Kids are the most unpredictable, ever since birth. Although easy to please at times, they may act quite restless too.
What you need is some kind of toy to keep your baby busy and happy. It can be difficult to choose what kind of toy to buy with the market being full of options and variety.
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If you’re the parent or relative of a cute 3-month-old, you’re in luck today since here we have a complete guide to the best toys for 3-month-olds.
At three months of age, the average baby is just learning to respond to audio, visual and sensory stimuli. However, infants vary a lot in growth rate, so it’s perfectly okay if your child is a bit slower or faster in development right now.
The products below have been compiled after some well thought-out research as to what would be the best toy for the average three-month-old.
Amongst our top picks are two kinds of products – grasping and teething toys, and activity gyms and jumpers. Grasping and teething toys are great for gumming babies to play with and suck on. Some may have features like a rattle or musical notes.
If you can spend a bit more, activity gyms are small play-mats that provide multiple toys and features. Your baby can rest on them and play with the toys. Jumpers are great for babies learning to sit on their own.
They also often have toys attached to occupy your infant. Any of the following products would make a great toy for a three-month-old to keep them fascinated for hours.
Our Top Picks
Teething and Grasping Toys
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy
This one is a classic, so it naturally comes as a first choice where toys for a 3-month-old are concerned. A product of the Manhattan Toy company which has been around for decades, this rattle and teether combo is a colorful object that your baby will love!
The multiple bright tubes of the toy intertwined together are soft and pliable to give your baby the best of comfort as they start teething. The BPA- free material is safe for your child, as is the light weight of the toy which won’t hurt your baby.
Easy to grasp with a gentle rattle sound from a cube fixed in the center, the toy is a perfect accessory for any child between 0 to 24 months. Furthermore, it can even be refrigerated for a more soothing effect on gumming and teething babies.
This is a toy which your baby will potentially enjoy for a long time. 3-month-olds will develop sensory and grasping reflexes while appreciating the attractive colors and rattling sound.
As they get older, the toy will be useful during the teething phase as well. With rave reviews on the internet, this best-selling item will make the perfect gift for any infant!
Pros:
- Easy to grip
- Lightweight
- Pleasant rattle sound
Cons:
- Hard to clean
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
From Nuby’s impressive range of highly popular teethers come the best-selling Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys, a budget-friendly must-have for any baby 3 months or above.
With surfaces of multiple textures, the toy is supposed to be refrigerated for best results and is suited to soothe and facilitate the growth of all kinds of baby teeth.
A soft material is present at the tops of the keys, with off-surfaces. The colorful toy has a grasping handle, is lightweight, and easy for your baby to hold and play with.
With a soothing and stimulating cool, resilient bottom, this toy is free from BPA and safe to be taken in the mouth by your infant.
The PurIce Technology in Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys makes use of a non-toxic gel that lets the refrigerated keys stay cool for a long time to provide a soothing effect on your baby’s gums.
The teething nubs massage sore gums while the bright, colorful toy helps in hand-eye coordination and visually stimulates the baby.
Overall, a cheap purchase that is durable so that your baby will love it for a long time.
Pros:
- Easy to grip
- Good value for money
- Small size and shape is perfect for the baby
Cons:
- Complaints of a chemical smell
- Few problems with leakage
- Not suited to sanitization
Vtech Baby Lil’ Critters Shake and Wobble Busy Ball
Want to keep any baby busy while they have a ball? Here’s a Busy Ball at your service! This one combines multiple features in a single toy and is very recent, only available since mid-2018. The Vtech Busy Ball will keep your little one occupied with its bright colors, beads, and music.
The attractive Busy Ball with literally keep any 3-month-old busy with its cute beads that can slide on tracks while developing their fine motor skills. As the baby grows and learns how to push the buttons to hear music, the ball could potentially become more of a favorite.
Enjoy watching your child learn colors and numbers, animals and vocabulary through the push of those chunky buttons.
With motion-sensing technology, the ball responds to shaking by playing fun tunes and sounds that will fascinate your baby. Easy to grab and offers hours of fun, this is one popular toy that can calm your baby at any time.
Pros:
- Easy grip
- Multiple features
- BPA-Free
Cons:
- Maybe too loud for some
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy
A much raved-about infants’ toy, this one is a bestseller with its musical features and an attractive design. From 3 months of age to 3 years, the Baby Einstein Musical Toy appeals to all with its easy-to-use style and small size.
