Welcome to our discussion of the top educational toys for babies. Here, you will find a variety of toys suitable for boys and girls alike that promote knowledge of STEM, music, art, and reading.
Through the use of these toys, you will discover that teaching your infant isn’t hard at all. They can learn a lot just by playing and interacting with these inexpensive but fun toys.
Whether you are shopping for your child, or someone else’s- we’ve got you covered with toys that won’t be beaten. Let’s get into it.
1. ToyVentive Wooden Activity Cube
This ToyVentive cube is a ton of fun in one simple package. It makes a great gift for little ones in their first year. Babies learning to sit up will have a ball moving the beads around the wires on top. There’s a cute learning clock on the side with movable arms for the face. Parents can let their kids explore the concept of time at a basic level, and kids can also have fun seeing the numbers on the clock face.
There is fun spinning gears on the side of the cube. This is a great sensory experience, and kids enjoy turning them and learning what makes the gears move. The cube also includes an abacus side, where kids can move the different colored beads and learn the most basic of mathematics.
Also included are stacking cups. These cute cups are a favorite among babies, as they can be stacked up neatly and knocked over after. A board book is also included with purchase, and the great thing about board books is that they are perfect for little hands to hold.
Pros
- Many great activities all in one for kids to enjoy
- Perfect for boys or girls
- Great for sharing with other children or siblings
Cons
- The toy is smaller in person than it appears in the pictures
2. Sassy Stacks of Circles
These stacking circles are a perennial favorite among young children. They are simple for little hands to grasp easily, and their bright color makes them fun to look at. The circles have differing textures, too.
The circles can be stacked in any direction, so kids can explore and play without frustrating themselves. They can develop fine motor skills by placing the rings onto the center column. They can clap the rings together and make sounds.
The center of each ring is the same diameter. This means the child can stack them on the center column regardless of their size. Your child will also learn numbers as they play with these fun rings because each ring is numbered from 1-8.
The best part of this has to be the clear ring with the beads inside. Kids just love shaking it and hearing that sound. It’s a nice teaching tool for cause and effect- if I shake this toy, a funny sound is made.
Indeed, this is a fun, classic toy that helps kids understand concepts of size, sequencing, and building.
Pros
- Durable and will last for hours of play
- Easy to wipe off and clean after playtime is over
- Great for boys and girls
Cons
- The toy is rather small compared to other stacking rings
3. My First Touch & Feel Picture Cards
Included in this pack are 16 colorful flashcards that give little ones the chance to develop language skills early on, but also giving them the tactile sensations they learn from. The box they come in is nice and sturdy and features a strong closure.
These cards have items that babies enjoy looking at in real life, such as flowers, balloons, and cars. On the front of the cards, you will find engaging photographs that keep kids smiling and entertained as they learn, and on the back, there are questions parents can pose to their children to get them thinking and talking.
There are pronunciations on the card in English, German, Chinese and French. These cards are certainly something that grows with your child- as the years go on, they will grow from simply looking and touching to being able to say the name of the object in a different language.
There are a few titles available, so pick the one that makes the most sense for your child and enjoy learning, talking, and speaking with them about the interesting object on each card.
Pros
- Offers activity for kids of all ages
- Beautiful photographs and textures for kids to enjoy
- Promotes understanding of other languages
Cons
- The “Things that Go” set are lacking in things you can touch.
4. Children’s Wooden Percussion Set
This wooden percussion set is great for helping little ones understand and enjoy music. Kids everywhere love hearing songs, whether it’s children’s music or songs on the radio. These instruments are sized just for kids and offer the chance to explore sounds, cause and effect, and the purpose of different musical instruments.
Included in this adorable set is a tiny xylophone, which helps kids understand differences in sound. There is also a tiny tambourine that little ones will enjoy, plus some cute kid-sized maracas that they will love to shake.
One thing of note is that this set includes a toy triangle. There is a small wand that goes with the triangle. We advise putting the triangle away where your children can’t get to it- we feel the wand poses a choking hazard. The other toys are fine to enjoy with proper adult supervision.
Everything can be placed into the included carrying bag for easy take-along to Grandma’s, a friend’s house, or just for storing when not in use. The toys are made of non-toxic, durable wood and plastic, so they will stand up to the wear and tear of playtime.
Pros
- Promotes enjoyment and creation of art and music
- Kid-sized instruments for easy holding
- Storage bag keeps everything together and out of the way
Cons
- Some of the toys pose a choking hazard, such as the triangle
5. My First Soft Books
Next up we have these soft books that are just perfect for babies to enjoy. they feature a variety of topics that interest little ones. They are nice and soft, so there are no sharp edges to worry about when your little one is playing with them. Best of all, these books do not make noise, so they’re good for use while in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, while flying, or just when you want some peace and quiet while you play with your child.
They come in a set of six, which are perfect for sharing with siblings or playmates. These are the most basic of books, and they are ideal for starting your little one off on the right foot and fostering a love of reading early on.
With topics like Vegetables, Sea Creatures, and Animal World, your baby will surely be entertained by them. These books can be tossed right into the washing machine in case they get dirty. And to really get your child into reading, check out Reading Head Start!
