Bringing home a newborn is an exciting time full of love and questions—like what toys does my baby need? The right toys aren’t just for fun; they can help your baby’s senses develop, strengthen motor skills, and create memorable bonding moments.
This guide will simplify things by showing you the best toys that help your baby grow without wasting too much space or costing a fortune. Whether you’re a new parent or grandparent or looking for a thoughtful gift, you’ll find everything you need to make your baby’s first months happy and safe!
When Do Babies Start Playing with Toys?
Babies start to notice and show interest in toys around 2–3 months old. At this time, they may begin to look at and reach for objects. By 4–6 months, they can hold and explore toys, enjoying different textures, shapes, and sounds.
What Are the Best Toys for Newborns?
The best toys for newborns are simple and help them learn:
- High-Contrast Toys: Black-and-white toys are easy for babies to see.
- Soft Rattles: Light and easy to hold, they make soft sounds.
- Mobiles: Hanging toys that move slowly catch their attention.
- Tummy time Mats: These mats help strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.
- Teething Toys: Safe toys for babies to chew on when their teeth start coming in.
These toys are fun, help babies grow stronger, and learn about the world. Always pick toys that are safe, soft, and made for newborns.
What to Look For in Toys for Newborns?
How to Pick Toys for Newborns
Choose toys that are safe and help babies grow. Here’s what to look for:
- Safety: Use toys made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials. Make sure the toys don’t have small pieces that babies can swallow. Look for labels that are ASTM or CPSC-certified.
- Stimulate Senses: Pick toys with bold colors like black and white to help babies see better. Use soft rattles to make gentle sounds.
- Easy to Hold: Choose lightweight toys like soft plushiest or teething rings that tiny hands can grab quickly.
- Support Growth: Use toys like play gyms or mobiles to help babies move and improve coordination.
Examples:
- Lovevery Play Kits: Help babies learn and grow.
- Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Cards: Help babies focus their vision.
- Skip Hop Explore & More Gym: Makes tummy time fun.
The right toys keep babies safe and help them grow while they play.
Top Newborn Toys: A Quick Guide
Here’s a simple list of the best toys for newborns, organized by category:
Category Toy Name Why It’s Great
Best Overall Toy: Love very Play Gym Combines sensory stimulation, tummy time, and developmental activities.
Best for Sensory Play Manhattan Toy: Wilmer-Ferguson Cards High-contrast cards help newborns develop focus and visual skills.
Best for Motor Skills: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Gym encourages kicking, reaching, and coordination with interactive piano keys.
Best Comfort Toy: Jelly-cat Bashful Bunny is soft and cuddly, providing comfort and security for naps and bedtime.
The Best Stimulating Toy: It is Skip Hop Explore & More Gym, which offers various textures, sounds, and activities to keep babies engaged.
Best for Visual Development: Tiny Love Take-Along Mobile Features spinning patterns to support visual tracking and focus.
Best On-the-Go Toy: Bright Starts Oball Lightweight and easy to hold, perfect for keeping babies entertained while traveling.
Best Rattle Toy: Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys Combines a gentle rattle with soothing teething relief.
These toys are safe and easy to use. They support early development in fun and engaging ways. They cater to your baby’s growing needs while keeping them happy and entertained.
Toys for Different Age Groups: What Experts Say About Picking the Right Ones
Choose toys that do more than entertain—they help kids learn and grow. Age-appropriate toys build essential skills like problem-solving, creativity, and social interaction. Use this simple guide to find the best toys for every age.
Toys for Newborns (0–6 Months)
Focus: Helping babies explore through their senses.
Newborns learn about the world through their eyes, ears, and touch. Baby development expert Dr. Jessica May-field says, “Toys for this age should focus on sight, sound, and touch to help babies explore and grow.”
High-Contrast Cards:
Great for helping babies focus and track movement.
Example: Wee Gallery Art Cards with bold black-and-white patterns.
Soft Rattles:
Babies love the gentle sounds and can start learning about cause and effect.
Example: Manhattan Toy Skwish Rattle.
Play Gyms:
Perfect for tummy time and reaching.
Example: Skip Hop Explore & More Activity Gym.
Teething Toys:
Comfort babies when their gums hurt from teething.
Example: Sophie the Giraffe.
Toys for Babies (6–12 Months)
Focus: Learning to move and play with purpose.
According to child occupational therapist Dr. Amanda Keller, as babies start moving more, give them toys that help them crawl, grab, and learn how things work.
Stacking Rings: Help babies stack and build hand-eye coordination.
Example: Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack.
Soft Balls: Let babies roll, toss, and grab them.
Interactive Musical Toys: Show babies how to press buttons to play music.
Example: Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes.
Crawling Toys: Encourage babies to crawl and explore.
Example: Fisher-Price Crawl After Learning Toy.
Toys for Toddlers (1–2 Years)
Focus: Walking, talking, and exploring new things.
Toddlers are curious and full of energy. A child development expert, Dr Sarah Whittaker, says toys should get them moving and help them solve simple problems.
Push and Pull Toys: Help toddlers walk and keep their balance.
Example: V Tech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker.
Shape Sorters: Teach shapes and help toddlers solve problems.
Example: Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube.
Building Blocks: Let toddlers build and practice using their hands.
