Best Toys for Infants
The holidays are almost upon us. If this is your baby’s first Christmas, you’re probably wondering what are the best toys to buy them. Relatives and friends may also be asking what to get.
Toys play an important part in baby’s and toddler’s development. They help build hand-eye coordination, stimulate senses, develop motor skills and creativity.
The best toys for infants are toys that attract attention. Toys that have bright colors, patterns, different textures, play music and have dancing lights, fascinate young babies. Babies love to put things in their mouth. Soft, pliable toys make it easy for them to do just that.
Below you will find age-appropriate toys that have all of the features listed above.
1. Baby Einstein Bendy Ball
I love this ball because it’s so colorful and easy for baby to grasp. The soft, flexible plastic makes it easy for little fingers to bend and squeeze the ball.
The little rattle ball inside provides sounds and visual stimulation. This toy is recommended for ages 4 months to 1 year.
2. Fisher Price Soothe & Glow Sea Horse
Sometimes your baby needs a little help falling asleep. The Soothe & Glow Sea Horse is a wonderful nighttime friend.
When he is cuddled his belly softly glows. With a gentle squeeze he plays soft music, eight lullabies and soothing sounds of the ocean. After five minutes the music fades, the lights dim and baby drifts to sleep.
The power/volume control lets you adjust the sound for quiet play. This little Sea Horse requires three AA batteries, included. This toy is recommended for ages 6 months and up.
3. Fisher Price Little Super Star Classical Stacker
The Little Super Star Classical Stacker will grab baby’s attention as she learns to stack them in the right order. Unlike other stackers, this one has dancing lights and plays five songs, three classical tunes and two children’s favorites.
The four colorful stars also feature interesting textures to help develop your baby’s tactile senses. Stacker requires 3 AA alkaline batteries, not included. This toy is recommended for ages 6 months to 3 years.
4. Lamaze Garden Bug Wrist Rattle/Foot Finder Set
Available at Amazon.com
Available at Target.com
At about 4 months of age, babies discover their hands and feet. Their natural hand waving and kicking motions will become a source of nonstop entertainment. Wrist rattles and foot finders make playing with hands and feet exciting and fun.
These wrist rattle/foot finders have bright patterns and faces with fun sounds that reward exploration. Wrist and foot rattles are ideal for developing hand-to-eye coordination. This toy is recommended for ages 4 to 8 months.
5. Lamaze Mortimer the Moose
Very cute toy! I love Mortimer because he is a very versatile toy. He can amuse baby just about anywhere. The link on his back makes it easy to hang this toy over a crib, car seat or play mat. Mortimer offers your baby many colors, textures and sounds. He’s soft and cuddly and can also be used as a teether.
His antlers are soft, sturdy rubber that’s perfect for chewing. His tail is made of two rubber rings, ideal for baby hands to hold onto. His hooves are colorfully pattered and make a variety of sounds. He chimes when you pick him up. This toy is recommended for ages 2 months and older.
6. Manhattan Toy Winkel
The Winkel is not only a great toy to play with but also a great teething toy. Babies have a ball playing with this tangle of bright colors and fun textures. Babies will be engaged and amused buy the rattle in the center of the ball. It’s so easy for babies to pick up and put to their mouth.
Parents can refrigerate the Winkle to turn it into a cooling and soothing teether. This toy is recommended for ages 4 months to 2 years.
7. Fisher Price Ocean Wonders Aquarium
Available at Amazon.com
Available at Target.com
This is truly a calming toy every baby should have in his crib. Soothe baby to sleep with the sights and sounds of a mesmerizing aquarium.
Mama fish swims gently through the water, followed closely behind by her baby. The little crab friend plays peek-a-boo behind the coral as the seaweed sways gently in the waves.
There’s a light underneath the action and soothing blue lights fade on and off overhead. Beautiful classical music plays one of 5 songs, or one of 3 sound effects, all the while bubbles rise upward to the surface. There’s a remote control that activates the soother from the doorway. This toy requires 3 C batteries, included. This toy is recommended for ages 2 months to 2 years.
8. Infantino Sunny Sunshine
Available at Amazon.com
Available at Target.com
I find babies are fascinated by this toy. Winner of three awards, the Sunny Sunshine Crib Toy features musical lights and sounds to engage baby’s senses. Easily attaches to cribs, car headrests and playards. Classical music selections from Bach, Beethoven and Mozart play for five minutes.
Simply press Sunny’s face to turn toy on and off. Includes volume and on/off control settings. Sunny Sunshine requires 3 AAA batteries, included. This toy is recommended for ages 2 to 18 months.
9. Fisher Price Brilliant Basics Stacking Action Blocks
I find these blocks to be entertaining and educational. Each block has its own activities, movement and character on top. Just press the block down to start the fun. Stack all three blocks and press the top one for a whole tower of magical motion.
Playing with these blocks enriches baby’s development by strengthening hand-eye coordination, enhancing fine motor skills, reinforcing visual skills, stimulating tactile development and fostering problem-solving skills. This toy is recommended for ages 9 months to 2 years.
10. Baby Einstein Takealong Tunes
Available at Amazon.com
Available at Target.com
I think this is one of the cutest toys around. Promote music appreciation by introducing your little one to baby-friendly versions of classical masterpieces by Mozart, Vivaldi, Chopin and Rossini. A large, easy-to-press button allows your baby to select any one of 7 enjoyable classical melodies at home or on-the-go.
Takealong Tunes has colorful lights that dance across the screen to enhance each entertaining melody. The colorful and easy to grasp caterpillar handle is easy for little hands to hold and take anywhere.
Toy features Off/Low/High volume switch. This toy is recommended for babies 3 months and up.