Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner
GUND Sustainable Plush
Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner
GUND Sustainable Plush
Credit: GUNDGood Housekeeping Institute testers were pleased with the softness of this plush, and said it was just the right size for cuddling. But experts were impressed that it comes from 100% recycled material in the fabric, stuffing and packaging. You can get it in several animals, including a bunny, kitten, lamb, dog and bear. Ages 0+
RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards
Great for Those About to Crawl
Tummy Time Toy
Great for Those About to Crawl
Tummy Time Toy
Credit: CrawligatorWe bet she doesn't have one of these already! This unique toy is helps with tummy-time adventures by offering a cushioned place to lay down. As they get older, they can use their hands and feet to push and scoot it around, working on those all-important gross motor skills. Ages 4 months+
Lovey Teether
Lovey Teether
Credit: Itzy RitzyThis toy truly has it all: There's a heart-shaped silicone teether, arms that dangle, ears that crinkle, sherpa fabric to feel and — best of all — plenty of tags to explore. (Why do babies always love the tags the most?) It comes in other animal shapes, too, like a sloth or a dinosaur. Ages 0+
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards Winner
Bundle Me
Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards Winner
Bundle Me
Now 18% Off
Credit: JJ ColeThere's nothing rougher than having to keep a baby warm while in a stroller: they love taking off hats, and loose blankets get caught in the wheels, drag and get very dirty. This attaches to strollers easily, says Good Housekeeping Institute testers, and keeps babies warm. Testers also found the fabric to be snuggly soft.
RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards
Cutest Stacking Toy
Green Toys Minnie Mouse Stacker
Cutest Stacking Toy
Green Toys Minnie Mouse Stacker
Credit: Green ToysSorting items by size or color and stacking them from large to small are tasks that offer incredible developmental benefits and help with fine motor coordination. This toy does all that and puts a Minnie Mouse bow on top, to boot. Plus, it's made from 100% recycled plastic. Ages 6 months+
For Bookworms
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Apple Play Set
For Bookworms
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Apple Play Set
Credit: World of Eric CarleIf the family is fans of the world of Eric Carle, they'll enjoy this brightly colored Caterpillar-themed play set. In this seven-piece set, the apple comes stuffed with a caterpillar and five different pieces of fruit, each of which make noises when you squeeze or shake them. Ages 0+
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Award Winner
Look, it's Woof Woof Dog
Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Award Winner
Look, it's Woof Woof Dog
Now 10% Off
Credit: Nosy CrowThis board book was a hit with Good Housekeeping Institute testers because of its cool collage art style and sturdy felt flaps that reveal animals and the noises they make. On the last page, it says, "But what noise do you make," and has a mirror, a feature loved by kid testers. Ages 0+
RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Awards
Cute Teether
Baby Key Teether Rattle
Cute Teether
Baby Key Teether Rattle
Credit: PlanToysIt seems like babies are obsessed with keys from the minute they're born. Instead of handing them yours, give them this key set, which is made from rubberwood and organic pigments, to rattle and chew on. Ages 4 months+
Wimmer-Ferguson Mind Cubes
Wimmer-Ferguson Mind Cubes
Credit: Manhattan ToyThese soft, fabric baby blocks are printed with high-contrast patterns that are easy for young babies to see. In addition, the sides have textures to feel, offering a sensory experience. As they get older, kids can practice stacking them or identifying the shapes and colors. Ages 0+
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Personalized Baby Gift
Personalized Animal Lovey
Personalized Baby Gift
Personalized Animal Lovey
Credit: Etsy/ISewJoIt's a blanket. It's a lovey. It's a stuffed animal. It's all three in one — and personalized, too! You can get this in a ton of animal shapes, and also pick out the color and font of the embroidery, too. No age recommendation given
Best Bodysuit Set
Burt's Bees Baby Cotton Bodysuits
Best Bodysuit Set
Burt's Bees Baby Cotton Bodysuits
Credit: Burt's Bees BabyParenting rule of them: You can never have too many bodysuits. The Good Housekeeping Institute loves that the brand uses fabric made of certified organic cotton and follows strict environmental standards. Bodysuits come in short and long sleeves, and in addition to bodysuits, you can get gift sets that throw in blankets, hats or PJs.