Example: Mega Blocks First Builders.
Bath Toys: Make bath time fun and encourage sensory play.
Toys for Toddlers (2–3 Years)
Focus: Pretend to play and learn new skills.
Toddlers love to pretend and act like grown-ups. Dr. Benjamin Royce, a child psychologist, says this helps with social and creative growth.
Pretend Play Sets: Let toddlers act out stories and play different roles.
Example: Melissa & Doug Kitchen Sets.
Ride-On Toys: Build strength and improve coordination.
Example: Little Likes Cozy Coupe.
Puzzles: Teach toddlers how to solve problems and be patient.
Example: Melissa & Doug Deluxe Jumbo Knob Puzzle.
Art Supplies: Help toddlers explore and create.
Example: Crayola Jumbo Crayons.
Toys for Preschoolers (3–4 Years)
Focus: Learning through play with others.
At this age, kids start playing with others and learning rules. An early childhood educator, Dr. Kelly Harmon, says toys can help them share and build essential skills.
Dolls and Action Figures: Teach kids how to tell stories and build social skills.
Educational Games: Help kids learn letters, numbers, and problem-solving.
Example: Leap Frog Leap Pad.
Building Sets: Encourage creativity and teach kids to plan and build.
Example: LEGO Duplo.
Outdoor Toys: Get kids moving and playing in groups.
Examples: Trampolines, tricycles.
Toys for Preschoolers (4–5 Years)
Focus: Teamwork, creativity, and solving harder problems.
Dr. Emily Reid, a play therapist, says that at this stage, kids are ready for toys that challenge their thinking and encourage teamwork.
STEM Toys: Teach kids early science and math skills.
Example: Magna-Tiles.
Board Games: Help kids learn teamwork, patience, and strategy.
Craft Kits: Let kids express themselves and improve their focus.
Sports Equipment: Build coordination and teamwork skills.
Examples: Soccer balls and basketball hoops.
Why Choosing the Right Toys Matters
Choosing the right toys for your child’s age helps them in many ways:
Build Skills: Toys that match their stage help them learn new things.
Spark Curiosity: The right toys make kids want to explore and ask questions.
Keep Them Safe: Age-appropriate toys are safer and prevent accidents.
Strengthen Bonds: Playing together helps you connect with your child.
Tips for Choosing Toys
Focus on Safety: Pick toys made from safe materials and avoid small parts for little kids.
Match Their Interests: Choose toys your child will enjoy that suit their personality.
Mix Things Up: Offer toys for creativity, active play, and problem-solving.
Play With Them: Join your child to make playtime fun and memorable.
The right toys help your child grow and learn. Choosing wisely makes playtime safe, fun, and full of learning!
FAQs:
What are the best toys for newborns?
Look for high-contrast toys for visual stimulation, soft textures for touch, and gentle sounds for hearing. Mobiles, soft rattles, and textured books are great options.
How do I choose safe toys for my newborn?
Pick toys made from non-toxic materials (BPA-free, phthalate-free) with no small parts that could be a choking hazard. Check for safety labels like ASTM F963.
What types of toys help with sensory development?
Toys that stimulate sight, hearing, and touch are ideal. Examples include high-contrast patterns, soft rattles, and toys with different textures, such as crinkly paper or plush fabrics.
Are there any specific toys to help with motor skills?
Choose soft rattles or hanging toys that encourage your baby to reach, grasp, and move. These toys help strengthen their motor skills.
What should I look for in a comfort toy?
Pick a soft, lightweight toy that your baby can cuddle. Ensure it’s easy to wash and made from safe, non-toxic materials.
How can I find toys that are appropriate for newborns?
Check the age recommendations on the packaging. Look for simple toys designed specifically for newborns, focusing on sensory development and safety.
What are some good on-the-go toys?
Choose small, lightweight toys like clip-on rattles, soft books, or teething rings that can be easily attached to a stroller or diaper bag.
Are rattles suitable for newborns, and which ones should I buy?
Yes, rattles are great for sensory and motor skill development. Pick soft rattles with gentle sounds and easy-to-grip handles.
How can I make sure the toys I buy are non-toxic?
Check for labels like “BPA-free” or “phthalate-free.” Look for safety certifications and avoid toys with paint or finishes that could chip.
What are some affordable options for newborn toys?
Simple toys like black-and-white cards, crinkly paper, soft fabrics, and rattles are budget-friendly and highly engaging for newborns.
Key Tips About Toys for Newborns
How toys help with sensory development: Toys let newborns explore their world through sight, sound, and touch, which builds brain connections and supports learning.
Sensory play is important: It helps newborns understand their environment, build motor skills, and strengthen bonds with caregivers.
How to avoid over stimulation: If your baby turns away, cries, or gets fussy, remove the toy and create a calm space.
Examples of Sensory Play for Newborns
Let your baby track a mobile with their eyes.
Encourage them to reach for and grab a soft rattle.
Offer a soft book with different textures to explore.
Play gentle music or sing to them.
Good Toys for Tummy time
Use a soft mat or a rolled towel for support during tummy time. Add a mirror or a high-contrast toy in front of your baby to encourage them to lift their head.
Choosing the right toys can support your newborn’s sensory development and create fun, meaningful play experiences.
