The 27 Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds to Engage Your Baby and Help Them Grow (2024)

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This play gym grows with your baby, offering fun from birth through toddlerhood. Babies can use the gym on their back, stomach, sitting up, and even take components on the go. The toy bar features multiple detachable toys that crinkle or rattle, as well as a mirror. The star of the show is the piano, which can be removed for busy toddlers. It plays over 70 sounds and musical tunes and introduces phrases in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and German. Plus, the mat is machine washable.

This pick was a huge hit with our babies; they all particularly loved pounding on the keyboard with their hands and feet, while we appreciated that they were able to entertain themselves for impressively long periods.

Babies will have a blast discovering the joy of turning pages with this soft fabric activity book. It's perfect for little ones who love to grab and squeeze—but safe enough to explore with their mouths. The book features an outer space theme and a story about finding home. There are soft toys tethered to the book and fabric pockets to tuck them into, as well as surprise squeaks, crinkles, and rattles to discover. Babies won't be able to resist the textured teething corner and ribbon tags.

Our babies loved chewing this book and found it incredibly engaging. They even got a kick out of throwing it to hear the rattle and jingle sounds.

This spinning toy ranks high on our list for several reasons: It aids in the development of many skills, features an engaging rattling sound, and is modern and stylish. Babies can learn cause and effect as they spin the toy and activate the rattle hidden inside while using their fingers to spin the toy, helping expandfine motor skillsand hand-eye coordination.

The colorful spinner is painted with non-toxic, water-based paint. Plus, the wooden material is smooth, with beveled edges to keep little ones safe during play. Bonus: A mirror side lets babies explore their own faces.

This durable play gym and mat from Lovevery can be used by newborns through the first year of life. Made from sustainable wood, non-toxic organic cotton, and non-toxic polyester, this play gym is designed with different activities that support physical development and is great for babies to enjoy all day long.

There are five Montessori-inspired play zones, which can be individually hidden away or revealed when the baby is under- or over-stimulated. The mat can be set up or collapsed in two minutes for easy storage.

Available in a variety of different animals, these buddies can clip to a stroller, high chair, or diaper bag to play with on the go or while hanging out at home. Each animal has its own unique design, but regardless of the one you choose, it will offer a variety of different textures for your baby to touch, grab, scrunch, and chew on.

The Winkel is a must-have because there are so many ways to play with it and it’s safe for babies of all ages. In the center, there's a little cube that rattles when the baby shakes the toy. The cube is surrounded by several colorful plastic tubes that loop around so that babies can easily grab and chew. It serves as both a toy as well as a teether, and it can even be put into the freezer to make it extra soothing for sore gums.

This toy was yet another big hit with our own infants. It was the perfect size for them to grasp, shake, and manipulate, and the rattle sounds, fun colors, and chewable material made it more engaging than you'd imagine for such a simple, affordable toy.

If you want to introduce your little one to music, this cube features the sounds of five different musical instruments, like the harp and French horn. The educational baby toy teaches littles how the instruments combine to make eight Mozart classics while lights flash to the beat of the music. Plus, its rounded corners make it safe for tiny hands to explore.

Oballs are great for grabbing, shaking, tossing, and passing from hand to hand. They come in various colors and styles, but this specific design includes a rattle that offers a sensory aspect thanks to the satisfying sound. The ball is made from smooth, flexible plastic that babies can safely chew on.

Great for sensory play, this toy features sound from the rattle as well as different textures for babies to touch and mouth on for exploration. The rattle is made from rubberwood, which is durable and safe. Even though the rattle has a minimalistic aesthetic overall, it does feature four separate colors to grab babies’ attention and pique their interest.

There's a lot to love about activity centers. This one is packed with different activities for babies to explore and engage their senses. It also offers three different stages of play, so it can be enjoyed well into the toddler years. There are four different height options, the seat swivels 360 degrees, and there is a discovery window where babies can watch their feet tap on colorful piano keys.

Babies absolutely love this small, simple toy. It’s soft and waterproof, so little ones can chew on and drool all over it without damaging it. The book has a handy clip attached to it so that you can hang it on a stroller or high chair to help keep baby occupied. Each page in the book has contrasting color designs that are visually engaging without being overstimulating for babies.

Discover music, letters, colors, and more through three colorful buttons on this adorable busy ball. Beads on the outside help infants grow fine motor skills as they slide, twist, spin, and shake. Plus, a motion sensor responds to your baby’s movement with fun sounds and tunes.

Water play is great for sensory exploration, and this mat lets babies play with water without getting it all over the place. Just fill it up with water and then set it on a flat surface, like a high chair tray or the floor, and watch your baby pat it and move the little fish inside around (which also introduces them to cause and effect).

