Best Toys for Newborns, According to Child Development Experts and Parents

reviewed mark Medically Reviewed by Micah Resnick, M.D., F.A.A.P.  on December 12, 2022
Best Toys for Newborns

While your newborn may not seem like much more than an eating, pooping, sleeping machine, she's learning and growing rapidly and playtime with a caregiver can help your little one interact with the world around her. By the time baby reaches the end of the newborn stage, which we consider to be between birth and 3 months, she is likely able to hold her head up on her own, roll over and even start to laugh. And, she'll start to interact with toys, such as items she can grasp, play mats to encourage tummy time or musical toys that capture her attention. But, with so many toys for newborns out there to choose from, it can be difficult for new parents to know which activities to do with newborns and what types of toys will help the most with her development. Ahead, we've covered what you need to know when shopping for newborn toys as well as top picks from experts and parents alike.

What to consider when buying toys for newborns

Before you purchase a toy for a newborn, take these factors into consideration:

  • High-contrast images. Because baby's eyesight is still developing, high contrast images and patterns are easier for them to see and will likely catch your infant's attention. "Babies really focus on when one color ends and another begins, which helps them notice edges and shapes," says Jody LeVos, Ph.D., an education and child development expert. Use toys with black-and-white images and patterns for baby to look at and help her practice tracking by moving it in front of her face.
  • Sound. Another great toy for a newborn is a simple soft toy that makes some noise, says Lori Caplan-Colon, Speech Language Pathologist and founder of Montclair Speech Therapy. This will help baby practice tracking as well as they look for the source of the sound You can also introduce baby to new sounds by playing soft music, singing to her or simply by changing your voice as you read or talk to her. Look for toys that play music or sounds as well as those that crinkle or squeak. And, remember that it's never too early to read to baby to start honing language skills, too.
  • Interactive elements. Better than any toy is playtime with caregivers. "Play and learning are not separate in early childhood," says Dr. LeVos. "When there's an opportunity to engage, it's that much more enriching." And it doesn't take much, she explains. "Even just a positive sound is enough for a baby to realize that mom likes what I'm doing. That's how they start to learn boundaries." In order to make playtime more enriching, sing and talk to your baby as much as possible and narrate what you're doing, like shaking a rattle or showing baby herself in the mirror. Your engagement will even help develop early milestones related to language and social skills.
  • Safety. Babies this age should always be closely supervised, especially when playing with any toys. Because baby's crib should be free of any loose items according to the sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), never leave any toys, stuffed animals or blankets with them when they sleep. You should also carefully inspect toys for any loose parts that could be a potential choking hazard, like buttons or beads. In general, make sure toys and any parts are larger than baby's mouth so they can safely chew on them, according to the AAP.

Know, too, that your newborn doesn't require a chest full of toys — she'll delight in just hearing your voice or gazing at your face. That said, though she may not do much with toys at this age, you can still show her toys and use them during your time together.

Another thing to note: You don't have to seek out high price tags or intricate features for your baby's toys. Reading library books together, looking at interesting images (again, your face is the best for her to gaze at!), singing and listening to soft music or gently dancing together all make for nice playtime activities.

How we made our picks for the best toys for newborns

To determine the best picks for your newborn, we started by following general guidelines from the AAP and tapped experts Caplan-Colon, Dr. LeVos, and Gina Posner, M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician at MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California and What to Expect Medical Review Board Member for insight into what features and products to look for to support baby's development. We then took suggestions from parents and caregivers in the What to Expect community. This way, we're able to consider a wide range of toys that parents have already attested to their babies loving in order to provide you with plenty of options for your own child. We also considered suggestions from What to Expect editors and writers about which toys their babies love, too.

Here, our picks for the best toys for newborns.

Why Trust Us?

Best Board Book for Newborns

'Hello, Garden Bugs'

Best Toys for Newborns - Hello Garden Bugs
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$8
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Pros: High-contrast graphics, great for tummy time
Cons: Too heavy for young babies to hold on their own

Why We Love It

“Books with simple lines, bold patterns and black-and-white pages are the best for your baby to ‘read’ when developing,” says Caplan-Colon. This book fits the bill with cute and friendly drawings of butterflies, grasshoppers, bees and other garden bugs that are in black-and-white to help develop baby’s vision.

The story is simple, too. With only a few words per page, baby will eventually be able to associate the specific bug with the exact drawing to expand her vocabulary. And while she won't seem super interested at this age, stick with it — the AAP recommends parents read to children starting in infancy, as it helps improve literacy skills later in life.

Book length: 20 pages

Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 6 inches

Best Mirror Toy for Newborns

Baby Einstein Flip for Art High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror

Best Toys for Newborns - Baby Einstein Flip for Art High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror
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$15
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$25
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Pros: Cards can be taken on-the-go, features high-contrast images
Cons: Some say the mirror is a bit distorted

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No, your newborn isn’t too young for tummy time. The AAP recommends newborns start tummy time as soon as they’re home from the hospital (supervised and for short increments of time, of course).

