The Best Toys and Gifts to Support Baby’s Development from 0-6 Months

Playtime is essential to your baby’s development, here are our favorite toys for learning and fun.

By Briana Engelbrecht and Amylia Ryan

Medically Reviewed by Holly Peretz OT
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson

Published Oct 16, 2024|Updated On Jan 14, 2025

Published Oct 16, 2024Updated On Jan 14, 2025

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It may seem like all your baby is doing during their first six months of life is sleeping, eating and pooping—but there’s actually some pretty cool stuff going on behind the scenes. Babies' brains are busy developing at a rapid pace. In addition to their valuable day-to-day interactions with you, play is a great way to encourage and support your little one’s development. Providing babies with a safe space on the floor to explore their body and surroundings and offering age- and developmentally-appropriate toys encourages them to practice their skills and have fun while doing it.

Before I was an editor at Babylist, I studied early childhood development and taught preschool. When choosing toys for your new baby, I look for toys that are safe (number one), simple and inspire exploration and open-ended play. Things like rattles and other grabbing toys, balls, activity gyms and board books provide a rich sensory experience and encourage developmental milestones during your baby's first six months.

Whether you’re looking for a few new toys to add to your baby’s collection or the perfect gift for a little one in your life, here are our favorite toys for babies between the ages of 0-6 months (and be sure to check out our guide for the best toys for the next stage, too!)

Best Toys for Tummy Time

Between 0-2 months, your baby will start holding their head up and noticing things in their surroundings. A play gym is the perfect spot for them to work on neck, core and arm strength during tummy time and also observe the world around them. Providing a few simple, high-contrast toys is a bonus for stimulating visual development.

Best Toys for Hand-Eye Coordination

Around 2-4 months, your baby will make an exciting discovery—they have hands! Black and white high-contrast images help develop baby’s vision but don’t forget fun colors too. Engaging, easily graspable toys will motivate them to use those little arms and hands to move (working on depth perception and fine motor skills).

Best Soft Books for Young Babies

Reading with your baby not only inspires a future bookworm, but it’s also great for language development. These soft, chewable (and indestructible) books are perfect for young babies to explore and introduce them to new words.

Best Toys for On-the-Go Entertainment

Babies really seem to “wake up” around the four-month mark. And it’s also a time when a lot of parents feel ready to face outings with a little one. These bright toys easily attach to strollers or infant car seats that clip onto a stroller basefor lots of fun on the go (just make sure to remove any toys from your baby’s car seat before putting them back in the car).

The Best Toys and Gifts to Support Baby’s Development from 0-6 Months