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by Maria Masters
Medically Reviewed by Jesil Pazhayampallil, M.D., F.A.A.P.Updated: December 13, 2021
What to Expect selects products based on independent research and suggestions from our community of millions of parents; learn more about our review process. We may earn commissions from shopping links.BEST TOYS FOR NEWBORNS
- Best Board Book for Newborns : ‘Hello, Garden Bugs’
- Best Tummy Time Toy for Newborns : Baby Einstein Flip for Art High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror
- Best Textured Book for Newborns : ‘Pat the Bunny’ by Dorothy Kunhardt
- Best Activity Book for Newborns : Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book – Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Best Crinkle Book for Newborns : Bright Starts Teethe & Read Play Book
- Best High-Contrast Toy for Newborns : Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book
- Best Crinkle Toy for Newborns : Mary Meyer Crinkle Me Elephant
While your infant may not seem like much more than an eating, pooping, sleeping machine, her brain is rapidly developingg, and playtime with a caregiver can help your little one interact with the world around her. But it can be difficult for new parents to know which activities to do with newborns, or what types of toys to look for.
What to consider when buying toys for newborns
Before you purchase a toy for a newborn, take these factors into consideration:
- High contrast images. High contrast images will likely catch your infant’s attention, so it’s not a bad idea to look for bold patterns in the toys your baby interacts with. Expose her to different things to look at and help her practice tracking.
- Sound. Another great toy for a newborn is a simple soft toy that makes some noise, says Caplan-Colon. “This will allow the baby to work on visual tracking both horizontally and vertically when a caregiver is interacting with them,” she explains. Your newborn may also enjoy listening to soft music or your singing.
- Parental interaction. Better than any toy is playtime with caregivers. Sing and talk to your baby as much as possible and narrate feedings, changes, bathtime and more. This helps with her early language skills.
- Safety. Babies this age should always be closely supervised with any toys. Never leave baby alone with toys, extra bedding or stuffed animals in her crib, and carefully inspect toys for any loose parts that could be a potential choking hazard, like buttons or beads.
Know, too, that your newborn doesn’t require a chest full of toys — she’ll delight in just hearing your voice or gazing at your face. That said, though she may not do much with toys at this age, you can still show her toys or use them during your time together.
Another thing to note: You don’t have to seek out high price tags or intricate features for your baby’s toys. Reading library books together, looking at interesting images (again, your face is the best for her to gaze at!), singing and listening to soft music or gently dancing together all make for nice playtime activities.
How we made our picks for the best toys for newborns
To determine the best picks for your newborn, we started by following general guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and tapped experts Caplan-Colon and Gina Posner, M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician at MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California and What to Expect Medical Review Board Member for their expertise. We also took suggestions from members of the What to Expect community, as well as What to Expect editors and writers about which toys their babies love.
Here, our picks for the best newborn toys.
See registry advice and a custom baby gear checklist
Best Board Book for Newborns
‘Hello, Garden Bugs’
Registry List:
AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$8See Now
Target$8See Now
Walmart$8See NowPros: Cute, fun graphics that catch baby’s attention, great for tummy timeCons: Too heavy for young babies to hold on their own
Why We Love It
“Books with simple lines, bold patterns and black-and-white pages are the best for your baby to ‘read’ when developing,” says Caplan-Colon. This book fits the bill with cute and friendly drawings of butterflies, grasshoppers, bees and other garden bugs.
The story is simple, too. With only a few words per page, baby will eventually be able to associate the specific bug with the exact drawing to expand her vocabulary. And while she won’t seem super interested at this age, stick with it — the AAP recommends parents read to children starting in infancy, as it helps improve literacy skills later in life.
Recommended age: 0 months to 4 years
Book length: 20 pages
Best Tummy Time Toy for Newborns
Baby Einstein Flip for Art High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$15See NowWalmart$21See NowPros: Great for tummy time, cards can be taken on-the-goCons: Some say the mirror is a bit distorted
Why We Love It
No, your newborn isn’t too young for tummy time. The AAP recommends newborns start tummy time as soon as they’re home from the hospital (supervised and for short increments of time, of course).
Giving your newborn a toy during tummy time will encourage her to stay there longer, Caplan-Colon notes. This Baby Einstein activity mirror features a baby-safe mirror framed with contrasting black-and-white and primary-color images and patterns. The flip-through flashcards attach to the wedge and are also removable, so you can stash them in your diaper bag for an on-the-go toy.
