11 of the Best Baby and Kids Toys in Australia in 2024 - Mizzie The Kangaroo
This Article was written by One Fine Baby, view full article here.
Toys for babies are more than just child’s play - their importance in early development is undeniable. But walk into any department store, or start scrolling online, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the sheer volume of what’s out there.
But fret now, we’re here to help - we’ve found 10 of the best baby toys in Australia for you. They’re not only entertaining and safe but also support your child's developmental milestones. And who deserves the Best Parent Award for making the right choices? You do!
What should I look for in a toy for babies from birth to 12 months?
For infants from birth to six months,
Seek out toys that:
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Are Graspable and Shaking-Friendly: Look for toys that your baby can easily hold, shake, and reach for, promoting their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
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Produce Engaging Sounds: Toys that create gentle noises can capture your baby's attention and stimulate their auditory senses.
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Provide Visual Stimulation: Opt for toys with captivating colors, patterns, and textures that encourage visual exploration.
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Are Safe for Mouthing: Babies often explore the world through their mouths. Choose toys that are safe to chew on or suck on without any worries.
For infants aged six months to 12 months,
Focus on toys that:
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Encourage Movement: Select toys that motivate your baby to crawl, roll, and chase after them, promoting physical development.
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Foster Building and Knocking Over: Toys that allow your little one to build and then delightfully knock down their creations can bring joy and enhance fine motor skills.
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Support Object Manipulation: Look for toys that enable your baby to put objects in and take them out, promoting dexterity and problem-solving skills.
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Promote Object Exploration: Toys that hide objects for your baby to find encourage curiosity and exploration.
Babies don't need an abundance of toys; instead, opt for ones that nurture fine motor skills, stimulate sensory exploration, and facilitate cause-and-effect learning.
All the toys featured in our Best Baby Toys in Australia list fulfill these criteria and, most importantly, are loads of fun, ensuring your little one stays engaged for more than just a fleeting moment - a true parenting triumph!
By considering these age-appropriate factors, you can confidently choose the best toys for both newborns and infants, aiding in their early development and enjoyment.
What makes Mamas & Papas Tummy Time Roll - Wish Upon A Cloud different?
We all know how important Tummy Time is, right? Well this clever product makes Tummy Time fun for your little one (and it makes it easier for you, too!). Yep, the Tummy Time Roll - Wish Upon A Cloud from Mamas and Papas is a newborn toy that's a win in every home.
This Tummy Time Roll props bubs up on their arms, helping them to build strength in their neck and shoulders. It’s made of ultra-soft faux-fur materials and features different noises, textures, and fabrics for your little one to explore. It crinkles, rattles and squeaks, plus comes with an adorable penguin character and mirror so baby can explore that baby staring back at them - cute!
Suitable from birth.
2. Wattle&Woods Eco Friendly Wooden Toys
What makes Wattle&Woods Wooden Toys different?
In a world where parents are attempting to be more eco conscious, and invest in quality products that are less likely to end up in landfills, and take hundreds of years to decompose - eco friendly wooden toys are gaining popularity fast.
Wattle&Woods specialise in toys that grow with your children, and that can be passed down to family and friends. From Montessori cause and effect toys, to the stunning Qtoys Table Easel and educational toys, to wooden counting and alphabet tokens and even wooden toys as grand as pirate ships, train sets and car parks!
Here, you won’t find ‘fad’ toys that will be forgotten a week after gifting. Instead, you’ll find toys that assist with fine motor skills and cognitive development, that encourage problem solving, facilitate their inner artist and make tasks like ‘matching’ and ‘sorting’ fun.
Here, you’ll find toys that occupy children for hours on end, and engage with them in multiple ways. They grow with the child and are ecologically sustainable.
Our favourite wooden toys available at Wattle&Woods:
- Zig Zag Car Racer
- Car Play Set
- Wooden Rainmaker
- Qtoys - DIY Wooden Eggs
- Rainbow Nesting Boxes
- Picture Tile Packs - Responsibilities 20pack
- Qtoys - Pound A Ball Tower
- Montessori Cylinder Post Box
- Qtoys - Portable Car Park Set
3. Mushie: Baby essentials that bring calm to parenthood, from $24.95
What makes Mushie toys different?
Mushie is known for its minimalist design inspired by the Scandinavian principles of simplicity and functionality.
Playtime is a crucial part of your child's development, and Mushie is here to make it fun. The Mushie range of toys, from the phone press toy to stacking cups, all are designed to stimulate your child's senses and develop their fine motor skills. Plus, they're all made from safe, durable materials, so you can let your child play without worry.
Why try Mushie baby toys?
