The Best Lamaze Toys for Babies of 2020

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First Look

Best Overall: Lamaze Octotunes at Amazon

"Eight legs which when pulled or squeezed make eight different musical sounds."

Best for Fine Motor Skill Development: Caterpillar at Amazon

"Mix and Match Caterpillar… is actually several smaller toys that attaches with velcro."

Best Book: Lamaze Soft Sensory Books at Amazon

"Soft washable sensory books… help babies learn to make sounds, and eventually speak new words."

Best for On-The-Go Play: Lamaze Freddie the Firefly at Amazon

"Multi-sensory toys clip to other items like activity arches, car seats and diaper bags."

Best for Self Awareness: ThinkMax Rattles at Amazon

"Wrist and foot rattles brings awareness to baby's hands and feet… and build up those tummy muscles."

Best Play Mat: Lamaze Monkey Activity Gym at Amazon

"Has an arch that baby likes to lie under, they use their arms to reach up and hit dangling toys."

Best for Strollers: Monkey Links Stroller Toy at Amazon

"Travel toys for babies… can be attached to… strollers, car seats, baby carriers, exersaucers and high chairs."

Best for Learning Shapes: Lamaze Soft Sorter at Amazon

"Soft shape sorter… suited for babies above 9 months… play with the soft blocks and put them in and out of the container."

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Lamaze Octotunes

The musical Octopus toy from Lamaze is named Octotunes! It has eight legs which when pulled or squeezed make eight different musical sounds. Many babies love musical instruments. While parents will need to activate the music for younger infants, older toddlers can definitely be in control of the "orchestra" when they are ready!

Best for Fine Motor Skill Development: Mix and Match Caterpillar

The Lamaze Mix and Match Caterpillar is full of bright colors and fun textures. Babies will love exploring the ribbons, knots and tags with their fingers and mouth. Each segment of the caterpillar is actually several smaller toys that attaches with velcro. Kids who are gaining more dexterity or fine motor control can pull the pieces apart and re-attach them, to create a unique caterpillar.

Best Book: Lamaze Soft Sensory Books

Lamaze Cloth Sensory Book — TOMY / Lamaze

Reading is so important for babies. Listening to a parent or caregiver read the words to a story or label items in their daily environment can help babies learn to make sounds, and eventually speak new words. Soft sensory books are easy to travel with. They can be placed in the washing machine if a baby should frequently drool during times of teething or spit up on the toy.

Best for On-The-Go Play: Lamaze Freddie the Firefly

Lamaze Clip Toys Ollie Oinker — Lamaze / TOMY

It does not take long for a parent to realize the value of a clip toy. These multi-sensory toys clip to other items like activity arches, car seats and diaper bags. These toys include lots of ribbons and knots for babies to explore.

Best for Self Awareness: ThinkMax Baby Wrist Rattles and Foot Finders

Lamaze Wrist and Foot Finder — Lamaze / TOMY

An important developmental milestone is when babies begin to notice their hands. Wearing a wrist rattle brings awareness to their hands. Wearing a foot rattle is also important to bring awareness to their feet, but it can build up those tummy muscles needed for rolling and crawling, too.

Best Play Mat: Lamaze Monkey Activity Gym

Finding the right activity gym for your baby, that also fits the space in the home, is important. Play gyms do not need to be large or fancy, many have the same features. The Lamaze monkey activity gym has an arch that baby likes to lie under, they use their arms to reach up and hit dangling toys. As kids learn to sit up, they also can still use their arch, too. They are a great place for tummy time and can easily be washed.

Best for Strollers: Monkey Links Stroller Toy

Many busy families are on-the-go. Taking walks, trips to the mall, grocery store or attending family events. Having travel toys for babies is important to keep them entertained. These monkey links can be attached to any kind of baby gear imaginable, including strollers, car seats, baby carriers, exersaucers and high chairs.

Best for Learning Shapes: Lamaze Soft Sorter

This soft shape sorter from Lamaze is more suited for older babies above 9 months. They love to play with the soft blocks and as they get older, putting them in and out of the container. Many children eventually notice that the toy in their hand has a shape that matches the opening and try really hard to figure out these great first puzzles.