As a new parent, you want to give your baby the best start in life. You probably already know the importance of education in early childhood development, and you might be considering investing in educational toys for your newborn.
The good news is that educational toys come in all shapes and sizes. They range from simple building blocks to interactive tablets designed to stimulate your baby’s senses. With so many choices, it can be hard to know where to begin.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide on the best educational toys for newborns. We’ll discuss the features of each product and provide tips on how you can get the most out of them. Our goal is to help you find the perfect tools to get your little one off on the right foot!
List of The Best Educational Toys For Newborns
- Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Musical Farmyard Cube Educational Baby Toy
- VTech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker
- Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring STEM Learning Toy
- Baby Einstein Octoplush Musical Octopus Stuffed Animal Plush Toy
- Lamaze Freddie The Firefly, Clip-On Stroller Toy
- Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball | Easy to Grasp Bumps Help Develop Motor Skills
- Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Playhouse with Lights
- VTech Crinkle and Roar Lion, Yellow
- Bright Starts Oball Rattle Easy-Grasp Toy, Teal – 4″, Ages Newborn Plus
- Manhattan Toy Click Clack Ball Developmental Activity Baby Toy
Melissa & Doug K's Kids Musical Farmyard Cube Educational Baby Toy
The Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Musical Farmyard Cube Educational Baby Toy is the perfect way to introduce your newborn to the world of educational toys. This cube includes a variety of fun features like an animal spinner, shape sorter, puzzles, and large manipulative pieces. Plus, it has eight different melodies and songs that are designed to keep your little one entertained for hours!
This toy can help teach your youngster shapes, color recognition, counting, problem-solving, and more. It’s made from high-quality materials and is safe for babies aged 6 months or older. Plus, it’s compact size makes it great for travel.
Specifications
- Toy Type: Musical Farmyard Cube
- Design: Cube with farmyard-themed panels
- Material: Soft fabric
- Suitable for: Babies and toddlers
- Features: Various textures, interactive elements, musical buttons, animal sounds
- Dimensions: Varies depending on the specific model/version
- Weight: Varies depending on the specific model/version
- Power Source: Battery-operated (specific battery type may vary)
- Safety: Designed with child safety in mind, including rounded edges and non-toxic materials
PROS
- Engaging sensory experience
- Promotes tactile exploration
- Introduces farm animal sounds
- Enhances fine motor skills
- Soft and safe for babies to play with
CONS
- Limited variety of activities
- Battery dependency
- Sufferers that relax main back muscle.
- May not be suitable for older toddlers
VTech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker
If you’re looking for an educational toy to help your newborn grow and develop, the VTech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker is a great choice. It has specifications specifically designed to accommodate baby’s development, from infant to toddler. The removable activity panel can be adjusted with five height positions, and a removable play panel includes buttons that trigger music and phrases.
Specifications
- Sturdy plastic construction
- Recommended Age: 9 months to 3 years
- Dimensions: Varies depending on the specific model/version
- Weight: Varies depending on the specific model/version
- Features: Interactive buttons, music, removable activity panel, adjustable speed control
- Power Source: Requires batteries (specific battery type may vary)
- Safety: Equipped with non-slip wheels and a supportive handle for stability
- Educational Content: Teaches numbers, colors, shapes, animals, and more through interactive play
PROS
- Versatile developmental toy
- Adjustable speed control
- Interactive learning activities
- Educational features (letters, numbers, colors, animal sounds)
- Music and sound effects
- Sturdy and durable design
- Easy to clean
- Portable and compact
CONS
- Requires ample space for safe use
- Relies on batteries for interactive features
- May tip on uneven surfaces or carpets
- No volume switch
Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring STEM Learning Toy
Let’s talk about the Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring STEM Learning Toy! This colorful, multi-functional toy helps your newborns learn how to coordinate their movements, develop dexterity, and understand sequencing and color recognition—all before their first birthday.
Specifications
- Stacking rings and a rattle to help teach cause and effect
- 8 textured rings are easily grasped by little hands
- A variety of colors and materials can help stimulate baby’s senses
- Easy assembly to create a tower then watch as it is knocked down (great for coordination development!)
