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Baby Toys (0-12 months)
Everyday play for the first year, chosen by stage: soft rattles, sensory bottles, crinkle books, stacking cups and first wooden toys, from newborn to 12 months. Simple things to grab, shake and explore together.
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Have a look atBaby toys for 0 to 12 months
Babies change so quickly in their first year that the best baby toys are simple ones they can grab, shake, mouth and look at. We have picked toys for each stage, from newborn to the first birthday, and each one is chosen with babies in mind.
Most of all, babies learn from you. The NHS says your child will learn more from you than from any toy, so the toys below are there to give you both something to share.
What helps at this age
- Newborn to 3 months: faces, voices and high-contrast pictures. A crinkle cloth book or soft toy to look at together is plenty.
- 3 to 6 months: reaching and grabbing. The NHS suggests putting toys near your baby so they can reach for them, so light rattles and soft activity cubes are ideal.
- 6 to 12 months: sitting, shaking, banging and dropping. Stacking cups, first blocks and bath toys turn into games of cause and effect.
- Books from the start: BookTrust says it is never too early to share books, and the NHS notes that naming and pointing at things you can both see helps babies learn words.
How to choose baby toys
- Look at the age on the label and pick toys marked from birth or from 0+ months for the youngest babies.
- Choose toys that are easy to wipe or wash, because almost everything goes in their mouth.
- Look for the UKCA, CE or lion mark, and check toys now and then for loose parts.
- A few toys at a time is plenty. Swap them round every week or two and old favourites feel new again.
Questions parents ask
What toys does a newborn need?
Very few. A soft rattle, a crinkle book and something with strong patterns to look at are enough for the first weeks. Your face and voice do the rest.
What are good toys for a 6 month old?
Toys they can hold, shake and pass from hand to hand: rattles, teethers, stacking cups and soft activity cubes. Bath toys are a lovely way to play together too.
Are wooden toys safe for babies?
They can be, when they are made for babies. Check the age label, choose smooth, chunky pieces and avoid anything marked not suitable for children under 36 months.
Shopping for a present? See our gifts for babies, or browse every age on our Stage by Stage page.
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