Babies from 0-6 months go through tremendous brain development. During the first six months of life, infants meet various milestones physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Their eyesight develops rapidly, allowing them to begin to make out people and objects farther and farther away.
They gain control over their fine motor skills and can hold toys and bring them to their mouths. They begin to understand and interact with the world around them.
While you are amazed by all their firsts and milestones (and hopefully recording those in their baby memory books, this post includes a list of toys that meets them at their milestones and helps them develop them further.
I have compiled a list of my tried and tested toys that my baby girl used and that I thought were helpful and worth purchasing (if I was to do it all over again.) You’ll see little glimpses of pictures of my baby girl using some of the toys too!
This list of best baby toys 0-6 months is full of great options that your little one will probably love too.
If you also have a preschooler then don’t forget to check out my Best Educational Toys for Preschoolers as well.
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Choosing Toys for Babies 0-6 Months Old
There are many considerations to make when selecting the perfect infant toys. Above all, you want toys that are baby-safe. These types of toys would be appropriate for infants to mouth and contain no small parts that a child can choke on. They would also be sized perfectly of those little hands.
Babies learn through their senses and you have probably noticed how they seem to always be putting things in their mouths! This is just one of the ways they can learn about their environment and the things in it.
Look for sensory-stimulating toys with interesting fabric + textures to feel and mouth, fun sounds, and interactive features such as buttons to push or tabs to pull.
Also, keep in mind your child’s developmental level when choosing appropriate toys. The youngest infants will prefer black and white, high-contrast imagery, so it is best to save brightly colored books and colorful toys for when they are a little older. Younger infants will need toys that are easy to grasp, while older babies will be working on perfecting their pincer grasp, and gaining the ability to grip different-sized toys.
We have compiled a list of the best baby toys for babies 0-6 months old. These are all items that we have tried and loved!
Quick Guide to Baby Toys by Stages
Babies tend to go through predictable stages of development. Here is a quick preview of what you might expect to see at each stage, along with what toys would help to complement their development.
Keep in mind that all babies grow and meet milestones at their own pace! Always consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby.
0-2 months
- Holds head up during tummy time
- Looks at & begins to focus on toys
Toys for 0-2 months
- High contrast cards/books
- Hanging toys & linking rings to practice focusing & tracking
3-4 months
- Begins to reach for toys
- Puts hands in mouth
Toys for 3-4 months
- Tummy time mats
- Rattles & textured balls
5-6 months
- Grasps toys
- Rolls over
- Enjoys looking at self in mirror
Toys for 5-6 months
- Teething toys
- Baby safe mirror
Here is our list of the best baby toys, 0-6 months:
1. Play Gym
Lovevery is a toy subscription box that we will dive into later on in the list, but we will start by featuring their play mat. Play gyms are a fun floor toy for pre-crawlers.
The Play Gym from Lovevery is unique in that babies will enjoy playing in it long after they have learned to sit up and crawl. Simply use the cover to turn it into a fort that kids will love sitting inside to read or play. We love all of the features that Lovevery’s play gym offers from a card pocket to feature different cards (with images geared toward babies’ visual development) to fun toys that make rattling sounds. Read more in our Lovevery Play Gym Review post. This post goes into additional detail on why this play gym is so great!
Fisher-Price’s Rainforest Music & Lights Deluxe Gym is also a great option and a bit more budget-friendly. It is perfect for small spaces and contains lots of interactive and developmentally appropriate features. A great bonus is that the toucan at the top of the mat is removable, allowing on-the-go fun.
You can’t go wrong with either of these play gyms. They will provide your baby with hours of fun and you will find yourself using these for many months, getting your money’s worth!
2. Mimi the Mushroom
This teething toy is a great option for babies up to six months old. Its shape makes it easy and fun for babies to grasp, chew and suck on.
I love how this mushroom doubles as a toy and a soothing item. It’s perfect for anyone who prefers not to use pacifiers. One way that young infants self-soothe is by sucking on a breast, pacifier, or their hands. Because of its shape, Mimi the Mushroom can help calm a fussy baby or entertain them when you are out and about.
If the mushroom is out of stock, try out the penguin version.
3. Tummy Time Llama
A trusted brand for years, Fisher-Price has been making some of the best baby and toddler toys, and the Tummy Time Llama is no exception. This toy is a tummy time support pillow shaped like a llama. Prop your baby up over the llama and let them engage with the toys. As your child gets older, the llama can be a cuddly friend.
The Tummy Time Llama is fun for babies, helps them develop strength in their neck and upper body, and doesn’t take up a lot of space. It comes with a mirror, rattle, and teether that can be removed from the llama, so it’s almost like getting four toys in one!
