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“That’s the magic of this chair. It’s not just cute — and it is very cute — it’s genuinely engaging,” said one reviewer about *thee* Crate and Barrel activity chair.

I'm Amanda Davis (she/her), a Shopping & Products Editor at BuzzFeed who specializes in many topics, including beauty, fashion, home decor, and my personal favorite — small businesses.

Sensory toys are babies' first introduction to colors, music, different textures, and so much more. Somehow, a soft-shell taco toy can help with their color recognition, and, yup, a frog with a zipped mouth can help them develop their hand-eye coordination. There are plenty of toys to help your little one start honing everyday skills in a fun and engaging way. See for yourself with the toy options below!

For those looking to give their little ones musical enrichment, this ADORABLE sardine-themed xylophone is the top pick. Not only will they learn the gift of rhythm, but it'll also help them learn hand-eye coordination and develop auditory *and* motor skills in the process. It comes with a child-safe mallet for bangin'. Plus, each sardine plays a different note to keep them even more entertained. Baby's first instrument will be a literal hit. 🥁 

Promising review: "Music to my ears. My daughter absolutely loved being able to tap the keys and hear noise, as well as being able to use the mallet and make actual music! This was her first musical toy, and she is obsessed! I really love that the colors aren’t overwhelming or overstimulating. She played with this for over 10 minutes, set it down, and came back for more!" —Diznicke

Get it from Target or from Babylist for $16.99.

If you prefer something musical and then some, go for this Baby Einstein music toy. It features 10 (!!) classical melodies that switch at the touch of a button, a fun bead-chaser handle that's easy for their little hands to hold, AND it has colorful lights that dance to the music! So while they're jammin' out, they're also gaining fine motor skills, learning cause and effect, and visual development too. OH, and it's got volume control too. You're welcome 😉. 

My colleague Heather Braga's little one has this: "My son received this as a gift around the holidays two years ago, and it's, surprisingly, fantastic! It's really a simple toy, but he enjoyed playing with it *all* the time. He loved the sounds and the lights, while I personally like that it's not HUGE (so many musical toys are very bulky). It's been a great toy option for the car thanks to its size."

Promising review: "What a winner. I bought Baby Einstein as a stocking stuffer for our new grandson. It was a great choice; the bright colors, music selections, and quality sound get and hold his attention. I think he'll enjoy this for a long time. Happy Grandma." —Happy Shopper

Get it from Amazon for $9.96 (available in five styles).

This parent (and baby!) favorite is an interactive way to help build your little's vocabulary in English ~and~ Spanish! From animals and food to nature and household items, this book covers the basics and does so in an easy, digestible, and engaging way. It features photos, bold colors, and verbally says how to say the vocabulary word, a corresponding sound, along with some fun facts — all activated by touching the image. They'll be obsessed.

Find out why this parent calls it "one of our favorite toys for our son" on TikTok.

Promising review: "This was a recommended product I saw on Facebook and again on TikTok — so I had to see if the hype was worth it. IT IS WORTH IT! My toddler (almost 2) loves the book for the sounds and names of all the categories in the book. This is a great book to gift to others with toddlers or to help your little one develop. I love this!" —Megan C.

Any baby will *gladly* spend time playing with these stacking cups every day. Each set comes with cups numbered one through eight to help with number recognition and to get them to practice counting. Bonus point for being extra durable! They also have holes in the bottom for water play and come with a cute star ring to keep them together.

Promising review: "The best [money] I have ever spent! Such a simple and inexpensive toy that has entertained my 10-month-old so much and has been his most used toy so far. He has been playing with these since about 5/6 months old, and he just comes up with new ways to enjoy them, which has been so much fun to watch him discover. He started by just grabbing them and tasting them. Now he puts them inside of each other, looks for other toys to fit inside them, and pretends to drink out of them. I know this is a long review for a [cheap] item, but I really want to express how great such a simple toy can be. I will be buying this as an add-on for every baby gift/shower that I need!" —GW

Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $7.99.

Hello? The best sensory toy is calling. This ridiculously cool flip phone has got just about everything: music (over 50 songs to be exact!), buttons, fidget poppers, and a self-discovery mirror "phone screen." It's the perfect way to introduce numbers and shapes. And since they always want to mimic what you do — so adorable btw —, perhaps a pretend phone call to practice their communication skills, too. 

Get it from Walmart for $9.97 or from Amazon for $10.97.

