We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A three-in-one sprinkler, splash pad, and wading pool that'll not only have munchkins *soaking up* their ABCs and animals but will also make you say, "dang, that toddler's living their best life."
2. A three-in-one tent, tunnel and ball pit to transform any home into an ~exciting play zone,~ where little ones can crawl, explore and fling balls (don't ask!) for hours on end, while the grownups kick back with a glass of wine.
3. A personalized wooden name puzzle to add a little dose of cuteness to a toy shelf and help strengthen motor skills at playtime. Win-win.
4. A musical doll perfect for the Cocomelon-obsessed toddler in your life who would like nothing more than for JJ to become their BFF in real life.
5. A splurge-worthy bumper car that's one of the toddler-approved gifts that'll also make any adult so, so jealous as little Kardashians cruise around the living room looking a bit too smug.
6. A compact Little Tikes slide to ~elevate~ playtime basically anytime, anywhere — in the pool, ball pit, living room, or yard. It may even be one of the toys that'll make the kids put down the iPad.
7. A lightweight plush rocker that'll not only give little dudes and divas ~oodles of joy~ each time they sit on it but will also become the pièce de résistance of a kid's room. Bonus: it comes *fully assembled!*
8. An InnyBin for a challenge that any curious tot will relish — to plunk chunky shapes through the elastic bands into the cube and then pull them back out (all while fine-tuning motor skills!)
9. A huggable Gund animated elephant stuffie that'll flap its ears, sing, and play peek-a-boo. *Little ones looking at it with pure adoration in their eyes.*
10. The Pigeon Needs a Bath waterproof book by much-loved children's author Mo Willems that'll fill tub time with funny stories and antics.
11. A set of Boon bath pipes to suction to the wall so aspiring engineers can configure all kinds of amazing waterfalls at tub time.
12. A sophisticated wooden piano that plays real music (not annoying kiddie tunes) when mini Mozarts tap on the intuitive keys. It even comes with beginner *sheet music* so future prodigies can gradually learn to play classic melodies.
13. A beautiful set of stacking cups in earthy, muted tones to inject some ~hygge~ into any home. Plus, they're made in Denmark and are 100% free from BPA, PVC and phthalates.
14. Or! A pack of brightly colored stacking cups guaranteed to become any baby's fave open-ended toy. Just trust the 70,000+ 5-star (!!!) reviews and the many, many reviewers who have said "this is the best $4 I've spent on a toy."
Bonus: These have holes in the bottom for water play and come with a cute star ring to keep them together.
Promising review: "Daycare said these were her favorite so I bought them when she was 6 months old. She is now a year and three months old, and this is still the first toy out in the morning, last toy put away at night. She has chewed on them, stacked them, knocked them over, smashed them together, nested them. They are the first toy she has helped pick up at night. These will be my go-to gift for the rest of whatever." —J. Jorgensen
Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $8.
15. A Dyson Ball toy vacuum with realistic sounds and ~working suction~ that'll make eager little helpers feel so proud to clean the house — just like the grown-ups.
16. A custom constellation map print to capture the alignment of the stars when the ~little star~ in your life was born. This modern keepsake will not only look stylish on any wall but also celebrate that magical moment in a noncheesy way.
17. A pack of Mega Bloks so rambunctious tykes can have endless fun building towers...and knocking them down. Parents will also have peace of mind knowing they're jumbo sized to reduce the risk of choking.
18. An affordable version of the Grimm's wooden rainbow that makes a cheery addition to any toy shelf and lends itself to a ~myriad~ of stacking possibilities.
19. A wallet-friendly wooden play kitchen that'll serve up pretend play opportunities for years to come. Is there anything more adorable than seeing a lil' chef's eyes light up when you say "mmm…yummy" after tasting their *meals*? Bon Appétit!
20. A petite stroller so posh tots can take their doll for a *walk* around the house. It even has a little basket at the bottom to tote tiny treasures. Cuteness overload 💕
21. A Radio Flyer busy buggy that doubles as a push walker to help new walkers build confidence. Before you know it, they will be zooming around like champs.
22. An ultra plush personalized name minky blanket perfect for pictures *and* naptime snuggles.
23. A two-in-one wooden Hape pound and tap bench with a xylophone (that can slide out separately) to combine every toddler's love for pummeling things with music.
24. A classic LeapFrog picnic basket most toddlers find near impossible to resist — whether dunking shapes through the sorter lid, lighting up at the cute songs and phrases, or trying to tote their pretend food around the house.
25. A Lakeshore Learning what’s inside? box for any toddler who won't stop pulling tissues out of boxes. This soft, machine-washable box packed with 10 exciting things (like a crinkly butterfly, a cute lion and more) will invite little hands to reach and find out exactly what’s inside!
