Baby Toys by Age: Best Picks for Newborns to 24 Months

Baby toys by age matter because a newborn does not need the same toy as a 12-month-old. Babies grow fast, and their play changes quickly too.

However, parents do not need to buy every cute toy on the shelf. A few safe, useful toys can do more than a room full of noisy plastic. Also, let’s be honest, some baby toys entertain parents for five minutes and annoy them for five months.

In this guide, we picked simple toy ideas for babies from newborn to 24 months. We focused on safe play, movement, sensory learning, and age-appropriate development.

Why Baby Toys by Age Matter

Choosing baby toys by age helps parents match toys with what babies can actually do.

For example, newborns mostly look, listen, and feel. Meanwhile, older babies start reaching, sitting, crawling, stacking, pulling, and pretending. Therefore, the best toy is not always the most expensive one. It is the one your baby can safely use at that stage.

Safety also matters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says children’s products for kids under 3 that create choking, aspiration, or ingestion hazards from small parts are banned hazardous substances. You can read the official CPSC guidance on small parts and toy safety.

Best Baby Toys by Age: Quick Table

Best Toys for Newborns: 0–3 Months

For newborns, keep toys simple.

We picked high-contrast cards, soft rattles, soft baby books, and unbreakable baby mirrors. These toys support looking, listening, and gentle touching.

NAEYC recommends toys for young infants that babies can reach for, hold, shake, listen to, and look at, such as rattles, soft dolls, textured balls, board books, pictures of faces, and unbreakable mirrors.

Also, parents can use these toys during short tummy time or calm play. However, do not overload newborns with too much noise or flashing light.

Best picks: high-contrast cards, soft rattle, soft book, baby-safe mirror.

Best Toys for 3–6 Month Old Babies

At 3–6 months, babies often start reaching, grabbing, kicking, and exploring with their mouths. Therefore, toys should support touch, movement, and safe chewing.

We like tummy time mats, soft teething toys, crinkle toys, and large sensory balls. Also, these toys help babies practice reaching and rolling.

However, always check the age label. KidsHealth says toys for young children should be large enough so they cannot be swallowed or lodged in the windpipe, and it gives size guidance for safer toy selection. Read the guide on choosing safe toys.

Best picks: tummy time mat, teething toy, crinkle toy, sensory ball.

Best Toys for 6–9 Month Old Babies

This is a fun age because babies become more active.

For 6–9 months, we picked soft blocks, stacking cups, rolling toys, and activity cubes. These toys help babies grab, pass objects between hands, bang, stack, drop, and chase.

Also, stacking cups are underrated. Babies can stack them, knock them down, hide things under them, and use them during bath play. Basically, they are tiny plastic cups with a full-time job.

UnityPoint Health also supports the idea of choosing toys by developmental stage, with age-based toy suggestions for babies and toddlers.

Best picks: stacking cups, soft blocks, rolling ball, simple activity cube.

Best Toys for 9–12 Month Old Babies

At 9–12 months, many babies start crawling, pulling up, pointing, and exploring cause-and-effect.

So, we picked shape sorters, push toys, musical toys with volume control, and object permanence toys like peekaboo boxes.

However, avoid tiny shapes that can become choking hazards. Also, check that push toys feel stable enough for your baby’s stage.

If your baby is becoming more active, you can also read our guide on best baby climbing toys.

Best picks: shape sorter, stable push toy, musical toy, peekaboo toy.

Best Toys for 12–18 Month Old Babies

Between 12 and 18 months, babies often become little explorers. They walk, carry things, push things, open things, and sometimes hide your TV remote like it owes them money.

For this age, we like walking toys, large wooden puzzles, pretend play toys, and nesting toys. Also, simple toys that let babies copy daily life can work well.

For example, toy phones, soft dolls, play food, and large pretend tools can support imagination. However, keep pieces big and age-appropriate.

Best picks: walking toy, large puzzle, pretend phone, nesting cups.

Best Toys for 18–24 Month Toddlers

At 18–24 months, toddlers want more challenge.

We picked large building blocks, simple art toys, climbing toys, musical instruments, and basic learning toys. These toys support movement, creativity, hand control, and problem-solving.

Also, this age group loves repetition. So, if your toddler wants to build the same block tower 19 times, that is normal. You are not stuck in a time loop. Probably.

For more ideas, check our guide on best educational toys for toddlers.

Best picks: large blocks, washable crayons, climbing toy, simple drum, matching toy.

Baby Toys Safety Tips for Parents

Before buying baby toys, check these points:

• Follow the age label.
• Avoid small parts.
• Avoid loose magnets.
• Avoid button batteries.
• Check seams on soft toys.
• Avoid sharp edges.
• Check recalls before buying used toys.
• Pick washable toys when possible.

Also, the CPSC has a recall page where parents can check unsafe products. This is useful if you buy second-hand toys or receive older toys from family. Visit the CPSC recalls page before using second-hand baby toys.

Final Thoughts on Baby Toys by Age

Overall,baby toys by age help parents choose smarter.

Newborns need simple sensory toys. Meanwhile, 6-month-olds need toys they can grab and explore. After that, older babies and toddlers need toys that support movement, stacking, sorting, pretending, and problem-solving.

Finally, do not stress about buying everything. A few safe, useful toys are enough. Babies learn from toys, but they also learn from your voice, face, hands, and daily play.

FAQs

What are the best baby toys by age?

The best baby toys by age include high-contrast cards for newborns, tummy time toys for 3–6 months, stacking cups for 6–9 months, shape sorters for 9–12 months, and blocks or pretend play toys for toddlers.

What toys are best for newborns?

High-contrast cards, soft rattles, soft books, and unbreakable baby mirrors are good newborn toy ideas.

What toys are good for 6-month-old babies?

Tummy time mats, sensory balls, stacking cups, soft blocks, and teething toys can work well for many 6-month-old babies.

What baby toys should parents avoid?

Avoid toys with small parts, loose magnets, button batteries, sharp edges, weak seams, or age labels meant for older children.