Shopping for someone whose favorite activities include snoozing, snuggling, and staring at the ceiling can be tricky, but our favorite toys for newborns and infants in 2026 make it easy to find unique, home-run gifts for even the tiniest tots.

Babies are constantly discovering the world around them. From tummy-time entertainment to toys that invite little hands to reach, grasp, and explore, these picks offer plenty of ways for babies and their caregivers to play together and learn along the way.

When shopping for infants and newborns, look for age-appropriate toys with features they can enjoy as they grow. A gift for a newborn or a 3-month-old could become a playtime favorite throughout their first year.

Check out these parent- and expert-approved picks for the best toys that offer developmental benefits. See them all below, and check out our full holiday gift guide for more top toy picks!


STRIDER BABY BALANCE BIKE

As they develop independent sitting skills, babies can spin the wheels and twist the textured handlebars to explore how the bike works. | Source: Strider

During tummy time, babies can explore the bike’s raised letters, numbers, and shapes on the wheels for tactile sensory play. | Source: Strider

Source: Strider

Babies can develop gross motor skills from tummy time to walking with this tactile balance bike.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $69.99
  • Age:
  • 0-18 MOS

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FARMERS MARKET 3-IN-1 ACTIVITY TABLE

Designed to grow with babies, this activity center transforms for every stage of play, from tummy time to vertical play. The table includes six attachable multi-textured toys and features built-in sensory activities

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $87.99
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS+

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WOOM WOW

Toddlers can develop early motor skills on two wheels as soon as they can stand. Its self-balancing design and self-centering steering make their first wobbly rides more intuitive.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $199
  • Age:
  • 9 MOS+

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SIGNATURE BUSY BOARD

Designed to be mounted on a wall next to a changing station, this busy board includes a light switch, a color spinner, a clickable light, and sensory tiles.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $39.99
  • Age:
  • 8 MOS+

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WARMIES 13-INCH GOLDEN DOG

Simply warm up in the microwave and you will have a warm, huggable friend in no time. Warmies feature a gentle, relaxing lavender scent. See sewn-in label for warming instructinos.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.93
  • Age:
  • 0+

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BABY JACK THE LEARNING LOVEY TEACH STATES CRINKLE TAG SQUARE

Babies can engage in sensory play while learning about their home state with this crinkle square that easily attaches to strollers and bags for on-the-go fun.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $13.95
  • Age:
  • 0+

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EBBA — CHIME GROUP

Soothe little ones with the Chime Group by ebba, featuring a plush turtle, owl, or ladybug. Each contains an internal chime that produces a gentle rattle to provide sensory stimulation and comfort.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $26.99 each
  • Age:
  • 0+

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EL ELEFANTE QUIERE — BILINGUAL MUSICAL & VERB LEARNING TOOL

This plush introduces first verbs in Spanish and English through song, sensory play, and caregiver interaction. Pull the string to hear the melody of “Un Elefante se Balanceaba,” then lift the flap to discover everyday action words.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $54.99
  • Age:
  • 0+

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FISHER-PRICE 3-IN-1 KICK & SWAY ACTIVITY GYM

This activity gym features a swaying mobile that spins around and bobs back and forth when baby kicks the foot pad. It has five sensory play areas and comes with three linkable toys and a tummy-time mirror.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $59.99
  • Age:
  • 0+

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FISHER-PRICE MOVES WITH YOU TURTLE WALKER

This push walker features baby-powered spinning and rocking motions that encourage beginner walkers to keep moving. It has a sturdy base with an easy-grasp handle, non-electronic sensory activities, and six ball play areas

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $34.99
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS+

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GUND PLUMPKINS

Sweet, plump, and ready to be kids’ new besties, these 8-inch plush each feature a round shape and an understuffed, squishy texture. Available in four styles.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $25 each
  • Age:
  • 0+

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HOPSCOTCH LANE MUSICAL CRAWLING TURTLE

Babies and toddlers can move with this interactive, musical turtle that crawls, lights up, and wiggles. It promotes tummy time and encourages active play. As it moves, it senses obstacles and changes direction

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $16.99
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS+

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LITTLE WOOD BABY CHAIR

Babies can grow with this activity chair, which features a removable restraint, a built-in storage compartment, removable cushions, a dishwasher-safe silicone tray cover, an abacus, a peek-a-boo mirror, spinning gears, a clock, and a rotating ball cage

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $199
  • Age:
  • 5 MOS+

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MOODS & MUSIC LIGHT-UP DRUM

Little ones can navigate through four play modes: notes, emotions, colors, or songs. When kids press a button, it will light up with engaging sound effects for educational, interactive play.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $24.99
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS+

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TONIEBOX LITE SLEEPY SET

This set includes a Toniebox Lite and a Sleepy Duck figure that plays soft sounds and tranquil music, perfect for naptime and bedtime routines.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $79.99
  • Age:
  • 1+

