Are you need some great gift ideas for your baby this Christmas? As you know babies don’t need very many toys, especially during the first four months. Once your baby turns 4 months old, he or she will need to begin spending time on their tummy to help develop their motor skills and strengthen their core muscles. Even if your child isn’t quite ready to play with the toys, babies are always interested in looking around and exploring objects around them. Playtime is also a great way for parents to encourage their infant to enjoy tummy time. Check out these great early learning toys that help babies learn and develop their motor skills.
Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links and I do receive a small commission from any items that you purchase.
Baby Rattles
Rattles are a great way for your child to learn how to grasp items, pass them back and forth between their hands, and they are a great chew toy when your baby begins teething. Parents can use the rattle to make noise. The rattle can be used to help your infant develop their ability to turn and look for things. When your baby finds the rattle, shake it so that your baby is rewarded for finding the rattle. They are watching you and learning that they can make noise while playing with the rattle too. The rattle can also be used to teach your infant how to turn towards the sound of the rattle. Also, try placing the rattle in front of your baby while he or she is lying on their tummy and get your baby to try to reach for the toy. Once your baby is old enough to hold the rattle in their hands, they too can learn how to shake the rattle to get it to make noise.
Teething Toys
Babies often begin teething around 4 to 6 months old and will need some toys that are safe for them to chew on. Teething toys are great for helping your baby relieve sore and painful gums without the use of harmful chemicals or drugs. In fact, most of the teething toys can be put into the freezer or refrigerator which can help numb and provide comfort for your baby’s gums. When looking for teething toys, it is important to choose toys that don’t contain BPA which is a harmful to babies and young children. Teething toys not only help the discomforts of teething but it also helps babies develop their oral motor skills. Amber teething necklaces are fairly new and I have heard other moms say that they work great and help relieve teething pain. I personally never heard of them until I started blogging a year ago. If you plan on letting your baby use an amber teething necklace, ensure that you are supervising your child closely because they are chocking hazard and your child could accidentally strangle themselves.
Infant Jumper or Activity Center
This was one of my favorite items that I had for my son when he was younger, he loved spending time playing in his jumper. Most jumpers or activity centers have several activities including music, lights, and toy stations to keep your baby entertained while developing your baby’s motor skills. It is also a great way for your baby to get some physical activity to help them develop their neck, back, and leg muscles while they are busy playing. The activities centers are designed to grow with your baby and most have adjustable height settings it will grow with your baby. The springs are covered with fabric to keep your babies fingers safe. Your baby can rotate 360 degrees while they are bouncing and playing. The jumper or activity center requires some assembly and if the one you select has music, lights, and sounds you will need batteries (not included unless specified on the box)
Crawl and Go Toys
Once your baby begins crawling, you will probably have a harder time keeping your baby entertained because they are able to move and go where they want too. The crawl and go toys are a great way to help keep your baby entertained and reward them for doing physical activity. These toys also teach your baby about cause and effect. Your baby will enjoy learning how to make the toys move by pressing a button. I love toys that are entertaining and help develop your baby’s motor skills. Depending on the toy you select, you might need to purchase batteries separately. This toy is great for infants 6 to 18 months old.
Lovey
Most babies are often attached to a security blanket or stuffed animal someone had a bright idea and combined the two ideas. A lovey is a small blanket that has a stuffed animal attached to it. They come in a wide variety of colors, animal choices, and even Disney characters. I received one of these at my baby shower and my son has been fairly attached to it since he was little. He loves snuggling with it and took it with him to daycare. I loved that I was able to toss it in the washing machine when it needed cleaning. Lovey’s are a great gift idea for newborns or older. Most children often use the lovey’s as a security object and carry it around with them every where they go. If your child does get attached to a lovey, don’t worry they won’t carry it around with them to high school.
Cloth Books
It is never too early to start reading books to your baby. Of course, your baby will probably enjoy eating it as well. Cloth books make a great first book for your baby. They are often filled with bright colors and crinkle pages. These books are great for small hands and are drool friendly. As your baby gets older, you can also add board books to your collection. If you start reading stories to your baby, keep it short and sweet. Babies are easily distracted and it is hard to keep their attention for long periods of time. Reading books at an early age helps promote early literacy skills and helps your child begin recognizing different sounds and patterns.
Press N Play Pal Plush Animal Toys
These plush stuffed animal toys offer a variety of educational learning activities to keep your baby entertained. Your baby can push the stuffed animals hands, feet, and tummy to activate lights, sound, or music depending on the animal you choose. This is another great toy that teaches your baby about cause and effect. When they push the button they will activate lights, sound, or music. It has an on/off switch so that the animal can be stored in the toy box without running down the batteries. This toy is recommended for babies 3 months and older. The animals are light weight enough for young babies to hold or carry around.
Ride and Push Toys
As a mom, I love finding toys that have multiple purposes. The ride and push toys are great for older infants who are learning how to walk. They can use the toy to help them balance when they are starting to walk. It will help keep them upright and they are able to push the toy as they move. If they get tired, they can sit on the toy and push the toy with their feet to move around the house. If you purchase this toy and have stairs in your home, make sure that you use a baby gate in front of the stairs to prevent your baby from accidentally falling down the stairs. The push and ride toys help promote exercise and help your toddler develop the muscles in their legs. This toy is perfect for babies 9 months and older.
As a mom, I know how important it is to choose toys that are both fun and educational. I created this list of toys to try and take the guess work out of finding the perfect gift for your infant.
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