Newborn babies are naturally amused by the world around them and will be delighted to lie down and stare at a crib mobile, stuffed toy or other object for quite some time. However, by the time they reach three months of age, babies will begin to try to move and explore, and this is a good time to introduce activity toys to give them a sense of freedom before they can walk.
There are many different activity toys available for babies of different ages, the most popular being activity centers and mats, bouncers, rocking chairs, swings, and walkers. You should always check that the toy is appropriate for your child’s developmental age. Activity toys usually come with recommended age ranges, but you should also pay attention to requirements like your baby being able to hold up their head without help.
For young babies, activity mats are great. Babies will happily lie on these and play with the textures and toys on the mat. They’re also good for “tummy time,” helping to strengthen your baby’s neck so he can support his head on his own. Mats come in all different styles, from simple fabric rugs to fancy styles with toys strung across them.
Bouncing chairs are also good for babies from birth who find the movement very relaxing. Baby swings are similar but generally more expensive and are battery operated. Some chairs have an added vibration feature that can be good if your baby won’t go to sleep.
From three or four months you can start using a door bouncer which is great fun for babies and helps them develop leg muscles preparing them for walking. These jumpers are inexpensive and can be used on any door of the proper width.