Infants are curious little beings, constantly exploring the world around them. One way they learn and develop is through play, which can help boost their physical and mental development. That’s why choosing the best developmental toys for infants is so important.
These toys are designed to stimulate and challenge infants, helping them learn new skills and develop their cognitive and motor abilities.
When choosing the best developmental toys for infants, it’s important to consider their age and developmental stage.
Toys that are too advanced can frustrate and discourage infants, while toys that are too simple won’t challenge them enough. It’s also important to choose toys that are safe and non-toxic, as infants tend to put everything in their mouth.
After extensive research and testing, the team has identified the top ten best developmental toys for infants. These toys are not only safe and age-appropriate, but also provide a range of sensory experiences and opportunities for learning and growth.
Whether you’re looking for toys to encourage fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, or cognitive development, our list has got you covered.
Best Developmental Toys for Infants
As parents, we want to provide our little ones with the best possible start in life. That’s why choosing the right developmental toys for infants is so important.
Not only do these toys keep your baby entertained, but they also help them learn and develop important skills. In this roundup, we’ve put together a list of the best developmental toys for infants that will provide hours of fun and help your baby reach important milestones.
Springflower Montessori Toys
If you’re looking for a safe, durable, and educational toy set for your little one, the Springflower Montessori Toys are a great choice.
The Springflower Montessori Toys set includes 12 stacking blocks, 6 soft stacking rings, and 5 sensory balls that make sound when squeezed. Each block features different bright colors and embossed animals, shapes, fruits, Arabic numbers, and symbols that toddlers can learn counting, matching, and recognition from.
The blocks are also in good connection and the rings are easy to stack, which helps with hand-eye coordination and promotes your baby’s fine motor skills. The soft blocks are great for teething babies and they make a squeaking sound when squeezed, attracting your baby’s attention and helping with hearing development.
Springflower Montessori Toys
This set of Montessori, soft silicone toys represents great value for money and is guaranteed to keep your little one entertained for hours.
Parents love that this toy is appealing to the senses, while also helping your child learn number, colour, numbers and alphabet as they grow
Pros
Safe and washable materials
Soft and chewable for teething babies
Developmental features for early learning
Cons
Storage bag could be of better quality
Blocks may collect mold if water gets inside
Some parents may prefer a larger set
The set is made of food-grade silicone materials that are highly durable, BPA free, and non-toxic. They’re also easy to clean, just put them in 200℉ water for no more than 3 minutes, then take them out after cooling and squeeze out the water, finally dry in the sun, ensuring that your little one has nice clean baby blocks to chew and stack.
These Montessori toys can float on water, sink to the bottom, and squeeze to spray water, adding more fun for bath time. The set comes in a neat and attractive hand-held storage bag, which is nice and easy to carry, making it a perfect choice for 6-12-18 months baby, 1-3 year old toddler toys, birthday gifts, Easter basket stuffers/filler/toy/gift for kids.
Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy
Looking for a fun, multi-textured toy that will keep your baby entertained during tummy time? Look no further than the Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy.
This toy is machine-washable, making it easy to clean and durable enough to withstand constant wear and tear. It’s also designed to help infants develop multiple skills, including grasping and finger strength, as well as tactile exploration.
Melissa & Doug Flip Fish
This brightly colored, multi textured toy squeaks and crinkles, making it the perfect sensory toy for little ones.
Machine washable, its also perfect for mouthing and will keep your little one busy in their stroller or car seat.
Pros
The bright colors and bold facial features are sure to capture your baby’s attention.
The crinkly scales and squeaker tail provide auditory and tactile stimulation.
The toy is machine-washable, making it easy to clean.
Cons
The toy is quite large, which may make it difficult to store or travel with.
Some parents may find that their baby loses interest in the toy quickly.
The mirror can become foggy when machine washed
The Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy is a great addition to any baby’s toy collection. Not only is it visually stimulating, but it also provides a variety of textures and sounds for your baby to explore. Plus, its machine-washable design makes it easy to keep clean and hygienic.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the toy is quite large, which may make it difficult to store or travel with.
Additionally, some parents may find that their baby loses interest in the toy quickly, while others may be put off by the toy’s fish scent. Overall, though, the Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy is a safe, educational, and engaging gift for babies and toddlers alike.
If you’re looking for more ways to encourage your baby’s development, consider pairing the best baby toys, the Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy with the Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Soft Baby Activity Books for a full sensory play experience.
Thremhoo Montessori Pull String Toys
If you’re looking for a versatile and engaging toy for your little one, the Thremhoo Montessori Pull String Toys are a great option. With a variety of textures, colors, and shapes, this toy is sure to keep your baby entertained while promoting their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Thremhoo Montessori Pull String Toys
This versatile toy set provides your baby with soft, multi textured silicone balls to chew on, alongside a fantastic octopus shaped toy that features multitextured ropes, fidgets and pop it toy, to stimulate baby’s sense and promote fine motor skills.
Pros
Babies love this Multi-functional toy with a pull string toy and three sensory balls as teethers
Cute octopus-shaped pull string toy with 6 texture ropes, 1 sliding ball pop, and 7 soft fidgets
Portable and lightweight, making it easy to take on-the-go
Cons
Some users have reported that the toy is smaller than expected
The openings in the center of the toy can allow water and air to get trapped, making it difficult to clean
The plastic material may not be as durable as other materials
The Thremhoo Montessori Pull String Toys are a great investment for parents looking for a toy that will grow with their child. The multi-functional design allows for a variety of play options, while the portable and lightweight construction makes it easy to bring along on-the-go.
