The Best Toys for 3-Month-Olds to Promote Motor Development and Bonding
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Encourage exploration with play mats, tummy time toys, and more.
Parents / Kevin Liang
At 3 months old, a baby is graduating from the newborn stage and quickly developing important milestones, like following moving objects and grasping or shaking toys. Parents can encourage a child’s development through playtime with toys, ultimately helping their little ones learn to distinguish colors, stimulate their hearing, and more.Lauren Ashley Quinn, OTD, OTR/L, a neonatal occupational therapist and clinical specialist, says the best toys for 3-month-olds promote strength and motor development, encourage visual skills, and enhance exploration. Additionally, Quinn adds that toys help caregivers engage with their babies by talking, reading, and singing, which promotes cognitive and intellectual development.To find the best toys for 3-month-olds, we talked to child development experts and reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on toy safety. We also surveyed 875 parents to determine which toys their babies play with and how they engage with them. To ensure we’re recommending safe baby toys, a pediatric psychologist from our Review Board also reviewed this article for accuracy.Our Favorite Toys for 3-Month-OldsLovevery The Charmer Play KitBebe Fuerte Marathon Maze 2-in-1 Activity MirrorBright Starts Tummy Time Prop & Play MatSassy Peek-a-Boo Activity BookBabyBjörn Bouncer Balance SoftBaby Einstein Take Along Tunes ToyPhilips Avent Soothie Snuggle HolderOli & Carol Kendall the Kale TeetherEric Carle Box SetPottery Barn Kids Travel Play MatLovevery The Charmer Play Kit
Lovevery
$80
Buy on lovevery.com
Lovevery is our favorite baby toy subscription brand, and the parents in our survey are also big fans. They especially liked the Charmer Play Kit, which is designed for babies 3-4 months old and comes with three wooden toys, two teethers, two books, black-and-white cards, two mirror toys, and more. Like all Lovevery boxes, this set is carefully curated by child development experts for the specific age group.Three-month-olds are fascinated by faces, so catching their adorable features in a mirror will surely bring a smile (although they're too young to realize they're staring at their reflection!). Mirror toys like those in this kit can help them begin to study and recognize their different expressions and features. The Lovevery mirror card and framed mirror are also convenient during tummy time or to carry in your purse or diaper bag during outings.Although Lovevery only sells its boxes through a subscription service, you can cancel your subscription anytime.Bebe Fuerte Marathon Maze 2-in-1 Activity Mirror
Walmart
$11
Buy on Walmart
Since tummy time isn’t always a favorite among babies, finding toys that encourage tummy time is key. This Bebe Fuerte Marathon Maze 2-in-1 Activity Mirror is a great option, as it offers plenty of things for your baby to be entertained by. One side features a simple bead maze, and the other features a spinning sun and a mirror for your little one to find themselves. The wheels help it roll around, so it’s great to have when your baby starts learning to crawl.Bright Starts Tummy Time Prop & Play Mat
Walmart
$20
Buy on Amazon
$20
Buy on Target
The Bright Starts Tummy Time Prop & Play Mat can be used as a child grows to help promote developmental milestones, like raising their head or grasping toys. Suitable from birth to 3 years old, the mat helps develop sensory skills with its crinkle sounds, rattle, teether, baby-safe mirror, and comfortable prop pillow. The soft and plush material makes it the perfect place for little ones to hang out—and you can just throw it in the washing machine to clean it.Sassy Peek-a-Boo Activity Book
Amazon
$9
$7
Buy on Amazon
This soft book, with its high-contrast black and white colors for visual stimulation, will easily catch the attention of little ones. Each page features a different image and pattern to help babies connect to the things they see around them. The crinkly sound and easy-to-flip pages will encourage them to strengthen their hand-eye coordination as they explore the book. It's recommended for babies who are newborns and older.BabyBjörn Bouncer Balance Soft
Amazon
$198
Buy on Amazon
Baby bouncers provide a calming motion that mimics what babies experience in the womb. This gentle bouncing helps soothe fussy babies and gives parents a much-needed break. We tested this Baby Bjorn bouncer and loved its straightforward use, comfortable materials, and ergonomic design.When your little one outgrows the bouncer (when your baby starts trying to sit up), the Balance Soft transforms into a toddler chair. As with all bouncers, babies should be supervised at all times and should not be allowed to sleep on the bouncer.Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy
Amazon
$10
$9
Buy on Amazon
$10
Buy on Walmart
Easy to hold and fun to play with, this musical toy is a hit with most babies. It’s safe for ages 3 months and up, and many parents find it’s a great distraction tool to use when a baby is crying or fussy. With volume control options and 10 delightful tunes, little ones will love this toy for years to come.
