🛁 Why the Bathtub is My New Sensory Playground

Date night finally arrived. Babysitter secured, reservations made—we’re out the door feeling accomplished.

Halfway through dinner, panic hits me: "I totally forgot to clean up his highchair!" My husband smiles, "Don't worry—I took care of it before we left." That moment? Total relief. But it reminded me how often sensory play turns into sensory cleanup. Exploring food, finger painting, messy crafts—it’s all beautiful, until it’s time to scrub the floors and change everyone’s clothes.

That’s why I’ve started saving my favorite sensory moments for the bathtub. No towels on the floor. No sticky walls. Just warm water, calming input, and a drain that does the dirty work.

Tonight’s trio is a new favorite:

🌈 Rainbow Foam Art

How to use it:

• Squirt a few dots of foamy soap in different colors along the tub wall.

• Let your child use their hands to smear, swirl, and blend the colors.

• Encourage big arm movements—rainbows, circles, animals, whatever their imagination wants.

Why it’s powerful:
All that pushing and swirling gives tactile feedback and strength to the hands and shoulders, supporting motor control and calming the nervous system. Plus, they’re learning about color mixing without needing to sit still at a table.

💆‍♀️ Magic Scalp Massage

How to use it:

• Add a little baby soap to your child’s wet hair.

• Take a soft silicone scalp brush and make slow circles around the crown of their head.

• Switch it up—let them try brushing your hair too!

Why it’s powerful:
The scalp has tons of tactile receptors. Light pressure here can help kids regulate and become more aware of their bodies. It’s also a great moment for quiet connection—something we all need after a long day.

🫧 Bubble Clap Game

How to play:

• Blow bubbles above the tub (bubble wands work great here).

• Ask your child to “clap” the bubbles between both hands, or pop them with one finger.

• Make it fun: count how many they can pop, or challenge them to only use certain fingers.

Why it’s powerful:
This game builds finger isolation, hand-eye coordination, and bilateral integration—all essential skills for dressing, writing, and self-care tasks later on.