However, some users have reported issues with the toy’s size and cleaning difficulty, so be sure to keep that in mind before making your purchase.
3-in-1 Tummy Time Mirror Toys
A must-have for any parent looking to help their baby develop crucial motor and sensory skills.
Tummy Time Mirror Toys
Got a little one who hates tummy time? This great little set will help your little one work on his core strength while also keeping him happy and entertained.
Also helps to encourage fine motor, visual and speech and language skills.
Pros
Includes all the stimulating elements needed for early brain development
Designed with high-contrast colors and cartoon patterns for visual stimulation
Multi-functional textures and portable design encourage fine motor skills and coordination
Cons
May not hold baby’s attention for extended periods of time
Some parents may find the included book to be too basic
Teething toy may not be as effective as other standalone options
The 3-in-1 Tummy Time Mirror Toys by Teytoy is a perfect sensory toy for babies aged 0-12 months, designed to help with early brain development and sensory stimulation.
The high-contrast colors and cartoon patterns make it visually appealing to babies, while the multi-functional textures and portable design encourage fine motor skills and coordination.
However, some parents may find that it doesn’t hold their baby’s attention for extended periods of time, and the included book may be too basic for some. Additionally, the teething toy may not be as effective as other standalone options.
Overall, this is a great option for parents looking to help their baby develop crucial motor and sensory skills.
One parent raves, “Started using this for tummy time at 2 weeks old. My daughter loves to look at herself in the mirror and now at 8 weeks is grasping the rattle. It’s super soft and all items are great quality!”
Another parent notes, “Highly recommend as a toy and learning tool older babies! Textures, shapes, colors, vision, teething…offers so much for baby!”
Overall, the 3-in-1 Tummy Time Mirror Toys is a great investment for parents looking to help their baby develop crucial motor and sensory skills. Its high-contrast colors, multi-functional textures, and portable design make it an excellent tool for early learning education and enlightenment.
Baby Musical Toys 3 in 1 Piano Keyboard Xylophone Drum Set
The Baby Musical Toys 3 in 1 Piano Keyboard Xylophone Drum Set is a great investment for parents looking for a multifunctional musical toy, that can help their babies learn numbers, colors, and animals, while also improving their eye-hand coordination, motor skills, and auditory sensation.
3 in 1 Musical Toy Set
Babies love noisy toys, and this one will inspire any budding Mozart!
Including drums, xylophone, and piano, your child will love the range of sounds as well as the lights and colors.
Pros
The toy can be used as a baby piano, kids drum set, or xylophone, providing multiple modes of play for babies and toddlers.
The cute appearance and touch-sensitive button design make it easier to attract your children to play, while the volume adjustment button allows you to adjust the volume without making noise.
The toy is made of high-quality plastic and is lead-free, with soft lights and music that are very suitable for babies and toddlers. It is a great gift idea for birthdays, Easter, or other occasions.
Cons
The kegs pop off easily, which may be frustrating for some parents.
At $42, the toy is relatively expensive compared to other developmental toys on the market.
Some children may lose interest in the toy after a few days or weeks of playing with it.
The Baby Musical Toys 3 in 1 Piano Keyboard Xylophone Drum Set is a great investment for parents looking for a toy that can provide multiple modes of play and help their babies learn while having fun.
While it may be a bit expensive, the toy is made of high-quality materials and is safe for young babies, and toddlers. However, parents should be aware that the kegs may pop off easily and some children may lose interest in the toy after a few days or weeks of playing with it.
Buying Guide for Baby Toys
When it comes to buying developmental toys for infants, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you are choosing the best product for your little one. Here are some factors to consider:
Age Range
Make sure to choose a toy that is appropriate for your infant’s age range. The packaging should indicate the recommended age range for the toy. Choosing a toy that is too advanced for your infant can be frustrating for them, while a toy that is too simple may not provide enough stimulation.
Developmental Benefits
Look for toys that offer developmental benefits such as sensory stimulation, motor skill development, and cognitive development. Consider what skills you want your infant to develop and choose the best toys that will support that development.
For example, black and white images are particularly beneficial for newborns, while play mats or a floor toy with a baby safe mirror can encourage crawlers.
Safety
Always prioritize safety when choosing toys for your infant. Make sure the toy is made of non-toxic materials and does not have any small parts that could be a choking hazard. Check for any sharp edges or loose parts that could be dangerous for your infant.
Quality
Invest in high-quality toys that are durable and built to last. Cheaper toys may break easily or not provide the same level of stimulation as higher-quality options. Look for toys that are well-made and have positive reviews from other parents.
Look for a developmental toy designed to suit your day to day life in mind, for example something that fits in the diaper bag, is easily sterilised, made with durable materials, etc.
Brand Reputation
Consider the reputation of the brand when choosing developmental toys for infants. Look for brands that are known for producing high-quality, safe, and effective developmental toys for babies. Research the brand and read reviews from other parents to ensure that you are making a good choice.
Some of the most popular brands for educational toys include Baby Einstein, Fisher Price and Manhattan toy.
