It is easy to take showers for granted but that can change quickly if you are trying to encourage your child to take them. Compared to a relaxing bath, the intensity of a modern shower spray can be intimidating for children who aren’t used to it.
Rather than give up on showers entirely until they are older, it is worth trying one of the many shower heads that are specifically designed for children. These shower heads vary greatly in terms of appearance and function, so you might not know where to start looking.
To help you narrow down your options, we have reviewed seven of the best kids’ shower heads available today. We chose these models based on their child-friendly designs, user-friendliness, and how easy they are to install.
- One-hand operation
- Multifarious color option
- Simple DIY installation
- Friendly design
- Includes a hose & diverter
- Non-toxic materials
- Non-toxic construction
- Hose & diverter included
- Removable suction mount
- Designed for adults
- Anti-clogging silicone jets
- Tool-free installation
- Detachable for convenient storage
- Adjustable height
- Ideal for kids learning to shower standing
- Many ways to play
- No installation required
- Great distraction for kids
- Non-toxic build
- All accessories included
- Built-in suction mount
Product Reviews
If you have small children, you will probably struggle to find time to research the many child-friendly shower heads on the market today. To give you a headstart and narrow down your options, we have reviewed seven of the best kids’ shower heads you can currently buy, chosen for their design, child-friendliness, quality, and ease of installation.
Yookidoo Elephant Baby Bath Shower Head
Most Portable
An elephant’s trunk serves as a personal shower hose, which makes it a perfect source of inspiration for a child’s shower head. Yookidoo’s elephant shower head incorporates its hose as a trunk perfectly, even the hose color appeals to young at hearts.
The flexible hose can be easily adjusted to accommodate the height of whoever is using it. Being battery-operated, this provides excellent portability too as it can be used anywhere, both indoors and outdoors. To increase the fun factor, the elephant design appeals to children.
Installation is straightforward as this product contains almost everything you need, but you might need to purchase four double A batteries separately.
Pros
- Height-adjustable.
- One-hand operation.
- Simple DIY installation.
- Multifarious color option.
Cons
- Not the most eco-friendly as it constantly requires batteries.
Product Specs
| Design | Elephant |
| Included Accessories | Shower head, flexible hose |
| Materials | Not specified |
| Mount | No mount required for shower head |
| Diverter Type | Not specified |
Our Ratings
Kaiying Children’s Shower Head
Best for All Ages
If you have more than one child, it can be difficult to find a shower head that all of them will like. However, this dolphin-themed kids’ shower head from Kaiying should appeal to children of all ages.
It is a bright, welcoming blue and white — studies have found this to be comforting to children (1). The shower head doesn’t only look comforting as it is also made with non-toxic materials, so you can be confident that your children will be safe while they use it.
This Kaiying shower head is easy to install. The product includes a hose and three-way diverter, so you shouldn’t need to buy any additional parts before installing it.
Pros
- Includes everything needed for installation
- Should appeal to children of all ages
- Non-toxic materials
Cons
- Not immediately obvious that it is a dolphin design
Product Specs
| Design | Blue dolphin |
| Included Accessories | Diverter and hose — 59.06 inches |
| Materials | Non-toxic vinyl & ABS plastic |
| Mount | Removable suction bracket |
| Diverter Type | Triple-function diverter |
Our Ratings
Kaiying Children’s Cow Shower Head
Best for Farm Animal Fans
If your child has an affinity for farm animals, this cow-themed kids’ shower head is a great option. It is shaped like a black and white cow. The nozzle — or nose — of the cow is pink.
It has a friendly face so children should respond positively to it. The cow design provides plenty of opportunity for bathtime fun if you’re feeling creative and want to sing some nursery rhymes.
Like all Kaiying bathroom products, the plastic is food-grade ABS. This means it meets the same quality standards as any plastic that is expected to come into contact with food, so it is completely non-toxic. Installation should be stress-free as the product includes a 59-inch hose and a diverter.
Pros
- Safe, non-toxic construction
- Hose and diverter included
- Black-and-white cow design
- Removable bracket
Cons
- Some reviews mention the shower head leaking with time
Product Specs
| Design | Black-and-white spotted cow |
| Included Accessories | Diverter and hose — 59.06 inches |
| Materials | Food-grade ABS, non-toxic plastic |
| Mount | Removable suction bracket |
| Diverter Type | Triple-function diverter |
Our Ratings
Kairey Handheld LED Shower Head
Most Colorful
This Kairey LED shower head isn’t designed specifically for children, but they might appreciate its colorful lights. These lights display seven rainbow colors in intervals of a few seconds. This provides constant stimulation that should keep your child entertained (or at least distracted) while you rinse them off.
