The Year's Best Baby Toys

PLAY SPOT

Chicco Fun Travel Activity Nest ($60)

"Emma is amazed when she pulls the top and lights go on."
Nikki Storms, Kansas City, Missouri, mom of Emma, 4 months

• Purchase the Activity Nest here

What are the year's best baby toys?

SOUND GARDEN

Lamaze Northern Lights Soother ($40)

"She's transfixed! I watch her babble at the animals."
Linda Barth, Brooklyn, NY, mom of Alice, 4 months

• See all of the Lamaze crib toys here

What are the year's best baby toys?

BABY'S MAIN SQUEEZE

Skip Hop Hug & Hide Activity Puppy ($18)

"Once she got her hands on this pair she didn't want to ever give them up."
Eman Daraghmeh, Maywood, New Jersey, mom of Khadeja, 5 months

• Select your favorite Skip Hop Activity animal here

What are the year's best baby toys?

TWIST & CHEW

Alex Jr. Loopy Loo ($13)

"Easier to grasp than most. He puts it straight in his mouth!"
Mindy Bero, Essex, Vermont, mom of Parker, 3 months

• Purchase the Loopy Loo here

What are the year's best baby toys?

ROAD TRIP

Haba Mobile for Infant Seat ($17)

"Max's eyes are always drawn to the little conductor swinging to and fro!"
Daniela Pomerantz, Teaneck, New Jersey, mom of Max, 2 months

• Check out this and more Haba toys here

What are the year's best baby toys?

CUTE CRITTERS

Melissa & Doug Bug Jug Fill & Spill ($25)

"He adores these soft toys that crinkly and rattle."
Anne Roemer, Spring Lake, New Jersey, mom of James, 6 months

• Get your own Bug Jug here

What are the year's best baby toys?

SPIN CYCLE

Sassy Wonder Wheel ($9)

"It's a good high chair toy! She loves the colors and how it moves."
Michael Kress, Bronx, New York, dad of Yael, 5 months

• See the Wonder Wheel and more Sassy products here

What are the year's best baby toys?

ROLL PLAY

Fisher-Price Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park ($44)

"He follows the balls as they slide, then nabs them."
Alice Bauer, Fort Worth, Texas, mom of John, 6 months

• Here's one place to buy the Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park

What are the year's best baby toys?

LAUGH ALONG

Bright Starts Giggabble ($5 each)

"It rolls around and makes cute sounds, so my son stays engaged."
Kimberly Ardise, Hoboken, New Jersey, mom of AJ, 9 months

• See more from the Bright Starts Having a Ball series here

What are the year's best baby toys?

BUILD BIG

B. Toys Elemenosqueeze Blocks ($16)

"Many shapes and all 26 letters! We like to take them in the tub."
Rose Cahill, New York, New York, mom of Declan, 6 months

• You can buy the toy here

What are the year's best baby toys?

PUT 'ER THERE

Parents Sort-a-Shape Fun Cube ($25)

"Each side is different, so there are a lot of textures for my curious guy to explore."
Victoria Pericon, New York, New York, mom of Fox, 8 months

• You can buy the Sort-a-Shape Fun Cube here

What are the year's best baby toys?

GREATEST HITS

Baby Neptune Ocean Orchestra ($20)

"She easily makes the buttons play music and gets so excited."
Monica Vandenberg, Ankeny, Iowa, mom of Amelia, 8 months

Originally published in the November 2011 issue of American Baby magazine.

This piece was accurate at publication time, but all prices, patterns, and availabilities are subject to change.

• Find all of Baby Einstein's Neptune products here

What are the year's best baby toys?