Unlike most musical toys with keys that turn, this 10-inch blue plush Mama Whale has a sweet little green baby on her back that winds up to make music. Baby whale turns slowly as it plays Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head with true music box sounds rather than electronic sounds--a real plus. It has several textures that range from short plush, waffled cotton and smooth cotton with a lively print pattern. This is one of a new line of musicals from the Smarty Kid line. Also new, see H is for Hippo Mama-Baby Action Musical. The G is for Giraffe plays the Alphabet Song while its neck turns. It is cute but a bit top heavy and topples over more often than not. Infants. Surface washable only. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

This whopper of a sandwich includes two velour buns that have built-in jingles. The best part is that the multi-layers (all ten) are stitched together loosely so that it opens like an accordian. The layers all make a wrinkling, crinkly sound when they're moved or touched. You can hang this one up on a car seat holder for younger babies to bat at- and older babies will enjoy tasting and exploring this yummy sandwich. 3 mos. & up. There is also Stertchy puppy (that has the same in between layered aspect) but we prefer the sandwich.

Age: Infants, Toddlers. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

This rock and roll theme translates into a pleasingly bright mat that is done in a variety of interesting fabrics and textures.  The archs are easy to put together and there are several adjustable and removable rattles that hang down for your baby to gaze at in the beginning.  Our favorite is the rattle that sounds like an old-fashion chime.  Eventually your baby will be able to bat at them.  It comes with a mirror that you can place at the bottom of one of the arcs--this is ideal for tummy time play. There is also a mirror that you can put above the baby. There is electronic music...not our all time favorite but you don't have to use it.  Our parents also liked that the mat was light and easy to carry. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements.   We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

High contrast black and white graphics are now combined with bold colors so the mobile can be changed as baby grows. Designed with out music or motor, this versatile mobile is nevertheless more visually stimulating than most. The images are displayed so that the newborn looking up sees the whole graphic rather than just a sideways glance. It's design is based on research that indicates that newborns see black and white high contrast most easily during the first weeks of life. Babies are also visually attracted to images of a face, simple bulls-eye graphics and other bold patterns.
       Another plus is the ability to change the view. Like all of us, infants stop noticing things that are constantly in sight. Since you can change the position of the graphics, this is a more interesting mobile. Without a motor to make it turn, this is activated by baby's own motions as she moves her arms and legs. This mobile has no music, but you can add that with a stand alone musical toy.
      Based on the original all black and white Stimobile by Wimmer Ferguson, this is a classic.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2007. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Choose a jolly green frog or a multicolored parrot to attach to baby's carrier. They are cloth covered critters with a quiet jingle chime inside. Their bodies have stitched features, bold colors and interesting textures. For starters they will be good gazing toys. Later their ribbon trimmed bodies will be interesting for little fingers to explore. They used satin and ribbed grosgrain ribbons along with felt fabric feet, wings, and arms.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Attach these four legged bugs to infant carrier or stroller. Their big feet dangle and dance about as they swing from above. Give the bug a tug and it quickly jitters up with a buzzing kind of sound. These come in several color combos, all bright and appealing and with stitched on big eyes and smiling mouth that will interest a gazing baby. Older tots will like to explore the cord texture of the fabric and the stripes and polka dots. Newborn and up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2010.

Three interlocking oblong loops are interesting for baby to grasp, turn, and explore with several senses. The black and white one has a bumpy texture, the half green/ half red loop has a see through window with beads that roll inside and the blue loop has bumpy knobs that will be of interest to little fingers and to teethers with sore gums. All in all, an interesting toy for two handed play. 

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements.  We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

SNAP: A good choice for two handed play.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Yoga fans will relate to this baby mat immediately. It's made of a cushioned foam surface that is non-toxic  - 100%TPE  (no PVC, no Latex) and that rolls up in a bag for easy on-the-go activities.  Going to a mommy and me class? Just need a place to change the baby that doesn't feel creepy?   This mat is ideal for little ones and much like a yoga mat, very easy to take along. Comes in a variety of patterns - something that we really thought was a bonus.  The mat is not supersized--just right for younger infants. Once they start crawling--no mat will really keep them off the floor!  The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements.  We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A huge 47" square play mat provides plent of space for baby to roll, sit, and begin to crawl. It has 20 different play features with interesting sounds and textures to explore. Like the other mat from this company the Musical flower has a poor sound, but it can be removed and is difficult to activate, so it won't intrude too much or too often--or at all if you remove it. The patterns on the vibrant patchwork quilt adds visual interest, as does the safety mirror and lift up ears on the animal faces. Big enough for twins or more to share. Newborn and up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

SNAP: This oversized play mat has lots of interesting features for little ones to explore. For children with motor delays, this gives them a larger than most play space with a variety of sensory learning opportunities.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

A giant size 47" diameter round play mat with plenty of room for baby to crawl and play. It has a detachable mirror, teethers, and eye catching polka-dotted fabrics and many interesting textures. There are big satin patches, and crinkle ears on big faces of a monkey, mouse, bear, and elephant. A colorful lion’s mane has a velour feel and bright yellow face. Our one negative reaction is to the musical flower that plays with a touch. We found the sound to be less than pleasing. Good news is that the musical flower can be detached and is not all that easy to activate. This mat is big enough for twins to share. In fact our test family used it with triplets and liked it a lot. Designed for a large room. Newborn and up.

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

SNAP: We think the size of this mat is a real plus for babies who are delayed motor-wise. It is more spacious than your average mat so it is more spacious for a larger child as a play area. It also has interesting textures to explore.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2010. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.