42 Best Gifts for Baby Girls
Even her parents are going to love these useful and unique ideas.
Tested by Rachel Rothman
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It's so exciting when a new baby is born that it's easy to want to rush over and lavish gifts upon the new little bundle. But you have to keep in mind that the best baby gifts would be nice for the infant, sure, but they're really gifts for new parents.
That means the goal is to find something useful: toys that hold the baby's attention, clothes and gear they might actually need and use, items that'll stand up to the "love" of an infant and (our favorite) personalized items that celebrate the name the parents have agonized over.
Luckily, the Good Housekeeping Institute tests toys, clothes and baby gear year-round to help come up with the list of the best gifts for baby girls in 2024. The items are both evaluated in the lab to ensure they're well-made, then given to real families to road-tested them in the field. From bibs to bodysuits, changing pads to little loveys, these are items that you can feel good giving at the next holiday, baby shower, sip-and-see or baby girl birthday. They should also last until you're looking for the best gifts for 1-year-olds.
Good Housekeeping Institute testers were pleased with the softness of this plush, and said it was just the right size for cuddling. But experts were impressed that it comes from 100% recycled material in the fabric, stuffing and packaging. You can get it in several animals, including a bunny, kitten, lamb, dog and bear. Ages 0+
We bet she doesn't have one of these already! This unique toy is helps with tummy-time adventures by offering a cushioned place to lay down. As they get older, they can use their hands and feet to push and scoot it around, working on those all-important gross motor skills. Ages 4 months+
Gund My Little Artist Plush Play Set
This sweet set offers sensory experiences: Each of the three “tools” makes a sound: a crinkle, rattling giggle or a squeak. So creative! Parent testers loved seeing how their kids put the pieces in the carrying case to take along with them. Ages o+
This toy truly has it all: There's a heart-shaped silicone teether, arms that dangle, ears that crinkle, sherpa fabric to feel and — best of all — plenty of tags to explore. (Why do babies always love the tags the most?) It comes in other animal shapes, too, like a sloth or a dinosaur. Ages 0+
There's nothing rougher than having to keep a baby warm while in a stroller: they love taking off hats, and loose blankets get caught in the wheels, drag and get very dirty. This attaches to strollers easily, says Good Housekeeping Institute testers, and keeps babies warm. Testers also found the fabric to be snuggly soft.
Sorting items by size or color and stacking them from large to small are tasks that offer incredible developmental benefits and help with fine motor coordination. This toy does all that and puts a Minnie Mouse bow on top, to boot. Plus, it's made from 100% recycled plastic. Ages 6 months+
If the family is fans of the world of Eric Carle, they'll enjoy this brightly colored Caterpillar-themed play set. In this seven-piece set, the apple comes stuffed with a caterpillar and five different pieces of fruit, each of which make noises when you squeeze or shake them. Ages 0+
'MiniTouch: Animals' Board Book
Good Housekeeping Institute testers were charmed by how many different sensations there were to feel in this book. “Most touch-and-feel books focus on soft or fuzzy textures,” one parent said. “But my daughter’s favorites in this book are fish scales and the hedgehog’s prickly back.” Ages 0+
It seems like babies are obsessed with keys from the minute they're born. Instead of handing them yours, give them this key set, which is made from rubberwood and organic pigments, to rattle and chew on. Ages 4 months+
These soft, fabric baby blocks are printed with high-contrast patterns that are easy for young babies to see. In addition, the sides have textures to feel, offering a sensory experience. As they get older, kids can practice stacking them or identifying the shapes and colors. Ages 0+
It's a blanket. It's a lovey. It's a stuffed animal. It's all three in one — and personalized, too! You can get this in a ton of animal shapes, and also pick out the color and font of the embroidery, too. No age recommendation given
Parenting rule of them: You can never have too many bodysuits. The Good Housekeeping Institute loves that the brand uses fabric made of certified organic cotton and follows strict environmental standards. Bodysuits come in short and long sleeves, and in addition to bodysuits, you can get gift sets that throw in blankets, hats or PJs.
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Are you more of a pale pink shoe-gifter, or will you go for the wild black and gold or cheetah print? Babies never really need to wear shoes, anyway, so you're really just doing it for the look. BirdRock has more than 30 styles of its adorable moccasin-type shoes, and you can't go wrong with any of them. (And, at their price point, you might find yourself choosing a bunch.)
They're definitely too young to watch this year's The Little Mermaid movie, but this book had the idea to set the undersea story in the Caribbean before Disney did — and it's perfect for those bedtime read-alouds. It comes from the Once Upon a World series that takes classic fairytales and sets them in different locations around the world; you can also get a Rapunzel that takes place in India, a Cinderella in Mexico, a Snow White in Japan and a The Princess and the Pea in Russia. Ages 0+
The snuggliest bunny on the block! When it comes time for that first cuddly friend, Jellycat's stuffed Blossom bunny is super soft, and comes with a floral pattern in the ears and on the feet. Not a bunny fan? There are lots of other animals to choose from. Ages 0+
Not only does this puzzle proudly display the baby name that parents so carefully picked, it looks striking on a shelf until the baby is old enough to actually play with it. Ages 12 months+
This caterpillar is not just a happy addition to a nursery: Each segment does something different, either crinkling, rattling, squeaking or offering a different texture to touch. It's a feast for the senses, and families just love it! Ages 0+
This unique picture book is personalized for each child, and the story takes kids through all the letters in their names. New parents will love the customization, and it might even help kids spell their own names as they get older.
Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved these hand-knit dolls and found them exceptionally soft. They come in a range of animals, including a set of winter ones for the holidays. Bonus: For each purchase, Cuddle + Kind says the brand provides five meals to children in need. Ages 0+
Explore & More 4-in-1 Toy Walker
Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the innovative way this toy could grow with a child. At first, it can be used as a tummy time toy. Then, it converts to a walker for toddlers, then becomes either a grocery cart or a toy stroller for bigger kids. All the while, it has plenty of lights, sounds and features to keep them entertained. Ages 6 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.
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
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