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Best baby toys from newborn to 12 months: tested by parents
The fun never ends during your baby's first year, especially with the huge choice of toys available for them to play with. Here are the best baby toys for infants, from the newborn stage all the way up to 12 months, as tried and tested by Mumsnet users, the largest online network of parents in the UK.
By Gemma Wilcock | Last updated Mar 26, 2024
During their first year, your baby will be reaching important milestones and developing new skills. When searching for the best baby toys, it's crucial to choose toys that are age- and development-appropriate.
In the first few weeks, your beautiful new baby will show little interest in anything other than cuddles and milk. However, in a surprisingly short space of time, they will turn their heads toward music, high-contrast colours and patterns. Not long after that, they will start to make excited grabs at sensory toys within their reach.
When they get a little older, and have outgrown their baby bouncer (usually at around six months), they'll be building up their strength ready for crawling and cruising. They’ll also be getting more dexterous by the day and will love grabbing toys and passing them from one hand to the other.
Babies learn and develop so much during that all-important first year and the best infant toys will help boost their development and understanding. “Toys support various aspects of physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. They provide opportunities for sensory exploration, fine and gross motor skill development, and creativity. Educational toys can enhance problem-solving abilities, encourage critical thinking, and promote language and communication skills,” explains child development expert, Danielle Baron.
“Overall, toys serve as valuable tools for stimulating a child's holistic development, helping them acquire essential skills and knowledge while also promoting joy and fun in the learning process.”
When it comes to finding the best baby toys for newborns and the 6-12 month stage, you want to look for toys that will help them practise these emerging skills, as well as keep them engaged for the months to come. From bath toys and play mats to the best baby walkers for those first adorable, wobbly steps, our guide to the best baby toys has you (and your little one) covered through every fun stage of their first year.
How we chose and tested the best baby toys
When it comes to choosing the products in our line up, we used a combination of recommendations, product testing and reviews to help us find the best baby toys around. With 8 million users per month, if anyone knows about the best toys on the market, it's the parents in our trusted Mumsnet community.
To get their independent feedback on this topic, we scoured the Mumsnet forums to find the toys for babies that real mums and dads have tried, tested and loved.
In addition to honest recommendations from real parents, we also visited a range of retailer sites, such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis, and searched through the consumer reviews there to make sure all the toys came highly recommended.
We also did our own in-depth testing with parent testers to make sure the toys in our list are robust, high quality and worth spending your money on.
Finally, to make sure we chose the best and safest toys for your infant, we also researched the thoughts and opinions of child development experts. All of this helped us pick the 20 best baby toys for keeping your baby entertained.
Best baby toys at a glance
Best overall baby toy: TOMY Toomies Hide and Squeak Eggs | Buy now
Best budget baby toy: Bright Starts OBall | Buy now
Best travel baby toy: Lamaze Freddie The Firefly | Buy now
Best tummy time toy: Wendergo Tummy Time Inflatable Water Mat | Buy now
Best teething toy: Sophie La Girafe | Buy now
Best baby toy with lights and sounds: Baby Einstein, Glow & Discover Light Bar Musical Activity Station | Buy now
Best baby toy for 6 months-plus: Fisher-Price Roarin' Rainforest Jumperoo | Buy now
TOMY Toomies Hide and Squeak Eggs
Encourages shape and number recognition
Boosts fine and gross motor skills
Portable
Easy to lose the eggs and shells
RRP: £11 | Suitable from: Six months+ | Best for age: From six months to three years | Size: 20.9 x 8.3 x 14.6cm | Batteries: None | Material: Plastic
Who would have thought that eggs could be so much fun? Tomy’s Hide and Squeak Eggs are a huge hit with babies and toddlers, and come recommended by lots of parents thanks to the bright colours, fun expressions, and different ways you can play with them.
