Encourage your three-month-old’s curiosity and interests with our list of the best toys for 3-month-old babies. Although a three-month-old may not understand everything, they learn from observing their surroundings. So, these toys can help them develop their mental and physical skills to reach their developmental milestones. They are made from safe, high-quality materials to ensure your child’s safety. However, choosing the right toy may be challenging with various available options. So, browse our list to find a toy that suits your requirements.
Top Picks
15 Best Toys For 3-Month-Old Babies
1. Best Easy-Grasp Light And Musical Toy: Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy
Image: Kids2 A hot favorite amongst parents, this musical toy aims to instill a love of music in your baby. At three months, babies start to reach for and grasp things. This toy is designed for easy grasping. This video gives you more information about the product.
Pros
- Plays multiple melodies to keep the baby engaged
- Comes with a volume control
- Soft lights flash when music plays
- The caterpillar-style handle is easy to grasp and useful for teething
Cons
- Audio quality could be improved
- Very few melodies
2. Best Auditary Stimulating Hanging Toy: Lamaze Freddie The Firefly
Image: Tomy Babies enjoy playing with toys that produce sound. This toy can be hooked to your baby’s stroller or baby carrier, so your munchkin enjoys its rattling sound. It can also be handed to the baby. Before buying, watch this video to know how it works
Pros
- The clacking sound of rings stimulates auditory senses
- The crinkly wings and squeaker keep the baby engaged
- The ladybug teether helps soothe teething gums
- The shiny mirror helps develop the visual sense
Cons
- A few parts of the toy may not be stitched firmly and tend to tear off easily
3. Best Machine-Washable Multipurpose Toy: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym
Image: Fisher-price This play gym may not grow with the kid but can be useful for a long time because of its multipurpose design. It comes with a mat for baby’s tummy time and a tiny piano that the child can play with when they learn to sit. To know more about this play gym, click this video
Pros
- The play gym mat comes with a toy arch to help improve the baby’s gross motor skills of reaching, kicking, and pushing
- The detachable piano plays different types of music
- The keyboard keys light up when played
- The five-key piano enables your kid to create new tunes
- The music settings can also be changed to play learning content as the baby grows
- The play mat is machine-washable
Cons
- Setting up the play mat and piano can be difficult
- The mat is too small to allow the baby to roll easily
- The pre-loaded music lacks variety
4. Best Teething And Snuggly Soft Toy: Lamaze Mortimer The Moose
Image: Tomy Clip this toy to the stroller or crib, or hand it to you little one. It crinkles, rattles, and squeaks to keep your baby engaged.
Pros
- The bright yellow antlers help soothe the baby’s teething gums
- The soft body makes it perfect for snuggling
- The squeaking tummy and rattling tail awaken the baby’s auditory senses
- The colorful body attracts the baby instantly
Cons
- The fur can break off the moose, thereby becoming a choking hazard
- The horns seem to have sharp corners
5. Best Moving Toy With Colorful Lights: JOYIN Dancing Walking Yellow Duck Baby Toy
Image: Joyin This bright yellow duck sings, moves, and flashes colorful lights. It can even dance at the push of a button. It can distract your baby and make them want to chase the moving toy.
Pros
- The duck moving away from the baby encourages them to try and reach for it
- Songs help to develop listening skills
Cons
- Toy lacks durability
6. Best Moving Toy With Colorful Lights: Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
Image: Manhattan Winner of the ‘Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award,’ this multi-colored loopy toy is a hit among tiny infants. It is designed to suit kids aged 0.3 to2 years.
Pros
- The safe and soft loops help with teething
- Comes with a middle cube that rattles
- Helps strengthen the baby’s grasp
- The plastic loops are BPA-free
- Meets the CPSC, ASTM, EN71, and Health Canada safety standards
Cons
- Gaps in between the loops and square grow molds easily
- Plastic loops are likely to break and become choking hazards
- Cannot be sanitized
7. Best Textured Sensory Stimulating Toy: Sassy Ring O Links 9 Piece Set
Here is a colorful set of teething links for infants. These are multi-textured, easy to grasp links that help develop your baby’s sensory and motor skills.
Pros
- Brightly colored rings stimulate vision
- Different textured rings improve the sense of touch
- The handle is easy to clutch
Cons
- The paint can rub off on excessive use
- May not be BPA-free
8. Best Space-Saving Foldable Floor Seat: Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat
Image: Mattel This floor seat comes with head support, so your little angel can sit up-right and observe their surroundings. This vibrant seat is attractive and easy to use.
Pros
- The sturdy base enables the baby to sit safely
- The crinkly toys keep the baby engaged
- Folds flat for easy storage and transfer
- The seat is detachable and washable
Cons
- Bulky babies might get stuck in the seat
9. Best Textured Toy For Tactile Awareness: VTech Baby Lil’ Critters Moosical Beads
Image: Vtech Baby cows are cute and snuggly. And a cow that plays music is all the more attractive for little kids. Have a look at the sweet-looking and noisy cow.
Pros
- Variation in fabric texture helps improve the tactile awareness
- Soft body makes it ideal for cuddling
- Lights up with different colors
- Plays different melodies, songs, and phrases
Cons
- Lacks volume control
- Toy does not sit up and tips over easily
10. Best Engaging Toy For Tummy Time: Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Activity Station
When your baby turns three months old, they will start their tummy time. To encourage them to spend time on their tummy, you can get them this activity station. It plays music and flashes colorful lights.
