17 Educational Baby Toys For Early Learning & Development

Overview

Playtime can also be a learning experience for babies, even if they’re still a few weeks or months old.

Choosing the best educational toys suitable for the age group is important to maximize their learning and development.

At this age, they need to be supervised and assisted by caregivers when they’re playing. But there are also plenty of toys for independent play to help them develop skills such as the following:

Fine motor skills
Hand-eye coordination
Problem-solving skills

What factors should be considered when choosing baby toys? What are the best toys for babies, which can make them smart, and which products are ideal for their physical development?

Read on to find out.

What Are The Best Baby Toys To Help With Infant Development?

Educational toys remain the best choices for infant development because they’re designed specifically for this purpose.

Ideal toys for infant development can include: (1)

Sensory toys (textured balls, teething toys, etc.)
Rattles, shakers, and other sound-making toys
Squeeze toys
Soft dolls and plush toys
Soft building blocks
Lightweight educational wooden toys

What Toys Make Your Baby Smart?

They might seem too young to learn ABCs and numbers, but you can lay the foundation for learning with simple baby books.

Your little one can also learn during tummy time. Consider an educational playmat that doubles as a play gym or activity center.

Other developmental toys to consider:

Child-safe mirrors
Nursery mobiles
Stacker toys (e.g., stacking cups and rings)

What Are The Most Educational Toys For Newborns?

There isn’t a specific gauge to help you determine the “most educational” toys because different products can let your child learn a different skill.

At this age, high-contrast mobiles are ideal for stimulating and developing their attention span. (2)

We also recommend Montessori toys for safe and open-ended learning through play.

What Toys Promote An Infant’s Physical Development?

Because babies are still trying to learn how to roll over, crawl, and eventually stand up and walk, choose toys that encourage them to move.

Tummy time toys (e.g., play gyms and playmats) are essential for their physical development.

You can also provide them with toys encouraging them to crawl or reach out.

Rattles and other toys that make sounds also promote movement.

Some Montessori climbing toys and Pikler triangles are also ideal for babies 6+ months old.

Our Top Picks For The 17 Best Educational Toys For Babies

Montessori Baby Toys

LOVEVERY Black & White Card Set (0+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: High-contrast cards with varying patterns

Product Safety: Free from toxic, heavy metal elements and phthalates

Materials: No-tear, baby-safe paper with soy-based inks

Age Range: 0+ months old

Educational Value: Brain and visual development

Extra Features: Includes guide for parents

Certification: Meets global toy safety and regulatory standards

Made In: USA

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints about duplicates with the other LOVEVERY products

Customer Reviews:

“Most cards held baby’s gaze.” – Reviewer on LOVEVERY

“One of the pictures was the same was the one came with the play gym.” – Reviewer on LOVEVERY

Educational Baby Toys For Tummy Time & Visual Stimulation

Baby Einstein Kickin’ Tunes 4-in-1 Baby Activity & Play Gym (0-36 months old)

Pros & Best Features: 4-in-1 activity center that grows with your baby

Product Safety: Free from BPA (bisphenol-A, a toxic chemical in plastic manufacturing)

Materials: Fabric, metal, and child-safe plastic

Age Range: 0-36 months old

Educational Value: Sensory play, visual tracking, gross motor skills, language, and musical skills

Extra Features: Machine-washable mat and easy-wipe plastic surfaces

Certification: Not indicated

Made In: China (according to Amazon)

Product Recall: None

Cons: The piano requires batteries; warning on flashing lights that might trigger epilepsy in sensitized individuals

Customer Reviews:

“The colors are bright and engaging.” – Reviewer on Kids2

“Needs to be recalled! 4 month daughter puts her legs on or around the arches. When doing this she collapsed the arches and mat curled around her!” – Reviewer on Walmart

KiwiCo Sensory Solar System Play Set (0+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Solar system-themed playmat and activity set

Product Safety: Rigorous tests to meet all safety standards

Materials: Organic cotton fabric (exteriors), polyester (interiors), solid beechwood, silicone, and paper

Age Range: 0+ months old

Educational Value: Sensory play, visual tracking, and gross motor skills

Extra Features: Includes a parent guide, a teether (Saturn), and child-friendly science materials

Certification: Certified by independent, third-party toy safety testing labs

Made In: Not indicated

Product Recall: None

Cons: No reviews yet that you can use for checking and comparing

Customer Reviews: None

Great Toys For ABCs, Numbers, & Colors

Manhattan Toy Wimmer Ferguson Mind Cubes – activity cubes (0+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Soft cubes with high-contrast graphics of numbers, letters, ribbons, shapes, and patterns

Product Safety: Meets toy safety standards

Materials: Fabric

Age Range: 0+ months old

Educational Value: Sensory learning, visual development, hand-eye coordination, language and letters, gross motor skills, and pattern recognition

Extra Features: Lightweight cubes made for little hands

Certification: Meets or exceeds CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) and EN71 (European standard) safety regulations

Made In: China (according to Amazon)

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints about the quality

Customer Reviews:

