem—there are 10 included—comes with 35 water balloons. Attach the end of the cap to a garden hose and watch as the balloons fill and tie themselves off. It can fill up to 100 water balloons in one minute. The balloons are made from natural rubber, and the stems and caps are made from recycled plastic, according to the manufacturer. While each bunch contains 35 water balloons, it’s not guaranteed that all will fill equally. Adults should fill them or directly supervise the process as they could get heavy for some children to hold. Keep in mind that balloons can be a choking hazard for young children, so keep a close eye on little ones. Price at time of publication: $25 Key Specs: Material: Natural rubber and recycled plastic | Recommended Age: 3 years and up | Dimensions: 2 x 9 x 9 inches The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys That Offer Plenty of Fun Best Kiddie Pool Intex Sunset Glow Baby Pool Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Wayfair Pros Holds up to 18 gallons of water Comfortable inflated bottom 10-inch-high sides Cons Small diameter can only fit one child comfortably Pump not included Infants and toddlers will love cooling down and splashing in their very own baby pool. Measuring only 34 inches in diameter, this pool is small, but that also means it's convenient to move around the backyard or take to the beach, and it's very easy to inflate and fill. We love that the bottom of this pool is also inflated, so it's more comfortable for your little one. And if you're done playing outside, it can also double as a ball pit indoors. Be sure to always stay with your child when using this baby pool. Price at time of publication: $30 Key Specs: Material: Vinyl | Recommended Age: 2 years to 7 years | Dimensions: 10 x 34 inches (diameter) The Best Kiddie Pools to Splash, Cool Down, and Relax In Best for Play and Learn Discovery Toys Hydro Launch Water Rocket Amazon View On Amazon Pros STEAM toy that promotes scientific exploration Encourages gross and fine motor skills Can handle high water pressure Cons Needs direct adult supervision, especially for younger kids The plastic base is a little flimsy Combine water play with science exploration with this launch rocket. Water will shoot through the provided tube into the base. Then, children can enjoy lining the rocket up with the water stream to let it “blast off.” Kids can experiment with positioning, water pressure, and more, as well as run through and around the water stream for basic water play. It requires a garden hose for set up, and direct parental supervision is likely needed, especially for younger kids. Price at time of publication: $60 Key Specs: Material: BPA-free plastic | Recommended Age: 5 and up | Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 8 inches Best for Sensory Play Glo Pals Water-Activated Light-Up Cubes Amazon View On Amazon Pros Promotes sensory play Can be used in the bath or pool Automatically turns off when dry Cons The battery can potentially drain quickly Unable to replace batteries GloPals are light-up sensory play water cubes that are safe for the pool or the bathtub. Children can learn about colors, cause and effect, and hand-eye coordination through sorting, stacking, and submerging these blocks. Because they glow, they’re also great for a lights-off sensory bath experience. Each GloPal—there are 12 in this set in four different colors and characters—contains a non-lithium, hermetically sealed battery and automatically turns itself off when dry. Each block should last 30 days or 16 full hours of light. The batteries are not rechargeable or replaceable. Every purchase benefits Batson Children's Hospital of Mississippi. Price at time of publication: $35 Key Specs: Material: BPA- and phthalate-free plastic | Recommended Age: 3 and up | Dimensions: 1.25 x 1 x 0.8 inches per cube Best for Pretend Play CUTE STONE Color Changing Kitchen Sink Amazon View On Amazon Pros Accessories change colors based on water temperature Promotes pretend kitchen play and encourages hand washing Realistic experience Cons Batteries not included Water must be kept clean Little kitchen helpers will love playing with this pretend sink with running water and color-changing accessories. The sink comes with a faucet that pumps water from the tub below it, plates, cups, plastic knives, a brush, play detergent, and a dish rack. To get it to work, you only need to install two AA batteries (not included) and fill the bottom tub with water up to the indicated level. The water runs through a cycle system, so you don't need to refill the tub. The downside to this system is that you need to keep the water clean, so no real soap or dirty dishes should be used. The accessories will change color when the water is warm (above 91 degrees F). The manufacturer recommends removing the faucet from the sink if not in use so the batteries stay dry, even though it's sealed with a waterproof strip. Price at time of publication: $40 Key Specs: Material: ABS plastic | Recommended Age: 3 and up | Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 4 inches Best Budget The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Fatbraintoys.com Pros 8 cups included Good for children as young as 6 months old Bright colors and holes for water play Cons Smaller than other stacking cup brands These stacking cups may seem like plain, small toys, but in reality, they can help open a whole world of exploration for babies ages 6 months and older. Stacking and nesting toys are instrumental in developing a skill called "object construction." An important developmental step, object construction while playing allows young children to explore relationships between different items as well as their properties. This skill goes beyond simple object manipulation and demonstrates advanced cognition, according to a study published in the journal Infancy. This First Years set includes eight colorful cups that can be used for stacking, sorting, and nesting, but they also feature small holes on the bottom of each cup that allow water to drain, making them perfect for playing in an inflatable pool, water table, or bathtub. The cups also feature numbers on the bottom to help older kiddos practice their colors and numbers. Price at time of publication: $8 Key Specs: Material: BPA-free plastic | Recommended Age: 6 months+ | Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.25 x 2.5 inches when nested Best Water Blaster Max Liquidator 6-Pack Water Blaster Set Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Comes