The Mom I Want to Be

 

Your child’s likely got buckets of submersible plastic animals, figurines, and cars. But if your imagination feels waterlogged when it comes to fresh ways to play with them, we’ve got some ideas that are sure to float your little one’s boat.

 

Noah’s Ark It’s raining! Forty days and 40 long nights. Send a toy boat (or a shallow plastic container) on a rescue mission to save all the plastic animals from the watering-can downpour.

 

Ice Age Freeze Freeze a small bath toy or plastic figure inside a paper cup filled with water. Once it’s frozen, peel away the paper and float the ice in the tub. Your child will love discovering her friend as the “glacier” melts.

 

Undersea Explorer Voilà, the intrepid Jacques Cousteau figurine! How brave he is to examine that frightening sea monster! What are those? Giant toes? An enormous oceanic knee? And what is that strange giggling sound this monster makes?

 

Bathtime at the Zoo The animals are filthy. Never mind that they’re a motley assortment (Piglet finally meets his cousin from the Fisher-Price farm): Your child will love getting them all sudsy and clean.

 

All Aboard! Roll out a fleet of cars and that same shallow plastic container. It makes a terrific boat for ferrying vehicles across Bathtub Bay.

 

Swimming Lessons OK, all you plastic people and animals, grab your towels (a washcloth should fit just fine) and line up on the side of the tub for class. You’ll learn to swim, race, and dive — and be prepared to pass a test at the end.