Best Toys by Age: 0–3 Years

The best toy at 6 months is genuinely bad at 18 months — and vice versa. Here's what works when.

0–3 months

High-contrast cards, soft rattles, a mobile above the cot. Newborns can only focus 20–30 cm — pick toys for proximity not distance.

3–6 months

Teething rings, soft fabric books, a play gym with hanging toys. Anything they can grab and bring to mouth (safely).

6–12 months

Stacking cups, soft blocks, a push-walker, board books. Object permanence games — peek-a-boo wins everything.

12–24 months

Shape sorters (Melissa & Doug wooden cube is gold), pull-along toys, a play kitchen or workbench. They're mimicking everything you do — give them safe ways to copy.

2–3 years

DUPLO blocks, simple puzzles (4–6 pieces), pretend play sets (doctor kit, kitchen), crayons and paper.