The 12 Best Toys for Newborns and Infants

Introduction

Selecting the right toys for your newborn or infant is a key part of early development. From rattles to plush companions to subscription boxes, the market is full of products claiming to educate and entertain. In this guide, we’ve compiled 12 highly recommended toys that balance fun, safety, and developmental benefits. Whether you’re looking to stimulate your little one’s fine motor skills, visual tracking, or sensory awareness, these tried-and-true options have you covered.

Toy Selection Criteria

When looking for toys for newborns and infants, keep the following important factors in mind:

1. Safety Standards
   Seek out items labeled BPA-free, phthalate-free, lead-free, and latex-free. Double-check that small parts and seams are secure to prevent choking hazards.
2. Visual & Tactile Stimulation
   High-contrast colors, interesting textures, and interactive features (like crinkly paper or rattles) can help develop sensory skills in babies.
3. Durability & Long-Term Use
   The first year of life brings rapid growth, so choose sturdy toys that can adapt to changing interests, from tummy time to sitting and beyond.
4. Parent-Friendly Features
   Machine-washable fabrics, wipe-clean surfaces, or easy assembly can save busy caregivers time and trouble.

---

The 12 Best Baby Toys

1. Bloobloomax Baby Rattles

• Age Range: 0-6 months
• Material: Fabric (BPA-free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free)
• Pros:
  • Good fit on wrists and ankles
  • Bright colors and high contrast
  • Soft touch, lightweight, wearable, adjustable, washable
• Cons:
  • Could be louder

Click here to Learn more Bloobloomax Baby Rattles!

Why We Love It

“One of the most adorable things has been witnessing my son start to notice his hands and feet. These noise-making ankle and wrist rattles are a helpful way to encourage this recognition while also providing your baby with a fun activity that encourages him to move his arms and legs to make noise. Velcro attachments make it easy to take them on and off. Some parents did call out, however, that the noise could be louder to further engage their newborns.”

Reviews

• “This is the second time now that I've purchased these rattles. I bought them for a baby shower gift and I love that they are small and soft. They are well stitched so there's no danger of anything coming off in the baby's mouth. I like that they will be good for a boy or girl so they can be use for future children as well.”
• “Exactly as expected, easy to Velcro on wrists and put socks on feet. But socks come off very easily, which feels silly for rattles that are intended to be kicked around. Soft, cute, quiet noise. If only they stayed on the feet!”

---

2. Lamaze Mortimer the Moose

• Age Range: Newborn and up
• Material: Polyester, Plastic (BPA-free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free)
• Pros:
  • Can hang over a crib, car seat, or play mat
  • Includes different textures, sounds, and many colors
  • Teether included
• Cons:
  • Higher price point than other plush toys
  • Not machine-washable

Click here to Learn more Lamaze Mortimer the Moose!

Why We Love It

“Mortimer the Moose helps your baby develop their auditory, visual, and tactile senses as they explore the textures and sounds. This cute Moose baby toy features soft plastic antlers that are fun to chew on and interesting to explore with both their hands and their mouths. Mortimer's feet are designed with colorful patterns for a high-contrast play experience. These colorful feet are also made with crinkly material for those satisfying crunchy noises babies love. When your little one wants a hug, Mortimer will also let out a friendly squeak that is great for soothing as well as playtime. From birth and on, Mortimer is an adorable learning toy that will hold your baby's attention for hours on end.”

Reviews

• “Bright colors. Soft fur. Baby loves it. Great for carseat or stroller. Nice for tummy time too. Good quality. Has nice sound. Squeaker and jingles.”

---

3. Teytoy Owl Soft Rattle Toy

• Age Range: Newborn and up
• Material: Cloth, Polyester (BPA-free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free)
• Pros:
  • Easy for babies to hold
  • Different textures
  • Crinkly elements
• Cons:
  • Big product tag attached

Click here to Learn more Teytoy Owl Soft Rattle Toy!

