Best Buys-Baby
My favourite gifts for babies 0-18months
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Play Scarves
Sensory (tactile and visual), imaginative play, gross motor, role play
One of the most versatile and used toy in our home! Name brand play silks can set you back over $50 a piece and in my opinion, cheaper alternatives are just as appreciated by children! The set I’ve linked is under $12 and will be used for years. From learning to grasp as an infant, to hide and seek toddler games, and dancing or imaginative play props for older children you really can’t beat them!
Suction Rattles
Sensory (audible and visual), gross motor
This is the toy I buy all my new mum friends. They are so cute, great quality and stick nicely to hard floors or mirrors for tummy time as well as to highchair trays when bubs get older.
High Contrast Cards
Sensory (sight)
Because high contrast images are easier for babies to interpret, they are the best way for your little one to lengthen their attention span, improve their memory and develop their nervous system. With Maisie I just got a sharpie and some white paper and drew some crazy patterns for her to look at. Second time around I was going to do the same before I spotted these animal cards at Kmart for only $6. These appealed to me because we can use them as he grows as flash cards to work on animal sounds and names.
O ball
Fine motor, sensory (tactile)
Every baby’s first favourite toy! Easy to grab, light enough not to hurt when you drop it on your own face and super fun to stick your tongue through the holes… what’s not to love?
Sensory Balls
Sensory (tactile and visual), gross motor
I tried for hours trying to find the jingle balls we have with no success! Maybe they don’t make them anymore which is such a shame! These were the next best (affordable) thing i could find. I love giving balls to babies as they have so much fun playing with them but never outgrow them, unlike many other baby toys. Toddlers can use these to do cause and effect experiments or use them to practice rolling, throwing and catching.
Light blocks
Fine motor, sensory (visual)
Finally a set of light blocks without a ridiculous price tag! Look through and see the world in different colours, build them up or use them to create shapes on a light table. This on is definitely going under the tree with Denny’s name on it!
Abacus
Sensory (tactile and visual), numeracy
Another toy that’ll grow with your baby! Lay it flat on the floor for tummy time fun, set it up once baby can sit and use to introduce counting, adding and subtracting once your child is older. Ours is from Ikea, but incase you don’t live near one i have also linked another great option.
Wooden blocks
Cause and effect, fine motor, shape discrimination
The beauty of these blocks is in the packaging. This set comes with a shape sorting lid which has gotten a real workout!
Pull out couch with waterproof cover
Practical
These couch covers fit on cheap Kmart couches! They make it easy to wash, keep the inside foam mould free and protect your couch from inevitable spills, dribbles, and wee accidents.
Suction spinners
Cause and effect
Stick them to the floor for tummy time or to the bottom of your kitchen cupboards once baby is crawling. These fun spinners can also be used in the bathtub or on the shower screen.
Suction Cogs
Cause and effect, problem solving
We have a set of suction cogs from Kmart but sadly these have been discontinued so i have included an alternative. We used these on the bottom of the kitchen cupboards to entertain Maisie will i was cooking. She still plays with them now occasionally in the bath or building intricate circuits on the toy room door.
Toy rescue
Problem solving
A cheaper alternative to the Fat Brain innybin. This little gem is great value for money! Baby can push toys through the straps to trap them inside, then try to ‘rescue’ them. For younger babies fill the cage with your play scarves or clean socks and see if they can pull them out.
Spinning stacker
Cause and effect
This is going under the tree for Denny’s first Christmas! Not just your ordinary stacker, these discs spin as they travel down the screw shape tower.
Pop up toy
Fine motor, cause and effect, colour matching
One of my faves! When pushed down, these little guys don’t just pop up but jump out all over the place which is so exciting for little ones.
Tuff tray
Practical
This elusive things have been overpriced for so long! Paying $100 or more for a piece of plastic is insane if you ask me, but boy do they come in handy! We ended up getting one for Denny for his first Christmas and we have used it a lot over the past year. Recently Kmart brought out one for only $35, which is a much fairer price! I have linked it on the image for you!
