12 Best Toys for 3-Month-Old Babies, Since They're Not Newborns Anymore
They're learning more and more every day!
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
As someone who's covered both parenting and toys at Good Housekeeping for more than six years, I can tell you that 3-month-old babies don't actually need toys. Toys may offer some developmental benefits at this age, but so would plenty of other things that are just lying around the house — and babies wouldn't know the difference between the two.
However, it's nice to have something on-hand to keep little ones entertained — and maybe give parents a moment where they can enjoy a sip of (possibly still hot) coffee. Luckily, we know a thing or two about toys. The Good Housekeeping Institute tests toys with kids of all ages, getting feedback from parents about how well they stood up to baby love. For anyone looking for gifts for kids this age, these rose to the top as the best toys for 3-month-old babies, favorited by both parents and experts alike.
VTech Bopping and Cruising Baby Driver
With the help of two AA batteries, the buttons on this dash activate lights and sounds that hold a baby's attention. In addition, there's a mirror to look in, pedals that crinkle, a gear to shift and a soft steering wheel to grab — and the whole thing attaches to the stroller for on-the-go fun. "My 3-month-old liked grasping for the toy," said one parent tester, who added that the baby also liked spinning the wheel. Ages 3 months+
Melissa & Doug Flip Fish
This oversize fish offers tons of fun and surprises — kids can lift up the scales to find hidden pictures throughout. There are also some sensory experiences mixed in, like a squeaker in the tail, a mirror on one of the scales and some crinkly textures. Ages 1 month+
Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym
Babies can use this as a lay-down activity gym, kicking at the piano keys with their feet to activate the lights and sounds. (Three AA batteries are required.) Later, when they can sit up, they can play with it like a regular piano. "I love that this product grows with a baby as they get older,” one parent tester said. The songs on this one are so catchy, even John Legend covered some of them on his kids' album. Ages 0+
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle
An adult might look at this toy and see an atom, or a system of pipes. But really, the tubes make it easier for a baby to grasp — and they're also satisfying for baby to chew. Ages 0+
The contrasting colors of this ringed rattle are eye-catching to babies, who can use it to practice eye tracking. As they get older, they can use it to practice grasping, transferring a toy from hand to hand or bringing it to their mouths to use as a teether. Ages 0+
To take the guesswork out of finding toys that are developmentally appropriate for different ages, subscribe to the Panda Crate and get a curated selection of playthings for each age an stage. "With these, [my son] went straight for [these toys] and interacted with them exactly how the instructions indicated," one parent tester said. A $50 subscription includes five to seven toys every other month, but there are other plans that include more items. Ages 0+
This zebra-themed vehicle has an "oball" shape, meaning it's easier for babies to hold, since they can put their fingers into the holes. When babies shake it, it rattles and lights up (the LR44 batteries are included), giving kids a chance to explore cause-and-effect. Ages 3 months+
'Tummy Time: Farm' Book
Storytime is great, and there's nothing better than snuggling up for some lap reading. But this book offers another way to read: It unfolds and stands up on its own, so it gives babies something to look at during tummy time. Good Housekeeping Institute parent testers were impressed by how the book — which folds up to regular size — unfolds to be more than three feet long. Ages 0+
Parents were charmed by this sweet art plush set, which comes with a bear stuffed animal dressed like an artist, along with plush paint, a paintbrush, a crayon and a little carrying case. Some pieces in the set make different sounds when you squeeze or shake them. "[My child] liked shaking the rattly bear, squeezing the crinkly crayon and listening to me shake the paintbrush," one parent tester said. Another added that their child "enjoyed the concept of putting the plush toys inside of the paint palette bag and then taking them all out." Ages 0+
Jellycats are beloved by people of all ages. Babies love how soft they are; kids, teens and tweens love their cute designs and even adults have been known to collect them. This ultra-soft bunny is perfect for snuggling up with, and if you get it from the Jellycat website you can have a name embroidered onto it. Ages 0+
Who's the happiest baby? The one in the mirror! This one is soft and tented, so it can stand up on its own, giving a baby something to gaze at during tummy time. The frame is also decorated with a ladybug that has a spinning ball and bee that clicks when rotated, giving them even more features to explore. Ages 0+
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
Babies love to explore things with their mouths, and even before they start teething in earnest, they like to feel the cool on their gums. Adults can pop these keys in the freezer to make them cold, and they also have lots of pieces and textures to grasp and explore. Amazon reviewers gave this a staggering amount of five-star reviews, saying it's easy to hold, simple to clean and offers a lot of value for the money. Ages 3 months+
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky.
22 Unusual Gifts for Tween Boys
The 15 Best Gifts for Smurfs Fans
The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls
The Best Gifts and Toys for 8-Year-Old Girls
