Best gifts for babies 0-6 months-- Under $25!

Finding useful and educational gifts for babies can be challenging and overwhelming. There are so many choices out there, it is hard to know what babies will like, use or need.

When looking for gifts for babies, I think it is important to shop for toys that are fun, but will also help them develop new skills. Babies learn and change so much the first few months! They learn hand eye coordination, how to grasp objects (and bring them to their mouths!) and develop head control as well as use their five senses. They also begin to work on mastering the skills of rolling and sitting.

The toys that I have included in this list are ones that I believe helped my son master these skills and are ones that he has tried and loved. These educational and practical gifts for babies are all under $25 dollars and are a mix of gifts to wrap and stocking stuffers!

EDIT 11/2020: We have a newborn addition to the family this year, so I have updated the guide to include items that we have purchased for him this Christmas.

If you are looking for ideas for slightly older babies (or that will grow with your child), I also have a gift guide for 6-12 month olds.

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1. High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror

Young babies love looking at high contrast images as well as mirrors. This mirror is perfect for tummy time and I love that the high contrast cards can be removed and used on the go!

Baby Einstein Flip For Art High Contrast Floor Activity Mirror with Take Along Cards, Newborn Plus

2. High Contrast Books

There are tons of high contrast, black and white, board books out there. Not Quite Black and White is one of my very favorite books for newborns because it is interesting for your baby to look at and actually has some words, so it is interesting for you to read. Plus it promotes a great message of diversity. [Henry continues to enjoy this book at 2.5 years old!]

Babies also naturally like to look at faces; this is another one Henry enjoyed.

3. Wrist/ ankle rattles

When your baby can’t yet hold rattles, these wrist or ankle bells are a great way to keep them entertained. They also help babies develop awareness of their bodies and discover cause and effect.

4. Oball Rollin’ Rainstick Rattle

If you don’t have an Oball yet, you need one! These are one of the easiest toys for babies to grasp when they are just learning how. They have several different versions, but Henry loves the one with the rattle!

The teether version is also great once they start putting everything in their mouths. Henry would always get frustrated when he couldn’t fit the regular Oball in his mouth, so this was the perfect solution!

5. Manhattan Toy Skwish Color Burst Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity Toy

Another great toy to promote grasping is the Skwish rattle. Henry was always fasinated by this toy! I love that it is wood, rather than plastic.

6. Soft Crinkle Books

Crinkle books are one of the first toys that Henry was really interested in and able to interact with. I think the fact that each page was so different really helped capture his attention. It was also light and squishy enough that he was able to hold it. I love that this one is high contrast and has flaps to promote object permanence!

7. Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Toy

This light bar is a great toy to help engage your little one with tummy time. It lights up and plays music to make tummy time more enjoyable. I love that once your baby is sitting you can put up the stand so your baby can continue to play with it.

8. Toy links

Toy links would make a great stocking stuffer. We used these for so many things! He loved playing with them when they are linked as a chain, we attached toys to the stroller or car seat with them and also used them to extend the toys on his play mats once he wanted them longer to put in his mouth!

9. Hanging toys

Hanging toys are hands down what Henry played with the most often during this time period. His very favorite Mortimer the Moose, followed by the Baby Einstein Octopus. I think it is great to have a large selection of these so that you can change them out on play gyms.

10. Nuby teething mitten

This teething mitten is amazing for babies who want to chew on something, but still have a hard time grasping teethers.

11. The Play Gym by Lovevery

This play gym is AMAZING! We have the less expensive piano gym in one room and this one in the other. It is beautiful quality and has SO many unique features- there are different sensory components that can be hidden as to not be overstimulating and it can even transform into a fort as baby gets older! It also comes with different sets of learning cards as well as a thorough developmental guide for parents. If you splurge on one thing- let this be it!

13. Sensory balls and blocks

We purchased these sensory balls and blocks separately, but this set is a great deal! Henry loves feeling the different textures and I can see this being a set that he continues to loves through toddlerhood! (edited to add: he is still playing with these, especially the balls at 2.5 years old!)

14. HABA Rainbow Sensory Fabric Ball

This ball has 8 different textures and sounds, making it a great sensory toy for your little one. I love how easy to grasp it is and the different sounds were very interesting to Henry!

15. Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy

We don’t own this toy, but it is Henry’s favorite to play with at playgroup! The rattle promotes grasping and two handed play and is also great for teething.

16. Bandana bibs with teether

These bibs are great as your baby starts drooling and teething! I love that these particular ones are muslin.

17. Lili Llama Natural Teether

I love these animal style teethers because they are cute, easy to hold and baby can teethe on any area of the toy. As baby grows out of the teething stage they are fun to play with too!

18. Farm Animal Plush Rattle Set

Finding a rattle that Henry could hold when he was learning how to grasp was a challenge. I love this set because it the rattles are lightweight, soft and easy to grip. The rattles can be stored in the barn and taken on the go!

19. Fisher-Price Soothe N Snuggle Otter

This is an adorable otter plush toy that glows, plays soothing music and even mimics the breathing motion! We have a similar puppy (I couldn’t find a link) that Henry continues to like more and more as he gets older!

20. Skip Hop Vibrant Village Peek & Play Activity Book

This house activity book is great for newborns AND older babies. It is double sided; one side with high contrast black and white and the other with bright colors. The pages are interactive and have different sensory experiences, including a mirror. I love that you can make it into a 3D house or unfold it!

21. Sensory scarves

Scarves are a great toy that can be used in many different ways to promote babies sensory development. You can tie them to a play gym, stuff them in a jar or box for baby to pull out, toss them in the air, etc.

22. Musical Instruments

I love these musical instruments because they are designed for babies and are perfect for them to grasp onto. These instruments help develop gross motor skills, understanding of cause and effect and provide an auditory sensory experience.

23. Baby Einstein Musical Toy

Musical toys are great for babies because music helps support language development, introduce babies to patterns, develop listening skills and more! I love that this Octopus Orchestra toys allows babies to either listen to classical music or “compose” their own. I don’t typically love having a ton of toys with batteries, but they do really hold babies interest at this age!

24. ABC Baby Blocks

I love these multi functional blocks for babies! Not only are they blocks, but inside each one is a sensory toy or teether! They also feature high contrast images and different textures for baby to explore.