RELATED: The Clothing Brands That Make the Best Baby Clothes
Best Baby Shoes
Baby Moccasins
Best Baby Shoes
Baby Moccasins
Now 25% Off
Credit: BirdRockAre you more of a pale pink shoe-gifter, or will you go for the wild black and gold or cheetah print? Babies never really need to wear shoes, anyway, so you're really just doing it for the look. BirdRock has more than 30 styles of its adorable moccasin-type shoes, and you can't go wrong with any of them. (And, at their price point, you might find yourself choosing a bunch.)
RELATED: The Best Walking Shoes for Babies and Toddlers
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Cute Board Book
'The Little Mermaid' Board Book
Cute Board Book
'The Little Mermaid' Board Book
Credit: Little SimonThey're definitely too young to watch this year's The Little Mermaid movie, but this book had the idea to set the undersea story in the Caribbean before Disney did — and it's perfect for those bedtime read-alouds. It comes from the Once Upon a World series that takes classic fairytales and sets them in different locations around the world; you can also get a Rapunzel that takes place in India, a Cinderella in Mexico, a Snow White in Japan and a The Princess and the Pea in Russia. Ages 0+
Best Stuffed Animal for Babies
Blossom Bunny
Best Stuffed Animal for Babies
Blossom Bunny
Credit: JellycatThe snuggliest bunny on the block! When it comes time for that first cuddly friend, Jellycat's stuffed Blossom bunny is super soft, and comes with a floral pattern in the ears and on the feet. Not a bunny fan? There are lots of other animals to choose from. Ages 0+
Customized Baby Gift
Wooden Personalized Name Puzzle
Customized Baby Gift
Wooden Personalized Name Puzzle
Credit: Fat Brain ToysNot only does this puzzle proudly display the baby name that parents so carefully picked, it looks striking on a shelf until the baby is old enough to actually play with it. Ages 12 months+
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Cute Sensory Toy
Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar Plush
Cute Sensory Toy
Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar Plush
Now 21% Off
Credit: GUNDThis caterpillar is not just a happy addition to a nursery: Each segment does something different, either crinkling, rattling, squeaking or offering a different texture to touch. It's a feast for the senses, and families just love it! Ages 0+
Personalized Book
'The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name' Picture Book
Personalized Book
'The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name' Picture Book
Credit: WonderblyThis unique picture book is personalized for each child, and the story takes kids through all the letters in their names. New parents will love the customization, and it might even help kids spell their own names as they get older.
Gift That Gives Back
Baby Animal Collection
Gift That Gives Back
Baby Animal Collection
Credit: Cuddle + KindGood Housekeeping Institute testers loved these hand-knit dolls and found them exceptionally soft. They come in a range of animals, including a set of winter ones for the holidays. Bonus: For each purchase, Cuddle + Kind says the brand provides five meals to children in need. Ages 0+
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Grows With Baby
Explore & More 4-in-1 Toy Walker
Grows With Baby
Explore & More 4-in-1 Toy Walker
Credit: Skip HopGood Housekeeping Institute testers loved the innovative way this toy could grow with a child. At first, it can be used as a tummy time toy. Then, it converts to a walker for toddlers, then becomes either a grocery cart or a toy stroller for bigger kids. All the while, it has plenty of lights, sounds and features to keep them entertained. Ages 6 months+
Sensory Toy
Sense & Grow Sensory Magic Tissue Box
Sensory Toy
Sense & Grow Sensory Magic Tissue Box
Credit: Creative KidsThere's a lot of learning packed into this little box. Kids pull out the fabrics, which works on their fine motor coordination. Then the scarves have different textures, which gives them a sensory experience. Parent testers said their babies loved the way some of the scarves crinkled and some were smooth. Ages 5 months+
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below