The toy aisles of stores can be daunting – there are just so many choices it can be hard to discern which item best meets your needs while being engaging for your little one.
There are toys for the bath, developmental toys, musical toys, and more. How do you choose the best baby toys in each category? Well before you get all frazzled and spend hours combing the options, we have lined up some amazing options for each category.
Our Top Picks for 6 Popular Toy Categories
Though some of these best baby toys may fit into more than one category, they truly excel in the specific category in which we have placed them.
Best Budget Toys (less than $10)
#1 Lamaze Bitty Bite Bug Rattle
When it comes to good baby toys, this toy has it all in one petite package. The Lamaze Bitty Bite Bug Rattle is easy for babies to hold. Easy to grasp means they can better explore the satin ribbons, crinkly wings, and textures of the rings. The wings are made of bumpy rubber, perfect for chewing. This toy has everything, except for a huge price tag!
- Peekaboo flap wings encourages touch, promoting tactile development
- Crinkle and jingle awaken auditory awareness
- Knottie antennas and textured teether handles stimulate baby’s gums
#2 Infantino Pat and Play Water Mat
One of the best baby toys, this little playmat is so cute and perfect for on the go. It will easily rise to the top of your fun baby toys. Your baby will love squishing the Infantino Pat and Play Water Mat and watching the sea creatures move about. It helps reinforce cause and effect while delighting them with sensory play. Its size is small enough for the floor, stroller, or high chair.
- Design: Fillable water mat for tummy time and sensory play complete with squishy tail and safety edges, for interactive and mess free water play while learning cause and effect
- Developmental benefits: Mat helps baby to engage head and neck muscles while encouraging grasping and batting to refine motor skills with floating sea pals
- Great for gifting: This mat is packaged in easy-to-wrap packaging and is a suitable gift for any occasion including baby showers, birthdays, Christmas, Easter and more
#3 The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys
The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys may seem simple, but looks can be deceiving. There are so many ways to play; stack them, hide things under them, or use the numbered bottoms to count! They even have holes for water play. These best baby toys are some super versatile cups!
- Colorful Baby Toys: 8 brightly colored cups stack together with Unique Holes in the Bottom for water play
- Stacking Cups: Children love to fit toy cups together, stack them up, or turn them over and hide things underneath
- Baby Development Toys: Large numbers on the bottom to practice counting & number recognition
#4 Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas
Next up are the Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas. These boldly colored maracas will appeal to music lovers and babies alike. The bright beads make plenty of noise while the fabric poms are perfect for squishing and chewing. Your baby will be making melodies in no time!
- Set of 2 baby rattle activity toys sized just right for little hands
- Featuring colorful beads and soft pom-poms
- Fun rattle sounds engage your baby's auditory senses
#5 Fisher-Price My First Fidget Cube
Fidget cubes aren’t just for the grown-ups and this top seller in new baby toys proves it. The Fisher-Price My First Fidget Cube will always entertain. Each side has a different activity, from clicking to toggling and rolling to pushing. The brightly colored sides each promote developmental skills. Beat baby boredom with this interesting cube without breaking the bank.
- 6 sides of play, each with a unique activity!
- Sized just right for baby to grasp & explore
- A variety of activities, textures, colors & sounds excite baby's senses
Best Non-Toxic Toys
#1 Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Baby Activity and Teething Toy
Any toy you give to your baby will inevitably end up in their mouth so having a safe toy is important. Thankfully, the Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Baby Activity and Teething Toy is PVC-free and Phthalate-free making it safe for little mouths and a popular baby toy choice for parents. Your baby will love chewing on the many different textured teething surfaces.
When they need a break from chomping, they can crinkle the ears, rattle the tummy, and feel the soft ribbons. This safe sensory toy is perfect for exploration among the best baby toys!
- Full of textures, patterns and sounds, little hands stay active as baby explores rattles, crinkles and more
- This colorful character’s soft bandana teether detaches for mom to wear around her wrist for quick access
- Perfect for multi-sensory play, this cute companion is ideal for fun at home or-on-the-go
#2 Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Toys
Next up is Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Toys, and they understand that babies explore with their mouths. Not only is this one of the top baby toys, but it is also BPA-free and made of food-grade silicone so parents can worry less about what their little one is ingesting. The simple frame has five different sized silicone bubbles, each brightly colored. Your baby will love to push, pop, and poke these soft domes over and over again.