Younger babies from six months can have fun holding them, taking the eggs out of the shell and exploring the different colours. As they get a bit older, the toy also works as a shape sorter with each egg having a different shape on the bottom that slots into its own unique spot in the egg carton, boosting your child's developing problem-solving skills.
For an extra bit of fun, when you press each egg you hear a cheerful cheeping sound that babies absolutely love. This is a toy that can be enjoyed from six months up to three years - an egg-cellent (sorry!) in addition to your child’s toy box.
Our tester Laura says, “My daughter is almost 2 years old and the Hide and Squeak Eggs are still one of her favourite toys to play with - we bought them for her when she was around nine months old. She particularly likes colour-matching the faces on the eggshells with egg colour.”
Read next: Best baby changing mats
Bright Starts OBall
Colourful
Easy for little hands to hold
Good for teething and fine motor skills
Quite big so not ideal for entertaining on the go
RRP: £5 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: Six weeks+ | Size: 10.2 x 10.2 x 10.2cm | Batteries: None | Material: Plastic
The Bright Starts OBall is one of those cool baby toys that both babies and toddlers love. It’s a simple concept - a flexible and soft ball with holes in it. However, the high contrast bright colours and easy-to-grab shape make it the ideal toy for infants.
As your new baby grows, they will enjoy using the OBall as a teether and a fun shape to wrap their mouth around. It can also be rolled, chased and thrown. When squeezed, it has just enough flex to be satisfying and is robust enough to provide years of fun.
“This was a great toy that both my children enjoyed, especially when my son could sit up as he loved to roll the ball away and reach for it which was great for helping him develop his hand-eye coordination,” says our tester, Gemma.
Read next: Best toys for nine-month-olds
Lamaze Freddie the Firefly
Soft toy with bright colour and different fabrics
Aids sensory play to help babies learn through touch
Clip for attaching to pram when out and about
Not machine-washable
RRP: £16 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: Birth | Size: 6 x 25 x 30cm | Batteries: None | Material: Polyester, plastic, rubber
Freddie The Firefly is a popular toy for keeping babies entertained whether at home or out in the pushchair. The colourful cuddly toy is made from soft velour material so babies can squeeze and cuddle it, with different textures and sounds to aid sensory development.
Each part of Freddie’s body is made from a different coloured and patterned fabric with extra features for your baby to explore, such as a mirror to look at themselves, crinkly wings and a squeaker. There’s also a teether for them to bite and chew on which is kept in a little pocket and a clip on Freddie’s head to attach him to your buggy
Two rings hang off the bottom so your baby has something to reach for when you’re out and about which helps develop fine motor skills. The toy also encourages tactile stimulation to help babies learn through their hands and mouths.
It’s a toy that can be squeezed and cuddled from birth but still has plenty to offer as your baby grows up. Our tester Laura says, “Freddie was a big hit with my daughter from birth, especially due to his bright colours and crinkly wings. While she’s less interested in this toy now that she's a toddler, it was used everyday, particularly on stroller walks, for almost a year.”
Read next: The best pram toys for babies
Wendergo Tummy Time Inflatable Water Mat
Colourful sea creatures encourage babies to push up and move their necks
Fun characters help baby to enjoy tummy time
Can be used inside and outside
Recommended to wash, dry and ventilate for two days before use
May need to add vinegar to prevent trapped water or mould
RRP: £11 | Suitable from: Three months | Best for age: Six months | Size: 24.2 x 19.4 x 2.9cm | Batteries: None | Material: PVC
While tummy time is important for helping to strengthen your baby's muscles, not all babies are a fan and can quite quickly start to cry, and become irritable and tired. You can help make tummy time more comfortable and engaging by giving your baby something fun to look at, like this Wendergo Tummy Time Inflatable Water Mat.
A soft inflatable mat with lots of colours and characters to hold your baby’s attention, it’s made from BPA-free PVC with fun sea creatures that float and move when the mat is filled with cold or warm water. Even babies who don’t like being on their tummy will be tempted to push themselves up to see and follow the creatures on the mat. This water mat also helps to strengthen the muscles in your baby’s neck and shoulders.
