What are best toys to buy for activity times ?

[TayTay'smummy]

There seems to be a lot of buzz about stimulating babies with certain intelligent toys, ie. baby einstein, blah blah blah.  Of course, I want to provide my baby with the best in toys that we can play with together. She is three months old, I'm confused about what toys are best for that age, the toy section in Sears is overwhelming and I find myself not knowing what to buy. She has a few things, a gymini that she finds interesting, a fisher price intellitainer that she has very little interest in right now and an exersaucer and a jolly jumper. A whole lot of rattles and stuffed toys. Does anybody have any ideas about what worked best for lo's at this age ?

[notenoughshelfspace]

When  my little one was that age we only used a play mat with toys hanging above her. A morror for her tummy time; kick and play bouncer and a few rattles, soft toys etc... Do not buy too much, they do not really take it in anyway. A good mobile is also a godsend.

[maggieruth]

you are probably still the best toy!  making faces with you will be endlessly entertaining!
at that age my ds was just learning to reach so anything that he could reach out and touch, especially if it crinkled or jingled was ace!
i would second the don't spend a lot recommendation tho, friends of mine made their own activity arch accross a cot and their dd loves it still.
also, check out the activity recommendations...
have fun!

[Little Bear's Mum]

Hi, the best toys we've had which have and are still lasting the distance are:

Plastic rings (two different sizes thatare linked to each other). Great for teething, shaking, can be separated and have other toys attached to them and used to tie onto overhead gyms and pushchairs etc.

Stacking cups - ours are different colours with a texture around the top of each one and different shapes on the bottom. We have one in the bath and the rest with his toys. Play peek-a-boo / hide the smaller cup under the bigger cup, put the cup on his head/our head, talk into it (son now does the same thing) all sorts of stuff.

Both are cheap toys (under $15 NZ) and our son's played with them since he was 4 months. Also, the rings are easy to take when you go out, link to supermarket trolleys etc.

Can you tell I like them?  :wink: 

[RyansMum]

I have to say the Baby Einsteins are brilliant to calm my lo down.  I use them as part of his bedtime routine since he was a little over 2 months old.  If he starts to fuss I put one on a little earlier and he immediately calms down and enjoys it.  It helps with the A time at the end of the day.

[Ennypen]

Hi, the best toys we've had which have and are still lasting the distance are:

Plastic rings (two different sizes thatare linked to each other). Great for teething, shaking, can be separated and have other toys attached to them and used to tie onto overhead gyms and pushchairs etc.

I so agree! I've just bought Will a set from Early Learning for £3 and he adores them as he can hold them in his hands easily and can use them to chomp on when his gums are hurting.. they are just so versatile!

I also am a baby einstein fan - Will watches it after his main meal to et his food go down. Its the only time he will sit really still and calmly and he laughs and laughs at it... well worth the investment!