- A beautiful keep-their-attention toy; features 5 vibrant Silicone Bubbles built into a plastic frame
- Simple yet brilliant; push and pop them, Poke and grab them; a perfect, portable sensory delight
- Great for babies and toddlers ages 10 months+; BPA-free; Bubbles made of 100% food-grade silicone
#3 Green Toys My First Stacker
Stacking toys are usually one of the most popular baby toys, they just love to put the pieces on top of one another. The Green Toys My First Stacker is an awesome first stacking toy thanks to its unique design. The colorful rings nest perfectly into one another, eliminating the need for the dangerous center peg. Your baby will love building towers and trying to fit the different pieces on top of each other, while you will appreciate that they can do it safely with such best baby toys.
- 8 colorful, stackable nesting pieces
- Safe no center post design
- Safe for babies - fun for older kids
#4 Uncle Goose Classic ABC Blocks
Blocks are a top choice when it comes to best selling baby toys. But not all blocks are created equal. Plastic blocks can break easily and sometimes contain harmful chemicals. Uncle Goose Classic ABC Blocks are made from natural Michigan Basswood and printed with natural ink that is safe for little mouths. Each one has a colorful number, picture, and letter. Your child can build with them, count with them, and use them to spell words.
- 28 - 1.75 inch basswood cubes (44 mm)
- Handcrafted from sustainable Michigan basswood
- Printed using non-toxic, mouth safe inks
#5 PlanToys Wooden 8 Piece Sorting and Stacking Ring Toy
Stacking rings onto a peg takes hand-eye coordination and concentration. The PlanToys Wooden 8 Piece Sorting and Stacking Ring Toy can help your child develop both! These brightly colored rings have a hole in the middle so they can be stacked onto the wooden peg. Each donut ring is made of rubberwood so it is safe if your little one tries to take a bite!
- This 8 piece wooden stacking ring consists of 7 brightly colored rings, one round top, and a central pole with a natural colored bottom ring.
- Classically styled from rubber wood with eye-catching colors. See PlanToys other baby toys in their Rainbow Collection.
- The central pole is foldable for safety reasons.
Best All-in-One Toys
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy, Blue/Green/Orange, 5 Inch x 4... |
$14.00
$9.99 |
CHECK PRICE |
| 2 |
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VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube (Frustration Free Packaging) |
$19.99
$15.35 |
CHECK PRICE |
| 3 |
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Fisher-Price Baby Playmat Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym with Musical -Toy Lights... | $70.56 | CHECK PRICE |
| 4 |
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Lamaze Clip on Toy, Captain Calamari |
$18.49
$11.99 |
CHECK PRICE |
| 5 |
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VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker (Frustration Free Packaging) , Orange |
$59.46
$39.99 |
CHECK PRICE |
#1 Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
Looking at Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy, you are probably wondering, “what in the world is a Winkel?”. This toy has a central cube attached to a colorful web of soft silicone tubes. It makes a rattling sound when your baby shakes it, but it is pleasing to their other senses too.
They will love trying to figure out the maze of tubes and also chewing them when they’re teething. For such an oddly named toy among the other best baby toys, it certainly has a host of entertaining features!
- BABY TEETHING TOY MADE FOR LITTLE HANDS: The Winkel features a mesmerizing maze of soft, continuous BPA-free teething tubes, and can be refrigerated for additional soothing comfort - a perfect baby chew toy for tiny hands.
- DEVELOPMENTAL BABY TOY: Babies are instantly drawn to this colorful and lightweight infant toy. The Winkel promotes clutching and two-handed play while the center cube with tapered corners encases a quiet but pleasing baby rattle to provide auditory stimulus.
- TIME-HONORED CLASSIC: With over 25 years engaging babies and soothing even the fussiest of teethers, the Winkel is a perfect shower gift for new moms. Safe and dependable, this classic toy for babies has received numerous accolades and has proven to be a true baby go-to and parent must-have.
#2 VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube
Learning cubes have become some of the most popular baby toys, and the VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube is no exception. It has five sides each jam-packed with stimulating ways to play. They can explore animal sounds, names, and shapes by pressing light-up buttons. Their motor skills can be improved as they slide and twist the interactive pieces.
- Toddler Activity Cube: 5 sides of play encourage discovery and exploration; 4 light-up buttons introduce your baby to animal names, animal sounds and shapes
- Pre-K Learning Toy: This alphabet activity cube has 14 interactive features that develop fine motor skills for any growing mind; your little one will learn colors, shapes, and more
- Learn to Crawl: Motion sensor activates fun sounds when the activity cube is moved to attract your little one's attention and even assists babies with sitting up to play
#3 Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym
Moving on to the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym, an activity gym that is so much more than a mat to play on. It has the standard playmat and hanging toy mobile to keep even the littlest ones entertained, but it includes a piano as well.