Latch farm house
Sensory (tactile), imaginative play, problem solving, fine motor
I gave this to Maisie on her first birthday. It’s so well built that It’ll be one of those toys passed onto her own children. She adored it from the moment she got it! The animals are velvety rather than plastic and feel amazing! The farm house includes lots of different locks and latched to develop those fine motor and problem solving skills. This is a toy that is appropriate for a one year old but will be used for years and years to come.
Melody set
Sensory (audible), creativity
When Maisie was a baby she liked to use the xylophone as a seat. In other words its super strong and well made. All the instruments come out and can be used separately too.
Grabese cutlery
Practical
Our fave for 6 months to 1 year olds. Also perfect little forks and spoons to fit into lunchboxes for older children! The spoons make fantastic sensory play scoops too so definitely worth the investment!
doddl cutlery
Practical
Our favourite cutlery for 1-2 year olds! Easy to hold but also easy to scoop/stab unlike other plastic or silicone brands.
Doidy cup
Practical
The perfect first cup. Can be used with help from 3 months or independently from 6 months! contents These cups are easy for babies to use because the liquid is clearly visible when drinking and the sloping design allows a more natural upward and downward motion of the hands and arms.
Tap Xylophone
Sensory (audible), cause and effect
We actually have the original Hape version of this toy and its great. I saw this one in Kmart the other day for half the price and it seems identical!
Object permanence toys
Fine motor, cause and effect
We love both the ball and the coin drop object permanence toys. So many toy stores charge over $50 for these but eBay has them for half that price! Maisie still uses her coin drop toy as a pretend money boy or till during imaginative play!
Counting stacker
Fine motor, numeracy
This little stacker has elastic in the tubes so they are not 100% stable meaning it really helps little ones hone those fine motor skills! It also help them to develop their one to one counting and number recognition.
Ball run
Cause and effect
This one is a little pricer but i still love it. There is something about rolling balls which captivate babies, toddlers and preschoolers!
Mess free paint mat
Fine motor, creativity
Want to do some art with baby but don’t like mess? This will be your best friend! Chinese calligraphy paper turns back when wet meaning your baby can finger/brush/sponge paint with water! The best part is it dries white so you can reuse it over and over again!
Jingle Penguin
Sensory (audible), gross motor, cause and effect
This little penguin jingles when tapped. Super fun for babies during floor play!
Banana tooth brush
Practical, sensory (tactile)
What an adorable stocking stuffer! Brush those first cute toothy pegs or use it as a teether. The little handles are easy for baby to grip and the soft silicone bristles are soothing to comp.
Pop toy
Fine motor, sensory (tactile)
At less than half the price of the Fatbrain Dimpl and practically identical this was a win for us! Maisie used to love playing with it in the car, pram or on the potty.
Munch Mitt
Sensory (tactile)
What to get a baby who always has their hands in their mouth? A munch mitt of course!
Sun hat
Practical
A super practical Chrissy gift for us Aussies. When choosing a hat for babies and kids i look for 3 things; lightweight/cool, size adjustable so it lasts as long as possible, a chin strap to keep it on and good sun coverage. These ones are great as the solid colours mean it wont clash with any outfit. If you are more into prints check out Toshi hats.
Caterpillar cogs
One of Denny’s favourite toys! Babies can easily pat against the gears and make them turn. Pieces come off and are safe to suck on. As your little one gets older they can use this toy to practice colour matching skills as well as develop their fine motor skills when putting the puzzle back together.
Rudie Nudie Mat
This is not just a nappy-free play mat. This mat is an absolute must buy for any new parent! Use it from birth right through childhood. It is super soft and super absorbent making it perfect for an infant play rug, a family picnic rug, a toilet training bed blanket and a water or messy sensory play mat! So many beautiful designs! Click the pic to take you to my 10% off discount code!
Pull-back car
As you may have seen in my stories, Denz got a soft body pull-back car for his first birthday and it has bee a HUGE hit. I unfortunately couldn’t figure out where his exact one is from bit i got many recommendations for these ones in my DM’s so thought id share.
Hedgehog
Babies enjoy pulling out these colourful spikes from around 6months. By 12 months most babies have the dexterity and fine motor control to be able to insert them back into the holes. As children grow you can use this toy for colour sorting practice as well as number identification and counting.
