A baby plays from the very first weeks, but that play looks different every few months. Choosing baby toys by age makes sense: what suits a 3-month-old is quite different from what suits a 6-month-old, and a newborn needs other things again. In this article we go through the first six months, with practical ideas for each stage. Bear in mind that every baby develops at their own pace; the ages are a guide, not a deadline. If you have questions about your baby's development, you can always ask your health visitor.
0 to 3 months: looking at contrast and faces
A newborn baby cannot yet see sharply. What stands out most are strong contrasts such as black and white, and of course your face. A contrast book is therefore one of the first things a baby really looks at. Hold it close, talk as you show it and give your baby time to look.
- The Black & White sensory baby book: a contrast book with animals, 12 × 12 cm.
- The Contrastboekje MOUSE: a soft cloth book with a little mirror and a teether, 15 × 15 cm, from 0 months.
This is also when you start tummy time: short moments on the tummy while you are right there. A soft surface helps, such as the round Teddy bouclé play mat of Ø 100 cm. The inflatable water play mat is a sensory mat made especially for tummy time: there is something to look at while your baby lies on their tummy. You can read why books work so well for a young baby in our article on sensory books.
Baby toys at 3 months: grabbing and feeling
Around three months, many babies discover their hands. They start grabbing, holding on to things and bringing them to their mouth. Toys for this age are therefore light, easy to hold and safe to put in the mouth. A rattle is a classic here: your baby notices that a movement makes a sound.
A touch-and-feel book also suits this stage well. The Voelboekje NATURE is a soft baby book with a little mirror, a squeaker and flaps, from 0 months. A wooden baby gym gives your baby something to look at and reach for while lying on their back; the Houten babygym met teddy hangers is one example. You will find more ideas to stimulate the senses under sensory and educational toys.
Baby toys at 6 months: passing, sitting and teeth
Around six months, your baby starts passing things from one hand to the other. Many babies can sit with support by then and look at toys from every side. Around this age the first teeth may also appear, and your baby will want to chew on everything. A teether comes in handy:
- Bijtring KIP: wood and silicone, BPA-free, from 0 months.
- Maggie Otter: a squeaky toy with a teether.
You will find teethers together under teethers. If you are worried about teething, ask your health visitor or GP. And when your baby becomes more mobile, you will find toys for moving under moving and climbing.
A gift that grows along
Looking for a baby gift? A set of a few toys that your baby uses at different stages is a lovely choice. The Rabbit Karo gift set (choose 2 to 5 toys), the MOUSE gift set (choose 2 to 4 toys) and the NATURE gift set (choose 2 or 3 toys) are all suitable from 0 months and are made up of books, rattles and hanging toys. You will find more ideas under baby gifts for the newborn.
Playing safely
- Stay with your baby while they play, especially during tummy time.
- Check toys regularly for loose parts, loose seams or damage.
- Look at the manufacturer's age recommendation.
You will find all the toys for the first months together in the baby toys collection.