The best newborn toys are more than just playthings. In a market flooded with flashy gimmicks, many parents grapple with finding toys that truly aid their newborn’s development.
If you’ve been on the quest for toys that stimulate, comfort, and engage without being overwhelming, you’re in the right place.
Drawing on extensive child development and toy industry expertise, I’ve curated a list that prioritizes your baby’s well-being and growth.
Explore this guide to discover toys that resonate with the delicate and crucial early stages of life.
Best Newborn Gift Set
10 PCs Newborn Baby Gift Set
Encourage your little one to explore their world in a safe and educational way with rattles! These toys offer an exciting opportunity for sensory play as babies learn about physics and develop their fine motor skills. Plus, during teething times rattles can double up to provide comfort and relief from sore gums.
Rattles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors for little ones to explore.
Pros
- Safe and Durable Materials: Made from non-toxic materials with polished smooth edges, burr-free and strong enough to withstand chewing.
- Various Shapes and Sizes: Features multiple easy grip handles for giving baby plenty of holding spots, lovely shapes appeal to them and perfect size for little hands to grab and shake.
- Numerous Sounds and Colors: Offers a wide variety of sounds that can also alert babies to noise. Each toy includes a variety of bright colors with high contrast to encourage vision development.
- Great Variety of Textured Surfaces: A variety of interesting patterns, look like animals, keys, flowers, mirror toy or musical instruments with different textured surfaces helps soothe their gums as well as engage their senses.
Cons
- Not all can be boiled or sterilised
- Some complaints of water retention the clear plastic parts
Best Teething Toy for Newborns
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
Unlock a world of soothing relief for your teething tot with Nuby’s Ice Gel Teether Keys. Each colorful key is a gateway to painless gums, engaging play, and a happier baby. Chill them for extra comfort and watch your little one grasp, chew, and explore their way to growing up, one gentle nibble at a time
Pros
- Nuby’s multi-surface teether is perfect for helping with the eruption of front, middle, and back teeth.
- Its PurICE technology provides a gentle cooling sensation on a baby’s gums when placed in the refrigerator.
- The easy grip design makes it ideal for little hands and helps with fine motor skills.
- The dual-sided design of the teether allows babies to exercise their hands, gums, and teeth.
Cons
- Cannot be sterilized in microwave sterilizer
- The keys don’t separate
Best Rattles for Newborns
Fisher-Price Maracas
Let your little one’s inner rockstar shine with a pair of these adorable maracas! Not only will the bright colors and fun textures captivate their senses, but shaking them is great for gross motor development too.
With just one shake, you’ll fill any room in seconds with joyful rattle-ready rhythms that are sure to get everyone rocking out!
Pros
- Baby will love shaking and making music with these colorful maracas.
- They’re the perfect size for little hands to easily grasp, shake and rattle.
- Colorful rattle beads whirl around on one side as baby shakes. A soft pom-pom adds texture on the other end.
- While your little one is playing, important skills are developing! Colorful rattle beads, rattle sounds and soft pom-pom textures help stimulate baby’s senses. Grasping and shaking the maracas helps strengthen gross motor skills.
Cons
- The soft cotton material can get wet
- Surface wash only
Best Activity Play Gym
Skip Hop Baby Activity Center
Unveil a world of playful learning with this pediatrician-designed baby activity center! From delightful discoveries with the Discovery Window™ to evolving adventures as it morphs into a cherished family table, prepare for endless joy and shared giggles
Pros
- Unique Discovery Window that lets baby see their feet while they play, as well as a 360-degree rotating seat that turns and stretches for bouncing.
- As baby grows, the activity center converts for easy cruising—ultimately becoming a clean, sturdy table for coloring, playing and more.
- There are three stages of use: Sit, swivel, bounce & play; Cruise & interact; Play table; 25+ developmental activities.
- Clip-on toys can be positioned based on baby’s abilities
Cons
- Only good up to 25lbs
- There should be some sort of harness support to strap in acrobatic babies.
Best Newborn Toys
Take Along Tunes
Unleash a symphony of joy with Baby Einstein’s Take Along Tunes Musical Toy! With a colorful array of easy-push buttons and melodious tunes, your budding maestro’s imagination will dance to the rhythm of creativity and delight. It’s more than a toy, it’s a tune-filled journey of discovery for your little genius on-the-go.