Pros
- You don’t have to worry about your baby chewing on or swallowing the paper.
- Can be washed in the washing machine
- Provides plenty of colorful pictures and textures to enjoy
Cons
- There are some parts included on the books that may come off and pose a choking hazard
6. Soft Building Baby Blocks – Set of 12
These building blocks are just perfect for your little engineer or construction worker to enjoy. The blocks are soft and won’t hurt if they fall over. Plus, their soft plastic is easy to wash- just wash with soap and water to keep playtime sanitary and neat.
The blocks are soft pastel colors and feature fun shapes and numbers on each one. Babies will love how they feel, and they will delight at the textures of each different block.
The blocks also can interlock with one another. This is perfect for kids to learn about the concept of matching and how things fit together. With shapes of fruit, animals, numbers, and math symbols, these are wonderful toys that promote practical knowledge as well as creative play.
Building blocks are excellent for promoting hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, too.
The soft texture of the blocks means they are safe for babies to teethe on. Of course, this is not a teething toy, but rest assured your little one won’t be harmed by putting these in their mouths.
Pros
- Made with food-grade silicone
- Great for boys or girls
- Promotes creativity and mathematics
Cons
- No carrying bag included with purchase
7. Blue Whale Plush Toy
This adorable blue whale is sure to become your child’s favorite toy. The friendly whale features a smiling zipper face, which helps teach kids about closing a zipper, hones fine motor skills, and satisfies curiosity about zippers and closures.
The belly of the whale features buckles the child can play around with to build hand strength and fine motor skills. Underneath each differently colored strap, you will find numbers. Kids learn to recognize their basic numerals this way.
The snaps and clicks the buckles of the whale make are satisfying for children, and when they learn to buckle and unbuckle the whale themselves, they feel accomplished and their self-confidence grows.
The size of the whale is a bit large for a baby, but your child will grow into it in due time. The whale measures 9 inches long x 6 inches high. It’s a decently sized toy that will fit in any diaper bag and provide your child something educational to do while you are shopping, waiting at the doctor’s, or hanging out at home.
If your child loves animals, like blue whales, you have to see Animal Kingdom- it’s a mom favorite and loved by kids.
Pros
- Promotes curiosity and self-confidence
- Great way to open up a discussion about animals and blue whales
- Helps kids learn about buckles and zippers
Cons
- A bit large for young babies to hold onto
8. Classic Wooden Abacus With 100 Beads
Abacuses are a favorite among young children. The beads are easy for little fingers to move. On this abacus, you will find 100 brightly colored beads that glide effortlessly over the colored wires.
The abacus itself is made of solid hardwood, and the frame is nice and sturdy. Falls and drops will not hurt this abacus.
The beads provide babies the chance to learn about less, more, and addition/subtraction in the most basic of ways. It’s a great way for kids to explore colors and patterns, too.
This toy is quite simple, and toys that are simple in nature are the best. The fewer features a toy has, the better- it means your child will have to use their imagination to make it interesting and fun.
Aside from the mathematical side of things, babies will love the satisfying clicking sounds the beads make when they come into contact with one another. Parents will appreciate that the beads are safely attached to the wires and do not pose a choking hazard.
Pros
- Promotes dexterity and pincer grip
- Beads glide easily and promote basic math concepts
- Kids can use it for simple math problems when they get older
Cons
- Some parents noted the colors on the abacus were not as vibrant as the picture
9. Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano
This adorable piano is great for babies learning how to stand up on their own. It’s sized just for them, so they can stand and tap the keys, or sit and touch them, too. The toy is made of quality wood, and you can simply wipe it down once your child is done playing with it.
This is a great toy for promoting awareness of different sounds and keys. It is great for helping the littlest musicians make their own songs and figure out what sounds good and what doesn’t.
Three sheets of music are included, so once your child becomes older and recognizes colors, she can actually play short melodies on the piano. It’s as simple as following the color-coded notes!
Another thing parents will love about this piano is that it has a volume switch. You can choose between “low” and “high” volume to make sure everyone’s happy.
Pros
- Promotes appreciation and enjoyment of music
- Offers kids different textures and surfaces to touch and learn from
- Helps kids learn colors
Cons
- The piano weighs about 4lbs- do not let kids play with it alone in case it falls on them
10. Kids Play Tent With Tunnels
This fun play tunnel is perfect for letting your baby explore on their own for short periods of time. You can play with them, encouraging them to get into the tunnel and crawl to the other side, where you will be waiting for them.
Toys like this promote independence and physical activity. There is also the option to add plastic balls as a means of making your own ball pit.
This is an ideal toy that will be fun to play with as your children get older, too. For babies, the sheer act of crawling independently is exciting, while toddlers might pretend it is their house or car.
Pros
- Helps promote independence and physical activity
- Perfect for play with siblings and friends
- Good for boys and girls
Cons
- Doesn’t come with plastic balls for the ball pit
In Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our picks for educational baby toys. Children learn their best through play and trying out various activities. These toys allow children to push beyond their boundaries, use their imagination, and discover things about the world independently. You are going to love how they delight your child and make them smarter in the process.