The 20 Best Infant Toys of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Teether Toy at Amazon

"Continuous tubes promote clutching and two-handed play, while the middle cube provides a pleasing rattle sound that babies love."

The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys at Amazon

"Eight brightly colored nesting cups are fun for kids to fit together, stack up, or turn over to hide things underneath."

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker at Amazon

"Complete with five piano keys that play music, the walker also encourages creativity and aids them as they take their first steps."

Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack Classic at Amazon

"Little ones can stack and take apart this colorful toy, and learn the basics of size while gaining hand-eye coordination."

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teething Toy at Amazon

"Easy for little hands to grasp, this giraffe-shaped teether is made of chewable rubber to soothe any sore gums."

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick n’ Play Piano Gym at Amazon

"Infants can sprawl on the mat, play with the detachable keyboard, and explore the various colors, sounds, and textures."

Yummy Mitt Teething Mitten at Amazon

"Ideal for infants 3-12 months old, the mitten is easily slipped on, chewable, and free of BPA, latex, and lead."

Lovevery Play Gym at Amazon

"Made with five developmental zones, this 2-in-1 toy is both a play mat and a gym that features removable accessories."

Jellycat Soft Cloth Baby Book at Amazon

"As you build your baby's library, start off a soft cloth book, complete with different animal tails that little hands can grab."

Fat Brain Toys PipSquigz at Amazon

"Kiddos will be entertained by these portable silicone toys that can be stuck together, pulled apart, and squeezed."

Welcoming a new baby with a developmentally appropriate toy is a great idea. When searching for baby gifts, it’s important to review the age guidelines on the packaging to make sure they are suitable for the newest family addition. New parents should be aware of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines that “soft objects, loose bedding, or any objects that could increase the risk of entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation should be kept out of the crib.” Keep the toys in a play space and get ready for some fun.

We've rounded up the best and most adorable toys for the little one in your family.

Our Top Picks

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Teether Toy

4.8

Manhattan Toy Winkel Review

Suitable for babies from 0 to 24 months old, this toy is a mesmerizing maze of safe, soft, and continuous tubes. For gummy little ones, it's a perfect baby teething toy and great for clutching and promoting two-handed play. Parents love that it easily clips on to a stroller.

What Our Editors Say

"This is my six-month-old son's favorite toy, hands down. When my sister-in-law saw him with it, she said it was her son's favorite toy as well, and he's seven now (so you know this is a certified hit that will span multiple babies)." — Julia Warren, VP of Commerce

The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys

A versatile toy, these stacking cups can be fit together, stacked up, built like a tower, or played with in the bath. Each one has unique holes and a number printed on the bottom. Recommended for ages 6 months and up, the eight cups will provide lots of fun.

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

Meant for babies 9 months old to toddlers 3 years old, this learning walker will provide lots of fun and versatility to engage young kids for a long time. Littlest ones can play with the detachable activity panel and early walkers can use this toy to help them move along. Parents appreciate how much is packed into this toy.

Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack Classic

A classic for good reason, this budget-friendly toy has lots of developmental benefits. The stacking helps babies with hand-eye coordination and introduces them to the concept of relative size. Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this toy will engage young kiddos.

Vulli Sophie the Giraffe Teething Toy

A popular toy for many new babies, this sweet and cuddly giraffe is made from natural latex rubber and food quality paint. With a subtle squeak and smooth texture, it's an instant hit with babies. Suitable for newborns to babies 12 months old, it’s perfect for teething babies and the squeaking sound inside is ready to attract a baby’s attention.

Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick n’ Play Piano Gym

Fun for newborns on up, this easy-to-assemble toy is appropriate for so many phases of newborn development. Use it as a playmat, a kick-at musical instrument, and then later a piano for sitting babies. Parents appreciate how engaging the gym is, especially for active babies.

Yummy Mitt Teething Mitten

This innovative, soft teething mitten, made by a Black-owned business, is ideal for teething babies who may not be coordinated enough to hold teethers. The mitten protects the baby from chewing on their hand. Super lightweight and machine washable, it comes in four colors and even has a glow-in-the-dark option.

