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1. A classical music toy that will keep babies entertained without driving parents nuts.
Age range: 0–12 months
Promising review: "My son loves this! Great variety of classical music that doesn't get too repetitive like some toys do. Perfect for taking on trips while also helping with his teething!" —adianne325
Get it at Walmart for $7.74.
2. Stacking cups: so simple, yet so compelling.
Age range: 6–12 months
Promising review: "Out of all the toys my little spoiled one-year-old has, these little cups have by far been her favorite! Great way to keep them motor skills growing! Love the little clip that comes with it to keep them all together and for traveling! Would have paid double for this item!" —Momalina
Get them at Walmart for $1.81.
3. A splurge-worthy activity center that will occupy kids for years.
Age range: 1–6 years
Promising review: "I'm so glad we purchased this! Our eight-month-old LOVES it. I went back and forth between similar and less expensive options, but in the end we picked this one because it seemed like all the activities and sides were more interactive and would hold his attention longer than the other options. Although he's a bit young for it, he loves the blocks in the shape sorter and uses the bead maze to help stand himself up. This thing even entertained my friend's three kids... ages two, four, and seven! It's great-quality and was easy to assemble." —Amazon Customer
4. A teething rattle for babies to grab, shake, and chew endlessly.
Age range: 0–24 months
Promising review: "I run a daycare and I absolutely love this ball as it is so easy for little ones not only to grab, but to hold onto. It also has a rattle to it, so they are intrigued with the sounds as well. I would highly recommend for little ones as it will keep them entertained for a while. (Put a chain link on it and link it to a carseat and you will keep them going for a long time.) This really is one of my all-time favorite toys for babies." —smllchng
Get it on Amazon for $10.69.
5. A kid-sized cleaning supply set will captivate toddlers (even as it puts them to work).
Age range: 2–4 years
Promising review: "This was a hit with our 18-month-old grandson. After opening this present he was so happy! While the grownups were eating Christmas dinner, he practically had the whole house cleaned!" —Magnolia
Get it at Walmart for $26.99.
6. Big blocks that will occupy little builders for hours.
Age range: 1–5 years
Promising review: "These are so awesome. I just purchased them for my two-year-old daughter. She loves them! She has been playing for three hours now! My nephews, who are four and eight, also loved them. They come in lots of different sizes and building possibilities are endless." —RADICALMOMMY
Get them at Walmart for $14.99.
7. An activity mat that easily transitions to a nap surface.
Age range: 0–12 months
Promising review: "My baby plays for about an hour and falls asleep on it. I am very happy with my purchase. She is three months and has started reaching for the toys." —MC33
Get it at Walmart for $18.99.
8. A portable activity center that can provide a distraction even from the nightmare of air travel.
Age range: 6–24 months
Promising review: "This is the only 'toy' that my eight-month-old likes to play with (otherwise she prefers boxes, bags, and other non-toys). This toy was a great distraction on a 14-hour plane ride. I was able to stick it on the fold down tray, but even more exciting was when I stuck it on the airplane window. The wheel spins fast and freely and the beads inside make a fun tinkering sound." —Summer H.
Get it on Amazon for $5.59.
9. A bouncer for when you need to tire out your baby, not yourself.
Age range: 4–10 months
Weight limit: 25 pounds
Promising review: "My sister bought this for my son before he was born, and at around three months when he was big enough for it, he loved it. He is four months now and has figured out the seat turns, and he just jumps like crazy. It gives me time to do other things around the house and it tires him out. I absolutely love it! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS!" —ColtonsMommy
Get it at Walmart for $67.99.
10. An activity cube that's part educational toy, part baby rave.
Age range: 6–36 months
Promising review: "This toy is great. It's very interactive and it keeps my eight-month-old occupied." —Dorland13
Get it at Walmart for $16.66.
11. A very busy firefly that will create a diversion wherever it goes.
Age range: 3–24 months
Promising review: "This is our son's favorite toy. The colors are wonderful and bright, and the different textures and materials are amazing. This toy holds his attention for what seems like hours, and then we realize he has fallen asleep hugging Freddie. Our baby is four months and chews on everything this toy has to offer: the wings, Freddie's face, and both plastic rings. I bought this toy for a friend who is expecting, and who is an early learning teacher, and she loves it." —Kathryn
Get it on Amazon for $9.59.
12. A Play Doh kit that's so simple, yet so mesmerizing.
Age range: 3+ years
Promising review: "I got this for my grandson who has special needs. It kept him happy, entertained, and busy for hours." —Linda
Get it at Walmart for $10.47.
13. A dancing robot, to serve as your kid's personal hype man.
Age range: 9+ months
Promising review: "We received this as a Christmas present last year from a family member when my daughter was one-and-a-half and we are still enjoying it to this day! My infant son is now able to enjoy it as well, and it helped him learn to sit! It keeps both kids entertained. He bounces and giggles to it and she dances and copies what it says. It has been very durable for the last year and well worth the money!" —MegB123
Get it at Walmart for $30.40.
14. A musical dump truck, for hauling rocks and rocking out.
Age range: 6–36 months
Promising review: "My little nephew just turned one and this truck is his favorite toy! He opened several gifts on his birthday and proceeded to play with this dump truck toy for an hour. He usually never plays with any toy for more than ten minutes. He loves his new truck." —carla jung
15. A wooden shape-sorting cube that improves dexterity and maybe also drumming skills.
16. A tireless activity center/walker that helps develop both fine and gross motor skills.
Age range: 6–24 months
Promising review: "I have a 6-month-old son and I got this for him for Christmas. I was a little worried because I thought it would be for older babies, but he is in love with it! It's the only toy he wants to play with. His favorite thing is the little door on it that opens and says "Peekaboo!" He opens and shuts that thing all day! The price was fabulous for such a awesome toy and when he starts to walk he'll be able to continue playing on it!" —Alyssa1862
Get it at Walmart for $28.73.
17. Squeaky, squeezable blocks perfect for building, chewing, and low-impact throwing.
Age range: 6–36 months
Promising review: "My one-year-old baby girl LOVES these blocks! She was mesmerized by them for hours when they first arrived. She likes to try to stack them, shake them, squeeze them, throw them, and of course mouth them! She also loves the squeaky noise they make. I was really surprised at the good quality of these blocks. The colors, texture, and designs are great and the carrying case that they come in is adorable. Classy and classic! Highly recommend these blocks!" —Jennifer Kolesar
Get them on Amazon for $13.99.
18. A "smartphone" just for them (so they don't swipe yours).
Age range: 18+ months
Promising review: "My son LOVES this toy! I got it for him when he was one year old, and he is almost three now. He quickly learned his numbers one through ten and enjoys having little conversations on it. It really is a great learning device. It's great for keeping kids occupied on long drives." —MyaRie
Get it at Jet in white or violet for $12.88.
**New Jet customers get 15% off their first three orders over $35 with the promo code SAVE15**
19. A sensory giraffe that you can hang from strollers and carriers for mobile entertainment.
Age range: 0–12 months
Promising review: "This is a great developmental toy. Good quality. It's convenient because it hangs from the carseat which is perfect for on-the-go fun. My son seems to love it, have fun with it, and stays entertained. Would purchase again. Highly recommend it." —LynnG05
Get it at Walmart for $7.98.
Baby boredom, banished!
Note: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.