The 15 Best Baby Toys

Choosing the right toys for your baby is crucial for supporting their growth, development, and entertainment. High-quality baby toys provide opportunities for sensory stimulation, motor skill enhancement, and cognitive learning. In this guide, we explore the 15 best baby toys on the market, catering to different ages and developmental stages.

Whether you’re a new parent or looking for gift ideas, these toys are sure to delight your little one. We’ll also discuss how these toys complement antenatal care practices and your parenting journey.

1. Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym

Features:

Multi-sensory play with lights, music, and textures

Detachable piano for extended use

Four ways to play: lay, sit, tummy time, and take-along

Machine-washable mat

Why It’s Great: This interactive play gym promotes physical and cognitive development through music and movement. Its versatility ensures prolonged use as your baby grows.

Shoppable Link: Buy Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym

Antenatal Care Tip: Provides hands-free moments for parents to enjoy prenatal yoga or relax with massage for pregnancy.

2. Sophie la Girafe

Features:

100% natural rubber and food-grade paint

Easy to grip for tiny hands

Soothing teething relief

Stimulates multiple senses

Why It’s Great: Sophie la Girafe has been a parent favourite for decades, offering a safe and engaging way to soothe teething discomfort while encouraging sensory exploration.

Shoppable Link: Buy Sophie la Girafe

Pregnancy Care Insight: This lightweight teether keeps your baby calm while you focus on antenatal education or light housework.

3. Lovevery Play Gym

Features:

Five developmental zones for sensory stimulation

Sustainably made with organic cotton

Includes a play guide for parents

Suitable for newborns to one year

Why It’s Great: The Lovevery Play Gym is a beautifully designed product focused on holistic development, encouraging physical, sensory, and cognitive skills.

Shoppable Link: Buy Lovevery Play Gym

Antenatal Education Benefit: Parents can explore developmental milestones with the included guide, aligning with antenatal classes near me.

4. Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy

Features:

Soft, BPA-free loops for teething

Lightweight and easy to grasp

Encourages hand-eye coordination

Safe for infants

Why It’s Great: The Manhattan Toy Winkel combines a teether and rattle in one, keeping babies entertained and helping with early motor skill development.

Shoppable Link: Buy Manhattan Toy Winkel

Antenatal Support: Its compact design makes it perfect for on-the-go use, freeing up parents for relaxation during pregnancy or errands.

5. Lamaze Freddie the Firefly

Features:

Bright colours and patterns for visual stimulation

Textured surfaces for tactile exploration

Built-in teether and rattle

Attachable clip for car seats or strollers

Why It’s Great: This multi-functional toy keeps babies entertained while promoting sensory and fine motor skills development.

Shoppable Link: Buy Lamaze Freddie the Firefly

Pregnancy Care Tip: Ideal for keeping your baby occupied during antenatal checkups or grocery trips.

6. Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy

Features:

Ten classical melodies

Bright lights and easy-grip handle

Volume control for sensitive ears

Suitable for babies 3 months and older

Why It’s Great: This portable musical toy introduces your baby to classical music while promoting auditory and visual stimulation.

Shoppable Link: Buy Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes

Antenatal Fitness Tip: Its compact size allows parents to focus on yoga during pregnancy while their baby is engaged.

7. Skip Hop Explore & More Activity Centre

Features:

3-stage design: sit, swivel, and play

Includes a 360-degree rotating seat

Converts into a play table

Engaging toys with lights and music

Why It’s Great: This activity centre grows with your baby, offering endless entertainment and supporting physical development.

Shoppable Link: Buy Skip Hop Explore & More Activity Centre

Antenatal Support Insight: Keeps your baby entertained, allowing you to unwind with a prenatal massage.

8. Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book

Features:

Multiple textures, flaps, and sounds

Encourages sensory exploration and storytelling

Machine washable

Lightweight for travel

Why It’s Great: This soft book promotes early literacy and cognitive development, providing a screen-free way to entertain your baby.

Shoppable Link: Buy Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book

Pregnancy Care Insight: Perfect for quiet play during antenatal appointments or relaxing at home.

9. Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Xylophone

Features:

Multifunctional design: xylophone and hammer toy

Encourages musical exploration

Durable and safe wood construction

Develops fine motor skills

Why It’s Great: This engaging toy introduces musical concepts while supporting hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills.

Shoppable Link: Buy Hape Pound & Tap Bench

Antenatal Care Benefit: Encourages independent play, giving parents a moment to focus on antenatal fitness or meal prep.

10. VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube

Features:

Five interactive sides with buttons, lights, and sounds

Encourages language and motor skills

Plays 25 songs and melodies

Safe for babies 6 months and older

Why It’s Great: This compact cube packs a punch with endless activities, making it a versatile and portable toy for curious babies.

Shoppable Link: Buy VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube

Pregnancy Support: Keeps your baby entertained during short breaks or antenatal education sessions.

11. Infantino Spiral Activity Toy

Features:

Spirals around car seats, strollers, or cribs

Features plush animals, rattles, and a mirror

Lightweight and easy to attach

Safe for infants

Why It’s Great: The Infantino Spiral Activity Toy provides sensory stimulation and keeps your baby engaged during car rides or errands.

Shoppable Link: Buy Infantino Spiral Activity Toy

Antenatal Insight: Its versatility makes it an ideal travel toy, supporting parents during outings to antenatal classes near me.

12. Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball

Features:

Soft fabric with bold patterns and textures

Easy-to-grasp design

Rattling sounds for auditory stimulation

Develops tactile awareness

Why It’s Great: The Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball is perfect for early sensory and motor skill development, making it a great toy for babies aged 6 months and older.

Shoppable Link: Buy Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball

Antenatal Care Tip: Lightweight and portable, it’s easy to pack for antenatal checkups or visits.

13. Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack

Features:

Classic stacking toy with bright rings

Develops hand-eye coordination

Lightweight and easy for babies to handle

BPA-free materials

Why It’s Great: This timeless toy introduces concepts like size, colour, and stacking, making it a staple for any nursery.

Shoppable Link: Buy Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack

Antenatal Tip: Its simple design encourages independent play, freeing up time for self-care or relaxation during pregnancy.

14. Bright Starts Lots of Links

Features:

Colourful plastic links for attaching toys

Lightweight and easy to clean

Encourages fine motor skills

Endless creative uses

Why It’s Great: Bright Starts Lots of Links are incredibly versatile, serving as teethers, toy connectors, or on-the-go distractions.

Shoppable Link: Buy Bright Starts Lots of Links

Pregnancy Insight: These links are perfect for busy parents, keeping toys secure and babies entertained while on the move.

15. Little Tikes Activity Garden Playhouse

Features:

Multifunctional play centre

Includes a slide, door, and built-in toys

Encourages gross motor skills and imaginative play

Durable and safe for outdoor or indoor use

Why It’s Great: This playhouse offers hours of fun, supporting physical activity and imaginative exploration.

Shoppable Link: Buy Little Tikes Activity Garden Playhouse

Antenatal Care Benefit: Allows parents to relax while their baby explores in a safe environment, complementing antenatal fitness or yoga routines.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right baby toys can significantly impact your child’s development and make parenting more manageable. From sensory toys like Sophie la Girafe to multi-functional activity centres, each product on this list is designed to entertain and educate your baby.

Incorporating toys into your routine can complement your antenatal care, giving you hands-free moments to focus on antenatal yoga, prenatal massage, or preparing for antenatal checkups. Use the provided shoppable links to find the best toys for your baby’s needs.