When searching for developmental toys for babies, it’s important to review the age guidelines to make sure the toy you choose is safe and suitable for little ones. Appropriate baby toys should be nontoxic, with no small parts or pieces, or other choking hazards. It’s also important to consider that babies learn by exploring toys with their mouths, and experimenting by grabbing, shaking, and dropping objects. To find the best developmental toys for babies, we considered each toy for safety, sturdiness, developmental milestones, and types of play. We looked for toys that encourage social and emotional skills, physical development, and cognitive development, as well as toys that encourage sensory play and build fine and gross motor skills. Based on our reviews, these are the best developmental toys for babies on the market today. This developmental baby toy tops our list for its versatility and the fact that kids love it. The Manhattan Toy Skwish grows with your child. Used as a rattle and teether for infants as young as newborn, the textured wooden beads and elastic strings are easy for babies to grasp and are perfect for introducing tactile, sensory play. As they grow, the toy helps children develop fine and gross motor skills and recognize colors. It’s easy for tiny hands to grasp and shake, and kids are mesmerized as the primary-colored beads move back and forth on the dowels and rattle. When it’s squished, it always returns to its original shape. The Skwish is small and lightweight enough to carry in a diaper bag. Made of wood with non-toxic water based finishes, the toy can be cleaned by wiping with a damp cloth dipped in a bit of soapy water. Price at time of publication: $21 Price at time of publication: $11 They’re perfect for throwing in the diaper bag for any time you want a little on-the-go entertainment, and they’re a great way to encourage tummy time, too. Price at time of publication: $16 Various shapes in different textures make grasping it fun for baby, and there’s rattling, squeaking, and crinkling when it’s touched. A hidden mirror is even located under the red nose, so babies can see themselves in the reflection. Price at time of publication: $19 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $5 There are also beads at the bottom to encourage fine motor-skill development, and more hanging elements can be added to the bar as you choose. It can easily be adjusted up and down to your desired height, too. Price at time of publication: $90
Milestones
Milestones give parents and caregivers an idea of where their child should be developmentally. While all babies develop at their own pace, many toys can encourage babies to work on important skills.
Types of Play
Providing toys that promote different types of play keeps babies engaged and helps them work on a variety of skills. While many toys offer multiple play features, these are especially good for specific types of play.
Why Trust Verywell Family?
Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting topics. Katrina is a parent herself and has a passion for helping parents and caregivers through writing. Toys that are easy to grasp and shake; play music; feature black-and-white shapes or colors; provide sensory stimulation with various textures, squeaks, and sounds; or encourage your baby to practice their fine motor skills can be fun to use with your baby.
More Toys for Kids
When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Tummy Time Toys The Best Active Toys for Toddlers The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers The Best Toys for Toddlers The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers The Best Phonics Toys for Preschoolers The Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers The Best Construction and Building Block Toys The Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages The Best Montessori Toys to Encourage Thoughtful Play The Best Sesame Street Toys The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids of All Ages The Best Dinosaur Toys The Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development The Best Toys for Independent Play The Best Indoor Toys and Games for Active Play The Best Snow Toys for Kids The Best STEM Toys for Kids Best Laptop Toys for Kids The Best Social Emotional Learning Toys The Best Robot Toys The Best Ride-On Toys The Best Cleaning Toy Sets The Black-Owned Gift Guide
