The first few years of a baby’s life is a flipbook of, well, firsts. You’ll document the big moments — the first steps, words, the initial tiny tooth peeking out from underneath their gums — because it’s all special. But even all the small things, like baby’s first outfit outside hospital walls or your baby’s first toy, hold sentimental meaning. These are the artifacts you’ll stash in the back of your closet or in the attic for safe keeping (and, OK, a good nostalgic cry), and there’s no shame in that fact being at the forefront of your mind when you start shopping for these essentials.
Of course, it might be a little while before your baby actually starts playing with toys. After all, a day in the life of a newborn mostly consists of sleeping, eating, pooping and wetting their diapers. That being said, your baby’s first toy will be the first item that really captures their attention.
In the same way they’re drawn to their bottle, your baby will be captivated by the first toy they can grasp with their tiny fingers. It’s typically something that stimulates their senses, like a book with buttons they can press to create sound or a stacking toy with pieces they can build with or bang together. From cloth books to colorful blocks, here are some of the most beloved baby’s first toys to consider.
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1. VTech Musical Rhymes Book
Introduce your baby to the wonderful world of literature early on with the VTech Musical Rhymes Book. Storytelling with musical influence is always a winning combination with little ones, even if the first hundred times they engage with the toy they have absolutely no idea what the words on the page actually mean. Easy-to-turn pages help enhance their fine motor skills, while twist and slide play pieces keep your child engaged with the story. The book comes programmed with different modes that introduce new vocabulary, music and instrumental sounds as they grow. Plus, the vibrant color schemes and piano keys that play different tunes invite your baby to explore with their senses and learn as they do.
2. B. Toys One, Two, Squeeze Baby Blocks
Blocks are a classic kid’s toy but most are made from wood or heavy materials with sides that come to a point, which are far from baby-friendly. B. Toys One, Two, Squeeze Baby Blocks are literally blocks that have been infant-proofed. Each hand-sculpted, soft, squeezable square is 100 percent non-toxic, so your baby can stack them or safely chew them, depending on their mood. The blocks are also decorated with stimulating colors to catch (and hold) baby’s attention, while numbers and animal prints on each side offer teachable opportunities as your little one grows older and starts recognizing them.
3. ToBe ReadyForLife Cloth Book
Your baby’s first toy should be stimulating in order to familiarize them with their senses and kickstart their developmental skills. The ToBe ReadyForLife Cloth Book does both of these things and more: It tells your little one a story while also providing them with special, interactive features like crinkly paper, mirrors, peekaboo flaps, squeakers and more. But not only is this baby’s first toy educational for your little one, it’s also a learning tool for parents. Each purchase includes an eBook that teaches parents how to use the cloth book at different stages in their child’s development so you can support them as they grow.
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