Toy Wash Day: Fun Cleaning Activity for Kids with Dogs

Cleaning doesn’t have to feel like a chore, especially when kids are involved! Young children love water play, bubbles, and having a “job” to do. Washing your dog’s toys together not only keeps everything fresh and safe for your pup but also gives kids a hands-on way to practice responsibility while having a blast.

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WHAT YOU NEED:

• Kongs, puzzle toys, plastic or rubber dog toys, bowls
• Sink, tub, or buckets 
• ‍Dish soap ‍
• Old toothbrushes, brushes, bottle brush, or a sponge 
• Water to clean and rinse
• A towel to put clean toys on
• Towels to dry off the kiddos & floor after

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HOW TO PLAY

‍Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Collect all the dog toys that need cleaning. This can be a fun little scavenger hunt for your kids - let them go around the house or yard gathering toys to “bring to the wash.”

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Step 2: Set Up the Cleaning Station

Fill a sink, tub, or big bucket with warm water. Add a few drops of dish soap and swish it around to make bubbles. The bubbles alone will likely excite younger kids! 

If your child needs to stand on a stool, make sure it’s sturdy. We love learning towers for this—safe and perfect for little helpers.

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Step 3: Model the Cleaning Process

Show them how to use the brush or sponge to scrub the inside and outside of the toys. Talk about why it’s important to get into all the nooks and crannies - dogs lick and chew everywhere!

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Step 4: Let the Kids Take Over

Hand over the brushes and let them wash. This is the main event—kids love bubbles, splashing, and getting hands-on. Let them scrub, rinse, and compare “before and after” toys.

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Step 5: Add Variety

Once the puzzle toys are done, move on to dog bowls or other dog toys. 

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Step 6: Celebrate Their Efforts

After the cleaning is done, celebrate the kids' hard work!  Stickers and stamps are favorites in our house, but it could be a high five or a dance party.

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PRO TIPS

• Roll up sleeves, throw on aprons, or even change into swimsuits —you’ll avoid soggy sleeves and soapy messes.
  
  
• Stay close by to manage slippery floors and keep the bubbles under control (kids always want more bubbles).

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Insights from Dominika: Lower your expectations. The first time I did this with my children, they washed maybe one toy each, and there were so many bubbles I could barely see them. And I was busy mopping the floor. But they loved it, and next time they brushed more toys!

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More Fun Ideas

Once the toys are sparkling, try Puzzle Toy Fill (stuffing them with delicious fillings) or Frozen Feast (making summer-friendly frozen treats together).

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This game is part of our Kids & Dogs Activity Series.