Pros
- Thousands of 5-star ratings make this a tried-and-true favorite
- Perfectly sized for ages 3 to 36 months
- Volume control allows parents to adjust the sound to their liking
Cons
- Only plays 7 melodies
- Requires 2 AA batteries (not included)
- May not hold a baby’s attention for long periods of time
The Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy is the perfect toy for parents looking to introduce their newborn to the world of music. Its colorful lights and classical melodies are sure to capture your baby’s attention and inspire a love of music that will last a lifetime. Plus, its compact size and easy-to-clean design make it a great toy for on-the-go fun.
One of the best things about the Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy is its volume control feature. Parents can adjust the sound to their liking, making it perfect for quiet playtime or noisy car rides. And with its easy-to-clean design, parents don’t have to worry about it getting dirty or germy.
While the toy only plays 7 melodies, they are all high-quality classical pieces that are sure to delight both parents and babies alike. And while it may not hold a baby’s attention for long periods of time, it is the perfect toy for short bursts of entertainment along with the newborns baby einstein flip.
Beiens Baby Books Toys
Delight your infant’s senses with beiens High Contrast Baby Flashcards. Crafted with love, each card captivates with bold, black and white illustrations, nurturing early visual development and precious parent-baby bonding moments.
It’s not just a card set, it’s a doorway to a world of exploration and interaction, all held within your little one’s eager grasp.
Pros
- High contrast colors and patterns aid visual development
- Crinkle paper and bibi sounder engage baby’s attention
- Safe materials and easy to carry handle make it convenient for parents
Cons
- May not be as engaging for older infants and toddlers
- Only covers basic shapes and colors
- Not machine washable
Beiens Baby Books Toys is an interesting cloth book designed to help stimulate your baby’s visual development. With 6 high contrast colors, 9 different patterns and 1 baby-safe mirror, your baby will be able to train step by step and activate their brain. Flip the little red flag and the big heart shape to make it even more fun for your little one.
The crinkle paper and bibi sounder hiding in the pages encourage your baby to explore and give them endless hours of fun. The bright colors and contrast background will attract your baby’s attention, while the black and white patterns help your baby to develop their ability to focus their attention and concentration. The reflection mirror allows your baby to focus on human faces, helping them to develop their social skills.
Beiens Baby Books Toys is made from soft polyester, which is non-toxic, strong stitching, hand washable, and absolutely safe for your baby. Each book has a handle on the side, making it easy for you to keep it on a stroller or baby fence.
Pocket Panda Baby Mirror Toys
Step into a realm of serene learning with the Montessori Essentials Baby Development Set. Each piece, lovingly curated, sparks the dawn of intellect and emotional bonding between you and your cherub.
From tactile wonders to visual fascinations, it’s an inviting haven where tiny hands and minds flourish together in the tender voyage of growth and discovery.
Pros
- Rich colors are easier to attract baby’s eyeballs
- Combines cloth book and baby mirror to bring more fun and interaction
- Large baby safety mirror allows the baby to see itself clearly
Cons
- Product is smaller than expected
- Some customers found the crinkle pages to be too loud
- Protective film on mirror needs to be removed before use
With strict product safety inspection and a 100% money-back guarantee for 1 month, Pocket Panda Baby Mirror Toys are a safe and fun way to help your newborn develop their senses. The toy is made of safety and high-quality materials, and the tummy time mirror can be washed.
Customers have reported that their babies love the crinkle pages and the large baby safety mirror, which enhances the baby’s ability to discover themselves. The flat mirror has the best imaging effect, and the toy is designed to effectively develop infant touch. The high contrast images are aid newborn development whilst keeping babies entertained with the peek a boo flaps.
Overall, Pocket Panda Baby Mirror Toys are a great investment for parents looking to help their newborns develop their senses and have fun at the same time.
Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Baby Activity and Teething Toy
Embark on a sensory adventure with the Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Activity Toy! Its vibrant colors, delightful textures, and playful sounds enchant tiny explorers, while the chewable bandana teether offers comfort during teething times.
Every squeeze, rattle, and chomp invites a burst of curiosity, making playtime both joyful and educational. It’s not just a toy, it’s your baby’s first friend in the fascinating journey of tactile exploration.
