Welcoming a newborn? Start with the GUND Peek-a-Boo bear, a soft plush for cuddling, or choose the Baby Einstein octopus soother for a baby settling into a crib routine.
*Paid link
Dolls and figures
Here the bear does the peeking.
GUND built it as an animated plush that plays peek-a-boo on its own, hiding and then reappearing while a baby on your lap watches. When the game is over, it is still a soft bear to hug.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 14, 2026 23:10 UTC
Ages 0+Source: GUND
On car seat rides, the Lamaze dragon clips on right beside the baby, with crinkly parts to pat and flaps to flip, hanging in plain view for the whole drive.
After the car is parked, it unclips and moves over to the stroller handle for the rest of the outing.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 04:09 UTC
Dolls and figures
A fussy spell halfway through a walk is when Baby Einstein's Opus comes in.
The plush octopus clips to the stroller and plays melodies and gentle sounds, so a tune can start as soon as the crying does.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 00:13 UTC
$24.99 at Amazon.com*See price at Amazon.com* (Baby Einstein Opus octopus soother toy, gray)(price and availability terms)Checked October 14, 2026 23:15 UTC
From 0 monthsSource: Baby Einstein
*Paid link
Top pick: GUND Peek-a-Boo cuddly plush bear
With an angler among the new parents, this GUND tackle box gives the baby a plush version of the family hobby.
A newborn studies bold shapes held close, and once small hands start grasping, the same soft pieces become something to hold. The baby's own fishing kit ends up stored beside the real gear by the door.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 05:11 UTC
When you want a newborn gift to hug and to hear, this Aurora giraffe hides a rattle in its plush body.
A gentle shake from your hand gives a newborn something to listen for, cradled in your arm. With no bean pellets, its body stays soft all the way through for holding close.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 00:09 UTC
During quiet time on the play mat, this GUND lovey gives a newborn a soft face to study up close.
Newborns look longest at faces near them, and once small fingers start to grip, the blanket corner is easy to clutch.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 07:10 UTC
*Paid link
Meeting the baby for the first time?
Manhattan Toy's Whistleball Colorpop is an easy gift to carry in. Roll it slowly across the play mat and let the baby, lying close by, follow it with their eyes from one side all the way to the other.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 14, 2026 21:11 UTC
One swipe at this Jingle Joy tiger from Bright Starts sets off a chime, so even a wild swing gets an answer.
It goes on the stroller bar and is made for newborns, which means it can come along from the first walk and turn a coffee stop into a few minutes of batting practice.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 02:11 UTC
From 0 monthsSource: Bright Starts
Right after a morning feed, a newborn can lie under this Skip Hop gym and gaze up at whatever hangs overhead.
Newborns study shapes close to their faces, so having several toys hung together gives those eyes plenty to follow. The baby's own swat that sets something swaying comes months later, on that same spot.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 00:11 UTC
During tummy time on the play mat, the B. toys mirror sets a face right where a newborn's eyes land.
A newborn studies faces up close, and once small hands start reaching, that reflection turns into something to swipe at.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 14, 2026 22:09 UTC
*Paid link
A new baby gets the Baby Einstein Curious Explorers teething book, made for reading and gnawing alike.
In the early weeks, you hold it open near the baby's face and talk through each page. Once sore gums arrive and small hands can grip, it rides along in the stroller for chewing on walks.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 14, 2026 22:11 UTC
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle makes a classic book for a new baby's shelf.
Parents can read it aloud during cuddle time in the early months. As the baby grows, it becomes a book to point at together.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 15, 2026 07:15 UTC
Manhattan Toy's crinkle cloth book gives a new baby pages to look at from a parent's lap.
Read it aloud while holding each page close, since newborns study shapes near their faces. Once small hands start to grab, a few months on, the baby can pat and crinkle the pages too.
(price and availability terms)Checked October 14, 2026 23:10 UTC
Car rides and the walk after them are where the Lamaze Flip Flap Dragon goes. It fastens right beside the baby in the car seat, with crinkly parts to pat and flaps to flip hanging in plain view for the whole drive, then unclips and moves over to the stroller handle once the car is parked, so the same toy stays within reach for the rest of the trip.
Yes, the Jingle Joy tiger from Bright Starts is made for newborns and hangs from the stroller bar, so it can come along from the earliest walks. Any swipe at it sets off a chime, which gives a baby something to bat at and grab whenever the stroller pauses at a coffee stop or on an errand.
Something easy to carry in and hand over on the spot, like the Whistleball Colorpop ball from Manhattan Toy. Roll it slowly across the play mat and a baby lying nearby follows it with their eyes from side to side, and once reaching starts it is made for clutching and passing from hand to hand during floor play.
Reach for the Opus octopus soother from Baby Einstein, a plush octopus that clips to the stroller and plays melodies and gentle sounds, so a tune can start as soon as the crying does. It suits a parent who wants something kept close by to hand over whenever a fussy moment needs settling.
Recently replaced
Removed GUND cuddly lamb with rattle.
Removed Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic grasping toy.
Removed Skip Hop Farmstand cactus stroller toy.
Removed Fisher-Price Cuddle & Crawl Duck convertible activity toy.
Removed Baby Einstein Ocean Explorers convertible play gym.
2 gift picks were retired.
2 gift picks were added.
A gift pick was added.
A gift pick was retired.
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A gift pick was added.
4 gift picks were added.
A gift pick was retired.
A gift pick was retired.
A gift pick was added.
3 gift picks were added. A gift pick was retired. The short answer changed.
This list was published. 8 gift picks were added.
Removed Manhattan Toy Atom rattle and teether toy.
Chosen by our team from store data and what readers pick, not hands-on tests. Nothing is paid to be on this list. Recall notices checked . How we pick
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
