Oh, baby! Buying for an expecting parent or newborn baby is easy when there’s a registry, but what do you gift the little bundle of joy come the holiday season when all of those preliminary gifts have been snatched up? Fear not, gentle reader, we are here to help.
Toys for infants and newborns go far beyond the basic rattle (though, you really can’t go wrong with one of those). At this age, babies are growing faster than their doting parents can believe. It’s like every time you turn around, they’ve reached another milestone, so you want to select gifts and playthings that will grow as they do. Plus, toys for this age should offer some key developmental benefits, like enhancing fine and gross motor skill development, first words, and more.
If there’s a tiny little baby on your shopping list this year, we’ve come up with a list of new-parent-approved toys and gifts that will be an instant hit. See them all below, and check out our full holiday gift guide for more top toy picks!
6-IN-1 TUNNEL OF FUN
Babies can bat at dangling toys and get tummy workouts crawling through this vibrant tunnel. The piano's three modes encourage kids to play independently while building vocabulary around animals, numbers, and colors.
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ABCS & ACTIVITIES WOODEN TABLE
This activity center is designed to grow with kids. Its educational features include a bead maze, turning gears, shape-sorter blocks, and touch-sensitive pictures to teach kids about letters, animals, music, and more.
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TIGER TRIBE BATH BOOK – MESSY JUNGLE
Watch the dirt fade away from the animals' fur with warm water. But when the water is cold, the muddy spots reappear. Kids can bathe the animals again and again without running out of mud.
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GUND FOOD TRUCK PLAYSET
This soft, five-piece playset contains four different food-truck themed, sensory-stimulating plush toys. Kids can develop their dexterity and hand-eye coordination while staying engaged.
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GUND SUSTAINABLY SOFT PLUSH
Each friend in this line is crafted with recycled plush, fiber fill, thread, and pre-consumer recycled beads. They are also adorned with baby-safe accessories, such as cream-colored bows and soft bandanas.
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ECO BIG SENSORY BALL
This set of five natural rubber balls features various colors and textures for sensory play. The smaller balls fit into the big one to help little ones with their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
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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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TOUCH & LEARN WOODEN ACTIVITY CUBE
This eco-friendly cube is packed with educational, hands-on activities for toddlers. The cube will introduce little ones to shapes, colors, numbers, animals, and music. It features a pretend phone, light-up piano keys, gears, mazes, and more.
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FISHER-PRICE LAUGH & LEARN MIX & LEARN DJ TABLE
This interactive, educational activity table features a piano with three ways to play, plus 12 fine motor activities and three Smart Stages learning levels to keep babies engaged as they grow.
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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.
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BÉBE FUERTE STACK & COUNT KETTLEBELL
This kettlebell-style stacker is part of a language-inclusive TOMY collection. Babies and toddlers can learn to count or stack or pretend to workout with this kettlebell-inspired toy.
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WOODEN WORK & PLAY DESKTOP ACTIVITY BOARD
This tiny, wooden version of a laptop and desk features a variety of interactive elements that babies and toddlers can use to develop fine motor skills while pretending to work from home like their parents. It has no detachable pieces and features a handle for on-the-go play.
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LOVEVERY PLAYKITS
These subscription-based play kits are filled with Montessori toys for all developmental stages, from newborns to kids up to 5 years old. Playkit pieces work together, so they can age up as children do. Each kit includes an activity guide that parents can use for inspiration on how best to introduce, play with, and learn…
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LITTLE BIG PLAYROOM BALLPIT BUNDLE
Designed with durable walls that won't cave in, this foam ball pit for kids will hold up for even the mightiest of jumpers! This soft play equipment will last for years and can be used as storage long after babies are grown up. The bundle includes a 16-inch soft memory foam ball pit with and…
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7-IN-1 SENSES & STAGES DEVELOPMENTAL GYM
The 7-in-1 Senses & Stages Developmental Gym is the perfect gym for babies' first year of life and into the toddler years. Start off by laying the baby on the soft fabric mat with six overhead toys that provide visual stimulation with black-and-white patterns, a mirror, and bright colors. Next, balance out back-sleeping with tummy…
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Sensory 4-Inch Ball Assortment (Set of 6)
This six-piece set features fuzzy and squishy balls that are perfect for one-handed or two-handed play. These versatile toys are soft enough for small hands and are safe for kids with special needs. Toddlers can use these balls to develop their motor skills or engage in sensory play.
