20 Best Toys for 3-Month-Olds and Younger Infants
Updated 21 January 2021
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The toys infants that are three months old or younger play with have a hugely important role in helping them to learn about the world. They are designed to stimulate through shapes, colors, textures, and sounds and the right toy can help a child settle and self-soothe or cope with the discomfort of teething.
From activity books to musical mobiles to rockers, teething keys, and starlight hippos, we’ve picked out the 20 best toys for babies in 2021. Because they’re at such a critical age, you need to know that you can trust the toys you buy for them. To combat sellers using fake ratings, we’ve based our recommendations on only verified online reviews from real people.
1Hello, Garden Bugs: A High-Contrast Book
The Hello, Garden Bugs: A High-Contrast Book is a unique toy for young babies that serves as an adorable introduction to common garden creatures. In fact, this may be one of the 20 best toys for infants that are three months old and younger since infants struggle recognizing colors. With a book such as this, the sharp contrast between the white and black colors helps them follow along and make connections.
What we love
- The contrast between black and white works well to help younger babies recognize patterns
- There is a simple story for parents, which can enhance the experience for toddlers
What We Don't Like That Much
- The book is designed with some weight to it so young babies may not be able to hold onto it
2The First Years First Rattle
Rattles are ideal toys for young babies and this First Rattle from The First Years is no different. This cute toy is appealing thanks to its high-contrast coloring and adorable smiling animal face. Additionally, the rattle is multi-textured and has spots on it that are made with teething in mind. These areas feature soft surfaces that won't irritate a baby's sensitive gums.
What we love
- Helpful in developing fine motor skills as the rattle features various areas to grasp
- It makes a gentle rattling sound that won't startle younger babies
What We Don't Like That Much
- The "fingers" on the rattle may be a bit big for some babies to fit into their mouths for teething
3Infant Graphic-Shapes Set
A simple way for parents to guide young babies into the world of visual stimulation and gross motor skill development is with this Infant Graphic-Shapes Set. It features three large 3D shapes: a cube, a sphere, and a square pyramid. These shapes are all of similar size and softness so babies can comfortably play with them. They each feature high-contrast black, white, and red coloring.
What we love
- The toys are designed with great variety from the shapes to the patterns and textures
- Features several tags that can be used for teething as well as hanging the toys up
What We Don't Like That Much
- For some babies, the shapes might be a bit too large to hold without parental assistance
4VTech Baby Lil' Critters Soothing Starlight Hippo, Pink (Amazon Exclusive)
A cute and appealing way to comfort babies at night is with this adorable VTech Baby Lil' Critters Soothing Starlight Hippo. Parents can purchase the hippo in either pink or blue. No matter which color is chosen, the design is child-friendly and stimulating. The toy projects colorful lights onto the ceiling and plays more than 100 songs, phrases, melodies, and sounds.
What we love
- It features a nice automatic function that turns off the music whenever a baby cries
- The light show is both colorful and not overly stimulating so that it may help soothe them to sleep
What We Don't Like That Much
- There could be more variety in the order the songs are played so that the toy doesn't repeat itself
5Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Activity Station
The Baby Einstein Glow & Discover is a light-up activity bar that can easily keep babies entertained. This bright and colorful bar features three different play modes: xylophone, animals, and colors. In addition to making music in the xylophone mode, children can also spin the center rattle for more sounds. With the stand upright, babies can sit up and have fun. Simply lower the stand to give them some tummy time or for storage purposes.
What we love
- The multiple language settings are useful for early language learning
- Versatile design that can help babies throughout different developmental stages
What We Don't Like That Much
- The kickstand could be sturdier as it can collapse accidentally
6Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys Pink (2 Pack)
These teether keys are just what babies need to soothe those sensitive gums. They are made in various colors, which will be fun for infants once they start recognizing patterns and colors. The keyring design also makes it simpler for them to hold onto so they gain independence while soothing themselves. These are simple to pop in the freezer to get cold. The surface is cool-resilient without being uncomfortable so babies can suck on them with ease.