If you have an autistic child, this Kairey shower head could make bathtimes more relaxing. LED lighting can be both calming and intriguing to neurodiverse children (2). If your child enjoys color-changing lights outside of the shower, this LED shower head could be a great option.
Although this unit doesn’t contain a built-in filter, it has self-cleaning, anti-clogging silicone jets that reduce mineral deposits.
Pros
- Visually stimulating for all ages
- Anti-clogging silicone jets
- Designed for adult bathrooms
- Straightforward installation
Cons
- No shower head height adjustment
Product Specs
| Design | Randomly sequencing LED lights in seven colors. |
| Included Accessories | Shower hose, overhead bracket, Teflon tape |
| Materials | ABS Material Chrome Plated |
| Mount | Adjustable Bracket |
| Diverter Type | N/A |
Our Ratings
Rinse Ace 3901 My Own Shower Children’s Shower Head
Best Shower Head for Older Kids
It is always exciting when your child shows signs that they want to be more independent. This shower head is a great option for parents who want to give their children an introduction to grown-up showering, specifically standing rather than sitting.
The shower head is shaped like a cartoon dolphin and features a 3-foot detachable hose. This relatively short hose means it is best used as a standing shower. You simply attach the dolphin to the wall at an appropriate height for your child by using the unit’s suction cups. They can then rinse themselves under it.
This is a great option for guardians who want to maintain an adult aesthetic in their bathroom. The hose is detachable, so you can keep it out of sight when your child isn’t showering.
Pros
- Easily detached for convenient storage
- Adjustable height
- Great for kids learning to shower standing up
Cons
- Some complaints about the suction cup not sticking
Product Specs
| Design | Dolphin |
| Included Accessories | Connector and yellow hose — 3 feet |
| Materials | N/A |
| Mount | Suction |
| Diverter Type | Patented connector |
Our Ratings
Yookidoo Battery-Operated Handheld Shower
Best for Reluctant Bathers
If your child is still getting used to baths, this Yookidoo set could be a significant help. Turning bathing into an interactive game could make it more engaging and enjoyable for them.
The shower head itself is an abstract character attached to a cute yellow submarine. Water circulates through the submarine using battery power, before being pumped out from the shower head. This can serve as a helpful distraction during the potentially stressful parts of bathing, such as hair-washing.
A set of engaging toys can be suction-mounted to your bathtub to add to the enjoyment. Your child can pour water to make the fan spin, or have water come out of another funny-faced character’s mouth. The set is rated for children aged between two and six, so it is a good option for households with more than one young child.
Pros
- Plenty of fun distractions for toddlers
- No installation is required
- Could help engage children who dislike bathing
Cons
- Some customers report the submarine breaking down quickly
- Plastic materials are not specified
Product Specs
| Design | Miscellaneous character |
| Included Accessories | Toy-set, battery-powered submarine |
| Materials | N/A |
| Mount | Suction for toy-set; no mount required for shower head |
| Diverter Type | None required |
Our Ratings
Kaiying Children’s Frog Shower Head
Best for Frog Fanatics
Kaiying is a popular choice for kids’ shower heads and this frog design makes it easy to see why. As with the brand’s other models, there is a lot to work with during shower time if your child likes frogs. You can ribbit your way through ear-cleaning, face-washing, and hair-rinsing.
Let your child suction cup the shower head to the wall to stand under it. The compact build means even very young children should be able to hold it comfortably.
For parents, this Kaiying model has a couple of perks. Firstly, you won’t need to spend extra money on a hose or diverter — both are included in the box.
It is also non-toxic and its plastic components are food-grade ABS. Finally, the diverter is multi-functional. This means you can run the water from more than one shower head attachment if you are showering with your child.
Pros
- Non-toxic construction
- All necessary accessories are included
- Built-in suction mount
Cons
- Water sprays straight out instead of at an angle
Product Specs
| Design | Frog |
| Included Accessories | Diverter and hose — 59.06 inches |
| Materials | Food-grade ABS, non-toxic plastic |
| Mount | Built-in suction |
| Diverter Type | Triple-function diverter |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Design | Mount | Diverter Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yookidoo Elephant Kids Shower Head | Portable | Elephant | No mount required for shower head | N/A |
| Kaiying Children’s Showerhead | All Ages | Blue dolphin | Removable suction bracket | Triple-function diverter |
| Kaiying Children’s Cow Showerhead | Farm Animal Fans | Black-and-white spotted cow | Removable suction bracket | Triple-function diverter |
| Kairey Handheld LED Shower Head | Colorful | Randomly sequencing LED lights in seven colors. | Hose | N/A |
| Rinse Ace My Own Shower Showerhead | Older Kids | Dolphin | Suction | Patented connector |
| Yookidoo Handheld Shower | Reluctant Bathers | Miscellaneous character | Suction for toy-set; no mount required for shower head | None required |
| Kaiying Children’s Frog Showerhead | Frog Fanatics | Frog | Built-in suction | Triple-function diverter |
Why Buy a Kids Shower Head?
