You’re never too young to play! Even in the newborn stage, there are tons of toys, playmats, and more that help babies develop important early skills, while giving them something to focus on. But with an endless array of options out there, it’s not easy to choose the perfect gift, especially when babies can’t tell you what they want.
Toys for infants and newborns help little ones hit key milestones. Since babies develop and change so rapidly in their first year, look for toys that grow with them. It’s also a great idea to purchase holiday gifts designed for slightly older stages so babies have time to grow into them.
If there’s a very little one on your holiday gift list this year, check out these parent- and expert-approved picks for the best toys that offer tons of developmental benefits. See them all below, and check out our full holiday gift guide for more top toy picks!
OCEAN EASY-FOLD PLAY GYM
This play gym takes infants to a world under the sea. With a double-sided playmat and plush sea creatures with different textures, babies can experience a wide variety of physical and visual sensory stimulation.
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MS. RACHEL TUMMY TIME ACTIVITY BUS
Kids can enjoy tummy time while moving the boy up and down, beeping the horn, swishing the ribbon wipers, and lifting the flap to see parents kissing their baby. The activity bus is soft with different textures for sensory play, features an illustrated image of Ms. Rachel, includes a mirror, and has high-contrast black-and-white graphics.
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MS. RACHEL SPEAK & SING DOLL
The soft and cuddly, touch-activated doll plays music, words, and phrases inspired by Ms. Rachel’s videos. It includes a bonus learning card featuring play tips and skill-building activities.
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MS. RACHEL SURPRISE LEARNING BOX
Inspired by the surprise box from Ms. Rachel’s YouTube series, this learning box comes with six soft accessories and a bonus card with play tips and skill-building activities.
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GRIP ‘N’ STACK SILICONE AND WOODEN BLOCKS
Ten vibrant blocks help little ones explore and learn in a safe way. Each block features bright colors, letters, numbers, and patterns.
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BEBÉ FUERTE COUNT & GROOVE BOUNCY BARBELL
This bilingual, electronic barbell features three modes of play: one for counting and dancing, one for wacky sounds, and one for music.
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STACK & CRAWL 4-IN-1 CRAB
Little ones can use the crab as a rattle and teething product, then sort and stack its shells! The crab also moves in a circular pattern for beginner crawlers and in random patterns for advanced crawlers. Kids can listen to three songs and 15 different sound effects while playing.
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BARNYARD ACTIVITY CUBE
This five-sided wooden activity center features farm characters, a bead maze, a tractor-trailer, interlocking gears, peek-a-boo pals, and more for toddlers to practice fine motor skills.
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FISHER-PRICE LAUGH & LEARN ULTIMATE PLAYHOUSE
Kids can crawl into the living area and engage with the desk, light-up fishbowl, thermostat, and play radio. The exterior features a doorbell, a porch light, and more interactive elements.
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FISHER-PRICE LINK SQUAD
When kids link the animal characters, the band will light up, sing, and teach together. Opposites Fox, Jam & Count Panda, First Words Yak, Bop & Learn Tiger, and Crawlin’ Colors Chameleon are available.
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FLIPETZ
Kids can cuddle with these reversible plush characters. One side is a plush fruit or vegetable, and the other is an animal friend. There are seven Flipetz to collect.
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GUND MY LITTLE ARTIST PLAYSET
The five-piece playset contains four art-themed, sensory-stimulating plush toys, including a paintbrush, a crayon, a paint tube, and a bear dressed as an artist.
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LAMAZE CLIP & GO ALISE THE AXOLOTL
Infants can explore early cause-and-effect learning with multiple textures and ribbons. It features a textured star for teething and a multi-purpose clip for travel.
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PEEKABOO LEARNING FARM
Throw a barnyard bonanza! Unveil adorable farm friends in this finger puppet-packed playset. The five barns and five finger puppets encourage little ones to build fine motor and sensory skills as well as learn counting and color recognition.
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TRANQUIL TURTLE — GREEN
This plush turtle glows with soft light and projects moving ocean waves onto the ceiling to help soothe kids to sleep. It plays an underwater melody and wave sounds, shuts off after 23 minutes, and is made from 100% recycled fabric.
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PLAYSKOOL LULLABY GLO WORM
Choose from one of three modes and give the worm a squeeze. Long-play mode plays up to 10 minutes of music and lights, while short-play mode plays a quick tune with a brief glow. For more calm and quiet, there’s also a glow-only mode. Washing-machine safe.
