Balloons in the bathtub
Here's how Rob keeps bathtime fun:
A recent hack I've used to break up some of the monotony of bath time is balloons. Fill a regular (or for more fun, the thin clown balloons) about 3/4 full of water. Place in the tub before you begin to fill. While the tub is filling and you're getting the little man or woman ready for bath they are intrigued. Once they are in the tub, they can enjoy a nice physics lesson. If the balloon breaks in the water (which is rather difficult to achieve most times), there's no messy cleanup! In addition, the balloon can be very heavy for a child to push outside of the tub, however will move with ease through the tub. This restricts the potential mess waiting for you when the balloon inevitably tries to jump over the side.
Tags: Bathing kids, Parenting
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Be very careful with the balloon bits, latex balloons are a choking hazard and the number one cause of choking death. Foil balloons are much safer, but I've never seen a good balloon animal made out of one.
Posted by: Matt Westervelt | 22 May 2006 at 04:22 PM
As always, watch your children!
Posted by: Rob | 22 May 2006 at 05:38 PM
This is not a good idea. Balloons are one of the most dangerous items to have around small children. This post should be removed.
Posted by: Jason | 22 May 2006 at 07:43 PM
I've got a five year old who has been begging for balloons. I love the idea! If I'm next to the tub, even with little brother sitting there, no one is going to inhale a broken piece of balloon. Don't let anyone bite it, don't leave broken pieces around and in general behave responsibly and have fun.
Posted by: Jill | 22 May 2006 at 08:15 PM
I second what Jill said. Considering that in this particular hack you'd have to leave your kids alone in the tub to leave them alone with the balloons, it would seem that the threat of choking is pretty low.
Remember everyone- the name of this blog is 'PARENT Hacks'...not 'Kid Hacks'. Nobody is suggesting that you throw a bag of balloons on the table and go read a book.
Posted by: Moira | 23 May 2006 at 01:23 AM
Those "thin clown balloons" are called 260s in balloon terminology because fully inflated, they're 2" diameter and 60" long. High quality brands, stored at cool temperatures to prevent breakdown before use, are less likely to break than the ones in inexpensive kits. I recommend Qualatex and Bellalatex.
My daughter was raised around balloons because they are an integral part of my family's business. The first time she saw anyone put a balloon near their mouth was at age 5, when unsupervised older elementary school-aged children attempted to suck helium out of balloons while their adults were (hopefully) elsewhere in the building helping clean up after an event. I stopped the task I was doing to remove and deflate the remaining balloons, let the children know that inhaling helium is NOT safe and suggested they go find their designated adults.
Posted by: oddharmonic | 23 May 2006 at 10:48 PM