Toys

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. They’re learning all about the world around them, just by being in it. 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. Here is our list of favorite baby toys for 0-6 months.

Realistically, babies are perfectly fine playing with stuff you have around the house, like wooden spoons and plastic food containers, so don’t feel obligated to break the bank on toys. The best baby toys have features that help with developing eyesight, fine motor skills and an ever-growing curiosity about their world—and, of course, are safe. Read more tips on choosing engaging baby toys in our shopping guide.

Playards (FKA playpens) are a safe place to contain your baby when they’re not in their crib. Playards sit either directly on the floor or slightly above it and have mesh sides for breathability and visibility. Many have helpful add-ons like bassinets, changing stations and organizer pockets, and some are even designed specifically for travel. While not an absolute must-have, many parents-to-be choose to add a playard to their baby registry. Here’s our list of best playards.

Most baby playmats are versatile and can be used on various floor types, including hardwood, carpet and tile. Ensure the playmat has a non-slip backing for stability. As your little one goes from cuddly baby to curious crawler to playful toddler, a larger designated for play can be helpful. Our baby floor mat buying guide can help you find durable options that stand up to playtime and look great in your home.

Whether you call it a playmat, play gym or an activity gym, the idea is the same: a brightly colored and interactive mat for your baby’s play time. They come in lots of different sizes, shapes and themes and provide a safe, comfy spot for your little one to relax, play and work on their developing skills. These entertaining playmats will keep your baby busy and offer a clean space for babies to practice tummy time, develop motor skills, and engage in sensory play.

Consider features like soft and durable materials, easy-to-clean surfaces, non-slip bottoms, colorful patterns, stimulating textures and additional features like toys or hanging mobiles. The best playmats offer a variety of visuals, sounds and textures, whereas our editor’s favorite swings and bouncers may only have one or two small plush toys.

Warm water, some bubbles and a few bath toys create a whole new sensory world for babies and toddlers to play in. Right around six to nine months old is when babies start loving bath time play. While it may start with just splashing in the water, these baby-friendly bath toys can take things up a notch. These are our favorite bath toys for babies.