Hint: You can’t go wrong with interactive playthings and teething toys.
At 4 months old, your little mischief-maker is ready for play—hooray! Most babies this age will be reaching for toys, laughing, babbling and copying sounds. They may even be teething already, and they’ll soon start exploring the world around them by putting all the things in their little mouth.
Age-appropriate playthings are the best tool to help you (and baby) embrace these milestones and support their development. After all, infants do learn through play! Not sure what to look for? Read on to discover the best toys for 4-month-old babies, plus expert tips and safety considerations to keep in mind when shopping for your little one.
In this article:
What are good toys for a 4-month-old?
What to look for in toys for 4-month-olds
Best toys for 4-month-olds
What are Good Toys for a 4-Month-Old?
The best toys for a 4-month-old support their newfound skills. So before you head to the store, read up on baby’s key developmental milestones to ensure a toy is age-appropriate, educational and engaging. According to Alexis Phillips, DO, a pediatrician at Memorial Hermann Medical Group Pediatrics in Atascocita, Texas, at 4 months old, infants will typically be able to achieve the following:
- Support their head while being held
- Use their arms to swing at toys
- Bring their hands to their mouth
- Grip a toy when one is handed to them
- Push up onto their elbows and/or forearms while on their tummy
That said, remember that every child develops at their own pace. “There’s typically no cause for alarm if every one of these items is not checked off at the four-month mark. But if you’re worried and see significant delays, you should seek a pediatrician’s advice,” says Kristen Miller, director of education for Celebree School a nationwide franchise.
Both Miller and Phillips stress the importance of reading to your child and narrating day-to-day activities, as baby is beginning to distinguish between sounds and voices. Young children start to associate certain words with specific activities, explains Phillips. “A child smiles, laughs and squeals to get the parents’ attention,” she adds. This is why it’s so important to talk to them and respond to the sounds they make. “This allows baby to take turns in conversation, which helps teach them to be social,” she says. In practice, this is as simple as using silly voices, saying an item’s name every time you pass it to baby or using different adjectives to describe new textures. Another good way to support language development is to use board books, hand puppets and musical toys. According to Jana Sarno, BCBA, a board-certified behavior analyst and the chief clinical officer of Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers, a simple game of peek-a-boo—or using a toy like Peek-a-Boo Elmo—during diaper changes or tummy time also offer a fun activity for baby that helps support early communication and imitation skills.
Another skill baby is mastering at 4 months is bringing objects up to their mouth. Although this is a simple gesture, it’s an important step towards physical skills, like hand-eye coordination. Phillips recommends providing children with an array of objects—like a teething ring or textured ball—to keep them engaged and help them learn different textures.
What to Look for in Toys for 4-Month-Olds
As baby develops, their needs change, so toys that kept them busy at 3 months old may be cast aside in a few short weeks. Aside from entertainment value, it’s important that playthings are age-appropriate and safe. Here, find expert tips on what to look for (and avoid) when buying toys for 4-month-olds:
- Curious children instinctively place objects in their mouths, so choose non-toxic toys that are larger than your child’s mouth to prevent choking.
- Miller recommends rattles that make noise and toys that are easy for a 4-month-old to grasp, as they work on their fine motor skills.
- Provide a variety of objects with different textures, sounds and colors for added sensory stimulation.
- Avoid items with sharp edges. Again, baby will most likely use their mouth to explore a new toy, so don’t give them anything with sharp edges or loose parts.
- Remember that playtime can be educational too. With this in mind, Miller suggests choosing toys and books with realistic depictions of animals, vehicles and people.
- Monitor baby as they play, especially if they’re in an upright position. “Though holding up their head is a milestone for 4-month-olds, babies at this age have typically not mastered sitting, and may still get fatigued from holding their heads for longer periods of time,” explains Sarno.
- Check the manufacturer age guidelines for all toys, and don’t give baby anything that’s too advanced for their stage of development.
Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds
Ready to start your search? Check out our picks of the best toys for 4-month-olds, from sensory toys for tummy time to bath toys to interactive board books.
Baby ball
Bright Starts Oball Classic Ball
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
buybuyBABY | $4.99Amazon | $4.99
First up on our list of the best toys for 4-month-olds is a classic Oball. As recommended by Phillips, this colorful ball has 32 flexible finger holes, making it easy for little hands to grasp. It’s made from a soft plastic, meaning baby can chuck it across the room without running the risk of breaking anything.
Textured book
Jellycat Jungly Tails Cloth Book
Image: Nordstrom
Buying Options
Nordstrom | $18.50Amazon | $19.99
Textured tails and crinkly cellophane make reading this soft book a true sensory experience. Each page has a picture of an animal alongside its name; read each page to baby and point to the creature in question as you go. For an extra fun twist you can even try out some animal sounds! It also has a fabric loop that can be attached to a car seat or stroller for playtime on the go.
Teething toy
Image: Target
Buying Options
buybuyBABY | $25.99Target | $25.49
Sophie la girafe is the long-reining “it-toy” of the infant world. Why? It’s made from natural rubber and food-grade paints, making it safe for babies to chew and gum on. It’s also soft, easy-to-grip and makes a sweet noise when squeezed.
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Tummy time mirror
Sassy Tummy Time See Me Floor Mirror
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
Amazon | $22.99Walmart | $14.27
A mirror is a good toy for a 4-month-old, as babies can observe their facial expressions when they coo and laugh during tummy time. This child-friendly mirror by Sassy Time is a top-seller and we can see why. The easel-backed design and soft padded exterior lets you rest it on the floor in front of baby, while a spinning black-and-white tracker ball and a colorful bee captivate their attention.
