By this age your child and you are both very familiar with bath time. Since this is something done daily, and sometimes even twice a day, being intentional with the materials provided during bath time can turn it into an activity that develops multiple skills.
6 Fun activities to do with your baby during bath time
1. Floating and sinking
Choose household items that have different buoyancy including spoons, cups, bowls and add them to the tub. Your baby’s curiosity will be ignited as they watch some items float and others sink. Even if your baby doesn’t say anything, they are observing and starting to make connections. As you drop an item into the water - pause - and then say in an exaggerated tone - float or sink.
2. Bubbles
Bubbles are always fun for your baby to watch but they also teach them visual tracking and focus. You can add some baby wash in the bath water and mix vigorously with your hand to create bubbles. Using baby wash will ensure that it doesn’t burn your baby even if it gets in their eyes. Pop the bubbles with a clap or say the word pop, to bring your baby’s attention to your action. This also teaches them the concept of cause and effect.
3. Squeeze bottles
Fill plastic squeeze bottles with water and add food coloring to them. Turn the bottle upside down and gently squeeze as your baby watches the colored water mix with the bath water. By 8 months, your baby can attempt to do this themselves. If they are unable to do this, gently squeeze the bottle with them. This will help them develop their hold hand grip.
4. Taste safe paint
Adding paint to bath time not only ensures a fun activity but also makes clean up easy! To make taste safe paint simply mix yogurt with natural pigments such as turmeric, beetroot, spinach. Your child may choose to use the paint brushes or their hands. They may paint the tub, wall or themselves - they will explore the texture and color of the paint. You can also grab a brush and paint, modeling the usage and techniques of the brushes which your child will soon pick up at around 10 months.
5. Popsicles
Worried about popsicles dripping all over the house but want to soothe those teething gums? Bring your homemade popsicles to the bathroom and let your baby enjoy them without the fear of mess or clean up! To make these popsicles, add a drop of food color to the water in an ice tray. Cover it with tin foil and poke popsicle sticks in each cube and freeze. Once frozen, tear the foil and pull out the popsicles. Offer them to your child during bath time.
6. Bath Boms
Bath Bombs are a great way to make bath time fun. They are a mixture of all things good for your skin, and are a perfect way to unwind after a long day for both you and your toddler. You can include your child in the process of making it and explore smells and colors and even science concepts as they dissolve in the bath.
Here is the recipe to make your own bath bombs at home
1. 1 cup baking soda
2. 1/4 cup cream of tartar
3. 1/2 cup corn starch
4. 1/2 cup epsom salt
5. 2 tbsp coconut oil
6. Few drops lavender
7. Dried rose petals
8. Food coloring
Mix all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix the oils and food coloring separately and then add to the dry mixture. Put in molds and spray some water. Leave overnight to harden!
1. Sing
Your baby loves listening to your voice. Sing to them during the bath as you put soap on different parts of their body eg This is the way we wash our hands