As a parent of a newborn, you may be wondering how best to engage and stimulate your baby during their first few months. You may also be thinking, ‘I already feed, wash and care for this little creature ’round the clock, I need to entertain them too?’ Yep! While newborns may seem small and delicate, the early months of life are crucial for development. Babies at this stage are already beginning to explore their world, and providing the right toys can help support their growth in a fun and meaningful way.
Let’s explore the kinds of toys that are ideal for babies aged 0-6 months and how they can help with sensory, cognitive, and motor development.
1. Soft, High-Contrast Toys
Newborns have blurry vision when they are born and can only see objects that are within 8-12 inches from their face. At this early stage, babies are drawn to high-contrast colours, especially black, white, and red. Toys that feature these bold colours and patterns can grab their attention and encourage visual tracking.
What to look for:
- Soft fabric toys or plush animals in bold, high-contrast colours
- Black and white books with simple patterns or pictures
- Soft sensory blocks or shapes with bright, contrasting designs
These types of toys also help babies develop their visual perception as they start to follow objects with their eyes – an early milestone in visual development.
2. Textured Sensory Toys
At this age, babies are starting to explore the world using their senses, particularly touch. Sensory development is vital for a baby’s brain growth, and textured toys can play a key role in helping your baby understand the different sensations they encounter.
Sensory development is vital for a baby’s brain growth, and textured toys can play a key role “
What to look for:
- Soft rubber or silicone teething rings with various textures
- Cloth books with different textures (such as velvet, crinkly material, or satin)
- Soft rattles or plush toys with varied fabric textures
Sensory toys also provide a good opportunity for babies to grasp and hold objects, helping to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
3. Rattles and Musical Toys
Rattles and toys that produce gentle sounds can be an excellent choice for babies during their first six months. Babies are fascinated by sounds, and listening to noises can help develop their auditory senses. Rattles also promote hand-eye coordination as babies begin to reach out and grab them.
What to look for:
- Simple handheld rattles or shaker toys
- Musical toys with soft tunes or melodies (make sure the volume is not too loud)
- Soft musical books that play gentle lullabies or sounds when pressed
These toys are beneficial for encouraging babies to reach, grasp, and shake, while introducing them to cause and effect (e.g., when they shake the rattle, it makes a sound).
4. Mirrors
Babies love looking at themselves in mirrors, especially when they’re just discovering their own reflections. A baby-safe mirror can encourage visual exploration and self-awareness. At this age, babies might not fully understand the concept of “self,” but they’ll be fascinated by the faces and movements they see.
What to look for:
- Non-breakable, baby-friendly mirrors with soft edges
- Mirrors attached to soft toys or activity mats
- Mirrors with bright colors or patterns around the edges to attract attention
Mirrors are also wonderful for promoting tummy time, as babies will often lift their heads to look at themselves, which strengthens their neck muscles.
5. Tummy Time Toys
Tummy time is an essential activity in the first few months that helps babies develop the muscles they need to roll over, sit up, and eventually crawl. During tummy time, providing toys that encourage reaching, grasping, and head-lifting can help keep your baby engaged while strengthening their upper body and neck.
What to look for:
- Tummy time mats with attached toys, mirrors, and textures
- Soft toys that dangle or move to encourage reaching
- Sensory balls or brightly coloured rings
By incorporating tummy time toys into your baby’s routine, you not only promote physical development but also help prevent flat spots on the back of the head, a common concern in newborns.
6. Activity Gyms and Play Mats
An activity gym or play mat is one of the best investments you can make for your baby in the first six months. These mats often come with dangling toys, mirrors, and soft textures that stimulate sight, sound, and touch. The various components encourage babies to reach and grasp, supporting fine motor development.
What to look for:
- Play mats with dangling toys (animals, shapes, or mirrors) that your baby can bat at
- Mats with vibrant colours and different textures to stimulate your baby’s senses
- Mats that are easy to clean and come with removable toys for versatility
Activity gyms also promote tummy time, and babies enjoy lying on their backs and batting at toys, developing their coordination.
7. Cloth Books
Although your baby might not be ready to read yet, cloth books with simple, colourful images can help your baby develop early cognitive skills. Books with interactive elements, such as crinkly pages or squeakers, also encourage sensory exploration.
What to look for:
- Soft, fabric books with bright colours and bold images
- Books with textures or sounds to keep your baby engaged
- Books with simple, high-contrast pictures to promote visual development
Reading to your baby, even from an early age, is also beneficial for language development. The soothing sound of your voice can help babies develop listening skills and create a positive association with books.
Play for Growth
Choosing the right toys for your 0-6 month old baby is more than just about fun—it’s about fostering early development in multiple areas. At this stage, babies are laying the foundation for future learning, and the right toys can make a world of difference. By introducing toys that stimulate their senses, support physical growth, and encourage motor skills, you are helping your little one reach essential developmental milestones.
Remember to always prioritise safety and choose age-appropriate, non-toxic toys. As your baby grows, their interests and abilities will evolve, so be sure to update their toy collection to match their changing developmental needs.
Happy playing!
Find toys to make bath time a real splash – check out our Bath Toys.