The best toys for 3 to 6 months are the ones that match how your baby plays right now, and for babies starting tummy time and reaching for things, Skip Hop Follow-Me Bee is the first pick.
Its rattle is easy to hold, and it wobbles without tipping over, so a baby who is still learning to grip can grab it and shake it. The bee comes off and has movable beads and rubberized details for teething, which gives a baby something to chew on as well as look at.
The other four picks cover different needs: Skip Hop Crab Crawl is for grabbing and stacking, Baby Einstein Light Bar for floor play and tummy time, Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes for car rides and travel, and VTech Wiggle and Crawl Ball for babies ready to chase. This article covers each one, along with what to look for when you choose.
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How we picked: from products sold on Amazon for this need, compared by what their makers state and what buyers report in their reviews.
The Picks at a Glance
Product | Best for | Recommended age | Manufacturer recommended age | Buyer rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Skip Hop Follow-Me Bee | pre-crawlers | 5 months – 2 years | 5 months – 2 years | 4.6 of 5 (12,736 reviews) | |
Skip Hop Crab Crawl | grabbing and stacking | 5 months – 4 years | 5 months – 4 years | 4.2 of 5 (107 reviews) | |
Baby Einstein Light Bar | floor play and tummy time | 3 months – 3 years | 3 months – 3 years | 4.7 of 5 (20,944 reviews) | |
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes | car rides and travel | 3 months – 3 years | 3 months – 3 years | 4.8 of 5 (56,434 reviews) | |
VTech Wiggle and Crawl Ball | babies ready to chase | 6 months – 3 years | 6 months – 3 years | 4.7 of 5 (25,281 reviews) |
Buyer ratings as shown on Amazon on October 13, 2026; they change.
Skip Hop Follow-Me Bee: Best for pre-crawlers
The Skip Hop Follow-Me Bee is the pick for babies who are not crawling yet and are learning tummy time. Its rattle is easy to hold, and its removable bee has teething details, which makes it a good match for the early months of play.
The maker says the bee rattle is easy to hold and wobbles but won’t tip over. For a baby who is still getting the hang of grasping, a rattle that wobbles instead of tipping over gives a little feedback while they reach and bat at it. It stays upright on the play mat, so you spend less time resetting it.
The maker also says the removable bee has movable beads and rubberized details for teething. Your baby can chew on the rubbery parts when gums are sore, and the beads give them something to move with their fingers. The maker adds that the toy has lights, sounds and music throughout each stage. That gives you a few settings to try when your baby is more interested in watching than grabbing.
Pros
Buyers say the bee is easy for little hands to hold.
Removable bee with movable beads and teething details.
Lights, sounds and music in each stage.
Three stages meant to grow with your baby.
If your baby is already reaching and wants a toy that moves toward them, look at the VTech Wiggle and Crawl Ball instead.
Skip Hop Crab Crawl: Best for grabbing and stacking
Skip Hop Crab Crawl is the pick for babies who are learning to grab, shake and stack. The maker lists it for babies 5 months and older, so it suits the later part of the first-year range, when your baby is reaching and handling toys.
The maker says the toy grows through four stages, from rattle and teething fun to stacking and sorting, and finally encouraging crawling. In daily use, that means you can keep the same toy out as your baby’s skills change, instead of buying a new one at each stage.
The crab has 3 songs and 15 sound effects, and its lights reward each press. When your baby swats a button and hears a tune, they begin to learn that their own actions make things happen, which the maker describes as cause and effect. Its movements are circular and random, so a crawler has a reason to follow it across the floor.
Pros
Lights, sounds and music, with 3 songs and 15 sound effects
Supports hand-eye coordination and visual tracking
Designed for early and advanced crawlers
A built-in sensor helps it avoid obstacles, so it does not bump into every chair leg
Cons
It is stated for babies 5 months and older, so it is not a fit for younger infants
If your baby is not crawling yet and you want a toy for tummy time first, look at the Skip Hop Baby Follow-Me Bee instead, since its stated age range starts at the same point but is shorter.
Baby Einstein Light Bar: Best for floor play and tummy time
The Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar is the pick for babies who spend time on the floor and need something to press and watch. It is made for ages 3 months to 36 months, and the maker says it works during floor play or tummy time.
The maker says the bar sits flat for tummy time and props up for seated play, so one toy can grow with your baby. For a baby who is lying on the floor, the flat setting means the bar stays in front of them without you holding it. As your baby gets older and sits up, you can prop it up for seated play.