Recommended age: 0 months and up
Weight: 0.75 pounds
Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.5 x 4.7 inchesCommunity Reviews
“I have a Baby Einstein mirror thing that has flash cards of black and white images and high contrast images that I put down when he does tummy time! He loves the images and occasionally I’ll catch him staring at himself in the mirror.”– woodsj12
Best Textured Book for Newborns
‘Pat the Bunny’ by Dorothy Kunhardt
Registry List:
buybuyBabyAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Target$7See NowbuybuyBaby$10See Now
The Paper Store$10See NowPros: A classic engaging and interactive bookCons: Parents noted that the binding can be a little delicate
Why We Love It
Another favorite is textured books, which help babies explore different textures in infancy. “Touch-and-feel books will instill an early development of motor skills and these are great for parent-baby interaction,” says Caplan-Colon.
You probably grew up with this iconic book, and your grandparents may have even read it to your parents. With the fuzzy bunny, built-in peek-a-boo game, scented flowers to sniff and more engaging features, it’s easy to see why this book (originally published in 1940) has become a beloved classic over the decades. Talk to your baby about what she feels (“Is the bunny soft or scratchy?”) as you read along.
Recommended age: 0 months to 3 years
Book length: 20 pagesCommunity Reviews
“[My little one’s favorite book is] Pat the Bunny! He is so obsessed with it and it really is cute. It’s nice that it’s interactive, too.”– kmbrown688
Best Activity Book for Newborns
Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book – Itsy Bitsy Spider
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$15See NowTarget$11See Now
Macy’s$15See NowPros: Machine washable, parents noted that their older siblings enjoyed it just as much as their babiesCons: Higher price point than other toys
Why We Love It
What’s better than hearing the Itsy Bitsy Spider? Having baby’s caregivers read it to her, of course! Each page of this classic nursery rhyme book from beloved brand Melissa & Doug is full of interactive details (think: ribbons-for-rain and peek-a-boo suns). As your baby gets older, she’ll enjoy turning the plush pages and playing with the adorable spider feet — all eight of them!
Recommended age: 1 month and up
Weight: 0.3 pounds (packaged)
Dimensions: 7 x 2 x 8.5 inches
Book length: 8 pages
Best Crinkle Book for Newborns
Bright Starts Teethe & Read Play Book
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$9See NowTarget$6See NowPros: Has a handle, so older infants can grab it in their handsCons: There are no words on the pages (only characters), only the front and back pages crinkle
Why We Love It
It’s never too early to start reading to your baby — but let’s face it, at this age, she’s more likely to chew on the book than she is to show an interest in it. That’s why we love this crinkle book, which features textured teething corners on each page. Baby will love chewing on it — even if her teeth are still months away from appearing — and you’ll appreciate that the pages won’t get soggy.
Crinkle books may also stimulate her developing senses: This one has plush pages which crinkle when they’re turned, making it a fun sensory experience.
Recommended age: 3 months and up
Weight: 0.15 pounds
Dimensions: 8 x 1.5 x 8.63 inchesCommunity Reviews
“This is one of LO’s faves to play with and is a lifesaver in the car!”– AD12345
Best High-Contrast Toy for Newborns
Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistrybuybuyBabyAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$7See NowbuybuyBaby$7See NowWalmart$10See NowPros: The pages feature peek-a-boo flaps over bright, stimulating imagesCons: Only the front and back pages crinkle
Why We Love It
Soft-sided books are a hybrid between a book and a toy. This one features those important high-contrast, black-and-white (and red!) images that will captivate your newborn. Plus, one-word “stories” help baby connect the pictures with the words to develop her vocabulary.
The soft fabric pages also crinkle, adding a layer of delight for your little one. The book has an attached hook, so you can tether this to your stroller for on-the-go entertainment.
Age recommendations: 0 months and up
Weight: 2.3 ounces
Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 5 inchesCommunity Reviews
“[The] Peek-a-boo crinkly book [is the] only book my baby likes right now. She loves seeing high contrast black and white images on it, has a crinkle sound loved by baby.”– fabmomnbabe
Best Crinkle Toy for Newborns
Mary Meyer Crinkle Me Elephant
Registry List:buybuyBabyAdd to RegistryBuying Options:buybuyBaby$10See Now
Bed Bath & Beyond$10See NowPros: Comes with an attachable clip, so you can hang it from a strollerCons: Some parents thought it was stiffer than they expected
Why We Love It
Babies are endlessly amused with toys that crinkle (plus, it’s a great example of cause and effect). This sweet little elephant crinkle toy has a squeaky interior along with eight ribbon tags, which might come in handy when your infant is a bit older and wants to play with things like tags and mouth everything in sight.
