21 Best Educational Toys for Infants
In this blog post, we’re going to explore some of the best educational toys for infants that will help foster their development from an early age. Whether your child is just starting to explore the world around them or is already on their way to crawling and walking, these toys are sure to engage and stimulate their budding mind.
Why Did I Choose These Educational Infant Toys?
My twin boys and my baby daughter loved a lot of the toys on this list when they were in the infant stage (0-1 years old). In addition, we purchased some of these toys for our nieces, nephews, and our friend’s babies when they had their baby showers. Not only do they surpass my expectations, they are highly rated toys online and I saw firsthand that my infants loved them. There are a lot of educational toys for infants, but the ones below are amazing.
How Old Are Infants?
When a baby is born, they are typically considered a newborn. The infant stage is from 2 months – 1 year. Therefore, the toys below are all for babies under 1 year.
Importance of Educational Toys for Infants
The use of educational toys for infants is crucial in early childhood development. These toys help with hand-eye coordination and challenge a child’s mind. They also encourage communication skills, refine gross and fine motor skills, and develop logic and problem-solving skills.
21 Top-Rated Educational Toys For Infants
There are so many different options when it comes to toys. Our goal was to come up with the perfect list for people to choose from. You can feel confident that infants love these toys.
1. Fisher-Price Newborn Toys Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas
Make playtime fun and boost developmental skills with these bright and cheery maracas from Fisher-Price. Designed for little hands, the easy-grip handles promote grasping and motor skills. Colorful beads swirl inside while soft pom-poms crinkle outside, engaging the baby’s senses of sound, sight, and touch. With one maraca for each hand, your little one will be rocking and rattling as musical creativity and dexterity improve.
List Price: $9.99 – Best Price Below
2. Splashin’kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat
This premium water playmat engages babies in stimulating tummy time fun. Constructed from heavy-duty PVC, its fish tank graphics fascinate little ones. Watch your baby bat at the bright, floating toys. The mat promotes neck, shoulder, and coordination skills. Just fill the outer ring with air and add water. Folds easily for travel and storage. Made from BPA-free materials. Comes with 6 colorful toys.
List Price: $25.99 – Best Price Below
3. Fisher-Price Baby Bouncer Rainforest Jumperoo Activity Center
Reward your baby’s curiosity and movement with this freestanding rainforest jumper. Surround your infant with 360 degrees of delightful lights, sounds, and toys that respond to jumps with music. Bat-at monkeys, rattle lizards, and more encourage exploration while building motor skills. Adjusts to 3 heights for a customized fit as your child grows. Soft spring covers protect tiny fingers. Machine washable seat pad keeps your baby comfy. A foldable frame and no-slip base provide safety and easy storage. Designed to stimulate development through active play.
List Price: $139.99 – Best Price Below
4. Beiens High Contrast Black and White Books
Stimulate your baby’s vision and senses with these high-contrast black-and-white activity books. The crinkly pages and peek-a-boo textures grab little ones’ attention while strengthening focus skills. Safely made from soft, non-toxic polyester with strong stitching. Equipped with a baby-safe mirror for self-discovery. Crinkle paper, bibi sounder, and flip-up shapes encourage exploration. Use during tummy time to boost motor skills and exercise muscles.
List Price: $14.99 – Best Price Below
5. Aboosam Tummy Time Mirror Toys with Cloth Books
Designed for sensory development, this Montessori toy set engages babies 0-6 months with high-contrast patterns, textured pages, and squeaky sounds. The black and white cloth book features cute animal tails with different materials to explore touch and feel. The crinkly paper builds audio skills. An unbreakable safety mirror promotes self-discovery. Teething tails strengthen gums. Use during tummy time to exercise muscles and boost motor skills. Portable and easy to clean.
