Shopping for the best gifts for babies is probably the easiest of the things to do on your holiday shopping list. Babies don’t need much and their wants are simple. They like to be fed, soothed, kept dry, and sleep. However, they do need to play. Playtime is essential for babies as they grow. It helps with their cognitive and physical development, as well as emotional and social growth. This gift guide features the best gifts for babies age 0-12 months that help them learn through play at each stage.
Best Gifts for Babies 0-6 Months
Bright Baby Touch & Feel Baby Animals Board Book
This 10-page interactive board book features colorful pictures of baby animals, rhyming text to read aloud, and touch and feel textures, It is perfect for babies to build their reading skills and vocabulary.
Cost: $5.60 on Amazon.com
Oball Bright Starts Shaker Rattle Toy
The Oball Shaker Toy is perfect for baby’s hands to grip and grab. The clear, textured handle reveals brightly-colored beads she’ll love to hear rattling all around. On each end, the rattle is made of flexibly firm Oball material, so your baby can squeeze and play any which way.
Cost: $3.59 at Amazon.com
DOLCE Primo Kangaroo
The Primo Kangaroo helps babies 0m+ do just that. This cuddly giant kangaroo helps babies develop sensory skills and observe through a variety of colorful and textured fabrics. Activities help babies learn and create through roleplay. Primo Kangaroo comes with a bonus baby Joey and the kangaroo pocket features a shaker egg. A peek-a-boo door on one of its feet and adorned with beads and a teether on its other foot.
Cost: $39.00 at HSN.com
Tiny Love Black & White Gymini Deluxe Infant Activity Play Mat With Book
The playmat encourages growth through play with each of its 18 developmental activities and interactive toys. a baby’s skills as they naturally play. Its contrasting black and white details provide visual stimulation for newborns as they grow. Read my review of the Tiny Love 6-in-1 Here I Grow Activity Play Yard which includes the Gymini. At 9-months old, my daughter still enjoys playing with interactive toys included with the play yard and play mat.
Cost: $47.99 at Walmart.com
Best Gifts for Babies 6-12 Months
LeapFrog 100 Animals Book
Enticing kids’ natural curiosity, this interactive activity book features six double-sided, interactive pages filled with animals from 12 habitats and environments. There are three modes that teach children animal names, animal sounds, and fun facts. In addition, it helps build language skills allowing kids to listen to songs and hear about the animals in English or Spanish.
Cost: $13.49 at Walmart.com
Related: My List of Most Used Baby Products During the First Three Months
Baby Einstein Journey of Discovery Jumper Activity Center
This activity jumper has 12 activities to takes your baby on a global expedition. Babies can play with the North Pole’s friendly snowman and ice cube bead chaser or discover the deep seas with Baby Neptune and his submarine. The multi-color globe plays internationally-inspired music and introduces instrument sounds and phrases in three languages.
Age: 6-12 months
Cost: $84.00 at Walmart.com
Hape My First Blocks – 80 Piece Set
This 80-piece colorful blocks set helps children identify shapes, objects, and colors. It is perfect for letting toddlers build as much as their imaginations allow. My 9-year-old enjoys playing with them, but not so much when her baby sister is knocking over her builds. The child-safe materials and non-toxic finishes are perfect for every little builder!
Age: 12 months +
Cost: $16.99 at Target.com
Hape Shape Sorter Xylophone and Piano
This is one of the best gifts for toddlers since it helps them explore rhythm and sound while sorting shapes and identifying colors. Children can match the five colorful puzzle pieces to their corresponding holes, by shape or color, and make wonderful Do, Re, Mi Fa, So melodies by pressing down or by tapping them with the red baton!
Age: 12 months +
Cost: $17.99 at Target.com
Check out these holiday gift guides for more gift ideas for your family and friends.
Holiday Gift Guide: The Best Educational Toys and Games for Kids
2020 Holiday Gift Guide: Best Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List
This post contains affiliate links.