Developmental Toys for Newborns + FAQ

In this article, I’ll share my favorite developmental baby toys for newborns. Some of these toys are my own personal favorites and have been bought or given as gifts to family and friends. Some of these products are a result of my own research to find the best toys for my infant.

Ready? Let’s get started!

Developmental Toys for Newborns FAQ

Here, I’ll be answering some commonly asked questions toys for babies. Most of these questions are asked by first time parents and parents with babies in general.

Do newborns really need toys?

Yes! Toys can help newborns develop many different skills. Once they are able to sit up, they can play with toys that encourage independent play. Sitting on their own and being able to grab toys is a crucial part of gross motor development. When newborns are first beginning to sit up, they can play with toys that encourage them to learn to sit up on their own.

When can my newborn start playing with a rattle and teething rings?

This is recommended to be around 6 months of age and up. It’s important to start introducing your baby to a rattle at this age. Teething rings can be given to newborns as well, but they can usually be given when they are 1 month old.

What toys should a newborn have?

This depends on your baby’s preferences. Some babies love board books, while others enjoy plush toys and books with sound. Every newborn is different! The important thing is to provide entertainment for your baby. This will help them with their physical, social, language, and cognitive development.

How do I keep my newborn entertained?

One way you can keep your newborn entertained is to just play with him or her! When babies are first born, they will be very interested in any face, including yours. Playing peekaboo, and singing songs will keep your baby entertained.

Another way you can keep your baby entertained is to put on a show. This can be done with your parents, siblings, or friends. Last but not least, there’s toys. Keeping your newborn entertained can be done in many different ways!

Should a 1 month old have toys?

This is a question I get asked all the time. This is highly dependent on the baby, so you have to go with your gut! Personally, I gave my baby toys at 1 month old and she loved them. I also recommend giving them a pacifier during this time, so they aren’t trying to suck on things they shouldn’t.

What toys should a 1 month old play with?

This is highly dependent on the baby, but the number one thing to keep in mind is safety! This means no small parts, no hard parts, no toys with strings or ribbons, etc. When shopping, make sure to look at the recommended ages on the box and make sure to use your own better judgement.

How can I stimulate my newborn’s development?

Have we mentioned toys yet? In all seriousness, playing with your baby is the best way to stimulate his or her development. When I say playing with your baby, I mean to give your baby undivided attention and to have fun!

Another way to stimulate your newborn’s development is through communication. It’s important to talk, sing, and read books with your baby. This will teach your baby that language is important and will promote language development in their first year of life.

When should you introduce toys to a newborn?

As I stated above, this is highly dependent on the baby. Some babies will love toys from the beginning, while others will appreciate them later on. Regardless of when you introduce toys to your newborn, it’s a good idea to consult with your pediatrician.

When should a newborn start learning Gross Motor Skills?

This depends on the child. When your child is around 8 to 12 months old, they can start developing Gross Motor Skills. When they first start sitting up, they will love toys that encourage them to learn to sit up on their own. Toys like these are what will build their Gross Motor Skills.

When can you start sensory play with a newborn?

Sensory play is recommended to start around 4 to 5 months of age. This is when they will start being able to grab things in their hands and hold onto them. They will also be willing to play with textures and different textures. At this age, sensory toys for babies are super beneficial.

How do you stimulate a newborn’s brain?

You can stimulate a newborn baby’s brain by playing peekaboo with them, singing songs with them, and playing with them. All of these stimulate their brain and can help with their early childhood development.

What should I do with my 2 week old when awake?

Most babies sleep for about 10 hours a day, so you might wonder what you can do for the other 12 hours! (I swear they spend the other two hours pooping!) In all seriousness, you should be doing everything you can to keep them entertained and happy.

This will help them form good habits that will last for a long time. You can do this by playing with them, reading books to them, singing songs to them, etc. Making sure they’re happy will make you happy!

7 Best Developmental Toys for Newborns

Here’s my look at the seven best developmental toys for newborns in 2022.

Gymini Infant Activity Play

When talking about developmental toys for newborns, play mats are a hot topic. The Gymini Adjustable Arches Multimode Playmat is an excellent choice in this category and is a must-have in your baby’s nursery.

The Gymini is a great gift to your newborn, because it’s not only fun, but it also develops their motor skills. Thanks to the multitude of textures and sounds, your child will find it easy to be active and learn at the same time.

Features of the Gymini activity play mat for babies include 18 developmental activities and toys. The removable arches are adjustable and can be arranged in a variety of ways to enhance your baby’s environment. The arches have different textures and shapes, so that your baby can explore, grab and touch them.

Just remove all the arches to have a play area for tummy time. The mirror that is installed in the toy will allow your baby to look at itself and become more aware. The variety of textures, materials and sounds will provide for a wonderful sensory experience.

Overall, I think that this is a must-have for any nursery. The price of the Gymini is reasonable, and you get hours of fun and entertainment, stimulating your child’s brain. It’s not the best on the market, but I went with price and quality in this determination.