List Price: $22.99 – Best Price Below
6. BeeSpring Hanging Rattles Spiral Stroller Car Seat Toy
This spiraling rattle toy engages and entertains infants on the go. Vibrant colors and patterns grab the baby’s attention while the soft, easy-grip texture promotes motor skills. Dangle from a stroller, crib, or car seat to surround your child with visual stimulation. The gentle rattle sound soothes fussy babies while allowing parents to focus on travel. Made of safe, non-toxic BPA-free materials for peace of mind. An ideal baby shower or new parent gift to aid development. Help your little one improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity through play.
List Price: $27.99 – Best Price Below
7. Fisher-Price Baby to Toddler Toy 3-in-1 Spin & Sort Activity Center
This 3-in-1 activity center grows with your child from infant to toddler. The spinning seat and movable pods entertain babies with 360 degrees of stimulation. Convert it into a sit-at-floor toy by attaching the pods to the shape-sorting plate for upright play. Finally, swap the seat for the plate to create an interactive toddler play table. Packed with 10+ hands-on activities to build skills at every stage. Features textured spinning bead roller, light-up piano, animal flip book, and more.
List Price: $74.99 – Best Price Below
8. Baby Einstein 4-in-1 Kickin’ Tunes Music and Language Play Gym
This 4-in-1 activity gym entertains infants through all stages with lights, sounds, and music. The removable arch features 7 engaging toys like a mirror, piano, and language flashcards. Lay on the machine washable mat and kick to activate lights and over 70 activities. Use the prop pillow for tummy time play. As the baby grows, attach the upright piano toy for more interactive melodies, phrases, and modes. The portable piano introduces English, Spanish, French, and German.
List Price: $59.99 – Best Price Below
9. Fisher-Price Baby Playmat Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym with Musical
This 4-in-1 activity gym stimulates development through multiple stages. Lay your baby on the soft, thick play mat and watch them kick to activate lights, music, and learning content. Use the removable arch for tummy time play. As your baby grows, the upright piano toy teaches colors, animals, shapes, and more. Five light-up keys introduce piano notes. The portable piano removes for on-the-go fun. Features 5 repositionable toys including a mirror, teether, and rattle for sensory stimulation.
List Price: $54.99 – Best Price Below
10. iPlay iLearn 10pcs Baby Rattles Toys Set
This 10-piece set provides a variety of rattles and teethers to stimulate your baby’s development. Each toy has unique features, textures, colors, and sounds to assist fine motor skills, eye tracking, and sensory growth. Varying shapes and grips build dexterity. Bright primary colors and patterns improve visual focus. Different surfaces allow your infant to explore touch and textures. Portable and easy to clean – just wipe with a vinegar/water solution. Hygienic storage container included. Great for travel, strollers, and nurseries. Suitable for babies 0-12 months.
List Price: $28.99 – Best Price Below
11. AZEN Montessori Stacking and Sorting Educational Infant Toys
This 6-in-1 baby toy bundle stimulates learning and development for ages 0-3 years. Includes 12 soft blocks, 6 circular blocks, stacking rings, hand percussion, stacking cups, and 6 balls. Different textures and activities promote sensory skills, motor skills, shape recognition, counting, and more. Blocks build creativity and dexterity. Cups strengthen coordination. Rings teach colors, sizes, and stacking ability. Safe, BPA-free materials approved by CPSC. Premium quality construction withstands little hands. Ages 0-6 months hone grasping reflexes. 6-12 months learn colors and objects. 12-18 months to develop pairing skills. 18-24 months boost memory and math.
List Price: $52.99 – Best Price Below
12. Musical Turtle Crawling Baby Girl Toy
Entertain and educate your baby girl with this multi-functional musical turtle. Lights, sounds, and movements encourage crawling, walking, counting, alphabet learning, and more. Press buttons to play lullabies, animal sounds, and phone greetings like “Hello” and “Goodbye”. Dialing sound effects promote pretend, imaginative play. Adjustable volume and auto shut-off protect hearing and sleep. Bright LED lights attract attention and stimulate the visual senses. As your baby chases and pushes the turtle, motor skills and coordination improve.