Philips Avent Soothie Snuggle Holder
Amazon
$15
Buy on Amazon
$15
Buy on Walmart
This toy and pacifier combo is great for curious yet restless 3-month-olds. The adorable detachable elephant plush gives babies something soft to hold in their hands while the soothing BPA-free pacifier relaxes them. When the plush gets extra slobbery and dingy, you can remove it and pop it in the washing machine.Oli & Carol Kendall the Kale Teether
Amazon
$19
Buy on barnesandnoble.com
Getting the baby to munch on their greens will be a breeze with this kale-inspired toy that helps relieve teething pain. Made of 100% baby-safe, natural rubber derived from the Malaysia Hevea trees and painted with food-grade paint, you won't have to worry about the baby chewing on this toy. Ideal for sensory and imaginative play, this toy is designed for babies from newborns up to 5 years old.Eric Carle Box Set
Amazon
$54
$34
Buy on Amazon
$54
Buy on barnesandnoble.com
Stock a newborn’s baby library with one click with this awesome box set of classic Eric Carle board books. Filled with classic stories and stunning artwork, your baby's attention will be captured by the swirl of colors. The six books are all engaging and will instill a love of books and reading from an early age.Pottery Barn Kids Travel Play Mat
Pottery Barn Kids
$69
Buy on potterybarnkids.com
Heading to Grandma's or a friend's house will be easier with this roll-and-go play mat. Made of uber soft, 100% organic cotton, this muslin mat gives the baby a comfy place to play no matter where they are. After playtime, this mat can be tossed in the wash for easy cleanup.Melissa & Doug Itsy-Bitsy Spider Soft Book
Amazon
$17
$14
Buy on Amazon
Promote sensory development and fine motor skills with a hands-on book that includes attached pieces that crinkle, stretch, and reveal hidden pictures. The brightly colored book features a different picture on each page that the baby will adore. The machine-washable soft book is safe for all ages.Infantino Lil Nibble Carrot Teether
Amazon
$4
Buy on Amazon
This carrot-shaped teether has just what little ones need for teething pain relief: soft material and different textures. It’s made of silicone, so you can toss it in the freezer for your baby and easily wipe it clean when needed. Built-in handles allow tiny hands to navigate the teether with ease, while different textures provide sensory exploration.Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
Amazon
$14
$10
Buy on Amazon
You get three toys in one with the Winkel—a teether, sensory toy, and rattle. The toy features soft, continuous non-toxic tubes for the baby to gnaw on, a center cube that doubles as a rattle, and a sensory experience when tiny hands explore the toy. The Winkel measures 5 x 4 x 3.5 inches, so it’s small enough to fit in the diaper bag but not too big for a 3-month-old baby.Splashin'kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat
Amazon' title='Splashin'kids Inflatable Tummy Time Premium Water Mat'>
Amazon
$28
$17
Buy on Amazon
Give little ones a day at the beach (sort of) with a tummy time mat that fills with water. Babies will be able to splash the day away without making a mess thanks to the leak-proof PVC material. Sea creatures inside the water tummy time mat move around with each move the baby makes. Plus, the mat measures 26 x 20 inches, so it’s big enough for a baby to grow with.Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Activity Station
Amazon
$23
$19
Buy on Amazon
$19
Buy on Target
Encourage tummy time play with this colorful toy bar from Baby Einstein that’s recommended for babies 3 months old and up. The toy bar includes three modes of play–animals, colors, and xylophone—all in three different languages. While the toy lays flat for tummy time, it also props up with the built-in stand as the baby begins to sit up.Wonderbly “Bedtime For You” Book
Amazon
$47
Buy on Amazon
$40
Buy on wonderbly.com
For a personalized toy, look no further than this adorable bedtime book that’s fully customizable. Choose the baby’s character and add their name to the cover and throughout the story to create a book they can cherish for the years to come. Plus, you can even add your own dedication on the first page and preview the whole book before buying.Infantino Busy Board Mirror & Sensory Discovery Toy Boat