Be careful as trapped water can cause mould and the manufacturer does recommended washing and drying it before use. But for £10, we think it’s great value, especially as you can use the mat inside your house and outside on warmer days.
Sophie La Girafe
Crafted from natural rubber and food-grade paints
Sensory elements
Easy for little ones to hold
Great for sore gums
Needs washing regularly to prevent mould inside
RRP: £16 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: First signs of teething | Size: 3 x 9 x 18cm | Batteries: None | Material: Natural rubber
Sophie La Girafe is an award-winning classic that has been loved by babies and parents for decades. A cross between a squeaky toy and a teether, Sophie is crafted from natural rubber that has been sourced from the Hevea tree and has soothing properties for teething babies (don’t forget, when those first pearly whites finally appear, it'll be time to invest in a good baby toothbrush too).
Sophie’s smiley face is adorable, and her high-contrast spotted pattern is great for eyes that haven’t yet developed fully. She is soft to the touch and easy to grab. In addition, when squeezed gently, she makes a gentle bleat which helps with hand-eye coordination and teaches action and reward principles.
Our tester Gemma says, “My daughter loved squeezing Sophie and playing with her and moving the toy from hand to hand. Most of all, she enjoyed chewing on Sophie’s head, legs and arms, which helped when she was teething, especially when it was particularly bad.”
Read next: Best baby nail clippers
Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Musical Activity Station
Colours and lights for fun sensory play
Good for encouraging tummy time
Stand props up the bar when baby can sit up and play
Some reviewers found the stand to be quite flimsy
RRP: £22 Suitable from: Three months | Best for age: Three months | Size: 14 x 32 x 22cm | Batteries: 3 x AAA | Material: Plastic
With music, lights, colours and animals, this musical toy by Baby Einstein has been designed to make tummy time more fun and keep babies engaged for longer. The toy bar lies flat on the ground so that babies are encouraged to lie on their tummy and lift up their neck.
The bar lights up by touching the coloured buttons or spinning the rattle so babies can get plenty of sensory stimulation. There are three sound modes: animals, colours and xylophone so that your baby can learn as they play. It also has a stand to prop up the bar for when your baby can sit up. For this reason, the toy bar can grow with your child so it will still get plenty of play when they are moving around.
Thanks to the noises and colours, the Glow & Discover Light Bar is a toy that promotes learning through sensory play and also encourages fine and gross motor skills, such as hand-eye coordination, and building up strength for moving around.
Read next: Best tummy time toys
Bright Starts 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play Activity Gym and Ball Pit
Grows with your child, with plenty of features
Detachable toys
Machine-washable and wipe-clean
Pricey
One reviewer found the foam shrunk after washing
RRP: £80 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: Birth | Size: 113 x 52 x 76cm | Batteries: Yes (3x AAA) | Material: Plastic
The Bright Starts 5-in-1 Your Way Ball Play Activity Gym and Ball Pit is a toy that has been designed with versatility in mind, offering different options as your child grows. It offers a comfortable and fun place to play when your baby is small, with five different options, including a ball pit (with 40 balls), for when your baby moves into toddlerhood.
Younger babies can lie on the 48-inch mat during tummy time or play with the seven hanging toys, which include an elephant music player, crinkle toy, mirror, flashcards, hanging leaf toy and bead rattle. The mat even has adjustable walls so you can be sure your baby stays safe during playtime. Turn on the elephant and it will entertain your baby with over 20 minutes of melodies.
Toys like this encourage babies to develop their motor skills as they reach and grab for toys as well as aiding physical development through tummy time play. Although it can be washed, one reviewer did say the mat shrank when machine-washed.
