Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds

With so many places to grab, even a baby as young as 4 months old has a fair shot at picking up this fun interactive ball. Once they do, they’ll love to shake, shake, shake as they listen to the rainfall sounds of the internal rattle. For more interactive play, you can use the ball to slowly roll it away from baby, encouraging them to lift their head during tummy time and, eventually, start to crawl towards it. 

Weight: 10.2 ounces
Dimensions: ‎5.91 x 7.48 x 6.5 inches

At this age, babies are just discovering the world around them, and because of this, they’re particularly stimulated by both texture and sound. This toy satisfies both, as it comes with an assortment of soft scarves and crinkle pads for baby to manipulate and explore. It’s a great option because it grows with them, too. Once your little one is older, they’ll delight in learning about cause and effect as they stuff the included plush "tissue box" with the fabric, then pull each one out.

Weight: 5.3 ounces
Dimensions: 12.76 x 8.39 x 2.28 inches

This fun and interactive toy is a great musical option for 4-month-old babies. When baby squeezes its head, the plush toy lights up in a variety of colors and patterns — great for visual development. Each section of the caterpillar’s body does something different, so baby will have fun exploring surprises like bells, squeaks, rustling and more. Just note that the toy might be larger than it looks — it’s nearly 2 feet long. The benefit to this, however, is that the underside of the caterpillar has measurements in both feet and meters, so caregivers can keep track of baby’s growth. (Also great for those milestone photos!) 

Weight: 4.9 ounces
Dimensions: 22.4 x 4.33 x 3.15 inches

With soft blocks like these, you can place one in front of baby during tummy time so he has something to reach for, pass one back and forth between you and baby to practice taking turns, or show baby how to build with them (though he won't be ready to try that solo just yet). These blocks have brightly-colored images or interesting black-and-white patterns (which are easier for younger babies to see) on all sides. Plus, a few have lift-the-flaps and mirrors, while others jingle when you shake them, adding an additional sensory element to his playtime. 

Weight: 7.2 ounces
Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches (per block)

At 4 months, babies are starting to understand cause and effect, says Dr. Lytle, and a rattle is a fun way to teach it to them. "They learn that if I shake this, I make a noise; it teaches them that they have power over it," she says.

This VTech rattle is easy for tiny hands to grasp. When your baby shakes it, the caterpillar's heart lights up to grab their attention. Additionally, it has crinkly legs for tactile stimulation, and baby can fidget with the textured ring. The toy also plays phrases, sounds and songs with the touch of the button. But if the added noise becomes too much, you can easily turn those features off.

Power: 3 LR44 alkaline batteries required (included)
Weight: 4.5 ounces
Dimensions: 2 x 3.7 x 7 inches

Baby won’t be sitting up on his own for another few months, but that doesn’t mean he’s not eager to see the world from a different vantage point.

The Fisher-Price Sit-Me-Up Floor Seat is less constricting than a bouncer and comfortably holds baby up so he can better interact with the world around him. It has two attached toys: a turtle spinner with a mirrored side and clackers. Parents love that the seat folds flat for easy storage, and that the seat cover is removable and machine washable. It also comes in a few different patterns and styles. Just keep in mind that you should only use this seat with a child who is able to hold his head up without assistance and can’t climb out of it.

Weight limit: 25 pounds
Weight: 4.41 pounds
Dimensions: 8.27 x 10.43 x 8.66 inches

One small push sets this adorable Fisher-Price hedgehog rolling mirror and the colorful beads rattling, encouraging baby to stay on his tummy longer and maybe start trying to push up. With soft fabric quills, a large mirror, a bar with three colorful beads and a bat-at ladybug roller, it works equally well for stationary play, too. Meanwhile, you’ll appreciate that this toy works both fine and gross motor skills, has real wood accents and doesn’t require any batteries.

Weight: 2.2 pounds
Dimensions: 4.33 x 8.78 x 8.5 inches

Unlike some more annoying musical toys, this Baby Einstein toy plays seven soothing classical symphonies — such as Mozart, Chopin and Vivaldi — in short, baby-friendly clips. You can skip to the next song by using the easy-to-press button at the center, which causes colors to light up the screen. Little ones can also play with the friendly caterpillar with four toggle beads that make up the handle. Once baby is older, he can easily pick it up and take the radio-like toy with him from place to place. Parents particularly love that they can control the volume so it never gets too loud. 

Power: 2 AA alkaline batteries required (included)
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Dimensions: 5.1 x 1 x 5.1 inches

A potential downside to baby’s growing awareness is that he may not enjoy being strapped in places. Avoid any potential meltdowns with this colorful Tiny Love stroller arch that attaches to his stroller or high chair. Baby can swat at the hanging toys that are made for tiny hands, including a smiling bumblebee and a little carrot. It also features a rattling ball with a crinkly texture, and the universal attachment clip means you don't have to worry about whether or not it'll work for your stroller. Although you can also attach the arch to your car seat, it should be removed when you’re driving.

