21 Best Toys for 3-Month-Olds, According to Play Type

Play gyms are a classic for a reason. They offer a rich sensory environment that’s ideal for 3-month-olds who are slowly beginning to explore the world on their backs and their tummies—and the Lovevery Play Gym does just that. With built-in developmental zones for baby to discover, they can investigate new textures, colors and sounds as they shift positions or when a caregiver adjusts what’s in their view. “[She] really enjoys this gym,” shares new mom, Niki, who tested the play gym with her 3-month-old daughter. “It seems like every time we play on it there's something new to explore or discover, whether it's looking around at the high-contrast tent or practicing tracking with one of the removable sound squares.”

The key to Lovevery is that different zones are suited to different ages and stages of play. “Some seem like they'll be more interesting to my daughter when she's a bit older,” confirms Niki. “Which is great (most play gyms are starting to bore her a little already) while others are capturing her attention right now.” Exploring the textured fabrics and ribbons while in tummy time and kicking the sound squares when she's on her back are her 3-month-old’s current favorites. “We also take the various hanging toys down for her to play with at times, and she's been going to town on the rubber teething ring wrapped in brightly colored crinkly fabric,” Niki says.

Setup takes a few extra minutes, but once assembled, the gym feels sturdy and thoughtfully designed. The included high-contrast canopy adds a cozy, visually focused environment, especially great for young babies who thrive on bold patterns. Plus, all the toys, including the hanging elements and sound squares, detach for standalone play, while the mat’s machine-washable fabric makes upkeep manageable (even if it tends to attract lint and pet hair).

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: Yes

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Tummy time toys don’t always have to be bright and bold to catch baby’s eye, and this adorable animated penguin is a great example of that. The soft, singing plush is recommended by Sarno because its simple movements and calm interaction support cognitive development and help introduce early skills like imitation and object permanence. “It was stimulating for baby and kept her entertained despite not having an array of bright, flashing lights or contrasting colors,” praises mom of four Jennifer, who tested the plush toy with her 3-month-old. “In fact, she was actually engaged with this toy longer than many other toys that we’ve used.”

Jennifer’s daughter loved watching Kissy the Penguin’s arms move while it sang and talked about blowing kisses. “I laid her on her tummy in front of it and she pushed herself up as long as she could to watch the penguin move,” she says. Jennifer appreciated that it wasn’t overstimulating no matter how long they played with it, and that it offered a comforting presence during playtime. “My baby is also just starting to roll over more regularly, and there were numerous times where she would roll herself toward Kissy The Penguin,” she shares. “I loved that the super soft, cuddly plush wouldn’t hurt her if she rolled into it.”

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: Yes | Assembly required: No

Created specifically with little fingers in mind, the Bright Starts Oball Easy Grasp Shaker Rattle features flexible, yet firm material on each end for baby to squeeze and hold. The textured handle contains colorful beads that create a soft rattle sound with every move. Thanks to its easy-grasp design, our tester Jennifer tells us that the Oball was her 3-month-old’s favorite rattle. Her infant could loop her fingers through the ends and actually hold it herself. “She enjoyed the soft sounds it made when she moved it around and even chewed on the ends of it like a teether,” shares the new mom. Although some customers found the sound to be too soft, Jennifer found it to be perfect for her 3-month-old. “It was loud enough to get her attention without startling her or being overstimulating,” she explains.

What’s more, Jennifer also awarded this simple yet impressive rattle top scores for durability and value for money after testing. “I was shocked that it was priced at less than four dollars! We’ve owned other Bright Starts Oball products in the past and they’ve lasted for many years, so there’s no doubt in my mind that this rattle will stand the test of time,” she tells us. “I anticipate that it could be passed down to multiple children, which I don’t typically expect from toys at this price point.”

