When choosing toys for newborns, it’s important to understand that play looks different at this stage. Babies are just beginning to develop their senses, coordination, and ability to engage with the world around them. The right toys not only entertain but also support crucial early learning in sight, sound, and touch. Safety, gentle stimulation, and opportunities for bonding should always guide your choices when you shop for baby toys, especially when you start thinking about essential toys every child should have.
Soft Rattles
Rattles are among the simplest yet most effective baby toys for newborns. In the earliest weeks, babies may not intentionally grasp or shake them, but placing a lightweight rattle in their hand encourages reflexive movements. The gentle sound helps them start making the connection between motion and noise, supporting both cause-and-effect understanding and fine motor skills. Soft fabric rattles or smooth plastic options are ideal since they protect delicate skin while remaining safe to explore.
Plush Toys
Stuffed plush animals and dolls are comforting companions for newborns. These soft toys can carry the scent of a parent or caregiver, giving babies a sense of security. While plush toys should not be placed in cribs for safe sleep, they’re wonderful for supervised playtime. Newborns enjoy cuddling, touching, and mouthing them as they begin to explore different textures. Washable fabrics and securely stitched features keep these toys safe and durable, bringing both comfort and joy to little ones.
High-Contrast Toys
Newborn vision is still developing, and they respond best to high-contrast colors and bold patterns. Black-and-white or brightly colored baby toys are easier for them to see and track. High-contrast picture cards, patterned mats, or hanging mobiles with strong shapes capture their attention and build visual development. These toys play a big role in strengthening eye muscles, supporting hand-eye coordination, and boosting a little one’s development in early weeks.
Musical and Sound Toys
Babies are naturally responsive to sound, especially to familiar voices. Toys that introduce gentle melodies, soothing lullabies, or calming nature sounds create a relaxing environment and can even become part of daily routines. Crinkle toys, soft rattles, and Manhattan Toy products with bells or chimes spark curiosity while teaching cause and effect. When parents combine these toys with singing, they enrich sensory play and encourage early language learning.
Tummy Time Mats and Play Gyms
Tummy time is essential for strengthening a baby’s neck, shoulders, and arms. A play gym or tummy time mat makes this activity more enjoyable by offering stimulation from multiple senses. These often include mirrors, dangling toys, and interactive textures that encourage exploration. Babies may not reach for the toys right away, but observing movement above them builds motor coordination. Over time, reaching, grasping, and batting at toys improves both motor skills and hand-eye coordination, setting the stage for active toddlers.
Teething Toys
Although teething doesn’t usually begin until later in infancy, introducing soothing teethers and chewable toys early can prepare newborns for mouthing behaviors. Silicone rings, fabric chew toys, or textured rattles provide comfort and help soothe sore gums once teeth start pushing through. These teething toys also encourage hand-to-mouth coordination, an important step in one’s development. Always choose BPA-free, easy-to-clean materials that remain safe while offering relief for sore gums.
Bath Toys
Bath time is another wonderful opportunity for play and bonding. Colorful bath toys make the tub more inviting, turning routine care into fun. Floating animals, squeezable characters, or waterproof books provide safe sensory play while keeping babies engaged. Many bath toys also encourage splashing, grasping, and simple games that strengthen motor skills and add joy to daily care moments.
Books for Newborns
Books are underrated but excellent baby toys for stimulating early learning. Cloth books, bath books, and sturdy board books with bold pictures and high-contrast colors are perfect for babies to explore. Caregivers can make reading interactive by pointing to pictures, naming animals, and letting little hands feel varied textures. Even before understanding the story, babies benefit from the rhythm of speech and the visuals, supporting early language skills and one’s development.
Mobiles and Crib Toys
Hanging mobiles designed for newborns provide gentle stimulation during quiet moments. Rotating objects, music, or lights encourage visual development while keeping babies calm. Crib toys with gentle sounds or detachable pieces give caregivers flexible play options. Whether it’s a musical mobile or a Manhattan Toy crib attachment, these products help promote sensory play and early cause-and-effect understanding.
Everyday Objects as Toys
Not every toy has to be store-bought. Many babies are most fascinated by everyday interaction with caregivers. A smile, gentle hand movements, or a scarf waved slowly through the air can provide just as much stimulation as store-bought toys. Peekaboo games, finger wiggles, and silly voices are classic ways to spark baby busy play. While thoughtfully chosen baby toys provide structure, it’s these shared moments of play that truly nurture a little one’s development and fill daily life with fun and connection.