Why We Love It

“This cuddly soft owl rattle is another popular option for newborns and is intended to be a sensory delight for your little one. Its body is shaped like an ‘O’ for baby to easily grasp, while the different textured fabrics give her a lot to experience by touch. The owl’s head has a ringing ball and the wings have crinkly paper, all of which baby can feel or hear. Plus, the brightly contrasting patterns and large black-and-white eyes can be used to practice visual tracking with baby on as you slowly move the rattle from left to right and top to bottom.”

Reviews

• “This owl had my grandson entertained with its cuteness, bright colors, crimping noise, not to mention the rattle, softness, easy to hold, washable, & great quality entertainment/size. THIS TOY IS WELL MADE BUT IT IS NOT GREAT FOR TEETHING BABIES.”

---

4. Lovevery The Looker Play Kit

• Age Range: 0-3 months
• Pros:
  • Multiple toys to engage your newborn
  • Explore high-contrast images
  • Flexible subscription service
• Cons:
  • Pricey
  • Some items are designed to be used with the Lovevery play gym, sold separately

Click here to Learn more The Looker Play Kit!

Why We Love It

“Lovevery takes the guesswork out of researching and purchasing age-appropriate toys. This kit is a playtime primer with eight different toys designed just for infants 0 to 12 weeks old. Another standout feature among all Lovevery toy subscription boxes? Each one comes with a handy play guide, which offers tons of suggestions for how to play with your newborn and expert tips about your baby’s development at this stage. These are quite pricey, but parents say they’re well worth the investment, especially since their babies typically play with these toys long after the recommended stage. Plus, you can easily skip or cancel your subscription at any time.”

Reviews

• “We love our play kits! It’s really nice to have age appropriate toys to help with my little one’s development. She is so curious about the toys and we love playing with them together!”

---

5. KiwiCo Let’s Bond Panda Crate

• Age Range: 0-1 months
• Pros:
  • Specifically designed for 0-1 months
  • High Contrast Toys
• Cons:
  • Pricey

Click here to Learn more KiwiCo Let’s Bond Panda Crate!

Why We Love It

“For another subscription that’s slightly less expensive than Lovevery, many parents have turned to KiwiCo’s crates. This one specifically caters to babies during the first month, and is dedicated to helping you bond with your baby. It comes with four developmental toys (a squishy pillow for tummy time, a lovey, high-contrast black and white cards and a four-panel mirror) along with a grownup guide that dives into the research and science behind baby’s milestones and how to best use each toy. It’s all about promoting the use of your little one’s vision, hearing and muscle control.”

Reviews

• “The toys were quality and wooden which I loved! It’s a fun surprise for both my child and I to see the toys that arrive and it also is so helpful to have a few pieces that specifically target her age.”

---

6. Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy

• Age Range: 1 month-3 years
• Pros:
  • Multiple textures and colors
  • Promotes tactile exploration
  • Washable
• Cons:
  • Bigger and thicker than some expected

Click here to Learn more Melissa & Doug Flip Fish!

Why We Love It

“This cuddly fish friend will swim right into kids' hearts! With bright colors, bold facial features, and washable fabrics that include a variety of patterns and hidden pictures, this crinkling, squeaking, multi-textured soft toy from Melissa & Doug K’s Kids is perfect for encouraging tummy time and fueling storytelling. Melissa & Doug K’s Kids toys nurture early childhood development in three key skill areas: physical, cognitive, and social. With interactive designs and multisensory features, K’s Kids promotes constructive play and effortless learning, keeping interest high and new skills flourishing throughout the baby and toddler years!”

Reviews

• “The size, the colors, the multiple textures, and the different pictures make this toy so engaging and is a must for car trips. It keeps little ones entertained. It is well made and will last a long time.”

---

7. Bright Starts Oball Easy Grasp Classic Ball

• Age Range: 0-36 months
• Material: Plastic (BPA-free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free)
• Pros:
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to hold onto
  • Durable
• Cons:
  • The ball is about the size of a baseball

Click here to Learn more Bright Starts Oball!