If you’re on the hunt for toys that will grow with your family, are made from quality materials and don’t serve as a constant eyesore, then Mushie is the brand for you.
From the most beautiful ‘Press’ toys, in shades of sage, terracotta and antique pink, to stacking toys that will keep your babies busy for hours, Mushie serves up some of the most entertaining, and multi-use toys you’ll find.
Special mention must be made to the stunning bath toys, made from silicone and able to be opened and cleaned to prevent mould. The subtle colours and gorgeous designs make them the perfect bath companions. We love the boats, the octopus and the excavator! Too cute.
Real customer reviews:
"When the popper toys started coming out, my son of course loved them. I on the other hand thought they were awful. They were all so brightly colored and obnoxious and just not what I wanted in our house. Then Mushie came out with their line of poppers and I was sold! It’s cute, it can double for pretend play, it keeps the little entertained for extended periods of time, and it doesn’t hurt the eyes to see! It’s a win for the whole family!" - Laney S
4. Nimble Kids Small Pikler & Shape Sorter, Rainbow, $285.00
What makes the Nimble Kids Small Pikler & Shape Sorter different?
The Small Pikler Triangle & Shape Sorter from Nimble Kids is one of those amazing multi-use toys that can be used by your baby from 6 months or when they can sit up confidently - for years to come! The Nimble Kids Small Pikler & Shape Sorter combines a safe climbing frame with a shape-sorting board, which encourages curiosity and self-confidence in children, providing a safe and fun environment to practice physical challenges.
The Nimble Kids Small Pikler & Shape Sorter helps to develop motor skills, problem-solving, and recognition of patterns, shapes, and colours, while teaching important skills like counting, colour recognition, and size differentiation.
The pikler climbing frame aids in developing hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills for long-term use.
Why try the Nimble Kids Small Pikler & Shape Sorter?
The Nimble Kids Small Pikler & Shape Sorter aligns with the Montessori approach to learning, allowing your child to develop cognitive and motor skills at their own pace. Sustainably made using PFC certified timber and child-safe paints and stains, it supports problem-solving skills and gross motor development.
Real customer reviews:
Five Stars!
"My one year daughter loves her pikler. She had recently started pulling herself up and this has given her (and me!) more confidence. She loves the colours and the shapes. I’m excited to add more parts as she grows." - Jess S
"My grandson loves the small pickler. It is exceptional quality and the colours are great. I’m looking forward to purchasing more items in the future." - Therese
5. Fat Brain Dimpl, $24.99
Pop its - they’re not just for the big kids! Little fingers can’t resist these beautiful bright buttons. Made from high-quality ABS plastic and 100% food-grade silicone, this great toy for infants encourages fine motor skills, sensory exploration, and cause-effect learning and can be taken in the pram and car to keep baby entertained.
Suitable for six months plus.
6. Ambi First Keys, $16.99
We know babies love anything they’re not really allowed to have, so get your little one their own set of keys to play with. These four brightly coloured giant keys are held together on a sturdy keyring, perfect for rattling and teething.
Suitable for three months plus.
7. Fat Brain Toys, Innybin, $46.95
Shape exploration toys have been around forever and for good reason - babies love them! This one is clever, with six chunky shape blocks that each have a different texture. Babies can explore the shapes and then push them through the elastic bands of the cube, and try to get them out. There are lots of ways to play with this toy, which means they’ll be kept entertained for ages.
Suitable for 10 months plus.
8. ELC Music Maker, $26.95
Making music has lots of developmental benefits, and most little ones love making as much noise as possible! This clever baby or kid's toy has four different triangle rattles that each makes a different sound: jingling bells, clacking cymbals, chiming bells, and rattling beads. The chunky frames are easy to grip and each shaker can be used separately or slot together for one big circular shaker for even more fun!
Suitable for nine months plus.
The simple pull back car, what kid, of any age, doesn’t love these?! These gorgeous Aussie cuties are specifically designed for kids six months plus. They travel forwards, then backwards, then forwards again! As they zoom across the floor, they’ll encourage your child to get moving and encourage visual tracking skills too.
Suitable for six months plus.
10. Mizzie The Kangaroo. Newborn Gift Set For The Curious Baby, $105.00
Mizzie The Kangaroo is a friendly Brisbane-born kangaroo and the best teething toy around! It’s natural, safe and non-toxic, made of 100% natural rubber. Designed for your little one’s sensory development - sight, touch, hearing and smell. It can also be easily wiped down, which is a win, because BABIES! This special gift set also includes a Sound Book, that includes your favourite six nursery rhymes, and two Touch & Feel Board Books - the perfect baby toy or infant pressie!
Suitable from birth.
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