Read next: Best baby play mats
Infantino Textured 6-Piece Multi Ball Set
Portable and lightweight
Sensory textures
Easy for little ones to grasp
Good bath toys but they need to be cleaned to prevent mould
RRP: £11 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: From six weeks | Size: 9 x 23 x 23 cm | Batteries: None | Material: Plastic
Newborn development toys should have a range of textures, and these clever A-Z Sensory Play Balls are perfect for small hands and mouths to explore. They are excellent value, and babies will love to squish, throw and roll them. They also make fab bath toys to distract a reluctant child while you are washing their hair with baby shampoo too.
The six balls have come with textures that are interesting to feel and easy for small hands to hold and make a squeaking sound when squeezed. The different shape, size and textures help babies learn about spatial awareness, improve their hand-eye coordination as well as colour and shape recognition.
In addition, they are useful teethers. To keep them hygienic, wash them in hot, soapy water – just make sure they are dried carefully so they don’t go mouldy.
Our parent tester Laura says, “This ball set was one of my toddler’s favourite toys, especially around the six-month mark. The different textures and sizes are really appealing to little ones, and the balls are an excellent way to practise throwing when they get a bit older too.”
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy
Interactive soft toy that grows with your baby
Sensory toy with lights and sounds
Aids language skills
Might be too big for six-month-old babies to play with
RRP: £23 | Suitable from: Six months | Best for age: Nine months | Size: 20 x 28 x 30cm | Batteries: 3 x AAA | Material: Fabric and plastic
This is a cuddly toy that could soon become your baby’s best friend. The Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Puppy is a soft toy that plays music and helps teach babies their first words. It’s suitable from six months when they will enjoy hugging and squeezing the puppy and listening to the 75+ songs.
As your baby gets older, the puppy changes to provide content suitable for your baby’s age, offering good longevity. Press the hands, foot, ear and the light-up heart to learn about body parts as well as colours, numbers and the alphabet. With over 100 first words and three levels of fun, there’s lots for babies to explore and learn.
Some parents say this toy is on the large side for younger babies, but they should get lots of fun and play out of it by around 10 months.
That’s Not My Bunny by Fiona Watt
Colourful illustrations
Textures to touch on every page
Range of books to help babies learn language and sensory skills
Nothing to note
RRP: £7 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: Birth | Size: 17.7 x 1.8 x 16cm | Batteries: No
It’s never too early to start reading to your baby. Even as a newborn nestled in your arms, story time can be a lovely bonding experience for you and your little one. The That’s Not My… series of books have been around for years and are a great introduction to books for babies and toddlers, as well as helping them to develop language and sensory skills.
The touchy-feely books are very simple with repetitive text and colourful illustrations to entice babies to touch the different textures on each page. That’s Not My Bunny has different patches to stroke, such as rough paws, a fluffy tail and soft ears. There’s also a mouse to spot throughout the book.
As well as a wide variety of animal themed books, others in the range include That’s Not My Fire Engine, That’s Not My Robot and That's Not My Dinosaur. Our tester Gemma said “Both of my two children loved sitting down with these books during storytime, taking in the colourful pictures and running their fingers over the textures. We had a few from the range and they were all well read.”
Read next: Best toddler books
Sweet Dreamers Ewan the Dream Sheep
Soft cuddly toy
Calms baby at bedtime with soothing sounds
Soft pink night light
Some users feel the timer cuts off too early
Hand wash only
RRP: £30 | Suitable from: Newborn | Best for age: Newborn | Size: 7.1 x 5.9 x 3.9cm | Batteries: 3 x AAA | Material: Plush fabric
It’s likely that even if you don’t have a Ewan The Dream Sheep, you’ve heard of it. A cuddly toy which works as a sleep aid and a calming night light, Ewan has helped many babies (and parents) get a better night’s sleep.
The toy plays soothing white and pink noise, including a womb and heartbeat sound to help calm your baby at bedtime and lull them into sleep. Other sounds include rainfall, a vacuum cleaner and a harp melody which are all combined with the sound of a parent’s resting heartbeat to help replicate the comfort of the womb. Combined with the soft pink nightlight, it can help calm restless babies. He can even be taken out in the pram or car for soothing on the go.
