Life is better with bubbles: Read on for all the info on the safest way for your kiddo to bubble.

Oh, bathtime. Whether your household’s bathtime is a mellow wind-down or an all-out splash fest, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that a kid in possession of a bathtub is in want of a bubble bath. Because listen, who doesn’t love a frothy bubble wonderland?

But as irresistible as a great bubble bath can be, there are some misconceptions out there about bubble bath safety for kids, and we want to set the record straight. Here, we’ll answer parents’ pressing questions about whether or not bubble baths are safe for kids (spoiler alert: ours is!), and the many wonderful ways you can bubble—and we’ll pop a few bubble bath myths while we’re at it.

Is it safe to give my kid regular bubble baths?

Bubble baths can sometimes get a bad rap, but we’re here to clean up bubble bath’s reputation. The most irritating elements in other bubble bath formulas are too-harsh surfactants (the ingredients that make the bubbles), preservatives, and artificial fragrances. Because we have a strict no-weird-stuff policy at Pipette, we banned over 2000 potentially irritating or harmful ingredients from our 2-in-1 Body Wash + Bubble Bath, so it’s as mild and moisturizing as possible (and of course, it’s also tear free). Our two bubble bath aromas—Wild Berry and Calming Lavender—are both 100% plant-derived, and we use ultra-gentle glypolipids (never sulfates) for gentle cleansing and bubbling fun.

At what age can babies have bubble baths?

While you may think that a baby bubble bath is the best way to clean your infant, experts recommend that kids hold off on bubble baths until they’re three years old. That’s because younger babies are more prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs), and soaps can irritate their delicate skin. When babies are little, it’s best to stick to the gentlest possible cleansers, like our Baby Shampoo + Wash—which is free of sulfates and comes in an ultra-mild fragrance-free version for the littlest littles. True bubble baths for toddlers and kids can start at age three.

Do bubble baths irritate and dry out sensitive skin if kids have them too often?

Not ours. The best kids bubble baths should be gentle and sulfate-free. Our clean, hypoallergenic bubble bath has the stamp of approval from pediatricians and is rigorously tested by dermatologists. Not only that, our tear-free bubble bath is bolstered with hydrating ingredients like sugarcane-derived squalane and apple extract so kids’ skin gets maximum moisture.

What ingredients should I avoid in bubble baths for kids?

When you’re choosing a safe bubble bath for kids, look out for these potentially harmful ingredients:

• These bubble-makers and cleansers can be too harsh, stripping skin of essential moisture (and when it comes to kids’ delicate skin, moisture is all-important).
• “Fragrance.” On ingredient labels, the standalone word of “Fragrance” can hide any number of potentially irritating fragrance components—artificial and otherwise—that manufacturers don’t have to disclose.
• These hormone disruptors are often found in perfumes and fragrances, and thanks to that handy “Fragrance” loophole, manufacturers can hide their presence in formulas.
• These preservatives are also potential hormone disruptors—the hardest possible “no” in our book.

Why are bubble baths good for kids?

Aside from just being good clean fun, bubble baths are a great opportunity for imaginative sensory play. Instead of rushing through bathtime, make the most of it with a series of sensory activities:

Activity Idea 1: Waterfall Station

Transform the tub into a water-toy game by adding cups and small buckets. Older children can pour frothy waterfalls, while water scooping is a chance for toddlers to practice fine motor skills.

Activity Idea 2: Silly Hairstyles

Turn the bubble bath into a salon. Try out funky hairstyles like a bubble beard or space buns and show your little one their creative new look with a handheld mirror.

Activity Idea 3: DIY Bubble Bath Playdough

Take a bathtime spin on the classic kids’ craft. Kids can play with their bubble bath playdough out of the bath, or use it as a moldable, squishable, dissolvable soap during tub time.

You’ll Need:

• ¼ cup Body Wash + Bubble Bath
• ½ to ¾ cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• Optional: natural food coloring

Instructions:

1. Mix Body Wash + Bubble Bath & optional natural food coloring together in a bowl.
2. Melt coconut oil in the microwave and add it in.
3. Add ½ cup of cornstarch and knead it in.
4. Continue to add more cornstarch as needed.
5. Knead until the dough reaches the desired consistency and forms a ball shape.
6. Have fun!