First-Year Baby Toy Guide: Saro Toys for Every Stage
Big fun, small hands.
In the first year, a crinkly sound or a ring that fits a tiny fist can hold a baby's attention for ages. What changes is how they play: they watch, then grab, then chew everything, then shake it to see what happens.
Saro toys are built around those stages. Here's what we'd pick, and why.
The short checklist
Something small hands can hold: long limbs, loops, knots, rings. Different textures, since plush, smooth wood and soft silicone all feel different in the hand and the mouth. Some kind of sound that rewards a squeeze or a shake. And it should be easy to clean, because it's going to end up in their mouth. Always check the age recommendation on each product page, and stay close during play.
Crinkle, crinkle
There's a reason crinkle toys are a classic. Babies hear an instant response to their own squeeze, and they love it. The Crinkle Star has crinkle paper inside, a mix of soft textures, and a knot on one point where you can tie on a pacifier or teether.
Our Longlegs plush are another favorite. Their arms and legs are long and narrow, just right for a small fist, and there's crinkle paper inside too. Pick your animal: Sloth, Elephant, Giraffe, Monkey, Alpaca or Dinosaur.
Want something bigger to cuddle? The XL Multi-Activity Octopus and XL Giraffe are extra-large and very soft, with hidden crackle paper, tags and loops tucked all over.
Shake, rattle and roll
Once babies start reaching, a toy that makes noise when it moves is very satisfying. The Jingle Plush Ball (also in Llama and Elephant) is soft, sized for tiny hands, and jingles every time it rolls. Little fingers love grabbing the tags around it.
The Cotton Bunnies Rattle Ring + Squeaker Set comes in Dusty Blue or Dusty Pink. One rattles, one squeaks, and both are soft and squishy.
Clip it on, take it along
A toy that clips on is a toy that doesn't end up under the restaurant table. Pull the legs of the Attachable Spring Rattle and the body stretches out, then springs back with a little bell. It comes in Sloth and Octopus too, and the clip goes on strollers and car seats.
Spirals wrap around a crib rail or stroller bar. Try the Cotton Bunnies Multi Activity Spiral (or in Dusty Pink) or the Fly Free spiral, which also works on car seats. Its matching Fly Free rattle bounces back when baby pulls it.
Teething, sorted
Teething shows up somewhere in the first year, and having two or three different teethers on hand helps, because what works on Tuesday may not work on Wednesday. Our traditional-style teethers pair natural beech wood with silicone. The Ring Teether is the simplest, an easy loop to hold. The Star has points and curves to explore. The Bunny and Duck are just plain cute. The Crackling Star adds a crinkly fabric piece.
For something cooling, the Soft & Cool teether has a water-filled section and three textures in food-grade silicone. The Silicone Sensory Ball is food-grade silicone too, with an open shape that's easy to grab, chew or toss.
Drooly baby? The Absorbent Teething Bib has a teether built in, plus an internal waterproof layer to help keep clothes dry.
The lovey
A lot of babies latch on to one comfort item. The Cotton Bunnies Lovey, in Dusty Blue or Dusty Pink, is a soft security blanket made for exactly that. It pairs nicely with the matching Cotton Bunnies Rag Doll. And if the pacifier keeps disappearing, the Plush Clip Toy holds it on an elastic loop attached to a soft little plush.
Starting from zero?
Honestly, five or six toys is plenty. A crinkle toy, something that jingles, one clip-on for outings, a couple of teethers in different materials, and a lovey. Rotate them every few days so they feel new again, and keep one in the diaper bag for the pediatrician's waiting room.
Look toys over now and then and retire anything that's damaged. Clean them often, following each product's care instructions.
Quick answers
Why do babies like crinkle toys so much?
They get an immediate sound back from their own squeeze. It's cause and effect they can feel.
What are Saro wooden teethers made of?
Natural beech wood and silicone.
What's good for the stroller?
Anything with a clip or a wrap-around design, like the Attachable Spring Rattle or the activity spirals.
Browse more baby toys, teethers and rattles, or everything from Saro.
