The Best Newborn Toys To Encourage Learning And Bonding

When it comes to captivating sensory play, this lovey goes the extra mile with crinkle sounds, colorful ribbons and various textures. Additionally, it has a teething ring, meaning it may be helpful for your baby as those first teeth poke through. It’s made of natural cotton fabric and is free of BPA, phthalate and latex, so personally I was more confident using this bunny with some of my five kids.

“Gentle sounds can help stimulate a newborn’s auditory senses,” Abelowitz says. “Crinkly textures that make noise when touched can engage a baby’s senses and encourage exploration.” If your little one gets excited about this toy, keep an eye out for other toys with crinkle features too.

This rattle-meets-teether is a must-have. It has a unique and lightweight construction, making it easy for little ones to hold and develop their gross motor skills. It’s quiet enough to take on a plane on baby’s first flight. It’s also BPA free so you won’t stress when your teething baby starts chomping on it—you can even refrigerate it for just that purpose.

Caitlin Ocasio, an occupational therapist in Connecticut with Collaborative ABA Services, says rattles and rattle balls “will hold the attention of the child for more interaction with the toy.” While it might be a few months before they can hold it on their own, you can get them started for a little newborn fun. Each of my own kids were obsessed with this one before any other toy because it’s so easy to grab on to.

Baby Einstein is known for its combination of classical music, lights and bright colors, and this take-along toy is ideal for road trips. Its compact size makes it great for diaper bags and car seats, and unlike some musical toys, this one is less likely to drive caregivers completely nuts. A total of 10 melodies are available on this toy, and best of all, it has volume control. So when you can’t take it anymore, you can turn it down. Over 30 million have been sold worldwide, with its ability to be wiped down, it’s an awesome toy for siblings sports events or long car rides. 

As your baby grows and becomes more mobile, this Fisher-Price gym is perfect for babies as they learn to move and groove. With each kick on the piano, your baby gets immediate feedback and encouragement via various songs, sounds and phrases. Plus, this gym has plenty to entertain your little one as they get bigger, teaching them about colors, shapes and numbers. In addition to the play mat and piano, it also comes with hanging toys that can be repositioned, including a teether, crinkle toy, mirror and shapes. It’s also machine-washable, a must for newborns. 

Some of the best toys are the absolute simplest. Classic stacking cups are often one of the most loved toys throughout the earliest years, and although you might have to stack them for your baby at first, it encourages coordination and interaction. With their bright colors, they can be played with in a variety of ways, including in the bath, stacking them or, as your child grows, using them for imaginary meals in a play kitchen. I’ve used them to hold real baby snacks in a pinch, too. This set is BPA-free and easy to clean.

Ocasio says that when choosing toys for newborns, it is essential to look for toys that help them progress. Some milestones occupational therapists watch for in newborns are involuntarily grasping objects with all fingers, lifting the head momentarily while on the belly and turning from side to side, being able to bear weight on forearms, holding the head in line with the middle of the body, and starting to roll from back to side. “We also want to be aware that newborns can only see 8 to 12 inches from their faces,” she says. 

Given this, the soft feet book gives babies the chance to have something to look at during tummy time, to grasp onto and they also hear your voice teaching them about words and rhythms and cadence of language. Plus, they might learn a thing or two about feet once they know what feet are!

Etta Loves has mastered babies’ favorite colors—black and white with high contrast images. The brand offers bold play mats, muslin cloths that you can place near the baby, and sensory squares and strips that can make a boring bassinet stroller ride into a visual experience. The brand gives parents some flexibility to adapt the products to how their baby naturally wants to use them, such as providing clips to attach the muslin fabric and sensory squares to just about anything. This versatility makes these products a go-to first toy, which fits conveniently in your diaper bag. 

“Contrasting colors, such as black and white, send the most information to the newborn’s brain and stimulate them the most,” says Ocasio. “We encourage finding toys and items that include this color palate. Other tummy time toys that I like are contrasting pictures or mirrors…which encourage the child to interact with the toys and use their neck muscles to explore. “

Your newborn may not know they are looking at themselves in a mirror, but they find it fascinating all the same. A foldable mirror that doubles as a unique sensory toy is a great option for the early years. With so much to look at and reach for, it can encourage the development of all kids of stills from propping themselves up on their elbows to crawling. But at first, the crinkles and high contrast images capture newborns’ attention. Ocasio adds that mirrors like this encourage those neck muscles to engage.

Available in three skin tones, super soft and small with no frills, this plush baby is our top pick for your baby’s first doll. My own 15-month-old daughter has been completely obsessed with hers for months, so much so that I bought two extras for when we undoubtedly lose it.

Another classic you might recognize, the “O-ball” is still a fan favorite for good reason—it’s hard for a baby not to grab the easy to hold circles all over the ball. For tiny fingers still navigating how to move in a coordinated fashion, this makes playtime way more fun and a bit less frustrating.

The attraction is in the simplicity. There are no extras with this toy, and it isn’t really meant for teething though your baby will likely try. Abelowitz adds, “I would suggest that the simpler the toy is, the better it will be for the child’s development—you don’t want to overwhelm them at such a young age.”