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PEEK-A-PHOTO: WHO LOVES ME? INTERACTIVE STORYBOOK ALBUM

This book is part storybook, part photo album. Families can insert photos of loved ones so that babies and toddlers can discover them when they lift the flaps.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $29.99
  • Age:
  • 0+

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WOODEN BABY WALKER

This versatile three-in-one walker grows alongside little ones, encouraging them to explore with confidence. It features adjustable speed control, a toy storage bin, and a removable Montessori busy board full of interactive activities babies can explore

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $79.99
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS+

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FISHER-PRICE FRIENDSHIP FOREST LIGHT-UP CAMPFIRE

Baby can gather ‘round for exciting, outdoor-themed sensory play with the Friendship Forest Light-Up Campfire toy from Fisher-Price. Styled like a cozy campfire, this interactive toy features crinkly fabric “flames” that light up, a wobbly roly-poly base, and engaging sensory activities all around for little campers to explore. Look for additional Friendship Forest toys from…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $16.97
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS.+

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Battery Requirements

Duracell is the official battery partner of The Toy Insider.
  • Type:
  • AA
  • Quantity:
  • 2

PLAYSKOOL CLICK ‘N FLASH CAMERA

Playtime is capturing moments that spark joy. Playtime is everything. The Playskool Click ’N Flash Camera sensory toy turns playtime into a fun-filled learning adventure. Press the button, watch the flash, and pop out a pretend photo for instant-camera fun. Little ones can spin the bead-filled lens, click the focus ring, or press, slide, and…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $9.97
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS.+

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FISHER-PRICE FRIENDSHIP FOREST SORT & STORE TACKLE BOX

Baby can go fishing for endless shape-sorting fun with the Friendship Forest Sort & Store Tackle Box from Fisher-Price. This fishing-themed shape sorter activity toy includes 6 shape blocks to sort through the matching slots in the box lid, plus a cute fishing net accessory to “catch” fishies. As little anglers grasp and sort the…

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $16.19
  • Age:
  • 6 MOS+

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PLAY+ SENSORY CRINKLE TEETHER: DRAGON FRUIT

This dragon fruit-inspired teether features various silicone textures for kids to chew on and removable crinkle fabric for kids to clutch.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $14.99
  • Age:
  • 0+

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STAPELSTEIN MAT

This playmat features a unique double-sided design. One side is soft and squishy, while the other has a gribby, textured surface for running, jumping, and working out. Available in three timeless colors — purple, green, and blue — this mat is as functional as it is fun!

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $209
  • Age:
  • 0+

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THE GAMES ROOM COLLECTION

These playmats blend protection with sophistication. | Source: Totter + Tumble

Families can roll out the Charmer for a warm, Snakes-and-Ladders inspired pattern. | Source: Totter + Tumble

The Checker features a sage green checkerboard design. | Source: Totter + Tumble

The Ludo features scattered pick-up sticks. | Source: Totter + Tumble

This collection features a trio of cozy, rug-like playmats in a variety of sizes. Each memory foam mat reimagines a classic board game with modern, sophisticated colorways, illustrations, and designs, complete with a spill-proof surface for easy clean-up.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $249-359
  • Age:
  • 0+

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GUND DISNEY OFFICIAL PEEK-A-BOO WINNIE THE POOH PLUSH

This soft, 11-inch, seated plush toy features Disney's Winnie the Pooh with soft amber plush, a red T-shirt, and an embroidered honeypot. He comes to life with sounds and arm movements to play a fun game of peek-a-boo behind his honeypot.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $55.99
  • Age:
  • 0+

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NUGGET X CRAYOLA COLLECTION

Add a little color to your decor with this play furniture. The line features a four-piece modular play couch and an ottoman, sporting playful new prints inspired by Crayola's color palette. Use your creativity to arrange the cushions any which way — the options are as limitless as your imagination!

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $159-299
  • Age:
  • 1+

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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!

About the author

Marissa Silva

Marissa Silva

Marissa Silva is editor-in-chief of the Pop Insider and the Toy Insider, the leading consumer holiday gift guide and toy review and news website. As a professional toy reviewer and an industry expert, she consistently reports on toy, entertainment, and pop culture trends and hot products. In addition to digital content management, Marissa contributes feature-length articles to the Pop Insider and leading toy industry trade magazine The Toy Book, providing retailers, manufacturers, and licensors with information on the latest in toy news. Marissa has been featured on the TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Fox and Friends, ABC World News Now, MSNBC, CBS, NY1, WPIX, and more. A board game fanatic and professional toy reviewer, she spends most of her free time shopping for superhero T-shirts, crushing at Mario Kart, and anxiously awaiting her Hogwarts acceptance letter. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @thattoygirl.

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