in a pack of 6 Lightweight and floats in water Shoots water 10 to 15 feet Cons Rough play can break the internal seal Need to keep multiple children of different ages entertained for hours? This Max Liquidator Pack is the answer. The set comes with six colorful foam water blasters that are a little over a foot long and can hold about 2 cups of water. Once loaded, the water can shoot up to 30 feet away. These toys are pretty lightweight and will float in the pool, lake, or ocean. When not in use, the blasters should be completely drained and allowed to dry. Price at time of publication: $30 Key Specs: Material: Polyethylene foam and ABS plastic | Recommended Age: 6 and up | Dimensions: 3 x 14 inches each How We Selected the Best Water Toys To find the best water toys, we consulted Kimberly A. Morrow, a teacher and author who holds a Master of Education degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Tamar Levy, a former educator, reading specialist, founder of That Peach Mommy, and mother of two toddlers. We used their feedback and advice to sort through dozens of top-rated water toys to find the best options for kids of different ages and interests. We recommend the toys on this list based on a variety of factors, including developmental appropriateness, materials used, safety, durability, how easy they are to clean, value, and, of course, how fun they are. What to Look for in Water Toys Recommended Age Every water toy has a recommended age based on developmental appropriateness and safety risks. Check the manufacturer’s guide to see what age is appropriate for any water toy you buy. Even infants can benefit from water exposure, but children should always be directly supervised by adults when playing with water toys, even if it doesn’t involve a body of water such as a pool. Material Water toys are mostly made from materials like plastic, vinyl, and rubber. According to Morrow, parents should avoid materials that could be harmful, such as lead, phthalates, bisphenols (BPA and BPS), flame retardant chemicals, and formaldehyde. Occasionally, some water toys might have metal parts like stands or joints. Take care with these, as they can get hot to the touch on super warm days and could potentially burn a child. Durability Water toys are made from plastic, rubber, and vinyl, which, depending on the quality, can deteriorate over time. Keep water toys dry when not in use to prevent mold and mildew build-up. Look for battery-operated water toys that have rubber seals to keep water out. Store them in a cool and dry place in the off season to protect the toy’s longevity. Easy-to-Clean Most water toys should be easy enough to clean with soap and water, but you should always check the manufacturer’s recommendations. They should be dried completely before being put away to reduce mold and mildew build-up. Parents can plug holes with hot glue in water toys such as rubber duckies to prevent the growth of black mold. Safety Follow the age recommendations on water toys and closely monitor your children around water, whether it be a couple of inches on a slip-and-slide or in a full-size pool. Keep in mind that drowning is still the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Additionally, there are some water toys we don’t recommend, such as water beads, which can be a choking hazard for small children. If swallowed when wet, water beads can continue to grow and expand, causing blockages that can be life-threatening. “There’s a strict warning on the box that says they are a choking hazard. I believe that these should be used only under close supervision and kept away from young children,” says Levy. Frequently Asked Questions How much can I expect to spend on water toys? Water toys can vary in price. They can cost as little as $8 for stackable measuring cups and go up into the hundreds of dollars for more complex or involved toys like backyard inflatable playgrounds. Kids love water play at all ages and all price points; you can choose to invest if you wish, or you can find water toys on a budget. Morrow says that you can even use household items for water play: “You can use spray bottles instead of water guns, plastic cups and bowls for pouring and throwing, and pool noodles if you have a pool or access to a pool for the summer.”If you live in a location with warmer climate, you could likely get more use out of an outdoor water toy, which could get the cost per use down significantly than someone who lives in a cooler climate and doesn’t have as many warm days. Can battery-operated toys go in the water? Battery-operated toys can go in the water as long as they're specifically intended for that use. “Battery-operated water toys typically have a rubberized seal around the battery compartment to prevent leakage,” says Levy. When not in use, you should remove the toys from the water and store them in a dry place. What’s the best way to clean a water toy? It depends on the materials the water toy is made from. Levy suggests taking rubber bath toys with holes—like rubber ducks and other animals—and plugging them with hot glue to prevent water from getting into the toy. “If you’re not able to do that, equal parts vinegar and warm water can clean the toys,” she says. “Soak them for an hour or two, squeeze out the liquid, and let them dry.” If it’s something larger, like a water table, scrub it with the same mixture and then hose it down and let it dry. Why Trust Verywell Family Lauren Finney Harden is a writer and former magazine editor-in-chief whose work has appeared in publications such as Insider, Instyle, and Shape. She has also written content and supplied content strategy for some of the biggest names in the parenting and family space. She is the mother of a toddler. The Best Bath Toys That Kids Will Love 4 Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sarah A. Denny, Linda Quan, Julie Gilchrist, Tracy McCallin, Rohit Shenoi, Shabana Yusuf, Jeffrey Weiss, Benjamin Hoffman; COUNCIL ON INJURY, VIOLENCE, AND POISON PREVENTION, Prevention of Drowning. Pediatrics August 2021; 148 (2): e2021052227. doi:10.1542/peds.2021-052227 National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Importance of Sand and Water Play. American Academy of Pediatrics. Drowning Prevention for Curious Toddlers: What Parents Need to Know. Marcinowski EC, Nelson E, Campbell JM, Michel GF. The Development of Object Construction from Infancy through Toddlerhood. Infancy. 2019;24(3):368-391. doi:10.1111/infa.12284 See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit