If you have a lively toddler (are there any toddlers who aren’t?) who loves the bath, chances are you’ve had a few particularly boisterous bath-times where your little one has had a close encounter with the taps.
Most bath taps are not designed with toddlers in mind – for the most part they stick out and have sharp edges. Combine this with an excitable toddler and a slippery bath, and you have a potentially dangerous situation on your hands.
This is where bath spout covers can come to the rescue. Buying one of the best bath spout covers solves the problem by covering the taps to prevent them from becoming a potential hazard during bath-time.
Table of Contents
Best Bath Spout Covers
There are a huge variety of tap protectors on the market. Here is a selection of some of the best bath spout covers.
Image | Product | Features | Price |
---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Tappy Tap Spout Protector | Machine washable, adjustable and fun for kids. | Check Price |
Best for Double Taps | TapHat Bath Tap Cover | High impact foam cover available in several colours. | Check Price |
Best Multipurpose | Boon Flo Water Deflector | Creates a waterfall effect, BpA free, Phthalate free, and PVC free. | Check Price |
Tappy Tap Guard and Bath Toy
Best Overall
Your little one will forget all about playing with the taps with this cheerful Tappy Tap octopus guarding them. One of the best features of this little chap is that it has a universal strap which enables it to fit on any size or shape of spout.
Its eye-catching design will keep your little one entertained as they can pour water into its mouth and watch it trickle out of the legs, and play number and colour games with the tentacles.
It has a velcro and rubber grip which enables it to stay firmly fixed in place, while at the same time making it easy to remove. It is also machine washable and is made out of Neoprene so it won’t get mouldy.
Overall, we think that the Tappy Tap guard is the best bath spout cover in the UK market right now.
Check Price: Tappy Tap Guard at: Amazon
TapHat Bath Tap Cover
Best for Double Taps
If you’re struggling to find a cover to fit over double taps than the TapHat tap cover, which doubles as a head rest, could be the product for you. It is made of high-impact foam so will protect your little ones from any potential knocks from the taps as well as preventing them from getting near to the taps to turn them on.
It is designed to fit over all standard UK tap fittings including mixer taps and those with shower attachments. The only downside is that it is not a toy so is not very exciting for little people but they probably have enough toys anyway!
Check Price: TapHat Bath Tap Cover at: Amazon
Boon Flo Water Deflector
Best Multipurpose
The stylish Boon Flo spout cover has a waterfall feature which your little person will love and which could also be a good way to get them used to putting their head under a stream of water to wash their hair. It also doubles as a soap/bubble dispenser which creates a stream of bubbles at the touch of a button.
It is made of a nice soft material which will help prevent any bumps. All of these features, however, do come with a hefty price tag, so it is disappointing that it does not always fit securely or stay in place. This is definitely something to bear in mind when you’re shopping around.
Check Price: Boon Flo at: Storkz
Skip Hop Moby Whale Spout Cover
This cute little Skip Hop whale is made of tough rubber which will help prevent any bumps in the bath. It is recommended for mixer taps only that are 13cm or longer, so make sure that you measure your taps before you purchase.
Conveniently, it is adjustable (the fin tightens to ensure a secure fit) to fit different size taps. However, many customers have reported that it slips off the spout easily and is not always easy to fix in place. Which goes to show that despite many positive reviews, mostly in the US, this one does work for everyone.
Puj Snug
Although this spout cover from Puj may not look very inspiring compared to similar products, it is made of a soft, foam like material which allows it to bend and flex. This means that it can fit on a variety of spouts, and its relatively large size means it will even fit over waterfall style taps.
Its clever design means that although it is made of foam it doesn’t absorb water and so won’t attract mould or mildew, which is an added bonus.
However, some customers have reported that it does not always securely stay in place and can be knocked off quite easily so you may want to consider how boisterous your little one is in the bath before purchasing.
Check Price: Puj Snug at: Amazon
Stork Inflatable Bath Tap Soft Spout Cover
If you’re looking for a basic, budget spout cover then look no further. This Stork inflatable pillow style cover inflates easily and has a cute fish design. It should fit over any standard size spout and can be adjusted to fit over a shower diverter knob.