Age range: 0 to 3 years | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: No

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If baby’s grip is still a bit too wobbly for a hard plastic rattle, a softer option, like the Burt’s Bees Baby Plush Baby Rattle, may be easier for them to manage. Our tester Olivia used this with her 4-month-old, and she appreciated that the small velour bunny caught her little one’s eye during shared playtime. “My baby was slightly excited when he heard this toy shake. He was smiling and moving his arms and legs back-and-forth. He started reaching for the toy after I played with it for a little bit,” she shares. Survey respondent Cynthia told us that the sweet animal design helped her little one with tracking and grasping as well.

Although Olivia’s infant didn’t hold on to the rattle’s center, “my son did hold onto the ears and the arms more than the body of the rattle,” she says. Soft to the touch, this bunny is made from 100 percent organic cotton, so it’s gentle on sensitive skin—and gums. “[My son] likes chewing on the fabric so he seems to enjoy that texture,” says Olivia. And when this little guy inevitably gets covered in drool, you can pop it in the washing machine. Just keep in mind, baby may not be the only fan of this toy in your household—pets may want a turn too. “My dogs like to steal it,” Cynthia shares.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: No

Touch plays an important role in early development and how babies perceive the world around them. It’s how they take in information about shape, size, temperature and texture. The Winkel’s uniquely open design of smooth, bendable loops encourages tactile exploration and hand-to-mouth coordination. Once they get a little older, it can also be refrigerated and used to provide cooling relief for sore gums while teething—although you might find that baby enjoys exploring the chilled tubes even sooner than that!

Jennifer’s 3-month-old loved the Winkel and immediately was able to grab it without assistance, due to its lightweight design and narrow loops. “Unlike other handheld toys, she was able to hang onto it for extended periods of time and if she dropped it, she was able to grab onto it herself again,” Jennifer shares. Moreover, her infant “was amused by the soft rattle sound when she waved the Winkel around, but especially enjoyed rolling from her back to her side while licking and chewing on the smooth tubes.” Although Jennifer’s daughter isn’t teething quite yet, she was fascinated with the Winkel after it had been refrigerated and always seemed to enjoy the cooling sensation on her hands and mouth.

“Compared to other toys we’ve used, the Winkel kept her entertained the longest, despite its simple design and lack of flashy features. It has been a favorite for my baby and it continues to be one of the first toys that we reach for every day,” Jennifer praises. Its smaller design is perfect for throwing it in the diaper bag when leaving the house and it can come in handy to keep baby entertained during diaper changes when they’re extra squirmy. If you’re looking for an easy-to-hold rattle and sensory teether, the Winkel will be a surefire winner.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: No

When baby is upset, a toy that offers gentle stimulation, like the Fisher-Price Soothe 'n Snuggle Otter, can go a long way. This plush otter’s belly (topped with a softly glowing shell) moves up and down in a slow breathing rhythm, naturally encouraging little ones to follow its lead. It also doubles as a white noise machine, and it can be customized with 30+ minutes of tranquil sounds, including lullabies.

“Both my 2-year-old daughter and 4-month-old son also enjoyed the music, but seemed to gravitate more towards the heartbeat and womb sounds, especially paired with the breathing motion of the toy,” shares our tester, Diana. She also noted that the volume control was effective. “The quietest setting was perfect for being in earshot of baby or kid when they snuggled up with the toy,” she says.

While baby may not interact with the otter too much yet, its calming presence can definitely still be felt. “My baby is still a little too young to fully appreciate all the features it has to offer, but the sounds seemed to be soothing for him too. I think he’ll really enjoy it as he gets older,” Diana tells us. Keep in mind that while it may make baby sleepy, this 3-month-old toy should only be used during awake, supervised cuddle times.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: Yes | Assembly required: No

Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Flip Fish Baby Toy has been a go-to toy for 3-month-olds for years, and it’s easy to see why. The soft fabric fish is packed with thoughtful features for baby to explore, such as crinkly scales, a mix of vibrant textures and patterns and a shatterproof mirror, to name a few. In the months to come, baby may begin to lift the scales to reveal hidden pictures, but for the time being, the mirror is sure to captivate them.