Baby bouncer
BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss Cotton Quilted
Image: buybuyBABY
Buying Options
buybuyBABY | $209.99Nordstrom | $209.99
Suitable from birth, this BabyBjörn bouncer keeps kids entertained while you take a moment to yourself. Plus, the gentle bouncing action helps develop motor skills and balance in a natural way. Bouncers that help children stand upright are another good option, as they help strengthen muscles in the legs that support baby as they stand, crawl and eventually walk, explains Phillips.
Bath puppet
Manhattan Toy Penny Penguin Scrub-a-Dubbie Washcloth and Bathing Mitt Puppet
Image: Maisonette
Buying Options
Maisonette | $16Walmart | $15.99
Miller suggests using a puppet to engage with a 4-month-old. This sweet penguin puppet doubles as a cotton washcloth, meaning you can narrate bathtime and have fun while you scrub them clean.
Rattle
NogginStik Developmental Rattle
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
buybuyBABY | $24.99Amazon | $23.99
Designed by an early childhood therapist for infants up to 6 months of age, this rattle encourages sensory exploration. How? It’s packed with exciting elements, from a light-up head that changes colors to a soft, easy-to-grip handle to a mirror on the base. Granted, it’s a little more expensive than your average rattle, but with so many cool features it’s well worth the price.
Board book
First 100 Words: A Padded Board Book Board by Roger Priddy
Image: Amazon
Buying Options
buybuyBABY | $5.99Amazon | $4.78
When it comes to books and games, Miller prefers options with realistic depictions of animals and people—and this book certainly fits the bill. It’s filled with 100 photographs of everyday objects and simple first words to match. Plus, the soft, padded cover is easy for little hands to hold.
Play mat
Wimmer Ferguson Crawl and Discover Mat
Image: Maisonette
Buying Options
Maisonette | $58Amazon | $57.99
The best developmental toys for 4-month-olds offer room for baby-led exploration. Case in point: The Crawl and Discover Mat by Wimmer Ferguson. The perfect addition to tummy time, this mat boasts high-contrast graphics, built-in teethers, hidden crinkle paper and plenty more things to discover.
Soft block set
Baby Einstein Explore & Discover Soft Blocks Toys
Image: Target
Buying Options
Target | $12.99Amazon | $12.99
Baby blocks are a classic toy. As your little one stacks, tosses and tumbles the blocks, they work their fine motor skills and practice problem solving. Each colorful block in this set has different textures and hidden elements for added sensory stimulation.
Rattle socks
Bigib Baby Infant Rattle Socks Toys
Image: Amazon
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How about a toy that encourages baby to touch their toes? “Four-month-olds are still learning how to use their bodies, as they explore this new world around them,” says Sarno. Toys that encourage them to stretch can help strengthen muscles and develop hand-eye coordination. These socks and wrist cuffs feature a bold color palette and built-in rattles that encourage baby to reach their toes and wave their arms. And since the toys are actually attached to baby, they’re less likely to be misplaced.
Bath boats
Image: Munchkin
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Choo-choo, all aboard the boat train! This set of six boats link together to form a train for tons of bathtime fun. For a quick lesson in cause and effect, show baby how to use the boats to scoop and strain water.
Flash cards
Wee Gallery Ocean Art Cards For Baby
Image: Maisonette
Buying Options
Maisonette | $14.95Bed, Bath & Beyond | $14.95
Flashcards make great gifts for 4-month-old babies, as they offer yet another opportunity for communication. These monochromatic cards feature beautiful illustrations of sea creatures that will fascinate young children.
Wooden maze
Image: KiwiCo
Buying Options
Introduce basic STEM principles to baby with the help of this wooden maze and clutch toy modeled on a carbon atom. As baby moves the beads across the maze, they’ll hone those all-important fine motor skills all while having fun, of course. Bonus: The toy set comes with a colorful chemistry-themed board book to flip through.
Sensory ball
Image: Maisonette
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“Sensory balls are beneficial for 4 months and older, as babies can grasp them and get accustomed to various textures,” says Sarno. This ocean-themed ball features textured material, a baby-safe mirror and a removable octopus rattle. As your child grows, they can play with this type of toy in many different ways, meaning you get good value for money too.
Musical toy
Baby Einstein Take-Along Tunes
Image: Walmart
Buying Options
Walmart | $9.99buybuyBABY | $10.48
Next up on our list of the best toys for 4-month-olds is this best-seller by Baby Einstein. The musical toy has an easy-to-grasp handle, complete with sensory beads, and a large button that baby can use to toggle between 10 classical tunes.
Sensory strip
Etta Loves x Keith Haring Sensory Strip
Image: Etta Loves
Buying Options
This artsy toy features an iconic Keith Haring print, which has been expertly scaled and recolored by an orthoptist to support visual and cognitive development throughout baby’s first year. The strip can be positioned inside a stroller or on the ground during tummy time. Use the black-and-white side at first and then flip it over to the vibrant print once they hit the five-month mark.
Tummy time toy
Crate & Kids Woodland Animals Baby Tummy Time Toy
Image: Crate & Kids
Buying Options
Last up on our list of the best toys for 4-month-olds is this beautiful item by Crate & kids. The neutral woodland design is complemented by a mirror, squeaker and other features to help stimulate baby’s senses during tummy time play.
Article by the Bump: www.thebump.com/a/toys-for-4-month-old