The best 5 Toys for Infants (0-12 months)
5/19/2023
As a parent, the first year of your baby's life is filled with precious moments and exciting milestones. And in this journey, suitable toys can make a difference. They bring smiles and giggles and aid in developing essential skills.
So, after careful observations, adorable laughs, and lots of drool, we've compiled a list of the top 5 toys my little one couldn't get enough of during their first year.
So, dear parents, brace yourselves for a baby-approved guide to the best toys for your little explorer!
Here is the complete list of what we think are the best 5 toys for babies 0-12 months old:
1) See, Touch, Feel (A First Sensory Book) - by Roger Priddy
"See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book" is the baby book equivalent of a wild, interactive amusement park! With its bright photos and inviting textures, it dares your baby to explore and play.
Touch a snail's shell swirl? Check. Follow a finger trail? Check. Admire themselves in a shiny mirror? Triple check. But this book isn't just a joyride, oh no! It's also a stealthy language and motor skills tutor, evolving with your baby's growth. So, buckle up, folks! This book promises a sensory joyride with a side of learning!
Pros:
Affordable: Customers feel it's an excellent value for the price.
Engaging: Vibrant colors, varied textures, and mirrors keep babies interested.
Educational: The book helps babies trace shapes and stimulates sensory development.
Quality: The book is sturdy and well-made, making it long-lasting.
Great gift: Many customers believe it's a good choice for a baby shower gift.
Cons:
Lack of variety in textures: Some parents were disappointed by the lack of diverse textures, with most being raised in smooth areas of the paper.
Size: Some customers found the book too large for a baby's lap.
Content: A few parents felt the book could have been more creative and relevant to a baby's daily experiences.
Price:
2) Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym
Imagine a one-stop shop for your baby's playtime – that's this activity gym. It's like a pint-sized carnival of learning, with roles changing faster than a chameleon in a bag of Skittles.
One minute it's a lay & play mat; the next, it's a sit & play, even a 'grab & go' for those adventurous park trips. Real piano notes? Check! An orchestra of toys? Double-check! And the mat's so soft; your baby might think they're on a cloud.
Did I mention the packaging is as frustration-free as a bubble wrap pop? Now that's what I call a 'baby's day out'!
Pros:
Engages babies for extended periods and aids in developing motor skills.
Portable and fits into standard pack 'n play beds for easy transport and use.
It can be adapted as the child grows (e.g., removing the piano).
It contains multiple features that babies enjoy (e.g., lights, toys, sounds).
Helpful for tummy time and stimulating physical activity.
Babies enjoy the colorful design and the sound of the keyboard.
Some reviewers mentioned it's easy to assemble.
Cons:
It may become less suitable as the baby matures or moves more.
The mat's material may be too slick, causing difficulty for babies trying to hold themselves up.
Price:
3) InnyBin
Get ready, folks. We've hit the kiddie jackpot! Feast your eyes on the "InnyBin" – an ingenious shape-sorting box. It's got six different squishy, uniquely-textured shapes, including a cube, a diamond, and an oddly happy logo (we're not kidding).
Your tiny Einsteins will push these shapes through elastic bands, sparking a curiosity riot and boosting their fine motor skills. And, nope, it doesn't stop there – this cube is a safe, BPA-free bundle of joy that could survive a baby Godzilla. So, learning shapes will now be as easy as a pie...or a sphere!
Pros:
Stimulates Senses: The toy provides auditory and tactile stimulation that infants find appealing.
Encourages Problem-Solving: It challenges children to figure out how to remove and replace the shapes, promoting cognitive development.
Appeals to a Wide Age Range: It is suitable for and enjoyed by infants and toddlers of various ages, from 6 months to 1.5 years.
Offers Storage: The cube can hold various items, making it a functional toy.
Quality and Design: The product boasts vibrant colors and a unique and aesthetically pleasing design.
Cons:
Hard Material: The shapes are made of hard plastic, which may not be as enjoyable for babies as softer materials.
Price:
View On Fat Brain Toys: $27.95
4) Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book - Whose Feet?
Get ready to wiggle some toes with "Whose Feet?", an adorable croc star of a soft activity book by Melissa & Doug. This isn't your ordinary tome – it has dangly feet, a giggle-worthy story, and vibrant art that'll put a rainbow to shame.
Can't find crocodile's feet? Flip the pages and join the fun! It's super easy to clean (thanks, washing machine!) and a great way to inspire some screen-free play. Best part? It comes with a 100% happiness guarantee – if your kiddo isn't delighted, they'll turn that frown upside down. Happy foot-finding!
Pros:
Machine washable: Parents don't have to worry about spills and stains. They can toss it in the washing machine.
Durable and safe: Babies can grab, throw, and bite it without fearing the book getting damaged or the baby getting hurt.
Interactive: It comes with animal feet and a squeaky alligator head, providing different ways for the baby to engage with the book.
A source of comfort: The text and noises can help calm a fussy baby, even during stressful moments such as medical examinations.
Cons:
Difficult to operate squeaker: The squeaker in the alligator's head is challenging for a young child to press.
Short content: Some parents expected more pages and found the story too fast.
Price:
View On Melissa & Doug: $14.99
5) Sophie the Giraffe Teether
Meet Sophie, the Giraffe teether, the queen of gnaw-land! She hails from the French Alps, boasting 100% natural rubber and a no-nonsense diet of phthalates and BPA-free food paint.
With a figure slender enough for your baby's grip, she squeaks when squeezed, bringing joy to any teething drama. Her ears, horns, and legs offer extra chewy delight.
Though her food-paint makeup might fade, each hand-painted Sophie is as unique as your baby's giggle. Remember, Sophie is a land animal - she doesn't enjoy swimming or steamy sauna trips in sterilizers or dishwashers!
Pros:
Adorable and Engaging: The toy's cute design makes babies look even more precious when playing with it, and they seem to love the squeaking sound.
Safe for Babies: It's 100% natural, and parents can feel at ease knowing that no synthetic materials are going into their baby's mouth.
Easy to Grab: Its design is friendly for babies learning to grab, with smaller parts like the legs, neck, and head perfect for tiny hands.
Soft and Chewable: Sophie is gentle enough for teething babies to chew on without the risk of injury but tough enough not to get punctured.
Non-obnoxious Color: Parents appreciate the subtle colors compared to other brighter and more visually intrusive toys.
Pleasant Scent: Both parents and babies seem to appreciate the good smell of the toy.
Cons:
Cleaning Concerns: There are potential cleaning issues, as water can enter the squeaker and possibly cause mold growth. Clear cleaning instructions are lacking.
Potential Pet Toy Confusion: The squeaking sound can attract pets, especially dogs that might mistake it for their toys.
On the Pricey Side: Despite its positive attributes, some parents consider Sophie slightly expensive, but most seem to think it's worth it.
Price: