Activity: Bathe the Baby

  • Date: 5/18/2012, by Kim Lamb, Child Care Finder
  • Age Group(s): Toddler
  • Estimated Duration: 15 minutes
  • Development Areas: Cognitive Development, Motor Skills, Social-Emotional, Language, Early Literacy
  • Materials Needed:
    • Rubber doll that can get wet
    • Wash cloth for the doll
    • Towel, comb, diaper (doll clothes) for after the bath.
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Toddlers enjoy bath time for playing in the water -- but maybe not for having their hair shampooed! To keep their hands busy and to help keep the shampoo out of their eyes, give your toddler a baby to bathe. While you are shampooing hair, let the toddler bath the doll. When you are drying off and dressing your toddler after his bath, he can do the same for his baby. Talk with your toddler about making sure his baby holds still while its hair is being washed too. Keep this doll in the bathroom to be used at bath time. This is a nice relaxing time at the end of a very busy day. Sing a fun song like this one during bath time.

“Evan’s Tub Time” by Richele Bartkowiak (Tune: Rock-a-Bye-Baby)

Splishin’ and splashin’
In the bathtub.
When we take a bath
We clean and we scrub.
With our washcloth
And a little shampoo.
And when it’s all over
We smell as good as new.

Splishin’ and splashin’
That’s what we do.
Don’t forget ducky,
He likes it too.
Watchin’ the bubbles
Dance in the tub.
Oh how we love bath time
Rub-a-dub-dub!