Finding the perfect gift for a mama-to-be can be an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming task. You want to give something that is not only thoughtful and appreciated but also genuinely useful as she embarks on this incredible journey into motherhood. Forget the generic gifts; let’s focus on presents that truly cater to her needs and the exciting arrival of her little one. This curated guide focuses on developmental toys that serve as fantastic Mama To Be Gifts, offering both joy and benefits for the baby’s growth right from the start.
From engaging play mats that encourage early movement to soothing toys that comfort and entertain, these are more than just presents; they are investments in the baby’s development and a thoughtful way to support the expecting mother. Let’s explore a selection of top-rated, expert-recommended toys that make ideal mama to be gifts, ensuring you choose something truly special and beneficial.
One of the most versatile and fun gifts you can give is a set of ball pit balls.
These simple yet engaging balls offer endless opportunities for play as the baby grows. Initially, they can be used for gentle sensory exploration. As the baby gets older and starts sitting, a fun trick, as seen here, is to use a laundry basket to create a mini ball pit. This not only entertains but also helps with motor skills as they reach and grab. Ball pit balls are a gift that grows with the child, providing years of fun and developmental benefits.
For a gift that provides entertainment and developmental challenges, consider a Penguin Wobble toy.
Babies are naturally drawn to movement, and a wobble toy that rights itself is endlessly fascinating. This penguin toy is designed to wobble and rock, encouraging babies to interact and explore cause and effect. Unlike some toys with jarring sounds, this wobble penguin is designed without any loud or obnoxious music, making it a peaceful addition to playtime. It’s a thoughtful mama to be gift that provides engaging entertainment without overwhelming the senses.
An O ball is another excellent choice, known for its graspable design and developmental benefits.
The unique shape of the O ball, with its many holes, makes it incredibly easy for tiny fingers to grasp and hold. This is crucial for developing fine motor skills. Furthermore, the O ball is perfectly sized for babies to bring to their mouths, and many are made from safe, chewable materials. The gentle rattle sound inside helps babies understand cause and effect – shaking it makes a noise! For mamas-to-be focused on movement, consider Oball cars as well. Anything that rolls encourages babies to move, reach, and eventually crawl, making it a fantastic motivator for physical development.
To encourage tummy time, a Sassy Spinner is a brilliant and engaging gift.
Tummy time is essential for strengthening a baby’s neck and back muscles. However, many babies are not initially fond of it. The Sassy Spinner is designed to distract and entertain during tummy time with its spinning motion and twinkling lights. This captivating toy can be suctioned to a highchair or even the dishwasher, as suggested by experts, allowing for tummy time in various locations, even during kitchen prep! It’s a clever mama to be gift that makes tummy time more enjoyable for both baby and mom.
For a gift that offers both indoor and outdoor fun, a Canvas swing is a wonderful choice.
A canvas swing provides gentle motion that can be both calming and stimulating for babies. It can be used indoors during colder months, hung securely from a beam, or taken outside during warmer weather. Swinging can help extend wake windows and even soothe during fussy periods, sometimes referred to as the “witching hour.” This is a versatile gift that offers comfort and entertainment in multiple settings, making it a practical and thoughtful present for expectant mothers.
Early language development is crucial, and the First 100 Words book is an invaluable tool for this.
This book is specifically designed to capture a baby’s attention with bright, engaging pictures. It’s an excellent resource for parents to start pointing, naming, and repeating words to their baby. Consistent exposure to language in this way lays a strong foundation for communication skills. Gifting this book is giving a head start to language development, making it a highly beneficial and educational mama to be gift.
When considering infant seats, The Upseat Infant Seat stands out as a recommended option for promoting healthy hip and spine development.
Unlike some infant seats that can compromise hip and spine positioning, The Upseat is ergonomically designed to support optimal posture. It also grows with the baby, accommodating them for a longer period. This seat is highly recommended by experts like The Movement Mama, who offers a 10% discount with the code THEMOVEMENTMAMA10. For more details on why this seat is preferred over others, you can find a full review here. Choosing The Upseat as a mama to be gift shows a focus on the baby’s physical well-being and development.
Simple yet incredibly useful, Linking Rings are a must-have for any new parent.
These inexpensive rings have a multitude of uses. They can attach toys to strollers, making them easily accessible and preventing them from dropping on the floor. They can also extend the reach of toys on activity mats. Beyond their practical uses, linking rings are safe for babies to chew on and can even prevent cups from being thrown. Recommending these as mama to be gifts is suggesting a practical, budget-friendly item that any new parent will appreciate daily.
