According to Neonatal Occupational Therapist, Clinical Specialist Lauren Ashley Quinn OTD, OTR/L, “Three-month-old play activities can include time spent in tummy time (on their stomach) to promote strengthening and motor development, as well as time spent engaged with caregivers while talking, reading, and singing for cognitive [and] intellectual development. Mirror play can encourage visual skills and enhance motivation for play,” so opt for toys and gifts that encourage their stage of development. Whether you’re gifting your new addition or that of a close friend or relative, items that help simplify parents’ routines or aid their transition are likely appreciated. Gifts like developmental toys that encourage baby’s growth are beneficial as well, as long as they’re age-appropriate and safe. We considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of cleaning, and design when reviewing products. Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $9 Price at time of publication: $210 Dyper provides bamboo diapers that are free of chlorine, latex, and other toxins. With a mission to limit their impact on the environment, Dyper even offers a program where parents can send their used diapers back to be composted responsibly. Price at time of publication: Starts at $18 Price at time of publication: $10 Price at time of publication: $48 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $75 Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $13 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $49 Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $79 Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: $5 Price at time of publication: Starts at $80 Price at time of publication: $14 Price at time of publication: $28 Price at time of publication: $23 Price at time of publication: $43 Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $70 Price at time of publication: $10+ Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $24 We also spoke with Neonatal Occupational Therapist, Clinical Specialist Lauren Ashley Quinn OTD, OTR/L, to find out what to look for in gifts for 3-month-olds, as well as how to keep babies playing safely. We chose gifts for 3-month-olds that are easy to use for the recommended age group, give parents and caregivers a little break, and help littles reach those important developmental milestones.
What to Look for When Buying Gifts for 3-Month-Olds
Age-Appropriate
The most important thing to be mindful of when shopping for a baby gift is whether or not it is age-appropriate, both developmentally and in terms of safety. At around this age, babies are able to lift their head and chest during tummy time, are able to open and close their hands and bring their hands to their mouth, are starting to recognize familiar objects, beginning to imitate sounds, and swipe at dangling toys. Based on these developmental milestones, soft rattles, tummy time activities, play gyms, board books with basic shapes and pictures, and toys with sound, such as the Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy, make great options. Since babies are learning how to grasp and bring their hands to their mouths, you’ll want to make sure there are no small parts on the toys you give them and that they are made from materials that are safe for babies to put in their mouths and easy for adults to wipe clean. Additionally, since most babies are not yet rolling over by three months, avoid any large toys, sleepers, bouncers, etc., that could be a suffocation risk.
Usefulness
At 3 months old, there are still plenty of products parents and caregivers need for their baby, so consider getting a gift that will help make their lives a little easier. A bouncer, such as the BabyBjorn Bouncer Balance Soft, can help soothe a fussy baby (which is truly a gift for tired parents), diapers and wipes are always in high demand, onesies and footies are daily attire at this age, and you can never have enough pacifiers for a 3-month-old. Parents and caregivers are still in survival mode when their baby is 3 months old, so look for gifts that will help soothe the baby, save mom and dad some money, and will keep the baby entertained while encouraging development.
Toy Safety
Because babies love putting toys into their mouths, safety is of the utmost importance. When buying toys for a 3-month-old baby, skip the toys with small pieces as they pose a choking hazard. Instead, ensure the size of the toy and its parts are bigger than the baby’s mouth. Additionally, avoid toys made with small batteries or loose magnets, which can cause serious, life-threatening injuries if ingested.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. Her go-to new baby gifts are classic books. She loves having her older kids pick out some special books for a new baby. Oh, and a homemade dinner (or sweet treat) for the new and very tired parents is always appreciated. Additional reporting by: Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. She is a parent herself and researched gifts that would provide parents and caregivers a small break without sacrificing the baby’s development. She recommends a couple of items on this list she has used herself, such as the Burt’s Bees Wearable Blanket and Splashin’kids Inflatable Tummy Time. Her son used the wearable blankets immediately after birth, while the water tummy time mat was a big hit when her son hit the 3-month milestone mark.
More Toys and Gifts for Kids
When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Newborn Baby Gifts The Best Unique Baby Gifts The Best Baby Gifts The Best Gifts for Baby Girls The Best Baby Boy Gifts The Best Infant Toys The Best Gifts for 2-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 10-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 12-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 15-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds The Best Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys The Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 10-year-Olds The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 12-year-old Boys The Best Gifts for Teens The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys The Black-Owned Gift Guide