Pros
- Filled with textures, patterns, and sounds to keep little hands active
- Comes with a detachable bandana teether toy for mom to wear around her wrist for quick access
- Attaches easily to strollers, car seats, and infant carriers
Cons
- May be too small for older babies
- Some parents may not like the noise level of the toy
- Not dishwasher safe
This colorful character is perfect for multi-sensory play and is ideal for fun at home or on-the-go. With a bandana teether toy, rattle ring, and crinkle details, this toy is sure to keep your newborn entertained for hours. It’s also easy to attach to strollers, car seats, and infant carriers, making it perfect for use when you’re out and about.
While some parents may not like the noise level of the toy, it’s important to note that the sounds are designed to stimulate your baby’s senses and promote cognitive development. Additionally, the toy is not dishwasher safe, so it will need to be spot cleaned with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
If you’re looking for a fun and engaging toy that will keep your newborn entertained and promote cognitive development, the Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Baby Activity and Teething Toy is definitely worth considering.
Star Bright Symphony Plush Musical Take-Along Toy
Ignite your little star’s senses with the Baby Einstein Star Bright Symphony! This magical toy orchestrates a whimsical playtime by introducing melodies and lights, stirring curiosity and wonder in every gentle tap and squish.
Clasp it onto a crib or stroller, and watch as the cosmic tunes and twinkling lights guide your baby’s gaze and touch into a world where learning meets laughter, one celestial note at a time.
Pros
- Follows your baby’s curious spirit wherever they go
- Smiling star plays 6 classical melodies
- Gentle lights dance to soothe baby
Cons
- Some may find the music too high tempo for soothing
- The paint may come off after a few months
- Requires 3 AA batteries
As a parent, you’ll appreciate the easy Velcro fastener that allows you to attach this cheerful take-along toy to strollers, cribs, carriers, and more. Your fussy baby will be soothed by the magic of musical discovery and gentle glowing lights on this best crinkle toy. It’s a great toy for on-the-go entertainment that can follow your baby’s curious spirit wherever they go.
The smiling star plays six classical melodies that are sure to delight your little one. Meanwhile, gentle lights dance to soothe your baby. The toy is also designed to help with grasping and teething, making it a great choice for newborns. Just keep in mind that some may find the music too high tempo for soothing.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the paint may come off after a few months of use. Additionally, this toy requires three AA batteries, so you’ll need to keep some on hand. But overall, the Baby Einstein Star Bright Symphony Plush Musical Take-Along Toy is a great choice for parents looking for a portable, musical toy to keep their newborn entertained.
Buying Guide For Infant Toys
Choosing the best newborn toys for young babies can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Here are some factors to consider before making a purchase:
Age Appropriateness
It’s important to choose toys that are appropriate for your baby’s age. Newborns have limited motor skills and sensory abilities, so toys that are too complex or overstimulating may not be suitable or grab a baby’s attention. The best baby toys have been designed specifically for newborns, with soft textures, bright colors, and simple shapes.
Safety
Safety should always be a top priority when choosing toys for your baby – especially for teething babies. Make sure the toys are made from non-toxic materials and do not have any small parts that could be a choking hazard.
Avoid toys with strings or cords that could pose a strangulation risk, and always follow the manufacturer’s recommended age range.
Developmental Benefits
Choose toys that offer developmental benefits for your baby. Look for toys that encourage sensory exploration, such as those with different textures or sounds.
Toys that promote hand-eye coordination, such as mobiles or rattles, can also be beneficial. Consider toys that can grow with your baby, such as stacking blocks or shape sorters.
Brand Reputation
When choosing newborn toys, it’s important to consider the reputation of the brand. Look for brands that have a good track record for producing safe, high-quality toys.
Read reviews from other parents to get an idea of the quality and durability of the toys. Look for brands such as fat brain toys and baby einstein.
| Factors to Consider | Examples |
|---|---|
| Age Appropriateness | Soft toys, simple shapes, bright colors |
| Safety | Non-toxic materials, no small parts or cords |
| Developmental Benefits | Sensory exploration, hand-eye coordination, growth potential – look for a sensory toy |
| Brand Reputation | Well-known brands with good safety records |
How to Choose the Right Toys for Your Newborn
Whether you have a newborn or are expecting your first child, you are probably making a list of all the things you want for the little bundle who will soon call you mom and dad.
On almost every parent’s list is a set of toys for their baby to play with during those first few months. If you’re like me, you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with all of your options at this point, so I wanted to take a few moments and give you some advice on how to choose safe toys for newborn.