List Price: $33.99 – Best Price Below
13. 5-in-1 Crawling & Walking Baby Elephant Toy
Entertain and develop your little one with this 5-in-1 multifunctional baby toy. The musical elephant encourages crawling, walking, and chasing to build motor skills. Press buttons to activate lights, sounds, and wiggle motions that engage the baby’s senses. Soft textured ears allow tactile exploration. Projects a night light with 5 lullabies to soothe your infant to sleep. Features volume control and auto shut-off for hearing protection.
List Price: $27.99 – Best Price Below
14. VTech Musical Rhymes Book
Engage your little reader with this interactive storybook. Easy-to-turn pages feature colorful illustrations of classic nursery rhymes. Twist and slide the play pieces on each page for motor skill development. Five light-up piano keys introduce colors, and instruments and play melodies. Learning mode builds vocabulary with age-appropriate words. Music mode explores sounds and instruments. Light-up star flashes along with noises for visual stimulation. Ideal for ages 6 months to 3 years.
List Price: $19.99 – Best Price Below
15. Interactive Pop Up Animals Eggs Toy with Music & Sound
This pop-up egg toy engages little ones with discovery play. Tap a button to make cute animals pop up with fun music and sounds! Two play modes allow your baby to follow lights or freely explore. Premium quality ABS material is non-toxic, BPA-free, and polished smooth for safety. Promotes hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Teaches cause and effect, colors, numbers, and animals. A portable handle makes it easy to take learning fun on the go.
List Price: $29.99 – Best Price Below
16. 5-in-1 Rainbow Montessori Toy Set
This complete rainbow toy set promotes open-ended play for ages 0-3 years. Five educational toys in one convenient package – sensory ball, stacking cups, shape sorter, animal blocks, and rainbow stacker. Over 36 pieces encourage imagination and early learning. Kids build motor skills, hand-eye coordination, color and shape recognition through independent play. Bath-safe, BPA-free, and non-toxic materials are specially made for little hands to grasp, stack, sort, and explore. Durable construction holds up to chewing and small bites.
List Price: $39.99 – Best Price Below
17. Learning Cube – Educational Musical Activity Center Block
Stimulate your little one’s mind with this multi-award-winning educational cube. Six interactive sides teach the alphabet, numbers, animals, music, and more through lights, sounds, and buttons. Colorful LEDs light up to build color recognition. Whimsical songs, melodies, and animal noises enrich auditory learning.
List Price: $36.99 – Best Price Below
18. Purple 5-Side VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube
This 5-sided activity cube engages toddlers with 25 songs, lights, and a variety of educational activities. Four light-up buttons introduce animals, shapes, and more. 14 interactive features like gears, rollers, and clicking beads develop fine motor skills. The motion sensor activates sounds to encourage movement and crawling. Teaches ABCs, colors, counting, and cause-and-effect.
List Price: $24.99 – Best Price Below
19. Wooden Activity Cube Montessori Toy
This 5-in-1 wooden activity cube stimulates learning for ages 1-2 years. The bead maze, abacus, gears, clock, and shape sorter promote counting, math, color, and shape recognition. Spinning gears build coordination. The detachable design allows for versatile play. Sturdy, non-toxic construction made from quality wood and paint. Portable size easily fits into bags for travel. Bonus stacking cups and first words book maximize play and learning.
List Price: $35.99 – Best Price Below
20. Mushroom Garden – Interactive Educational Light-Up Toddler Toy
Let your little one’s mind grow with this award-winning light-up learning toy. Interactive mushrooms introduce numbers, colors, music, and memory games through magical lights and sounds. Follow the color patterns as they get longer and more complex. Roll, spin and touch the caps to play melodies. Develops hand-eye coordination, logic, dexterity, and problem-solving. The colorful design engages toddler boys and girls ages 1-5 years.