Pros
- Engages kids to spend more time balancing on their tummy
- Improves listening skills
- Comes with three modes: animals, colors, and xylophone
Cons
- Buttons may be slightly hard for small babies to press
- Audio sound is pretty low
11. Best Non-Toxic And Chemical-Free Toy: Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
Image: Nuby Infants have a tough time when teething. To soothe their sore gums, you can get them teething toys. These teething keys come with a soft textured surface to help with teeth eruption.
Pros
- The PurIce technology soothes and gently cools gums
- Keys are available in different eye-catching colors
- Hard and soft texture of the teethers help strengthen new teeth
- Non-toxic and free of phthalate, PVC, and latex
Cons
- A few buyers complained about an unpleasant odor
- Toy cannot be sterilized
12. Best Rattling Toy For Visual Development: Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas
Image: Fisher-price Here is a toy created to keep your kid busy and strengthen their motor skills. Its rattling sound encourages your baby to keep shaking their arms.
Pros
- Designed to promote grasping skills
- Soft colorful pom-poms help develop the visual sense
- The rattling beads help toddlers recognize sound and effect
- Available in a variety of colors
Cons
- Rattling sound may not be clearly audible
- Cleaning it may be difficult
13. Best Muscle-Strengthening Toy For Growth: Splashin’kids Inflatable Tummy Time Premium Water mat
Tummy time can now become more enjoyable for your kid with this water play mat. Fill this mat with air and water and let your baby play with it while learning to balance on their tummy.
Pros
- Made of premium quality PVC and is completely leak-proof
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Helps prevent flat head
- Strengthens head, neck, and shoulder muscles
- Folds easily into your purse
Cons
- A few buyers complained about the mat having a strong chemical odor
- Difficult to fully dry it
14. Best Toy For Motor Skill Development: Blige SMTF Cute Animal Soft Baby Socks Toys Wrist Rattles and Foot Finders
If you are a fitness freak yourself, you may want a foolproof method to encourage your baby to develop their gross motor skills quickly. Try dressing up your tiny tot in these socks and cuffs to see how they enjoy moving their hands and legs enthusiastically.
Pros
- Made of colorful and soft material
- Keeps the baby busy trying to move hands and legs
- Helps build the baby’s strength
Cons
- Socks come off easily
- Material used may be cheap
15. Best For Baby Strollers And Cribs: Infantino Spiral Activity Toy
Image: Infantino It is a string of 4 hanging toys that can be attached to the baby’s stroller or crib. The click-clack sounds that the toys produce keep the baby engaged.
Pros
- Can be easily attached to car seat handles and strollers
- The brightly colored material is visually appealing for babies
- Promotes gross motor skills and visual tracking
- Free of BPA
Cons
- May not uncoil easily and stays rigidly stuck in one spot
- Slips off easily from the spot
How To Choose The Right Toys For 3-Month-Old Babies?
Consider the following factors before buying the right toy for a three-month-old baby.
- Size: Consider the toy’s size to ensure it is suitable for your child. Small and lightweight toys may make it easier for the child to grab them. However, ensure the toy doesn’t cause a choking hazard.
- Safety: Choose toys made of child-safe materials and BPA-free plastics. Refrain from introducing toys with loose or detachable parts or small pieces to render them safe for the baby.
- Longevity: Ensure the toys last long, sustain wear and tear, and do not break easily. They should be durably built for rough use.
- Features: Choose toys that promote visual and auditory stimulation, early hand-eye coordination, and gum relief to help your child reach developmental milestones. Ensure the toys are brightly colored, have textured fabric, and have soothing sounds to stimulate them.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose specializes in writing about children’s products, toys, and gifts, having written hundreds of articles in this stream. Priti recommends the Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick n’ Play Piano Gym and the Lamaze Freddie The Firefly for your three-month-old. Their versatile designs, activities, and light and sound effects can stimulate your child, helping them develop their physical and mental skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What toys are suitable for a three-month-old?
Babies around three months of age try to respond while you talk. They can now open and shut their fists. They can also hold toys that are placed in their hand (1). So, choose rattles, squish toys, cloth books, and toys that produce lights and sounds.
2. Do three-month-olds need toys?
Yes, at this age, your infant will try to hold objects placed in their hands. Toys can help develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination and stimulate their senses.
3. How long can a three-month-old play alone?
Although they can play alone for a couple of minutes, your infant’s safety is more crucial than independent play. Babies of this age always need adult supervision.
4. When should I introduce toys to my baby?
For the first two months, your infant needs no toys as they would sleep all day. You can slowly introduce small toys such as a rattle, rings, and musical toys that are easy to grasp after two months.
Many parents assume that their 3-month-old cannot benefit from playing with toys, but this is untrue. Babies as young as two months can perceive color. And playing with toys helps strengthen the bond between you and your precious little one. So, you may opt for toys with soft lights and melodic tunes to engage your child. And when choosing a suitable toy for your baby, ensure it is made of safe materials devoid of harsh chemicals. Also, make sure the edges are rounded and the toy does not have small parts that may pose a choking hazard.
References:
- Learning Play and Your 1-to 3-month-old
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/learn13m.html - Babies Need Tummy Time!
https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/safesleepbasics/tummytime
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