Watch your baby enjoy like nowhere else with the gentle flashing lights that follow the rhythm of the music. The seven classical melodies include songs from Mozart, Chopin, and more for quality entertainment.
Let your baby operate the toy with its simple button which can easily be pressed to switch songs.
The volume control feature can be very useful for moms and dads, while the handle feature facilitates grasping so that your little one can use this toy for a company on the go.
Operated by two AA batteries, this is one toy with an irresistible charm, thanks to the plethora of overwhelming customer reviews.
Pros:
- Easy to grip
- Relaxing, upbeat classical melodies of medium length
- Mesmerizing dancing lights
- Durable
- Good value for money
- Easy to operate
Cons:
- Maybe a bit heavy for the baby to hold
Tiny Love Take-Along Arch, My Nature Pals Stroll
This is not just one toy, but an arch’s worth of them, all for your baby to love, learn and play with! Tiny Love’s Take-Along Arch can be the perfect gift for any bundle of joy and keep them entertained for hours.
The Take-Along arch with its universal attachment clip can literally be taken along anywhere, fitting over a large variety of strollers, car seats, and carrycots.
Adjust the arch to the correct angle according to your baby carrier, and watch your baby enjoy with the fun hanging toys that sway about in their line of vision while the rattling sound tempts them to grab and play.
Among the multiple hanging toys of the arch are a crinkly frog toy, a spinning bead ball, a baby-activated propeller, an easy-to-grasp teether toy, and a flower mirror.
From birth onwards, these toys stimulate batting and sensory exploration, and as your child nears 5 months, their pulling action will be great for cause and effect learning.
With the outstanding positive feedback this product has received, this is something we recommend you must try!
Pros:
- Well-designed, secure, and adjustable attachment clip
- No batteries required
- Multiple kinds of brightly colored toys
Cons:
- The universal clip may not be compatible with some baby carriers
Lamaze Freddie The Firefly
Lamaze offers the perfect companion for all little growing babies who love colorful toys! Freddie the Firefly is playful, friendly, and would like to entertain your infant for hours.
With what the reviews seem to say, everybody loves Freddie! How can you not, with his bright, soft body and so many options for play?
The soft velour texture is comforting in itself, as are the layered wings with a peek-a-boo mirror, a squeaker, jingling rings, a teether, and chewy antennae. With a clip that you can hook to any baby carrier or diaper bag, Freddie can happily keep your child company even on the go.
Watch as your baby’s senses get enhanced through exploration of this creatively-designed toy, from right after birth to even a year or two. Freddie is super durable and stays loyal till your baby itself is ready to leave him behind!
Pros:
- Easy to clean – washable
- Easy to hold or hang from baby carriers
- Multiple features for play
Cons:
- None
Activity Gyms and Jumpers
Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo
Since you’re looking for the best toys for a three-month-old, why not go with a platform for your baby to sit up with their potential favorite toys already attached? The Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo is just that, and so much more!
With a funky frog-shaped seat, the rainforest-themed product is a sight to behold. It makes for a safe and comfortable play area for your infant, from where toys hanging from the leaf-shaped canopy can be batted on or grasped.
Babies like the peek-a-boo tiger, bat-at monkey, rattle lizard, bobble elephant, and spinner drum!
The three-position height adjustment of the 360-degree rotating seat makes it as customizable as possible while soft spring covers ensure the avoidance of any finger-pinching accidents.
Along with toys at five locations, an electronic toy on the front can be activated by the baby or set to play for four minutes by the parents to offer motion, music, and lights.
The sturdy steel frame is foldable, making the jumper easy to tuck away when not in use.
Pros:
- Sturdy, safe and adjustable seat to keep the baby secure during playtime
- Multiple toys and features
- Foldable for easy storage
Cons:
- The elephant toy is hung the wrong way
- Some babies may not find the toys engaging and smaller ones may have difficulty reaching the hanging toys
Infantino Grow-with-me Activity Gym and Ball Pit
Among the best toys for a 3-month-old, the Infantino Grow-with-Me Activity Gym and Ball Pit rank high, thanks to the number of playing features it has to offer, even as your baby gets somewhat older.
This friendly turtle-shaped product gives babies an action-packed platform to pass their time and develop their skills.
Along with five activity sea animal toys offering unique textures and sounds, the product includes 40 super lightweight and colorful balls for play which can be stored inside the turtle’s head when not in use.
