What are the best baby toys? Spoiler alert: they aren’t necessarily the flashiest ones… This gift guide is a complete list of simple, but unexpected and under the radar, toys for babies to play with as they grow.
What are the best baby toys?
Toys are important.
Toys may seem like the bane of parenting existence, the reason our houses are never clean, and something frivolous we buy for kids as “treats,” but toys have a purpose, a value, and a real job in childhood.
These toys are important for toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, and even babies.
Yes, babies.
I’m sure you’ve heard the cliché that play is the work of childhood (scholar Jean Piaget first said that and then Mr. Rodgers made it infamous), but here’s what I’d like you to consider along with that:
Toys are the tools for that play.
Toys drive play, support play, and give children the means for the play that their development desperately needs.
And even our babies deserve the best tools.
Do babies need lots of toys?
They really don’t, and this is from the person writing a gift guide about the best baby toys (wink).
Babies need a few toys to support some critical development, like motor skills, muscle growth, eye strength, and self-entertainment.
Yes, self-entertainment aka the per-cursor and necessary ingredient to the independent play that we want them to be able to enjoy as toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids.
Can babies play independently?
Yes, babies can play independently. The foundation for future play begins now.
When a baby is looking contentedly out a window…
When a baby is staring at a mobile…
When a baby is engaging with their play mat…
That baby is starting to play independently. It may not look like the blocks building, fire fighting, dragon slaying play of older children, but these moments are rich with self-entertainment and curiosity aka the absolute beginnings of a future career in play.
We do this with engaging baby toys that let the baby do the thinking, learning, experimenting, and playing.
Can you have too many toys for babies?
Yes… again says the lady writing a best toys for babies gift guide.
As with all kid ages, we must find the delicate balance between having enough toys to support development, but not so many that we create an overwhelming environment.
Too many toys can trigger indecision.
Too many toys can stress children.
Too many toys can keep kids from playing.
Always remember – toys don’t have a gender
This list is gender neutral (as all toys are). Everything on this list of baby toys is fantastic for both baby boys and baby girls, and equally loved and used by all.
A good toy collection is a toy collection with variety. Toys that move (vehicles), toys for empathy (dolls and animals), toys for practicing social skills and imaginary play (dress-up clothes). These value for kids, all kids.
A child’s interests and personality determine the toys that work for them. Not their gender.
Jump – the best baby toys list revealed
These are the best toys for babies (and toys will keep loving, and using, and playing with far into the future).
Two takeaway messages:
- Toys are a big deal even for babies. This is where the foundation for independent play starts.
- You do not have to own a lot of toys for baby to have a lot of fun, but a few specifically selected toys can make all the difference.
Disclaimer:
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Activity Cube
We’ve had this exact cube since my oldest was 9 months old – it was his one and only Christmas gift in 2013. These are pricey but worth it (in my opinion). Ten years, two more kids later, many trips to neighbors as a borrowed hand-me-down, and this cube is STILL loved.
Ball Pit Toy
A phenomenal toy for babies and toddlers – and it is so amazing how you can zip it up easily and store it. This should be way more popular than it is so consider this a “hot tip” that this is a 10/10 toy.
Sensory Tissue Box
I found this toy in 2023 and gifted it to my baby neighbor. He went wild for it. It’s such a perfect baby toy: small fabric “tissue” box full of sensory scarves. As kids age, the scarves work in other play. Beautiful toy and great gift.
Wigloo Activity Toy
This is such a star. I am continually impressed with toys by mobi (the brand here) and the Wigloo is a joy. Soft, easy, engaging. It’s a baby must.
Rain Shaker
Gosh, this is the sweetest little shaker toy and just easy, breazy for baby to enjoy and keep enjoying into the toddler years.
Baby Bath Buckets
These are absolutely the cutest buckets for bath or outside the tub (and the price will make you do a double take). They’re such a great size for baby hands and something they can keep using for years (ask my 9 year old who had these in the bath just last week…).
Twist & Fold Play Mat
If you found this list before baby has arrived, congrats AND please do not listen to people telling you that you need a fancy play mat. This one is perfect, the price is spot-on for the short time frame you need this, and it folds up. You don’t have to keep the play mat out sun up to sun down. Trust me on this.
Stacking Rings
There’s a reason these have been around since the dawn of baby time. They are a classic, the best. You need a good set of stacking rings for baby and this simple Fisher Price set will always be my pick – simple and the best price point.
Other Stacking Ring Toys
High Chair Rattles
These suction cup rattles are fantastic (and a great gift). They can be used in baby’s hands or suctioned to a surface, like a high chair. They’re well made and adorable – it’s a total yes.
Zippee
What a legend – this is such a great sensory toy for babies, one year olds, and toddlers. It is soothing and gentle to pull on. Soft and squishy. The lore is right and this toy deserves the accolades.
Soft Ball/Rattle
If your baby doesn’t have something similar to this yet, this is a great, inexpensive, and long-lasting toy to gift them. This last through three babies and those babies into toddlers at my house. The longevity is there.
Other Rattle Toys
Soft Blocks
Soft blocks are the best. You’ll get years of use out of these because they age so well with kids. They’re a toy box staple for a reason and a “not to miss” playroom item for baby.
Baby Musical Toy
Yes, it lights up and has batteries, but also: this toy is a living legend. The songs are lovely and won’t annoy you. The melodies are classical music that is engaging. I often give this as a baby shower gift because it’s how I was able to pee without a crying baby in the background. This is a soothing superstar.