What we love
- The keyring itself is a comfortable size for babies to grip
- These keys do a good job at holding onto their cold temperatures for a long time
What We Don't Like That Much
- The keys may be too big for some babies
7Lulla Bear Shusher by Alex & Kate - Mom’s Heartbeat Sound, White Noise, and Lullabies - Portable Toddler Sleep Aid Toy, Baby Sleep Soothing Sounds for Newborn Crib to Comfort, Gender Neutral
The Lulla Bear Shusher by Alex & Kate is a fun portable toy and sleep aid for babies. This fluffy toy is a good size to rest with a baby in their crib or even to hang up. It features a cry sensor that can be turned on or off as well as 10 levels of volume for parents to adjust according to their baby's specific needs.
What we love
- Features 6 comforting sounds that make it the perfect sleep companion
- There is a 30-minute auto shut-off component
What We Don't Like That Much
- The batteries may have to be changed regularly
8Baby Einstein Flip For Art High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror with Take Along Cards, Tummy Time Play, Newborn+
The Baby Einstein Flip for Art Floor Activity Mirror is a cool way to stimulate babies and catch their attention. It features numerous high-contrast patterns so that babies as young as newborns may be able to recognize certain elements. As they get a little older, they can flip through the interesting flashcards to introduce themselves to different shapes and patterns. There are also different colors and patterns on the stand itself that babies can enjoy.
What we love
- The flashcards are easy to put on and simple to remove
- It features a wide tent base so that it remains upright well
What We Don't Like That Much
- The mirror seems to cause a reflection that is a little distorted
9Pro Goleem Duck Security Blanket Soft Yellow Baby Lovey Unisex Lovie Gift for Newborn Toddler 15 Inch
The Pro Goleem Duck Security Blanket is made from ultra-soft material that is machine-washable for easier cleaning and maintaining throughout a baby's inevitable accidents. It works well for older babies to sleep with inside their cribs in addition to being a cool toy to play around with. The adorable animal toy is a good place for them to grip too. There are plenty of other animal designs to choose from that are all just as vibrantly colored.
What we love
- The back of the blanket is covered in a nice silky fabric
- Makes for a very thoughtful gift
What We Don't Like That Much
- The head of the blanket does not appear to be as soft to the touch as the rest of it
10Baby Rattle Sets Teether Rattles Toys, 8pcs Babies Grab Shaker and Spin Rattle Toy Early Educational Toys with Owl Bottle Gifts Set for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 Month Newborn Infant Baby, Boy, Girl
This Baby Rattle and Teether Set contains a wide assortment of different toys to keep young babies happy and entertained. It is in an eight-piece set that features various designs as well as different ways for kids to hold onto them to help develop their motor skills. They all feature bright, vivid coloring to instantly appeal to young children.
What we love
- Made from ABS plastic, which is non-toxic, so each piece is safe for babies to put into their mouths.
- The teething portions are made from a gentle, rubber material
What We Don't Like That Much
- The rattling sound might benefit from being just a little louder as some are hard to hear
11Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book with Attachable Link for On-The-Go Travel | Black & White | for Ages Newborn and Up
This activity book is a cute way to introduce babies to many animals. It features a bold black and white palette and an assortment of shapes and designs to capture a young child's attention. It is also a good first lesson in association as babies can learn how to place words into colorful animal-shaped openings. Further stimulation is found in the crinkle pages of the book and a peek-a-book aspect, which encourages babies to jumpstart their hand-eye coordination.
What we love
- Features wonderful high-contrast images to keep infants interested
- The book is a good size for babies to grasp on their own
What We Don't Like That Much
- It may be more fun for infants to have all of the pages crinkle
12MAGIFIRE Tummy Time Baby Water Mat,Water Play Mat for 3 6 9 Months Baby Infant Toy Newborn Boy Girl
The MAGFIRE Tummy Time Baby Water Mat is a fun, brightly-colored, stimulating toy. It is made from leak-proof, BPA-free material for safety purposes. A baby can feel like they are swimming in the ocean without actually getting wet. They can observe a multitude of friendly, smiling water animals that float around.