Giving your newborn a toy during tummy time, like this Baby Einstein activity mirror, will encourage her to stay there longer, Caplan-Colon notes. The toy features a baby-safe mirror framed with contrasting black-and-white and primary-color images and patterns, all of which will help develop baby’s vision. The flip-through flashcards attach to the wedge and are also removable, so you can stash them in your diaper bag for an on-the-go toy.

Weight: 12 ounces

Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.5 x 4.7 inches

Community Reviews

“I have a Baby Einstein mirror thing that has flash cards of black and white images and high contrast images that I put down when he does tummy time! He loves the images and occasionally I’ll catch him staring at himself in the mirror.”

- woodsj12

Best Educational Toy for Newborns

Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book - Itsy Bitsy Spider

Best Toys for Newborns - Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Book - Itsy Bitsy Spider
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$15
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$13
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Pros: Machine washable, can be used as child ages
Cons: Higher price point than other toys

Why We Love It

What’s better than baby hearing “Itsy Bitsy Spider?” Having baby’s caregivers read it to her, of course! Each page of this classic nursery rhyme book from beloved brand Melissa & Doug is full of interactive details, like ribbons for rain and peek-a-boo suns. As your baby gets older, she’ll enjoy practicing motor skills by turning the plush pages, lifting flaps and playing with the textures throughout the book.

Book length: 8 pages

Weight: 4.8 ounces (packaged)

Dimensions: 7 x 2 x 8.5 inches

Best High-Contrast Toy for Newborns

Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book

Best Toys for Newborns - Sassy Peek a Boo Activity Book
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$7
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Pros: The pages feature peek-a-boo flaps over bright, stimulating images
Cons: Not machine-washable

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Why We Love It

The Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book features those important high-contrast, black-and-white (and red!) images that will captivate your newborn. Plus, one-word “stories” help baby connect the pictures with the words to develop her vocabulary as you read to her. The soft fabric pages also crinkle, adding a sensory layer to the experience for your little one. The book has an attached hook, so you can tether this to your stroller for on-the-go entertainment.

Weight: 2.3 ounces

Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 5 inches

Community Reviews

“[The] Peek-a-boo crinkly book [is the] only book my baby likes right now. She loves seeing high contrast black and white images on it, has a crinkle sound loved by baby.”

- fabmomnbabe

Best Crinkle Toy for Newborns

Mary Meyer Crinkle Me Elephant

Mary Meyer Crinkle Me Elephant
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$11
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$10
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Pros: Comes with an attachable clip, so you can hang it from a stroller
Cons: Some say it’s stiffer than they expected

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Babies are endlessly amused with toys that crinkle, especially as they learn that they can use them to make sound. This sweet little elephant crinkle toy has a squeaky interior to teach baby cause-and-effect, and it comes with ribbon tags that baby can grasp and play with as she gets older.

Weight: 1.41 ounces

Dimensions: 6 x 6 inches

Community Reviews

“My baby is really into crinkle books/taggies toys right now.”

- Alex556

Best Black-and-White Toy for Newborns

Wee Gallery Black and White Flashcards

Best Toys for Newborns - Wee Gallery Black and White Flashcards
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$16
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Pros: Sturdy, made with eco-friendly ink that’s safe for little ones
Cons: Cards aren’t waterproof

Why We Love It

Your baby will love staring at these sturdy, high-contrast black-and-white pictures. Each of the six double-sided cards features a bold black-and-white image of an animal that baby can see and use to build tracking skills as her vision develops. And because these cards are easy to throw in your diaper bag, you can use them for on-the-go playtime and learning.

The cards feature rounded corners, so baby won’t poke herself on a sharp-cornered edge. They also have a matte lamination finish but aren’t waterproof. So if your baby is in a "put everything in my mouth" phase, you may want to consider handling the cards yourself, or they could become warped.

Dimensions: 5 x 7 inches

Best Rattle for Newborns

The First Years First Rattle

Best Toys for Newborns - The First Years First Rattle
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$8
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$7
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$7
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Pros: Easy for little hands to hold, colorful
Cons: Not machine washable

Why We Love It

This First Years rattle is a multi-textured toy that’s decorated with bright colors and patterns designed to encourage visual tracking, says Caplan-Colon. Caregivers can move the toy up and down and from left to right for baby to follow with her eyes. Your little one can also readily grasp its easy-to-grip limbs. It also comes with soft teething surfaces, ideal as your baby begins sprouting teeth or is just exploring by putting items in her mouth.

Weight: 3.2 ounces

Dimensions: 6.69 x 1.77 x 7.68 inches

Best Sensory Toy for Newborns

Teytoy Owl Soft Rattle Toy

Best Toys for Newborns - Teytoy Owl Soft Rattle Toy
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Pros: Easy for babies to hold
Cons: Big product tag attached to it

Why We Love It

This cuddly soft owl rattle is another popular option for newborns and is intended to be a sensory delight for your little one. Its body is shaped like an “O” for baby to easily grasp, while the different textured fabrics give her a lot to experience by touch.

