20 Best Christmas Toys for Babies
Updated 10 October 2020
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Can you hear the sound of sleigh bells? Saint Nick is on his way! It’s an exciting time for all of us, especially good boys and girls. They may have prepared a list of their Christmas wishes, but how do Santa’s little helpers decide on which presents to give babies? Well, they’ll probably check our list of 20 best Christmas toys for babies in 2020.
We’ve put together this selection using recommendations from people who love their purchases, removing any toys with fake reviews so the elves don’t get stung with their online shopping. Combining a selection of toys with a Christmas theme and toys we know babies will adore, including different budget, quality, and eco-friendly options. ‘Tis the season for reindeer, snowmen and... squeak eggs apparently!
1Disney Baby My First Christmas
With the Disney Baby My First Christmas, babies can learn about new Christmas-themed words. The touch-and-feel board book also features beloved, famous Disney characters that babies will love. This can turn into a fun, memorable first-holiday experience.
What we love
- Colorful artwork easily draws a baby's attention
- Variety of textures for babies to feel
What We Don't Like That Much
- Could have more touch-and-feel aspects on multiple pages
2Santa's Workshop: Christmas Lift-a-Flap Board Book (Chunky Lift-a-Flap)
Get babies excited about Christmas with the Santa's Workshop: Christmas Lift-a-Flap Board Book. This story takes them right to the North Pole where they can visit different areas like Santa's workshop and Mrs. Claus's kitchen. There are different surprises under each flap.
What we love
- Flaps are made from thick, sturdy material
- All the flaps are a good size for baby's small hands to work on their own
What We Don't Like That Much
- The writing could benefit from a better flow
3TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Eggs | Easter Egg Toddler Toys | Matching & Sorting Learning Toys |Top Toy for Easter Baskets
The TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Eggs toy is a great developmental tool for babies. There are six colorful eggs, and when they pull open the shell, they reveal the colored chicks. These chicks can even chirp when their heads are pressed down. With this toy, babies discover shape sorting and color matching.
What we love
- Encourages multiple skills in babies
- Great for imaginative play
What We Don't Like That Much
- The squeak sounds could be louder in some of the eggs
4Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
Designed for little hands, the Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy is lightweight and it can even be refrigerated as needed. Several senses are stimulated with this toy. It features numerous colors to appeal to their vision, a gentle rattle for auditory stimulation, and the soft teeth tubes to soothe their gums.
What we love
- Babies can easily maintain a good grip thanks to the thin rings
- Soft rattling noise
What We Don't Like That Much
- Overall size is a bit awkward for smaller babies
5Galt Pop Up Toy
With the Galt Pop Up Toy, babies will find amusement in watching the four colorful characters bob up and down thanks to the hidden springs. It's a wonderful toy that addresses color awareness and cause and effect in addition to improving a child's hand-eye coordination.
What we love
- Simple, compact toy that's easy to move around
- Good way to work on motor skills
What We Don't Like That Much
- The base of the wooden frame may benefit from being wider
6Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball | Easy to Grasp Bumps Help Develop Motor Skills | for Ages 6 Months and Up | Colors May Vary
The Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball is a fun toy to teach babies about variety concerning textures, shapes, colors, and patterns. Colors and patterns are bold to pull a child's attention right away. Also, the high contrast can help encourage them to focus better. Lastly, the gentle rattle sounds are enough to not overwhelm them.
What we love
- Fun, multiple textures
- Good bumps that help babies grasp it easier
What We Don't Like That Much
- The fabric may get a bit slippery
7Baby Einstein Neighborhood Friends Activity Jumper with Lights and Melodies
There are 12 interactive activities for babies to enjoy such as sounds, lights, and songs with the Baby Einstein Neighborhood Friends Activity Jumper. It also encourages language development by teaching not only English words, but also French and Spanish. They can bounce in the chair, and it can even rotate 360-degrees.
What we love
- Easy for babies to switch from toy to toy with the seat rotation
- Simple to adjust the height five ways
What We Don't Like That Much
- The build is a bit bulky and it isn't collapsible
8Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Clarice On The Go Teether Developmental Activity Toy
This Clarice On the Go Teether toy is a great activity toy for babies as it features a variety of textures to stimulate them in different ways. When her belly is pressed, her cheeks light up as she sings along to the music. Additionally, there's a squeaker, a rattle, a crinkle, teethers, and a textured ring.
What we love
- Quality C-clip to attach to a crib, stroller, or car seat
- Numerous textures to explore
What We Don't Like That Much
- No way to replace the batteries
9Organic Cotton Breathable Baby Pillow for Newborn, Protection for Flat Head Syndrome. (Cloud Lamb)
Made from 100% organic cotton, this baby pillow has a comfortable, supportive design that helps ward off flat head syndrome. It comes in a number of different animal shapes and patterns such as a lamb, elephant, and floral leaves. The pillow is double-sided too so babies can use it no matter which way it is. Also, the pillow is ideal for use anytime from breastfeeding to diaper changes.
What we love
- Does well at keeping a baby from lying on their flat spot
- Made from soft material
What We Don't Like That Much
- Material could benefit from more breathability
10Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Baby's First Christmas Plush with Music and Lights, 8 Inches
The Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Baby's First Christmas Plush is great to cuddle with and play with. It's made from soft material that's gentle to the touch as well as gentle against a baby's skin. This can sing a classic tune, and his famous red nose lights up.