Although your 3-month-old won’t be able to hold on to this fish yet, it can be a great addition to tummy time, which is why we included it in our reaching category. The 13.5-inch infant toy is often delightfully bigger than parents expect it to be, meaning baby won’t be able to miss it. While on their tummy, your child may start batting at the crinkly scales or swipe at the fish with their fist, showing initial signs of their developing hand-eye coordination. And later as baby’s grip develops, the squeaker tail will encourage grasp and finger strength.

Age range: 1+ months | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: No

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Encourage play (and development) on the go with the Lamaze Freddie the Firefly, another beloved 3-month-old toy that’s been around for years—and with good reason. This colorful firefly is complete with plenty of crinkles, rings and graspable textures for baby to reach for from the comfort of their stroller or car seat. Simply use the large clip at the top to secure it on your and baby’s preferred mode of transport.

As the Freddie the Firefly “flies” and dangles in front of your little one while you’re on the move, they’re sure to try batting at it. JillRock96, a member of The Bump community, says that her little one can’t get enough of these travel toys for 3-month-olds. “[My daughter LOVES these toys by Lamaze,” she enthuses. “She loves to look at their faces, and she reaches for them and coos at them.” And when you’re back at home, baby can keep the fun going by playing with this sensory toy during floor or tummy time.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: No

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The Charmer Play Kit is designed for 3- and 4-month-olds, and delivers a mix of playthings that each target a different sense—sight, touch, sound and even early mouthing—to prompt age-appropriate learning experiences. One of those experiences is cause and effect. When baby squeezes or kicks the crinkle bag, for instance, they may notice the sound it produces in response to their movement. According to our tester Jennifer, this was a hit with her 3-month-old. “She really enjoyed the crinkle bag, which she was able to grab and hold onto herself, unlike many other toys. She loved being able to make noise with it herself, but she would also perk up when someone else crinkled it for her,” she shares. The rolling bell and wooden rattle work in a similar way, with sound and movement that follow baby’s own nudges and swipes.

Out of all the toys they tested together, this play kit was an easy favorite for Jennifer and her infant. “I found many of the toys, such as the mirror, crinkle paper and soft book to be perfectly in line with my 3-month-old’s current abilities, and there were other items that she will grow into in the coming weeks,” she praises. “I was especially impressed with the mirror, as it was at the perfect angle for my baby to actually see herself and we didn’t have any issues with getting it to stand up, unlike other floor mirrors we’ve used in the past.”

One downside is that a subscription—which delivers a play kit every two months for the first year—is required to purchase The Charmer. However, you don’t have to worry about signing your life away, as you can easily skip a delivery or cancel the subscription at any time by logging into your online customer account. “In the past, I've felt that the Lovevery kits were higher priced than what I was willing to spend myself. But after handling the kit myself, I’m actually impressed by every aspect of it; it’s well worth the money,” Jennifer tells us. And, as with every Lovevery play kit, it comes with a play guide tailored to this stage, which provides parents with activity ideas suited to foster 3-month-old development.

Age range: 3 to 4 months | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: No

A 3-month-old infant’s eyesight is still developing, so they’re most likely to respond well to bold, high-contrast images. And to help improve their early focus skills, there’s no need to go overboard with lights and sounds. Something as simple as these Wee Gallery Art Cards are sure to pique baby’s interest during playtime. The set includes six double-sided, generously sized cards, complete with 12 hand-drawn animal illustrations, in black-and-white, of course.

Jennifer, who tested these art cards with her 3-month-old was impressed by how well her little one responded to them. “My baby really enjoyed looking at these cards and they kept her entertained during tummy time. While my baby doesn't hate tummy time like some babies do, I could definitely see that she was more interested when these cards were put in front of her due to the high-contrast colors and patterns,” she tells us.

Jennifer tells us that they were great for sibling bonding as well. “[My 3-month-old] also enjoyed when her 3-year-old brother held the card for her or just laid with her and told her about each animal,” she shares. While these cards may look simple, that’s exactly their charm. They help progress baby’s vision development without all the bells and whistles, and at just the right pace.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Assembly required: No