The owl’s head has a ringing ball and the wings have crinkly paper, all of which baby can feel or hear. Plus, the brightly contrasting patterns and large black-and-white eyes can be used to practice visual tracking with baby on as you slowly move the rattle from left to right and top to bottom.

Weight: 1.76 ounces

Dimensions: 5.11 x 4.33 inches

Most Versatile Toy for Newborns

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick 'n Play Piano Gym

Best Toys for Newborns - Fisher Price Deluxe Kick Play Piano
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$55
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$40
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Pros: Grows with your baby, play mat is machine washable
Cons: Large footprint

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One of Caplan-Colon’s top picks for newborns is the Fisher-Price Kick and Play Piano Gym. “This mat allows for a variety of ways to play: lay and play, tummy time, sit and play and take-along,” she explains. It has light-up piano keys for babies to kick their feet at, which also helps with motor skills and introduces cause-and-effect. Baby can develop her vision with the included mirror and patterned archway, while the flashing lights and music bring additional sensory stimulation to keep her engaged.

Although the toy takes up a lot of floor space, you can easily fold the mat part and lay it against the wall when not in use. As your child becomes more mobile, you can remove the toys from the arch to be used as individual play items, increasing the longevity.

Power: 3 AA batteries (included)

Weight: 4.5 pounds

Dimensions: 36 x 27 x 18 inches

Community Reviews

“She loves tummy time looking at the lights on her Kick ‘n Play Piano while I have it on a mode that just plays songs for her.”

- pregmedstud

Best Musical Toy for Newborns

Bright Starts Disney Baby Finding Nemo Mr. Ray Ocean Lights and Music Gym

Best Toys for Newborns - Bright Starts Disney Baby Finding Nemo Mr. Ray Ocean Lights and Music Gym
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$85
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$75
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$75
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Pros: Great for lay-and-play and tummy time, includes tummy time pillow
Cons: Baby can pull canopy down as she gets bigger

Why We Love It

Playing music for your baby might help improve their brain development — and we love how this Finding Nemo-themed activity mat plays 20 minutes of tunes along with a sweet little light show from the Mr. Ray canopy. Engage baby’s senses by letting her lay on the mat and watch and listen to the musical light show. Many caregivers raved about how they were finally able to keep their newborns entertained with the light show, some saying it kept them interested for up to an hour.

As she grows, she can start practicing motor skills by batting at and grasping the toys that hang overhead. And, she can practice tummy time while entertained by the interesting sounds by using the included pillow.

Power: 3 AA batteries (not included)

Weight: 4.3 pounds

Dimensions: 32 x 36 x 18 inches

Best Tummy Time Toy for Newborns

Boppy Black & White Rainbow Tummy Time Pillow

Best Toys for Newborns - Boppy Black & White Rainbow Tummy Time Pillow
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$20
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$22
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$20
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Pros: Includes sensory toys, machine-washable
Cons: Only designed for tummy time

Why We Love It

Boppys are ideal for tummy time — and once your baby is 2 months old, she’ll be ready for a mini Boppy all of her own. This tummy time pillow sports a black-and-white rainbow fabric designed for baby to be able to see and has a crinkle rainbow toy and a teething ring attached for her to practice motor skills. The toys are also removable, so as your baby grows, you can swap out them with other favorites. And, when the pillow gets dirty, you can toss it in the washing machine. Just note that it’s only intended for tummy time support as it isn’t large enough to help baby sit up on her own.

Weight: 1.12 pounds

Dimensions: 12.2 x 15 x 3 inches

Best Travel Toy for Newborns

Lamaze Mortimer the Moose

Best Toys for Newborns - Mortimer the Moose
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$16
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$16
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$13
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$16
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Pros: Attaches to diaper bags, strollers and more, includes different textures and sounds
Cons: Higher price point than other plush toys, not machine-washable

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Why We Love It

If you haven’t seen a Mortimer the Moose attached to every other stroller handle or diaper bag by now, you will be soon. While it has tons of features great for newborns, such as high-contrast patterns to help with vision tracking and chewable antlers, many parents love it especially for being an easy toy to bring on-the-go. It has a hook so it can attach to strollers and is small enough to toss in your diaper bag, perfect for entertaining baby on a walk, running errands or at a restaurant.

The plush toy features a squeaky tummy, knotted fabric legs and playful fabric hooves that will stimulate baby’s developing senses with sounds and patterns and develop fine motor skills with various textures to touch. The toy also comes with a squeaky tummy which helps with auditory awareness and further captivates your little one. She might start to stick the antlers in her mouth now to explore, or chew on them later as it makes a great teething toy.

Weight: 7.2 ounces

Dimensions: 11.5 x 5.3 x 2.8 inches

Community Reviews

"His absolute fave is the Mortimer moose… He stares and smiles at it, and there are different parts that he can play with/chew on."

- BertMacklinFBI