- Toy Type: Stacking Ring Toy
- Design: Circles of different sizes
- Material: Safe and durable plastic
- Suitable for: Babies and toddlers
PROS
- STEM learning
- Develops fine motor skills
- Encourages color and texture exploration
- Enhances problem-solving skills
- Durable and safe
CONS
- Limited variety
- Age limitation for older toddlers
- Potential for frustration during play
You’ll love that this toy encourages sensory learning while also helping your little one learn problem solving skills. Plus, with this durable design, it’s sure to last through lots of play as your baby grows. So even though this educational toy is initially meant for newborns, it will have years of life as your child ages.
Lamaze Freddie The Firefly, Clip-On Stroller Toy
The Lamaze Freddie the Firefly Clip-On Stroller Toy is a delightful and engaging toy designed to keep your little one entertained during stroller rides or on-the-go adventures. This colorful and adorable firefly toy is packed with features that will captivate your baby’s attention and stimulate their senses.
Freddie the Firefly features a variety of textures, patterns, and colors to engage your baby’s visual and tactile senses. The toy includes a soft body with vibrant wings that crinkle when touched, providing auditory stimulation. Its large, friendly eyes and smiling face are sure to bring a smile to your baby’s face.
The toy is equipped with a built-in clip, making it easy to attach to strollers, car seats, or diaper bags, ensuring it’s always within reach for your little one. The clip is sturdy and secure, ensuring the toy stays in place even during bumpy rides.
Specifications
- Brand: Lamaze
- Toy Name: Freddie the Firefly
- Toy Type: Clip-On Stroller Toy
- Dimensions: Approximately 7 inches in length
- Material: Soft fabric, plastic, and metal
- Recommended Age: Suitable for newborns and up
- Cleaning: Spot clean only, not machine washable
PROS
- Freddie the Firefly entertains babies with crinkling wings, rattling rings, and a jingling ball.
- The toy's textures, colors, and noises assist develop your baby's senses.
- Its built-in clip makes it perfect for trips and outings.
- Lamaze makes high-quality infant items, so Freddie the Firefly can survive play. Baby-safe and chemical-free.
CONS
- Freddie the Firefly has some interactive elements, but larger, more advanced toys may have more.
- The toy is not machine washable, thus it may need manual cleaning.
Baby Einstein Octoplush Musical Octopus Stuffed Animal Plush Toy
Another great educational toy for your newborn is the Baby Einstein Octoplush Musical Octopus Stuffed Animal Plush Toy. This plush octopus is filled with 8 activities that respond to babies’ natural curiosity, like a tug-on-tentacles game that introduces colors, numbers, and animals.
Specifications
- Brand: Baby Einstein
- Toy Type: Stuffed Animal Plush Toy
- Design: Octopus
- Features: Musical
- Material: Soft plush fabric
- Suitable for: Babies and toddlers
PROS
- Musical features
- Soft and huggable
- Colorful and visually engaging
- Easy to activate
- Promotes sensory development
CONS
- Limited functionality
- Size limitations for older toddlers
- Repetitive musical melodies
Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball
When it comes to educational toys for newborns, you can’t go wrong with the Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball. This ball offers a textured play surface that encourages tactile development and hand-eye coordination, as well as bright colors and various shapes to help encourage visual tracking.
Specifications
- Made from BPA-free plastic
- Includes 3 rattles, 6 texture bumps, and a mirror
- Recommended for ages 0 – 12 months
- Comes in assorted colors
PROS
- Designed with easy-to-grasp bumps for little hands to hold.
- Can be used both indoors and out, making it a great toy for on-the-go playtime.
- Bright colors help engage baby’s senses as they roll the ball around and explore its features with their hands.
CONS
- Not suitable for babies who aren't able to sit up yet on their own without assistance.
- The mirror may become scratched or damaged if not handled properly or with care.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Playhouse with Lights
Are you looking for the perfect educational toy for your newborn? Then you have to check out the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Playhouse with Lights. This brightly colored plastic house is sure to draw your baby’s attention, and keep them playing for hours!
Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.5 x 14 x 15 inches
- Features 8 light up buttons that activate songs, phrases and sounds
- Suitable for babies aged 6 months plus
PROS
- Contributes to developmental milestones for hand-eye coordination and other motor skills.