The piano is at the perfect height for kicking legs when your baby is playing on their back. It then can rotate to become the ideal keyboard when they can sit. As a bonus, it is removable so they can make music on the go.
You may be interested in: Everything You Should Know about 8 Best Baby Gym
- Infant activity gym with 4 ways to play as baby grows: Lay & play, Tummy time, Sit & play, Take along
- 3 Smart Stages learning levels introduce animals, colors, shapes, numbers and real piano notes
- Large keyboard with 5 light-up keys, removes for take-along play!
#4 Lamaze Clip on Toy, Captain Calamari
Parents often don’t want to take a bunch of toys with them when they leave the house. This means that the one or two toys they do take need to have it all, and the Lamaze Clip on Toy, Captain Calamari certainly does! It has clacking rings, and a fun rattle, different textured fabrics both crinkly and smooth, bright colors, interesting patterns, a mirror, and even a teething ring. All of this is part of a super friendly looking octopus who easily clips onto car seats and strollers.
- CLIP-ON TOY: This baby toy connects easily to strollers and diaper bags
- INTERACTIVE TOY: Bright colors create visual attraction; Hat, clacking rings and rattle stimulate auditory awareness
- BABY DEVELOPMENT: Different fabrics and colorful texture improve baby’s tactile development
#5 VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
As the name implies, the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker, has quite the lifespan, adapting with your child from the sitting stage to walking. The activity board has a plethora of things to do with interactive elements, sounds, and lights. It is ideal for little ones to sit in front of and explore. As your baby begins to walk, they can hold onto the walker’s handle for extra stability and push this enticing toy around the house.
- Interactive learning baby Walker has a removable play panel; frustration free packaging means it comes in a plain brown box
- Early learning center has 5 piano keys that play music and encourage creativity; wheels work on carpeted and hard floors
- Features 2 colorful spinning rollers, 3 shape sorters, and 3 light-up buttons that develop motor skills
Best Bath Toys
#1 Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy
If you are searching for cool baby toys there are some great ones for the bath. Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy are clear bubbles that bob around in the water. They float, spin, and rattle and are a blast for your baby to try to catch in the water. Two contain fun characters and two contain stimulating whirly objects. Add some excitement to your tot’s bath bubbles with these best baby toys!
- Includes 2 fun characters and 2 whirly toys that spin and rattle; you may receive a turtle and penguin or duck and whale
- Each bubble helps stimulate baby's sense of sight, hearing and touch
- Textured rings move freely around the bubbles
#2 Skip Hop Bath Toys: Light Up Zoo Surfers
Though these adorable surfing critters are already fun enough to play with on their own, they light up when they touch the water! Your child will be surprised the first time they play with the Skip Hop Bath Toys: Light Up Zoo Surfers in the tub!
- Place our Zoo pals in the water and watch them light up! Owl and Bee float on their surfboard or on their own, lighting up when they make contact with water
- Little ones will love brightening up tubtime with these glowing friends. Your child will love to soak up fun with our full line of Zoo baby and toddler bath toys
- Three floating pieces
#3 Green Toys My First Tug Boat
Next up is the Green Toys My First Tug Boat, a colorful and unique boat that acts as a fill and pour bucket. The underside of this classic tug is hollow so your child can fill it up with water when submerged. As soon as it is full the bow acts as a spout, creating a fun waterfall when tipped over. Filling and pouring this tug is a wonderful pastime for the bath.
- Water fills hull and pours from spout
- Floats great
- Safe for babies fun for older kids
#4 Nuby Bath Time Fun Splish Splash Cups
Filling and pouring might seem like a simple activity but nevertheless, it is certainly entertaining for babies. That is why they will adore Nuby Bath Time Fun Splish Splash Cups. These rainbow cups have bright colors and cool shapes in addition to an easy to hold rim. Your baby will delight in filling these best baby toys up and pouring them out.
- BABY BATHTUB FUN: Nuby Splish Splash Stacking Cups make learning fun with with five colorful cups to stack, fill, or pour outBABY BATHTUB FUN: Nuby Splish Splash Stacking Cups make learning fun with with five colorful cups to stack, fill, or pour out
- CONVENIENT STORAGE: Stack the cups for easy travel and storage so you are never without bath time entertainment or fun swimming pool toys
- BATHTUB SENSORY TOY: Stacking the cups together encourages learning development and coordination while also teaching shape and color recognition
#5 Munchkin Fishin’ Bath Toy
Your little angler will love the Munchkin Fishin’ Bath Toy. It is definitely one of the best interactive baby toys for the bath. The large fishing pole is simple for little hands to grasp and the easy to turn reel makes fun clicking noises. They will need to focus in order to land one of the cute characters which include a fish, an octopus, and an adorable swimmer.