This walker (with over 74,000 5-star ratings, might I add) is perfect for your little one who's always on the move. This is a great way to incorporate learning physically and mentally, as it features fun learning games that involve counting, music, shapes, and more.

Promising review: "VTech Sist-to-Stand learning Walker is one of the purchases I made for this year. It has allowed my fourth granddaughter to start walking at 9 and a half months on her own. With all the other learning accessories on it, she is learning sounds, colors, and moving and stopping. I would recommend the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker as a great purchase for any family. Quick setup, perfect size, excellent value, comes in different colors, which are cute, and it is strong and sturdy. I love it!!!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in four colors).

This felt "busy book" could keep anyone entertained, even adults aren't immune to its powers. From zipping a frog's mouth, detaching Velcro ABCs, undoing buttons, and more. Your little one won't just be in playtime heaven, but they'll be learning some everyday skills EARLY in the process. This gem also covers the basics like counting, shapes, and matching, too.

Cozy Books is an Addison, Texas-based small business.

Promising reviews: "My 7-month-old loved this book. Each page is so unique and engaging and the craftsmanship is incredible." —Lynette

"Very well-made book! Got this for the car and airplane travel. I was also excited to find a busy book without loose pieces for my 16-month-old, who still likes to put things in his mouth. Looking forward to purchasing the toddler book when he's a little older." —Alexandra

Get it from Cozy Books on Etsy for $57.80+ (originally $68+; available with or without personalization).

This sensory ball has 10 "bumps" made of different textures and materials — some even with rattle beads inside! — making it a great option for your baby. The bold colors and patterns will provide some amusement while also engaging their visual development. It's lightweight and super soft to the touch, too, so they'll have no problem tossing it around at their leisure. 

Promising review: "This is a real entertainer; bright colors get the baby's attention [and] it's easy for her to pick up and hold. She is almost 5 months old. When she shakes it, she laughs at the noise it makes. Very entertaining toy for her. I get on the floor with her and roll the ball toward her. She squeals when she sees it coming her way." —MattiePooh

This activity chair has so many fun features, I wouldn't judge you for wanting one in adult size. From rattles to crinkly toys to cute little mirrors and more. The different theme choices provide different opportunities for learning, too! The deep space style features and labels the sun, moon, and all planets 🪐. The woodland, aquatic, and nature friends styles feature various animals and insects 🐛. AND the best-selling bush baby style (pictured on the right!) has textured clouds, trees, mushrooms, and more ⛅️. The activities are beautifully handmade and embroidered, so you won't mind leaving them out in the living room either. Bonus: the tray is removable, too, so *you* can get your little adventurer in and out easily, but remains secure when they're in it themselves.

Promising review: "I'm a first-time grandma. And like most grandmas, I want the best for my grandson. So when I started shopping for an activity chair for little Jack River, I wasn't just looking for something practical. I wanted something special. This chair is special. The moment his mom set Jack in the Deep Space Activity Chair, his eyes went wide. He reached right for the planets on the tray. Then the squeaker. Then the mirror. He didn't know where to look first. That's the magic of this chair. It's not just cute — and it is very cute — it's genuinely engaging. The handmade, embroidered artwork by Michelle Romo is stunning. The space-themed tray has a sliding rocket, a hidden alien, rattles, crinkle textures, and a mirror. Every single feature invites little hands to explore. The soft cotton seat cradles babies perfectly. The harness kept Jack safe and secure without a fuss. And the whole thing is sturdy and well-made — you can feel the quality the moment you pick it up. Is there anything I'd change? Honestly, spot-clean-only can be a little tricky with a messy baby. But it's a small trade-off for something this special. If you're looking for a gift that will genuinely delight a baby — and impress every adult in the room — this is it. Jack is proof. Five stars. No hesitation." —Pamela

Get it from Crate and Barrel for $179 (available in eight styles).

If you're looking for something that takes up a little less space, this activity board is a fab alternative. It features six pieces filled with TONS of sensory items like spinning balls and gears, bold colors, and more. Each piece is magnetized to the board to keep them in place (no lost pieces over here!), but can still be easily picked up and played with on their own.

Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Jessica Hall has to say about it: "My daughter has had this for a few months, and whenever I pull it out for her to play with, it definitely holds her attention thanks to its variety of activities. She specifically loves pushing the button that opens a little mirror. Not gonna lie, this toy is pretty amusing for me, too, when she is off playing by herself, and I wanna give her a little independence. I like the one that spins with the little balls lol."

