Image: MomJunction Design Team
Although babies enjoy a drive, long road trips can be exhausting. So you may select the best car seat toys to keep them active and entertained. The toys are designed to help a baby’s natural development, such as motor skills and understanding the cause and effect. Most car seat toys for toddlers or babies, which dangle from seat tops, are generally safe as they are plush or soft.
If you find it overwhelming to go through the wide range of car seat toys, you may sit back and let our guide help you identify some unique car seat toys available online. Read on to check the list and the factors to look for when shopping for these products.
Top Picks
11 Best Car Seat Toys To Keep The Baby Active On Road Trips In 2024
1. Best BPA-Free: Infantino Spiral Activity Toy
The Infantino Spiral Activity toy can be wrapped around the car seat handle. It includes four visually colorful hanging toys, including a mirror, a rattling cow, and a crinkly bee. These car seat hanging toys are bright and appealing to the baby, are available in seven different color options and are suitable for children aged up to three years.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Can be wrapped to a car seat, stroller, and crib handles
- Recommended for babies up to 12 months
- Textured fabric
- Develops the baby’s gross motor skills and visual tracking
Cons
- May slide when attached to a handle
- May not uncurl enough for playing
Quick tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 10,979 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
2. Best Easy-To-Fix:Bigib BeeSpring Hanging Rattles Spiral Stroller Car Seat Toy
The Bigib BeeSpring Car Seat Toy could be a great present for any newborn, toddler, or expectant mother. This is a thoughtful and engaging car seat toy that your baby will love and enjoy when traveling. Caesar from the YouTube channel Caesar Critiques mentions in his review, “It has nice padding and stitching, it does feel of good quality. It has toys hanging down so the baby sitting in the car seat could reach up and grab stuff.” They are easy to fix in different areas, including car seat handles, stroller handles, and baby gym. Check out this review for a detailed understanding about the product.
Pros
- Colorful rattles make sound
- Comes in vibrant colors and interesting patterns
- Stimulates the child’s senses,
- Keeps children calm during the journey
- Non-toxic and safe materials
- Easy to hang and remove
Cons
- Seams may not be durable enough to withstand pulling
- May not hang low enough
3. Best Engaging:Tiny Love Take-Along Arch
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The tried-and-true product has earned over 6,837 good reviews on Amazon.
The Tiny Love Take-Along Arch has engaging textures and rattling sounds that stimulate senses and encourage play in babies. They can be easily grasped by little hands and are designed for durability. The adjustable arch allows you to customize the level of interaction. As your baby lies facing the arch hanging within arm’s reach, they can gaze at the mirror, the sun, and other toys. If you are looking for infant gifts, this multifunctional car seat toy could be a great pick.
Pros
- Eight engaging activities promote baby’s development
- Flexible arch bends in all directions
- Baby-activated propeller encourages cause and effect learning
- Includes an easy-to-grasp car seat teether
- Universal attachment clip fits a variety of car seats, carrycots, and strollers
Cons
- May not stand steady when installed
- May fall when pulled too hard
4. Best Plush Finish:Buckle Toys – Buster Square
The Buckle Toys Buster Square is a super soft plush toy designed with vibrant color straps and buckles that attract any child. The toy promotes fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive and problem-solving skills in the little one. It is suitable for small hands, making it a suitable travel gift for babies. Further, it can be clipped to a car seat, high chair, shopping cart, stroller, and diaper bag. This video review will help you understand more about the product. It is one of the best car seat toys for 1-year-olds and above.
Pros
- Six child-friendly buckles with different clasp styles
- Has an easy-glide zipper pocket
- Decorated with shapes and numbers
- Intended for ages between 12 months and four years
Cons
- Straps may fray upon usage
- Babies may find it challenging to maneuver
"The unique buckle pillow has proven to be an educational tool for my toddler. It has taught my child color recognition and color matching. Plus, securing the clasps allows her to work on her fine motor skills. Overall, it is a worthy purchase."
Do remember5. Best Shiny: Taf Toys Toe Time Infant Car Seat Toy
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has garnered more than 5,407 positive reviews on Amazon.