Some users find the 20-minute timer is too short and Ewan also isn’t machine-washable which isn’t ideal for a baby toy, but handwashing could be a small price to pay for a good night’s sleep.
Read next: Best white noise machines for babies
Fisher-Price Roarin' Rainforest Jumperoo
Develops sensory, gross motor and curiosity skills
Reliable brand
Mixture of lights, sounds and textures
Large
Pricey
RRP: £75 | Suitable from: Manufacturer recommends babies should be able to hold head independently but not able to walk yet (up to 11.3kg) | Best for age: Six months+ | Size: 19 x 61 x 59.5cm | Batteries: 3x AA | Material: Plastic
The Jumperoo has been a firm favourite with babies and parents since Fisher-Price first released it in 2004. It has so many features that will keep babies entertained while also helping them develop key skills - love that the seat spins through 360 degrees so that your baby can reach all the different toys. As they bounce and move around they’ll be advancing their gross motor skills too, making this great for sensory play.
The toys on the Jumperoo include spinners, clickers, a mirror and a bead bar which all help babies learn about cause and effect, develop their fine motor skills, and stimulate their senses. It’s incredibly safe too, thanks to the sturdy steel frame and soft spring covers to keep little fingers safe. The seat pad is also machine-washable and can be popped in the washing machine and tumble dryer, so any little accidents can be sorted out quickly and easily.
“Be warned this is not a small toy,” says our tester, Gemma. “However, if you have the space for it, you won’t regret it. Both of my babies had lots of fun jumping up and down in the Jumperoo and spinning round in the seat to play with the different toys.”
MTS Baby Stacking Cups
Multiple ways to play
Stacking cups are also one of the best bath toys
Improves fine and gross motor skills
Good for problem-solving
Smaller cups can be lost easily
RRP: £7 | Suitable from: Manufacturer recommends 12 months+ (but many reviewers have used them from six months with supervision) | Best for age: From six months | Size: 20.6 x 18 x 8cm | Batteries: None | Material: Plastic
They might seem simple, but stacking cups are one of the best baby toys from six months old when it comes to development. They help build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as babies turn them in their hands and try to build their own towers. They also help to teach cause and effect as they knock down towers you build for them, and gross motor skills as they reach for the fallen cups.
These stacking cups from MTS also help with early colour and number recognition and are the perfect size for little hands. As your baby grows, stacking cups are sure to stay a favourite, with many toddlers and older children enjoying them, especially in the bath.
VTech First Steps Baby Walker
Activity panel can be removed for further play
Lots of features to entertain and engage babies
Prepares them for walking independently in the future
They may get more out of it when they're starting to properly walk
It's advised that you limit baby walker use to no more than 20 minutes at a time
RRP: £43 | Suitable from: Six months+ | Best for age: From nine months | Size: 46 x 45 x 40cm | Batteries: 2x AA batteries | Material: Plastic
Although a baby at six months old most likely won't be at the first-steps stage yet, learning to walk is a huge milestone from approximately 10 months onwards, and the VTech Baby Walker is the ideal aid. For babies closer to six months, the activity panel on the front can be removed and played with on the floor, making for a brilliant interactive toy before they pull up to stand.
It has a shape sorter, gears to turn, animal buttons and a toy phone for endless fun. As your baby gets older and starts to pull themselves up, the baby walker provides support to help them strengthen, balance and prepare for the taking of those first wobbly steps. The interactive fun also appeals to toddlers far older than those learning to walk too - meaning you could be getting years' worth of fun for under £50.