A pop-up mesh side included in the package can be secured to the border of the activity gym and the balls can be added to transform it into your baby’s own personal fun-filled arena.
This toy grows with the baby – use the lay and play format when your baby is young, around three months of age. This includes kicking, batting, and swaying the hanging toys and sucking on the BPA-free teether.
Unleash the stored balls while putting up the mesh for sit-and-play as your baby gets older and sits up without help.
With its unique developmental features and convenient design, the Grow-with-Me gym can be the perfect platform for your baby to have fun and learn at the same time.
Pros:
- Easy and convenient assembly
- Lightweight
- Multiple playing options as your baby grow
Cons:
- Fast-growing babies may outgrow it quickly due to its small size
Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ‘n Play Piano Gym
There’s playing space, there are toys, there are plenty of colors, and then there’s music! What more could you ask for? The Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick ’n’ Play Piano Gym is a great way to keep your baby entertained and smiling.
This one also doesn’t get old even when your baby grows thanks to the multiple features for play. There are four ways your baby can use this product – lay and play, tummy time, sit and play, and take-along.
The top-rated activity gym is a delight for infants with its five light-up piano keys offering visual and auditory sensations, all in one. The detachable nature of the keyboard is another cool feature that makes for a toy your baby can have along on the go.
The five repositionable toys include a self-discovery mirror, elephant teether, crinkle panda, lion rattle & monkey cymbal clackers, perfect to keep any three-month-old engaged and kicking!
The learning content that the product offers can be adjusted along with your child’s development and cognitive level through the Smart Stages technology which this device makes use of. Level 1 includes up to 2” minutes of engaging and playful music, lights and sounds.
Level 2 is about animals and the sounds they make, something worth sitting up for! Level 3 comes with songs, phrases, colors, shapes, and numbers for older babies.
The play mat has a soft, thick texture and being washable is quite easy to clean. With the electronic features being operated by 3 AAA batteries, this is one upgraded toy you surely wouldn’t want to miss out on!
Pros:
- Multiple features
- Soft and comfortable play-mat
- Detachable piano keyboard
- Easy to clean since it is washable
- Grows with the baby – introduce the baby to new features as he gets older
Cons:
- None
How to Get the Best Toy for a Three-Month-Old – A Buying Guide
What a pity it is to buy something and watch it go to waste! Worry no more, since after reading this guide, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll get a worthwhile toy that your baby can make the most of.
Here are a few things to keep in mind before buying a toy for your three-month-old.
Safety
Check for any non-toxic materials in teether toys before buying them. Even in other kinds of toys, carefully inspect them for any small parts since babies are prone to taking objects in their mouths and choking hazards are a major concern.
Sharp edges are another big NO! Remember, three-month-olds will chew on anything you give them, so inspect your choice carefully for any features that might pose harm.
Size
The size of your toy matters a lot, both in terms of usability and storage. If your toy is too oversized while your baby is still tiny, it will be long before your child will be old enough to be able to play.
For activity gyms, if you’re looking to make the most of it, we recommend you buy a larger size since babies grow quickly.
You also need to consider options for storage when the toy is not in use. Small teethers and rattles are storage-friendly options but for large activity gyms and jumpers, you may need more space.
Ease of Use
Three-month-olds don’t understand much, being still quite new to the world! They won’t be able to press small buttons or enjoy complicated features. A toy you can actually imagine your baby enjoying is the one to go with.
Portability
This depends on personal preferences. If your baby travels often and needs a toy for a company, it’s best if you go for a lightweight, smaller product that you can easily carry in your baby bag.
For at-home play where portability is not a concern, you can buy activity gyms or jumpers.
Features
Lights, sound, and music are all appreciated by three-month-old! However, too many sounds or loud notes can be a huge nuisance if you have to listen to them all day.
You need to get something that pleases your baby without getting on your nerves.
Customer Feedback
One way to be almost sure that you’re making a safe purchase is to go through feedback and reviews given by previous customers. This will tell you about any issues you might face with the toy and help you decide if it’s actually worth the price.
People often mention any technical problems, durability issues, or safety hazards, so go with the one product that has a majority of positive reviews.
Happy Shopping!
Now you know all about buying the best toys for a three-month-old. Get ready to make a bright, colorful purchase that your baby will love. Remember not to go overboard with the budget, but take care not to buy something so cheap that it doesn’t last long.
All your time, money, and effort will be worth it when you see your baby’s smile – there’s nothing better than a happy baby after all!
