The Year's Best Baby Toys

By Jessica Hartshorn
April 02, 2015
These toys are more than just a good time. They help your baby reach important developmental milestones. Shop this list of our new favorites!
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Room to Play

Jeffrey Westbrook

Babyplay 4-in-1 Tummy Time Play & Explore Activity Gym

Use Mamas and Papas' Babyplay 4-in-1 Tummy Time Play & Explore Activity Gym with its arches or without; it's also big enough for two, making it perfect for a pair of twins or playdates. (birth and up, $100)

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2 of 25

Charming Chicken

Jeffrey Westbrook

Apple Park's Organic Farm Buddies Surfer Chick

With snazzy shades and shoes, Apple Park's Organic Farm Buddies Surfer Chick is a cool plush friend. (birth and up, $15.50)

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Tummy Time Made Easy

Jeffrey Westbrook

Kathe Kruse's Tummy Time Fitness Roll

The various textures all over Kathe Kruse's Tummy Time Fitness roll will hold your baby's attention. Pull the nose and the whole thing wiggles! (6 months and up, $60)

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4 of 25

Cute Caterpillar

Jeffrey Westbrook

Press 'n Play Zoom Zoom Buggy

Push on the smiling Press 'n Play Zoom Zoom Buggy from B. Kids and it goes a short distance. (9 months and up, $14)

5 of 25

Tons Of Fun

Jeffrey Westbrook

Tap N Tumble Elephant

When your baby tips over the Tap N Tumble Elephant from Tomy, the toy begins to spin away, inviting your kiddo to chase after it. (10 months and up, $30)

6 of 25

Super Balls

Jeffrey Westbrook

Bright Starts' Having A Ball Jungle Fun Ball Climber

Teach your tot how to send the balls around and around with Bright Starts' Having a Ball Jungle Fun Ball Climber. He'll stay mesmerized by all the movement! (6 to 36 months, $30)

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7 of 25

Bright Idea

Jeffrey Westbrook

Playskool's Elefun & Friends Shapes 'n Colors Turtle

By pressing on Playskool's Elefun & Friends Shapes 'n Colors Turtle, Baby can set off lights, music, or a shape's name. (6 months and up, $15)

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Best Toys for Babies and Toddlers

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Truckloads Of Fun

Jeffrey Westbrook

Busy Fire Truck

With a bead maze, mirror, spinning wheel, and more, the wooden Busy Fire Truck lives up to its name. (10 months and up, $44)

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10 of 25

Hot Seat

Jeffrey Westbrook

Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair

When your baby interacts with this seat's pretend remote control, book, and seat cushion, the Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Chair plays songs, phrases, and learning games to entertain her. It's easy to set the games to change as she grows older. (12 months and up, $40)

11 of 25

3-in-1 Indoor Fun

Jeffrey Westbrook

Little Tikes Activity Garden 3-in-1 Adventure Center

For some indoor exercise, the Little Tikes Activity Garden 3-in-1 Adventure Center gives your toddler a place to climb, slide, and rock (12 months to 3 years, $30)

12 of 25

Jam Band!

Jeffrey Westbrook

Wooden Instruments from Spark. Create. Imagine.

Host your own impromptu music class with three Wooden Instruments from Walmart's Spark. Create. Imagine. line of toys. (12 months and up, $7)

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13 of 25

A Clear Winner

Jeffrey Westbrook

See-Inside Sensory Blocks

Stacking play gets more colorful thanks to the beads inside See-Inside Sensory Blocks from Lakeshore Learning. (6 to 36 months; $30)

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Oink, Oink!

Jeffrey Westbrook

Animals on Wheels

Animals on Wheels, like this piggy, are made in the USA by Green Toys from recycled plastic and easy for little hands to send zipping along.

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Cuddly Koalas

Jeffrey Westbrook

Lamaze Cuddle & Squeak Koalas

Lamaze's Cuddle & Squeak Koalas are more than just stuffed animals to love. The baby is a rattle and clutches a leafy teether. (6 months and up, $20)

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16 of 25

Bounce Around

Jeffrey Westbrook

Little Grip 'N Roll Balls

Bouncy balls never go out of style! This set of three Little Grip 'N Roll Balls, from Little Tikes, is a bargain. (6 months and up, $10)

17 of 25

Hoppin' Fun

Jeffrey Westbrook

Rattle-A Roo

Rich Frog's Rattle-A-Roo chimes when you jiggle the mom-and-baby-pair. (birth and up, $11)

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Get A Grip!

Jeffrey Westbrook

Uppsala Lion Clutching Toy

A maplewood ring is at the center of Haba's Uppsala Lion Clutching Toy. (birth and up, $13)

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19 of 25

Shake It Up, Baby

Jeffrey Westbrook

Amelia Giraffe

This Amelia giraffe, from Finn + Emma, is satisfying to gum as well as shake. (birth and up, $28)

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Ready To Roll

Jeffrey Westbrook

Color Fun Walker Wagon

Silicone treads on Haba's Color Fun Walker Wagon add stability. (10 months and up, $116)

21 of 25

Go Kart, Go!

Jeffrey Westbrook

Stow 'N Go Kart

Baby can push, pull and ride on B. Toys' Stow 'N Go Kart, and hide toys in it too. (12 to 36 months, $50)

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22 of 25

Jingle All The Way

Jeffrey Westbrook

Janod's Crazy Doggy Babywalker

Janod's Crazy Doggy Babywalker has a bell on its collar so you can hear Baby on the move. (12 months and up, $60)

23 of 25

Medieval Fun

Jeffrey Westbrook

Mamas and Papas' Flame the Dragon

Mamas and Papas' fire-breathing Flame the Dragon is full of fierce fun! (birth and up, $18)

24 of 25

Chew On This

Jeffrey Westbrook

Bandana Buddies Activity Elephant

The neckwear on Bandana Buddies Activity Elephant, from Sklip-Hop, is a teether you can wear. (birth and up, $15)

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25 of 25

Just Magical

Jeffrey Westbrook

Lamaze's Tilly Twinklewings

Flowing mane! Shiny horn! Lamaze's Tilly Twinklewings has pizazz. (birth to 24 months, $16)

Originally published in the December/January 2015 issue of American Baby Magazine.

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