Personalized Book
A GREAT gift for baby – load this up with photos before they “open” it. It’s such a wonderful, inexpensive, personalized gift. If you are buying for someone else’s baby, make sure to get the photos in for them so they don’t have to worry about printing pictures. It’s a nice gift for baby and baby’s grown ups.
Bead Maze
This was such a favorite of my son’s in his baby-days that it STILL lives in his room and he’s eight years old. He can’t let it go and just loves knowing it’s “there” for him.
Push Box
Check out this different kind of sorting box: this is great for babies up through the preschool years. The box is easy for baby to hold and the shapes are fun on their own. This is an absolute home run toy for babies.
Activity Table
This was my kids’ favorite as a baby and then as toddlers and still as preschoolers: an activity table with balls. My kids loved rolling the balls down the shoot and seeing which leg/ramp it would come out. Bonus: the legs come off this table so it can work on the ground and grow with the child.
Hide n’ Seek Beehive
When I say “baby toys can grow with kids”, this is a prime example. We received this toy as a baby gift for our third born (when his sister was 20 months old). Between the two of them, they have never stopped playing with this. It’s been 8 years.
Wooden Vehicles
Toys that move are important for all kids, and these little vehicles are the best. My kids absolutely adored
Other Vehicles
Sensory Balls
My go-to baby gift: you can’t overlook balls with babies and you really can’t overlook these. The friendly faces and soft sounds (jingles and crinkles) are intoxicating to baby. These are still the ball my kids use to toss around our house (my oldest is 11).
Activity Walker
This might feel like a flashy toy for my list, but it’s a gem and served my family so well. We all look back on this toy with fondness. It’s a classic.
The biggest plus for this one over wooden versions is that the face comes off and can be set on the ground. It has a much longer lifespan than others.
Oball
The.Best.Ball. Little hands can do so much with this ball – and 9 years after I got one, we still have it to help little kids learn to play catch.
Blocks
Babies need blocks too! Block play helps develop hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness. These blocks have the added bonus of being sensory blocks too. They made a really lovely gift that you can be fairly sure baby doesn’t already own.
Simple Car
I know I’ve also shown you one vehicle option, but here’s another (in fact, we had both the wooden vehicles listed above and this car when my kids were babies). I love how this moves and the handle size is A+ for baby hands.
Teething Toys
Remember, toys for babies can also be functional. These gel teethers are great for playing and soothing. An absolute classic for a good reason.
Other Teething Toys
- Baby Elefun teether
- Banana toothbrush teether (aka The GOAT)
Farm Tails Crinkle Book
Our favorite baby book – this holds so many memories for my family. Babies can hold this, it makes different noises from different textures, and is a massive hit. It’s part book/part toy and totally magical.
High Chair Toy
This is NOT intended for babies… but it’s an amazing high chair toy. Some parts are small so choose the largest pieces of this set and save the rest for when they are older. These suction onto flat surfaces – the big pieces are so fun for baby to try to pull off the high chair tray. Again, not a baby toy – use best judgment with this one.
Rattle Balls
These can be used in the bath OR on dry land. They’re the right size, they make great sounds, they’re a 10/10. And the price is something to write home about.
Farm Animals
Farm animal toys give babies a great chance to play and learn at the same time. We don’t learn about animals with flashcards. These ones are still in my daughter’s (9 years old) room as part of her farm set up.
Stacking Toys
There’s something to be said about simple stacking and nesting toys. Don’t overlook them – and keep a set in the car too.
Pull and Tug Toys
This is about as close to a baby “one of done” toy as I’ll buy but these kinds are priceless for little ones. My kids loved tugging and chewing and pulling and experimenting with these kinds of toys. This was a special one.
Bath Animals
These animals are one of my favorite baby toys – something just right for their hands. Reminder: Use a hot glue gun to plug the holes. They’re still float, but they won’t mold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s what babies need: Babies need safe, engaging materials to interact with. Sometimes, this might be a household items (like a spatula), and sometimes it’s nice to lean into something specifically designed for a baby’s developmental capabilities (like a rattle).
From birth on – toys are appropriate for babies of all ages. What’s important to remember is the play may look different than traditional play. Holding, staring, sucking, chewing on toys: these are all forms of independent play (self-entertainment) that begin at the newborn stage.
Look for toys that a well-made, non toxic, and with absolutely no dangerous pieces or parts they could choke on. Be mindful of ages ranges on toy box – these often indicate whether there are hazards for baby.
For specific types of toys, have a variety of toys so babies can explore many different skills. Look for toys in each of the following categories: toys that make noise when shaken, toys with cause and effect, toys the rolls, and toys that can build.
Check out other gift guides
Don’t miss my other gift guides which may also work for your family. Many of the toys on this list and others have been enjoyed by my three kids from baby age to elementary school.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie has written two home learning curricula, Playing Preschool and Branches. Her parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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tubidy says
Great list! I love the variety of toys you’ve included, especially the ones that promote sensory play. I can’t wait to try some of these out for my little one. Thanks for sharing!
Shannon Colclough says
My favorite toy for toddlers were always the walkers when working inside the child care centers.
Mash says
Such a nice article for Moms and Dads. I just love kids and providing such great info to parents will guide them excellently. Also, you have a well researched article.
We also do the same in our Lab and our recent project on ‘Best Toys To Keep Baby Busy’ is available at besttoyline.com
Chelsea says
Where did you get the personalized baby book? The link didn’t work.
busytoddler says
Hi Chelsea! So sorry about that bad link. All fixed now! The book is from Lakeshore Learning – here is the good link: https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/products/social-studies/social-emotional-character-development/all-about-me-personalized-photo-book/p/DD200