Babies love playing with things that are colorful and move (e.g. lights, mobiles, stuffed animals a soft toy) so in addition to leading them in ways to interact with these toys as they get older, it’s important to buy toys that are safe and have developmental value such as a tummy time pillow.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying toys for your newborn baby.
Safety
The toys you buy should be suitable for your newborn’s age. These toys will maximise your child’s learning potential and help her reach developmental milestones easily. Always read the packaging of the toy you are planning to buy to make sure you are buying toys that are age-appropriate.
All newborn toys are designed with babies in mind. That said, buy newborn toys that do not have any strings and detachable parts that could be potential choking hazards.
When buying wooden newborn toys, make sure that the toys have rounded edges, smooth surfaces and are chunky in size.
When buying any toy that is made from cloth or other fabric, make sure that the threading and stitching is good and does not get loose easily.
Materials
Materials should also be at the top of your list. Newborn toys should not contain unsafe and toxic materials. This is one of the reasons why we highly recommend staying away from plastic toys. Plastic toys often come with chemicals like BPA even if they are advertised as BPA-free.
Keep in mind that there are many types of plastics used in making toys and while some of them are considered safe than others, it would be better to just stay away from them altogether.
Simplicity
When buying toys for your newborn, follow the general rule of thumb – less is better. This means that newborn toys should be as simple as possible. Remember that the one playing the toy is your newborn which means she would not enjoy overly complicated toys. A baby should be easy to operate and she should be able to enjoy the toy by herself.
Entertainment Value
The toy should provide entertainment to a newborn now and when she grows older. Look for toys that have bright colours and produce sounds when shaken. For example, a toy that is a rattle and can also double as a teether is practical and entertaining.
Developmental Value
Toys help babies develop skills and abilities like colour recognition, visual acuity, fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, gross motor skills and more. Most newborn toys are designed to stimulate and facilitate development of skills and choose the ones that are appropriate for your newborn.
Benefits of Providing Toys to Newborns
The first few years of your baby’s life is the most important in terms of growth and development. This is often called the ‘critical period’ for the proper development of their senses.
Study shows that around the fourth week after birth, your newborn starts to develop focus and the ability to recognize sound. From here, their abilities to see, hear, and feel will continue to develop until they are one year old.
One of the best ways you can help them grow is by giving them newborn toys that will help develop their senses as soon as they are born. Using these toys will boost your babies mental developmental abilities as well as stimulate their brain activity resulting in a smarter child.
When it comes to newborn toys, it is important to know that babies, especially newborns, are curious little human beings with an urge to explore their surroundings.
They also have the natural tendency to mouth objects so that they can explore these objects with ease. In other words, introducing them early on to a variety of toys is a great way for them to learn about the world through exploration. But there are also certain toys that encourage different types of development in the infant. So there are benefits to providing newborn toys to your babies.
Newborn toys should be more than just fun. These toys should also help your babies reach developmental milestones naturally.
Most of the time, newborn toys are designed to facilitate early development but you should still do your own research on what toys you should buy for your newborn.
Don’t fall to marketing hype and make informed decisions when purchasing toys for your newborn. Join forums and ask other parents online regarding newborn toys.
For the first 3 months, babies do not do anything except sleep and feed. They are still developing their vision and can only see at 13-15 inches so most of the time you can see parents leaning to the baby when talking.
Due to the limitation of a baby’s vision, most toys and nursery decorations have simple bold patterns with high contrast or come in plain black and white. These toys and decorations stimulate babies’ vision and support their visual development.
You can still offer newborns with toys that produce sounds like musical toys and soft toys that they can easily grip.
When babies start to be more active then you probably need a playmat or an activity play gym. They need something they can grasp and hold to keep their hands busy.
During this time, babies are more likely to become active and start to explore their surroundings. You can start offering toys that they can hold like rattles.
Rattles are good toys for helping babies improve their dexterity, fine motor skills and hand eye coordination. It is also good to have teething toys handy when your baby starts teething. Although teeth are not necessary, these toys could help ease the pain in your baby’s swollen gums.
What Kind of Toys Does a Newborn Need?
Babies are bundles of joy and cuteness but they need newborn toys to be entertained and to help them develop their skills. Toys help babies develop mentally, physically, and emotionally in the early months and years of life.
For example, they can develop their fine motor skills as well as eye hand coordination by playing with these toys. So you want your child to have access to stimulating toys that develop thinking, social skills, language and imagination.