Read next: Best baby walkers
Nuby Fun Watering Can
Appeals to a wide range of ages
Great toy for the paddling pool
Cheap and cheerful
Some reviewers have said it's smaller than expected
RRP: £6 | Suitable from: Six months | Best for age: Six months | Size: 15.5 x 13.5 x 9.5cm | Batteries: None | Material: Plastic
Toy watering cans are always one of the best bath toys, providing hours of entertainment from the simple action of scooping water, tipping the can and watching it sprinkle back out.
Suitable for babies aged six months and above, the Nuby Fun Watering Can has a bright and engaging design with an easy-grip handle that’s perfectly sized for little ones to hold.
Enhancing their sensory development, the Nuby Watering Can helps build hand-eye coordination and teaches children about cause and effect as they watch the bubbles wash off their skin by tipping or tilting the can. In the warmer months, it will make a brilliant addition to the paddling pool too.
Read next: Best baby thermometers
VTech Crawl and Learn Bright Lights Ball
Good toy to help babies learn how to crawl
Colours and lights to help stimulate hand-eye coordination
Plays music as it rolls
Doesn’t roll easily on carpeted floors
RRP: £20 | Suitable from: Six months | Best for age: Six months | Size: 16.4 x 16.4 x 17.7cm | Batteries: 3 x AA | Material: Plastic
If your child is at crawling age, from around seven months, the VTech Crawl and Learn Ball will provide plenty of fun as they get on the move. If your baby is reluctant to start crawling, the ball rolls around to gently encourage them to move.
The ball has lots of fun features, such as bright colours and lights, to capture your baby’s attention, and big buttons that can be easily pressed by small hands to help them learn about numbers, animals and more. Not only has it been designed to help babies start crawling, but as they learn to reach out and push the toy along the floor, press the buttons and slide the turtle, it helps babies to develop fine motor skills as well as introducing cause and effect.
During playtime, babies can also listen to the 12 melodies and four sing-along songs that are sung by the animals: the dog, cat, bear and rabbit. Be warned though, users say it doesn’t roll easily on carpeted floors.
Jaques of London Rainbow Stacking Rings
Excellent quality
Rainbow coloured rings encourage sorting and stacking
Montessori toy that will last into the toddler years
Can only really be used from 10 months plus
RRP: £15 | Suitable from: Six months | Best for age: 10 months+ | Size: 21 x 11 x 11cm | Batteries: None | Material: Wood
If you want a break from the usual plastic toys, these rainbow coloured stacking rings make a gorgeous fun and educational toy for babies. Shape stacking toys like this one from Jaques of London help babies develop problem-solving skills.
While at first your baby may simply enjoy looking at the colourful stacking rings and exploring them with their hands, this is a toy that can be played with again and again as they get older and work out how to stack the rings in the right order. Putting the rings on the wooden stand helps them to develop fine motor skills, as well as resilience as they keep trying to put them in the correct order. Stacking toys also help children develop logic and reasoning skills.
A gorgeous wooden toy that will look lovely stored around your home, this is a great option for 10-month-olds, and will no doubt be played with for months and even years after.
Manhattan Toy Skwish
Encourages reaching and grasping
Sensory toy
Suitable for teething
Tricky to clean
RRP: £14 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: All ages | Size: 15 x 15 x 15cm | Batteries: None | Material: Wood
The Manhattan Skwish is as unique and intriguing as its name! It’s suitable from birth, and babies of all ages will be drawn to its lovely bright colours and interesting shape. It's small enough for them to grasp and bright enough to hold their attention while you brush their teeth or trim their talons.
Babies from the age of six to 12 months will love turning this toy in their hands and exploring the beads that gently rattle and slide along the wooden dowels. It's also one of the best teething toys for babies as well.
Jellycat Jungly Tails Book
Simple story with colourful illustrations
Soft crinkly book with different textures
Velcro loop for playing with in the pram
Sponge clean only
RRP: £15 | Suitable from: Birth | Best for age: Birth | Size: 21 x 12cm | Batteries: None | Material: Not stated
Made from soft materials that crinkle when touched, the Jellycat Jungly Tails Book is very popular with babies. With colourful animal illustrations and tails that stick out of the pages for children to touch and squeeze, the book provides lots of fun and learning through sensory play.