List Price: $39.99 – Best Price Below
21. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy Walker Toy
This 2-in-1 puppy walker entertains infants, then converts to support toddlers’ first steps. The sitting stage has light-up keys, spinners, and textures that teach ABCs, counting, Spanish, music, colors, and shapes through 75+ songs and phrases. The walking stage features an easy-grip handle and a sturdy 4-wheel base for stability. Three smart learning levels adapt as the baby grows from 6 to 36 months. Convertible design transitions from floor play to walk-behind walker.
List Price: $29.99 – Best Price Below
Full Gallery of Educational Toys for Infants
Why Should You Encourage Teaching Toys:
Playing with educational toys can provide quality time between caregivers and their little ones, promoting bonding and social skills. When choosing these toys, it’s important to consider safety factors and age-appropriate options. By incorporating educational toys into playtime, parents and caregivers can provide a stimulating and engaging environment for their infants to learn and grow. Ultimately, a baby’s first year is a huge part of their development. Get them started on the right foot with toys that will enhance their development.
Popular Types of Toys For Infants
From rattles to playmats, infants have a lot they can play with. While you need to avoid toys that can lead to choking, there are plenty of options for babies. In addition, it’s helpful to keep their minds occupied so they can learn to focus. We listed some of the most popular types of baby toys below.
Rattle Infant Toys
One of the first toys that a baby will play with is a rattle. You can get soft foam rattles that will make plenty of noise for your infant. Infants love them because they are easy to play with and they are usually colorful. For an added bonus, get a rattle that also includes a teether.
Food-Shaped Infant Toys
There are many fun and engaging food-shaped toys that can help teach infants. These toys are designed to look like different types of food, such as fruits and vegetables, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. By playing with food shape toys, infants can learn about different colors and shapes, as well as important concepts like sorting and stacking.
These toys are also a great way to introduce infants to different types of food and help foster a love of healthy eating from an early age. As with all educational toys, it’s important to choose age-appropriate options that are safe and durable for little hands to play with.
Educational Stacking and Sorting Toys for Infants
Stacking and sorting toys are some of the most valuable educational toys for infants. These toys help infants to develop their cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities. Infants learn to identify shapes, sizes, and colors as they stack and sort objects. They also learn spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination as they manipulate objects to fit together.
Stacking and sorting toys are a great way to engage and entertain infants, as they provide endless possibilities for exploration and discovery. Coupled with other educational toys such as food shape toys and bath toys, infants can have fun while learning valuable skills. Parents can also incorporate these toys into their daily routines and playtime, making these learning experiences even more enjoyable for their infants.
Infant Bath Toys for Learning and Fun
Bath time can be a fun and engaging learning experience for infants with the use of educational bath toys. These toys not only provide entertainment but also help in the development of fundamental skills such as hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Toys like the Munchkin Float & Play Bubbles Bath Toy and the Boon Pipes offer a unique chance for infants to learn about cause and effect as they watch the balls or water flow through the pipes. With educational bath toys, parents can encourage their babies to learn and enjoy their bath time to the fullest.
Activity Toys for Car Seats and Play Gyms
Activity toys are a great addition to car seats and play gyms as they provide entertainment and stimulation for infants while on the go or during playtime. These toys help develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills while keeping your little ones engaged and happy.
Fisher Price Newborn to Toddler Playmat 3-in-1 Rainforest Sensory Gym is one such toy loved by many parents. Another popular option is the Infantino Car Seat Activity Toy, which can easily clip onto car seats to keep your baby entertained during car rides. Lovevery Play Gym is also a unique activity center that grows with your baby, ensuring they will enjoy it for months. Parents can rest easy because these toys are designed to keep infants safe and engaged while learning and having fun.
Conclusion
Hopefully, our complete list of educational toys for infants will be useful for you. You can provide plenty of fun and learning opportunities for your baby with the options above. In addition, they make great gifts if you have friends and family with infants. Lastly, many toys can be played with starting around 6 months and kids will keep playing with them through the toddler stage.
