Image: MomJunction Design Team
Keep your child engaged for hours with our list of the best cloth books for babies. A cloth book is made of cotton or polyester and is used as an early education tool for children to help develop their sensory skills. They contain pictures and illustrations of animals, birds, nature, and more to grab your child’s attention. These books are made with crinkle paper and sound devices for entertainment. With unique themes, features, and a smooth texture, these books help your child learn age-appropriate skills and encourage their curiosity. So, pick a suitable one for your child from our list.
Top Picks
Benefits Of Cloth Books For Babies
Some benefits cloth books might offer to babies are as follows:
- Infants can enjoy the vibrant colors, teethers often attached to the books, crinkle sounds, and the different textured elements in the book. In contrast,the toddlers enjoy identifying the alphabets, animals, and the underlying stories.
- Source of early education for your child, as they allow them to build concentration and develop sensory and motor skills in babies.
- Young infants identify the world around them by putting things in their mouths and since most cloth books are soft, non-toxic, and tear-resistant, they are great companions of your little one.
24 Best Cloth Books For Babies
1. Best For Audio Recognition Skills: Teytoy My First Soft Book
The fabric baby books are ideal for your little one’s early education since they help them identify different things by touch and learn about the sea world, vegetables, fruits, and more. This pack of six cloth books based on various themes is child-safe and has strong stitching to prevent wear and tear. The baby-friendly and beautiful cloth book contains vibrant and colorful images, characters, and patterns, and various educational activities to develop sensory and communication skills in your child.
Pros
- Non-toxic and safe material
- Machine-washable
- Made of high-quality cotton
- Engaging sounds
- Touchable figures
- Durable cushion material
- Lightweight books
Cons
- Some may find them a tad too small
- Snap button may not be durable enough
"While these cloth books were significantly smaller than I expected, they impressed me with their charming appeal and durability. They keep my kid engaged during tummy time, and their sensory benefits are commendable."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 12,002 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.
2. Best For Sensory Skills: ToykBaby Bath Books
The eight-pack baby cloth books are made of cotton material and are ideal early education tools. The non-toxic cloth books have been tested for safety and are durable and easy to fold and carry for your infant or toddler. Based on different themes, such as the alphabet, fruits, animals, and oceans, these baby-friendly books have various sounds and touchable features to help your little one develop their sensory skills.
The mom-approved cloth book for babies includes vibrant images, patterns, and colors and educational content to help your baby learn during their developmental years while also holding their attention for long.
Pros
- Neat stitching
- Easy-to-grab thick pages
- Child-safe material
- Suitable for bath time
- Washable material
- Tear-resistant
Cons
- Some content may be incorrect
- All pages may not make sounds
3. Best Skin-Friendly: Beiens Soft Baby Cloth Books
Suitable for children from zero to three years, this touch-and-feel crinkle book has bright colors and interactive sensory activities, making it the ideal tummy time cloth book. The mommy-approved book has a crinkle feature on both the cover pages and a squeaker sound to enhance your baby’s auditory skills. The interactive cloth book also has textured animal tails for the little one to play with and is made of non-toxic and skin-friendly polyester.
Pros
- BPA-free material
- Washable and easy to maintain
- Easy to grab for little hands
- Educational book
- Soft and durable material
- Easy hanging strap
Cons
- Tail colors might fade with time
- Some may find them a tad too small
"My baby enjoys the crinkliness of this cloth book, and the multiple tail textures are a thoughtful addition. It seems durable too, enduring rough handling by my infant. These books have definitely made tummy time more fun."
4. Best Durable: ToBe ReadyForLife Premium Soft Baby Book
Crafted by a trusted brand, this cloth book with a handle features crinkly sounds for your little one to stay engaged for long. This book for babies has a peek-a-boo flap, a mirror, and touch-and-feel features that allow your little one to have endless hours of fun and learning. These interactive elements also stimulate their sensory skills and help with their language learning ability. Designed with soft polyester, this book is durable, safe, and non-toxic, making it a trusted choice of new moms and dads to keep their children entertained.