The book can be enjoyed by babies as they begin reaching and grabbing for things and older babies will enjoy finding out which tail the animals belong to.
We like that there is a Velcro loop for attaching to your pram or infant car seat so your baby can be entertained while on the go. Unfortunately, it can’t be machine-washed which isn’t ideal when it’s likely to end up in your baby’s mouth.
Our parent tester Laura says, “The Jellycat Jungly Tails book is such a fun sensory toy for newborns and beyond. My daughter loved the bright colours and different textures for each tail. We regularly clipped it onto the buggy for outings, and it was the ideal stimulating read when she was small.”
Skip Hop Explore and More Egg Shaker Trio Set
Three cute and colourful animals
Small for little hands to hold
Encourages fine motor skills
Some parents say the sound isn’t very loud
RRP: £16 | Suitable from: Six months | Best for age: Six months | Size: 17.7 x 5.7 x 12.7cm | Batteries: None | Material: Plastic
Get your little one making music from an early age with these cute animal shakers by Skip Hop. The three colourful characters, Fox, Owl and Hedgehog, are easy to hold for young babies and each make a different sound.
Each animal also has its own textured pattern to help develop your baby’s senses through play. Babies and toddlers can have fun shaking them and rolling the animals along on the floor, helping them develop fine motor skills, such as hand-eye coordination.
Some parents say the sound of the shaking isn’t as loud as it could be but that may be welcome if you don’t want too much noise. We think these fun shakers could make a great first musical instrument for your baby.
What to look for in a baby toy
If you’re choosing a toy for your baby, here are a few tips on what to look for:
Age: Each toy is given an age grading by the manufacturer. While it can be tempting to buy a toy because it looks fun or lasts longer, bear in mind what age it has been recommended for. For instance, a toy for a one-year-old may not be interesting to a three-month-old, and toys that are for age three plus may have small pieces that are choking hazards so should be avoided for babies. Age recommendations don’t mean that’s the only time they will be interested in it - some toys may last for years. It’s more of a guide to help you understand whether your baby will be interested in it and if it is safe for their age.
Safety: Make sure it has been made by a trusted manufacturer that complies with safety standards and is suitable for your baby's age.
Material: Baby toys are often plastic, but you can also get them in more natural materials like wood. Bear in mind that from approximately three months old, babies put everything in their mouths to help them learn. For this reason, plastic is easier to clean and sterilise. Try to give your baby a range of toys with different shapes and textures for them to explore.
Contrasting colours and patterns: A young baby doesn’t have fully developed eyesight and high-contrast images, with defined edges, are much easier for them to see and interact with. Black and white toys may seem boring, but they will capture a newborn's attention more than pretty pastels.
Music and sounds: Babies love tracking fun sounds and they will build head and neck strength as they look around. Music, nature sounds, crinkly fabric, and squeakers are all fascinating for little ones.
Action and reward: Interactive elements in a toy are educational and gratifying, even for the smallest babies. As they play, make sure you give plenty of loving encouragement too. Place the rattle in their hand, press the buttons that play music together and show them their gorgeous little face in the activity mat mirror.
Budget: Babies don’t need lots of toys, two or three that they love will do. Your attention as they play is more important. Singing, gently dancing, and talking to them about what they are seeing are lovely ways to encourage your baby and show your love, and they don’t cost anything. If you do invest, choose toys that will last. Activity toys with several modes of play, sensory toys, and books are all great ideas.
Age-appropriate challenges: While at first your newborn baby will simply look at toys from afar, as they get older, age-appropriate toys will provide the right kind of stimulation and learning. From about three months, look for toys that encourage your baby to reach and grab, as well as offering different textures for them to explore.
