Image: MomJunction Design Team
A crib is a baby’s little cocoon, and they spend most of their time in it. Parents often fill their little one’s cribs with toys and dolls to keep them busy and excited. The best crib toys can keep the little angel occupied while being safe to play with even when the parents aren’t around.
Choose some of the most adorable and entertaining crib toys listed here to engage your baby and promote their sensory skills and physical development. We also tell you the benefits of crib toys and give you a few tips on choosing the right crib toy in this post.
Top Picks
Benefits Of Baby Crib Toys
Here’s a list of essential benefits that these crib toys provide.
- Enhanced visual stimulation: The hanging baby crib toys are colorful and feature bright patterns, animals, and designs with music and lights. These vibrant colors lead to enhanced visual stimulation and help build their knowledge of colors and animals.
- Calming and engaging: Relaxing your tiny tot and putting them to sleep can get quite tricky at times. These engaging toys keep your baby entertained while lying down in their cribs and help to soothe them.
- Auditory stimulation: A few toys feature various soothing sounds and musical tunes that work well to stimulate your baby’s hearing skills and help put your child to sleep.
11 Best Baby Crib Toys
1. Best Light Effects: Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother Musical Crib Toy
The Baby Einstein sea dreams soother musical crib toy features ten melodies and soft lights that tend to grow dimmer with time. It is a battery-operated toy and provides soothing ocean melodies to help lull your baby to deep slumber. This video review detailing a tester’s experience will help you understand more about the product.
Pros
- Fits most crib rails
- Remote controllable from a far distance
- Adjustable lights and volume
- Easy to carry
Cons
- Battery life may be limited
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It's no wonder that this quality product has earned over 10,094 positive reviews on Amazon.
2. Best Rotating:KiddoLab Baby Crib Mobile with Lights and Relaxing Music
KiddoLab’s rotatable toy features four pets that dance and twirl on music to let your little one sleep calmly. The four toys include a yellow puppy, an orange bunny rabbit, a pink kitten, and a red bird. Suitable for children up to the age of five months, the quality-tested toy projects a light show on the nursery ceiling once the lights are turned off. With this sound-activated toy, you can conveniently choose the music or lullaby sounds as per your choice.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Easy to attach
- Multiple music options
- Durable
Cons
- Plastic knob may be a bit frail
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 5,252 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.
Pro Tip3. Best Sleep Expert Approved:Fisher-Price Baby Sound Machine Settle & Sleep Projection Soother
Your baby will love this crib toy that comes with soothing sounds and lights. Equipped with a large window and three colorful animal friends, this parent-recommended toy can keep your baby engaged. Its customizable music and sounds can help your baby fall asleep as the sounds get softer and fade into white noise. The ‘let me do it’ button allows curious babies to activate the toy themselves.
Pros
- Dynamic color-changing lights
- Nine sensory discoveries to stimulate your child
- Auto-shutoff timer
- Bright and vibrant colors
- Compatible with most cribs
Cons
- Animals move for a short duration
- Brightness may not be adjustable
"This toy stood out to me for its easy installation and engaging features that delighted my little ones. They love switching on the music and watching the mesmerizing animations and star projections. Nap times have become easier for us, thanks to this soother. I'm quite happy with this purchase."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The whopping 3,204 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
4. Best For Hearing Improvement:Binen Soft Hanging Rattle Toy
The Binen soft hanging rattle toy for babies helps keep them engaged with its soothing sounds. They help enhance your child’s auditory stimulation and come with four stuffed animals, including an elephant, a monkey, a puppy, and an owl. These rattles work well to boost your baby’s visual development and color perception.