When your baby presses a button or spins the rattle drum, the bar responds with music and lights. This cause-and-effect response is what keeps a young baby reaching and trying again. The toy has three modes: Xylophone Mode, Animal Mode and Color Mode, which teaches six color names in English, Spanish and French.
Pros
Three modes, so the play can change as your baby learns the buttons.
Color names taught in English, Spanish and French.
Buyers say it keeps babies engaged and makes tummy time more enjoyable.
Buyers say the colors and songs are liked, including the classical music with lights.
Cons
With three modes and many lights and sounds, it may be more than a baby wants at first.
Buyers say some units do not turn on at all.
If your baby is not yet on the floor or you want a toy that goes in the diaper bag, look at Skip Hop Follow-Me Bee or Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes instead.
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes: Best for car rides and travel
Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes is the pick for families who want a toy to bring along in the diaper bag or car seat. The maker calls it a favorite for travel, and it is meant to be dropped in a bag and carried out the door.
The toy measures 5.0 inches high, 4.8 inches wide and 1.1 inches long, so it fits in a diaper bag pocket without taking much room. The surface wipes clean, which makes it easier to keep tidy after a spit-up in the car seat.
Pressing the large button plays the next classical melody, from Chopin to Mozart, so your baby learns that a push makes music happen. The volume control lets you keep the music soft in a quiet car.
Pros
Buyers say babies and toddlers stay entertained for long periods, especially in the car.
Buyers say it is durable and survives rough handling for a long time.
The caterpillar bead chaser handle is easy for little hands to hold, according to the maker.
Cons
The two AA batteries included are for demo, so you will need new batteries for regular use.
If your baby spends most of the day on the floor, the Baby Einstein Light Bar is a better fit than this travel toy, and Skip Hop Baby Follow-Me Bee is the first pick for babies starting tummy time.
VTech Wiggle and Crawl Ball: Best for babies ready to chase
VTech Wiggle and Crawl Ball is the pick for babies who are ready to chase.
The maker states that the ball wiggles and wobbles on its own and encourages your little one to chase after it. For a baby who is just learning to reach, a toy that moves away can turn floor time into a game. Buyers say it does not move around well on its own, so you may need to nudge it back within reach now and then.
The maker also describes six animals to press (dog, cat and bear buttons) for learning animals, colors and numbers, plus five flashing lights that attract attention. It runs on 3 AA batteries, and the set in the box is for demo only, with new batteries recommended for regular use. Plan on buying a fresh set before the toy becomes a daily favorite.
Pros
Buyers say babies find it engaging and it holds their attention, even at six months.
Six animals to press, which the maker links to fine motor skills.
Five flashing lights and 45 or more songs, melodies and phrases to keep a baby watching and listening.
Cons
Buyers say it breaks within a week or two of use.
Buyers find the clicking sound unpleasant.
If your baby is not yet moving toward toys, look at the Skip Hop Baby Follow-Me Bee instead.
What should you look for in a toy for this age?
The best toy for this age is one a baby can grip, use on the floor, and carry easily. Check those three things before you compare features.
Start with grip. Small hands need a handle they can close around, and the Take Along Tunes has one the maker describes as easy for little hands to hold. A toy a baby can reach and hold keeps play going longer than one that slides away.
Next, check where the toy works. The Light Bar is designed to work during floor play or tummy time, so it suits the lying-down stage at this age.
Then decide how much light and sound you want. The Light Bar has three modes and needs 3 AA batteries, which are not included. More modes usually mean more batteries to buy and replace, so a simpler toy is less to manage.
Finally, think about travel. The Take Along Tunes measures 5.0″H x 4.8″W x 1.1″L, and the maker says it is a favorite for travel because you can drop it in the diaper bag. It also wipes clean, which helps after a messy car ride.
Which one should you choose first?
Skip Hop Follow-Me Bee is the first pick for babies who are starting tummy time and reaching for toys. Its rattle is the part to look at first, because a wide, easy-to-hold rattle is what a young baby can grab on the floor.
If you are deciding between a floor toy and a travel toy, pick the floor toy first. Most babies this age spend their awake time on a blanket, so a toy that works there gets used every day. The Follow-Me Bee’s cloud and bee stay close to the baby, so you can see it used on the floor from the first weeks of play.
The travel toys are useful, but they are a second purchase. Once your baby has a floor toy they like, a small musical toy for the car seat or diaper bag is an easy addition. Start with the Bee, then add travel play when you leave the house.