Welcoming a newborn into the world comes with endless joy and a flurry of questions about what they need to thrive. Among the many essentials—like diapers, onesies, and bottles—you might find yourself wondering, “Do newborns need toys?”

While newborns spend most of their early days sleeping, feeding, and snuggling, toys can play a surprisingly important role in their development. The right toys can help stimulate their senses, encourage bonding, and even support their early milestones. Read on as we highlight the best toys for newborns in 2025 and share practical tips on what to look for when choosing the first toys for your little one.

Do Newborns Need Toys?

As a new parent, you might be wondering, “Do newborns need toys?” While your baby may not engage with toys in the traditional sense during the first few months, introducing simple, age-appropriate items can be beneficial.

Newborns primarily explore the world through their senses, and certain toys can aid in this sensory and cognitive development:

l  Visual Stimulation: In the initial weeks, your baby’s vision is still developing. High-contrast toys, especially those in black and white, can capture their attention and help improve their visual tracking skills.

l  Auditory Engagement: Rattles or toys that produce gentle sounds can stimulate your baby’s hearing. When you shake a rattle, your baby may start to turn their head toward the sound, aiding in auditory development.

l  Tactile Exploration: As your baby begins to bat or grasp objects, typically around two to three months old, providing soft, textured toys can encourage tactile exploration.

Best Toys for Newborns 2025

Choosing the right toys for newborns is about finding options that stimulate their senses, encourage early skills, and promote bonding moments. If you’re wondering, what toys do newborns need, here are some of the best picks to support their development:

Rattles

Rattles have been a favorite for newborns for generations—and for good reason! They’re simple, effective, and offer so many benefits for your baby’s development. Rattles encourage hand-eye coordination as your little one learns to grasp and shake, while the sounds they produce stimulate auditory development.

A standout choice in 2025 is the Alilo Smarty Bunny baby rattle. This adorable, bunny-shaped rattle is a full sensory experience for your baby. Its easy-to-grasp handle is perfect for little hands, and shaking it reveals 66 different natural sounds, keeping your baby engaged and entertained. Plus, the soft bunny ears are made of RoHS-certified silicone, making them completely safe for mouthing.

But the Smarty Bunny doesn’t stop there. It also doubles as a music player, offering nursery rhymes, stories, and lullabies that can soothe your baby during fussy moments or bedtime. These comforting sounds also support early language development, which is a win-win.

To top it off, the bunny’s ears light up in seven vibrant colors, encouraging visual tracking and sensory growth. One of its most unique features is its ability to teach color recognition—when placed on the included color cards, the bunny identifies and names the colors aloud. It’s a fun, interactive way to introduce your baby to the world of colors early on.

High-Contrast Cloth Books

Newborns are naturally drawn to bold, high-contrast patterns as their vision is still developing in the early months. Cloth books with black, white, and red patterns are ideal for engaging their visual senses.

Many options come with additional sensory features, such as crinkle pages or soft textures, that encourage tactile exploration as your baby grows. The lightweight and soft design also makes them safe for your little one to hold and even chew on. Plus, they’re machine washable, which is always a bonus for busy parents.

Tummy Time Mirror

Tummy time is essential for strengthening your baby’s neck and core muscles, but it can sometimes be challenging to keep them engaged. A tummy time mirror is a great solution! These mirrors are designed with shatterproof glass and are surrounded by soft, colorful frames.

Babies love looking at themselves, and this encourages visual tracking and facial recognition. Some tummy time mirrors also include textured fabrics and simple high-contrast images around the frame to keep your little one entertained while they build those important muscles.

Silicone Textured Balls

Textured sensory balls are perfect for tactile exploration and motor skill development. These lightweight, squeezable balls are designed with various textures—ridges, bumps, and grooves—that stimulate your baby’s sense of touch. They’re easy to hold, safe to mouth, and great for rolling as your baby begins to explore movement. Some sets include balls in a variety of bright colors, which further stimulate your baby’s developing vision.

Black-and-White Hanging Toys

For babies who spend time in bouncers or car seats, hanging toys are a great way to provide visual and tactile stimulation. Look for black-and-white designs, which are ideal for newborns’ developing vision. Toys with dangling pieces encourage your baby to reach, bat, and grab, promoting motor skills.