This fun car seat toy for toddlers comes with toes that twinkle and shine as the music plays. It has three plush hanging toys with a safe mirror surrounded by stars. On touching, the soft bird toy crinkles while the cloud and sun toy jingles. It is designed to hang below the headrest and does not interfere with the view of the backseat mirror. It is suitable for children aged from one month to ten years and makes an ideal long car ride toy. If you are still unsure, check out this honest review.
Pros
- Three hanging soft toys, soft bird, cloud, and sun toy
- Velcro straps allow you to adjust height and angle
- Can be installed on most car headrests
- Includes batteries
Cons
- Straps may not be long enough
- May play music in fragments
Caution6. Best Colorful: Manhattan Toy Baby Whoozit Stroller And Travel Activity Toy
Manhattan offers this star-shaped toy with seven arms of different designs and colors that surely grab your little one’s attention. Made from soft material, it measures 5 x 10 x 3 inches and is safe for newborns and teething babies. The big smiling face on the front helps lighten the mood of the baby. Manhattan Toy is a trusted brand and this is one of the best car seat toys for 1-year-olds and above.
Pros
- Safety-tested
- Ultra-soft body for easy installation
- Detailed with high-contrasting fabrics
- Comes with hidden noisemakers and a peek-a-boo baby-safe mirror
- Top loop with hook-and-loop closure to attach easily
Cons
- May separate at seams over time
- Velcro attachment may not stay together for long durations
7. Best For Teething:Haha Baby Soft Hanging Crinkle Squeaky Sensory Learning Toy
The Haha soft car seat toys for babies include four colorful animal figures that have a built-in wind chime, squeaky belly, and crinkly wings. You can attach the toy to your car seat and stroller handles. They can be quickly removed and used as a toy for your baby when not traveling. The toy set is recommended for babies aged up to 12 months.
Pros
- Four animal toys include owl, elephant, monkey, and dog
- Has a teether to hold and chew
- Quick to install with car seat clips
- Easy to wash with warm water
- Includes a drawstring bag
- ASTM F963-tested and approved
- CPSIA-tested and approved
- CPC-tested and approved
Cons
- May be longer than expected
- Stitching may not be durable enough
8. Best Musical:Tiny Love Classic Mobile Car Seat Toy
The Tiny Love car seat toy for babies features spinning black-and-white spirals to delight your little one. It also plays classical music for 20 minutes to soothe your baby and keep them engaged. The specially-designed soothing motion helps your little one stay calm and relaxed, while the baby-activated control button promotes independence and inspires exploration. Further, the adjustable stimulation levels give you the choice to activate the movement, lights, and music all at once or introduce your baby to one feature at a time.
Pros
- Removable music box to turn it into a standalone toy
- Soft night light to comfort the baby
- Easy to assemble
- Encourages visual development
Cons
- May not have proper volume control
- Motor may make a slight buzzing sound while spinning
9. Best Wear-Resistant:Haba Rattling Max Dangling Figure
This German-made wooden dangling toy is a great alternative to plastic toys. The little creature named Max, has a body made of colorful rings that rattle together. It makes a clacking noise that entertains the babies during the drive. You can attach this car seat rattle toy to your infant car seat or stroller. This trusted Haba rattling toy is a great pick for babies aged six months and above.
Pros
- Sturdy, bright, and safe to dangle
- Bottom ring included for attaching to other toys
- Made from sustainably sourced beech wood
- Easy to clip on to any fabric
- Encourages grasping and fine motor skills
- Resistant to wear and tear
Cons
- Babies may find the toy slightly hard
- Paint may chip over time
"This rattle's colorful design and engaging click-clack sounds are a hit with my baby. Its wooden build seems durable and long-lasting. I have also hung it in the play area for more fun. I'm happy that it keeps my baby cheerful during car trips."
10. Best Adjustable:Benbat Double-Sided Car Seat Toys
The Benbat double-sided car toys keep babies engaged throughout the car journey due to its interactive features. It comes with multiple colors, textures, and sounds crucial for a child’s development and early learning in areas like situational awareness, motor skills, and other senses. The interactive car toys are suitable for children aged 0 to 18 months to keep them entertained.