What we love
- Can grow with the baby over the years
- Sings a portion of the classic Rudolph song
What We Don't Like That Much
- Could have a longer battery life
11Skip Hop Baby Play Gym, Treetop Friends, Grey/Pastel
The Skip Hop Treetop Friends is a fun play mat and activity gym. There are 17 different developmental activities babies can partake in, and with the versatile, multi-sensory hanging toys, a child can indulge in them at separate stages of their development. This features patterned arches as well as a supportive pillow for tummy time support.
What we love
- Includes extra loops to hang more toys from
- Adorable woodland theme is child-friendly and appealing
What We Don't Like That Much
- Mat and material seems somewhat thin
12Rainbow Nesting & Stacking Cups Baby Building Set. 10 Pieces. With Embossed Animal Characters. For Indoor, Outdoor, Bathtub, And Beach Fun Toy. Multi Colors
Available in a set of 10, these Rainbow Stacking & Nesting Cups can entertain and help develop the skills of infants, babies, and toddlers alike, making these cups ideal toys to grow along with a child. They can be played with almost anywhere, and they feature bright, bold colors to visually stimulate babies. These are useful for learning about counting, color recognition, grouping, and more.
What we love
- Lightweight and easy to stack and nest
- Plastic material feels sturdy
What We Don't Like That Much
- Small holes at the bottom could drain water faster
13Wood Baby Rattle Teether by Homi Baby, Perfect Montessori Grasping Teething Toy for Babies, Handmade in The USA, Sealed with Organic Virgin Coconut Oil & Beeswax
The Montessori Styled Baby Rattle is a wonderful Christmas toy that takes a classic and elevates it. It's made out of organic pieces, and the wood is smoothed so babies are comfortable holding and shaking it. Not only is it designed in a unique way, but the soft rattle noise comes from the rings clacking together rather than anything inside the rattle itself.
What we love
- Smooth wood material is safe enough to chew on
- Easy to grasp
What We Don't Like That Much
- Might take a little time to clean thoroughly
14Melissa & Doug First Play Wooden Jumbo Knob Safari Animal Puzzle (3 pcs)
The Safari Jumbo Knob Puzzle from Melissa & Doug is a 3-piece wooden set that features smiling, cute animals. There's a giraffe, a tiger, and a lion, and kids can move the heads around by simply grasping the knob noses on each animal's face
What we love
- The wooden knobs are a good size and easy for babies to grasp
- Features funny, colorful animal designs
What We Don't Like That Much
- The faces on the puzzles might not hold well if chewed on
15Bearington Baby's 1st Christmas Plush Soft Ring Rattle, 5.5 inches
The Bearington Baby's teddy bear rattle is among the 20 best Christmas toys for babies celebrating their first holiday. It features a cute tiny bear wearing a Christmas hat and an adorable red and green polka dot tie. This produces only a gentle rattle sound so that it won't over-stimulate newborns.
What we love
- Appealing, gently colored design to appeal to any infant
- Soft to the touch
What We Don't Like That Much
- Can feel a bit stiff
16Green Toys Tide Pool Bath Set - 7 Piece Pretend Play, Motor Skills, Kids Bath Toy Floating Pouring Shells with Storage Bag. No BPA, phthalates, PVC. Dishwasher Safe, Recycled Plastic, Made in USA.
Made from 100% recyclable material, the Green Toys Tide Pool Bath Set brings beach fun to bath time or even outdoor play. There are seven different pieces: starfish, snail, squid, abalone, scallop, and a jellyfish. Each piece is designed so that they pour out the water in different ways. At the end of playing, all of them can be placed in the included green seaweed storage bag.
What we love
- They all dry out well
- Toys pour water out in different stream patterns and speeds
What We Don't Like That Much
- Holes on the basket could be slightly larger
17Baby Einstein Magic Touch Wooden Drum Musical Toy, Ages 6 months Plus
One of the best Christmas toys for babies who are musically inclined is the Baby Einstein Magic Touch Wooden Drum. Made from child-friendly wooden material, there are two different play modes where babies can create their own tunes or they can play some classic songs instead. No buttons are needed to play thanks to the magic touch technology.
What we love
- Compact and lightweight to make it easier to move
- Simple volume control options
What We Don't Like That Much
- The drum response could be faster
18BabyBibi Floating Baby Bath Books for Baby. Kids Learning Bath Toys. Waterproof Bathtime Toys for Toddlers. Kids Educational Infant Bath Toys. (Set of 4: Color Recognition Bath Books)
Among the 20 best Christmas toys for babies is the BabyBibi Floating Baby Bath Books since they can enjoy them in and out of the water. It teaches them the four basic colors, and inside the books are adorable animal illustrations to help babies learn more about the specific colors. Each book has a squeaky noise-maker inside too.
What we love
- Illustrations are good to interact with to teach babies about colors
- Books float well in the tub
What We Don't Like That Much
- Might benefit from being slightly larger
19Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth, clapping baby toy with music, lights, and learning songs for babies & toddlers ages 9 months & up
The Fisher-Price Linkimails Smooth Moves Sloth can encourage babies to move around with the interactive sloth that bobs its head and claps its hands. There are more than 80 songs, phrases, tunes, and sounds. It has colorful lights, and babies can press the buttons on their own to get the sloth going. This even has three different games to play along with.
What we love
- Easy for babies to play with on their own
- Good introduction to ABCs, counting, and more
What We Don't Like That Much
- Can make a clicking sound if the moving arms and head are touched