Why We Love It

“A flexible, easy to grip design helps encourage two-handed play and builds baby's confidence to grip and hold the ball. At 4” in diameter, this award-winning ball is made to help babies of all ages grip, catch, and throw with ease. Safe, flexible construction features 32 large finger holes to make it easy for little hands to grip and play. Easy-care material wipes clean to help eliminate germs and dirt. Fits into most diaper bags for play on the go. With over 8 million sold, this beloved ball is a must-have for any new parent’s baby registry and makes a great first toy for baby. BPA free.”

Reviews

• “My baby loves this product and has since about 3 months old. It was the first toy he played with. It was very easy for him to grab onto. Now a toddler, he still plays with the ball all of the time. He can throw it, roll it. It’s also possible to do different fine motor skill activities with the ball. They’re flexible so they don’t break if fallen or stepped on. It’s small enough it’s easy to travel with. I have now purchased 2 of these for baby shower gifts.”

---

8. Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book

• Age Range: Newborn and up
• Pros:
  • Pages feature peek-a-boo flaps over bright, stimulating images
• Cons:
  • The ball reference in the cons seems to be a small error in the provided text; actual product feedback may vary

Click here to Learn more Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book!

Why We Love It

“Help baby learn about her world with books showing objects from everyday life. The high contrast pictures throughout the book capture baby's attention and help Connect objects with words. Baby strengthens her hand-eye coordination by lifting the peek-a-boo flaps. Additionally, the crinkle-filled pages provide auditory stimulation. Attachable link allows for on-the-go fun!”

Reviews

• “Book is very soft and cute. Comes with a little clip thing to attach it. It’s a flip book so it keeps baby entertained and the black, white and red colors are great as well.”

---

9. The House of Noa Little Nomad Play Mat

• Age Range: Newborn and up
• Material: Fabric (BPA-free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free)
• Dimensions: 24.8" x 24.8” per tile
• Pros:
  • Several fun designs
  • Multiple sizes
  • High quality
• Cons:
  • Pricey
  • Corners easily pop up

Click here to Learn more The House of Noa Little Nomad Play Mat!

Why We Love It

“The same revolutionary squishy-sturdy foam play mat that started it all, these subtle and sophisticated art-house designs take both playtime and downtime to a new level. Our playmat is built to safely cushion their falls and cradle their crawls and designed to give you a safe place to land, too. When it comes to safety and style, turns out, they do play well together.”

Reviews

• “I was so pleased when I opened this box! The mat is soft, thick, and beautiful for my granddaughter to play on. It truly looks like a high-end rug until you get close. I selected the Emile pattern and it's just so pretty.”

---

10. Wee Gallery Black and White Flashcards

• Age Range: Newborn and up
• Pros:
  • Made with eco-friendly ink that’s safe for little ones
• Cons:
  • Cards aren’t waterproof

Click here to Learn more Wee Gallery Black and White Flashcards!

Why We Love It

“Your baby will love staring at these sturdy, high-contrast black-and-white pictures. Each of the six double-sided cards features a bold black-and-white image of an animal that baby can see and use to build tracking skills as her vision develops. And because these cards are easy to throw in your diaper bag, you can use them for on-the-go playtime and learning. The cards feature rounded corners, so baby won’t poke herself on a sharp-cornered edge. They also have a matte lamination finish but aren’t waterproof. So if your baby is in a ‘put everything in my mouth’ phase, you may want to consider handling the cards yourself, or they could become warped.”

Reviews

• “We put these around our newborn’s changing table and it’s now one of her favorite places to be. Staring at these cards often calms her. Pretty sure these are her favorite thing!”

---

11. Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym

• Age Range: Newborn and up
• Material: Plastic (BPA-free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free)
• Dimensions: 17.99" L x 36" W x 27" H
• Pros:
  • Play mat is machine washable
  • Grows with your baby
• Cons:
  • Large footprint

Click here to Learn more Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym!

