Your baby’s first year is full of incredible growth — they will go through more changes during those first 365 than they ever will. That first year presents so many happy moments, challenges, and learning experiences — for caregivers and babies alike.
Babies learn through play and engagement, so introducing toys to help them hit key milestones is an important part of their development. The right toys can help babies develop skills such as grasping, rolling, crawling, and walking. They can also boost dexterity and fine motor skills, spark sensory exploration, or encourage early communication. Best part? They are fun for everyone.
If there’s a very little one on your holiday gift list this year or you are still building out your baby registry, 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 list of the best products for babies and toddlers ages 0-2.
SILICONE BEAD TEETHERS
This teether combines soft silicone beads with playful wooden shapes, perfect for little hands to hold. Little ones can soothe their tender gums while exploring their gross motor skills. Babies can chews from adorable designs and colors, including a ladybug, a moon, and hearts.
Buy Now
STRIDER SPORT 2-IN-1 ROCKING BIKE
This bike can grow with toddlers to get them ready to learn how to ride. It attaches to a rocking base so little ones can practice balancing on the bike, and comes with an adjustable seat and handlebars.
Buy Now
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.
Buy Now
FISHER-PRICE LAUGH & LEARN 4-IN-1 ACTIVITY TABLE & EASEL
Babies and toddlers can play, learn, and create with this electronic toy. With the help of a grown-up, it easily converts from a busy board to an activity table to a play table to an art easel.
Buy Now
LOVEVERY — THE PLAY KITS
These curated kits include stage-based play essentials, books, tips, and activities for kids ages 0-5. Developed with expert input, the program offers toys, resources, and parent support through an app, social media, and weekly emails.
Buy Now
MS. RACHEL SPIN ALONG LEARNING WHEEL
Toddlers can turn the wheel to practice mouth movements and color recognition, discover animals and their sounds, and more. The toy features three play modes and interactive prompts guided by Ms. Rachel’s voice.
Buy Now
PLAYSKOOL FLIP & FUN SENSORY BOARD
This colorful, travel-friendly sensory toy features nine hands-on activities. The three double-sided, textured tiles slide in and out for kids to mix and match, spin, press, flip, and slide for tactile play.
Buy Now
PLAYTAB GO
This travel-friendly toy includes two tactile sensory tiles for kids to move, switch, and replace with other Play Tab tiles. It also has a clip to attach to a car seat, a bag, or a stroller.
Buy Now
PLAYSKOOL SIT ‘N SPIN
Kids can choose to slow twirl or speedy spin. This classic Playskool toy is a go-to to help build balance, coordination, motor skills, and cause-and-effect learning through active play.
Buy Now
TONIEBOX 2
The beloved Toniebox is getting an upgrade! This new edition of the audio player features an updated design with new colors, rounded corners, and even more squeezable siding. Families can use Sleep Timers and Sunrise Alarms to maintain bedtime routines, while the rainbow Light Ring guides older kids through all-new Tonieplay games.
Buy Now
MS. RACHEL TONIE
The Ms. Rachel Tonie features 24 songs and stories delivered by Ms. Rachel, Mr. Aron, and Herbie. Kids can listen and respond to interactive prompts, sing along to Ms. Rachel’s favorite songs, and go on field trips. Toniebox 2 sold separately.
Buy Now
LOVEVERY BATH SET
This Play Kit comes with eight bath toys for babies, each designed to stimulate young minds and encourage early learning concepts. It includes the Scoop & Spin Bath Cup, the In Then Out Bath Tube, the Talk & Play Bath Book, the I See You Bath Mirror, the Fast & Slow Water Wheel, the Shake…
Buy Now
MS. RACHEL MY FIRST LEARNING BUS
Kids can lock the Ms. Rachel figure into the driver's seat to hear multiple sound effects, including the song "Wheels on the Bus." Once the included Herbie figure clicks into the back seat, kids will watch as he goes up and down when the bus moves. Little ones can create new scenarios or replicate situations…
Buy Now
CHEW CUBES
These toys soothe little ones throughout their teething journey. Babies can chew on the shape, play with the rattle, and explore its many sensory textures.
Buy Now
GARDEN OF ADVENTURES SPIRAL STROLLER ACTIVITY TOY
Wrap this toy around your baby's stroller and watch them discover the magic of nature! This sensory toy includes adorable plush veggies, a wooden rattle, and a variety of textures like ribbons, leaves, and soft fabric. Little ones will develop hand-eye coordination, cognition, cause-and-effect, and a lifelong imagination as they play.