Recommended age: 0 months and up
Weight: 1.41 ounces
Dimensions: 6 x 6 inchesCommunity Reviews
“My baby is really into crinkle books/taggies toys right now.”– Alex556
Best Black and White Flashcards for Newborns
Wee Gallery Black and White Flashcards
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$15See NowPros: Sturdy, made with eco-friendly ink that’s safe for little onesCons: The cards aren’t waterproof, so they can warp if baby chews on them
Why We Love It
Your baby will love staring at these sturdy, high-contrast black-and-white pictures. Each of the six cards features a bold, black image of a cartoon animal on one side, and the same image, printed in white on a black background, on the other.
The cards feature a matte lamination finish as well as rounded corners — so you and baby won’t have to worry about poking yourselves on a sharp-cornered edge. Bonus: These cards are easy to throw in your diaper bag for on-the-go playtime.
Age recommendations: 0 to 12 months
Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches
Best Soft Rattle Toy for Newborns
The First Years First Rattle
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistrybuybuyBabyAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$8See NowbuybuyBaby$8See NowWalmart$8See NowBed Bath & Beyond$8See NowPros: Easy for little hands to hold, colorfulCons: Not machine washable
Why We Love It
This First Years rattle is a multi-textured toy that’s decorated with bright colors and patterns designed to encourage visual tracking, says Caplan-Colon. Caregivers can move the toy up and down and from left to right for baby to follow with her eyes. Your little one can also readily grasp its easy-to-grip limbs. It also comes with soft teething surfaces, ideal as your baby begins sprouting teeth.
Age recommendations: 0 months and up
Weight: 0.03 pounds
Dimensions: 6.69 x 1.77 x 7.68 inches
Best Sensory Toy for Newborns
Teytoy Owl Soft Rattle Toy
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$7See NowWalmart$10See NowPros: Easy for babies to hold, caregivers say their little ones played with it for monthsCons: Comes with a big product tag attached to it
Why We Love It
This cuddly soft owl rattle is another popular option for newborns and is intended to be a sensory delight for your little one. Its body is shaped like an “O” and is designed to mimic how baby would grasp a caregiver’s finger, while the different textured fabrics give her a lot to experience by touch.
The owl’s head has a ringing ball and the wings have crinkly paper, all of which baby can feel or hear. Plus, the brightly contrasting patterns and large black-and-white eyes give baby a lot to focus on as you slowly move the rattle from left to right and top to bottom.
Age recommendations: Newborn and up
Weight: 1.76 ounces
Dimensions: 5.11 x 4.33 inches
Best Light-Up Toy for Newborns
Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$55See NowWalmart$51See NowPros: Grows with your baby, play mat is machine washableCons: Takes up a decent amount of floor space
Why We Love It
One of Caplan-Colon’s top picks for newborns is the Fisher-Price Kick and Play Piano Gym. “This mat allows for a variety of ways to play: lay and play, tummy time, sit and play and take-along,” she explains. It has light-up piano keys for babies to kick their feet at, which also helps with motor skills and introduces cause and effect.
“This mat plays continuous music for 20 minutes, includes a repositionable toy arch for additional entertainment and has subtle flashing lights that will keep newborns engaged in the activity,” she adds.
Recommended age: 0 months and up
Dimensions: 36 x 27 x 18 inches
Weight: 4.5 poundsCommunity Reviews
“She loves tummy time looking at the lights on her Kick ‘n Play Piano while I have it on a mode that just plays songs for her.”– pregmedstud
Best Musical Gym for Newborns
Bright Starts Disney Baby Finding Nemo Mr. Ray Ocean Lights and Music Gym
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistrybuybuyBabyAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$85See NowbuybuyBaby$75See NowTarget$75See NowBed Bath & Beyond$75See NowPros: Babies love the blinking lights and musicCons: Once your baby gets old enough to pull the activity bar down, you may want to take off the canopy so it doesn’t fall
Why We Love It
Playing music for your baby might help improve their brain development — and we love how this Finding Nemo-themed activity mat plays 20-minutes of tunes, along with a sweet little light show, from the Mr. Ray canopy.
