The Best Baby Rattles for Baby Development!

By Charlene DeLoach, Chief Play Officer, Playroom Chronicles

 A quick note: This content was created in partnership with one or more of the brands featured. I may have been paid, received products, or both. Paid or not, I’m still going to tell you what I think because none of us needs another toy our kids won’t play with.

Baby Rattles are a baby‘s first toy and their first introduction to play. While rattles may seem like a novelty, they foster a baby’s development through cause and effect, tactile touch, and sensory stimulation.

Why Baby Rattles Boost Baby Development

Baby rattles offer a dynamic way to boost an infant’s sensory, motor, and cognitive development. The varied textures encourage tactile exploration and help improve fine motor skills as babies learn to grasp and shake the rattle. The sounds produced promote auditory processing and early language skills by teaching cause-and-effect relationships, while bright colors and contrasting patterns capture visual attention and stimulate curiosity. Together, these elements create a rich, engaging environment that supports overall developmental growth in young infants.

They are simple gifts that can be tied to a gift bag or stuffed into a baby gift basket. Baby rattles are great toys for babies, but purchasing one is unnecessary. Parents and caregivers can create the same play experience using materials around the house if they want a DIY option. For example, caregivers can use plastic containers with screw-top lids. They can fill the containers with a small number of dried beans, dried rice, or dried cereal. The baby can shake the container and get sounds and stimulation like a rattle.

Stuffed animals and books can also be used as rattle substitutes. Many plush pals have rattles or other sensory experiences embedded in them, like the Baby Gund Tinkle Crinkle Caterpillar that you can find on affiliate Amazon here.

What To Consider When Buying a Baby Rattle

Parents should avoid tags, other loose materials, and baby toys that could pose choking hazards. Also, consider these aspects too:

Look for rattles with sewn or embroidered pieces rather than glued on.
Contemplate selecting rattles with soft materials vs. hard plastic and look for BPA-free materials.
Parents and caregivers should consider rattles that are easy to grasp and offer many ways to hold them as babies develop their hand grip.
Find rattles that can be easily washed or wiped down for baby’s hygiene.
Consider rattles that can be attached to a stroller so they are not lost on the go or won’t easily fall to the ground.

Best Baby Rattle Gift Ideas

These are some tried and true suggested baby rattle brands to consider!

The Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory toy was the first rattle toy we gave to our kiddos. Later, when they were one year old, it became an excellent toy for tossing and rolling.

In addition to the Tinkle Crinkle toy from Gund, this is another long-lasting favorite: the Toothpick Plush bears. The thin neck makes it easier for little hands to grasp. I wish the eyes were not beads, but Gund is good quality.

The Fisher-Price Dumbell rattle is a perennial favorite if you like some additional interactive elements with lights and sounds.

The Learning Lovey is another great brand—especially the Baby Jack & Co Jungle Lovey—a nod to early literacy learning. The bonus is that it also has some additional tactile and sensory pieces.

For over a decade now, the Infinno wrist and foot baby rattles have been a family favorite, not only in our family but also for countless others. These are also great because they work on hand-eye coordination, fine motor, and cause-and-effect skills.