4. Splashing Kids Tummy Time Mat
Tummy time strengthens the neck muscles, which babies will need to be able to roll over and eventually sit up on their own. Providing babies with time on their tummies is so important, especially in the first few months of life. Make this time fun and engaging with a tummy time mat.
If your baby dislikes tummy time or gets bored quickly, you might want to change up their view. Not only does this water mat get kids playing during tummy time, it also adds a fun sensory component to their exploration. They will love squishing the mat and watching the ocean creatures swim around inside.
This toy was definitely one of our favorites. I would place my daughter on tummy time for a few minutes each day while I sat next to her.
5. Lots of links rings
Linking rings can help babies develop their fine motor skills. They are large and easy for little fingers to grasp. They are versatile as well. Use them to secure toys to a car seat handle or connect a long chain to let Baby shake and explore.
I love these from Bright Starts because of the bright colors and different textures on each ring, providing tactile sensory stimulation.
A fun mom-hack for these rings is to attach one to a tank top or bra if you are nursing your baby. As they get older, they can fiddle with the ring rather than poking you in the face or pulling hair!
6. Baby Einstein Musical Take Along toy
This toy is perfect for carrying along in the diaper bag. There are lots of baby light-up toys you can find and this is one of the best! There are two volume options. The louder option would be perfect for car rides while the softer volume is ideal for playtime at home.
A fun little bonus is the rings on the caterpillar can be moved up and down and rattled together.
There are 10 songs on the music toy and it is truly one of the best toys for babies 0-6 months and beyond! My kids adored this musical toy, even at almost four years old my son is still drawn to it.
7. Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick and Play Piano
This baby activity toy grows with your infant! You can use it in many different ways. The piano is removable and becomes a fun toy for a baby who can sit up to play with. Both of my children LOVED this toy! They enjoyed laying on their back and kicking the piano with their feet and during tummy time they would listen to the music and watch the keys light up.
The piano detaches and the music is pleasant and sweet. There are different modes on the piano: music & songs, sounds, shapes, colors & animal sounds, and free play piano.
The toys on the hanging bar are removable, so you can mix and match them with your baby’s favorite hanging toys.
My baby girl loved this toy. She played with it for many many months. When she was younger she would lay down and kick her little feet to create music. Once she started sitting then she loved sitting up to play the piano.
8. Freddie the Firefly
This clip-on toy is soft and perfect for taking on the go. Hanging toys are always great because they can be clipped onto car seats, strollers, and more. I love soft toys like this one that can be easily taken in the car and have lots of different features.
Freddie makes crinkle sounds, squeaking sounds, and has a mirror so babies can look at themselves. And, bonus! The back of Freddie is black and white! Perfect for the youngest infants’ visual development.
9. Cuddly Teether Fox
Don’t you just love toys that have multiple uses? Even better when they are inexpensive, like the under $10 Cuddly Teether Fox! The fox is easy for small fingers to grasp and has fun crinkle sounds when squeezed and hugged. Both feet are teethers as well as the ring at the center of the toy.
When babies just won’t stop chewing on everything, give them the Teether Fox for some comfort.
10. Gel Teether Keys
Does your baby need relief from sore gums? These Gel Teether Keys are perfect! You can put them in the refrigerator for a cool sensation on those new little teeth. I also love the different textures on each key that babies will love exploring with their fingers and mouth.
Once the baby is done chewing on them, keep them around! They are perfect for early pretend-play activities.
Hello, Baby Animals: A Durable High-Contrast Black-and-White Board Book for Newborns and Babies (High-Contrast Books)Let’s Count Soft Book – World of Eric Carle the Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby on the Go Clip Teething Crinkle Soft Sensory Book for Babies, 5.25×5.25 InchHanShe Baby Soft Book Cloth Book Set 4 PCS Crinkle Book High Contrast Baby Book 0-6 Months Educational Learning Toy for Infant Fabric Baby Activity Crinkle Book for Infants Toddler for Boy Girl GiftsBright Baby Touch & Feel Boxed Set: On the Farm, Baby Animals, At the Zoo and Perfect Pets (Bright Baby Touch and Feel)
11. Books
It is never too early to start reading with your baby! The youngest infants will love looking at high contrast books–these are great for their visual development. As babies get older, find books with bright colors and interactive features such as touch and feel books.
Here are several great options to start with!
- High contrast books (Hello My World, Hello Baby Animals)
- Indestructible Books (see my post My favorite baby books – indestructible books for an in-depth review and favorite titles!)