However, keep in mind that babies go through many developmental stages, and at each stage toys will have a unique purpose. They also love to explore their surroundings. They need them constantly, grabbing them, holding them, chewing on them, and tossing them in the air.
Baby Rattles
Newborn babies often need something which can grab their attention and stimulate their senses. A baby rattle is a very old toy that simply consists of a ball or other small item that makes noise every time it is moved, shaken, or rolled, giving the baby an opportunity to learn about the relationship between his movements and the resulting sound.
This is why it is a good toy for babies.
Baby rattles are probably the most popular baby toys around and considered to be one of the best toys for newborns.
These toys promote a baby’s intellectual and physical development. These toys have been around for many years and their purpose and value as early developmental toys remain the same. Rattles come in a wide range of forms, shapes, colours and materials.
Some are more expensive than others and they all vary in quality as well. Reading reviews from other parents as well as doing your own research are only a few of the things you need to do before deciding what rattle to buy for your newborn.
Teethers
Teethers or teething toys are good toys especially when your baby starts teething. These toys do not totally take the pain away but help in relieving the pressure in your baby’s gums as she chomps away the teething toy which could result in reduced pain and discomfort.
Babies are often irritable so keeping them distracted and entertained can make the entire teething process easy and less stressful for both of you.
Activity Play Gym
When your baby starts her tummy time, it is nice to have an activity play gym. Most activity play gyms feature a few selection of toys that are guaranteed to entertain and train your baby’s physical skills.
This is the time that babies start to explore their surroundings more and they use their hands, fingers and mouths to get the feel of objects and toys around them.
Choose an activity play gym that grows with your children and helps them achieve developmental milestones.
Soft Toys
Soft dolls, plushies and stuffed toys are good toys to provide company and cuddly hugs for your baby.
However, make sure that these toys are not too large for your baby and they do not have any detachable parts that could be potential choking hazards.
How to Clean Newborn Toys
We all want to protect our most cherished items – our home, our family, and our newborn baby. And while you can’t always ensure that your home, your family or your baby will be protected from dirt and germs, there are things that we can do to ensure that the greatest threat to their health – a dirty toy – can be cleaned and sterilized.
Newborn toys can be a great educational addition that help stimulate your baby’s mental and physical development. However, once your baby has played with them they may become contaminated with germs and bacteria.
Let’s check how to clean each different kind of newborn toy.
Wooden Toys
We definitely recommend wooden newborn toys. These toys are safer than plastic because they do not contain BPA or bisphenol-A which is considered as a hormone disruptor.
Additionally, wooden newborn toys or any wooden toy for that matter is better for the environment because wooden materials are renewable and sustainable resources.
When cleaning wooden toys, you need to understand that wood is a porous material which means it will absorb moisture and water. This is the reason why you should never soak or submerge your toys in water or any type of liquid cleaning solution.
Otherwise, you will end up with swollen or deformed toys. Also, when moisture is trapped inside the pores of the wooden toy, it could be a source of mould.
Use a spray bottle when cleaning wooden newborn toys. Spray occasionally while wiping with a damp cloth. Control the amount of cleaning solution so as not to drench your toy too much. Make sure to remove excess cleaning solution from the toy to not leave a residue.
Dry overnight or under the sun. When sun drying, do not leave your wooden newborn toys for long because it will damage their paint finish.
Soft Toys
Soft toys like dolls, stuffed toys and plushies are usually made from fabric and fabric can get dirty real quick. Check the label on the toy or the care instructions on the packaging to determine the best way to clean your soft toy.
If your toy is machine washable, it is recommended to use mild detergent that is suitable for babies. Additionally, make sure to check for missing buttons and loose threads.
Plastic Toys
Although we always recommend choosing wooden toys over plastic toys, many parents are still buying the latter due to the convenience of cleaning them. B
usy parents always choose something that they can easily clean because of their limited time. These toys come in a wide range of designs, forms and sizes.
Plastic newborn toys could be as simple as a rattle or as complicated as a battery-operated toy that produces pleasant sounds and bright lights.
Clean your plastic toys according to the manufacturer’s care instructions. These are usually included in your toy or written on the packaging.
Most of the time plastic toys are dishwasher-safe, especially those that are not battery-operated or do not have any electrical parts. Confirm this with the care instructions and chuck your plastic toys into your dishwasher.
When cleaning battery-operated toys, remember to always remove the batteries and wipe them down using a cloth.