More bath toys gift ideas: The Best Baby Bath Toys for Happy Bath Time 2023
- Bath toy set contains (1) magnetic fishing rod and (3) underwater bobbing characters
- Characters float with magnets on top for easy fishing
- Characters are air tight, helping to limit mold and mildew
Best Learning / Developmental Toys
#1 Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball
One of the great top-rated baby toys is the Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball. This isn’t your ordinary squishy ball, it is covered with chunky bumps, perfect for little fingers to clutch. Little ones can practice transferring from hand to hand as well. The bumpy ball also features bright colors, patterns, and textures to encourage exploration and strengthen their vision.
- Multiple textures & materials engage baby's developing tactile sensitivity & teach baby about variety
- Chunky sized bumps encourage reaching, grasping, and transferring from one hand to the other
- Gentle rattle sounds create neural connections in babies brains from birth through 3 years
#2 Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog
Looking for one of the best toys for babies of an older age range? The Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog is ideal for children 18 months and up. This cute critter has spikes as you have never seen! Colorful rounded pegs are perfect for fitting into Spike’s back, and in doing so your child will be working on their fine motor development.
- Fine Motor Games for Kids: Build fine motor skills with chunky, peg-shaped pieces that fit to the back of this friendly hedgehog. Also use Spike as for occupational therapy exercises
- Colorful quills help kids build color recognition, sorting, and counting skills through fine motor skill games. Spike is also a great toy for visually impaired children!
- Toddler Toys: Now fine motor intrinsic toys come with easy to grasp pieces that are just the right size for little toddler and preschool hands to hold. Fine motor set includes 2-piece hedgehog about 6” in diameter, 12 quills, and activity guide. EASY STORAGE: When playtime over the quills easily fit in the Hedgehog
#3 Premium Soft Baby Book First-Year
Early reading is very important and the ToBe ReadyForLife Premium Soft Baby Book First Year can help promote book familiarity. Each page contains a sensory aspect, such as a shiny mirror or crinkly flaps. The bright colors and bold patterns will engage your baby as you read the words to them. Even the youngest can take part in reading with this adorable book.
Related: 20 Fun Items on the Best Educational Toys for Babies 2023
- SAFE - ToBe ReadyForLife products have been product safety tested and meet or exceed all US and EU standards for baby toys. Have peace of mind that safety is our #1 priority.
- TOUCH & FEEL - Developed by experts in the US. Our handmade cloth books have a stimulating feature on every page. Bright colors, peek-a-boo flaps, mirrors, and sounds to capture your baby’s attention. Perfect for newborns to toddlers. It gives your child or grandchild endless hours of fun!
- EDUCTIONAL - A toy that promotes language development & bonding. Reading the rhymes & stories of this book gives you a chance to bond with your baby. At the same time, it is an educational toy. A wonderful way to stimulate language and sensory skills. It’s never too early to start reading to a child.
#4 TOP BRIGHT Wooden Shape Sorter Toys
Shape sorters are usually among the best-rated baby toys, but the TOP BRIGHT Wooden Shape Sorter Toys really takes the cake. The shape sorter takes the form of a cement truck mixing barrel and is mounted on a charming little truck, complete with a driver.
A string attached to the front allows your baby to pull this shape sorter all over the house. When they reach their destination, they can practice fitting the colorful wooden blocks into their designated holes – we think this is one cute toy among the best baby toys in the list!
- MOM’S REASSURING CHOICE: The shape sorter car is fully tested to the highest US ASTM and European EN71 toy safety standards. Choose washing paint spraying, bright colors, formaldehyde-free and other harmful substances safety and environmental protection, edge careful polishing is very comfortable children's hands, high-quality plastic wood combination, so that the car has more texture. even you buy it as a gift for 2 year old boys and girls is very safe
- ROLE-PLAYING FUN: This shape sorter car simulates the operation of the blender. The barrel can be rotated and unloaded.Give them a gift and let the 1 2 year old boy and girl understand the concept of space above and below. Push and pull the car, exercise the hand movements and equipped with a driver, the door can be opened, more lovely image
- MAKE LEARNING FUN: Put different shapes into the mixing bucket. each shape makes a "crunch" sound,promot 2 year old boys and girls to recognize shapes and colors, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Encourage exploration and imaginative play to immerse your child in the fun of shape sorter car!