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HAPE MONTESSORI MIRROR SHAPE PUZZLE
Kids ages 10 months and up can improve hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and recognition of colors and shapes with this Montessori mirror puzzle. Little ones will see different colors effects in each mirror, which has a matching-shaped puzzle piece. They'll stay determined to put the right shape in the right place, exploring how things…
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BABYBJÖRN BOUNCER BUNDLE WITH TOY
Babies and toddlers can settle and bounce around in this bouncer! This bundle features four different materials including cotton, jersey, mesh, and cotton quilting and comes with a special toy. The included toy red and blue butterflies and a yellow flower that spin around!
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ITZY STACKER SILICONE STACKING TOY
The silicone stacking and teething toy has multiple textures for babies to engage and enjoy. Babies ages 3 months and up can learn fine motor and problem-solving skills with pieces that easily nestle together and have soft textures to massage sore gums. Choose from two variations: James the Dino or Jolie the Unicorn.
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BABY STELLA
Kids can snuggle up with or take care of this adorable plush doll! Baby Stella has brown hair in pigtails and features a striped dress, a diaper, and a magnetic pacifier.
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JUST TRIANGLES
Kids can develop their creativity, reasoning, and dexterity skills with this unique set of super soft building blocks. This 16-piece set features triangular rubber foam blocks with a fuzzy tactile surface. This design promotes imaginative play and encourages kids to develop their fine motor skills, specifically the ability to grasp, push, and move.
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LEARN & PLAY LEARNING LANE ACTIVITY WALKER
Inspired by European scooters, this driving-themed walker encourages early walking and helps kids discover the rules of the road. It features 100+ sounds, activities, and phrases teaching kids driving etiquette, the meaning of traffic lights, and counting numbers.
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PLAYSKOOL LITTLE WONDERS SPIN-A-SWIRL
Kids can take a spin with this puzzle-based toy! This playset helps kids identify colors and spins to reset the board when kids press the button in the middle.
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FISHER-PRICE LITTLEST GAMER TUMMY WEDGE BABY TOY
Kids can start gaming early with this tummy time toy! This toy is shaped like a video game controller and has attached toys that are perfect for gross motor skill development.
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VEHICLES MOLD FREE BATH PLAY SET – 4 PACK
Kids can enjoy the fun of bathtime with this mold-free bath play set that includes a helicopter, car, truck, and excavator. These soft, silicone toys are perfect for small hands to hold. Parents can clean the play set by hand or by dishwasher after opening each toy into two pieces.
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SOFT TACO FILL & SPILL
This play food toy is a fun way for babies and toddlers to discover textures and sounds, with a soft foam taco shell, three smooth fabric pieces, three textured crinkle pieces, three food-shaped fabric pieces, and two attached textured pieces. Sort, squeeze, and stuff to help encourage hands-on, screen-free play and developmental skill-building.
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MERRITT PORTABLE PLAYARD SUITE
The Merritt Portable Playard Suite from Gladly Family is something parents can use — and babies can enjoy — from birth into their toddler years. This take-along suite includes a fold-away changing station, a detachable changing top, an adjustable bassinet, and an extra-large diaper caddy with tons of room to store all of the (very…
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MEGA BLOKS TOY BLOCKS BIG BUILDING BAG
Kids can build the structures of their imaginations with this set of 80 MEGA BLOKS! The set also comes with a bag to store all of the pieces when kids are done playing.
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KANGAROO WITH JOEY HAND PUPPET
This set combines two furry friends in one hand puppet set! Kids can move the mouth and arms of the kangaroo. Kids can also move the joey's arms after removing it from the pouch.
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HAPE BEADED RAINDROPS
Babies can stimulate their senses by shaking and rattling this rainmaker to hear soothing raindrop sounds. This toy features an easy-to-grip design, vibrant trickling beads, and a child-safe paint finish. This toy is great for helping babies develop their sensory skills and grabbing abilities.
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PIPSQUIGZ LOOPS
The pipSquigz Loops offers many sensory play options for babies. When babies can flip and spin the textured rings, they will hear them rattle. Babies can play with their toy on any non-porous surface with the toy's suction cup.
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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!