Weight: 1.32 pounds
Dimensions: ‎2.83 x 19.92 x 12.38 inches

This cute VTech musical cow is destined to become baby’s best friend. The plush toy is made up of different fabrics, like silky satin and textured terry, in bright colors and patterns that will delight baby’s senses. The cow's neck has a ring toy with two buttons that, when pushed,  play songs and phrases that introduce numbers, letters, shapes and colors. It also has an automatic shutoff to preserve battery life (and your sanity).

Power: 2 AAA batteries required (included)
Weight: 14.4 ounces
Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.8 x 6.5 inches

Your 4-month-old is still perfecting his tummy time skills and continues to need extra stimulation to stay down there. This kick and play piano will hold his attention enough that he won’t even notice he’s on his belly. The mat has four cute dangling animal toys for baby to bat and reach for, as well as a baby-friendly mirror. The main attraction, however, is the five-key piano that baby can play by kicking with his feet or hitting with his hands. The piano is detachable so you can take it with you, and baby can use it as a seated toy when he hits that milestone.

Power: 3 AA batteries required (included)
Weight: 3.8 pounds
Dimensions: 27.01 x 36.02 x 17.99 inches

Though it's a teether, this ball-like toy (which is a top-seller for Manhattan Toy) provides plenty of engagement for babies at various developmental stages. The rigid loops are easy for babies to grasp while they chew, and you can even put it in the fridge for a cool sensation when they bite down.

In addition to soothing gums, the ball-like toy is made up of interconnected tubes that are fun for babies to explore. It’s the type of ball that helps babies work on hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, says Dr. Hafeez. It also has a rattle-like center that makes noise as baby shakes it about — the perfect precursor to learning all about cause and effect. To clean it, wash it with soap and water (just don’t submerge it or put it in the dishwasher).

Weight: 3.2 ounces
Dimensions: 5 x 3.5 x 4 inches

According to the AAP, very young babies don’t need bath toys — the feel of the water is stimulating enough. But as your little one grows, containers, floating toys and waterproof books can further enhance the sensory experience and distract your little one enough so you can get him clean. Though these balls look relatively simple, they’ll be stimulating to your child. In fact, any toy that requires children to manipulate their hands will also encourage hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, says Sanam Hafeez, PsyD., a neuropsychologist in New York City.

The Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Bath Toy includes four easy-to-grasp balls that rattle, bobble, spin and shine. Baby will love shaking them about in the water and, as he gets more mobile and stable, chasing them around the tub. Parents love that they’re easy to dry and clean — key for a toy that gets wet, since you don’t want to risk mold growth.

Weight: 6.7 ounces 

Dimensions: ‎6.5 x 2.5 x 7.25 inches

This adorable plush toy is TikTok famous for a reason: Parents swear the Fisher-Price calming hedgehog almost instantly soothes babies, whether they’re suffering from gas or simply having trouble getting to sleep. The adorable hedgehog is made of a super soft, cuddly fabric and plays calming music while emitting soft vibrations to help lull your little one. After 10 minutes, the music (fully adjustable volume controls, for the win) times out, so you won’t have to tip-toe back into baby’s room. Another win for parents: The toy is fully machine-washable. (Just don’t forget to remove the batteries first.) 

Power: 3 AA batteries required (included)
Weight: 12 ounces
Dimensions: 7.48 x 5.91 x 3.54 inches

For fun on the go, you can’t beat this high-contrast mini-sized mobile, which features a plastic clamp that easily attaches to most strollers, infant carriers and car seats (although only do so when the car seat is not in the car, as it’s not safe to have toys on car seats while driving). Dangling from the mobile are six double-sided cards, one side with high-contrast black-and-white images, which are best for younger infants to see, and the other with bright color images to keep older babies engaged.

Weight: 3.2 ounces
Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 7 inches

The wildly popular Montessori-inspired Lovevery subscription service has a box perfectly suited for the 4-month-old set. Each box (which is delivered every two to three months) includes an impressive 10 toys and books designed by child experts for your baby’s exact developmental stage, as well as a play guide that’ll help you use each item to their full potential. It’s worth noting the toys are all of superior quality, constructed with durable wood, silicone and other eco-friendly, safe materials.

This multi-textured Melissa & Doug toy provides plenty of stimulation for infants who are just learning how to grasp things and explore textures. The crinkle sound tickles other senses, since it provides a satisfying noise that teaches baby about cause and effect. As baby gets older and his fine motor skills improve, he’ll love the reward he gets from finding the hidden photos tucked under each scale. You’ll love to watch baby play, no doubt, but you might love the fact that the whole thing is machine-washable even more.

Weight: 13 ounces
Dimensions: 4 x 11 x 15 inches

The SmartNoggin rattle is much more than just a rattle. Baby can grab and shake it to make gentle noises, touch the handle to feel new and interesting textures, watch the light up ball on the top and stare at himself in the mirror on the base. It’s the perfect size for tiny hands, and it’s easy to stash in your diaper bag for on-the-go fun. Because there aren’t tons of grooves, you can easily wipe it down when playtime is over. The toy even comes with a pamphlet for parents, so you can maximize learning. 

Weight: 5.6 ounces
Dimensions: 2.25 x 2 x 5 inches