#5 Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag
Looking for awesome baby toys in the baby blocks department? Then you need to add the Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag to your list. They promote imagination with their options for open-ended play. These blocks are big and bold, ideal for young builders to stack, sort, and create with! With 80 blocks, including special shapes, the sky’s the limit for aspiring architects.
- Building set comes with 80 big building blocks designed to be durable
- The #1 preschool building toy in the U.S.A.
- Includes 1 reusable storage bag for easy cleanup
Best Musical Toys
#1 Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy
When it comes to the best toys for newborns, music and sounds always delight. The Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy has both and it is one of the popular best baby toys in the market. This enchanting little device plays ten different melodies from an easy to hold little radio. Babies will love hearing the fun and exciting tunes while parents will appreciate that this entertaining toy includes volume control.
- A best selling favorite with thousands of 5 star ratings
- Inspires a lifelong love of music. No Assembly Required
- Baby can switch between 10 total melodies
#2 VTech Musical Rhymes Book
Nursery rhymes have long been a childhood favorite. The VTech Musical Rhymes Book puts a new spin on the classic. Your baby will find six popular nursery rhymes within this colorful book’s chunky pages. Each page has a fun and inviting image in addition to an interactive feature.
- Interactive kids book has big easy-to-turn pages; nursery rhyme book comes with 6 classic nursery rhymes
- Early education learning center build fine motor skills by sliding and twisting the fun play pieces; Pre-K reading book has 40+ songs, melodies, sounds and phrases
- Talking book features 5 colorful piano buttons that make sounds and introduce colors and instruments; 2 modes of play: music mode and learning mode
#3 Baby Einstein Octopus Orchestra Musical Toy
Is your baby destined to be a maestro? Give them a head start conducting music with the Baby Einstein Octopus Orchestra Musical Toy. This lovable blue octopus sits atop large light-up musical buttons that are a breeze for babies to press. They can either hear the name and sound of each instrument or make their own songs by mixing instrumental melodies. As one of the best baby toys, this certainly hits just the right note with little ones.
- Music appreciation is music to mom’s ears
- 2 modes to discover and make music
- Lights and music captivate your baby
#4 VTech Baby Babble and Rattle Microphone
Next up is the VTech Baby Babble and Rattle Microphone. This multifaceted microphone introduces your baby to a world of songs and sounds. On the most basic level, they can use the rattle to create rhythms. They can also turn the ring to hear animal sounds or press the puppy to sing along to favorite songs. Like all great microphones, it amplifies their voice. The flashing lights and colorful ribbons create a full sensory experience.
- The Babble and Rattle Microphone amplifies your child's voice; shake the toy microphone rattle to build motor skills and hear fun sounds and phrases
- Baby musical toys promotes fun and learning; The puppy button encourages them to sing along and features 60+ songs, melodies, sounds and phrases
- Turn the ring on this fun baby rattle to introduce twelve different animals and their sounds or hear playful melodies
#5 Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone
If you are looking for a musical toy sans battery, consider the Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone. This darling instrument has two ways to play. Your baby can either pound the balls through the holes with the hammer to hear them plink down the xylophone or they can pull out the brightly colored instrument and play their own song. It’s not only great for musical exploration but also hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and cause and effect. In the category of musical award-winning baby toys, this is a top contender.
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT: This kids xylophone can be played in variety of ways. The kids can fetch balls as pounding sends the balls tinkling over or they can pull out the keyboard and xylophone and play a solo
- FINE MOTOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Promotes dexterity, hand eye coordination, manipulation, arm movement, cause and effect
- ESTABLISH MUSICALITY: This pounding toys for toddlers encourages musical development and exploration, audio recognition and play
The Cream of the Crop
Hopefully, you enjoyed this list of popular baby toys that are sure to stimulate and delight your little one. Whether your concern is safe and non-toxic toys, bath time toys, or a selection that won’t break the bank, this best baby toys list has something for everyone.
Top picks in each category include:
- Overall Best Budget Toy that has it all: Lamaze Bitty Bite Bug Rattle
- Overall Best Non-Toxic Toy: Fat Brain Toys Dimpl
- Overall Best All-in-One: VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube
- Overall Best Bath Toys to bath lovers delight: Nuby Bath Time Fun Splish Splash Cups
- Overall Best Learning Toys for developmental enthusiasts: TOP BRIGHT Wooden Shape Sorter Toys
- Overall Best Musical Toy: Baby Einstein Octopus Orchestra
If your child adores any of these toys, let us know in the comments. Be sure to pass this article along to other parents who may be frantically searching for great products to engage their little ones!
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Last update on 2023-06-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
