If you are a new parent, you have undoubtedly been told that letting your baby have some ‘tummy time’ every day is important for their development. So, what actually is ‘tummy time’ and why is it so important? What are the best tummy time toys for newborns?
Tummy time is simply letting your baby spend some time on their tummy every day. This helps improve their motor function and builds up strength in the muscles that they will use for sitting and crawling.
You can do this from birth by lying your baby on you so that you are chest to chest (only do this when you are alert and awake though!). Carrying your baby in a front lying position is another way to get them used to being on their front. As they get bigger, they can spend time on their tummies on a playmat.
Unfortunately, although we are told how important it is, someone has neglected to explain this to our little ones who often hate tummy time and are extremely vocal in expressing their dislike of the whole venture! So how can you cajole a reluctant baby into enjoying, or at the very least tolerating, tummy time? This is where tummy time toys come in handy!
Table of Contents
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Fisher-Price Tummy Time Llama |
| Check Price |
Best Water Mat  | Splashin'kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water mat |
| Check Price |
Best Tummy Time Book  | Taf Toys Kimmy Koala Tummy-Time Book |
| Check Price |
Best Floor Mirror  | Bright Starts Sit and See Floor Mirror |
| Check Price |
Best Tummy Time Pillow  | Fisher-Price Music & Vibe Sloth Tummy Wedge |
| Check Price |
Best Toy with Music  | Infantino 3-in-1 Tummy Time Pillow and Piano |
| Check Price |
Best for Older Babies  | Lamaze Captain Calamari Spin & Explore Gym |
| Check Price |
Best Innovation  | Tiny Love Tummy Time Mobile Entertainer |
| Check Price |
Best Tummy Time Toys for Newborns
We’ve picked 8 of the best tummy time toys for newborns and babies that may help the reluctant baby (as well as mummy and daddy!) enjoy tummy time a bit more.
Fisher-Price GLK39 Grow-with-Me Tummy Time Llama
The Fisher-Price Grow-with-Me Tummy Time Llama is a deluxe tummy time toy that may seem a bit pricey compared with some other toys, but you do get plenty of bang for your buck.
The plush cushion is perfect for supporting your baby when they are having some tummy time and could also be used to support younger babies when they are lying on their back.
Other features include a mirror, rattle and teether. It also has a double-sided play mat that rolls out when needed. With all of the features, even with the higher price tag, this definitely deserves a place on our list of best tummy time toys for newborns.
Pros
- Lots of features to keep your baby stimulated
- Lovely, soft baby-friendly material
- Machine washable
- Suitable from birth
- The mirror detaches so you can adjust where you put it on the toy
- No assembly required
Cons
- Quite pricey considering it isn’t musical
- Tips over fairly easily
Check price: Tummy Time Llama at: Amazon
Splashin'kids Inflatable Tummy Time Premium Water Mat
Water mats are a great choice for tummy time toys for newborns, and the Splashin’Kids Inflatable is our top pick. This colourful, easy to assemble mat is the perfect eye-catching tummy time toy that even the most reluctant baby will surely love. It is extremely compact, and can be stored away easily when not is use.
To assemble you simply blow up the outer ring and fill the centre portion with tap water. The colourful fish move around as your baby explores the surface of the mat, keeping them occupied and stimulated.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Easy to assemble
- Extremely compact when deflated
- Easy to clean
- Eye-catching and stimulating for baby – there is a lot to look at!
Cons
- If you want to prevent the water section going mouldy it will need to be emptied regularly and re-filled, which may prove time-consuming.
- If you don’t have much space it may need to be deflated and emptied after each use
Check price: Splashin’Kids Inflatable at: Amazon
Taf Toys Kimmy Koala Tummy Time Book
The Kimmy Koala Tummy Time Book is a sweet little standing book with several multi-sensory features for your baby to explore. From crinkly surfaces and a mirror, to parts they can pull and even put in their mouth, this is one of the best tummy time toys for newborns and babies.
