27 Gifts Babies Will Actually Love, And Their Parents Will Thank You For
These would make any baby light up with a smile.
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1. A Lovevery play gym which'll take babies from the early days of tummy time to toddlerhood play time.
Start off tummy time right with this play gym. Not only does it build strong neck muscles and core strength, to prep them for crawling snd eventually walking, it also helps develop their senses and keeps them endlessly entertained. After their crawling days are behind them, it transforms into a fort they can play in.
Get it from The Lovevery for $140.
2. A carseat and stroller mobile to spark their visual curiosity and soothe them.
This travel mobile will hold baby's attention from the newborn time, when they're just beginning to see high-contrast and black and white, until they're crawling. It easily clips on and is truly a life saver for those car rides when they don't doze off.
Get it from Amazon for $12.
3. A bunch of colored rings you can hang over their stroller as a makeshift mobile and later let them use as a teething toy.
When they're just beginning to open their eyes and see color, they're going to want to stare at these nonstop. You can drape them over their swing or car seat. Later, when they're getting teeth, they will have a whole new purpose. As a bonus, they're easy to clean and sterilize.
Get it from Babylist for $3.99.
4. High-contrast flash cards to awaken their vision.
Newborns love black and white imagery and these flash cards may as well be like watching an action movie for them. They're highly stimulating. They're also great for tummy time, great for hanging near the changing table, and great when you're on the go.
Get it from Amazon for $9.95
5. A non-toxic play mat that gently cushions baby's roll-overs and falls.
There are dozens of things you could buy the babies in your lives — as evidenced by this list — but one that will get use every day is a well-made and non-toxic play mat. Toki Mats makes the best one out there. It's soft but firm enough for baby to sit and climb on and gentle when they inevitable fall.
Get it from Toki Mats for $195.
6. A baby-safe mirror that will have them entranced with their own reflection.
Non-toxic? Check. BPA-free? Check. Water-based finish? Check. This one also comes with crinkle fabric which makes it all the more fun to play with.
Get it from Target for $16.95.
7. An activity center that grows with your baby.
As soon as baby can hold their head up, this activity center becomes their best friend (and their parents' best friend). Mom and dad can get a moment of relaxation or a chance to catch up on chores while baby is happily secured and entertained in this activity center. Not only does it work as a jumper for baby, it also functions as an excellent pull-up table when they're learning to stand up and cruise.
Get it from Amazon for $129.99.
8. A Montessori object permanence box with a tray and ball to teach them what an accomplishment feels like and fine-tune their motor skills.
They will not only love hearing the sound of the wood ball banging on the box, but they will absolutely light up when they figure out how to place the ball in the hole — learning in the process that objects don't disappear when they're out of sight.
Get it from Amazon for $25.99.
9. The classic teething toy that will go everywhere baby goes.
All babies seem to love it. Not only is it great for teething, and lightweight and foldable, it also helps babies learn about cause and effect with the squeaker. Plus it's BPA-free, Phthalate-free, Latex-free, and lead-free.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
10. A book of baby faces so they can see what other kids look like in the pandemic era.
When socialization might not be an option, this book can be the next best thing. It easily props up so baby can stare at the faces during tummy time.
Get it from Amazon for $4.99.
11. Pull-back toy cars to help them work on their crawling.
These little toy cars have a surprising amount of pop, especially with no batteries. Baby learns to wind them back and watch them go, and crawl to retrieve them. The wheels easily pop off so you can wash them in the machine.
Get it from Amazon for $15.23.
13. A bag full of musical instruments to bring the noise.
These toys will stay with them well beyond their first year of life. They also happen to be easy to hold, good for motor skills, and non-toxic, so you don't have to worry about baby putting them in their mouth.
Get it from Amazon for $32.99.
14. A stroller and carseat teether toy that won't get lost.
This one easily hooks on to any carseat or stroller and encourages baby to engage with sight, their mouth, and motor skills.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
15. Mold-free bath toys you can actually clean.
They not only squirt, they twist open so you can clean them — and they're dishwasher-safe.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
16. A keys rattle so baby doesn't have to grab for anyone else's.
Get it from Years of Play for $15.
17. A play gym that will turn any baby into a miniature Olympic climber.
There are play gyms, and then there is the Lily & River climber, which is beloved by pediatricians and occupational therapists, as well as Montessori-approved. This climber helps babies pull themselves up to stand, cruise, and, of course, climb. The best part is that it grows with your baby, from when they're newborns and looking up from underneath at toys hung on it up to when they're five years old. It's also a bonus that it folds up when not being used for easy storage.
Get it from The Tot starting at $350.
18. A magnetic stack-up toy so the parts won't get misplaced.
Keep them sitting up tall for longer with this fun stacking game that stays completely in tact even when it's not in use.
Get it from Honeybug for $23.
20. A subscription or gift card to The Lovevery, because it's truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Parents love The Lovevery for many reasons: The play kits, formulated by baby age, are designed by child development experts. They're non-toxic. They engage all of baby's senses. The toys are based on open play, so they can use them in infinite ways — even though they come with guides that share ideas for how to introduce them. Some of the toys grow with them, and they're also made to last for any future siblings.
Get it from The Lovevery starting at $36/month.
21. A small peg puzzle that doubles as a percussive instrument.
Young babies might just use this as a teething toy or something to bang on, but older babies can work on their hand-eye coordination while trying to "solve" the puzzle.
Get it from Honeybug for $18.
22. Stacking and straining cups to make bath time way more fun.
These also work in the pool and sand, or with a big tub of water on the floor.
Get it from Amazon for $8.64.
23. A custom baby board book that has photos of baby's family and friends.
Babies love board books and they will love one with photos of their family and family friends all the more. It's an especially thoughtful gift during the pandemic, when spending quality time in person with loved ones might not be possible.
Get it from Artifact Uprising for $35.
24. A sensory ball to keep them rolling over.
This one crinkles and rattles as well.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
25. A discovery cube that makes car rides way easier.
There is a handful of ways to play with this one, which includes a peek-a-boo mirror, a hidden ball, and hanging rings.
Get it from Amazon for $13.34.
26. A hand-puppet board book to make reading feel like playtime.
Hand puppets completely mesmerize babies, and bring even more excitement to story time.
Get it from Amazon for $11.38.
27. A baby bouncer that will help the little one keep its chill even when mom and dad are doing chores.
There's a reason BabyBjörn's bouncer has five stars on Amazon with nearly 2,000 reviews: It is a blessing to new parents. It's a cozy spot to set down the baby while mom and dad have a mini break — and it continues to be one from newborn days past the age of one. (This one works up to age two.)
Get it from Amazon for $199.99 (available in three materials and eight colors).
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