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Top 10 Baby Toys For Ages Birth To 12 Months

From , former About.com Guide

The time from your baby's birth to when he or she turns one year old is the time when the most amazing changes take place. Baby Toys at this stage need to stimulate the senses, particularly the senses of sight, sound and touch. That's why so many baby toys at this stage are colorful, textured and make noises. The best baby toys include rattles, blocks and soft, interactive toys. Picking the right toy for baby is not easy. This list has the best baby toys which are great for babies between the ages of birth to 12 months.

Here are some more baby toy recommendations.

1. Stackable Rings: Brilliant Basics Rock-A-Stack from Fisher-Price

Fisher-Price Rock a Stack Baby ToyFisher-Price Rock a Stack Baby Toy
I clearly remember playing with this toy when I was a baby - it's been around for years! This is a perfect baby toy to develop hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills of your baby, as well as teach your baby about sizes and colors. Very simple and inexpensive, this classic baby toy comes highly recommended. This baby toy is made of good quality plastic and is very safe for babies from the ages of 6 months and older. This baby toy is also inexpensive, giving you the most bang for your buck.
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2. Musical Baby Toys: Ocean Wonders Aquarium from Fisher-Price

Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Baby ToyFisher-Price Ocean Wonders Baby Toy
This is one of the first baby toys I picked up when my daughter was a baby. This toy aquarium comes with a host of sounds and motion effects both to entertain and soothe baby to sleep. Sound effects include ocean waves, falling rain and babbling brook sounds. This baby toy can be attached to the side of the crib. Baby can press the blue button at the base to start the sounds and lights on this entertaining toy.
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3. Rattles: Lamaze Grip and Grab Apple Rattle by Learning Curve

Lamaze Grip and Grab Apple RattleLamaze
I like this baby toy because it combines two things that babies love - rattles and teething rings. Baby will be fascinated by this brightly colored plastic toy rattle which makes interesting noises too. This baby toy is portable, inexpensive and practical. Babies will love to chew upon this apple shaped rattle and shake it around to hear the rattling noises. This baby toy rattle is a great hit with both babies and their parents alike.

4. Baby DVDs: Preschool Prep Company Meet The Letters And Meet The Numbers

Meet the Letters DVDPreschool Prep Company
Both educational and entertaining, these baby DVDs are perfect for teaching the letters and numbers to your little ones. It's amazing how fast babies and toddlers pick up letter and number recognition skills. I played these baby DVD's many times for my kids and they are both ahead of their peers in school when it comes to recognizing and writing the letters and numbers.

5. Activity Table: Learn and Groove Table by Leap Frog

Learn and Groove Activity TableLeap Frog
An activity table is a great addition to your baby's toy collection. This baby toy teaches the alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, sounds as well as cause and effect to babies. Babies will be entertained for a long time by this wonderful table, which is a boon to busy moms! This baby toy plays songs and tunes which baby will love. The activity table has a host of lights and sounds which fascinate baby. Overall this baby toy is a highly recommended purchase.
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6. Play Gyms & Play Mats: Gymini from Tiny Love

Gymini Kick n Play PlaymatTiny Love
Tiny Love's Gymini Playmat has been well loved for nearly 15 years now. Tiny Love keeps improving on this baby playmat with every new addition to the Gymini family. The latest Gymini Musical Kick Playmat proves to be no exception. It features a baby activated Musical Kick and Play response pad which plays 10 minutes of classical music. Tiny Love has increased the size of the mat, which means that more activities are available on the mat to keep your baby busy and active. There are a total of 17 developmental activities. There's ample room for baby and all your baby toys as well. Meant for babies 0-10 months.
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7. Baby Activity Toys: Discovery Balls from Haba

Haba Discovery BallsHaba
Babies love to follow rolling colorful balls with their eyes. Balls are a must in your collection of baby toys. Each Haba ball has its own unique feature. One ball rattles while the other has a mirror foil. Another squeaks while yet another ball clacks. These baby toys come packaged in a set of four and are great for babies over the age of 6 months.
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8. Baby Toy: Learn and Groove Alphabet Drum

Alphabet DrumLeap Frog
The Learn and Groove Musical Drum from Leap Frog is a great baby toy. Babies can beat upon the surface of the drum and hear the alphabet sounds. The drum is sturdy and provides baby with entertainment as well as teaches the alphabet. A great baby toy.
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9. Musical Baby Toy: Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

Musical Munchkin Mozart BlockMunchkin
I heard great things about this baby toy and I decided to check it out myself. I wasn't disappointed at all. This musical baby toy has five different instruments including a French horn, flute, piano, violin and a harp. Babies can press the large buttons on the side to make their own tumes or simply choose the pre-recorded Mozart compositions. The best part about this baby toy is that it's really sturdy and will last for a long time.
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10. Baby Blocks: Soft Building Blocks from International Playthings

Soft Busy BlocksInternational Playthings
Blocks are a must have for babies. These soft baby building blocks from International Playthings are lovingly decorated with cheerful animals and bright colors. Baby blocks are highly encouraged as they teach babies how to build and stack and develop their hand-eye coordination. They are also soft, thus safer than conventional wooden blocks.
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