When buying a shower head, it is important to consider more than just functionality. This is true whether you are buying a standard shower head or one designed for children.
Design is probably even more important if you expect a child to use the shower. A well-designed kids’ shower head can help them relax in an otherwise potentially intimidating environment, and turn taking a shower into something they look forward to rather than dread.
Child-Friendly Design
Kids’ shower heads are designed specifically for children, so their design priorities will differ from what you might expect of standard shower models. Children are unlikely to care about whether a shower head has a chrome or brushed nickel finish, nor are they likely to be impressed by minimalist design. The best kids’ shower heads will usually be bright and colorful, and they frequently have animals incorporated into their designs.
Engaging for Your Kid
If you find that your child is very restless while bathing, the right shower head could engage them and help them relax. This can take many forms, such as being shaped like a cute animal or featuring relaxing LED lights. Whatever you choose, try to find a model that will keep your child distracted while they are showering.
Smaller Size
Kids’ shower heads are usually smaller than standard models, to allow children to use them without assistance. This is also why they are as lightweight as possible, so they are more user-friendly and won’t cause injury if dropped.
Reduce Fear and Stress
Showering can be intimidating for any young child, given how powerful many modern shower heads are. This is especially true if your child has increased sensitivity, such as if they are autistic (3).
Shower heads for children address this by having limited flow rates and designs that will comfort and distract them. This is why a child-friendly shower head can make such a significant difference in their enjoyment of time spent bathing.
Warning
Features for Adults
Children might be more interested in how a shower head looks, but you will need to consider some other aspects if you want it to be both fun and functional.
Accessories
Try to find a child’s shower head with a diverter. This important component is responsible for diverting the water flow to more than one attachment in your bath or shower (5).
Ideally, your new shower head should be compatible with your current setup. Many heads include a hose that should connect easily to a standard connector. The key is to find a shower head that will integrate easily with the rest of your existing bathroom.
Materials
To ensure that your child doesn’t come into contact with any harmful materials, you will need to look closely at the shower head’s construction. For example, bisphenol-A (BPA) is commonly used in plastics, and many product descriptions will specify that they are BPA-free. Children are particularly vulnerable to BPA, though it is still unclear how exactly it affects their health (6).
Installation
Ideally, your chosen shower head will contain a mount to hold it when it isn’t in use. Apart from keeping your bath area tidier, this will allow you to take a bath without your child’s shower head getting in the way.
Involve Your Child
As you are buying this shower head for a child (unless you want an animal-shaped unit for yourself), involve them in the decision-making process. If they have a favorite animal, you might be able to surprise them with a shower head they will appreciate.
Most of the models in our reviews are animal-themed. This is no surprise as most children’s media involves animals in some form, so they will love these child-friendly designs (7).
FAQs
How Often Should Kids Shower?
The frequency of a child’s shower will depend on their age and lifestyle. A couple times a week is enough for toddlers and babies.
Their sensitive skin does not require scrubbing regularly; nevertheless, it is OK to pull out the bath toys more frequently if your child becomes dirty or has a messy diaper issue.
At the very least, older children, ages 6 to 11, should take a bath at least twice or three times each week. When kids become sweaty, muddy, or smelly, they should take additional showers.
Excessive bathing can cause the skin to become dry and sensitive. However, regular bathing can remove the skin’s naturally occurring protective oils and germs, which contribute to our overall health and safety but are susceptible to being removed by water.
How Do You Shower with a Toddler in the Shower?
Showering with a toddler in the shower isn’t always an option if you have a small one-person shower cabin. Otherwise, you can take the toddler in the shower to be squeaky clean at the end.
Many parents recommend choosing a safe spot in the shower for their toddler and bringing toys into the shower to keep them busy and distracted.
Where Should My Toddler Go in the Shower?
Choose a safe spot for your toddler to stay in when showering. Don’t allow them to move around too much, as the risk of slips and injuries is high. Having toys in the shower usually helps. Playing games that require sitting still is also a solution.
Since you want to be able to move in the shower freely yourself, it’s best to choose a safe corner spot for the toddler.
At What Age Should a Child Shower Themselves?
The consensus is that kids can shower by themselves at six. But this isn’t set in stone, and there are plenty of other things to consider.
While some children like to shower alone early on, others enjoy having the company of a parent until they’re around 10. Whatever you decide, make sure to be close by in case your little one needs your help.