Why We Love It

“Shake up playtime with this Fisher-Price gift set featuring 2 soft rattle maracas and the Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym, which includes the popular Purple Monkey ‘Maybe’ song! The newborn activity gym includes a washable playmat, repositionable toy arch, 5 linkable baby toys, and a detachable keyboard with 5 light-up keys and 4 musical settings. As your baby grows from lay and play to tummy time to sitting up at the piano, you can switch up the music and learning with Smart Stages technology. Colors and decorations may vary.”

Reviews

• “Very bright and colorful toys! The mat is machine washable which is a huge plus. It was very easy to put together and I didn’t even use the screws that came with it. Piano has different modes and volume. Baby mirror is big and clear. I wish it was a little wider because my baby loves to roll over and gets stuck at the arch. But most certainly serves the purpose! And very portable - another great quality! Worth every penny!”

---

12. Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother

• Age Range: Newborn and up
• Material: Plastic (BPA-free, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free)
• Dimensions: 5.22" x 11.9" x 8.7"
• Pros:
  • Plays variety of lights and sounds
  • Remote control makes it easy for parents to turn off
• Cons:
  • Batteries not included

Click here to Learn more Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother!

Why We Love It

“A new parent ‘must have’, this ocean-themed soother has been soothing babies for over 10 years with 25+ minutes of gentle melodies, soft ocean sounds, and twinkling lights. Attach easily to most crib rails or place on a bedside table to help soothe babies 0 months and up. 4 modes let parents customize settings to meet baby’s needs, with relaxing combinations of soft lights, serene music, soothing ocean sounds, and characters that gently sway to relax baby during quiet time or sleep. Parents will love this soother’s Drift Off function, which gradually softens the lights and sounds every 10 minutes to help baby fall asleep. To prevent wakeups, use the remote control to activate or stop the soother from up to 12 feet away.”

Reviews

• “It has several functions: white noise, white noise and lights, lights and music, etc. It plays soothing, pleasant music while providing calming, sensory ocean friends to watch. The lights gradually dim and the music gradually grows quieter with time, encouraging baby to sleep (it works!). It is designed to attach to the side of the crib but for my purposes it was easy to attach it to the headrest in my car. It even comes with a remote so I can turn it on and off from the front seat without having to turn around and reach. My baby is happy and so am I! Great quality item!”

---

Tips for Safe and Effective Toy Use

• Always Supervise: Especially when introducing new toys or those with multiple parts.
• Regular Inspections: Check toys for any damage like loose stitching, cracks, or signs of wear.
• Proper Cleaning: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, from surface wiping to machine washing.
• Rotate Toys: Continually rotating toys keeps your baby’s environment interesting and fosters more robust engagement.

Conclusion

Each toy on this list offers parents a unique way to engage their newborn or infant, promoting sensory, cognitive, and motor development. Whether you’re adding a plush rattle to a baby shower registry or investing in a subscription kit like Lovevery or KiwiCo, these recommendations will provide hours of exploration and joy. Remember: every baby develops at their own pace, so tailor your choices to suit your child’s current interests and abilities.

For an additional budget-friendly yet high-quality option, consider the Tumama Kids series of baby toys. These toys combine safety, affordability, and developmental support to keep your little one engaged:

• Black and White Infant Toys – High-contrast designs to stimulate newborn vision and early visual tracking.
• Car Seat Toys – Easily attachable playthings that keep your baby pleasantly occupied during rides.
• Baby Play Gym – A comfortable, stable area for infants to explore sounds, textures, and bright patterns, all while developing their motor skills.

All Tumama Kids toys are crafted with safe materials and tested for quality, making them a fantastic addition to any nursery or family outing.

Call to Action

Have you tried any of these toys, or do you have a personal favorite you’d like to recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And don’t forget to bookmark or subscribe to our blog for more in-depth baby product reviews, tips from parenting experts, and helpful resources for every stage of your child’s growth.

---

By prioritizing safety, durability, and developmental value, you’ll set the stage for a playful, engaging first year—and beyond! Enjoy exploring these toys with your little one and watching them grow and flourish day by day.