What we love
- Features a good number of different sea animals with child-friendly expressions
- It is made from reliable material that is not prone to leaking
What We Don't Like That Much
- The plastic may be a bit too smooth as some babies might need help crawling across the mat
13beiens Baby Books Toys, Touch and Feel Crinkle Cloth Books for Babies, Infants & Toddler, Early Development Interactive Car & Stroller Soft Toys for Boys & Girls (Jungle Tails-1 Book)
The beiens Soft Baby Cloth Books are the perfect introduction to storytelling for younger babies. Parents can select from the farm tails collection, the jungle tails collection, or the rainforest tails collection with each of the collections focusing on those specific groupings of animals. As parents read through them, they can introduce babies to a host of new animals and the environments that they live in. There is a good helping of interaction from the books too such as the colors, the crinkle sound, and the fact that there are some sounds when certain animal tails are squeezed.
What we love
- The book features great bold coloring for babies at the stage of recognizing animals
- The soft material is good for babies to hold as well as making the book easy to wash clean
What We Don't Like That Much
- May be more fun if all of the pages crinkled
14WYSWYG Baby Play Mat for Floor, Baby Play Gym Activity Mat Kick and Play Piano Gym Activity Center for Baby with Music and Light 0-12 Months
This Jungle Musical Play Mat is an inspiring way for babies to learn and play while lying down. Its bold colors are ideal for stimulating babies once they are a little older. Also, they have plenty to do with this activity center thanks to multiple modes. Babies can lie on their backs and kick at the piano while playing with the hanging toys, or they can jam out to the tunes during tummy time with a more upright piano.
What we love
- There are 3 nursery rhymes and 6 funny musical tunes
- There is good volume control for the music settings
What We Don't Like That Much
- It may help if the bottom mat was just a bit thicker
15Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker - Pacific Pebble, Portable Baby Seat, Multi
The Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rocker is available in a handful of different color designs and patterns. It is easy to convert it to a stationary seat but it can also be used to rock and soothe babies with an adjustable incline and gentle vibrations. As for the play aspect, this rocker features a removable toy bar.
What we love
- The versatile design of the chair ensures that it grows with a baby
- The seat pad is removable and machine-washable
What We Don't Like That Much
- The toys may benefit from being softer as the material is rather hard and firm
16Promise Babe 4pc Organic Toddler Wooden Toys Wood Montessori Baby Rattle Intellectual Toddler Grasping Toy Perfect Newborn Gift
Promise Babe has come out with a four-piece set of organic wooden toys that babies will love. These rattles don't just aim to stimulate a baby's auditory system, but their visual one as well. Each of the toys features a different shape, multiple colors, and various ways to make rattling sounds. When it comes to the colors, they are not exactly vivid, but they contrast well with one another and against the wooden background.
What we love
- Rattles serve as good hand-eye coordination toys
- They are made from safe wooden material that's soft to touch
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some of the rattles have a string that does not seem very durability
17Black and White Flashcards Visual Stimulation Toy 80 PCS 160Page, 0 3 6 12 24 36 Months Baby Flash cards - Newborn High Contrast Toys, Learning Early Educaion Toys
These flashcards take a gentler approach to teaching young babies shape and pattern recognition. Not only does the black and white coloring contrast perfectly, but these cards also have bold lines to instantly attract babies and guide them along the way. They stand out well enough so that babies are encouraged to focus on each individual section. The cards can work well for decorative purposes as parents can hang them up in the nursery so babies see them often.
What we love
- 80 pieces in total
- Feature ABCs, numbers, and various shapes
What We Don't Like That Much
- Some of the rattles have a string that does not seem very durable