As a first time or even second, third time Mom, finding the perfect toys for your little ones can be quite the task since there are so many options on the market. Playtime is much more than fun and games. For infants, it’s a crucial part of development – a time when they can learn, explore, and grow. In the first six months of life, your baby is working on developing their senses and motor skills, and the right toys and activities can support this journey. The first types of toys you want early on are tummy time toys and visually stimulating objects they can look at. Once they start grabbing things around 3 months, then you will start looking at rattles and cause and effect type toys.
The Importance of Playtime
Playtime is essential for your little one’s development. It promotes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being, offering a chance for babies to explore their world, learn new skills, and connect with others. Even at an early age, quality playtime can set the foundation for future learning and success.
I have put together my favorite list of engaging toys for 0-6 month old babies – These are the perfect items that you should add go add to your registry!
Tummy Time/Activity Mats
Every house with a baby has to have at least one of these. We had one upstairs and downstairs. They are great for tummy time and a great spot to put your baby to keep them a bit confined, especially if you have another kiddo running around. The Infantino one and the Lovery one are my favorite. They grow with them from newborn to at least 6 months, have lots of different features and versatility to grow with your little one.
Other Tummy Time Toys
There are lots of versions of these water mats, but I found this one with my second baby and loved the added rattle fins and the mirror. Also recommend adding distilled white vinegar to the water to prevent mold.
Both of my sons loved this one! They loved the mirror, but also would enjoy looking and interacting with the different pages. Great for encouraging them to lift their head during tummy time.
Great for Tummy time and great for the car. You can stretch it out as shown above and encourage your baby to lift their head up and look at all the different patterns and pictures. Or when they are older, it can be a book to entertain them in the car.
Fun one for all ages. This one is great for tummy time, to crawling and then walking. Even my two year old enjoys chasing it around.
The Infantino Prop-a-Pillow was one of our most used purchases for my second baby. We used it most as my son was learning to sit up. He was a bit developmentally delayed and this helped strengthen his neck control. You can manipulate it multiple different ways.
The VTech Tummy Time Discovery Pillow is a versatile and engaging toy for babies. Designed to support tummy time play, this pillow comes with an array of sensory features, including textures, lights, and sounds. Love that you can remove some of the toys as well.
Music Toys
There are soo many flashy toys out there on the market, that as adults look very appealing, but most babies do not end up spending a whole lot of time playing with them as they can quickly become overstimulating for them. Here are a few that I found kept their attention and begin teaching cause and effect, which is a very important developmental skill.
The Baby Einstein Star is an interactive toy that has vibrant colors, lights, and soothing melodies. My little ones loved chewing on the soft star sides too. You can attach this to the play gym or use it in the car.
This Elephant isn’t one I had ever seen marketed, but discovered it when my youngest was in Physical Therapy. It was his favorite toy there. It has lots of different sounds and ways to interact, even its trunk moves.
The Fisher-Price Chill Vibes Walrus is a plush soother that brings comfort and calm to infants. This adorable walrus-shaped toy offers gentle vibrations, soothing music, and ambient sounds. Its soft texture and portable design make it a must-have for naptime or on-the-go relaxation.
Rattles
Love these O ball products – they are GREAT for oral motor development!
Especially when they are younger, you want anything to be soft as they learn to manipulate and shake objects with their hands. This is a good combo stuffy and rattle.
Both my boys loved these rattles! Something about the material of the soft side, they would chew on it for hours.
Teethers
As your little one gets old enough to hold stuff and bring things to their mouth, they will most likely begin teething somewhere between 4 and 8 months. Even before they begin teething they will love chewing on things and exploring their textures. Teethers are also great for entertaining your little ones in the car. Here are a few of my favorites. The Star Lamaze one was one of our favorites as it vibrates as they bite into it.
Soft Books and Lovies
Soft books are an excellent introduction to the world of reading for babies. Made from plush materials, these sensory-rich toys stimulate visual and tactile exploration while keeping little ones entertained. Bright colors, varied textures, and interactive features like flaps, mirrors, and squeakers engage young minds and support early cognitive development. Beyond their educational value, soft books are a delightful way for parents and caregivers to bond with their babies, encouraging shared reading experiences and nurturing a lifelong love for books. Durable and easy to clean, soft books are a must-have addition to any infant’s toy collection. They are also great for car rides as they are soft and safe.