The activity mat also features a seaweed-style pillow for tummy time, along with Dory, Crush and Pearl toys, which hang from the activity mat to keep your little underwater explorer engaged. “Starting around the 2 month age, babies can start accidentally hitting and kicking things,” says Dr. Posner, and “starting at 3 months, they can start purposefully grabbing things.”
Recommended age: 0 months and up
Dimensions: 32 x 36 x 18 inches
Weight: 4.3 pounds
Best Tummy Time Pillow with Toys for Newborns
Boppy Black & White Rainbow Tummy Time Pillow
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistrybuybuyBabyAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$20See NowbuybuyBaby$22See NowTarget$20See NowPros: A just-for-baby-sized Boppy that’s specifically designed for tummy timeCons: Only designed for tummy time — it’s too small to be used to help baby sit up
Why We Love It
Boppys are ideal for tummy time — and once your baby is 2 months old, she’ll be ready for a mini Boppy all of her own. This pillow sports a black and white rainbow fabric (luckily, it’s machine washable!) and has a crinkle rainbow toy and a teething ring attached to it. The toys are also removable, so as your baby grows, you can swap out them with other favorites.
Age recommendations: 2 to 6 months
Weight: 1.12 pounds
Dimensions: 12.2 x 15 x 3 inches
Best Plush Toy for Newborns
Lamaze Mortimer the Moose
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$16See NowTarget$13See NowBed Bath & Beyond$16See NowPros: Comes with a clip that attaches to diaper bags, strollers and more, so you can take it with you when you’re on the goCons: Higher price point than other plush toys
Why We Love It
If you haven’t seen a Mortimer the Moose attached to every other stroller handle or diaper bag by now, you will be soon. This Lamaze toy is a major hit with both parents and babies alike.
The plush toy features a squeaky tummy, knotted fabric legs and playful fabric hooves that will stimulate baby’s developing senses and develop fine motor skills. The toy also comes with a squeaky tummy which helps with auditory awareness and further captivates your little one. Later, as she starts to grow teeth, she can chew on the antlers, which make for a great teething toy.
Age recommendation: 0 to 24 months
Weight: 0.06 pounds
Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.3 x 2.8 inchesCommunity Reviews
“My daughter loves her Mortimer Moose”– Jan2020Momma
Cutest Stuffed Animal for Newborns
Bright Starts Snuggle & Teethe Plush Teething Baby Toy Giraffe
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistrybuybuyBabyAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$7See NowbuybuyBaby$8See NowBed Bath & Beyond$7See NowTarget$6See NowPros: Good size to cuddle once baby gets a little olderCons: Not machine washable (you’ll have to use a damp cloth and mild soap)
Why We Love It
Infants are usually too small to wrap their little arms around a stuffed animal (in fact, they don’t even know their hands belong to them until about 3 or 4 months, says Dr. Posner). But this little giraffe lovey from Bright Starts will be an adorable addition to your collection once your baby gets a little older and starts intentionally holding on to things. In the meantime, try using it as something to look at during tummy time or as a sweet addition to your nursery decor.
Age recommendation: 0 months and up
Weight: 0.15 pounds
Dimensions: 4.5 x 1 x 3.75 inchesCommunity Reviews
“My daughter is obsessed with this giraffe. It’s a teether, has different textures and makes the crinkling noise. We named hers Melvin.”– girlmomxtwo
Best Mirror Toy for Newborns
Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror
Registry List:AmazonAdd to RegistryBuying Options:Amazon$13See NowWalmart$13See NowPros: Baby-safe mirror, includes ladybug and bee toy accessoriesCons: Can be easily knocked over
Why We Love It
Babies and toddlers love to look at themselves, and it’s a good thing — mirror play helps your little one learn how to follow images, focus her eyes and much more. The true reflection mirror on this tummy time toy allows baby to do just that, all while having a great time.
“Tummy time is important (when supervised) as it helps develop strong neck/shoulder muscles and promotes motor skills,” says Caplan-Colon. The ladybug has a tracker ball and perches on crinkly leaves, while the soft, symmetrical butterfly is begging to be touched. Both bugs are attached to the frame for baby’s safety.
Age recommendations: 0 months and up
Weight: 10 ounces
Dimensions: 10 x 10 inchesView Sources
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