This Bathtime Whirly Washer is £8.99 at Amazon, 47% off the normal £16.99.

• Have bath time fun with the whirly washer

I’m not entirely sure why you’d want to get your child playing with a washing machine, really, but if it makes bath time a little more fun, then that’s a good thing, surely!

This Bathtime Whirly Washer has ‘real life’ washing action, and features a realistic click sound that indicates when the cycle has finished.   Amazon says it has a ‘host of accessories’, although it doesn’t say exactly what those are, but does say ‘including brightly coloured, quick drying cloths, fold-out drying rack, a liquid container and a washing basket.” It does make bubbles, which my little girl would love.

It easily attaches to the side of the bath or the tiles using the suction cups provided.

Reviews are pretty split. Of the 54, twelve reviewers gave it five stars, and 12 only gave it one.  Those who love it say it saved bath time, those who don’t say the door was tough to open and close and that it doesn’t work after a couple of uses, so keep your receipt so you can send it back if you have a dud.

Thanks to gizzygoo at HUKD

My son mostly had just empty plastic containers to play with in the bath. Deprived possibly, but he had a lot of fun filling and emptying them. One toy he did have though was the kind that stuck on the side of the bath and he did love that, mostly because it filled with water and had whirly bits. I think he'd have had a lot of fun with the Tomy Bathtime Whirly Washer too, which Amazon has on sale for £7.36, reduced from £16.99. Delivery is free with Amazon Prime.

• Click here for the Tomy Bathtime Whirly Washer at Amazon

I really don't think I'd be inclined to splash out nearly £20 for a bath toy, but at less than a tenner it makes a good buy. Plus, a good gift as well. All my son's bath toys were presents from various relations - I think that toys for the bath just isn't something you tend to splash out on as a parent (sorry for the bad pun!).

You load washing into the drum, close the door, and press the button to create bubbles. Press the On switch and watch the drum spinning just like a real washing machine. A click sound indicates when the cycle has finished and the clothes are ready to be hung out to dry on the drying rack.

The Whirly Washer comes with a host of accessories, including brightly coloured, quick drying cloths (4 items), a fold-out drying rack, a liquid container and a washing basket.

Thanks to shadow1 at HUKD!