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WIMMER-FERGUSON INFANT STIM-MOBILE TO GO
Source: Manhattan Toys
Source: Manhattan Toys
Say hello to on-the-go giggles with this portable mobile! This compact toy features six reversible cards with captivating high-contrast images. Simply clamp it to most strollers for instant smiles on every stroll.
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OOMBEECUBE
Source: Fat Brain Toys
Source: Fat Brain Toys
Get hands-on with the OombeeCube! With six vibrant, textured shapes tethered for endless exploration, this is a perfect travel toy for babies and toddlers. Made from safe, durable silicone, kids can have all sorts of sorting fun. Watch little ones light up as shapes slide snugly into place and take on early tactile learning.
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WHIRLY SQUIGZ
Source: Fat Brain Toys
Source: Fat Brain Toys
Twirl and whirl into a delightful sensory experience! Made with food-grade silicone, this spinner toy suctions to hard surfaces, and feature, smooth, easy-to-hold contours. Keep little ones occupied in the kitchen, the bathroom, and develop their fine motor skills.
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MEGA BLOKS BUILD N’ PLAY BAG
Includes 60 colorful plant-based blocks made from sugarcane. Encourages imaginative play and creative construction. Blocks are easy for little hands to grasp and stack. Comes with a convenient storage bag for organization.
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BITZY GRIP HAND TEETHER
Source: Itzy Ritzy
Source: Itzy Ritzy
Get a grip! The Bitzy Grip Hand Teether gives teething babies a hand grip and wrist slots, making for a hygienic, no-drop teether. It's made from BPA-free silicone and comes in different whimsical animal shapes, such as a unicorn and a dinosaur. No more dropped teethers on the car floor; this is truly a hands-on…
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STAPELSTEIN ORIGINAL RAINBOW
These stackable stones are durable, colorful, and made of eco-friendly materials. They're water-resistant and able to support up to 396 pounds each, offering a variety of play options such as balancing, creating an obstacle course, and more.
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BABY JELLYCAT COLLECTION
Jellycat characters such as Bashful Bunny, Bashful Black & Cream Puppy, Bashful Dragon, Bashful Lamb, and Bartholomew Bear are available as a soother, ring rattle, and comforter; and some of the characters are also available as musical pulls. The line also includes Amuseable Moon and Amuseable Sun, which are inspired two fabric baby books, "Hello…
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BITZY BESPOKE SPIRAL CAR SEAT ACTIVITY TOY
Take activity toys on the road! From dangling rainbow rings to a plush moon, this interactive car seat toy offers little explorers lots of twists and turns. It's easy for parents to attach to car seat handles or stroller bars and soft to the touch with natural cotton fabrics for babies to grab.
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OCEANBOUND PLASTIC TUGBOAT AND SUBMARINE
These brightly-colored vessels are perfect for bathtime! Made from 100% recycled plastic that saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, these watercrafts are safe for little adventurers who love to play and explore. The submarine has a flat bottom for stability and a spinning rear propeller. The cabin can be opened for easy cleaning, and…
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TUMBLE TOWN FOAM BLOCKS
This stackable, six-piece set is made of a soft PU foam that is comfortable, durable, dense, stain-resistant, and easily wiped clean. It's great for tumbling, climbing, and imaginative play. This stackable, six-piece set is made of a soft PU foam that is comfortable, durable, dense, stain-resistant, and easily wiped clean. It's great for tumbling, climbing,…
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BLUEY SLEEPTIME LITE
Bluey features in a Sleeptime Lite that projects colorful rainbow stars, which kids can adjust to change slowly or quickly. It includes a built-in timer, which shuts off automatically after 20 minutes.
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GOOBER PLUSH
| Goober is an eccentric 11" bear longing for hugs with its charming hunched pose & sweet expression! This two-toned bear has an extra-plump & squishy round belly that's perfect for cuddlers. Surface-washable.
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VOYA QUAD STROLLER WAGON
Take four babies or toddlers on a walk through the park, a stroll on the beach, or another outdoor adventure in this two-seat wagon. The wagon features four cupholders, plenty of storage, and sunshades to keep kids cool.
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ADVENTURE ROVER
Kids can venture through space with 360-degree spinning front wheels, a pretend radar dish, overhead map of the solar system, and moveable wheel. The rover also has a removable floorboard, cupholder, and back handle for parents to push with.
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For more top toy picks for kids of all ages, check out The Toy Insider’s annual Holiday Gift Guide, and find the perfect gift using our Perfect Present Wizard!