Pros
- Bright colors to grab attention
- Suitable for infants to toddlers
- Educational book
- Machine-washable material
- Durable stitching
- Easy-to-hang handle
Cons
- Some may not find the story interesting
- Some sounds may not work over time
Do remember5. Best Easy-To-Learn Content: Coolplay Baby’s First Non-Toxic Soft Cloth Book Set
The Coolplay set of eight cloth books comes in vibrant colors and has easy-to-learn content on shapes, food, animals, numbers, vegetables, colors, characters, and the undersea world. It includes two types of books: one with a loop and crinkle paper and rustle on the outside pages, and the other without a loop but crinkle paper and rustle on all pages. The touch-and-feel element of this textured fabric book can develop your little one’s sensory skills. These tried-and-tested baby-friendly books are made of non-toxic materials and are washable.
Pros
- Made of cotton fabric
- Handling rings in each book.
- Soft, lightweight, and child-safe
- Tear-resistant material
- Easy to grab and hold
- No sharp edges
- Helps in visual recognition
Cons
- May have grammatical errors
- May have a peculiar smell when new
"My little one has taken quite a liking to these crinkle books—he enjoys holding and exploring them. However, I wish the hanging loop was longer. Still, they have been a cherished addition to my son's toy collection."
Quick tip6. Best For Bath Time: Top Bright Soft Cloth Books For Babies
The six-pack cloth books are ideal for bath-time reading since they are non-fading and non-deforming. These safe and effective soft fabric baby bath books have numbers, shapes, fruits, vehicles, animals, and visuals with vibrant illustrations to let your little one enjoy the bright colors while learning. Each interactive sensory rag book has high-quality digital printing, strong stitching, durable design, and touchable textures.
Pros
- Includes multiple books
- Made of non-toxic and BPA-free materials
- Easy to grab and hold
- Washable fabric
- Helps develop sensory skills
- Engaging content
- ASTM-certified
Cons
- Some content may not be accurate
- Some pictures may not be clear
"I got these washable cloth books for my granddaughter, and their colorful designs kept her hooked. They are just the right size for her to grab and enjoy the crinkle sound. I found them to be a practical choice for interactive reading time."
7. Best For Cognitive Skills: Tumama Soft Cloth Books for Babies
The black and white cloth baby books come in a set of three and have educational content. You may use these books to introduce your children to fruits, numbers, animals, and shapes and allow your little one to learn and develop their cognitive skills. The 20-page book has simple cognitive illustrations, interactive elements, and rattle sounds for the baby to enjoy.
The books are made of environmentally friendly bamboo fiber, making them durable, safe for babies, and resistant to wear and tear. Each book has a hand strap to let you hang it conveniently.
Pros
- Washable material
- Contains more pages than average
- Stimulates visual recognition
- Infant-friendly patterns
- Teething-friendly cloth book
- Easy to grab
Cons
- May contain repeated pictures
- Crinkle sound may not be satisfying
"Exploring these fabric books with my baby turned into a cherished bonding activity. While there are a few puzzling images, its varied content keeps my baby engaged. They are pretty decent for early development with their safe material and intriguing features."
8. Best Lightweight: Babybibi Cloth Books for Babies
The premium-quality set has six soft books designed with touch-and-feel crinkle paper and has early education content with different themes in each. The vibrant colors and illustrations are great for your child’s early learning and sensory and brain development. Constructed from soft, durable, and washable material, these books are lightweight and have colorful numbers, letters, fruits, and more for your little one to learn.
Pros
- Helps build hand-eye coordination
- Develops visual senses
- Made of non-toxic material
- Soft material
- Pull- and tear-resistant
Cons
- Might be smaller than expected
- Some pages may be stitched upside down
"My son loves engaging with the varied textures and sounds of these books. While I wish the material was softer, these books serve well with their educational content. I think they're great for encouraging interactive play."
9. Best for Teething: Kids Preferred Let’s Count Soft Book
Teething can be quite frustrating for your child, so this soft book can be a suitable addition to the nursery. The book includes a crinkle texture on the inside, a teether on the outside, and a fun squeaker that will keep your little one occupied for hours. It also includes the famous children’s story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and a to-go clip that lets you attach the book to your bag and take it anywhere, so your child does not miss their story time.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Includes various activities
- Appropriate size
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Some may find the pages thinner than expected
- Squeaker may lose sound after prolonged use
"I'm glad I got this for my child's playtime. It offers a holistic sensory experience with crinkle sounds, squeakers, and varied textures. It also comes in handy for my baby's teething needs. Plus, its clip ensures entertainment on the go."
10. Best Easy-To-Read: Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book
The fun, easy-to-read baby book from the trusted brand Melissa & Doug is suitable for your little one as it includes a fun crocodile story for children of all ages. It includes three-dimensional elements, such as the dangly feet, making the story time interactive for your baby. This mommy-approved fun activity baby book is quite popular because of the easy-to-read text, which can be read out loud, and can capture your baby’s attention throughout storytime.
