The child lies still in the bath while the parent moves their hands slowly through the water nearby, making small waves. The first visible movement from the child ends the round. Roles then swap. Choosing to hold still is different from being told to be quiet — the game makes stillness the goal, and the body tends to follow.

How to do it

1Lie still. I'm going to make waves around you.
2The other moves their hands slowly through the water nearby, making small waves.
3First visible intentional movement — flinching, adjusting, laughing — ends the round.
4Switch. Add the rule: the still player keeps eyes fully closed.

Variations

Korb-Tür: If they won't lie still — they can sit still instead. Stillness takes whatever form works. Rules can adapt.
Ausstieg: Both of you still. Hands at sides. Just breathe together. Silence. That's the ending.

💡 Parent tip

This game often transitions naturally into the end of bath time. A child who has been lying still for 90 seconds is already halfway to calm. The getting-out step is much easier from here than from active play.

What your child develops

Body regulation — deliberately stilling the body requires conscious awareness of and control over automatic responses
Proprioception — feeling water movement around the body without visual input develops sensory integration
Pre-sleep preparation — the stillness practice directly transfers to the stillness needed to fall asleep