“Good contrast on blocks for the newborns to focus on.” – Reviewer on Amazon

“I was disappointed with the quality of the fabric and the stitching.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Wee Gallery Woodland Alphabet Cards (newborns to toddlers)

Pros & Best Features: Flash cards with high-contrast jungle and animal illustrations

Product Safety: Free from phthalates and lead

Materials: Eco-friendly materials, paperboard, and soy-based inks

Age Range: Newborns to toddlers

Educational Value: Visual development, language and ABCs, and cognitive learning

Extra Features: Includes box to keep the cards when not in use

Certification: FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council)

Made In: China

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints that the animal examples might be too advanced for babies

Customer Reviews:

“I love the aesthetics of them and think they were very well designed with durability in mind.” – Reviewer on Amazon

“…the animals associated with the letters even I as an adult ha d trouble guessing.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Sensory Toys & Teethers

Miniland Sensorial Reef (0-18 months old)

Pros & Best Features: Marine-themed multi-purpose sensory toy

Product Safety: Child-safe materials; no sharp parts

Materials: Fabric and plastic

Age Range: 0-18 months old

Educational Value: Sensory stimulation and cognitive development

Extra Features: Includes a baby octopus-shaped removable rattle

Certification: Not indicated

Made In: Not indicated

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints about the quality

Customer Reviews:

“Brought this for Christmas for my 5 month old grand daughter who loves it and is distracted and calmed by it when she is a bit grumpy.” – Reviewer on Amazon

“After 1 day of use (minutes) the rattle is broken by the seam.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Wee Gallery Flower Stroller Toy – with crinkle (not indicated)

Pros & Best Features: High-contrast flower sensory toy

Product Safety: Free from phthalates and lead

Materials: Organic cotton canvas

Age Range: Not indicated

Educational Value: Visual development, cognitive learning, and sensory development

Extra Features: Includes attachment for car seat, stroller, or play gym

Certification: GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard)

Made In: India

Product Recall: None

Cons: Can be pricey; no customer reviews you can use for checking or comparison

Customer Reviews: None

Baby Activity Toys For Motor Skills Development

Lily & River Little Climber With Rockwall – Birch/Natural (6 months to 5+ years old)

Pros & Best Features: Climbing toy

Product Safety: Certified child-friendly materials; free from toxic chemicals

Materials: Premium hardwood and baby-friendly sealant

Age Range: 6 months to 5+ years old

Educational Value: Baby and toddler toy for gross motor development and balance

Extra Features: Includes removable stairs for the Pikler triangle, a Little Glider wooden airplane, and a Little Climber board book

Certification: Not indicated

Made In: USA

Product Recall: None

Cons: Can be pricey

Customer Reviews:

“My little girl has had hours worth of fun with this climbing frame.” – Reviewer on Lily & River

“It took him a little to warm up & feel comfortable climbing but after a little while, he was loving it!!” – Reviewer on Lily & River

Wonder & Wise By Asweets Farm Baby Activity Play Triangle (0+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Wedge-shaped activity center

Product Safety: No sharp parts

Materials: Cotton (exterior) with polyester (interior)

Age Range: 0+ months old

Educational Value: Imagination, cognitive learning, sensory stimulation, and visual development

Extra Features: Includes different sections for sensory play

Certification: Not indicated

Made In: Not indicated

Product Recall: None

Cons: Contains short strings (reduce strangulation risks by always supervising your baby during playtime); no reviews yet for comparison

Customer Reviews: None

Sound-Making & Musical Toys

Sophie La Girafe Sophie Soft Maracas Rattle (3+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Maracas rattle and sensory ball

Product Safety: Child-safe materials that meet toy safety requirements

Materials: 100% natural rubber (teether toy), fabric, and crunchy paper

Age Range: 3+ months old

Educational Value: Sensory learning, auditory perception, and cognitive development

Extra Features: Includes a rainmaker-style middle section

Certification: Not indicated

Made In: Not indicated

Product Recall: None

Cons: No reviews yet for comparison

Customer Reviews: None

KiwiCo Piano Xylophone and Shaker Set (7+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Musical instrument set

Product Safety: Free of BPA, lead, and phthalates

Materials: Wood, metal, and non-toxic, water-based paints or finishes

Age Range: 7+ months old

Educational Value: Musical skills, auditory perception, cause and effect, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination

Extra Features: Includes two egg shakers with different tones

Certification: Independent, third-party product and toy safety testing labs

Made In: Not indicated

Product Recall: None

Cons: Can be pricey

Customer Reviews:

“My 7 month old daughter loves this toy! It is very well made!” – Reviewer on KiwiCo

Creative & Baby Toys For Pretend Play

Melissa & Doug Sunny Yellow Lab Puppy Dog Stuffed Animal (1+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Adorable plush toy

Product Safety: Top-quality construction; free from hazards

Materials: Fabric

Age Range: 1+ months old

Educational Value: Pretend play and imagination

Extra Features: Surface washable toy

Certification: CPSIA; complies with US, EU, and other toy safety standards

Made In: China (according to Amazon)