Pros
- Machine-washable
- Soft, high-quality fabric
- Provides sensory stimulation
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- May not be lightweight
- Some may find the story short
11. Best Multiple Funny Themes:Hony Baby Bath Books
The soft bath time books for babies are washable, durable, and help teach your little one various things by feeling, touching, and watching. This pack of eight books has many themes: animal world, alphabets, family, insects, ocean world, and more. These baby-friendly and vibrant soft fabric books with crinkling sounds will help enhance your child’s sensory and reading skills. Pinch the book to make a ‘sasa’ sound to entertain your little one. Each rag book is lightweight, non-toxic, durable, and comes with a loop to hang on your car seat or stroller.
Pros
- Made of cotton fabric
- Neat stitching with no loose ends
- Flexible to grab and hold
- Tear-resistant material
- Travel-friendly
Cons
- May have grammatical errors
- Might contain duplicate pages
"These soft, washable books grabbed my baby's attention with their vibrant colors and crinkling noises. Although I noticed a few typing errors, they serve their purpose well. It was a satisfactory purchase."
12. Best Fun Interactive:Spruce Lab Educational Soft Baby Books
This 100% polyester baby book is a great first book for babies, as it includes a fun and interactive story to keep them engaged for hours. The illustrations in the rag book help enhance your child’s learning skills, and the high-contrast visuals and phonics can help build your baby’s educational needs in the future. These baby books come in a set of six, which will help newborns to toddlers.
Pros
- Fade-resistant
- Durable design
- Toxin-free
- Waterproof design
- Features a loop strap
Cons
- Color scheme may be harsh for some children
- Content may have spelling errors
"This book has exceeded my expectations. Its beautifully written alphabet and cheerful illustrations encourage my little one to learn and explore. She carries it during our long drives; the finger straps add to the convenience. Overall, it's an incredible choice."
13. Best For Thinking:BabyBibi Color Recognition Cloth Books
Your toddler would love reading this set of nine colorful cloth books made using crinkle paper. They are specifically designed to help your child recognize colors. The soft books for infants also introduce your little one to animals, vegetables, and more with vivid illustrations. These BPA-free and soft fabric books are also free of other toxic elements, making them child-safe.
Pros
- Easy-to-carry handles
- Washable cloth books
- Different themed books
- Soft and easy to grip
- Develops visual sense
Cons
- Pictures could have been better
- Some pages may be shorter than others
"These cloth books are easy for my little one to grasp and explore. Also, I like that they're machine-washable, maintaining their color and sound after several washes. Overall, it's a decent option to introduce little ones to sensory exploration."
14. Best Tear-Resistant:Heccei Baby Cloth Books
Keep your child happy and entertained with this visual stimulation cloth book that is easy to wash, and the colors remain intact after every wash. The safe and soft material of the rag book is fade-resistant, and your child will love it as it features high-contrast illustrations and adorable storylines that can be read out loud. The cover and back pages also include a rustling sound and texture that helps with early sensory development, developing imagination, and stimulating intelligence.
Pros
- BPA-Free
- Soft edges
- Skin-friendly
- Tear-resistant fabric book
Cons
- Tails may fray over time
- May not be lightweight
"I got this as a baby shower gift for my sister, and she loved it! Its bright colors and crinkly pages are attractive, and the velcro loop offers on-the-go convenience. Also, they seem quite durable!"
15. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination:hahaland Baby First Cloth Books Set
The two-set book of jungle tails and marine life by hahaland contains 20 pages each to keep your baby engaged. The rag book poses no potential choking hazards, and the stitching is robust yet soft enough for teething babies. It is easy to clean without fading and keeps the colors intact for a long time. Each animal has a 3D tail with different textures to pique the baby’s interest and stimulate their senses. Plushy pages make a pleasant rustling sound that helps them overturn the pages and promotes hand-eye coordination.
Pros
- Made of BPA-free material
- Animal vocabulary for easy teaching
- User-friendly velcro hanging straps
- Neat and colorful design for color recognition
Cons
- Tails may be smaller than expected
- May be difficult to hold for some children
16. Best Hand Puppet Design:iPlay, iLearn Soft Baby Books
The cloth book set by iPlay, iLearn allows children to explore zoology through various themes, including jungle adventure, sea, farm, land, flying, and marine animals. It has colorful and cute hand-puppet designs to engage in fun storytelling and develop their imagination and creativity. The rag book has multiple soft textures to help the babies touch, feel, and learn effectively.