Lovevery Play Gym

The experts at Lovevery have developed a splurge-worthy play gym, suitable for infants on up, that many parents feel is a must-have piece of gear. The five developmental zones on the mat reveal or conceal areas to prevent overstimulation so that it can grow as your baby develops. The mat promotes focus, features sound-making pieces, encourages sensory expiration, hiding and finding, and exploring color.

Jellycat Soft Cloth Baby Book

Stock an infant’s library with a sweet, soft cloth book that is safe for any age. Pages crinkle with sounds while bright colors and textures attract baby’s attention. Parents love that each book has a fabric Velcro loop for easy attachment to a stroller, car seat, or anything else.

Fat Brain Toys PipSquigz

Great for ages 6 months and up, these three uniquely shaped pipSquigz are made of high-quality silicone. They have suction cups that stick together, pop apart, rattle, have a variety of textures and bright colors. They’re perfect for an on-the-go toy.

Hape Rainbow Xylophone

Introduce your little one to the joys of music and rhythm while showcasing colors and promoting creative and musical play. While the toy is labeled for kids 12 months and up, it’s safe for younger babies while supervised. They will also practice grasping and holding the non-slip sticks and improve their dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Jellycat Bashful Bunny

Irresistibly cute and super soft, this bunny is sure to become a favorite stuffie for years to come. This adorable bunny will be your kiddo's bestie from babyhood to the big kid stage. Safe for all ages, use the appropriate AAP guidelines when sharing stuffed animals with an infant.

Wee Gallery Crinkle Egg

Cute as it is stimulating, infants will love crunching and crackling this cute organic cotton egg toy. While simple, your developing little one will fall in love with the stimulating sound and colors. The adorable and high-contrast design is cute and loveable, perfect for a baby with the same qualities.

Pretty Please Freezer Teethers

Freezer teethers are easy to clean and simple to use. This Black-owned business recommends running the teether under water, freezing for 30 minutes, and then letting your little one enjoy the cooling sensation on sore gums. Cute and effective, this is a sweet and useful toy.

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Toy

Parents love how simple, yet brilliant, this toy is. Babies from 10 months and up can push, pop, poke, and grab this perfectly portable sensory toy. Not only will the Dimpl engage the senses, but it will promote early cause and effect learning.

Fred & Friends Buff Baby Rattle

Fit parents will enjoy adding a buff baby to their family. This silly barbell rattle will have everyone amused while your little baby gets in on the workout. Safe for ages 3 months and up, the rattle is made out of BPA-free plastic.

Oli & Carol Pepita the Apple Teething Toy

Your tot will feel like they are taking a bite out of a real apple with this teething toy. Made from natural Hevea-tree rubber, this realistic apple toy has hand-painted details and is a must-have for teething, bath time, and tactile play. Suitable from birth on up, this lovely apple gets hand-washed.

Fat Brain Toys InnyBin

Great for ages 6 months and up, this toy provides an incredibly unique shape-exploration experience. The innovative shape sorting box comes with six chunky, textured shapes that fit through the elastic bands of the cube. The colorful toy encourages fine motor skills, tactile exploration, and experimentation.

Etsy Crochet Ice Cream Toy Rattle

Treat a little one to a hand-crocheted toy ice cream rattle. Pick from mint, vanilla, or strawberry “flavors” and each rattle is topped with sprinkles and a cherry. The soft rattle is perfect for fine motor skills, cause and effect, and is just plain cute.

Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo

Fat Brain stacking toy — Courtesy of Fat Brain

Perfect for ages 6 months and up, this innovative toy challenges babies to balance, nest, spin, and stack these spheres in gravity-defying angles. Parents appreciate the thoughtful design and versatility of this colorful toy. Don't be surprised if your toddler is playing with this bright toy into their big kid stage.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. Her go-to infant toys are non-musical, easy to wash, and don’t take up a lot of space. Can you tell she has three kids?