The Best Baby Toys of 2024

Babies explore their world through play, using their senses to reach developmental milestones. Whether grasping a rattle, looking at their reflection in a mirror, or soothing themselves during naptime, babies benefit from toys that hold their attention, boost their fine and gross motor skills, and—best of all—make them laugh. With so many ways to help your baby learn and grow, choosing the right toy for your little one can be overwhelming.

To simplify your search, our parent testers sat with their babies and watched as they played, discovered, and played some more. These are the winners of the 2024 Parents Best Toys Awards in the baby category. 

Best Teether for Baby

Melii Silicone Teether

Teething is no fun—for you or your baby—so getting your hands on reliable relief is a must. This non-toxic, multi-textured teether massages your little one’s gums, providing instant comfort. It’s easy to hold. One parent of a 9 month old noted how simple it was for her baby to grasp. It's also just plain cute. “The design and textures are eye-catching and engaging,” she said of the dino, shark, unicorn, bulldog, and cat styles.

Best Rattle for Baby

Bright Starts Grippin’ Goals Rattle Ball – Black & White

Shake, rattle, and roll with a rattle that sports an innovative design. Little ones can get a firm grip on this rattle that they’ll love to shake, moving the colorful beads inside and developing their fine motor skills. The high-contrast black-and-white rattle offers plenty of visual appeal for additional stimulation. One parent an infant tester appreciated the unconventional design. “It’s a nice elevation from newborn-looking rattles,” they said.

Best Toy for Crawlers

Baby Einstein Chase & Tap Earl Interactive Crawling Toy

Toys that encourage your baby to move—and maintain their interest when seated—are a plus for developing gross motor skills. Simply pull up the toy’s stand and watch your little one crawl after the rolling elephant. You can also set up the stand for stationery play, allowing your child to check out their reflection or tap on colorful keys to make music. For extended play, switch over to discovery mode and learn numbers, colors, and shapes. One parent of an 11 month old appreciated this toy’s flexible functionality, with the ability to turn off the music. 

Best Soother for Baby

Fisher-Price™ Soothe & Settle Bunny

Help your little one settle down for naptime with this plush bunny that doubles as a sleep machine. When the bunny begins to yawn, its head moves back and forth, soothing little ones with the gentle motion. Choose from five sounds for up to 30 minutes of continuous comfort, from music with yawns and snores to deep breathing and nature-inspired noises. Bunny’s glowing heart can also be adjusted for additional calming. “Bunny has several music options that kept my baby soothed and entertained when he was fussy,” said one parent. “It also makes white noise to keep him sleeping.”

Best Interactive Plush for Baby

GUND Buttermilk the Cow

Tots who love to sing and play will have an udder-ly good time with this sweet plush cow who’s ready for a new playmate. Press Buttermilk’s left foot to play an animal sound guessing game, and press her right foot to sing along to “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.” (Watch as her ears and mouth mooo-ve to the rhythm!) One parent tester of a 1 year old loved how excited her son became when Buttermilk sang to him.

Best Playmat for Baby

Hape Owl Bed Oscar Baby Playmat

Whooo doesn’t love a fun all-in-one toy for little ones to entertain themselves? This padded playmat is easy to assemble and features three developmental toys—a tweeting bird teether, owl rattle, and flower ring—for stimulating your baby’s senses. When playtime is over, simply fold down the arch, roll up the mat and you’re ready to go. One parent tester of a 3 month old appreciated how easy it was to stash this playmat, either at home or when traveling. 

Best for Pretend Play

Baby Einstein + Hape Learning Lens™ Toy Camera

Say cheese! Your little shutterbug will love playing amateur photographer with a pretend camera that does much more than snap pictures. Boost baby’s fine motor skills by pressing the button and seeing what develops. Next, twist the lens to learn six colors in four languages, as the lens glows to match each hue. One parent tester of an 8month-o ld appreciated that the camera’s music doesn’t stop when changing colors.

Best Water Toy for Baby

Wonder Waves Baby Water Mat

Water babies have finally found their happy place with a playmat that offers the wonders of the sea on dry land. To set it up, insert the six sea animal toys (an octopus, crab, two whales, and two starfishes); fill the mat’s center with water; and inflate the rim. Little ones will love crawling around and discovering each floating creature, helping to boost their gross motor skills and promote tummy time. “My daughter loves to lay and roll on this mat, push at the animals inside, and look at the water and colors,” one parent said.

Best Educational Toy for Baby

Baby Einstein Drum & Learn Dean™ Musical Learning Toy

Strike up the band and expose your baby to the wonderful world of music with this interactive learning toy. Little ones learn about cause and effect when they press the doggie’s head, making his arms move up and down and his nose light up. In composer mode, little ones can layer sounds to make music. While in discovery mode, Dean teaches them colors, shapes and instruments in four languages. Bonus: The lights and sounds are not over-stimulating, which one parent tester of a 10 month old appreciated.

Best Stationary Gym for Baby

Sunrise to Sunset Wooden Baby Gym

A testament to its name, this activity gym will mesmerize your busy baby from morning until bedtime. An extra-plush organic playmat features shapes, ribbons, letters, and numbers. Suspended from the fashionable wooden arch are a teething ring, crinkly rainbow, rattle, mirror, and plush moon to promote hand-eye coordination. One parent of a nearly 2 month old noted that her newborn loved gazing at herself in the hanging mirror—perfect for self-discovery. 

Best Travel Gym for Baby

Melissa & Doug Ocean Easy-Fold Play Gym

Take your little one under the sea with this travel-friendly gym that’s ready for playtime in an instant. Your baby can stretch out on the reversible playmat (black-and-white ocean life on one side and a colorful seascape on the other). Overhead, a menagerie of developmental detachable toys, including a wiggly octopus, chiming turtle with mirror, crinkly sea star, squeaker crab, and chiming manta ray beckon little hands and feet and promote hand-eye coordination. This portable gym folds up easily with a simple touch of the button, making it a breeze to take to grandma’s. “Our son loves this play gym,” said one parent tester. “The multiple hanging toys keep his attention, and he especially loves the mirror at the top.”

Best Travel Toy for Baby

Kids Preferred Harry Potter Sorting Hat Mirror On the Go Rattle Plush Toy

No hat trick necessary: This adorable Harry Potter-themed travel rattle makes magic all on its own. Everyone’s favorite wizard dons a crinkly hat atop a plush rattle. Flip it over to find a mirror on the backside, making it look like your little one is wearing Harry’s hat . A Velcro strap attaches this riveting rattle to a stroller or car seat for amusement in transit.