At 3 months old, your baby may still feel brand new. However, their wheels are spinning. They’re learning and growing every day, and you want to buy them toys that will encourage this growth.
“Three-month-old babies are so fun and adorable,” says Betty Choi, MD, a pediatrician and founder of HumanBodyLearning.com. “They love to look at faces as they learn how to socialize and make different facial expressions. Curious about the world, most babies at 3 months old follow moving objects and turn their heads toward sounds. They also start to copy some movements and sounds.”
Dr. Choi says these still-little ones are transforming physically, too. “Three-month-old babies are gradually getting stronger in their upper bodies,” she says. “They are getting better at lifting their head and chest, and when they lay on their bellies, they start to support their upper body with their arms. They open and close their hands and can grasp objects.”
So it may be time to graduate from some of their favorite newborn toys (though 3-month-olds are still a bit young for things like toddler-centric sensory bins). And while it’s tempting to go all out on toys, Dr. Choi believes in quality over quantity when purchasing toys for 3-month-olds.
“Less is more when it comes to toys, especially for babies,” Dr. Choi says. “Try not to be tempted by advertisements and feelings of FOMO. Instead, a calm environment gives babies a better chance to focus on their surrounding environment and connect with caregivers.”
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best toys for 3-month-old kids. These items will keep your little one entertained and make playtime a fun learning experience.
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Best Gym Toy For 3-Month-Olds
The Playgym by Lovevery ($140)
Floor time is still critical for 3-month-olds as they work toward physical milestones. A playmat like Lovevery’s sets the stage. “It’s a lovely space for a baby to explore during the first year of life,” Dr. Choi says.
Lovevery’s play gym does not have bright lights or prerecorded music, preventing overstimulation, but does have accessories for every stage. A wooden rattle toy can be detached so babies can grasp it, or parents can shake it to encourage head-turning. Other attachments promote reach as babies work to build strength so they can move.
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Best Toy For 3-Month-Olds During Diaper Changes
Pbooo Dancing Cactus Toy ($14, originally $30)
Dr. Choi recommends avoiding too many electronic toys. But a dancing cactus in moderation can be fun and make diaper changes less stressful. The goofy cactus toy loved in parenting Facebook groups and a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon can distract a baby who doesn’t enjoy being on their back.
“One of my favorite toys ever,” an Amazon reviewer wrote. “This cactus provides so much entertainment for my grandson that I’ve bought it for others…It can cry, laugh, talk…keeps our baby and his friends well entertained.”
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Best Stroller Toy For 3-Month-Olds
Itzy Ritzy Spiral Car Seat & Stroller Activity Toy ($25)
Dr. Choi says exploring the outside world in a stroller or baby carrier can be great for parents and babies. While the focus on these walks may be nature, hanging toys on a stroller or infant car seat provides some added interest. The muted colors of Itzy Ritzy’s hanging toys reduce overstimulation.
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Best Book Toy For 3-Month-Olds
“Global Babies” ($5)
Dr. Choi recommends “Global Babies” because she loves board books with diverse faces. “Babies love to study people’s faces and expressions,” Dr. Choi says. The book features 17 pages of little ones from around the world living their daily lives and wearing clothing typical of the area. As a bonus, some proceeds from book sales go toward the Global Fund for Children to support community-based organizations that work with children and youth.
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Best Grasping Toy For 3-Month-Olds
Bright Starts Oball Easy Grasp Classic Ball ($5)
Dr. Choi loves grasping toys for motor skill development. Also, babies become more interested in colors as their vision improves in their post-newborn era. She recommends a ball like this one from Bright Starts, which she says “is easy for babies to hold and comes in fun colors.”
The under-$5 toy is a bargain, as it’s something babies can continue to play with as they develop. “This toy can also be enjoyed as the baby grows into a toddler,” Dr. Choi says.
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Best Mirror Toy For 3-Month-Olds
Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror ($15, originally $21)
Mirrors are still winners for babies as they hit the 3-month-old mark. “Mirrors, such as the Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror, make tummy time more motivating and fun,” Dr. Choi says. Plus, this one is made with a two-color spinning ball to engage baby’s curiosity. “This mirror can also encourage babies to crawl when they are ready for that gross motor milestone,” Dr. Choi adds.
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Best Social-Emotional Introduction Toy For 3-Month-Olds
“Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions” ($7)
Another recommendation from Dr. Choi for its range of expressive faces, this board book helps parents and infants get a jumpstart on emotional identification (a key to regulation and reducing tantrums later). Emotions expressed include happy, sad, and surprise, and parents can make the faces, too, for a more interactive storytime.
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Best Lovey Toy For 3-Month-Olds
Pro Goleem Security Blanket ($12, originally $20)
A soft lovey can make a 3-month-old feel safe and secure. It can also be a goofy way for a parent to engage with a child in early pretend play. The soft, minky, and satin fabric of Pro Goleem’s blankets feels high-end and durable. The blankets come in numerous animals, including an elephant, a cow, a bear, and a dog. It’s a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, with over 16K reviewers giving the blankets a 4.8-star rating.
“[My] baby loves it – exactly as advertised,” a five-star reviewer wrote. “I’ve washed it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, and it did perfectly.”
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Best Soft Ball Toy For 3-Month-Olds
Lovevery Organic Montessori Ball Baby Toy ($15)
Balls promote grasping during the 3-month-old stage, Dr. Choi says. Lovevery’s soft ball protects baby’s noggin as they learn to control their movements. The ridges encourage grasping, strength, and hand-eye coordination.
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Best Soft Book Toy For 3-Month-Olds
Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book ($14, originally $15)
Melissa & Doug’s versatile soft activity baby book is another toy that can grow with your child. At 3 months, a baby will love the colors and watch caregivers lift the flaps, teaching them object permanence and peek-a-boo. As time passes, they’ll build motor skills and relish lifting the flaps themselves.
“My daughter is only 3 months old, but she is starting to reach out for things and hold on to them,” one Amazon reviewer said. “We ‘read’ this book daily during tummy time, and she seems to have really started to enjoy grabbing and feeling different parts of the book. I think this book will get better for her as she gets older as well.”