“This can include smooth and hard surfaces which are ideal for teething infants, providing relief and promoting oral exploration, and crinkly materials can create auditory and tactile excitement when squeezed. Textured surfaces, featuring bumps, ridges, or raised patterns, encourage tactile exploration and stimulate the sense of touch,” child development expert Danielle Baron explains. “These diverse textures enrich a child's early developmental experiences.”
Toys that encourage tummy time are also worth considering as they aid physical development for babies. “They strengthen their muscles and foster essential motor skills. These toys include tummy time mats and baby-safe mirrors which motivate infants to raise their heads, enhancing neck and upper body strength. Toys that encourage reaching and grasping improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, while rattles, squeaky toys, and activity gyms encourage babies to move their arms and interact with the toys, furthering their gross motor skills," Danielle adds.
As babies reach the six-month mark, they’ll enjoy toys that they can spin and build, then by around eight or nine months they will like toys which they can sort, hide and stack. Shape sorters and stacking toys can be ideal around this time.
What toys should a newborn have?
Sensory toys with sounds, music, colours, textures, and patterns will aid your baby's mental and physical development. They will also delight throughout their first year, so they are good value. Look for lightweight toys designed to be grabbed, held, and gnawed too.
What toys should every 6-month-old have?
There are no hard and fast rules about what toys your baby should be playing with, as long as they’re safe and age-appropriate. We do love the Fisher-Price Jumperoo though for all the features that it offers. It is so much more than just a bouncer, with interactive toys for babies to explore and enjoy. They also last really well as they’re so sturdy and well made, so they can easily be passed on to family or friends when your baby outgrows it.
And you can’t go wrong with a classic set of stacking cups that will keep babies entertained for ages. They’re also really easy to pop in a bag to take to the grandparents if they offer to babysit for you.
Read next: The best Montessori toys for babies and toddlers
How to use baby toys safely
Safety is always a parent’s top priority when it comes to their baby. So naturally you want to make sure that the toys you pick out for them are safe and that you and your baby use them properly.
When it comes to choosing toys for your baby, here are the three key things to keep in mind:
Trustworthy toys
Only buy from reputable retailers and brands you trust. Consumer reviews are a good indication that a toy is authentic and high quality too.
Safety standard checks
Check that the toy you want to buy has the UKCA or the CE mark. These marks show that the toy has been made to certain health, safety, and environmental standards. Also look for the British Toy and Hobby Association’s mark on the label. This shows the toy was made by a member of the British Toy and Hobby Association and that the manufacturer has made a commitment to making good quality, safe toys.
Suitable for your child's age
Always check the manufacturer’s recommended age for any toys you buy and double check for any small parts that could be potential choking hazards.
Once you’ve got your new toys home there are some things you can do to make sure you and your baby play with them safely. Firstly, you should only let your baby use their toys when you’re there to supervise. It's also essential that you follow sleep safety advice from The Lullaby Trust: keep their cot clear, and never put your baby down to sleep with toys in their cot.
Another thing to be aware of is faulty toys, as they could be potentially dangerous. Regardless of how trustworthy the brand or retailer is, you should assess your baby's toys regularly for threads coming loose on fabrics, stuffing coming out of soft toys, sharp edges, damage, and general wear and tear.
About the author
Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer and copywriter. At Mumsnet, she creates content providing useful parenting advice, information and top products to make life easier – as a mother of two children herself, Gemma knows how important it is to get the right advice.
After working on women’s weekly magazines for nine years, Gemma turned to freelance writing to fit around family life, writing for a range of online and print publications, charities and small businesses. She loves writing about subjects that will be helpful to the reader – and herself! - including recommending top products on Mumsnet that help parents in their day-to-day life.
She knows how important online reviews are when it comes to making a purchase so she always makes sure to thoroughly research every product so we are recommending the best ones on the market. With a young daughter and a son, she has played with lots of different toys over the years so drew on her own personal experience to ensure the best baby toys on this list were up to scratch.