26. A play kit subscription that'll take the guesswork out of making playtime enriching for little ones with stage-appropriate, developmental toys that reviewers say are built to last and passed down among siblings.
27. A Frozen Elsa's Ice Palace that sparkles, lights up and sings the song (you know the song), sure to entertain your Disney-obsessed kiddos for hours to come.
28. A music cube that'll give the budding DJ in your life the creative reign to produce some sick remixes to Mozart's classics, giving new meaning to the catchy hook 🎶come and rock me, Amadeus🎶!
Promising review: "My son plays with it for up to 15 minutes many times a day. I never get sick of the songs. Like another reviewer said, it's the perfect size for the baby to use as a counterbalance while learning to sit up. Every baby/parent needs this toy. If they came out with another cube with new songs/instruments I would buy it in a heartbeat!" —Kevin
Get it from Amazon for $27.45.
29. Or a copy of Hear Bear Roar by Eric Carle full of unique animal illustrations and 30 corresponding sounds, which'll help them learn new words, or even *first* words! At the very least, it could be baby's first RAWRRRR.
30. A handcrafted Red & Olive Mr. Beary + Beanie Set because every 1-year-old needs a stuffed animal pal to tag along on all of their toddler adventures. Plus, it comes with a matching bestie hat that'll fit kids ages one through ten!
Red & Olive is a Peruvian- and American-blended family- and a woman-owned small business that supports the woman artisans of their ethically handmade dolls and hats through flexible schedules and fair wages. They donate a portion of their sales to Starlight Children's Foundation, which helps seriously ill kids all across the United States.
Here's what BuzzFeed editor John Mihaly had to say about this set:
"The quality of this stuffie simply can't be denied! It doesn't feel mass-produced (because it's not) and has some weight to it. We named ours Teddé (pronounced Teh-day) and we're looking forward to her being dragged everywhere by our daughter and being a part of our family. Plus, we can't wait to see them both in their matching beanies!"
Get it from Red & Olive for $88.
31. A whale bath toy that'll get busy lighting up and spitting water through it's tiny blowhole when it hits the water. Bath time just got a whole lot cuter!
Promising review: "Worth every penny! My little one loves bath time, and this makes it even more fun! The water spout is awesome and gets taller the longer it sits in the water. The lights are an extra bonus! If you're thinking about buying — do it! Your little one will love this." —Ahliilai
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six styles).
32. A Tiny Twinkle rainbow apron bib for messy eaters and future chefs alike, since this adorable number will protect them from spills, splashes, spit-ups, and other kitchen accidents that don't start with the letters "sp."
Tiny Twinkle is a small biz based in Phoenix, Arizona that prides itself on creating high quality, safe products for babies, children, and parents. Oh and BTW, these bibs are machine-washable!
Promising review: "These are the best bibs I have ever purchased!!! I have bought many different kinds of bibs for my daughter and none can compare to these. I bought like five of these for her. They are so easy to clean and they don’t stain at all, so they always look brand new. They keep food of her clothes and off her lap which is a bonus. I think I’ll buy more of these once the others get old." –Kiara Cisneros
Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (clip the coupon on the product page to save 10%; available in two sizes that fit ages 6 months–4 years, and in 30 styles).
33. A personalized The Night Before Christmas book because it's never too early to start shopping for the holidays. This will become a cherished family keepsake and has the option to customize the story with the family's last name, two guardian names, up to six children's names, and even Santa's skin tone.
34. A DIY baby print ornament kit to help their parents create a one-of-a-kind keepsake now that they can hang on the tree for many Christmases to come.
35. A wooden walker wagon for helping topsy-turvy tots build confidence and balance as they take their first steps. And when they realize walking is overrated, they can ride in it like a regular wagon. It's safe for indoor use too, with a front bumper that prevents scratches on walls and furniture.
36. A set of Magna-Tiles for recreating the works of children's author Eric Carle while building 3D versions of beloved characters like "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."
37. A set of handcrafted, nontoxic constellation blocks to learn the symbols, names, hemispheres, and scale of magnitude for 16 constellations in the night sky.
38. A 22-piece shaking, tapping, beating, and blowing wooden instrument set to serve as your toddler's very own beat-lab, just as long as they don't actually beat anyone with their new musical toys.
39. A thoughtful (but still fun) Educational Insights Playfoam "Shape & Learn" counting set so kids can squish, squash, and sculpt not only numbers (based on the included flash cards) but whatever their burgeoning imaginations come up with!
