Toys & Gifts Infants & Toddlers The 8 Best Tummy Time Toys of 2023 By Maya Polton Maya Polton LinkedIn Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 11, 2022 Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD Fact checked by Elaine Hinzey, RD LinkedIn Elaine Hinzey is a fact checker, writer, researcher, and registered dietitian. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. VeryWell / Jaclyn Mastropasqua Tummy time is an important developmental activity for young babies under six months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting tummy time soon after birth for short 3-5 minute sessions. Tummy time helps babies gain muscle strength in their necks as they learn to lift their heads. The time spent on their bellies also helps develop gross motor strength for milestones like rolling over and crawling, and tummy time toys can help guide them in this development. While many babies enjoy tummy time, others dread laying on their belly. When purchasing tummy time toys, look for items with mirrors, musical sounds, and those with rattles and squeaky objects attached to make tummy time entertaining and exciting. If you’re looking for a toy that will last, some tummy toys can attach to a stroller, while others can convert to a seat for your growing baby. To find the best tummy time toys, we looked for fun toys that encourage babies to spend time on their bellies. Because tummy toys are used by infants, we also considered each toy for safety. We also had a family physician on our Review Board review this article for accuracy and integrity surrounding safe and appropriate toys for tummy time. Finally, we evaluated the tummy time toy’s ability to grow with your baby as they reach new developmental milestones. Based on our reviews, these are the best tummy time toys on the market today. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time & Seated Support at Walmart Jump to Review Best Mirror: Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror at Amazon Jump to Review Best with Music: Fat Brain Toys Rock 'n Roller Piano at Walmart Jump to Review Best Visual: teytoy Tummy Time Floor Mirror at Amazon Jump to Review Best Electronic: Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Activity Station at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable: MAGIFIRE Tummy Time Baby Water Mat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Play Mat: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Manhattan Toy Soft Songbird Pat Mat at Walmart Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look for FAQ Why Trust Verywell Family More Toys for Kids Best Overall Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time & Seated Support Walmart View On Walmart View On Boscovs.com This tummy time toy tops our list thanks to its versatility and because it is suitable for newborns through 18 months. The Infantino 2-in-1 toy can be molded into different shapes as your baby grows. For infants, the soft fabric toy unfolds like a snake to provide tummy time support as the baby develops head and neck muscles. It also includes a detachable mirrored crinkle toy and a BPA-free teether to motivate babies to reach and grasp. As your baby develops more strength and is learning to sit up, the convertible toy stacks to make a supportive and comfortably padded chair. Parent reviewers appreciate the gender-neutral design, and that no assembly is required. Price at time of publication: $37 Best Mirror Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Babylist.com Mirror toys for babies are a smart way to help tots to stay engaged while on their tummy. Once they can sit up, this toy is still loads of fun. The smart and sturdy easel-style toy features a large, true reflection mirror which helps your baby focus on a human face and promotes vision development. Besides the mirror, there are high contrast toys like a ball and ladybug that are fun for tactile exploration and peek-a-boo. Reviewers are amazed by how much the mirror interests their babies and makes tummy time last so much longer. Price at time of publication: $21 Best with Music Fat Brain Toys Rock 'n Roller Piano Fat-brain-toys View On Walmart View On Fatbraintoys.com View On Zulily.com A colorful xylophone with rolling wheels, this pick makes sounds like ringing bells, so young kids will enjoy playing some tunes. Great for tummy time, the musical toy is well made, has pleasant chimes (no parent earplugs needed), the rollers are easily activated, and the colors are vibrant. Parents should note, this toy does come with a mallet, which is appropriate for older babies but shouldn’t be used by young babies. Price at time of publication: $37 The 9 Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages of 2023 Best Visual teytoy Tummy Time Floor Mirror Amazon View On Amazon View On Teytoy.com As their vision develops, babies respond to the strong contrast between black and white colors. This high contrast mat will capture your child’s attention during tummy time, extending how long they’ll be engaged. Super lightweight, this activity mat is versatile as you can put it in a triangle position or flat on the floor for tummy time to stimulate your baby. For life on the go, the mat can be attached to the back of a car seat’s headrest, crib, car seat, or stroller so your baby can continue to play. In addition to the black and white images, there’s a big mirror and touchable textured attached toys to play with. Price at time of publication: $16 Best Electronic Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Activity Station Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Buybuy