Pros
- Easy to hang
- Teething toys attached
- Durable
- Helps improve finger dexterity
Cons
- Maybe a bit long
Did You Know?5. Best For Brain Development:Lambs & Ivy Soother Toy
The hanging crib toy from Lambs & Ivy is quite easy to use, and it allows you to play three soothing nursery songs for 20 minutes. The tried-and-tested toy has four adorable animals–two bears, one fox, and one owl–to keep your child engaged, and the volume control ensures your baby drifts off to a peaceful sleep.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Auto shut-off function
- Continuous music for 20 minutes
- Includes a standard crib attachment
- Well-detailed animal plush toys
Cons
- Battery may drain out quickly
- Motor may be a bit loud
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 169 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
6. Best For Baby Entertainment:Lianglide Infant Stroller Toy
The appealing toy is in the shape of a worm and is vibrant with multiple colors. It helps stimulate color cognition and keeps the baby engaged to prevent them from crying. This developmental toy can also help enhance your child’s tactile senses and hand-eye coordination. You can easily wrap the age-appropriate toy around the stroller bar or the side of your baby’s crib.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Includes a squeaker, rattle, and crinkle
- Easy to carry
Cons
- May not hang properly in the car
"A hit with my little ones, this mobile offers engaging toys for my toddlers to chew on. The splash of color and playful sounds add some brightness to their nursery. Although I wish it would attach to the car seats, it has become a favorite for on-the-go entertainment."
Caution7. Best For Baby Safety:Lil’ Llama Baby Musical Pull Toy
The Lil’ Llama musical toy comprises an adorable elephant that can be attached to your baby’s crib. The elephant contracts and plays the Brahms lullaby for a minute when pulled. Loved by reviewers, it is an interactive toy that your baby can easily operate by themselves.
Pros
- Extremely soft material
- Durable
- Soothing lullaby
- Safe and comfortable for babies
Cons
- May not be machine-washable
- Music may be slightly off-key
8. Best Calming Tunes:Tiny Love Meadow Days Soothe ‘n Groove Mobile
The Tiny Love mobile can be used in various ways, and it grows with your baby from a crib mobile to a handheld music box. It is a fun way to keep your little one occupied while you go about your day at home. The light-activated toy offers soothing night light and 18 songs across six types of music categories, giving you a choice to play calming music when it’s time to sleep and more energetic music during playtime.
Pros
- Soothing motion
- Plays 40 minutes of music without repeating
- Two high-quality speakers
- Handle attachment for portability
- Soft night light
Cons
- Mobile may make a clicking sound when used
- Motor may make a slight buzzing noise
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 3,804 Amazon shoppers have left good reviews about this product, citing its quality features and benefits.
9. Best Interactive:TeganPlay Musical Learning Table
The musical learning table is a sit-to-stand activity toy that your baby can use as a floor toy and a two-way learning table. Easy to hang with your baby’s crib, this interactive electric panel features six learning stations for enhanced growth and brain development of your tiny tot. Suitable for babies from six months of age to three years, this time-tested table has sound effects and light patterns that help enhance your baby’s motor skills. You need three AA batteries to operate the toy.
Pros
- Features easy-to-hang straps
- Helps improve motor skills
- Ideal height for toddlers
- Removable legs
- Versatile
Cons
- Batteries are not included
"Adding this play center to the crib has been wonderful. It captures my little ones' attention and has an adjustable volume to not disturb the peace. While the straps could be more versatile, a simple zip-tie fix makes it secure. I really appreciate the respite it gives us during the mornings."
10. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination:B. toys Spiral With Hanging Toys
The B. toys spiral comes with three adorable hanging toys that babies can shake and squeeze. The wiggle toys are beneficial for honing fine motor skills while it works as a sensory toy with sounds, colors, and textures to keep babies engaged. This skill-building spiral can be attached to a crib, car seat, or stroller.
Pros
- Portable
- Includes a teether
- Flexible spiral
- Develops hand-eye coordination
Cons
- May not be machine-washable
"This toy arch has made my little ones' car rides more fun, but the Velcro isn't as reliable as I had hoped, and the mirror could do with some improvements. Still, the assembly was a breeze, and though it doesn't fold for storage, it's easy to disassemble. I would recommend it."
