Christmas Gift Ideas For Babies

Newborns 0-3 Months

Teething toys and rings are always a great option for newborns. They love to grasp and bright and colorful is the way to go. Be sure to find toys that are soft and if they contain a ring they can be used on car seats and strollers. These are perfect for hand eye coordination and small motor skills. The adorable bright colored First Play baby teething toy by Melissa & Doug offers all this plus crinkling and squeaking noises. If you are looking for a natural toy Vulli Sophie the Giraffe teether is always a great option. This teether is made of 100% natural rubber and offers a variety of textures to relieve babies who are teething. You can never go wrong with soft building blocks for infants as they are wonderful for playtime.

Infants 3-6 Months

Now that baby is getting a bit older and mobile you’ll want to find gifts that are musical or possibly getting a girl her first doll.  Baby activity gyms are a great choice as they have stimulating lights, music and attached toys including mirrors.  A soft mat that baby lies on will keep them occupied. Twinkle Twinkle Little Scout is a wonderful first plush for little ones. He plays music, children learn common names for colors, shapes, animals, and more.  Little Scout is a cuddly toy from LeapFrog!

Infants 6-9 Months

Reading should be encouraged by now and there are a variety of first books for babies.  Cloth baby books make a great choice as they are washable, durable and have bright pages.  Baby cannot ruin the books as they are cloth and most offer crinkly pages for sounds.  They are very basic and age appropriate.  Lamaze has many titles which were always a favorite in our home.   Stacker toys and sorting toys are fun and entertaining as infants try to stack rings, blocks or cups to the correct size.  They are awesome for hand/eye coordination.

Infants 9-12 Months

Babies at this age should now be sitting without support and many standing alone, cruising or walking by the time they hit 1.  The sit to stand learning walker is full of fun and has several activities.  Their vocabulary is increasing with basics such as mama, dada, baby etc.  This is the age baby proofing is a necessity.  Toys for this age would include wooden knob puzzles as they are learning to grasp and use their hands more often.  Melissa & Doug have several but I recommend staying with limited pieces.  The large puzzle pieces and knobs make them great first puzzles. The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Dance And Play Puppy will get baby moving and grooving. This interactive guy is an educational toy where children will learn letters, numbers, songs, phrases and more. He is a hot holiday toy this season, so be sure to pick him up before he sells out. Don’t forget about the Playskool Poppin’ Park Eelefun Busy Ball Popper for another great gift item.

Baby 12-24 Months

This is the fun age where pretend play increases and baby is now mobile.  More advanced knob puzzles, first cars, bead mazes and pretend play toys are great options.  Again, Melissa & Doug has a toy bead maze which is colorful, sturdy and great for fine motor skills.  They’ll enjoy pushing the blocks down the wires, and encourage learning through the colors.   The Step 2 Push around buggy  is a safe toy for children to ride in and children will enjoy pushing it around.  It even includes a seatbelt.  Watch little girls push their dolls or plush friends while boys will have just as much fun in their own car.  What little boy doesn’t love cars!