Pros
- Tear-resistant fabric
- Washable
- Crinkle and squeaky sounds enhance audio recognition
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Visuals may seem chaotic for some children
- May contain small removable parts
17. Best For Gifting:Sunen Baby Soft Book Cloth Book
Your toddler would enjoy reading this book as they engage in the vivid colored pictures and photographic illustrations about the animals that it features. This book is made of lightweight, non-toxic, tear-resistant, and washable cotton fabric, making it a trusted choice of parents. It is handy for your little one’s tiny hands and has eight pages with engaging content.
Pros
- Easy to grab and flip the pages
- Includes a Velcro closure
- Develops sensory and motor skills
- Soft fabric applique work
- Engaging short story
Cons
- May contain grammatical errors
- Might be smaller than expected
"This soft book has been a comforting choice to keep the babies engaged, and the sweet, simple story adds to the play experience. My kids find the sounds and textures very entertaining. Although it's smaller than I expected, that doesn't dampen the fun."
18. Best Quality:Tinabless Baby Soft Cloth Book
The Tinabless cloth book is ideal for the early education of your toddler since it allows them to learn interactively and develops their sensory skills. These firmly stitched books feature a peek-a-boo flap, a mirror, various sounds, and ribbon tags. They are non-toxic and include vivid and bright illustrations and touch-and-feel features. The thick premium cotton used for these books is durable and does not tear easily.
Pros
- Different themed books
- Attention-grabbing colors
- Suitable for bath time
- Easy to wash and maintain
- Travel-friendly fabric book
- Easy to hang on cots and cribs
- Thickly cushioned pages
Cons
- May contain grammatical errors
"This cloth book helps keep my little one engaged with its crinkles, mirrors, and other interactive features. While I noticed a few spelling mistakes, they don't overshadow the toy's overall functioning and appeal. It is a noteworthy addition to my baby's playtime collection."
19. Best For Baby’s Attention:Joyin Soft Bath Books
The non-toxic soft baby cloth books come in a set of 12 based on various themes, such as animal world, sea world, fruits, vegetables, shapes, vehicles, food, alphabet, colors, and insects. Each book is designed with different sounds and touch-and-feel elements to engage little ones and help stimulate their senses. Made of high-quality fabric, each durable baby book is tear-resistant, washable, and lightweight.
Pros
- Fade-resistant fabric
- Suitable for bath time
- Travel-friendly hanging loop
- Neat and tight stitching
Cons
- May not be suitable for infants
- Colors may be misrepresented in a few pictures
"These bath books are a delightful addition to my little one's bathing routine—also serving as a charming educational tool. I did notice a few contextual errors in the vegetable book. However, I'm pleased with the material and content."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 1,126 Amazon shoppers have left good reviews about this product, citing its quality features and benefits.
20. Best Lovely Patterns:FunsLane Baby Soft Cloth Books
The soft cloth 12-book set is based on various themes–vegetables, animals, sea world, shapes, colors, numbers, fruits, and more. These books have crinkle paper and squeakers on the outside pages and vivid and bright illustrations to help develop your child’s sensory skills. Made using non-toxic and washable material, these books are lightweight, handy, and tear-resistant and have been tested for safety and durability. The built-in hanging loop allows you to attach it to the stroller and makes it easy to carry.
Pros
- Fade-resistant cloth books
- Easy to grab and flip pages
- Durable fabric
- Firm stitching
- Develops visual recognition
Cons
- May not be suitable for infants
- Squeaky sounds may not last
"I'm impressed with these books' durability to frequent washes–showing only slight fading. They have become a staple to keep my baby calm during evening strolls and car rides. Also, they are apt for tiny hands and make delightful educational tools."
21. Best Lasting Durability:Acekid Baby Cloth Books
Acekid offers non-toxic, colorful, crinkle books based on 12 different themes, including sea world, shapes, colors, vegetables, numbers, and fruits, making them interactive and fun for babies. The vivid colors and illustrations in the books help develop your child’s sensory skills through touch-and-feel features. Six books have a built-in BB device, while the others have built-in bells. Each pop-up sensory book is made of durable and tear-resistant material with a loop attached to it for attaching it to the car seat or a stroller.
