The Best Baby Rattles for Amusing Your Little One

Baby rattles have been used since antiquity. While rattles certainly have changed since the first clay one discovered more than 2,500 years ago, one thing is for sure: babies still love them! Some early childhood development experts claim rattles help babies develop their hand-eye coordination. As parents, we recognize rattles as a great way to engage babies and keep them occupied. Below are some great options for amusing your little one!

What to Consider in a Baby Rattle

Rattles are essentially all designed with the same concept in mind. However, some key points can make one work better than others:

• Colors: Babies love colors (who doesn’t?); however, some experts believe a black and white contrast on toys can engage newborns better as their eyes develop to seeing color.
• Grip: Obviously, babies have small hands and fingers that are just learning to grip and hold things, so choosing a rattle that is easy for them to wrap their fingers around is a good idea.
• Size: Babies might prefer a smaller rattle compared to a larger, more complex one.
• Material: Babies have little control over what their hands are doing, so it is possible they might end up whacking themselves in the head more than once with their new rattle. Therefore, it might be best to choose one made from a soft material.

Best Overall: Fisher-Price Rattle ‘n Rock Maracas

These little rattles are the perfect size for a baby’s hands to easily hold onto, and they’re lightweight so that your little one can easily shake them. These little rattles will help your baby develop their gross motor skills. One side has colorful beads to grab your baby’s attention with sounds, while the other has a soft pompom to add texture and fun. Not to mention, the set includes two maracas, so your baby gets one for each hand!

Best Grip: O Ball Bright Start Oball Shaker

This rattle is made especially for little fingers to shake, shake, shake, and then shake some more! The middle handle is clear and textured with little colorful beads to make fun noises as your baby shakes and rattles it around. Each end is made of BPA-free, durable, flexible, yet firm material for squeezing, teething, and shaking for endless playtime.

Best Wearable: Blige SMTF Cute Animal Baby Socks Wrist Rattles

These little rattles can help your baby develop hand, foot, and eye coordination. The fun wrist rattles strap around your baby’s wrist for endless rattling as they wave their hands, and the socks make a fun addition to kicking and grabbing toes! Each rattle is colorful and features cute little animals, and since they don’t have to be held, they are effortless and safe toys for your little one.

Best Soft: The First Years First Rattle

Not only can this rattle keep your baby interested and occupied with a fun new noise, but it also doubles as a great teether. It is easy to grasp for little fingers, and the high-contrast pattern encourages your little one’s visual tracking.

Best Set: iPlay, iLearn 10 pcs Baby Rattle Toys

This cute set includes ten brightly colored rattles and teethers for each of your baby’s developmental stages. Each has different grips, shapes, and fun tasks for continual fine motor skill development. The different textures of each toy will help your baby as they develop their touch, while the numerous sounds each toy emits help expand your baby’s sensory experience, and colors and patterns work on their eye-tracking. These toys are easy to clean and make wonderful presents at a baby shower.