The 18 Best Newborn Toys to Engage Your Little One

Spark your little one’s curiosity for music with this take-along toy for newborns from Baby Einstein. The plush, smiling star plays six classical tunes and has gentle light features that are sure to keep your infant engaged. Best of all? The musical toy can even be clipped to baby’s car seat or stroller for entertainment while you’re out and about. I had this toy with all three of my children, and it's among the best diaper bag secret weapons around—many a family lunch or dinner out was saved just because we had it at the ready to quell meltdowns.

Introducing baby to tummy time? Floor mirror toys for newborns keep little eyes and minds engaged while they strengthen their motor skills. Take this pick, for instance. It features a high-contrast design, soft teething elements and a large mirror to help develop baby’s budding social skills. Plus, this newborn toy is portable and can be stored flat for your convenience.

This infant toy is a beloved classic. The adorable giraffe is flexible and easy for tiny hands to hold on to—plus, it gently squeaks when squeezed. And for your peace of mind, the teether is made from natural rubber and food-grade paints that are BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free.

Not sure what to gift the infant in your life? You can’t go wrong with a play kit from Lovevery. This particular option contains a variety of age-appropriate newborn toys designed to stimulate little ones up to 12 weeks old. The high-contrast images and sensory toys​ will help baby create new brain connections as they become more aware of the world around them. When my 15-month-old was a newborn, we could attach the squishy sensory links to his Play Gym, or bring them with us on errands. My husband would run into the store while I sat in the backseat with my son, squeezing and crunching the caterpillar tubes to his absolute delight. And now that he’s older and starting to communicate, he loves bringing the wooden flip book over to me, turning each page and pointing to the black and white animals while we talk through the unique sounds each makes.

Next up on our list of the best toys for infants is this too-cute soother. The plush hedgehog plays relaxing music and vibrations to calm baby as they cuddle it. And when this stuffed animal is in need of a bath after going on adventures with your little one, simply remove its electronics and pop it in the washing machine.

Teeny-tiny hands love to explore new textures, which makes this crinkly leaf a top-notch newborn toy in our eyes. Baby can grab, squish and squash these high-contrast leaves to their delight. Plus, the lightweight design makes them ideal travel toys.

This colorful newborn toy has over 30,000 five-star reviews on Amazon—and we can see why. The captivating teether is made up of various, BPA-free tubes for your child to chew and hold on to. It’s a great toy to encourage your little one to grip and flex (and as baby gets older, it’ll become the first toy they start throwing around the room—before the obsession with balls comes to pass). Plus, the middle contains a rattle for extra auditory fun. If baby is teething, feel free to place it in the fridge before playtime to provide additional comfort and relief.

Does your infant keep losing their pacifier? Then this newborn toy is a must-have. The mini stuffed animal will help them keep track of their binky whether they’re playing, cuddling or snoozing. Parents also say that pacifiers are less likely to fall out of their infant’s mouth, thanks to this plushie—I know my daughter wouldn’t go anywhere without her unicorn, lamb and llama. Not only were they absolutely adorable, but they also sported her favorite silicone binkie!

Black-and-white infant toys stimulate developing minds without overwhelming them. This board book is full of high-contrast images of baby animals that your child is sure to love. What’s more, its durable design can withstand being chewed, tossed, stacked and anything else your little busybody has in mind.

On the hunt for an adorable activity gym for baby? Look no further than this pick from Skip Hop. Your newborn will love exploring their senses by experimenting with the mat’s textures, sounds and colors. This play gym includes more than 17 activities designed to support baby’s development, as well as five hanging toys for infants, like an avocado-shaped rattle and a musical bunny.

Like a few other standouts on this list, this Oball Shaker Rattle was legendary with my three babies (during their newborn days and well beyond). We kept one in the playroom, one in our car’s center console, one in the diaper bag and one at grandma’s house; I’m not exaggerating, we needed one in close proximity anywhere we went. Not only is the rattle lightweight and super portable—one of the easiest toys to throw into any diaper bag, tote or backpack—it’s also incredibly baby-friendly. The extra large finger holes and textured handle make easy work for babies under three months. And BPA-free plastic is all the peace of mind parents need when you see your kiddo mouthing it from top to bottom. Once it’s covered in drool, you can spot-clean with a damp cloth and some mild soap, easy peasy.

One of the first things that strikes a new parent is how much personality baby has right from the start. Whether you're searching for the perfect baby shower gift or giving yourself and your new sidekick a little treat, the Build A Baby Gift Box from Rookie Humans lets you create a custom present that will be perfectly tailored to your new and unique little loved one. Start by choosing one of seven adorable themes, then fill your box with bedding and matching toys. Needless to say, this newborn gift set is just what the stork ordered.

Too-cute graphics? Check. Crinkly texture? Check. Age-appropriate activities? Check. This newborn toy has it all. The colorful soft book contains several pages to stimulate baby’s growing awareness of their surroundings. All five of your infant’s senses will be engaged, thanks to the book’s squeaking songbird, teething corner and soft mirror.

On the hunt for a snuggly security blanket for your little joey? The soft and cuddly handfeel on this B. Toys Koala Lovey provides a sense of warmth and familiarity, promoting a soothing and altogether calming environment for your sweet new family member. Koko also sports a special crinkle spot that is both engaging and stimulating for your baby. The sensory element creates a fun surprise for newborns, encourages their curiosity and kickstarts their sensory development. Plus, how cute is that tuft of teal hair up top?

Though your newborn can’t stack and sort these blocks just yet, they can still have fun discovering their stimulating colors and textures. A yellow seahorse, smiling sea turtle, soft satin seashell and cascading blue waves are just a few of the delights offered by this infant toy. My baby boy loved reaching for these blocks whenever he was having a tummy time session. We never wanted to exhaust him, but with every week that went by (following his cues, of course), we would move the blocks a bit further out of reach, to encourage him to move, extend his arms and even start pivoting, with time.

I personally loved (and still do) tugging at the blue octopus tentacle and letting it retreat back. I would touch my little guy’s arm as it vibrated and he’d giggle to no end.

The best toys for newborns are designed to stimulate all five of baby’s senses, and this vibrant learning cube is no exception. The developmental toy for infants features high-contrast graphics to support visual learning and pattern recognition. Plus, the cube will help baby learn cause and effect as they experiment with its various textures and activities.

Scoop up some sweet sensory fun for your newborn with the Melissa & Doug Ice Cream Take-Along Infant Toy! This scrumptious little travel buddy offers a variety of textures, from smooth cotton to cozy corduroy, all to stimulate your babe's sense of touch. When baby expands the cone like an accordion, they’ll get a taste of four colorful flavors with different emoticon-style expressions. The vibration adds a sprinkle of excitement to soothe and entertain your baby, while the strawberry chewy charm lets them nibble away teething pain and sensitive gums. And with the clip-on design, this toy can go with you anywhere!

Last on our list of the best toys for newborns is this sensory key ring from Fat Brain Toys. The Dimpl Clutch consists of three squishy, textured silicone toys for baby’s hands (and mouth!) to explore. Whether you’re playing at home, in the car or anywhere in between, this portable newborn toy will be there to keep baby occupied.