With this elephant, kids get a plush toy as well as an electronic toy with different ways to play. The body of the elephant features three different buttons, each with its own shape and color, that play music, light up, or make funny sounds.

Babies can explore different textures and colors as well as play with this fish that has flippable scales. Each scale on the fish features a different design on each side, so it’s like a little game of hide-and-seek. It also features crinkly fabrics for extra sensory play, and it's machine washable.

You get four separate cubes in this playset designed for babies from birth. Each cube features fun designs in contrasting colors, including letters, numbers, shapes, and animals. For a little extra fun, the cubes also have different tags sticking out from one of their sides to offer some sensory play as well.

Made for babies between 3 and 12 months old, this rattle-teether combo is available in an assortment of aesthetically pleasing colors. The smaller cube on the inside of the large cube rattles in a satisfying way when it’s shaken. The super-smooth silicone features different textures that are perfect for sensory exploration as well as teething.

These simple little cups are toys that will be fun for your baby now and into the toddler years (especially in the bathtub). Although it may seem basic, this affordable toy was a favorite among the parents we surveyed and our own kids have played with it for years.

The set comes with eight cups in different colors that are sized to nest/stack onto each other, as well as a star-shaped ring that holds them all together when they’re not being played with. Additionally, the cups each have a different number on them and have little holes on the bottom so that water can sprinkle out of them.

Babies get five separate pieces with this stacking toy, each with its own size, color, and texture. The pieces can be stacked together and played as one or pulled apart to be played with individually. It’s made from soft, non-toxic rubber that’s both safe and soothing for babies to chew on as they explore and teethe.

Made from super-soft materials, this stylish rocking seat plays soothing music and nature sounds. It has three reclining positions, a five-point safety harness, and a removable toy bar for sensory exploration. Plus, the bouncer folds flat for compact storage and can convert into a stationary chair when the baby is able to sit up.

Babies can jam out to 10 fun melodies with this portable musical toy. The beaded handle is easy for babies to grasp and fun for them to play with, and the music button is simple and accessible to push. Plus, the adjustable volume control will be music to parents' ears.

Bath toys are perfect for elevating bathtime fun, and these heighten the experience thanks to their floating capability and cute animal friends inside. Each toy is weighted to stay upright as animal characters rattle and roll across the water.

This toy is great for sensory play because its unique design features several different textures, as well as little colorful holes for babies to touch and stick their fingers into. It’s made from safe, soft rubber that is fun to play with and really good for pain relief from teething. Finally, it has two handles specifically designed for little hands to grasp onto.

There are 16 pieces that come in this activity set, including stacking cups, numbered blocks, and sensory balls. Each piece is made from materials that are safe for babies to put in their mouths and can be easily wiped down to clean. The set is full of bright colors, fun textures, and plenty of opportunities for learning and exploration.

This little piano plays music, lights up, and has plenty of buttons for little fingers to press on. The three buttons make animal sounds, speak numbers, and play music from different instruments. The piano keys are made from soft textured fabric, offering babies sight, sound, and touch stimulation.

This little star toy offers a great way to integrate music into your baby’s day, especially when they’re in need of some stimulation. It plays six different classical melodies and has several gentle lights that flash with the music. Additionally, the toy is equipped with a strap that can be attached to a high chair or stroller.

Made from super-soft, safe materials, this little chair offers babies a cozy spot to sit and lots of activities to keep them occupied. It features a mirror, rattle, and squeaky toy, as well as several sensory details that are perfect for exploration. This chair is made to sit on the floor and is designed to assist your baby as they build strength to sit on their own. Keep in mind that this activity chair should not be used on elevated surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What types of toys should my 5-month-old have?

  Age-appropriate toys for 5-month-olds include anything safe to go into their mouths, as that is how they explore the world at this age. Look for toys that are soft or have soft corners, which include a lot of plastic and silicone options. Also, look for toys that have a lot of sensory elements, such as bright colors, different textures, or musical sounds.

• How can I keep my 5-month-old entertained?

  A 5-month-old is rolling, reaching, and working ontummy time. They are very busy figuring the world out. They don’t need a ton of toys to keep them entertained, but it’s nice to have a few on hand that are safe. That means anything that is sensory-driven, such as rattles or colorful items, and anything that they can grasp as they are learning how to pass things back and forth. Smiling, singing, andreading to your babyare ways to mentally stimulate your baby without toys.

• What toys should I buy my 5-month-old for the holidays?

  Buying holiday gifts for a 5-month-old might seem stressful if you don’t know what kinds of toys are appropriate. A few suggestions include baby rattles, baby teethers, a play gym, or an activity book, all of which are safe and help babies explore. At this age, anything they can grasp is a focus. You can help your baby develop skills by simply placing a soft-sided toy slightly out of reach.