Making facial expressions like smiling or sticking out your tongue are a great way to keep a baby, especially a newborn, entertained. You’ll also want to remember that babies need, from day one, tummy time to strengthen their bodies (particularly neck and shoulders), so make a point to incorporate that multiple times a day during awake time.
Of course, no parent can be expected to rely on facial expressions for every hour their baby is awake! That’s where the below buys come in. All of them are wonderful options to keep your little one stimulated, sharpen their focus, peak their curiosity and more. Some of them even help your baby reach important developmental milestones.
Get a jump-start on your holiday shopping this year with these entertaining products for babies:
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Best Buys to Keep Babies Entertained During Awake Time
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BabyBjörn Bouncer with Toy
This bouncer is a parent favorite. Babies will be entertained for hours and adults love it because it's lightweight, so you can take it with you when you go visit grandparents, travel or even in the bathroom with you when you shower and don't want to leave baby unsupervised. Note, don't save on the toy! You might think spending $45-plus (depending on the one you get) on a bouncer toy is unnecessary, but you'll be amazed at how fascinated your little one will be with the ones designed for this bouncer. Plus, they're incredibly well made from a durability standpoint.
Prices vary at BabyBjörn
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4moms mamaRoo4 infant seat
This best-seller from 4moms is the perfect complement to the BabyBjörn bouncer. It's too heavy to be portable, so this is something you'll keep in your home and get a ton of wear out of in the first six months. The seat bounces up and down and sways from side to side, just like parents do when comforting their babies. It features five motions and five speed options for a total of 25 different combinations.
$219.99 at 4moms
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iPlay iLearn 4 Plush Baby Soft Rattle Set Hand Grab Sensory Toys
Stimulate baby with this soft toy that comes with built-in squeakers and rattles.
$23.99 at iPlay iLearn
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Etta Loves x Keith Haring Playmat
Expose your newborn to art from the jump with this perfect tummy time option from Etta Loves in collaboration with Keith Haring! Not only is it made of organic cotton, it's reversible.
$99 at Etta Loves
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Kid Trax Silly Skaters Bear
This looks like a big, bulky buy, but despite being able to hold up to 44 pounds (works for kids 12-30 months), this bear is actually inflatable. It's a great option to get your little ones comfortable with walking (which typically starts at around the 12 month mark).
$49 at Kid Trax
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iPlay iLearn Baby Activity Gym Mat Infant Indoor Playmat Hanging Rattle Toys
This play mat is a great for tummy time and will entertain babies from 0 to 12 months.
$39.99 at iPlay iLearn
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DockATot
This is one of the most popular buys for awake time. Parents will often look at it and can't understand why they would pay so much for something that looks so basic - till they get it and see how much their baby loves it. Just note that while babies may snooze in this, it's only designed for supervised sleep.
Prices vary at DockATot
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Haba Roly Poly Bear with Stacking Rings
When babies give this bear a poke, it rocks backwards and forwards on its base as it sounds a light bell. The bear's abdomen also consists of two soft fabric rings that baby can re-arrange.
$24.99 at Haba
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Magformers Dolce Primo Anteate
This beautifully designed, very high quality toy is made with a variety of soft fabrics and flaps to help your little one develop their hand-eye coordination skills.
$39.99 at Magformers
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Go With Me Alpine Deluxe Portable Bouncer
If the BabyBjörn bouncer isn't in your budget, this is a great alternative. This bouncer has three recline positions and good ventilation, which is helpful if you're in a hot climate. The hanging toys won't entertain your baby quite as long as they're not nearly as stimulating, but overall this gets the job done.
$89.99 at Baby Delight
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Haba Cuddly Donkey Lu Snuggly
This cuddly toy can easily be attached to a pacifier to sooth a fussy baby. It will work great whether awake time is in a stroller, in your living room or on-the-go.
$14.99 at Haba
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Eric Carle Very Hungry Caterpillar Bean Bag Plush
Bring the classic book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, to life by giving your baby this plush toy as you read the story.
$12.99 at Target
