Before purchasing any toy, always consider safety since babies love putting anything, and everything, into their mouths. “Around four months, babies are beginning to reach for and grab objects. They wave them around. They put them in their mouth. When they put objects in their mouth or feel them with their fingers, they are learning about object properties such as shape, texture, and size,” says Elizabeth Zack, PhD, outreach and education specialist at the University of Washington. We considered toy safety, design, maintenance, material, and additional features when reviewing products. Here are our favorite toys for the 4-month-old in your life to enjoy all day long. Designed for use from infancy through age one, this toy will help inspire learning as babies track objects with their eyes, practice grasping and holding, listen to a rattle noise, and much more. It can be easily wiped down with a cloth when dirty, and includes the three batteries required to operate the toy, so parents and caregivers don’t have to add another item to the shopping list. Price at time of publication: $24 This product has won multiple newborn toy awards, including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Blue Chip Award. The plastic loops are BPA free and the toy is suitable for kids from birth till 24 months. Price at time of publication: $14 This teether can be used from 3 to 12 months, and after that, they can graduate to a model more suitable for more teeth. You won’t have to worry about the baby choking since the “peel” part prevents them from pushing it back too far into the throat. This teether gets glowing reviews from parents saying it has helped their baby get through the cranky days of teething and helps keep the baby entertained. Many parents say this is a must for any household with an infant. Price at time of publication: $9 The high contrast black and white patterns and color graphics are great for early visual and multi-sensory development, and three reversible cards display black and white graphics on one side and color images on the other. The toy is recommended for kids from birth to 5 months. Price at time of publication: $15 With just enough detail and contrast to keep your little one’s interest while you read, your baby will love looking at the different pages as they explore the different textures on the cover and discovers how some of the pages crinkle. According to Dyan Hes, MD, Medical Director of Gramercy Pediatrics in New York City, “[Babies] love the toys with the crinkled paper inside.” The story of Molasses the sloth will be one both you and your little one can treasure for months to come. Price at time of publication: $21 When your baby squeezes the head of the caterpillar she’ll be greeted with a song, while the caterpillar’s body contains a variety of colors and patterns to promote visual development. The tummy functions as an actual ruler in both meter and foot scale, so mom and dad can keep track of baby’s growth progress during playtime, as well. Besides the head, each additional section of the caterpillar is designed for functionality and entertainment. There are bells, rustling, and squeaks, all sure to delight and entertain your child. Price at time of publication: $21 Parents love that this isn’t so loud in terms of color and design while some note that they wish it had musical elements (others are happy it doesn’t). Many say that this mat is a daily activity for their baby, which both mom and kid enjoy. Price at time of publication: $80 She also explains that babies start to teethe around this age, so not only should the toys be safe for the mouth (in terms of materials) but they should also be free of any pieces that can somehow come apart with force. “We do not want any parts that can be sucked off,” Dr. Hes says. “It is amazing what strong gums can do.” Look for toys made from materials that are free of toxins, won’t grow mold when they get wet (from saliva), and are easy to clean. Also, since you can assume any toy you give them will go into their mouth whether it is meant to or not, look for products with different textures that can massage sore gums.
Developmental Milestones
By 4 months old, babies are begin to reach many exciting new milestones. While every baby develops at their own pace, common milestones at this age include: The toys you give to your baby to play with can help support these areas of development. Look for toys without sharp edges, that make sounds when shaken or played with, and have different textures both for sensory play and teething.
Gross Motor Skills
At this age, babies are starting to move more and more, developing and strengthening their gross motor skills. It’s important to encourage this physical movement, because it will continue to evolve into larger movements, such as sitting, rocking, crawling, and eventually walking. Right now, you want to provide your baby with toys that will get them rolling and lifting themselves up during tummy time. For these larger movements, playmats are perfect. “Playmats are great for both tummy time and looking up at the arches with toys. Playmats with mirrors [also] encourage a baby to lift their head up and look at their image,” says Dr. Hes. Look for these and other toys that keep your baby’s attention and help them master pulling up onto their elbows and holding their head steady.
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At 4 months old, your little one will likely be rolling over from front to back and may be sitting with support. Not only will a soft playmat make tummy time and rolling more comfortable, it will also provide a safe landing for when your baby starts attempting to sit up. A playmat that doubles up as an activity gym will help encourage the gross motor skills needed for this developmental leap, while dangling objects will help stimulate your baby’s newfound skill of exploring their environment by looking around. Your baby may have just learned how to reach out and grasp with one hand, so colorful, crinkly grabbing objects that are safe to go in their mouths (at this age, much of your little one’s exploration is done via their mouths) will be a great way to exercise their newly acquired abilities. Rattles, baby teethers and soothers are perfect for this. Your baby is also busy learning about cause and effect this month: if they push the soft ball, it will roll away; if they shake their rattle, it will make a sound. Opt for toys that facilitate this development, such as soft blocks or toys that make a sound at the touch of a button, Remember, your little one is learning through touch, sight and taste, so everything they play with needs to be sanitary and large enough to not pose a choking risk. Toys made up of different weights, textures and sounds will provide the sensory stimulation that your little one craves. Encourage independent play by sitting quietly nearby as your child explores a toy or object. Even the small act of choosing what to reach for is significant; your little one is exercising their independence. Allowing them to explore their toys at their own pace is a good foundation for solitary play as they get a little older.
More Toys and Gifts for Kids
When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Newborn Baby Gifts The Best Unique Baby Gifts The Best Baby Gifts The Best Gifts for Baby Girls The Best Baby Boy Gifts The Best Infant Toys The Best Gifts for 2-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Month Olds The Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 10-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 12-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 15-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds The Best Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys The Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 10-year-Olds The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 12-year-old Boys The Best Gifts for Teens The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys The Black-Owned Gift Guide