Organic Wooden Teethers

Teething toys are not just for when teeth start coming in—they can be perfect for little hands to hold and mouths to explore. Organic wooden teethers, often made of untreated hardwood, provide a smooth texture for tactile stimulation. Many also come in fun shapes, such as animals or geometric designs, and are often paired with silicone beads for a mixed-texture experience.

Foam Play Blocks

Foam blocks are great for babies just starting to explore the world around them. These lightweight, soft blocks can be squeezed, stacked, or even chewed on without worry. They come in fun shapes and colors to support sensory play and hand-eye coordination.

What to Look for When Buying Toys for Newborns

When choosing toys for newborns, it’s important to focus on safety, developmental benefits, and practicality. Here’s a detailed look at what to consider:

Safety

Always ensure the toys are made from non-toxic materials, such as BPA-free plastics or food-grade silicone, to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals. Avoid toys with small parts that could pose a choking hazard, loose components that might break off, or sharp edges that could harm your baby’s delicate hands or skin.

Checking for age-appropriate labels and certifications, such as ASTM or CE, can also give you additional peace of mind that the toy meets strict safety standards.

Sensory Stimulation

Newborns experience the world primarily through their senses, so toys that stimulate sight, sound, and touch are ideal. High-contrast patterns or bold colors can help capture their limited vision, making soft books or visual cards excellent choices.

Toys that produce gentle sounds, like a baby rattle, can engage their auditory senses while also encouraging them to explore cause-and-effect relationships. Additionally, toys with varied textures, such as plush animals or sensory balls, give babies a chance to develop their sense of touch in an engaging and interactive way.

Ease of Cleaning

Hygiene is a critical consideration when selecting newborn toys. Since babies often explore toys with their mouths, it’s essential to choose items that are easy to clean. Silicone and plastic toys can typically be wiped down or sterilized, while plush toys with washable fabrics are perfect for maintaining cleanliness. Opting for toys with fewer crevices will also reduce the buildup of dirt and bacteria, ensuring the toy remains safe for regular use.

Durability and Versatility

While newborns aren’t particularly rough with toys, frequent handling, and cleaning can wear them down quickly. It’s wise to invest in well-made, durable toys that can withstand regular use and sanitization. Look for items designed to grow with your baby, such as versatile sensory toys or plush mats, ensuring the toy remains useful beyond the newborn stage.

Bonding Opportunities

The best toys for newborns aren’t just about individual play. They also create opportunities for bonding between parents and babies. Soft books with high-contrast images are perfect for reading or showing to your baby during quiet moments. Sensory toys, like rattles or plush animals, can be used during interactive playtime to foster communication and trust. These moments not only strengthen your emotional connection but also help your baby feel secure and loved.

Conclusion

Choosing toys for your newborn might not seem like a top priority at first, but as we’ve explored, the answer to “Do newborns need toys?” is a resounding yes—when chosen thoughtfully. The right toys can foster early sensory exploration, support emotional connection, and lay the groundwork for future developmental milestones.

As you consider the best toys for newborns in 2025, remember to focus on safety, age-appropriateness, and sensory stimulation. Toys like rattles, high-contrast cards, and plush sensory mats can provide valuable engagement while offering your baby a world of discovery.

FAQs

Do you need to buy toys for a newborn?

Yes, while newborns don’t actively play with toys as older children do, toys designed for sensory stimulation are highly beneficial. Items like high-contrast baby rattles, high-contrast cloth books, and tummy time activity mats can help engage a newborn’s developing senses and support early cognitive and motor skills. These toys also offer opportunities for parent-baby bonding during interactive play.

When should newborns start playing with toys?

Newborns can start engaging with simple toys from birth! Soft, lightweight toys like rattles, high-contrast items, or plushies are great for stimulating their senses. Around 2-3 months, they’ll begin to grasp and interact more actively. Always choose age-appropriate, safe toys.

What kind of toys should newborns have?

Newborns benefit from toys that are safe, simple, and stimulating. Ideal options include gentle sound-producing toys like baby rattles to encourage auditory development, high-contrast visual toys for improving sight, and soft-textured items for touch exploration. Avoid toys with small parts or sharp edges, ensuring they are age-appropriate and made from non-toxic materials.

Do newborns benefit from toys?

Yes, newborns can benefit from toys! Simple toys like baby rattles, high-contrast mobiles, or textured fabrics can help stimulate their senses, encourage cognitive and motor skill development, and provide entertainment. Just ensure the toys are safe and age-appropriate.