baby activity toys

Newborn babies are naturally amused by the world around them and will love to lie down and stare at a crib mobile, stuffed toy or other object for quite some time. However, when they reach three months of age, babies will start trying to move and explore and this is a good time to introduce activity toys to give them a sense of freedom before they can walk.

There are many different activity toys available for babies of different ages, the most popular of which are activity centers and mats, hammocks, rockers, swings, and walkers. You should always check that the toy is appropriate for your child’s developmental age. Activity toys usually come with recommended age ranges, but you should also pay attention to requirements like your baby being able to hold their head up unassisted.

For young babies, activity mats are great. Babies will happily lie down on these and play with the textures and toys on the mat. They’re also good for “tummy time,” which helps strengthen your baby’s neck so he can support his head on his own. Rugs come in all different styles, from simple cloth rugs to fancy ones with toys hanging on them.

Bouncer chairs are also good for babies from birth and they find the movement very relaxing. Baby swings are similar but generally more expensive and are battery-powered. Some chairs have an additional vibrating feature which can be helpful if your baby won’t go to sleep.

From three or four months you can start using a door swing that is great fun for babies and helps them develop leg muscles preparing them to walk. These jumpers are inexpensive and can be used on any door of the appropriate width.