11. Best Easy Cleaning:Nurture Smart Portable Baby Crib Mobile
The Nurture Smart crib mobile can be conveniently attached to bassinets, cribs, packable play yards, and car seats. The trusted toy comes with the option to record and play custom sounds for up to five minutes. Moreover, this distinctive crib toy has no loose parts, making it a safe crib soother.
Pros
- Encourages sensory development
- Height-adjustable
- Easy to clean
- BPA-free, non-toxic material
- Picture holder and mirror for visual stimulation
Cons
- Volume may be a bit low
- Battery may drain out quickly
"I got this mobile for my baby's crib, and it has worked well so far. It offers soothing sounds and gentle movements for babies to fall asleep independently. The attachment style is limited and may not suit all crib styles, but overall, it has been a great addition to our nursery."
How To Choose The Right Baby Crib Toys?
Here’s a list of factors to consider when buying crib toys for your baby.
- Relaxing: Choose a calming toy that comes with soft and melodious music and a light show to help put your baby on a peaceful nap.
- Safe: Ensure the hanging toy you buy is made of safe materials that your baby can safely chew on.
- Skill development: Look for a fun toy that serves multiple purposes and helps enhance your child’s skills. Ensure it develops the cognitive, motor, fine, and coordination skills, as well as promotes the emotional development of your little one.
- Portable: Look for a lightweight and easy-to-carry toy that you can hang on your baby’s crib, stroller, or car seat.
- Vibrant: Bright toys with various shapes and a blend of colors are more appealing than subtle ones. Children get more attracted to visually appealing toys that help keep them engaged for a longer time.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is using crib toys a good idea?
Safe crib toys can not only entertain your baby and keep them happy but also stimulate their visual and auditory senses.
2. How should I entertain my baby in the crib?
You can entertain your baby while they lay in the crib with the help of crib-friendly toys. These toys include rattles, musical toy instruments, mobiles, and hanging teething toys.
3. Is it safe to hang toys from the crib?
Make sure they are hung securely enough that they don’t fall off if the baby tugs at or pulls them, and do not hang the toy directly above the baby’s head and face.
You should also avoid hanging toys with small pieces that could pose a choking hazard. And remember to remove the toys when the baby’s asleep.
4. At what age can I introduce crib toys to my baby?
You may introduce soft toys in the crib once your baby turns a year old.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is a well-established writer who efficiently writes about toys and gifts. She writes articles after scouring different websites and consumer feedback. To write this post on the best crib toys, she referred to multiple reviews online and chose the ones that have been highly recommended. Priti also included a buying guide to help you make a well-informed choice.
The Bottom Line
If your baby detests staying inside the crib, it would be a great idea to find some crib toys for them. Crib toys keep your baby entertained and help them have a playful time in the crib. Moreover, these toys will help your baby develop visual ability and grasping skills and encourage auditory development. The best baby crib toys featured in the list are made of premium-quality materials, have a sturdy design, are easy to attach to the cribs, portable, versatile, engaging, and help with cognitive development. We recommend the Baby Einstein Sea Dreams Soother Musical Crib Toy for its remote-controlled operation and the Fisher-Price Baby Sound Machine Settle & Sleep Projection Soother for its relaxing sounds and lights. We also like the Tiny Love Meadow Days Soothe ‘N Groove Mobile for its portability.
Infographic: What Are The Various Kinds Of Baby Crib Toys?
Crib toys are attachments to a baby’s crib that keep them engaged and entertained. These quality-tested toys can entertain babies and be a useful distraction when they get cranky. Here’s an infographic to help you discover various crib toys that can delight your little one.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Infant Vision: Birth to 24 Months of Age
https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-health-for-life/infant-vision?sso=y - Susann Kobus et al.; (2021); Music therapy is effective during sleep in preterm infants.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8391215/ - Household Safety: Preventing Injuries in the Crib
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/safety-crib.html
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