15 Best Educational Toys for Babies in 2025

Bauhaus Floating Blocks earned their high 9.5/10 rating in our testing by combining safety, design, and bath-friendly hygiene — we appreciated the 100% natural rubber and hand-painted natural pigments that make them both eco-friendly and visually striking. During our review the no-hole design stood out for preventing mold and bacteria, which makes these excellent for newborn bath play. Our experience shows they’re lightweight and incredibly clean, though a few users reported seam issues and some color fading if left long-term in direct sun.

Skip Hop's Fox Bandana Buddies scored 8/10 in our roundup as a go-anywhere sensory companion — in our testing we appreciated the mix of textures and sounds that keep infants engaged and the simple attachment that clips to strollers and car seats for travel-friendly play. During our review parents praised its portability and versatility for on-the-go soothing, though our experience shows the price is a bit higher than basic plush options. If you want compact, multi-textured stimulation for outings, this is a convenient pick.

Soft, colorful and tactile, the Infantino Multi Ball Set earned a solid 7.5/10 in our roundup for delivering varied textures that invite grabbing and chewing. We found each ball’s bright color and unique surface stimulates sensory play and is easy to wipe clean, which parents will appreciate. During our review the small hole in each ball stood out as a downside because trapped moisture can lead to mold if not fully dried, and some balls squeak louder than expected. Note it’s not intended for bath use, so dry thoroughly after cleaning.

The LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center earned a solid 8.5/10 in our testing for its rich interactive play — we found the 27 electronic touch points and bilingual English/Spanish features really spark early language and cognitive curiosity. During our review the removable legs stood out, giving flexible floor or standing play that grows with short-term milestones. Our experience shows the volume and persistent music can be loud for sensitive households, and the 6–36 month range plus required AA batteries limit long-term value.

The VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker scored 8/10 in our testing by balancing safety-minded features with play value — we loved the detachable activity panel for independent play and the adjustable wheel tension that helps new walkers gain confidence. During our review the library of over 70 songs and sound effects kept toddlers entertained, though our experience shows the volume can be loud and the walker sometimes moves too fast on hard floors for beginners. Note some users report the activity panel loses responsiveness after months of use.

Packed with songs and prompts, the Fisher‑Price Smart Stages Chair scored 7/10 in our testing and mixes interactive learning with everyday chair play. We found the Smart Stages content — questions, tunes and language cues — encourages cognitive and language development, and the storage compartment under the seat is handy for small books and toys. During our review we flagged safety issues: toddlers have gotten legs stuck in the seat opening, the chair can tip if stood on, and it needs three AA batteries (not included). Despite the concerns, it’s engaging for 12–36-month-olds when supervised.

Geared toward preschool builders, the LeapFrog Soar and Zoom Vehicles scored 6.5/10 in our roundup for encouraging creative play through building different vehicle models. In our testing we found the pieces spark imaginative play and support motor and cognitive skills as children assemble varied configurations. During our review the major downside was the lack of built-in interactivity — accessing the toy’s smart features requires buying the separate Smart Star™ cube, which reduces immediate value. If you don’t need the electronics, it’s a sturdy open-ended option for 24–60 month olds.

Playgro's Clip Clop Activity Gym is a colorful, sensory-rich choice we liked for newborns thanks to bright colors and crinkle toys that encourage visual and auditory exploration, though it scored a modest 6.5/10 in our roundup. We found the tensioned arms a real practical concern during assembly and disassembly — they can snap back and potentially injure if handled carelessly, so supervise every setup. During our review the gym engaged babies' senses well, but the safety trade-off means it's best for parents comfortable with careful handling.

The Baby Einstein Wooden Drum is a sturdy, low-tech music option that scored 7/10 in our review — we liked the solid wood build, touch-sensitive play surface, and handy volume control that keeps noise manageable for shared spaces. During our testing the drum encouraged rhythmic play and motor development, but our experience shows limited sound options and occasional distortion can reduce long-term novelty. Also factor in the need for batteries over time, though the durable construction should survive plenty of play sessions between replacements.

These Stacking Cups from Moonkie scored 7.5/10 in our review thanks to their 100% food-grade silicone construction — we found them reassuringly safe for babies who like to chew and simple to clean. In practical use the soft material makes bath stacking fun but slippery, and during our testing that slickness sometimes frustrated little hands trying to nest the cups in water. Overall the cups are tactile, durable for table play, and a good pick for 6-month-olds learning basic size and motor concepts.

The LoulouLollipop Stacking Cups scored 7/10 in our guide for combining safe materials with playful design — we found the 100% food-grade silicone reassuring for teething tots and appreciated that the cups are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. During our review the printed designs kept babies engaged while they practiced nesting and motor skills, but our experience shows the silicone can attract pet hair and availability can be limited in some regions. Overall these are a tidy, attractive option for babies around 10 months and up.

Bright and textured, the Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring is an affordable sensory starter (scored 6/10) that helps babies practice stacking, hand–eye coordination and fine motor skills. In our testing we found the rings’ varied textures and the forgiving rule of stacking in any order reduce frustration for younger infants. However, our experience shows notable safety concerns—several users reported sharp edges and flimsy plastic, and some rings aren’t fully sealed so they can’t be submerged. If you choose this budget pick, supervise closely and inspect for rough edges.

Well-crafted and reassuringly safe, the Hape Double Rainbow Stacker earned its strong 8/10 in our testing for quality materials and child-friendly design. We found the non-toxic finishes and wooden construction feel durable, and the elastic-tethered pegs lie down when pressed so little fingers are protected — a small but thoughtful safety touch backed by ASTM certification. During our review the only real caveat was size: it’s smaller than some toys and may not hold a child’s attention as long. Still, it’s a polished pick for 12+ month olds.

The Winkel scored 7.5/10 in our testing as a dependable teething and fine-motor toy — we found the soft, BPA-free loops and bright colors ideal for grasping practice and sensory play, and the gentle rattle kept infants interested. During our review the toy's certifications (ASTM, EN71, CPSIA) reassured us about safety, but our experience shows cleaning is less convenient since it can't be submerged and must be wiped loop-by-loop. Careful supervision is advised because smaller loop diameters and potential tangling can challenge some babies.

The Sweetie Shake Plus delivered pleasant sensory features but earned just 5.5/10 in our evaluation because durability and hygiene issues cropped up during testing — the soft silicone and gentle rattle are soothing for teething babies, yet our experience shows water sometimes entered the plastic rattle section during cleaning, raising mold concerns. We also noted the plastic trim can scratch over time, which affects appearance. If you prioritize easy sanitation and longevity, this one may require extra care or frequent replacement.