Buy Now
CRAWL ABOUT CRAB
This developmental toy encourages little ones to crawl along with the crab, strengthing motor skills. Babies can try to catch the crab as it slides sideways and plays music.
Buy Now
B. TOYS RAINBOW GUMBALLS
Kids can learn numbers and colors with this retro-inspired gumball machine, which features gumballs numbered 1-10 that kids can release by pressing down on the coin button.
Buy Now
IGLU SOFT PLAY SET — EXPLORER
This set of lightweight soft play blocks includes six different shapes. Kids can stack them, push them together to make new shapes, or use them as imaginative role-play pieces. Iglu soft blocks are made of firm, 100% recyclable foam and covered with an artificial eco-leather. This set is available in five different colorways.
Buy Now
B IS FOR BALL – 3 BALL SET
This Montessori-inspired toy offers endless play opportunities, including three single-color balls in orange, lilac, and green, housed in an L-shaped toy box. Each ball features an openable design, inviting children to explore play on their own terms.
Buy Now
ZANY ZOO WOODEN ACTIVITY CUBE
This darling activity cube features five sides of learning fun! Little ones can explore revolving alphabet tiles, an interactive bead maze, zigzag tracks, peek-a-boo doors, and other sensory surprises. As they play with the animal-filled cube, kids will develop valuable fine motor skills and a love for discovery.
Buy Now
LAMAZE PEEK-A-MOO FRIENDLY BARN
This plush barn features crinkle flaps on the roof, satin ribbons, patterns, a cow plush with a crinkle texture, and a mother hen plush attached to the side of the barn.
Buy Now
FISHER-PRICE LEARN WITH ME PURPLE MONKEY WALKER
This sturdy walker grows with babies, offering sit-and-play activities and support for early walking. It features seven interactive elements and more than 40 songs and sounds, and introduces letters, numbers, and more.
Buy Now
GLO PALS LIGHT-UP RATTLE
This rattle engages babies’ senses with light-up features and soothing sounds, while encouraging fine motor skill development with the easy-to-hold handle.
Buy Now
GRABITS
These easy-grip toys feature soft, flexible, geometric designs that are perfect for squeezing, grasping, and exploring. Dishwasher-safe and BPA-free, they support sensory play and fine motor skill development.
Buy Now
GUND ANIMATED PEEKI THE PUPPY
With a press of the left paw, little ones can play peek-a-boo with this 12-inch plush puppy. Press the right paw and hear Peeki play a peek-a-boo-inspired song.
Buy Now
PLAYSKOOL EXPLORE ‘N GROW BUSY GEARS TOY
Get ready to stack, spin, and smile! The Playskool Explore ’n Grow Busy Gears toy gets little hands moving with colorful gears that twirl, light up, and play music at the push of a button. As toddlers explore different shapes, sizes, and textures, they’re building fine motor skills, sensory awareness, and early problem-solving—all through hands-on…
Buy Now
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.
Buy Now
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.
Buy Now
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.
Buy Now
MUSHIE BABY RAINBOW STACKER TOY
This stacking toy helps babies and toddlers develop fine motor skills and work on sorting by size. The super lightweight, hollow pieces are perfect for tiny hands. Available in three muted color palettes with a chic, simple design, it makes a perfect piece of nursery decor when playtime is over.
Buy Now
CRAWLIGATOR
Babies can rest comfortably on their tummies atop this alligator-themed toy, then use their arms and legs to move forward in a crawling motion. Available in seven colors.
Buy Now
INNYBIN
The Innybin comes with six different shapes, including a cube, a triangle, a sphere, a flower, a diamond, and the Fat Brain Toys logo. Each shape features a different texture and color for kids to explore. Kids can push the shapes through the elastic bands to watch them fall into the Innybin, then practice removing…
Buy Now
PROP-A-PILLAR TUMMY TIME AND SEATED SUPPORT
Adults can stack the caterpillar pieces to give baby a comfortable, supported place to sit, or separate them for a tummy time session. The Prop-a-Pillar is a versatile aid that helps strengthen babies' neck and back muscles as they learn to adapt to new positions. It comes complete with a removable teether and a crinkle…
Buy Now
SILVER LINING CLOUD BABY’S VIEW 3-STAGE ACTIVITY CENTER
This three-in-one activity center is a go-to favorite for so many families. It features a 360-degree rotating seat along with a jump pad for smooth and easy bouncing. The light-up piano fits on the top of the activity center or can clip to the jump pad, and the unique discovery window gives little ones a…
Buy Now
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!
