Choosing Toys That Help Your Baby Grow and Learn

What Parents Should Know About Selecting The Perfect First Playthings

What Babies Really See and Love

Did you know babies see best at a distance of 8-12 inches, just about the distance between your face and theirs during feeding time? They're naturally drawn to strong contrasting colors, especially red and black patterns.

This is why simple rattles and picture books with bold, contrasting colors are such wonderful first toys. These aren't just entertaining—they're providing important visual stimulation that helps develop your baby's brain and vision!

Your Baby's Favorite "Toy" Is You!

Here's the most wonderful secret about baby development: You are the absolute best "toy" your baby could ever have! The gentle games of peekaboo, the songs you sing together, your animated expressions, and the sound of your voice provide the richest possible experiences for your baby's developing brain.

Those special moments of connection between you and your baby—the smiles, coos, and babbles you exchange—create the foundation for all future learning and development.

A Gentle Note About Screens

In our digital world, it's important to know that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for children under 18-24 months, except for those bonding video chats with faraway grandparents or family members.

Your baby learns best through touching, moving, and exploring real objects—and most importantly, through connecting with you! The physical world offers so many rich sensory experiences that screens simply can't match them at best, and at worst, they take time away from essential bonding and sensorimotor experiences that are the foundation of future growth.

The Magic of Simple Toys

When your baby grasps a rattle for the first time or reaches for a soft block, they're actually working on important skills:

• Learning to open and close their hands (grasping)

• Connecting what they see with how they move (eye-hand coordination)

• Building strength in those tiny fingers (fine motor skills)

The simplest toys often offer the richest learning experiences for your baby.

For Newborns to 3 Months:

• High-contrast black and white or red and black pattern cards (placed 8-12 inches from baby's face)

• Soft rattles with easy-to-grasp handles

• Cloth books with bold, simple pictures in contrasting colors

• Soft mirrors designed for infant use

For 3-6 Months:

• Textured teething toys of different materials

• Soft blocks with different textures and sounds

• Lightweight rattles that encourage reaching and grasping

• Simple cause-and-effect toys that respond to touch

For 6-9 Months:

• Stacking rings (large enough to not be choking hazards)

• Balls with textured surfaces and embedded rattles

• Push-and-pull toys that encourage movement

• Board books with simple, colorful pictures

For 9-12 Months:

• Nesting cups or suction cups

• Shape sorters with large pieces

• Toys that encourage crawling and cruising

• Simple musical instruments like drums or maracas

Smart Shopping Tips for Baby Toys

When browsing for your baby's toys, keep these helpful guidelines in mind:

• Safety first: Choose toys without small parts that could pose choking hazards

• Keep it simple: Babies are easily overwhelmed by toys with too many lights, sounds, and features. Avoid them!

• Look for versatility: The best toys can be used in multiple ways as your baby grows and develops new skills

Browse our carefully selected toys in our Amazon storefront, chosen specifically to support your baby's natural development.