Help me pick a toy for an infant!

November 15, 2024 7:16 AM

I'm visiting my sister and I'd like to bring a toy (or send it to her house) for her baby! Can you help me?

He has an activity mat already but he's gotten bored with it. Are there any toys suitable for a 4 month old that you had good experiences with? Maybe one that is mildly stimulating and can keep his attention somewhat? I have zero clue about babies and baby toys. Thanks!

posted by extramundane to Grab Bag (20 answers total)

Best answer: Board books with finger puppets are always cool.
posted by phunniemee at 7:32 AM on November 15 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I'd get a cd of music for babies, though babies respond to all sorts of music. Lullabies can be nice. And maybe start a library. Babies will respond to most pictures, but really love the sound of their families' voices reading to them.
posted by theora55 at 7:39 AM on November 15

Best answer: I wish I had found these types of books when my kid was still super tiny: Indestructibles, books that babies can also gum/chew on.
posted by Molasses808 at 7:46 AM on November 15 [6 favorites]

Best answer: Me nephews absolutely LOVED puppets at that age, particularly a Fraggle Rock one that they called 'Happy'. It's also a great way for you to interact with the little fellow and be a part of the game.
posted by matthew.alexander at 7:58 AM on November 15 [3 favorites]

Best answer: A lot of babies like high-contrast books to stare at as they develop their eyesight. An accordion book like the one I linked can be set up in front of baby during tummy time. Lovevery has lots of options for toys and play kits based on developmental stage as well!
posted by rabbitbookworm at 7:59 AM on November 15 [2 favorites]

Best answer: My go-to for small babies is a Jellycat soft toy - they make the very softest things, and the small ones are good for little hands. A dog or cat is a good starter. There's also a tiny octopus with grippy tentacles that my kid loved.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 8:03 AM on November 15 [1 favorite]

Best answer: CUPS. all kids love a set of like, stackable cups. play with 'em in the bath, just line 'em up, knock over a tower someone else makes.
posted by dismas at 8:23 AM on November 15 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Rattle socks/wrist rattles are fun at that age. Agree with the indestructibles books, those are great.
posted by vunder at 8:38 AM on November 15

Best answer: Babies that age LOOOVE things that crinkle. My kiddo was obsessed with Jungly Tails - a soft fabric book (machine-washable) that has vibrant pictures of animals, nice loud crinkly plastic between the pages, and different textured animal tails sticking out the side. It was tied to the car seat and my kiddo crinkled away happily for months and months during every drive!

And this book, self-published by an occupational therapist, has tons of easy unexpected play ideas for babies using household items, with clear photos and descriptions - it's genuinely great and makes the adult feel like a fabulous educational parent when they do these VERY easy to accomplish activities that the baby will be totally fascinated by. I usually give it as a baby shower gift!
posted by nouvelle-personne at 9:13 AM on November 15 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Came here to suggest indestructibles books, I see they're already mentioned up thread. They're small, they're light, they're indestructible and they're good for reading to little babies.
posted by Wretch729 at 9:17 AM on November 15

Best answer: A big gift would be a Jolly Jumper but definitely ask if they would want one because that's not what everyone wants their baby doing.

Agree on crinkly things like the tail books above and Baby Paper. An easy to grab ball like an OBall was one of my kids' favorite toys.
posted by carolr at 9:43 AM on November 15

Best answer: An o-ball.. It looks simple, but every 4 month old I have ever encountered loves them.
posted by moosetracks at 9:47 AM on November 15

Response by poster: Thank you all for the fantastic suggestions!
posted by extramundane at 10:06 AM on November 15

Best answer: The O Ball was also known as Favorite Ball in our house when my son was a baby! Stacking cups will also be a gift that keeps on giving.
posted by MadamM at 12:22 PM on November 15

Best answer: Nthing oball. A water mat for tummy time. A Matchstick Monkey teether (at 4 months, chomping on things is big) and these particular teethers are easy to hold and have some different textures on the head/feet.
posted by AnnaRat at 12:57 PM on November 15

If you go with a book for the baby, get one with photographs instead of with artwork. A small baby will recognize a picture of a dog for what it is, but make no sense at all out of a cute drawing of a dog.

If you have access to photographs of the baby's family and home, you can even get a custom made book for the baby.
posted by Jane the Brown at 2:29 PM on November 15

O-ball! Such a good toy.

Also my kids both chose their jellycat dogs as their special-est toys ever.
posted by freethefeet at 4:38 PM on November 15

My go-to baby gifts are a sophie giraffe teething toy and a skwish toy. Babies of all ages love the colors and it makes a bit of a nice rattle sound.
posted by mai at 6:29 PM on November 15 [1 favorite]

My favorite baby gift is a book with photos of other babies - they were my kid's favorite. I especially like the Global Babies series.
posted by beyond_pink at 6:33 PM on November 15 [1 favorite]

really love the sound of their families' voices reading to them.

They’re not cheap but you can record your own story reading to the Toniebox, all of my nieces love them.
posted by ellieBOA at 7:01 AM on November 16