The book features engaging illustrations of Kimmy the Koala and her joey and all the images are double sided with black and white pictures suitable for smaller babies on one side, to more colourful pictures for older babies on the other.
It can stand unaided so is perfect for keeping your baby engaged during tummy time and can also fold flat so it can attach to your buggy when you are out an about to keep your little one amused.
Pros
- Due to the variety of pictures, it is suitable from birth
- Very compact
- No assembly required
- Soft pages suitable for little hands
Cons
- Your baby obviously can’t turn the pages themselves so it is reliant on you to be tuned in to when they are bored with image and be ready to move to another
- Quite expensive compared with other similar books
Check price: Kimmy Koala Tummy Time Book at: Amazon, JoJo Maman Bebe
Bright Starts Sit and See Floor Mirror
Most babies love looking in mirrors and they are a great way to keep your baby engaged during tummy time. Even if they don’t like being on their front, they probably won’t be able to resist smiling at themselves.
The Bright Starts Sit and See FLoor Mirror requires no assembly, is self-standing and folds down easily for storage or if you want to take it out and about. It also has some crinkly leaves in the corner which may prove useful for distracting a grumpy baby!
Pros
- Good value for money
- No assembly required and easy to fold down and store
- Attractive design and good- sized mirror
- Also suitable for using once your baby can sit unaided
Cons
- Mirror can be distorted
- No additional features
Check price: Sit and See Floor Mirror at: Amazon
Fisher-Price Music & Vibe Sloth Tummy Wedge
The Fisher-Price Music & Vibe Sloth Tummy Wedge is another toy that is at the higher end price-wise, but this stimulating toy vibrates and plays music so you definitely get good value for money.
The body is made of silky soft material and the head makes a satisfying crinkly noise when you touch it. Detachable teethers either side of the head are handy for baby to chew on. In addition, it has a variety of sound and vibration settings which allows you to experiment with what suits your baby best.
Pros
- Lots of features for the price – music and vibration settings in particular
- Lovely soft material
- No assembly required
- Can keep using when baby starts sitting
- Teethers are detachable
Cons
- Surface wash only
- Needs batteries
- Controls are sometimes too easily activated by baby
Check price: Fisher Price Sloth Tummy Wedge: Amazon
Infantino 3-in-1 Tummy Time Pillow and Piano
If you have a little musical genius in the making then this is the best tummy time toy for you! The Infantino 3 in 1 Tummy Time Pillow has a plush bolster pillow and musical keyboard, and also has a detachable mirror and teether.
The keyboard can be detached for use in your little one’s cot or buggy. It is a toy that is designed to grow with your baby and they will enjoy it just as much when they are able to sit unaided as they did when it was used as a tummy time toy. In no time they’ll be ready for their solo music performance!
Pros
- Easy to clean – the covers are removable and machine washable
- Easy to store – just detach all the separate parts.
- Ideal for learning cause and effect
- Adjustable positions
Cons
- Less extra features than some of the other toys
- Needs batteries
Check price: Infantino Tummy Time Pillow: Amazon
Lamaze Captain Calamari Spin & Explore Gym
If you don’t mind splashing the cash then the Lamaze Captain Calamari Gym is the perfect item to grow with your baby as they progress from lying on their back to enjoying more tummy time. There are plenty of features to stimulate them whether they are lying on their back or front, including a squeaker, rattle, mirror and crinkly surfaces.
The primary feature is the ladybird spinner in the middle which helps your baby explore the different parts of the mat independently. The spinner can be detached if necessary and isn’t suitable for newborns. It is machine washable and folds away really easily. It is the kind of toy that they can enjoy from birth until they can sit independently so would be a good investment.
