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Toys for Babies and Toddlers
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items Yes, you need to add toys to your registry! Often forgotten but you will be using toys and trying to entertain baby before you can blink! Not only is it fun but it’s great for their growth and development.
This thing is talked about all the time because it really is worth the hype. I got mine on FB marketplace randomly when I saw a good deal for it - it was not the original play mat on my registry. BUT I love it and am so glad I ended up with it over t...
Lovevery The Play Gym
I was not about to spend hundreds of dollars on a play mat when there are plenty of affordable options. I know there are some very aesthetic options out there but the bright (tacky) colors really are better for baby's development - especially their v...
Nuby Reversible Floor Mat
KiwiCo is one of the available toy subscription boxes. The prices are better on these but I do think the Lovevery boxes are better for babies/ younger toddlers while I like that the Kiwi goes well beyond the toddler years.
Panda Crate: Baby and Toddler Subscription Box | Ages 0-3 | KiwiCo
I think this is totally overpriced so you may be able to find a dupe but babies really do love it! You put it on the play gym wooden bar and it adds more things for baby to grasp and play with as they get older. I would definitely put on your registr...
Lovevery Sensory Strands for Play Gym
Definitely get this style of walker over the container style that you put baby down into. Those are not great for their hip development - it puts strain on their hips and puts their hips in a position that isn't super safe.
B. toys Wooden Activity Walker - Little Learning Steps
I don't think its necessary to get every stage play kit but I do think this is one of the better ones!
Lovevery The Charmer Play Kit- 3 to 4 Months
Endless entertainment! My niece is 4.5 and still plays with hers!
B. toys Wooden Activity Cube - Zany Zoo
Anything high contrast is great for baby's visual development!
The Peanutshell Montessori Tummy Time Water Mat, High Contrast Toy
Great toy starting around 3 months! Love the contrasting colors and different textures.
Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball
Great toy starting at about 4 months - they have to be holding themselves up well enough to stay upright but it does help them some. You want an activity center that has a place for their feet to help with hip development - the foot plate on this one...
Skip Hop Explore & More 3-Stage Activity Center
No need to spend a fortune or buy the brand name here. Useful for sure but short lived. This one does easily attach!
Baby Bjorn Bouncer Toy Bar Attachment
It seems that 90% of babies are obsessed with this thing! I think its the piano. Great alternative or addition to the Lovevery. I have both. I found this was better for lying on their back whereas the Lovevery is great for tummy time too. This one wo...
Fisher-Price Glow & Grow Kick and Play Gym
Different colors and textures plus movement = a win!
The Manhattan Toy Company Whirzle Baby Learning Toy
Love a dual use toy - rattle plus teether!
Manhattan Toy Winkel Elephant Rattle and Sensory Teether Baby Toy
These are great for regular playtime or the bath tub. I think all babies go through a phase where they love stacking!
Gigglescape™: Baby Silicone Stacking Toys, Creativity & Fine Motor Skills
You definitely want stacking blocks! Babies love stacking! These are great because they have the numbers and letters which will give you longevity out of this toy. Can't go wrong with wood and I love supporting the Melissa and Doug brand.
Melissa & Doug Letter, Number, and Game Wooden Learning Blocks with Activity Cards
Flashing lights are usually a major win! The colors are great for visual development and the handle is the perfect size and texture for developing motor skills. You can start using this in the beginning by just holding in front of the baby while they...
SmartNoggin NogginStik Developmental Light-up Rattle
LOVE! A total winner for us! This was one of the first toys we introduced - it was great for tummy time and babies love the colors, noises, texture, shape, everything! Definitely a registry item!
Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Sensory Tummy Time Toys
Small enough that fairly young babies can grasp these so a good toy for early on.
Melissa & Doug Rollables Safari and Farm Friends Infant and Toddler Toy
You'll need a place to keep your baby out of trouble before you know it! You may even use this earlier if you're trying to keep pets away. Great registry item!
Adjustable Wooden Playpen for Babies and Toddlers
Dupe for the expensive one that's gone viral! This is one of those items I would go moderately priced on - not splurge worthy for me but you do want comfy foam.
Lillefolk Baby Play Mat - Non Toxic EVA Foam
Shakes like a rattle, lets baby chew and grasp. This was a major hit with my niece!
Baby Montessori Sensory Toy
SO entertaining - especially great for when your little one starts to discover their feet!
Infinno Baby Wrist & Sock Rattles
Great for toys but even better when baby starts sitting in a high chair!! I'm pretty sure every baby drops their sippy cup a dozen times per meal and this lets them bring it back up!
Silicone Toy Straps for Car Seat & Stroller
Awesome for propping up during tummy time and love that it's machine washable!
Fisher-Price Grow-with-Me Tummy Time Llama
Easy for young babies to grab. Multiple textures keep babies engaged!
Soft Silicone Teething Sticks for Babies
The crinkle sound typically goes over very well!!
Itzy Ritzy - Bitzy Crinkle Sensory Toy
If you're brave enough to get the musical toys, get the wood version!
Stoie's Wooden Kids Musical Instruments Set
I've seen kids as little as 18 months play with these and I've seen 11 year olds play with them!! Definitely one of the longest use toy items. No need to get the brand on these - Amazon has plenty of dupes that are just as great! You can also mix and...
Magnetic Tiles Building Blocks - STEM Toy
As a self-proclaimed bag hoarder, I love giving a little girl her first purse!
Baby GUND My First Purse 5-Piece Plush Set
Every toddler goes through a grocery store or kitchen phase! If not, they all love wheeling something around. My niece fills hers with her stuffies and takes them on adventures when she isn't using it in her kitchen!