For developing fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities, a Knob puzzle is an excellent choice.
These puzzles are designed with large knobs that are easy for little fingers to grasp, and yes, even safe for teething babies to explore with their mouths. They are fantastic for early learning, helping babies develop hand-eye coordination and shape recognition. When choosing a knob puzzle as a mama to be gift, look for ones with large knobs and simple shapes, especially for babies under one year old, to ensure they are age-appropriate and safe.
A Shape sorter adds another layer of developmental play, combining shape recognition with motor skill practice.
This toy encourages babies to match shapes to their corresponding slots, enhancing problem-solving skills. The added feature of rolling and making sounds in some shape sorters, like this one, motivates reaching and crawling as babies chase after it. For mamas-to-be interested in supporting crawling, resources like the Crawl on Track course offer further guidance. A shape sorter is a gift that combines fun with crucial developmental learning.
To specifically encourage crawling, consider a Bumble Bee Moving Toy.
This toy is a favorite for motivating babies to crawl and engage in tummy time. The movement of the bumble bee entices babies to reach and crawl after it. A tip from experienced parents is to put tape over the speaker if the sounds are too loud, allowing for focused play without overwhelming noise. As a mama to be gift, a moving toy like this is a proactive way to support the baby’s physical development and mobility.
Stacking cups are incredibly versatile and offer open-ended play that will last through toddlerhood.
These simple cups can be banged together, stacked high, or used for scooping and pouring. Stacking cups are excellent for developing hand-eye coordination and understanding spatial relationships. Their open-ended nature means they remain engaging as the child grows, making them a gift that provides long-term play value and continuous developmental benefits.
For sensory exploration during tummy time, a Mirror/Sensory Tummy Time Book is a thoughtful and engaging gift.
This soft book features a mirror to capture the baby’s attention and folds out to create an engaging sensory play space for tummy time. The “barn” theme adds a cute and comforting element. Purchasing this from Usborne book shop supports independent booksellers, and free shipping is often available for orders over $75 (check with [email protected] for details). A sensory book is a gentle and stimulating way to make tummy time more appealing.
A Name puzzle is a personalized and educational gift that grows with the child.
Personalized with the baby’s name, this puzzle helps with name recognition from an early age. As the child grows, it can be used for color recognition, as letters are often in different colors. For extended play, you can use tiny felt balls and tongs to fill the letter ridges, adding another activity for fine motor skills and name recognition. A name puzzle is a unique and developmental mama to be gift that celebrates the baby’s individuality.
A simple Ball rattle can hold a baby’s attention surprisingly well and is perfectly designed for small hands and mouths.
Its easy-to-grasp design and gentle rattle sound make it an engaging toy for babies. It encourages grasping, reaching, and auditory development. Often more captivating than expected, a ball rattle is a classic and effective developmental toy, making it a great addition to mama to be gifts.
An Activity table is a versatile gift that provides entertainment and developmental opportunities as the baby grows.
Modern activity tables are designed to be aesthetically pleasing, fitting seamlessly into living spaces. They offer various activities to promote motor development. This reel demonstrates how similar toys can be used for motor skill development. Different styles are available, some with pop-off legs and others with screw-off legs, like this one. For an activity table that babies can sit in, this model is a recommended option. An activity table is a comprehensive gift that offers extended play and developmental benefits.
A Soft block set is the epitome of an open-ended toy, offering fun and learning through various stages of development.
Babies can stack them, chew on them, knock them down, or throw them – all contributing to different aspects of development. Soft blocks are safe, versatile, and engaging for a wide age range, making them a long-lasting and valuable mama to be gift.
Black and White cards are excellent for stimulating newborns’ vision during tummy time.
Newborns are highly responsive to high-contrast images. These cards are perfect motivators for tummy time, encouraging babies to lift their heads and focus. Early visual stimulation is crucial for development, and these cards are a simple yet effective tool. Including black and white cards in mama to be gifts shows an understanding of newborn sensory needs.
Pull & Go cars are great for teaching cause and effect and motivating crawling.
Pulling back and releasing these cars to watch them go teaches cause and effect. Chasing after them as they roll is excellent motivation for crawling. These cars are featured in expert resources like Crawl on Track as top crawling motivators. Pull & go cars are a fun and active gift that supports physical development.
Peekaboo Elmo or a similar interactive toy like this elephant are fantastic for tummy time push-up motivation and introducing object permanence.
The peek-a-boo action encourages babies to lift their heads during tummy time to see Elmo reappear. It also introduces the concept of object permanence in a fun and engaging way. Choosing Peekaboo Elmo or a similar toy as mama to be gifts provides entertainment with developmental benefits.
A My First Music set offers years of musical exploration and fun.
Musical instruments are engaging for babies and toddlers and can be used for years. This set includes various instruments for exploring sounds and rhythm. A Musical Push Toy is another great musical option. Musical toys stimulate auditory development and creativity, making them a gift that keeps on giving.
An Exercise ball is a versatile tool for the whole family, benefiting both mama and baby.
For babies, it can make tummy time more comfortable and fun, aid in developing sitting strength and balance, and be used for crawling and walking practice. For moms, it’s great for fitness. An exercise ball is a practical and health-oriented mama to be gift with benefits for everyone.
A Kick piano play mat encourages active play from a young age.
The overhead bar engages arm movements, while the piano keys entice kicking, promoting leg strength and coordination. The piano can also be detached for propped sitting play or hands and knees reaching. A kick piano play mat is a dynamic and engaging gift that encourages early motor skills.
A Play piano is another excellent musical toy that supports development from tummy time through toddler years.
This toy is beneficial from tummy time, encouraging reaching and rolling, and remains engaging as children grow older. For more on supporting rolling, resources like Roll on Track are available. A play piano is a long-lasting gift that supports musical and motor development.
A Tunnel is a fantastic toy for encouraging crawling and exploration.
Tunnels motivate babies to crawl and can help army crawlers transition to hands and knees crawling. They provide a fun and enclosed space for exploration and movement. A tunnel is an active play gift that directly supports crawling development.
A Tummy time water mat is ideal for babies who are resistant to tummy time.
The cool sensation, moving foam shapes, and slight support make tummy time more comfortable and engaging. It’s also great for propped sitting, reaching, and army crawling. A water mat is a soothing and supportive gift to ease babies into tummy time.
The Little Balance Box is designed by a physical therapist to support babies learning to stand.
It’s stable and doesn’t tip, transitioning easily across surfaces. It also doubles as an activity table as the child grows. The Little Balance Box is a sturdy and developmentally focused gift that supports standing and later play.
A Geometric rattle from Manhattan Toys is always a great choice for quality and design.
Babies are fascinated by the sliding beads and bouncy strands of these rattles. They are visually stimulating and provide tactile exploration. A Manhattan Toy rattle is a classic and high-quality mama to be gift.
A Rattle/Teether combo is perfect for soothing sore gums and encouraging midline hand movements.
The material is designed to be soothing for gums, and the shape encourages bringing hands to the midline, a precursor to rolling. A rattle/teether is a practical and developmentally supportive gift for the teething phase.
Squigz spinners are versatile for tummy time, seated play, pulling to stand, and more.
Their spinning motion captures attention and makes play feel like less “work.” Squigz spinners are engaging and adaptable for various developmental stages, making them a long-lasting and versatile gift.
A Caterpillar pillow is a supportive alternative to a Boppy for tummy time and seated play.
It provides the right amount of support for easier tummy time and safe sitting practice. It can also be used as an obstacle for army crawling and later for pretend play. A caterpillar pillow is a multi-functional and supportive gift.
A Play cube is a classic toy found in pediatricians’ offices for good reason – it’s packed with exploration and discovery.
Play cubes offer multiple activities on each side, encouraging reaching, kneeling, and exploration. They are a comprehensive and engaging toy for various developmental stages.
A Fold-Out Book with an accordion style and high-contrast images is perfect for tummy time head and body rotation.
The design encourages babies to turn their heads and bodies, strengthening neck muscles during tummy time. Purchasing from Usborne book shop supports independent sellers, with free shipping options available (check [email protected]). A fold-out book is a visually stimulating and developmentally beneficial gift.
Wrist/Ankle socks with rattles encourage body awareness and foot-to-mouth movements, which are important for rolling.
These socks help babies discover their feet and encourage movements that lead to rolling from back to belly. They are featured in resources like Roll on Track as rolling motivators. Rattle socks are a simple yet effective gift for promoting motor development.
Squigz Cups are great for snack time and encouraging movement.
Suction these cups to surfaces and place snacks inside to motivate babies to reach and move. Squigz cups combine snack time with developmental encouragement, making them a practical and clever gift.
Choosing mama to be gifts that are both thoughtful and developmentally beneficial shows care and consideration for both the mother and the baby. These expert-recommended toys are perfect for spoiling the expectant mother and setting the stage for a joyful and enriching start to her baby’s life. Consider tagging @themovementmama in your pictures as your little one explores these wonderful toys!