- Soft cloth books (Soft Cloth Book Set, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Teething Crinkle Book)
- Touch & Feel (See, Touch, Feel, Bright Baby Touch & Feel)
12. Prop-A-Pillar Tummy Time & Seated Support
This is another great option for tummy time support. What’s especially great about the Prop-A-Pillar is that it also assists in sitting up. When you feel your baby is ready, the soft toy gives them a comfortable surface to strengthen the muscles in their trunk. Babies should have good head control to use the seated support–they should be able to hold their own head up steady.
13. Flip Fish
I love this fish toy from Melissa and Doug. It has lots of interactive features for babies to discover. My daughter was always happily surprised when she would flip a scale back and find a cute ocean animal hiding underneath.
The scales come in different textures that babies love feeling and exploring and there are teething areas for chewing as well.
14. Sassy Peek-A-Boo Activity Book
This book contains high contrast, black and white images along with fun patterns. It comes with a loop and link so you can attach it to a car seat handle or stroller, making it easy to bring anywhere you go. Fun pictures are hidden underneath flaps to work on babies’ hand-eye coordination as they work to grab the flap and lift it.
I always loved having a toy like this in my diaper bag for times when we were waiting at the doctor’s office or stopping at the grocery store. It keeps the baby occupied so you can get errands done.
15. High Contrast Cards
These cards are among one of the best newborn toys that you can invest in. High contrast cards consist of black and white images perfect for supporting visual development.
Hold the cards close to Baby’s face, newborns can only see about a foot away. You can even slowly move them from side to side so the baby can begin to practice tracking. The great thing about these cards is that you can put them anywhere! I always made sure to place them in my baby’s diaper change area (we all know how often newborns get their diapers changed!)
16. Baby Einstein High Contrast Activity Mirror
Babies love faces. They focus intently on their caregiver’s face and love catching a glimpse of themselves in the mirror (even if they don’t know it’s them yet!). A safe, shatterproof mirror is one of the best toys for 6-month-olds, just around the age where they focus intently on their own face.
This mirror from Baby Einstein also comes with high contrast cards! If you are limited on funds this is a great option to get a 2-in-1 deal!
17. High Contrast Soft Book
Another high-contrast card idea for babies. As you can tell, high-contrast images are one of the best toys you can provide your newborn. This option is great because it comes in a soft book style so, unlike a cardboard card, if Baby puts it in their mouth there is no worry about it tearing or getting ruined.
It is sturdy, so you can unfold it and stand it up. You can place it on the floor during tummy time or even propped up by the changing table.
18. Lovevery Play kits
Play kits by Lovevery provide specially curated boxes for your child at every stage of development, through the end of age three. Children will receive a box every three months filled with age-appropriate toys, books, and a “Play Guide” to support parents in using these materials with their children.
Investing in a subscription to Lovevery takes the guesswork out of finding developmentally appropriate baby toys. The creators at Lovevery have done research on babies’ developmental stages to offer toys that support development at every age. The toys are high quality and a wonderful investment.
Some of the toys included throughout the 3-year Lovevery subscription include:
- High contrast cards
- Stacking cups
- Posting activities
- Pretend play with soft dolls & peg dolls
- Each kit comes with at least one developmentally appropriate book!
You can see my play kit reviews here:
The Lovevery Play Kit Review – Is the Inspector Kit for 7-8 month old’s REALLY Worth It?
Lovevery Explorer Play Kit For Ages 9 + 10 Months Review
19. Play Scarves
Give your baby practice strengthening their hand-eye coordination with some play scarves. These are relatively inexpensive toys that are open-ended and can be used for years. Sarah’s Silks are a trusted and loved brand that carries high-quality play silks. This line also contains wrist streamers, dress-up clothes, and more! Play silks grow with your child too. There are other options as well, depending on your budget!
For babies, hang silk from the car seat or stroller handle and let them work on hand-eye coordination as they try to reach for it. You can also thread linking rings through the silk and get those little fingers working to remove them.
20. Gathre Mat
The Gathre mat has been one of my most favorite baby items. From the days my baby was a newborn, I’d sit with her on the mat and as she got older and was learning to crawl the mat was and still is one of our favorite items. My baby girl would crawl around the mat and now she uses it to sit down and play with her toys. It’s a nice soft place to sit. I’d often lay down there while she played.
The mat you see here is the padded midi+ mat.
You can’t go wrong with any of the items from this list! They are all high quality, educational and fun! Don’t forget that it is also important to sing with your child and read, read, read!
Shumee
I couldn’t agree more with the importance of choosing safe and developmentally appropriate toys for infants. Your breakdown of toys by stages is really insightful.