There is no shortage of baby toys that promise to foster development, provide relief to sore teething gums, and keep the little one occupied—and the Manhattan Toy Winkel is one of them. Parents of babies are sleep-deprived and often strapped for cash, so they want to invest in toys that will perform as promised, are easy to keep clean, their baby won’t outgrow quickly, and are designed to last. Does the award-winning Winkel measure up? Read on to find out.
Design: Colorful, functional, but not great for the diaper bag
The first thing I noticed when I unboxed this toy was how well-made it is. It has several little plastic loops that attach to a center cube, and there is no way they are detaching from that cube! The toy is bright, with complementing but contrasting colored loops, and the center cube has a polka-dot pattern that will surely capture a young baby’s gaze. Finally, the center cube has little pieces in it so the toy also serves as a rattle, but unlike a lot of plastic rattles, this one has a soft sound that won’t drive a parent crazy. It’s also worth noting that the Winkel is made of polyurethane and does not contain BPA or PVC. Manhattan Toy also states that it meets the CPSC and European safety requirements for phthalates. The biggest downside to the Winkel’s design is that its unique shape and somewhat larger size make it hard to store in a diaper bag. It’s too big to slide into a pocket, so it would need to go in the largest compartment of most diaper bags, which is usually full of diapers, wipes, extra clothes, etc. That being said, if you don’t have the storage space and your baby drops it while you’re out, its general shape is a square, so you don’t have to worry about chasing after it since it won’t roll away.
Entertainment Value: Fun throughout stages of development
My favorite thing about this toy is that it not only occupies my baby now but will also keep her interest in other ways as she grows. At 5-months-old developmentally (adjusted age since she was born 6 weeks premature), she is currently chewing on everything and the Winkel is designed to encourage, and withstand, that kind of “play.” However, I’m hesitant to call it a teether. The manufacturer notes that you can put the toy in the freezer to provide relief to teething babies, but I found that after putting the toy in the freezer for over an hour, it only stayed cold for about five minutes (and then was wet all over). Plus, it isn’t designed to actually massage a baby’s gums, but the plastic loops are at least soft. Ultimately, if you’re using the Winkel as a teether, the entertainment longevity between freezes isn’t there. As a toy, it will definitely keep your baby’s attention, and it doesn’t need batteries, flashing lights, music, or other loud noises to do it.
Age Range: 3 months and up
The manufacturer’s suggested age range for this toy starts at birth, but don’t expect a sleepy newborn to get much out of it. Typically, babies start grasping around 3 months of age, and that’s when this toy will become appealing because the small plastic loops are the perfect size and texture for little hands to grab. From there, the Winkel continues to support development. The plastic loops stick out at varying lengths and angles, making it great for babies who are learning spatial awareness. Once your baby starts to actually do something with their toys, like shake them, the rattle feature will come into play. Since it’s made from plastic, it can also fall on the floor safely, making it an excellent toy for when baby masters throwing things from the high chair. Basically, once the Winkel gets your baby’s attention, it doesn’t stop for a while. Check out our guide to the best toys for 4-month-olds.
Ease of Cleaning: You have to put in some effort
It’s hand-wash only, and the manufacturer recommends you don’t submerge it in water. Since it’s plastic, you can at least put some of those baby wipes to use on it, but you can’t toss it in the dishwasher.
Price: Worth every penny
Because babies need so many products in general, and since they grow out of toys so quickly, it’s tough to rationalize spending much money at all on something for them to play with. At around $15, this isn’t going to break the bank, but it’s also on the higher end for a single, small toy. Still, it’s worth the money because it’s not going to break and your baby will probably play with it for the long haul.
Competition: It depends on what you’re looking for
Bright Starts Oball Rattle Easy Grasp Toy: If you’re looking for another product that will encourage grabbing, is safe for your baby to put in their mouth, and has a rattle effect, the Oball Rattle also does the trick. The major benefits of this toy are the price (around $5) and its smaller size (for portability). However, it’s also more easily lost because when a baby drops it, it rolls like a ball, while the Winkel stays put. Nuby IcyBite Keys Teether: The Winkel is great at a lot of things, but being a teether isn’t really one of them. If you’re in the market for something that is designed specifically for teething, and less for play/entertainment, the Nuby IcyBites Keys Teether that we also tested is a better buy. It’s designed to stay cold longer, has little massagers on each “key,” and is dishwasher safe. If you’re filling out your baby shower registry, or are simply on the hunt for a toy that will keep your baby entertained without flashing lights or loud noises, the Manhattan Toy Winkel is the one for you. It’s a simple toy that will help your baby develop in so many ways, and it’s durable enough to make it through multiple milestones (and may even be intact for you to use if you have another baby down the road).