40. A Fisher-Price "Laugh & Learn Smart Stages" Puppy with 75+ songs, phrases, and sounds that teach the kiddos about shapes, numbers, the alphabet, and parts of the body (by squeezing its ears, feet, and hands).
41. A Fisher-Price kick and play piano that I can personally attest will keep any kiddo's attention for HOURS — whether they're kicking the light-up piano keys like a karate champ, playing with the toy arch, or rocking out to the music.
42. A bestselling Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy with catchy, classical melodies (by Mozart, Vivaldi, and other masters) and twinkling lights that any parent will tell you is their secret weapon to immediately calm down a fussy baby.
Promising review: "I know all kids don't like the same toys. But this is the the one toy that can occupy, calm, and entertain time after time after time. Also as a parent the sound is not really annoying! We have used it in the car, on the airplane (it's soft enough with airplane noise), for diaper changes a lot (I have a wiggler)! Excellent value for money. We have had it since he was 5 months and now he's over 1 year old and still loves it!" —JV Marshfield
Get it from Amazon for $8.99.
43. A TikTok-famous crawling crab that'll clatter across the living room enticing little ones to chase after it. How can any baby be ~crabby~ interacting with this adorable Mr. Crabby?
Promising review: "I bought the crab as a baby gift several months ago when the baby was doing tummy time. She loved it screaming with delight when she saw it. When she started to crawl her mom called me and said she was trying to chase it. Never did catch it though. Now she is 10 months old and starting to take steps and is still trying to catch the crab. I will buy this again for any baby I need to buy a gift for. I bought it originally because I thought it was hysterical." —Gigi 58
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (clip the coupon on the product page to save $3; available in six colors).
44. A Lamaze Peek-a-Boo Forest soft book because it'll keep little ones enthralled as they lifting the ~crinkly flaps~ to reveal colorful hidden animals. The best part? It'll hold up to teething babies chewing on it during story time.
Promising review: "My 1 year old daughter loves this book! It's soft, colorful, and she can turn the pages." —Jamie Tomlinson
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
45. A snuggly otter that actually "breathes" and has a heartbeat sound to soothe little ones to sleep. Perfect for those looong, tiring nights when your arms ache from holding them against your chest.
Promising review: "If I could give this 10 stars, I would. The best purchase we have ever made!! I bought this for my son when he was 6 months old hoping it would help with calming him before bed time.... fast forward to today... he's now 1 and LOVES this thing. He looks for it when it's time for sleep and it instantly calms him and gets him ready for bed. He loves to snuggle with it and he even looks for it when he wakes. He learned how to turn it on himself and now puts himself back to sleep at night. If you want your child to sleep 12+ hours at night... BUY IT NOW!!!!!!" —Logan’s Mommy
Get it from Amazon for $44.94 (also available in a dog style).
46. A "Taco Tuesday" gift set if you literally CANNOT WAIT to introduce future little ones to your weekly tradition.
The gift set comes with three food-themed sensory toys including a crinkle shell taco, an avocado rattle, and lemon and lime clackers.
Promising review: "Get it… it’s super cute, durable and my baby loves it. I bought this as a gift for my baby’s 6-month milestone celebration which was Taco Tuesday themed. We love to host Taco Tuesdays at our house. When opening his gifts I saved this til the end and 'knighted' our LO by tapping his shoulders with the box in front of everyone (YES, I'M THAT MOM)! Anyway, this was the cherry on top for everything else he received. Im so happy to have found this super unique gift set. Its perfect!!." —Whitney Miller
Get it from Amazon for $13.40 (available in three styles).
47. And an iconic Sophie the Giraffe teether your little one will love putting in their mouth, even if they don't have all their tiny pearly whites yet.
BuzzFeed editor Heather Braga bought Sophie and said: "Sophie the Giraffe has become a valued member of our family. I ran out to buy it when my son started teething (badly) as he simply refused every other type of teether we already had (of course). I was skeptical as to why a toy giraffe would cost nearly $30, but I soon learned it clearly had magical powers. Sophie has apparently been around for over 55 years (who knew!) and is made entirely of natural rubber. She has various chewable parts (ears, horns, and legs) that Noah was able to grasp onto himself way easier than any other teether. She's becoming my go-to baby shower gift, and we simply don't leave the house without her!
PSA: Do not wash Sophie with water or if you do, do not get water into the squeaker hole! I've seen a number of TikTok videos noting that if you do this the inside can potentially get moldy.
Promising review: "I was super hesitant to spend $25 on a teething toy. It’s honestly just a regular squeaky toy, but the other reviews were spot on, and my child absolutely LOVES his Sophie. Something about that rubbery smiley giraffe is just so darn appealing to babies. She is without a doubt one of his very favorite toys, especially once he started teething." —Courtnee Thompson
Get it from Amazon for $26.53.