- Includes color identification and shape recognition activities.
- The house comes with songs and phrases that help develop early language skills.
CONS
- You may need to replace batteries fairly regularly to keep music playing.
- The size may be too big to easily transport when you're traveling away from home.
Overall, the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Playhouse with Lights can provide lots of fun, laughter and learning for your little one – all while helping them develop important skills!
VTech Crinkle and Roar Lion, Yellow
When you think of educational toys for newborns, you may think of something pretty basic—but there are actually some extremely clever toys on the market right now that can bring a ton of learning fun to the crib. Take, for example, the VTech Crinkle and Roar Lion, Yellow.
This lion toy has plenty of features that are sure to keep your little one entertained:
Specifications
- Suitable for infants aged three months and beyond
- Five piano keys play animal sounds and music
- Colorful textures keep baby entertained
- Contains rattles, clackers, textured rings and light-up buttons that activate phrases and sound effects
PROS
- Easy for tiny hands to grab on and hold onto
- Bright colors help stimulate visual development
- With all the various textures featured on this lion toy, it’s great for tactile skills development too
CONS
- Some music choices don’t quite measure up in terms of quality compared to other similar toys
Bright Starts Oball Rattle Easy-Grasp Toy, Teal
For a budget-friendly option that’s perfect for newborns, there’s the Bright Starts Oball Rattle Easy-Grasp Toy, Teal. It’s a perfect activity toy that helps with the development of your newborn’s fine motor skills.
Specifications
- Brand: Bright Starts
- Toy Type: Rattle
- Color: Teal
- Easy-grasp design
- Material: Made of soft, flexible plastic
- Suitable for: Babies and toddlers
PROS
- Easy to grasp
- Engaging rattle sound
- Soft and flexible material
- Lightweight
- Eye-catching color
CONS
- Limited functionality
- Limited color options
- May be outgrown as baby develops
Manhattan Toy Click Clack Ball Developmental Activity Baby Toy
For babies just entering the world, it’s never too early to start the learning process. The Manhattan Toy Click Clack Ball Developmental Activity Baby Toy is the perfect way to start. With its playful mix of bright colors and intriguing shapes, this lively ball is sure to capture your newborn’s attention.
Specifications
- Material: This toy is made with wood and plastic, with BPA-free materials.
- Age Range: Suitable for newborns and up.
- Dimensions: 5-inch diameter
PROS
- Bright colors stimulate baby’s cognitive development
- Lightweight design makes it easy for baby to handle and throw
- Variety of shapes make it fun for babies to explore
CONS
- Pieces can be a choking hazard if detached from ball
Overall, the Manhattan Toy Click Clack Ball Developmental Activity Baby Toy provides endless entertainment for newborns as they start exploring the world around them.
Things To Keep In Mind While Getting The Best Educational Toys For Newborns
Now that you know what the best educational toys for newborns are, here are a few things to keep in mind when getting these toys for your little one.
Research
The first thing to keep in mind is to do research on the toy and make sure it’s age-appropriate. Toys designed for babies should be soft, free from sharp edges, and easy to clean. Also, look at the material used in the making of a toy as this is important from a safety perspective.
Quality
Another important factor is the quality of the toy. Look for toys that are made from non-toxic materials and have parts that are well-made without any loose pieces. As babies tend to put everything they see in their mouths, it is extremely important to make sure that the toy does not contain any toxins or chemicals that could be harmful to their health.
Versatility
Lastly, get something versatile that your baby can use as they grow older. Toys that promote problem-solving skills are great because they will get more use than regular ones as your baby grows into a toddler and beyond.
Conclusion
Newborns are learning at an incredibly fast pace, and they need plenty of stimulation and activities to help them learn and grow. Choosing toys that are specifically designed to help with educational development can be a great way to give them that.
From cause and effect toys to bright colors and tactile elements, there are so many ways to introduce new skills. Encouraging learning through play is the best way for newborns to explore their world and develop their cognitive skills, so it’s important to find toys that are both educational and fun.
Today, there are a wealth of educational toys available specifically designed for newborns. With the right toys, you can help your newborn learn and grow in a fun and engaging way.
