Baby Registry Play Checklist

Your baby's not going to just sleep and eat all day - there needs to be time for play. Whether it's shaking a rattle, snuggling a stuffie, or stacking cups and knocking them down, your little one deserves some fun. 

In this article, we've pulled together the types of toys that will tickle your baby's fancy for their first year. 

TLDR

Toy needs shift fast in year one, so this breaks the registry list down by stage instead of dumping everything into one pile.

• 0-6 months: activity gym, high contrast cards and floor mirrors, easy grip rattle, plush toy, teether and soft-touch book - made for a baby who's mostly looking, listening, and mouthing everything. 
• 6-12 months: textured sensory balls, stacking/nesting cups, musical cause and effect toys, a push walker, and a pull toy made for a baby who's grabbing, crawling, and about to be on their feet. 

Shop the whole edit at Babesta and add any of it straight to your registry.

Table of Contents

• Play Checklist by Stage
• Shop the Playtime Edit with Babesta

Play Checklist by Stage

0-6 months

Your 0 to 6 month old is growing rapidly - physically, mentally, and emotionally. They're starting to follow objects with their eyes, and love to take everything all in - the sights and the sounds whether that's a taxi horn or a pigeon's coo. They're probably sucking on and touching everything they can, and by about month four, mimicking what they're hearing. 

Baby Bouncer

You'll also want to get a baby bouncer, which is a safe third space (besides the crib and stroller) for your baby to relax. These offer a bouncing motion for stimulation and often a toy bar for play. Some bouncers are good up until 9 months, while others extend to 2 years, doing double duty as a toddler chair. 

Activity Play Mats & Gyms

An activity play mat or baby gym is your baby's answer to Equinox. It's full of fun activities, and they don't have to pay a membership. (Also the perfect spot for tummy time).

High Contrast Cards and Floor Mirrors

Babies like bright primary colors and strong contrasts at this age (no mauve or periwinkle just yet). Floor mirrors also get top billing with babies - who can blame them for mogging with such a cute face? 

Easy to Grip Rattles

Rattles are some of the first types of toys your baby will love. Hearing a little jingle as they shake it will never get old.

Plush Toys

Your baby will love a soft stuffie that they can hug. Your Jellycat obsession can be transferred to them!

Teething Toys

As babies love to put things in their mouths, a silicone teether is a great toy that makes their gums feel great. How about a NYC pretzel teether, or better yet, a Bacon Egg and Cheese!

Soft Touch Books

Soft books are another fun toy for a baby. Better yet, if it has sensory elements, like different textures and colors throughout. 

6-12 months

By 6 to 12 months, a baby is starting to grasp with their thumb and finger and can move objects from hand to hand. They've learned to roll back and forth, and splash around and have a ball in the bath. They love to poke and shake, pull, and squeeze objects. Babies this age are getting more and more mobile and may crawl, pull to stand, play peek-a-boo, and love to stack (and unstack) objects.

Sensory and Textured Balls

Sensory balls with ridges and textures will definitely be a favorite for a baby who loves exploring with their hands. 

Stacking and Nesting Cups

Another fun option: stacking cups where baby can stack 'em up, and even more fun, knock them down. 

Cause and Effect and Musical Toys

Musical toys are another playroom must for your baby - they'll love that they can hit or shake a toy and it will make noise - err music.

Push Walkers

As your baby starts to stand, a push walker is a must. They can use it as support as they start tooling around the house. Some can even hold their toys so they can bring them "to go". 

Pull Toys

Once they're steadier on their feet the push turns to pull. They can pull a little dog, duck, or our favorite the click-clacking "Dancing Alligator" by Plan Toys.

Shop the Playtime Edit with Babesta

Toys multiply fast: One day it's a single rattle, the next you're stepping over an entire activity gym to get to the crib. That's exactly why we only stock what earns its spot in a NYC-sized nursery or playroom: toys that hold up through the teething, the throwing, and the eventual hand-me-down to a sibling. 

Everything above is part of our in-store and online Playtime Edit curated by stage so you're not guessing what's actually developmentally "ready" versus just cute packaging. Add any of it straight to your registry or stop by the shop to test the rattle-shake and the stacking-cup-crash in person before you commit. We'll help you figure out what's worth doubling up on (hi teethers!) and what each one will cover. 

Building a registry with us means a real team in your corner through the whole first year, not just a gift list that stops mattering after the baby shower. Shop the Playtime Edit or start (or add to) your registry at Babesta today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How many toys does a newborn actually need?

Fewer than you'd think. A newborn's working with blurry near-vision and a short attention span, so a handful that hit different senses - a rattle, high contrast cards, a soft book, and teether - covers it. For the first few months, a baby's favorite toy is usually just your face.

Do I need an activity gym/playmat on my registry?

We'd say yes. It's one of the few toys that earns its square footage. Tummy time, hanging toys to bat at, and a safe spot to set baby down, all in one. If space is tight, look for one that folds flat or doubles as floor decor.

When do babies start actually playing with toys instead of just looking at them?

Reaching and grabbing kicks in earnest around 3-4 months, and by 6 months most babies are shaking and banging things on purpose. Before that, "play" mostly means looking, listening, and mouthing, which is exactly what 0-6 month picks on this list are built for.

Are secondhand or hand-me-down toys safe to accept as gifts?

Usually yes, but check for recalls, loose or worn parts, and button batteries with secure door before handing it over. Soft toys can typically go straight into the wash. Hard plastic or wooden ones wipe down easily.

How many books should I register for?

More than you'd think. Board and soft-touch books take a beating fast, so 8-10 is a reasonable ask to start. Mix in a couple of textured/sensory ones alongside classic board books for variety once baby's doing more than chewing the corners.