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints that the toy is small

Customer Reviews:

“My daughter loves this stuffed animal.” – Reviewer on Melissa & Doug

“A LOT smaller than I expected.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Bath Toys For Babies

Manhattan Toy Arctic Adventure Soft Bath Time Activity Book (0-4 years old)

Pros & Best Features: Marine-themed, water-friendly soft book

Product Safety: Meets toy safety standards

Materials: Neoprene

Age Range: 0-4 years old

Educational Value: Cognitive learning

Extra Features: Includes pockets for the peek-a-boo marine creatures

Certification: Meets US (CPSC and ASTM), European (EN71), and Health Canada safety standards

Made In: China (according to Amazon)

Product Recall: None

Cons: No customer reviews yet for comparison

Customer Reviews: None

Baby Books

Mudpuppy Mindful Baby Board Book Set (0-5 years old)

Pros & Best Features: Set of board books for babies

Product Safety: Child-safe materials

Materials: 90% recycled paper and non-toxic inks

Age Range: 0-5 years old

Educational Value: Early reading and vocabulary, cognitive development, and sensory play

Extra Features: Includes a box for keeping the books

Certification: Not indicated

Made In: Not indicated

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints about the pages being too thick

Customer Reviews:

“My baby loves holding the pages and looking at the inclusive pictures.” – Reviewer on Amazon

“This is essential 5 pages per book with 2 words on each side. Not worth the money at all.” – Reviewer on Amazon

Melissa & Doug Natural Play Book Tower: Little Nursery Books (9+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Mini library of board books for little hands

Product Safety: Free from toxic materials (e.g., lead and other heavy metals)

Materials: Recycled materials and soy-based inks

Age Range: 9+ months old

Educational Value: Hand-eye coordination, vocabulary, and cognitive development

Extra Features: Includes a portable box with handles

Certification: US (CPSIA), EU, and other safety standards

Made In: USA (according to Amazon)

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints that the rope makes it difficult to remove or return the books

Customer Reviews:

“Love this product! Cute & colorful ilustrations, classic little stories.” – Reviewer on Amazon

“It is hard to get the books out by just lifting the top. We had to remove the rope handle.” Reviewer on Melissa & Doug

Best Toys For 6-Month-Olds: Educational Building Sets, Puzzles, & Activity Centers

Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks – Shape Sorting Toy with Storage Bucket (6+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Block set

Product Safety: Child-safe materials; free from toxic chemicals

Materials: Plastic

Age Range: 6+ months old

Educational Value: Hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, STEM, problem-solving skills, and cognitive development

Extra Features: Includes a container with handle

Certification: US and EU safety certifications

Made In: China (according to Amazon)

Product Recall: None

Cons: Some complaints about the lid being too loose

Customer Reviews:

“Perfect for my 7 month old. He mostly eats them but is learning to place them in the bucket.” – Reviewer on Amazon

“Unfortunately the lid of this toy is so loose that it’s unusable as intended.” – Reviewer on Amazon

KiwiCo Pop-Up Shape Sorter Puzzle (7+ months old)

Pros & Best Features: Unique shape sorter puzzle

Product Safety: Rigorous tests to meet all safety standards; free of phthalates, BPA, and lead

Materials: Wood and non-toxic paint or varnish

Age Range: 7+ months old

Educational Value: Cause and effect, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and fine motor skills

Extra Features: Includes rocker that makes the pieces pop up

Certification: Independent, third-party product safety testing labs

Made In: Not indicated

Product Recall: None

Cons: Can be pricey

Customer Reviews:

“My child’s preferred shape sorter.” – Reviewer on KiwiCo

“Absolutely adorable and fun for all ages!” – Reviewer on KiwiCo

Tips For Choosing Developmental & Learning Toys For Babies

Toy Safety For Babies

Size & Weight

Lightweight
Fit little hands but big enough to reduce choking risks

Free From Toxic Chemicals

Minimize exposure to chemicals such as the following:

BPA
Heavy metals
PVC
Phthalates
Flame retardants

Learn more about these chemicals and how to avoid them on MC’s Health and Safety Philosophy.

Long Strings & Other Strangulation Risks

Check toys for strangulation risks, such as long strings or thick fabric that can unravel.

Toy Recalls To Monitor

Always check for toy recalls before buying any product, especially when shopping from secondhand shops and online marketplaces.

Some recent toy recalls:

Rollerblade USA Inline Skates Recall (2023)
Calico Critters recall (2023)
Kids Preferred recall (2023)
Target Toy recall (2022)
Haba recall (2022)
Kidoozie Play Tent recall (2022)
Monti Kids recall (2022)

Learning Toys Based On Skills & Milestones For Babies

Peek-a-boo toys
Stacking cups and toys
Infant toys that can be attached to car seats and strollers

Other Factors To Consider

Bestsellers
Play types (e.g., sensory toys, fine motor activities, etc.)
Age-appropriate toys

Other Gift Ideas & Learning Toys For Different Age Groups

References

(1) https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/play/toys

(2) https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/smart-toys.html