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Beyond just being fun, baby rattles help develop your baby's fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They're often the first toy your baby will encounter, making them particularly special to parents as well. But with so many rattles on the market, how do you figure out which one will work best for your family?
Best Baby Rattles
What to Consider
Baby rattles aren't that complicated, but you do want to make sure that the rattle you're choosing is right for your child's age and stage of development. You also want to make sure it's safe.
For the littlest babies, you’ll want a rattle that’s easy for them to grasp and for you to easily clean, since their hands are little and so are their immune systems. But as babies get a little older, their needs change. When they start to teethe, you’re going to want to look for rattles with some sort of chewing element to soothe those angry gums. The dual stimulation of sound and texture can really help calm babies, making them a worthy investment for your little one.
For safety, you'll want to make sure that the entire rattle is a closed compartment, free of any possibility of choking. You should also opt for one that's made out of safe materials like BPA-free plastic or silicone. Wood and cotton materials are fine as well, but make sure that the wood isn't being damaged, and that the plush materials are cleaned frequently. Other than that, it's mostly aesthetics — and wow, there are some cute rattles out there.
I've chosen a range of rattles in a variety of textures and sizes that are sure to delight your baby. As an added bonus, all of these baby rattles make great gifts for any expecting parent!
Every baby should have their own NogginStik. Seriously, this baby rattle does a lot when it comes to entertaining baby and supporting healthy development.
The multisensory activity toy lights up at the top — the colors change based on baby's movements. The bottom (rattle) part features a mirror, and the stick in the middle is textured for easy gripping.
More: Raise Your Baby Green With These Top Eco-Friendly Toys
Sounds are essential for developing your baby’s hearing, and with this adorable set by iPlay, iLearn, your baby can play and get the rattle as you fill in with “What does a sheep say?” “Baaaa.”
They're soft, they're easy to hold, and they come with their own little farmhouse for storage. It's so much more than just a rattle toy — it'll also be your baby's first pretend play toy.
This smooth, minimalist-style wooden baby rattle is a perfect toy for babes. Handmade in the USA, this rattle is made of organic materials and comes in a little cotton sachet, which makes it a perfect gift to give, too.
It's natural maple and sealed with 100% nontoxic paints and dyes.
More: Raise Your Baby Green With These Top Eco-Friendly Toys
Your baby's next game of Simon Says just got infinitely more fun with these wrist and foot rattles. Slip on the socks and loop the wristlets around your little one's arms. Each time they kick their chubby little feet or flail their arms as babies so often do, they'll be rewarded with a rattling sound.
Here's another dumbbell-style rattle that looks a bit less like the traditional weight you'd find in a gym, and we're totally obsessed with it. Made of organic cotton, this colorful chime rattle will give your baby all the good feelings.
It's bright and engaging, and the handle is small enough for even the littlest babies to hold and play with.
Manhattan Toy Classic Baby Beads Wooden Rattle
It might not look like much, but these oversized beads will keep your baby well entertained. When your little one is finished playing, you'll be tempted to pick up the beads. The wood is so smooth, and it's extremely soothing for anyone to fidget with.
The First Years My First Rattle
This friendly rattle makes a good starter toy for the youngest of babies. It's super-soft, without any hard surfaces, and despite the small size, it's packed full of surprises. The antennae and arms feature different textures and sounds to help keep your baby busy. And when baby starts to teethe? Those feet will come in handy.
This is a perfect gift for parents who prioritize fitness in the family lifestyle. Plus, the dumbbell rattle looks hysterical in photos — it'll totally help keep your Instagram feed alive!
On top of that, it's made of safe materials free of phthalates and BPA, so you can rest assured your baby isn't chewing on anything nasty.
The Sassy set is the ultimate in developmental play. This particular rattle is designed for the youngest of rattlers. The graphic, multicolor design is visually stimulating for your baby's vision, and the various textures and shapes help build dexterity.
Plus, with a set of two, you'll have a backup in case one gets lost — which is every parent's dream.
Shake it, baby! Hear the sound of sweet music when your little cookie grabs onto these maraca rattles. With more than 60,000 positive Amazon reviews, it's the perfect toy for a new baby.
Parents love that it's not just good for sound and musical play, but that the tops are soft, so they can be chewed on, and they won't hurt the baby if they get a bit over-enthusiastic.
Skip*Hop Explore & More Roll-Around Rattle
Meet your baby's new BFF! This hedgehog rattle is made to play all day — and seriously, is this not just the cutest?
The flexible, round body will keep your little one entertained as it bounces and rolls across the floor, encouraging babies to crawl, while the finger holes make it easy for tiny hands to hold on and give it a shake.
Babies can get attached to toys, so you'll want something that's well-made to go the distance. You can't go wrong with this colorful ring. The natural beechwood is durable and lightweight, while the water-based, nontoxic stain also makes it a safe teether.
Haba makes toys that are as safe for the planet as they are for your child, making this a great, sustainable pick.
Cat Bowen has been covering parenting and home for over a decade. At Best Products, she has tested hundreds of products for parents and for the home, often spending dozens of hours per product to ensure her reviews are accurate and informative. Prior to joining the team, she was at Romper where she covered everything from breastfeeding to child sleep habits to abortion rights access. You can find her work on Bustle, Romper, and more. Cat is a bit of an intellectual magpie and perpetual student, most recently receiving a graduate degree in gender studies where she examined a topic that vexes so many — pockets in women’s clothing.
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