Last Updated: Jun 7, 2023 @ 1:17 pm.

What are the best baby toys? We test DOZENS of toys with actual babies and toddlers to come up with our top picks—quality, value and fun are our key factors! A great baby toy needs to light up the imagination of a baby, whether it is a classic stacking, musical, bath or rattle/teether toy.

FYI: We are Baby Bargains, the #1 online resource for honest and independent baby gear and toy reviews. For 20+ years, we've been doing research without taking ANY money from the brands we review. Praise for Baby Bargains: "The bible for new parents," New York Times.


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Best Stacking Toy

Ages 6 Months +
The classic toy for stacking, counting and bath play. Trusted brand with safe design: no BPA, lead or phthalates.
$8.00

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Best Stacking Toy: The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys

It’s a classic! Colorful stacking cups like this pick are a winner with every baby.

What We Liked

• Trusted brand. This brand has a good safety record. This toy is made with NO BPA, lead or phthalates.

• Affordable. 

Drainable for water play. A small hole in the bottom allows them to be used in the bath tub as well.

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Best Musical Toy

Ages 3 Months +
Musical fun + volume control for parents = the best musical toy. Seven tunes. Easy to use.
$9.99

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Best Musical Toy: Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy

The right musical baby toy has to balance fun with volume control (for mom and dad). This one does the trick.

What We Liked

Seven tunes. With many toys topping $30 and even $50, it’s nice to find something that entertains and stimulates at a reasonable price.

• Sound and lights. Easy to hold as well.

• Super cute + portable. It’s easy to pop this toy into a diaper bag.

Best Bath Toy

Ages 0-2 years
A disco turtle! Need we say more? Spinning toys that are easy to grip in the tub.

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Best Bath Toy: Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy

With so many great bath toys on the market, it was hard to narrow down the field to just one top choice. However, Muchkin’s Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toys (four total) take the crown for overall fun.

What We Liked

• Floating fun. Each toy spins and rattles—but they also float in the tub. The disco turtle is a personal favorite.

• Easy to clean. One caveat: it is possible to get water inside the bubble and that can cause the bubbles to fog over.

• Silcone ring makes them easy to grab.

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Best Teether/Rattle Toy

Ages 0-2 years
Excellent teether plus sensory toy that is easy to grip and endless chewing fun.
$9.99

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Best Teether/Rattle Toy: Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

This toy does double duty as both a teether and rattle. Here’s an overview:

What We Liked

• Easy to hold. All the rings make this easy for a baby to grasp.

• Nice for teething. Let’s be honest—a baby will teethe on any toy. This toy is intended as both a sensory toy AND a teether. 

• Top favorite among our baby testers, year in and out.

 

Why Trust Us

We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!

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