The 10 Best Toys For 3-Month-Olds, Based on Pediatrician Advice

The Playgym by Lovevery ($140)

Floor time is still critical for 3-month-olds as they work toward physical milestones. A playmat like Lovevery's sets the stage. It's "a lovely space for a baby to explore during the first year of life," Dr. Choi says.

Lovevery's play gym does not have bright lights or prerecorded music, preventing overstimulation, but does have accessories for every stage. A wooden rattle toy can be detached so babies can grasp it, or parents can shake it to encourage head-turning. Other attachments promote reach as babies work to build strength so they can move.

Wubbanub Pacifier ($14)

If you need a little help keeping your little one occupied during diaper changes, Dr. Choi recommends the WubbaNub Pacifier. The one pictured here is a puppy, but "there are lots of cute soft plush animal toys to choose from," Dr. Choi tells POPSUGAR — including a baby dinosaur and an adorable hippo, to name a few.

And parents love the product, too. "Couldn't live without them!" one reviewer wrote. "Only pacifier my baby will take! They are easy to find, baby can hold early on, and also loves to snuggle it!" said another.

Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Baby Activity Chime & Teether Stroller Toy ($7)

Dr. Choi says exploring the outside world in a stroller or baby carrier can be great for parents and babies. While the focus on these walks may be nature, hanging toys on a stroller or infant car seat provides some added interest. This toy from Skip Hop "is colorful, has fun textures, and creates gentle natural sounds," Dr. Choi says. And it can be used on or off the stroller. "Babies closer to 4 to 5 months and up are more likely to interact with stroller toys, so it's a toy that a baby can grow with," Dr. Choi adds.

"Global Babies" ($5)

Dr. Choi recommends "Global Babies" because she loves board books with diverse faces. "Babies love to study people's faces and expressions," Dr. Choi says. The book features 17 pages of little ones from around the world living their daily lives and wearing clothing typical of the area. As a bonus, some proceeds from book sales go toward the Global Fund for Children to support community-based organizations that work with children and youth.

Bright Starts Oball Easy Grasp Classic Ball ($5)

Dr. Choi loves grasping toys for motor skill development. Also, babies become more interested in colors as their vision improves in their post-newborn era. She recommends a ball like this one from Bright Starts, which she says "is easy for babies to hold and comes in fun colors."

The under-$5 toy is a bargain, as it's something babies can continue to play with as they develop. "This toy can also be enjoyed as the baby grows into a toddler," Dr. Choi says.

Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror ($15, originally $21)

Mirrors are still winners for babies as they hit the 3-month-old mark. "Mirrors, such as the Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror, make tummy time more motivating and fun," Dr. Choi says. Plus, this one is made with a two-color spinning ball to engage baby's curiosity. "This mirror can also encourage babies to crawl when they are ready for that gross motor milestone," Dr. Choi adds.

"Making Faces: A First Book of Emotions" ($7)

Another recommendation from Dr. Choi for its range of expressive faces, this board book helps parents and infants get a jumpstart on emotional identification (a key to regulation and reducing tantrums later). Emotions expressed include happy, sad, and surprise, and parents can make the faces, too, for a more interactive storytime.

Pro Goleem Security Blanket ($12, originally $20)

A soft lovey can make a 3-month-old feel safe and secure. It can also be a goofy way for a parent to engage with a child in early pretend play. The soft, minky, and satin fabric of Pro Goleem's blankets feels high-end and durable. The blankets come in numerous animals, including an elephant, a cow, a bear, and a dog. It's a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, with over 16K reviewers giving the blankets a 4.8-star rating.

"[My] baby loves it — exactly as advertised," a five-star reviewer wrote. "I've washed it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle, and it did perfectly."

Lovevery Organic Montessori Ball Baby Toy ($15)

Balls promote grasping during the 3-month-old stage, Dr. Choi says. Lovevery's soft ball protects baby's noggin as they learn to control their movements. The ridges encourage grasping, strength, and hand-eye coordination.

Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Baby Book ($14, originally $15)

Melissa & Doug's versatile soft activity baby book is another toy that can grow with your child. At 3 months, a baby will love the colors and watch caregivers lift the flaps, teaching them object permanence and peek-a-boo. As time passes, they'll build motor skills and relish lifting the flaps themselves.

"My daughter is only 3 months old, but she is starting to reach out for things and hold on to them," one Amazon reviewer said. "We 'read' this book daily during tummy time, and she seems to have really started to enjoy grabbing and feeling different parts of the book. I think this book will get better for her as she gets older as well."