Pros
- No assembly required
- Machine washable
- Attractive, eye-catching design
- Variety of toys for them to play with
Cons
- Quite pricey considering it doesn’t play music etc
- Spinner not suitable for newborns
Check price: Lamaze Spin & Explore Gym at: Amazon
Tiny Love Tummy Time Mobile Entertainer
The Tiny Love Tummy Time Mobile is a cute, engaging little toy with music and lights which are sure to keep your baby entertained during tummy time. It can also be transformed into a mobile so your baby can enjoy it on their back in their cot, plus there is a large clip included that enables you to attach it to your buggy.
The rotating arms include a mirror and hologram and the sounds can be baby-activated – which your little one is sure to love!
Pros
- Compact and easy to clean
- Very engaging visually and aurally – will keep baby occupied
- Adaptable as can be used in their cot and buggy
- Good value for money
- Adjustable sound control – can either play continuously or be baby-activated
Cons
- Needs batteries
- Although it is marketed at babies from birth it is more suited to slightly older babies who can interact with it more
Check price: Tummy Time Mobile at: Amazon
Fisher-Price Grow-with-Me Tummy Time Llama
- Multi-sensory features engage your baby’s senses of sight, hearing and touch
- Includes 3 take-along toys
- Suitable for babies from birth
Tummy Time Toys for Babies Buying Guide
What is tummy time for babies?
Tummy time is simply time that your baby spends on his or her tummy when they are awake. It is very important that you only ever attempt tummy time when your baby is alert and awake and you must make sure that you are supervising them the whole time, especially as newborns.
If your baby falls asleep on their front, they are at risk of suffocation so it is best to attempt tummy time in short bursts at a time of day when they are most active.
Why tummy time for babies is important?
Tummy time is important to help your baby strengthen their back, arms and neck muscles in preparation for crawling, sitting and walking. It also helps your baby to develop motor skills and encourages them to roll over.
The NCT also point out that tummy time is important to prevent head flattening (positional plagiocephaly) which can occur if a baby spends too much time on their back.
What to look for in tummy time toys
There are various factors that you may want to consider when shopping around for suitable tummy time toys for your little one. If you are limited on space then you will need to be mindful of size and consider where it can be stored when not in use. If your little one spends time away from home at a childminders or grandparents you may also need to consider how portable and compact it is.
You will definitely want something that is easy to clean (tummy time after a feed can be a messy business!), and you also need to check the age appropriateness as some toys are more suited to younger or older babies. Most of the additional features, such as detachable toys and music, often come down to personal preference.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tummy Time Toys for Newborns
When should you start tummy time?
The NHS recommend starting tummy time from birth by lying your baby on your chest when you are awake. Tummy time with toys such as the ones mentioned here are most suited to babies from 2-3 months up.
Why do babies hate tummy time?
It is fairly common for babies to not enjoy tummy time at first. They have spent most of their little lives lying on their backs or being carried, so suddenly being stranded on their front can be a big shock.
What should I do if my baby doesn’t like tummy time?
Try lying on your front too so you are face to face with them – they may then feel a bit more secure. Also, try some of the best tummy time toys for newborns listed here.
If your baby really and truly hates tummy time you may feel the need to persevere for a bit but equally it may be best to wait a week or so and then try again. My children hated tummy time and have all grown up to be the most co-ordinated, sporty children imaginable so don’t fret unduly. Your baby will get there in the end!
What age is tummy time for?
Every baby is different and develops at a different rate. Slightly older babies may be more amenable to tummy time and they will find it easier to push themselves up and hold their heads up for short bursts. Younger babies and newborns may only be able to manage very short bursts before they get tired so it is important to keep a close eye on them to check if they are getting sleepy.
The Bottom Line
Tummy time is clearly important developmentally for your little one so it is an activity you should try to persevere with if possible. If you do have a reluctant baby then one of the toys mentioned above could make all the difference.
Most babies won’t be able to resist the lure of a mirror or some distracting sounds so hopefully you will find something that works for your little one and makes tummy time more enjoyable.