Promising review: "We love this toy. I bought this for my child's first birthday, and their 4-year-old sibling also likes playing with it. It's like the most portable 'busy board' that you can customize. The little blocks can also be changed out with different ones, and they're easy for on-the-go if you just want to grab one or two and throw them in your bag. It does a pretty good job of keeping my littles' attention and helps with some dexterity as well. Great idea, nice quality little toy. It is a little expensive, but overall I think it's worth it." —Blair

This cool InnyBin is a square made up of colorful elastic rope and comes complete with six different chunky, easy-to-hold shapes (each with different textures!) that your kiddo can put in and pull out all by themselves. It's a perfect way to introduce problem-solving, build motor skills, and more.

Promising review: "I gave this toy to my daughter for her 1st birthday. It didn't take her long to figure out how to take things in and out. It challenges her mind, it's almost a puzzle to her, and figuring out how things work is already a favorite activity. She absolutely loves this toy! Now, you never know what you're going to find inside... That missing binkie? Her favorite teether? An unopened applesauce pouch? The TV remote? Yupp, you'll find it in this cube! We've only been playing with this toy for a couple of weeks now, but it seems quite durable. The bright elastic bands have the perfect amount of stretch to them. The colored shapes are bright and interesting. They're made of a hard plastic with different textures, with almost a matte finish to them. I will probably buy this as a gift for other kids in the future. 10/10 definitely recommend!" —Frankie Garrett

A soft version of the forever classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar — it has a 4.8 (!!) rating on Amazon with over 14,000 reviews. That's HUGE for a children's toy, and both parents and babies alike are obsessed. The entire book is made of crinkly pages, and every turn features a differently textured fruit, a few peek-a-boo flaps, and even a squeaker. It also introduces counting with big numbers on each page. Add a gold star for the teething corner, and you've got yourself a top-notch sensory toy. Did I mention it's machine washable, too?

Promising review: "My 3-month-old looooves this book!! He loves the crinkle noise! Keeps him entertained for a long time! We take it everywhere." —kerebear

Get it from Target for $6.59 or from Amazon for $7.59.

A sports center. For babies. Yep, you read that right! This extremely bragworthy toy comes complete with a basketball hoop, an LED scoreboard, a soccer goal, and tons of side buttons to teach 50+ sounds, songs, shapes, numbers, and more. A basketball and soccer ball perfectly sized for tiny hands are also included. It's... dare I say...  a ~slam dunk~ sensory toy.

Promising review: "I love this product. First, it was so simple and easy to put together. Secondly, it is perfect for a rainy day. If your little one has loads of energy and needs to get it out, but outside is gloomy, this sports center is perfect. Easily fits into any corner, doesn't take up a lot of space, and your little one will enjoy it." —Tisha M. Smith

Get it from Amazon for $47.99 (available in two colors).

Science *and* sensory development? I think you've got a mini Isaac Newton on your hands 👏. This 2-in-1 toy features movable beads that represent the six electrons in a carbon atom, as well as a fun clutching toy (that batch right in the middle) that represents the nucleus. It also comes with a fun baby-friendly book that explains what it all means! 

Promising review: "Absolutely ADORABLE! I was so surprised by the quality (excellent), and it was bigger than I expected it to be. I bought this as a gift for a 7-month-old, and she loves it. I wish I knew more little ones around that age — it is the perfect gift! The book is super cute as well." —Katie

"I’d venture to say that this is my son’s new favorite toy. He loves to play with the beads, and the book is really cute." —Kaysea

Ocean-themed ✅, double-sided  ✅ , *and* sits on its own  ✅ — what more could you want from a sensory toy specifically designed for tummy time? This triangle toy has three fold-out panels featuring a cute squeaking claw, jellyfish ribbons, various textured tabs, and a peek-a-boo mirror. Plus, one side is all in on the bold color while the other features engaging black and white graphics, so your little one gets the best of both worlds. 

Promising review: "My 5-month-old LOVES this toy!! The highlight is definitely the mirror. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find something that has both colors and black and white high-contrast designs. LOVE." —lissabug

Get it from Amazon or Target for $13.89, or straight from Melissa & Doug for $15.99.

This Unidentified Fun Object will be your kiddo's new favorite thing (apologies to the family dog). It features pullable silicone strings in different shapes and covered in different textures, as well as pop buttons that make sounds they'll be completely enthralled by. Compared to similar toys, this is designed with shorter pull strings to help prevent risks *and* is made of strong and durable silicone that can handle any biting or pulling from your little one. Just remember to supervise when they're playing with it!

