As parents and therapists, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of toys on the market. The best baby toys are those that support a child’s development while encouraging exploration, learning, movement, and independence.
Whether you’re shopping for your own child, selecting a gift for a friend or family member’s new addition, outfitting a daycare or nursery, or choosing items for use during therapy sessions, you can’t go wrong with any of these recommendations!
Our Top Picks include:
O-Ball toys are designed to help children easily grasp and manipulate objects. The flexible material is soft and satisfying to hold, while the bright colors provide visual stimulation. These toys are great for motivating babies during tummy time, encouraging rolling, and supporting the development of sitting and crawling skills.
The Mini Boppy Tummy Time Pillow is an excellent tool for promoting tummy time. It provides support under a child’s chest and arms, helping them prop up through their upper extremities. The pillow also allows for attachment of toys, encouraging reaching and grasping as strength and confidence grow.
Every baby benefits from an activity mirror. The Tummy Time Mirror & Art Cards is a versatile option featuring a reflective surface on one side and high-contrast art cards on the other. It supports tummy time while also encouraging rolling and crawling.
The Sassy Tactile Ring Set is a favorite for promoting reaching and grasping. The varied textures stimulate sensory exploration and help activate the small muscles in the hands, supporting future fine motor development. These rings are also great for tummy time, sidelying play, and supported sitting—and can easily attach to strollers, car seats, or high chairs.
Musical toys encourage babies to move, shake, reach, and explore. They’re excellent for promoting visual tracking, crossing midline, tummy time, supported sitting, and even early standing. The Dinosaur Music Set adds a fun theme while introducing early musical play.
The Sassy Ring Stacker promotes hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It is also a great motivator during tummy time and helps encourage independent, functional sitting.
The Fisher-Price Shape Sorter is a classic developmental toy. It supports sensory exploration, fine and gross motor skills, and early learning of shapes and colors. It also introduces problem-solving and reasoning in a fun, engaging way.
Stacking cups are a compact, travel-friendly toy perfect for on-the-go play. They help children learn colors and spatial concepts like big and small while practicing nesting and stacking.
Infants benefit from play in a variety of positions. The Baby Einstein Activity Mat includes a prop pillow to support tummy time, helping strengthen the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and trunk. It’s also lightweight and portable — perfect for play anywhere.
Check out our next post in the series Best Developmental Toys: The Toddler Edition!
Learn more about Dinosaur Physical Therapy!
To continue the conversation follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Excellent