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Best Baby Toys

Some of the Best Toys for Infants

By , About.com Guide

I'm always on the lookout for the best baby toys! What's great about buying gifts for babies is that there are many different choices, because so much happens in the first year of an infant's life. Even better, children in this age group are so young that they don't understand cost so you can spend as little or as much as you want! This list includes some of the best toys for infants with a variety of price ranges such as rattles, teethers, soft books, plush toys, cause and effect toys, activity tables, pull toys, and ride-on toys.

1. Leap Frog Peek-A-Shoe Talking Octopus

©PriceGrabber / Leap Frog
This brightly colored, musical, ball drop toy encourages babies to learn about problem solving as they begin to search for which shoe the ball might be hiding under. Children can develop dexterity and fine motor control by placing the balls back into the octopus. As children age into toddlerhood, they can learn about color matching and simple number concepts for counting.

2. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Apptivity Case

©PriceGrabber / Fisher-Price

Is your baby wanting to hold your iPhone and place it inside their mouth? Do you worry that their drool might not be such a good thing for your technology? This smartphone cover will provide an easier way for baby to hold your iPhone when accessing some of their favorite apps.

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3. Infantino Right Angle Tummy Triangle

©PriceGrabber / Infantino

This unique concept from Infantino provides an angled surface for babies to experience tummy time play. Tummy time is a must for head, trunk and upper body strength for infants, but some babies cry and become upset because it can be so difficult. The incline helps to reduce the effects of gravity, making it easier for some babies to lift their heads. The bar of toys can also be angled in various positions, challenging babies to reach higher and further as they become stronger. The musical timer allows parents to track how much time babies spend on their tummy.

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4. Lamaze Jacque the Peacock

©Learning Curve Brands
Jacque the Peacock is a brightly colored infant rattle that can be attached to a variety of places babies like to play including car seats, swings, play mats, and strollers.
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5. Playskool Sesame Street Pals Assortment

©PriceGrabber / Playskool

There a variety of these brightly colored, plush Sesame Street characters available for puchase and include Bert, Ernie, Abby Cadabby, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Murray. They are small enough to fit in a diaper bag and a great introduction to a Sesame Street, especially for older siblings who want to give their favorite character to their newborn brother or sister.

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6. Leap Frog My Discovery House

©Leap Frog

This is a fresh new take on those good old busy box toys where children push buttons, turn levers and twist knobs that open doors. This house has over 75 different learning responses. It teaches vocabulary, sings songs, and teaches routines. A great cause and effect toy for babies that will grow with children as they learn more educational concepts into toddlerhood.

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7. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smilin' Smart Phone

©PriceGrabber / Fisher-Price

All babies seem to want to play with our phones and push the buttons, so why not a toy smartphone! With 10 different songs and 9 buttons to press babies can learn about colors, the weather, greetings, letters, numbers, shapes and colors.

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8. VTech 2 in 1 Discovery Table

©VTech

Babies around 10 months of age after they crawl enjoy learning to pull themselves up to standing at play tables. This table has lots of buttons and switches to press and move that will sing songs and encourage baby to stand for longer periods of time. When they become to advanced for the buttons, the top flips to turn this into an arts and crafts activity desk! 

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9. Infantino Shop N' Play Farm Friends

©PriceGrabber / Infantino

This shopping cart cover also doubles as a play mat for babies. Want to buy a toy for a baby that gives their parents a little sanity from germs, this could be a perfect choice. This is a great, portable toy to keep in the trunk of the car for trips to relatives houses and family events for holidays or get togethers.

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10. Playskool Poppin Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper

©Hasbro

What baby doesn't like to chase after balls? These balls are placed inside the air-powered elephant toy. The balls pop up and out of the elephant's trunk and either into it's hands or all over room because the trunk can be turned 360 degrees! Great for active babies who enjoy crawling, walking or running after toys! 

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