Amazon
$17
Buy on babylist.com
This double-sided activity board grows with little ones thanks to its multi-use options. One side of the toy features a sensory-packed boat filled with gears, beads, a mirror, and vibrant colors, while the opposite side has crinkle flaps that lift up to reveal numbers and fun sea-themed prints. The baby activity board even props up for functional play and folds in half for easy portability.Baby Gund Flappy The Elephant Stuffed Animal
Nordstrom
$45
$30
Buy on Amazon
$40
Buy on Walmart
Say hello to your baby's new best friend: Flappy the Elephant. This adorable elephant plays fun songs, like "Do Your Ears Hang Low," and interacts with little ones through a game of peek-a-boo when you press buttons on its feet. If you're not a fan of the elephant, the company offers the same amount of fun with different animal options.Tiny Love Magical Tales Black & White Gymini Activity Play Mat
Walmart
$70
Buy on Walmart
$70
$56
Buy on Macy's
This black and white baby play mat will keep littles entertained thanks to nearly 20 interactive toys and developmental activities. An adjustable arch creates a variety of modes to play, while attached animal friends provide babies with a companion during tummy time. And, because the mat is machine washable, it also doubles as a changing pad.Our Review Process and ExpertsTo select the best toys for 3-month-olds, we spoke with experts and surveyed 875 parents to determine their children’s favorite toys and why they and their little ones love them. We reviewed dozens of baby toys on the market, evaluating their design, ease of use, age recommendations, and value. We chose toys for 3-month-olds that are easy to use, give parents and caregivers a little break, and help littles reach those important developmental milestones.We also interviewed Lauren Ashley Quinn, OTD, OTR/L, a neonatal occupational therapist and clinical specialist, who gave us additional insights on what to look for in toys for 3-month-olds, general product recommendations, and how to keep babies playing safely.Factors to Consider When Buying Toys for 3-Month-OldsAge Appropriate: The most important thing to be mindful of when shopping for a baby toy is whether or not it is age-appropriate, both developmentally and in terms of safety. At around this age, babies can lift their heads and chests during tummy time, open and close their hands and bring their hands to their mouths, recognize familiar objects, imitate sounds, and swipe at dangling toys.Useful: At 3 months old, there are still plenty of toys parents and caregivers need for their baby, so consider getting a gift or toy that will help make their lives a little easier. For example, a baby teether can help soothe a fussy baby and still be fun for little ones to gnaw on.Safety: Because babies love putting toys into their mouths, safety is of the utmost importance. When buying toys for a 3-month-old baby, skip the toys with small pieces, as they pose a choking hazard. Instead, ensure the size of the toy and its parts is bigger than the baby's mouth. Additionally, avoid toys made with small batteries or loose magnets, which can cause serious, life-threatening injuries if ingested. Who We AreMaya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. Her go-to new baby gifts and toys are classic books. She loves having her older kids pick out some special books for a new baby.Additional reporting by: Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer and devoted mom. She spent several years in broadcast journalism but found her true passion in writing about the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. In her spare time, you’ll likely find her in the beautiful outdoors of Oklahoma with her husband and 4-year-old son. Katrina's son enjoyed teethers at 3-month-olds, so she recommends those types of toys first. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
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