Melissa & Doug Shopping Cart - Pretend Play Toy
This was a major splurge gift for my niece but it has been worth every penny. HOURS of playtime! She started playing with it at about 20 months old and still plays with it daily at 4.5. We've added more foods, a shopping cart, etc along the way which...
Pottery Barn Kids - Chelsea Pretend Kitchen Collection
Fun to play with even if you don't have a toy kitchen! It's so fun when kids start playing pretend games - their little imaginations are wild!!
Melissa & Doug Pretend Food - 21 Wooden Pieces
One of the great things about a gift like a toy kitchen is that there are other pieces and accessories you can add over time. Easy gift giving ideas and keeps little one's interested when you add new ways to play!
Melissa & Doug Stainless Steel Pots & Pans
Tender Leaf Toys makes great quality toys and I think the value is really there for something like a pretend kitchen. This is a great size if you don't have a lot of space or dedicated playroom.
Tender Leaf Toys - Wooden Pretend Play Kitchen Set
The little pieces can be unbelievable. In particular if you have a girl, craft supplies quickly get out of hand. Markers, crayons, etc. This bin makes it easy to keep everything in one place so you can just get it out for craft time and then put it a...
Citylife 17 QT Plastic Storage Box w/ Tray
So, so great for airplane travel. These stick right onto the window (and probably the tray able) - would also be good for a train, car, bathtub and who knows where else!
Suction Cup Spinner Toys - Great for travel!
I try so hard not to do all the flashing lights and sounds but...sometimes its just worth it. My niece was obsessed with this and actually enjoyed independent time in her crib once she got this.
Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother Musical Crib Toy
Old like me? This makes playing on the floor so much easier!
Giantex Folding Floor Chair with Back Support
A busy book is great for independent play, travel, eating out, or anything on the go!
Montessori Felt Busy Book
Le Toy Van is another brand I think is absolutely worth the price. Great quality, wooden toys. If you have a girly girl, she will love this doll house! Great birthday or Christmas gift for the grandparents to give.
Le Toy Van Iconic Sophie's Large Doll House
Can't beat a classic toy like wooden blocks!
Kids Wooden Blocks - 100 Pcs
I don't have room for a tent but I've heard great things about this one and I love the scallop detail! I love the idea of decorating for different holidays!
Tiny Land Play Tent with Padded Mat & LED Lights
Great first doll! I got this for my niece when she was around 13 months and she still plays with it at 4.5. It's got a soft body and isn't too big so its great for the little ones.
Corolle Bébé Calin - 12" Soft Baby Doll
This brand of coloring book is one of my favorites because there are a lot of pages and the images are nice and big for starting out!
My First Big Book of Coloring
Great toy for travel entertainment!
Mudpuppy Rocket Ships Magnetic Build-It Game
The animal shaped holes at the top will help your toddler with fine motor skills when they try to fit the animals through!
Melissa & Doug Wooden Sorting Barn Toy
Endless entertainment! Kids - especially boys - play with cars for years!
Wooden Race Track Car Ramp Racer with 4 Mini Car
EVERY child I have ever known to have this set LOVES it!
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Sparkle & Shine Set
Puppets are something you can start using with your baby from a fairly young age and as they get older, their imaginations will take over and they will act out little scenes with them - its adorable!
Melissa & Doug Barn Buddies Hand Puppets
Great starter set for dress-up! Depending on how long this phase is for your little girl, it may be all you need! Could also be used for Halloween costumes!
Princess Dress Up Toys & Jewelry Boutique
Great for getting some energy out on a rainy (or in Houston - hot!) day!
iPlay, iLearn Bouncy Pals Hopping Unicorn Horse
If you live somewhere with a weather season that isn't great - cold, hot, rainy, etc- having a toy like this is great for getting those wiggles out on a day you can't play outside. I like this one because it folds away for easy storage.
Wooden Montessori Indoor Climbing Set
I would say around age 3 for this - would be a great 3rd birthday gift!
Learning Resources Pretend Play Cash Register
Some kids like wide open spaces instead of a coloring book! I personally think its better when they're starting out! Let them be creative!
Melissa & Doug Drawing Paper
I'm a fan of buying this many crayons because it's a great deal but I wouldn't put them all out at once. Crayons break, get lost, etc and buying in bulk means you have backups when you need to replace some!
Crayola Crayon Tub - Limited Edition (288ct)
Great mess-free travel toy!
Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker Activity Books
Great alternative to keeping an iPad in the car
LCD Drawing Tablet/ Doodle Board
Pop 1-2 clip on toys like this onto your carseat or stroller! If you go on long walks using a bassinet those first few months, these are great to put on the bassinet!
Lamaze Clip On Car Seat and Stroller Toy
Personal opinion - toys that make noises that sound like an instrument are so much more tolerable than a loud, repetitive song!! Still not my favorite thing to listen to, but doable in my book.
Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Xylophone
Great to set up during tummy time!
Black and White High Contrast Newborn Toys
Does your toddler try to help walk the dog? Try this instead!
Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy Wooden Pull Toy
Realistic toys like this are fun before having a real life experience so you can help explain what will happen to your little one! This would be great to play with leading up to travel.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Airplane Play Set
Another iconic toy for little girls!
Green Toys Tea Set
I got my niece the mini yoto so she could use it while traveling. Tons of options for cards to buy with music and books. They also have a podcast with different age-appropriate learning topics - space, etc. You can also buy a blank card to create you...
Yoto Mini + Make Your Own Card - Kids Audio Player
Tons of options for cards to buy with music and books. They also have a podcast with different age-appropriate learning topics - space, etc. You can also buy a blank card to create your own. Would be so special for grandparents to read your child the...
YOTO Player + Make Your Own Card - Kids Bluetooth Audio Speaker
Fun for inside or outside. Encourages crawling but I find kids love to play with these for years!
3 Sprouts Kids Pop Up Play Tunnel