| Marisa LaScala |
If this toy looks good enough to chew on — well, it is — the straw works as a teether, which delighted Good Housekeeping Institute testers. There are also five different fruit characters, like Sherry Strawberry and Oliver Orange, each with their own colors and songs that kids can activate by spinning the straw. Ages 6 months+
This lovey is so soft and so snuggly, even adults can be soothed by its presence. The black-and-cream pup is extra cute, but if they’re not fans of dogs, it also comes as a bear, a monkey, a tiger, a dragon and a seahorse, among other animals. Ages 0+
When kids play with stacking toys, they’re working on their fine motor coordination, flexing their problem-solving muscles and learning about cause and effect. Good Housekeeping Institute experts like this one from Green Toys not just because of the Disney theme, but because the pieces are made from 100% recycled plastic. There’s also a Mickey version. Ages 6 months+
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From fluffy flamingos to shimmering insets, wings of all kinds offer little readers different textures to touch in this board book. Good Housekeeping Institute testers also loved the text of the book (which is often an afterthought in touch-and-feel books), with its different adjectives used to describe the wings. Ages 0+
This rattle doesn’t just make noise — it also lights up and is covered in different stimulating textures to explore. Parents who want to follow along with their baby’s development will love that it comes with a guide that lists how babies should be using it as they go from week to week. Ages 0+
Whether on their tummies, sitting up or crawling after it, this rattle, inspired by Montessori principles, gives babies lots to look at. Babies work on their motor coordination when they grasp or shake it, and it helps with eye tracking if you roll it across the floor in front of them (letting the beads inside spin around). If you like what Lovevery has to offer, you can also sign up for one of their subscription boxes. Ages 3 months+
Perfect for helping little ones practice their fine-motor coordination, this soft tissue box comes loaded with 15 different scarves, which include a range of colors and textures to explore as they grasp the material and pull it out of the box. Ages 5 months+
Nearly 48,000 Amazon users have given this pairing a 5-star rating. These two are classics for a reason: The stacking rings are on a rocking base, giving it an extra bit of challenge, and the blocks come with a shape-sorting bucket to store them in. Ages 6 months+
Give tummy time an instant upgrade with this water-filled mat, and watch as the baby becomes mesmerized by the shapes floating in water. It’s definitely comfier than putting the baby on a hard floor. Ages 3 months+
Not only is this a stacking toy, each of its “slices” offers a sensory benefit: the base rattles, one ring crinkles (as do the leaves), there’s a textured plastic ring and more. Babies will love exploring all the different sound and feels. Ages 6 months+
Reversible, waterproof, and foldable, this foam play mat is designed with crevices so you can fold it for easier storage, and it also comes with a convenient travel case with a carry strap. Good Housekeeping Institute experts were impressed with the affordable price and the way it folds up (with creases!) for easy storage.
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Attach this to a stroller and baby’s at the wheel! The steering wheel is soft to touch, while the horn provides a satisfying squeak. Buttons activate lights and sounds, like the traffic and weather, and there’s even “pedals” to kick if they’re using it at home. Good Housekeeping Institute testers say the horn was a huge hit! Ages 3 months+
Turn on this veg, and it’ll play “beetbox” sounds as it rolls around on its own, encouraging little ones to crawl after it. It’s part of Skip Hop’s “farmstand” line of toys, which also includes other fun fruit-and vegetable-shaped developmental toys, all of which are adorable. Ages 3 months+
For a toy that grows up along with baby, get this convertible activity walker, which include dozens of features, songs, lights and sounds, as well as four different ways to play: seated, cruising, as a shopping cart, and as a stroller. Good Housekeeping Institute testers say they loved that it was a toy that could be used in different ways by siblings of different ages. Ages 6 months+
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
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