The Best Toys for 4-Month-Old Babies, According to Parents

Roger Priddy’s First 100 Words: A Padded Board Book, is a wonderful book to encourage active listening with your four-month-old and beyond. This is a book that my 4-year-old still thumbs through! He uses it to “teach” his little brother about colors, vehicles, bathtime objects, etc. We love the simple words with corresponding colorful images, and since baby’s attention span is still growing, this is a great option to pick up and put down.

When it comes to books and games, Kristen Miller, director of education for Celebree School, prefers options with realistic depictions of animals and people—and this book definitely fits the bill. I can remember sitting with my now 4-year-old, emphasizing the pronunciation of words and pointing to the object/item to introduce speech therapy tactics as well as create relationships between the item pictured and their appropriate names. This simple, inexpensive book is not only a fun one, but a wonderful learning tool to promote attentive listening, even at a young age.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: N

At four months old, babies are naturally fascinated by their own reflection and it’s adorable to see them try to track and focus on themselves. Sassy Tummy Time See Me Floor Mirror is a great little toy that promotes interaction with baby’s image and a perfect visual development toy for this age. This Tummy Time mirror is an age-appropriate way for babies to learn and explore on their bellies—the symmetrical bee sparks visual interest and promotes tactile exploration, while the rainbow colors surrounding the spinning tracker ball really help little ones with visual perception.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: N

The Munckin Little Boat Train is a staple toy in our house. My boys use them in their water table in the summer months, and love to watch them float and sink in a bubble bath. They’ve been a favorite since my older son was little. Munchkin’s lightweight easy-grasp boats in vibrant colors attract babies' attention, stimulating visual development and encouraging them to reach out and grip the boats—plus, these adorable stacking toys make water play so much fun, and my little guys have loved splashing around while practicing their motor skills by grabbing the toys. I love that they are easy to clean and mold-resistant (an absolute must for water toys).

Age range: 4+ months | Batteries required: N

You’d be hard pressed to find an age-appropriate toy with as much sensory exploration as the Miniland Sensorial reef. Different textures, contrasting colors, a mirror and a removable rattle octopus-shaped rattle make this toy appealing to baby’s tactile senses right alongside sight and sound. We love this multiple award-winning toy, and appreciate that it can also be hung up for younger babies. With so much detail in both look and feel, the Miniland Sensorial Reef will keep your little one occupied for extended periods of time.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: N

Etta Loves x Keith Haring Sensory strip might look like a simple, pretty toy, but the science-backed research that went into creating this product is beyond aesthetics. The colors, patterns and spacing are all designed with input from an orthoptist and PhD students, based on the latest research in infant vision.

The bold colors and engaging designs are visually captivating for babies, helping to stimulate their developing eyesight and keeping their attention. We also love that it’s reversible—artist Keith Haring’s black and white design (entitled “Baby”) is intended for baby’s first four months, while the opposite side’s design (called “Brazil”) is a more colorful way to stimulate babies 5 months and up who are beginning to differentiate color. We love that this quilted, cotton padded strip is easy to pack up in a diaper bag and provides a stimulating play experience for baby.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: N

According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, tummy time, if practiced from infancy at a minute or two a day, should be built up to about 90 minutes daily by the time your little one is 4 months old. Tummy time is critical for baby’s development as it builds baby's neck, shoulder and arm muscles, helping them to sit up, crawl and eventually walk. What better than a toy to support muscle control to assist in this critical development?

Crate & Kids Woodland Animals baby Tummy Time Toy is the optimal choice for best muscle control toy for your four-month-old. This adorable, neutral-nursery friendly toy stays upright to keep baby engaged and features a mirror, squeaker, and other elements to engage and stimulate your baby's senses during tummy time play. Crafted from soft baby-friendly materials, it provides a safe environment for exploration and play, allowing for comfortable tummy time, even for babies’ who aren’t initially fans of this position.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: N

Not all baby blocks are created equal, and Baby Einstein Explore & Discover Soft Blocks stand out for several reasons. Their soft design makes them safe for 4-month-olds and beyond, while the variety of textures, colors and interactive features engage baby’s senses. These blocks not only promote imaginative play but also support essential skills like spatial awareness; how an object relates to baby and other objects in a space. We love how the blocks are all the same size, and yet the features on each are a little different. Each block has stimulating details—one block rattles, another vibrates and one features a mirror. There are tactile as well as sensory features that will surely engage your little one. The lightweight, soft design of these blocks really encourage baby to get moving, reinforcing an understanding of space as they navigate around the blocks.

Age range: 3+ months | Batteries required: N

There’s one tip I’ve been given over my four years of motherhood that has always held true: An upset baby can be calmed rather quickly with fresh air or a warm bath. In our house, baths are beloved by all. Manhattan Toy’s Penny Penguin Scrub-a-Dubbie Washcloth and Bathing Mit Puppet combines bathtime play and hygiene all in one. While I know my kids have pretty consistently loved baths, not all babies do; so what better to get baby engaged at bathtime than a washcloth that doubles as an imaginative toy? This washcloth’s adorable embroidered penguin face captures baby’s attention and bathing becomes a fun adventure, rather than a chore. Four-month-olds and beyond love this tactile terry penguin bath mitt puppet, and our team at The Bump loves how it inspires all kinds of creativity and fun while they splash and play!

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: N

Your newborn’s eyesight is limited to black, white and shades of gray, and this limitation makes high-contrast black and white patterns particularly captivating for your little one. Black and white images stand out in baby’s blurry surroundings, effectively capturing their attention and aiding in their ability to focus. Wee Gallery Ocean Art Cards are a set of six reversible cards with striking black and white beautiful images of ocean animals printed on laminated boards that are sure to stand up to baby’s handling. The cards are generously sized at 5 x 7 inches, and have rounded edges to foster safe play. Hang them in baby’s bassinet, stroller, or use them to grab your four-month-old’s attention when they’re wiggling during a diaper change.

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: N