BABY If bells and whistles will engage your baby during tummy time, then this pick is for them! Easy to activate, this u-shaped musical and light-up bar is fun and interactive for little ones. Simply position your baby in reach of the activity bar and let them explore. With three modes including animals, colors, and xylophone, you can also switch the language to English, French, or Spanish. Easy to wipe down and clean, the activity bar requires three AA batteries that are included. Price at time of publication: $23 Best Portable MAGIFIRE Tummy Time Baby Water Mat Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart While it may not seem like a 27 x 21-inch mat is portable, this one is exactly that. This tummy time water mat easily inflates to full size and when not in use, the mat deflates and folds away, so it’s perfect for travel or visiting friends or family. Your baby can engage with water play without getting wet with a leak-proof and highly durable mat. When in use, place the baby right on the mat or on the edge of the mat so they can reach onto it. Reviewers are impressed by how much their babies like this mat and find it’s engaging for older kiddos too. Price at time of publication: $16 The 13 Best Water Tables of 2023 Best Play Mat Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Belk.com Entertain your baby with music, lights, and sound. Made for versatility, this mat has an adjustable arch and a removable piano toy. During tummy time, your baby can rest on the mat and reach for the toys or the piano. During the “lay and play” mode, your baby’s kicks will activate the piano and, as your baby gets older and can sit up, you can position the piano flat on their lap for some more musical fun. Along with five detachable toys, the piano has five light-up keys and four musical settings, including one with 15 minutes of continuous music. Price at time of publication: $40 Best for Beginners Manhattan Toy Soft Songbird Pat Mat Walmart View On Walmart View On Babylist.com If you’re a beginner at tummy time, dip your toe into the experience with a pat mat that is just as fun for tummy time as it is attached to a stroller. This soft mat unfolds and features stimulating graphics, tactile fabrics, crinkle sounds, and a squeaker toy. When fully unfolded, it measures 20 inches x 6.5 inches but folds into a 6.5 inch square with a fabric hook and loop closure to attach anywhere. Price at time of publication: $17 Final Verdict The nice thing about most tummy time toys is they can be used for other developmental phases beyond tummy time. For a tummy time toy that also provides seated support, the Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time & Seated Support (view at BuyBuyBaby)is cute and doesn’t take up much room. Another toy that is bigger but does provide lots of fun during many phases of babyhood is the Fisher Price Kick and Play Piano Gym (view at Amazon) that’ll provide months of fun. What to Look for When Buying Tummy Time Toys Entertaining The point of tummy time toys is to serve as a fun distraction. If your baby is distracted and excited by toys, they’ll be likely to spend more time on the tummy, which will help to build baby muscles and gain strength. For babies who are working on mastering holding their heads up through tummy time, entertainment can be engaging lights and sounds, contrasting colors for visual stimulation, and tactile surfaces for physical exploration. Safety Babies in tummy time mode should always be supervised. Never leave them alone and don’t allow a baby to fall asleep on their tummy. According to the AAP, babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep for naps and at nighttime. So, if your little one is starting to look sleepy, remove them from their tummy time mat or toy and move them to their crib, sleeping on their back. Other Milestones Using tummy time toys can help babies reach other developmental milestones and grow strong neck, shoulder, and core muscles. Milestones like crawling, rolling over, and sitting up will all be influenced by tummy time. Since they’ll be spending time in new positions, tummy time can help reduce the risk of flat spots on the baby’s head. Frequently Asked Questions When should a baby start tummy time? According to the AAP, babies can start tummy time as soon as they get home from the hospital. Aim for two to three sessions per day, with each time lasting 3 to 5 minutes for each session. As your baby gets used to tummy time, you can increase both the number of sessions and each session’s length. Check with your pediatrician for specific instructions for you and your baby. Why is tummy time important? Tummy time is important to help your baby gain muscle strength. The simple form of play helps babies grow strong and pass developmental milestones. Benefiting motor and sensory development is key, and tummy time is useful in preventing flat head syndrome. 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 an 11-year-old son, 8-year-old son, and 4-year old daughter. Tummy time already seems like ages ago, but Maya does remember it well. In her opinion, the best toys are ones that don’t take up too much room or can be used in a few modes for a long(ish) period of time. More Toys for Kids When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. 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Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Back to sleep, tummy to play. HealthyChildren.org. Where we stand: back to sleep. HealthyChildren.org. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit