Want the Best Baby Toys?
Choose Award-Winning Infant Educational Toys

With the ba-zillions of toys out there, how do you know you're looking at the best baby toys? Actually, it's really simple. See which ones have won awards for their educational content and learning encouragement!

I'm confident this is the only place on the web to find all the toys, and all the awards (most sites just list their awards).

I've listed all the toy winners from 2008, and a few favorites from earlier years. If you're looking for the best baby toys of 2009, check out this article. It will get you started on the right track.

Best Baby Toys:
$60 and Up

Bright Starts Around We Go

The Around We Go is the only activity station that is designed to grow with your baby through the toddler years. Babies can safely walk around the activity table to play with the electronic piano, magical drawing station, clickers, spinners, and rattles. It also has a removeable dishwasher-safe snack tray.

Once your baby has achieved walking-stage, the seat can be removed to create a traditional toddler play table that allows multiple children to play at the same time. (Great for sibling play time!) This toy is designed for babies 4 months and up.

Award Won: Dr. Toy's Best Products for 2008.

Click here to see more information about Bright Starts Around We Go.

Ryan the Zebra Learning Center

Besides being an eye-catching Zebra (black and white are idea colors for developing eyes!), Ryan provides 28 different developmental activities like peek-a-book, teether, shapes, colors, textures, and fine motor skills. This toy is designed for infants 6 months to 3 years.

Award Won: 2008 Creative Child Award. In order to win this award, this toy had to have been highly reviewed and recommended by multiple mothers, music educators and early education professionals.

Click here to see more information on Ryan the Zebra Learning Center.

Yookidoo Discovery Playhouse

This amazing toy is more than just a play-tent. It has ball play activities, shape-sorting, posting and peek-a-boo fun. It also folds easily for quick storage and travel to Grandma's. Designed around the unexpected, it places toys in "hidden" pockets that just scream "Explore Me!". This toy was designed for babies 12 months and up.

Award Won: Parenting Magazine Best Toys of 2008.

Click here to get free shipping for The Discovery Playhouse (promo code = FREESHIP$65).

Other Award Winners for $60 and Up

There simply isn't enough room in this article to list all the winners in detail, so here's a list of the other best baby toys in the $60 and up category you may be interested in.

Baby Einstein Musical Motion Activity Jumper

4 months and up
2007 Creative Child Award

See This Toy

Bright Starts
Baby's Playplace

Newborn and up
Dr. Toy's 2008 Toy
Choice of 2008

See this Toy

Laugh and Learn Smart Bounce and Spin Pony

12 months and up
Parenting Magazine
Best Toys of 2008
iParenting Media Toy
Award for 2008

See this Toy

Neurosmith Together Tunes Too Block

3 months and up
iParenting Media
Award for 2008

See this Toy

Gymini Monkey Island

Newborn and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Award Winner for 2009

See this Toy

Best Baby Toys:
$30 - $59

Monkey's Jungle Retreat Play Mat

Designed for newborns up to 18 months, this activity center has a large textured mat, detachable hanging toys, bright contrasting colors, flashing lights and musical entertainment. All of your baby's senses will be stimulated and exercised with this learning toy.

Awards won: This toy has won Parents Magazine's Best Toys of 2008, and has been declared an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner for 2008.

Click here to look at Monkey's Jungle Retreat.

Other Award Winners for $30 - $59

There simply isn't enough room in this article to list all the winners in detail, so here's a list of the other best baby toys in the $30 - $59 category you may be interested in.

NooBoo Symphonic
Stacker

Newborn and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Award in 2007
Parent Magazine
Best Toys of 2006

Sweet Island
Dreams Mobile

Newborn to 12 months
Parents Best Toys 2008
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Winner 2009

See this Toy

Tummy Time
Activity Center

Newborn and up
Parenting Magazine
Best Toys 2008

See this Toy

Together Tunes
Sing Along Book

12 months to 3 years
Dr. Toy's Best Toys
of the Year 2008

See this Toy

Spinnin' Around
Musical Zoo

6 months and up
Parents Best Toys
of 2008

See this Toy

Baby Einstein
Lights and Melodies
Discovery Center

Newborn and up
2008 Creative Child
Preferred Choice Award

See this Toy.

Zoobie Stuffed Animal
and Soft Blanket

Newborn and up
iParenting Media Award:
Top Toy of 2007
Dr. Toy's Choice for 2007

See this Toy

Kaleido Disk

Newborn and up
iParenting Award 2008

See this Toy

Best Baby Toys:
$20 - $29

'Round the Farm

This plush toy is actually four farm animals in one. Pressing the right ear of each animal teaches that animal's sound. A bell chime in the middle makes a pleasant jingle when rattled and sounds when rolled. This great toy teaches motor skills through catching, rolling, and grabbing. Designed for babies 0-24 months old.

Awards won: Parents Magazine Best Toys 2008, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner 2009.

Click here to see the 'Round the Farm Ball.

Surprise Inside Elephant

This toy is one surprise after another. Each time your baby reaches inside, she may find a baby elephant, a squeaky mouse, a bag of peanuts, a ball and a flower with a mirror. Each fits perfectly inside the elephant's pockets and your baby's hand. There's even a handle for carrying around the house. Designed for infants newborn to 24 months old.

Awards won: Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products, iParenting Media Great Holiday Product Award for 2008.

Click here to see more information about the Surprise Inside Elephant.

Other Award Winners for $20 - $29

There simply isn't enough room in this article to list all the winners in detail, so here's a list of the other best baby toys in the $20 - $29 category you may be interested in.

Musical Sleep Sheep
On the Go

Newborn and up
iParenting Media Award 2008
National Parenting Council's
Seal of Approval

See this Toy

Animal Shape Sorter

9 months and up
Parenting Toy of the Year

See this Toy

Chime Garden Party

9 months and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Award 2008

See this Toy

Busy Ball
Choo Choo

9 months and up
Parents Best
Toys of 2008

See this Toy

Learn with Me!
ABC 123 Ball

6 months and up
Parents Best
Toys of 2008

See this Toy

Discovery Baby Laptop

12 months and up
2008 Creative Child
Preferred Choice Award

See this Toy.

Follow Me Fred

6 months and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Winner 2009

See this Toy

Fun House Mirror
Crawl Toy

6 months and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Award 2009

See this Toy

Trotter the Pony

Newborn and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Award 2009

See this Toy

My First Taggies Puzzle

9 months and up
iParenting Media
Award 2008

See this Toy

Stack, Flap 'n Tumble

6 months and up
iParenting Media
Award for 2008

See this Toy

Best Baby Toys:
Under $20

Balancing Bug Stacker

This innovative toy is perfect for tiny hands to grasp. They can be stacked or played with individually. The magnets allow him to experiment with touching the toys together, watching them magically stick together! Each bug has a little rattle attached inside. This is a great toy for newborns and up.

Award won: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award (This is their top toy award!)

Click here to see the Balancing Bug Stacker.

Count and Compose Piano

This piano combines auditory, visual, and language development all into one toy. The large screen features colored lights that dance in time with classical music. The drum and rattle balls encourage motor skill development. Your baby can compose her own music by pushing random keys that trigger automatic melodies into a unique tune.

There is even a selection that will teach your baby how to count to 5 in English, Spanish and French! Designed for infants 6 months and up. It is the most popular toy of all the best baby toys listed here.

Award won: Parenting Magazine Best Toys of 2008

Click here to see the other features of Count and Compose Piano.

Other Award Winners for Under $20

There simply isn't enough room in this article to list all the winners in detail, so here's a list of the other infant educational toys below $20 category you may be interested in.

Explore and Learn
Helicopter

12 months and up
Parenting Magazine Best
Toy of 2008

See this Toy

Toss the Taggie Ball

Newborn and up
Oppenheim Toy
Portfolio Winner 2007
Dr. Toy Best Toy Award
iParenting Award Winner

See this Toy

Puppetivity Pal

Newborn and up
Parenting Magazine
Best Toys of 2008

See this Toy

Caterpillar Spillers

9 months and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Winner for 2009

See this Toy

Stacking Ball Colori

12 months and up
Parents Best Toys
of 2008

See this Toy.

Alex Jr.
Fuzzy Friends

Newborn and Up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Winner for 2009

See this Toy.

Alex Cuddly Kids

Newborn and Up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Winner for 2009

See this Toy.

Lullaby Ladybug

3 months and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Winner for 2009

See this Toy

Happy Moments
BusyBuds Giraffe

Newborn and up
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Platinum Winner for 2009

See this Toy

Since you're going to buy your baby some toys, why not make sure they are the best baby toys available? Choosing infant educational toys will (sneakily) build up your baby's brain while he's happily playing away.

Since all play is learning play for infants, get the most out of every playtime! All of these toys have been expert-evaluated and are recommended for milestone and brain development. They are the creme de la creme of the infant toy world!