Buying a suitable gift for newborns can be a tough task, because they can’t do much yet. But even though most of their days are spent eating, pooping, and sleeping, there should still be some time set aside for playing. Of course, unless you have a knack for simultaneously teaching and singing a la Miss Rachel, you might need some newborn toys to keep your child entertained and stimulated.
Now, to be clear, your newborn doesn’t need a room full — or even a bin full — of toys. They do, however, benefit from having a carefully curated collection of toys that keep them engaged during tummy time, help them meet developmental milestones, or promote playful interactions between you and your baby. The best toys for newborns, however, manage to do all three.
Even though newborns don’t need a ton of toys, there are still many toys for newborns out there. Having so much variety can make choosing one a bit difficult, especially if this is your first time buying toys for a newborn. To help, we’ve rounded up the best picks based on my experience as a first-time mom and expertise as a parenting editor.
How we chose the best gifts for newborns
It was only a year ago that I was buying toys not only for my newborn daughter, but for the newborns of friends who gave birth around the same time. It was important I bought toys that’d help our babies grow and keep them entertained without being overly stimulating. (The latter was also important for the parents. We didn’t need to deal with bright lights and loud noises while sleep deprived.) Fortunately, I was able to rely on my decade of experience as a parenting editor to make the best selections for my daughter and her future friends.
In addition to my own experience and expertise, I relied on guidance from the American Academy of PediatricsOpens a new window (AAP) to learn what makes a toy developmentally appropriate and safe for a newborn. Based on this information, we considered the following criteria:
Intended age: There is a reason — or, rather, a few— that toys come with an age range. For starters, the age range indicates whether the toy is developmentally appropriate for your child. Toys that greatly exceed your child's age may be too difficult for them to play with, causing frustrations during what should be a fun time. Additionally, the age range dictates whether or not the toy is safe for your child. We’ve ensured all toys below are intended for newborn use and are free from any parts that may pose a choking hazard or safety risk.
Tummy time aid: The AAP recommends starting tummy time as soon as you’re home from the hospital, as it is key to helping them develop motor skills and build muscles necessary to lift their heads and, eventually, sit up, crawl, and walk. Unfortunately, not all babies enjoy tummy time, so it helps to have a few toys that’ll keep them calm and engaged during their daily sessions. We’ve ensured the toys below can be used as a tummy time aid.
Colors and noises: Although you don’t want a toy that’s super bright and loud, you want something that’s going to attract your baby and keep their attention. They are able to see bright colors, but can’t distinguish them just yet, so toys featuring black-and-white patterns are your best bet. Meanwhile, toys that make gentle sounds — think crinkling, chiming, or squeaking — when interacted with can provide auditory stimulation without overwhelming little ears.