BTW, all Moonkie products are crafted from 100% silicone and are free from BPA, BPS, PVC, latex, and phthalates.

Promising review: "My grandchildren have loved this toy, and it lasts many months, as my 5-month-old granddaughter loves it and my almost 3-year-old grandson still picks it up and plays with it at times. It is a great teething toy as well." —Mallory Davila

Get it from Moonkie for $23.99 (originally $39.98; available in three colors). 

This magical, musical llama is more like your kiddo's activity headquarters with the number of things it features. Of course, it's got lots of musical enrichment: the removable maraca tail — SO cute btw —, the five-key xylophone, clacking blankets on the side, and the textured notches on top. But surprise! It's got some other awesome additions as well: moving dials and spinning blocks for color, shape, and food recognition.

Promising reviews: "My baby loves this even at five months. Plays with it almost every day. For some reason, really, really loves this blue rattle!" —Megan

"Beautiful, lasting toy. Our daughter has played with this since she was 9 months old. We just took the [xylophone mallets] out at first. Now at 18 months, she uses the entire toy and continues to play with it daily." —M

Get it from Amazon for $54.08+ (available in two other styles) or from Target for $74. 

Babos are fidget sensory balls that can also be used as bath toys! They're soft, squishy, bouncy, and have holes in them to capture water. When your little one squeezes it underwater, they'll create bubbles! Outside of it, the water will pop out and create a fun splash that'll turn bathtime into a mini waterpark trip. These toys will help encourage coordination, gripping, and hand strength... and they'll just really love bouncing and rolling it around with you too. 

P.S. They're dishwasher safe, made of mold-resistant material, and don't have any rims/edges to help prevent dirt and mildew build-up.

Little Lamb Kind is a woman-owned small business based in Brooklyn, NY.

Promising reviews: "These are so soft and fun for my 6-month-old grandson. I can see that they will continue to be a favorite as he gets older. They make great bubble sounds and squeeze out water softly. A perfect little toy that will grow with our little one. We all love to play with them." —Christine D.

"Oh my goodness, I am so happy we stumbled upon these! My autistic kid absolutely loves them! They are great for bath play. They are great sensory toy that he can squish with his hand. He can chew on them. I don’t have to worry about him choking on them as I would a balloon. And he doesn’t ruin them like the ball pit balls. I still supervise, though, just like his chewy necklaces. I wish I had 50 more of these. Like a whole bathtub full. Thank you for making such a wonderful product!" —Laura S.

Get a set of six from Little Lamb Kind for $30+ (available in two sizes).

Your favorite food and their favorite toy — it's a match made in heaven. In this 12-piece set, each "ingredient", like lettuce, cheese, onion, tomato, and more, is made of different textures that your baby won't ever want to let go of. Plus, the soft taco shell (the best way to eat a taco if we're being honest) is shaped to hold them all *and* comes with two dangling toys attached that reviewers say are great for teething.

Promising review: "My 6-month-old loves this toy! It’s the most motivating thing we own. It keeps his attention, and he’s very engaged with each item. We put the pieces around his play mat and he’ll roll and has started to crawl towards the items." —TWilson

"My almost 7-month-old loves this toy! She loves to explore the different parts with her mouth and utilizes her fine motor skills by pulling the different pieces out and manipulating them. 100% recommend this toy!"  —Sky

Yep, it's a toy that's nearly guaranteed to be loved by any kiddo 1 year and up. These stacking blocks are large enough for their tiny hands to grip easily, without being a choking hazard for them (or a hazard for your feet). This set comes with 60 blocks in 10 shapes and nine colors that'll help get their imagination and creative juices flowing early. It's fantastic for developing fine motor skills, too!

The set includes 80 building blocks and a storage bag.

Promising review: "My 2-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter absolutely love these! They spend hours playing with these, and as a family, my husband, the kids, and I build things together. The great thing about them is that they are large, so they aren't a choking hazard. My daughter will sometimes try to put these in her mouth, so we are happy that we don't have to worry about that with these jumbo-sized blocks. The blocks are colorful and are made of good-quality plastic, so you don't have to worry about small pieces or worry about them breaking and being harmful. These are highly recommended and very much worth every penny. Probably the best toy I have bought for my kids in a while." —Dee

Get a set of 80 from Amazon for $12.80 (available in two sets).

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Plus sun hats, swim accessories, pool safety essentials, and finds from Walmart.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.