48. A VTech activity cube that teeny hands will love to tinker with because there's so much to explore and learn — from spinning the ABCs to pressing on the light-up buttons to hear animal sounds! It has 29,000 5-star reviews (!) for a reason.
Promising review: "My 10 month and 1 year old grandchildren enjoy this toy. Sturdy. Bright and colorful. Quality product." —Melissa O.
Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two colors).
49. And a cult status Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo because all that bouncing is guaranteed to get them tuckered out before bedtime. But let's be honest: This is ~actually~ a godsend for new parents, who can finally get stuff done around the house.
Promising review: "I bought this for my grandson he was about 5 months old it kept him very busy and he loved it. He still loves it at 1 year old and it keeps him busy. It has a lot to do on it and is very good quality. I think it is one of the better jumperoos and I recommend it. My neice also bought it through my recommendation. FIsher Price has great quality toys for kids." —rbunz
Get it from Amazon for $94.99+ (available in four styles).
50. An oh-so-cute Smily Mia Penguin pacifier designed to mimic a boob that'll stay put on a baby's hand — so parents don't have to retrieve dropped pacis from the floor a gazillion times a day!
51. A set of safe-to-chew-on pastel silicone stacking blocks to encourage shape and number recognition in little ones. These will make any playroom look Pinterest-worthy.
52. The Dimpl aka a portable sensory toy designed for babies and toddlers. It simply has five vibrant silicone bubbles — yet if the 15,000 5-star (!!!) reviews are to be believed it'll hold your munchkin's attention for a while.
Promising review: "Gave this Dimpl toy as a birthday gift to a 1 year old. It is a very simple toy, but the kiddo was very interested in it. Perfect size to handle. Bright colors to see & talk about w/mom, textures to feel, dimples to push. No loose or tiny pieces. Love it, it's great." —Soccerteam93
Get it from Amazon for $9.95.
53. A bestselling aquarium crib soother chock-full of classical melodies, ocean sounds, and glowing light effects that'll help them fall asleep and stay asleep (fingers crossed🤞).
Promising review: "My daughter loves this. I got this when she was 6 months old. She is now 8 months and she will stare at this thing when she wakes up in the middle of the night. I go turn it on for her and she stays occupied and falls back asleep with the sound of the ocean waves. The mechanism is a little noisy, but to an infant its a comforting hum it produces. The crib light is helpful at night when we have to search for her binky or just to see to pick her up. The full light feature is very bright in a dark room, but my daughter has no issues falling asleep with it. Batteries can go by fast if you use the motion at all times. But I've used it for a good couple of months with no dead batteries yet. Plan on buying rechargeable for it soon. We mostly use it every night for the ocean sound no motion or lights. UPDATE 2/10/2020: My daughter is now over 10 months old. She randomly wakes up in the middle of the middle of the night and she will stand up in her crib and push the button to turn this on, then off, then on again. It helps her go back to sleep without waking us up. Best purchase ever." —BP-JP
Get it from Amazon for $39.49.
54. And an inflatable water mat with floating foam fishies to cast a mesmerizing spell on your bubba — until they temporarily forget that they, um, detest tummy time.
Promising review: "Cute tummy time toy! My 6-month-old grandson really enjoys it. The water inside moves the pieces inside so there is motion to keep him interested. It has a cushion of air too and is comfortable for him to lay on on tummy for play, or back to watch his siblings play." —Magmae
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two colors).
55. An elephant bath sprayer you'll love because it'll keep your tiny human entertained for the duration of bath time and provide you with an easier way to wash soap off of them/out of their hair — however, considered yourself warned they can potentially turn this adorable hose on you at any given moment. 😅
Watch this sprayer make bath time even more fun on TikTok.
Promising review: "If you have babies or toddlers this is a must buy! I saw this on TikTok and decided to try it out. I love this and my kids love this. My kids were so scared for me to rinse their hair and now that we have this they even want to do it themselves! I also just had a baby and she loves it as well! We have had it for a couple of months now and the batteries are still going strong....which if you have kids you know some stuff it feels like you can never get the batteries to last because they are always playing with them. I highly recommend this to every parent!!!" —Amber
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in five colors).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
For more toy and gift ideas for different age groups, check out these guides...
Best Toys And Gifts For 2-Year-Olds
Best Toys And Gifts For 3-Year-Olds
Best Toys And Gifts For 4-Year-Olds
Best Toys And Gifts For 5-Year-Olds
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Best Toys And Gifts For 7-Year-Olds