Pros
- Made of cotton fabric
- Washable material
- Ideal size for little hands
- ASTM-certified cloth books
- Neat stitching
Cons
- Some content may sound foreign
- May not be suitable for children under three years of age
"I found these books great for soothing and entertaining my baby, and they seem durable too. However, some pages lack coherence. In general, I vouch for them for the sensory and visual stimulation they offer my child."
22. Best Sensory Toy:Varano Soft Books With Teether For Babies
The Varano soft crinkle book is made from BPA-free, non-toxic, wrinkle-free fabric with touch-and-feel features and smooth edges. This rag book can help stimulate your little one’s senses with crinkle paper, vibrant colors, and soft texture while also developing their motor skills.
Pros
- High-quality polyester fabric
- Develops visual recognition
- Makes engaging sounds
- Teething-safe book
- Machine-washable
Cons
- May contain small parts
- Some content may sound foreign
"This book deserves a thumbs-up for its effectiveness in keeping my baby engaged during car rides. It's also durable and washable, so I could easily maintain it during the early months of drooling and exploration."
23. Best Washable:Beetoy Sensory Baby Books
Bring home this set of books by Beetoy to develop various skills in babies aged up to six months. These sensory books come with vibrant visuals and are made using crinkle paper, the crisp sound from which is enough to stimulate the auditory skills of the little one. Trusted by parents to aid their children’s growth, each book comes with an activity and visuals that can help develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor, and cognitive skills. The dad- and mom-approved toys for babies are also washable and highly durable.
Pros
- Made of high-quality polyester fabric
- Easy to hold and carry
- Soft to touch
- Early activity book
- Fade- and deform-resistant
- Non-toxic material
Cons
- May contain small buttons
24. Best Bright Colors:Bebe Mondo Soft Baby Cloth Book
The adorable elephant-shaped fabric book has various features and activities that engage your little one. It has an elephant-shaped 3D toy attached to the book with crinkle ears and soft textured legs and tail. A rattle and leaf-shaped and ring-shaped teethers are also attached to the book. Your baby could play peek-a-boo and enjoy the vibrant colors, pictures, and textures. The musical cloth book also produces animal sounds and is made of non-toxic fabric.
Pros
- Made of soft plush material
- Easy to hang on strollers and car seats
- Durable digital print
- Tear-resistant
- ASTM-certified
- Washable and easy to clean
Cons
- Some may find the tail pointy
"While the teething ring's texture didn't suit my baby, this toy's versatility and sensory features are commendable—my little one especially likes the crinkle ears."
How To Choose The Right Cloth Book For Babies?
Here are a few factors you should consider when buying cloth books for babies.
- Safety:The book should have soft rounded edges made from non-toxic material to render it safe for your little one. You can also look for handmade baby books.
- Features: Books featuring vibrant colors, stunning illustrations, engaging sounds, crinkles, and touch-and-feel textured elements can hold your baby’s attention for longer. These can also develop their sensory skills and help them learn about various animals, shapes, colors, etc.
- Washable: Waterproof books could be ideal since your little one might enjoy chewing them or taking them along while bathing. Washable, non-fading books could last longer too.
- Age: For infants, books with sounds, touch-and-feel textures, crinkle material, and smaller sizes are ideal. For toddlers, illustrative content, easy learning techniques, an alphabet and numbers fabric book and durable material might work well.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Cloth books are great for sensorial development in babies. In this post, we present a list of the best cloth books for babies. We have thoroughly researched to develop the content keeping in mind the safety and usability of the products for infants. The list offers detailed descriptions of each product, including their quality, utility, features, and more. We have also included a buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
The Bottom Line
One of the best ways for parents to bond with their children is by reading books together. For younger children, cloth books work better as they do not have sharp edges and offer sensory play while being safe. The ideal cloth books are made of soft materials and are easy to wash. Further, they come in vibrant colors and feature engaging illustrations and sounds. Our top picks include the Teytoy My First Soft Book, which has built-in rattles, and the Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book for its machine washable build. You could also check out the Tumama Soft Cloth Books For Babies if you want something minimalistic. However, factor in the age-appropriateness, safety, and excitingfeatures when choosing the best cloth books for babies.
Infographic: How To Read Books With Babies?
Though infants can’t read independently, reading out to them can help teach the basics of language skills and how to use a book. No wonder a Chichewa proverb says, “M’mera mpoyamba,” which translates to catch them when young. So, check out the following infographic to learn how to read to a baby. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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