Pros
- Reversible artboard
- Easy to install
- Adjustable arch
- Engaging accessories like an Acorn teether, Plush crinkly tail, Dazzle-Effect star, Rattling squirrel
- Peek-a-boo mirror
- Movable toy hanger
Cons
- Toys can get easily tangled
- The protection bar may get in the way of a mirror view
- Toys can be harder to reach for smaller babies
11. Best Entertaining: Lil’ Jammerz Baby Music Toys for Car Seat or Stroller
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 5,407 buyers on Amazon have said the product lives up to the hype.
If you want to keep your baby fully entertained or lull them to sleep, this three-piece plush set toy could be a great pick. This toy comes with a free downloadable Lil’ Jammerz music app, which is available in Apple and Google Play stores. It has classical, lullaby, upbeat sing-along songs, and sounds of nature.
There is a hidden Bluetooth speaker inside the toys that you can control from the app installed on your phone. The app has a feature to stream white noise that comforts your little one to get the needed sleep during the journey.
Features
- Three plush, irresistible characters namely Mazzy, JoJo, and Joon
- Built-in hooks to easily hang to the car seat handles and strollers
- Bluetooth speaker connects easily to most Bluetooth-enabled devices within 25ft
- Speaker operates for around two hours on full charging
- Hand-washable plush toys
How To Choose The Right Car Seat Toy?
Here are some points you should consider to choose the best car seat toy for your baby.
- Age-appropriate: Consider your baby’s age and pick toys that do not become a choking hazard. It is advisable to use a car seat toy only for babies older than three months as it is safer.
- Safety: Read the instructions and check the manufacturers’ recommended age. Opt for toys from trusted brands and those that meet quality and safety standards to ensure they are baby-safe. The best car seat toys are durable and do not break into smaller pieces while the baby is playing or teething. Also, large stuffed toys may fall on the baby while pulling or throwing.
- Material: Choosing toys made of baby-safe materials is important as you do not want your child to play with a fragile toy that can break easily. Check if the material is free of toxins and safe enough for the baby to put it in their mouth.
- Aids in development: This is another important consideration when choosing a good car seat toy for babies. The best car seat toys should improve children’s developmental skills with their unique design and features. Therefore, choose toys that make noise on touch, have vibrant colors and textures, and encourage the baby to grab the toy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are baby car seat toys washable?
While most of the car seat toys are washable, some toys may not be safe to wash and should be cleaned as per the manufacturer’s washing instructions.
2. How long can car seat toys be used?
You can use most car seat toys as long as they are in perfect condition. It is best to discard them when they start experiencing wear and tear as their parts may be a choking hazard for your child.
3. Do car seat toys help as arm cushions?
No, they don’t serve the purpose of arm cushions unless they’re specifically designed for the purpose.
4. Can car seat toys be used in the airplane crib?
Many car seat toys for babies are versatile and can be fixed in different areas depending on their design and features. You can use car seat toys in the airplane crib if they come with a handle to hang.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose is a product writer specializing in children’s items, such as toys and gifts. She has prepared a list of the best car seat toys to keep your children entertained during their car trip. These toys have been compiled keeping in mind their developmental age and milestones. Her in-depth research ensures the toys are safe and high-quality, and the list includes a buying guide to assist you in choosing the right product for your child.
The Bottom Line
Babies love a good day out, but without the right car seat toys, it can be difficult to keep them engaged and entertained throughout the journey. The best car seat toys feature different textures and colors that stimulate your little ones’ senses and help develop their fine motor skills. So, our top recommendations include the Infantino Spiral Activity Toy, ideal for sensory development, the Tiny Love Take-Along Arch, suitable for cause and effect learning; and the Buckle Toys – Buster Square, ideal for promoting hand-eye coordination. While choosing the right toys, make sure they are age-appropriate, safe, durable, educational, and super-fun to play with, so your baby can have a great time on every trip.
Infographics: What To Look For In A Car Seat Toy?
Car seat toys may keep your little one entertained during long journeys and prevent them from getting bored and fidgety. However, these toys may also pose a risk if you don’t pick one appropriate for your child’s needs. So, here is an infographic that can help you learn the factors to consider. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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