It is pretty basic and does not have any extra features like some similar products but that is reflected in the budget price tag. It would benefit from an adjustable strap to keep it in place as it is fairly easy to remove, and would probably work better on a spout that doesn’t angle down. We found that ours slipped off far too easily to make it effective.
In addition, you have to make sure that it is fully inflated throughout bath-time to ensure adequate cushioning for your little one. Overall, this spout cover has it’s limitations, but if you’re keen to get something to protect your little one in the bath and have a small budget, than this may work for you.
Check Price: Stork Inflatable at: Amazon
Mommy’s Helper Froggy
Fans of the Muppets will love this funky little Mommy’s Helper frog! Its friendly little face will definitely make bath time more fun while protecting your little one from the taps.
It fits most standard taps, but like similar products, it may be an idea to cross check the measurements of your taps with the measurements of the product before you buy, to ensure that it will fit securely.
It’s made from a durable material but it is quite hard to the touch so will not cushion your little one as much as some of the other products should they fall on it.
Check Price: Product at: Amazon
Bath Spout Cover Buying Guide
What is a bath spout cover?
A bath spout (or tap or faucet) cover is a product that is placed over the taps in your bath so that in the event that your little one falls near the taps they will not hurt themselves. They are usually made out of a soft material such a rubber. There are a wide variety of designs on the market for you to choose from.
Different types of Spout Covers
There are a whole variety of spout covers on the market, from ones that are designed to be played with to ones that double as something else, such as a bath pillow or a soap dispenser. They range from very basic (a blow-up cushion that slots over the taps) to more fancy, stylish designs that are more interactive. Some are designed to fit on specific taps (mixer taps for example) and they come in a variety of materials from foam to plastic.
What to look for in a spout cover
There are several things to look for when choosing a suitable spout cover for your bath. The main consideration is obviously finding a cover that fits your taps properly, otherwise it is pretty redundant. It also needs to remain securely in place and not move if tampered with by little fingers!
It should be made of a material that is easy to clean, durable and non-toxic as you don’t want a product that attracts mould and mildew or deteriorates quickly. It is important to use reputable brands as cheaper products will not fit as well and most likely will not be made of suitable, long- lasting material.
You’ll probably also want one that either fits in with the decor of your bathroom, or that is small enough and easy to store.
On the whole, the best bath spout covers are not going to break the bank so while you may want to be mindful of cost you need to ensure you are getting value for money by buying from a trusted source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a bath spout cover?
Even though you will undoubtedly have your eyes firmly fixed on your toddler during bath time, a slip or fall can happen in a split second so bath safety should always be at the fore-front of your mind.
Investing in a bathtub spout cover buys you some peace of mind so that if your little one does fall near the taps you know they won’t hurt themselves. You don’t want to give your toddler any reason to start hating bath time.
What if I can’t find a spout cover that fits?
There are some products on the market that purport to fit on any size of shape of taps so if you can’t find one to fit at first you may need to shop around. Look for one that is adjustable as you may be able to manipulate it into fitting your taps. Just make sure that it is secure before using it for the first time. Measure your taps before purchasing and double check the measurements on the product before buying them.
How do I stop my child from turning on taps?
Scalds and burns from hot bath water results in 500 children a year being admitted to hospital in the UK. Unfortunately toddlers often make a bee-line for the taps in the bath which can be dangerous if the water that comes out is far too hot.
If your little one just won’t leave the taps alone then it may be worth investing in a tap strap. This clever device simply fastens around the taps and stops them from moving – thus preventing your inquisitive toddler from turning the water on.
The Bottom Line
If you have a toddler who has a new-found fascination with the taps on the bath then a spout cover is an essential at bath-time. Before you invest in one make sure that you have measured your taps and checked the dimensions on the product to avoid buying something that doesn’t fit (which defeats the whole purpose of a spout cover after all!!). Bath-time should be fun so make sure you keep it that way by ensuring that your little one is safe.
Beth
After learning all she knows about pregnancy, birth and babies the hard way, Beth is now sharing her knowledge with you. She has a degree in business but has honorary Masters in Taming Tantrums, Messy Play, Toy Finding and Cuddling.