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym

Way back when, I was looking for a play mat for my baby that can be “upgraded” as she grows, and that is just what I found in the Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym. As a newborn, she loved the soft music that came from the mat. As she grew into a crawler, she loved the sound of the piano keys.

Now, as a child that is just learning to walk, the bright colors and fun music bring her joy. I was amazed at how this gym changed as my child grew. It can be used as a tummy time mat for the baby, then a kick-and-play mat for the little one as they learn to kick their legs and play.

Another great feature is that this mat comes with a piano that is light-up and plays music. Once my daughter started walking, she would play with the piano while she was sitting or standing, and it kept her attention for a long time.

Overall, I think this is the best developmental gym on the market. The price is reasonable, and you get hours of fun and entertainment, stimulating your child’s brain. And Fisher Price is a name you can trust, so you know that you’re getting the best quality.

Tiny Love Pack and Go Mini Mobile

Finally! A mobile mobile! Get it. Okay, okay, I’m hoping my sense of humor doesn’t get me in trouble with the boss. In all seriousness, the Tiny Love Pack ‘n Go Mini Mobile is the perfect developmental toy for the busy mama.

The Pack ‘n Go Mini Mobile can go with you everywhere, and will help keep your little one entertained at home or on the go. The Pack ‘n Go Mini Mobile will keep your little one entertained by moving the toys around.

It also has a bell-shaped wind chime that sounds when it is shaken. The mobile can be adjusted to fit most play yards, strollers, and bassinets which makes it super versatile and great for travel.

Overall, I believe that the Pack ‘n Go Mini Mobile is a high quality product that will withstand a lot of wear and tear. It is well worth the price, especially if you’re always on the go like me and my little ones.

Bright Starts Oball Shaker Rattle Toy

The Bright Starts Oball Shaker Rattle Toy is a great toy for my little one. I love that it is firm enough for her to grasp but flexible so that she doesn’t hurt herself. The colors are bright and fun, and the texture is appealing to her senses.

I like the fact it’s BPA free and that it’s easy to clean. Basically, you can just wipe it off with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not immerse it in water since it is an electronic toy. Still, it’s easy to keep it clean. Well, as easy as a toy can get with a baby, I guess.

Overall, I think it’s a great developmental toy that is good for little ones who are learning to grasp and hold things, but even better for older babies who are learning to roll around on their tummies. It’s a basic toy, but it’s also a time-tested classic that will keep your little one entertained for hours on end.

Baby Activity and Teething Toy

This toy is a great way to keep my little girl occupied while we’re looking for a place to park in the crowded mall parking lot. The toy rattles, crinkles and has a soft bandana teether toy, and the colorful character is super cute.

I like that each toy is attached to a wrist band that I can wear around my wrist so I don’t have to stuff it in my purse. It fits easily in my purse and I’m able to get it out fast if she needs to play with it.

Overall, I think it’s a great toy for babies and toddlers who are learning to use their hands to explore their toys. It’s nice that it is comfortable for her little hands to hold and she has lots of fun with the different textures and sounds. It helps with teething too.

Baby Einstein Floor Activity Mirror

This activity mirror and flash card set is great for any baby. I like that it has bright colors, high contrast patterns and that it encourages eye-hand and eye-foot coordination. I like that the cards are made of sturdy material, so they’re easy to clean. They’re also easy to put back together if they get separated.

I like that the mirror is at an angle so it’s easier for the baby to see. It’s great for tummy time! My little one loves looking at herself. It’s great for the times when both of my hands are busy. I can prop the mirror up and she can play with it herself for a bit.

The fact that its also a developmental toy that will help her with cognitive development is just an added bonus for me. I love the fact that this toy is versatile and that I can use it for years to come.

Overall, I think it’s a great developmental toy for newborn babies and toddlers. It helps them see new objects and learn about colors and animals. It will also help with tummy time which can help teach a baby how to hold her head up on her own and eventually lead to crawling.

Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy

Developmental toys for newborns come in all shapes and sizes. My daughter loves the Melissa and Doug Soft Baby Activity Flip Fish toy. It’s a cute and fun fish that has crinkly scales, a long tail and is also a squeaky toy.

This fish toy washes up great and has bright colors that my daughter loves. Its soft texture makes it easy for her to hold onto and she likes to feel the different textures on the fish.

I like that the fish has a squeaker so it makes noise when played with. The toy can be a fun way to help with tummy time, as well as teach colors, counting and animals which is great for childhood development.

Overall, I think this is a great developmental toy for newborns. It helps with tummy time, hand-eye coordination and helps teach colors, animals and counting. I would definitely recommend this product to any parents of newborns. (#TeamUpAllNight)

Developmental Toys for Newborns Conclusion

As you can see from the thousands of words and pictures above, choosing the best developmental toys for newborns is a big job. Rather than stressing yourself out over the massive range of options, check out the information in this guide and narrow down the selection to the right toy for your child.

If you’ve got any questions or comments on this guide, please feel free to check out our growing (we hope!) Facebook group for parents.

Thanks for reading!