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Best pram toys for newborns, babies and toddlers, as recommended by parents
A pram toy is a must-have for any parent looking to keep their little bundles of joy entertained while on the go. Here’s our pick of the best pram toys for babies.
By Laura Cooke | Last updated Jan 3, 2024
Whether they crinkle, squeak or rattle, newborn pram toys are a great buy, either as baby shower gifts or for your own new arrival.
Not only can a good pram toy keep your baby engrossed and calm while out and about in a pushchair, it can also help with their sensory development.
But with so many newborn pram toys on the market, it can be tricky to know which toy is best suited to your tot.
So we’ve trawled expert review sites and the Mumsnet forums to find out which newborn pram toys parents recommend. This ensures that we bring you the most honest and in-depth recommendations, carefully vetted by the very people who use these products daily.
As with our guides to the best lightweight strollers, the best umbrella strollers, the best travel systems, the best running buggies, the best baby car seats and the best baby carriers, our roundups highlight a range of products to suit families of all kinds and budgets of all sizes.
Read next: How to clean a pram, including tried-and-tested tips from Mumsnetters
Best pram toys at a glance
Best overall pram toy: Lamaze Captain Calamari | £14
Best budget pram toy: Where's Mr Lion? Buggy Book | £6
Best for teething babies: Mamas & Papas Welcome to the World Travel Toy Charm Tractor | £16
Best sensory pram toy: Lamaze Freddie the Firefly | £14
Best educational pram toy: Wee Gallery Stroller Flashcards | £32
Best pram toy gift: Jellycat Avocado Book | £14
Best rattle pram toy: Tiny Love Sunny Stroll Activity Arch | £26
Best bumper bar pram toy: Bright Starts Take Along Toy Bar | £10
Best colourful pram toy: Lamaze Activity Spiral | £17
Best pram toy book: Peter Rabbit Buggy Book | £6
1. Best overall pram toy: Lamaze Captain Calamari
Price: RRP £15 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: Up to 6 months | Machine washable: Wipe clean only
What we love
High-contrast colours
Big enough to grasp easily
Lots of activities to stimulate the senses
What to know
A bit pricey
What Mumsnet users say
“He also has this hanging off the hood of the pram and it’s a big hit: Lamaze Captain Calamari” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, LakeShoreD
“Captain Calamari is the king!” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Getawriggleon
“Lamaze toys are great - the butterfly and good old Captain Calamari are our faves!” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Blippibloppi
Our verdict
Perhaps the least-threatening pirate to ever sail the Seven Seas, Lamaze’s Captain Calamari engages all the senses, with eight knotty activity legs, a crinkly hat, clacking rings and a surprise mirror all waiting to be discovered by little hands. He’s super soft so is perfect for cuddles too.
The charismatic captain comes with a chunky clip so he can be easily and securely attached to pushchairs and lightweight buggies. You would have to have a heart of stone not to be charmed by this baby favourite.
Read next: The best pushchairs, according to parents
Latest deals from trusted retailers
2. Best budget pram toy: Where's Mr Lion? Buggy Book
Price: RRP £6 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: Up to 3 years | Machine washable: No
What we love
Easy to grasp
The surprise mirror at the end is always a hit
What to know
Nearly the same price as the full-sized book
What Mumsnet users say
“Have a look at ‘Where’s Mr Lion?’ felt flap books. They are very nice” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Kokosrieksts
Our verdict
Who’s lurking beneath the colourful felt flaps? Your child will love discovering Mr Lion, Mrs Giraffe and the rest of the gang in this brand-new buggy version of the bestselling baby book Where’s Mr Lion?.
This brightly-coloured board book can be easily attached to pushchairs with the handy strap, so your little one can always enjoy this childhood favourite no matter where you go.
Read next: The best lightweight buggies, as tried and tested by parents
Latest deals from trusted retailers
3. Best for teething babies: Mamas & Papas Welcome to the World Travel Toy Charm Tractor
Price: RRP £16 | Latest deals from Mamas & Papas
Key specs
Recommended age: From birth upwards | Machine washable: Wipe clean only
What we love
Includes a teething ring
Made from super soft bamboo cotton
What to know
No design choice
What Mumsnetters say
“We had the Mamas and Papas travel charm” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Fivemoreminutes1
Our verdict
This gorgeous little link toy, featuring a soft tractor, sheep and carrot, is easy to attach and remove, so it can be moved quickly between prams and carrycots.
Extra soft bamboo cotton and grey chambray fabrics mean this toy is gentle on a baby’s delicate skin. And it even comes with a teether to help soothe sore gums during the teething stage too.
Read next: The best travel systems to buy for newborns
Latest deals from trusted retailers
4. Best sensory pram toy: Lamaze Freddie the Firefly
Price: RRP £16 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: Up to six months | Machine washable: Wipe clean only
What we love
Comes with teether
Lots to stimulate the senses
What to know
Pricey
What Mumsnet users say
“Mine enjoyed the Lamaze pram toys from about six weeks. Freddie the Firefly was a particular hit” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, MolotovMocktail
Our verdict
Who doesn’t love Freddie the Firefly? This smiley, colourful and multi-textured bug features a wide range of activities so baby can crinkle, squeak and rattle to their heart’s content.
Freddie also comes with a tethered teether to help provide relief for sore gums. Easy to attach to buggies and prams, Freddie the Firefly makes the perfect addition to play mats and activity centres too.
Read next: The best double buggies, as tested by parents
Latest deals from trusted retailers
5. Best educational pram toy: Wee Gallery Stroller Flashcards
Price: RRP £32 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: From birth upwards | Machine washable: No
What we love
Good for vision development
Small enough to slip into a bag if needed
What to know
Doesn’t crinkle, rattle or jingle, so may not be exciting enough for some babies
What Mumsnet users say
“You could add some flashcards in black and white and some colour ones [...] I have been using them since my baby was a few weeks old and they helped her to focus her eyes. At 14 weeks she kicks when I bring them out” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Sceptre86
Our verdict
Black and white toys are great for developing a baby’s eyesight, as the contrast between the two colours helps to grab their attention and improve focus.
These monochrome flashcards feature cute sketches and on the reverse you'll find brightly-coloured cards with fun messaging. They're sure to appeal to little ones and are educational to boot. A chunky plastic ring makes for easy attachment to pushchairs and prams. This would make a cool gift for a new baby.
Read next: The best baby carriers, as reviewed by parents
Latest deals from trusted retailers
6. Best pram toy gift: Jellycat Avocado Book
Price: RRP £14 | Latest deals from JoJo Maman Bébé
Key specs
Recommended age: From birth upwards | Machine washable: Wipe clean only
What we love
Velcro strap allows for easy attachment to buggies and prams
Lovely illustrations
What to know
Pricey
What Mumsnet users say
"I got two fabric books for DS. He wasn't so interested in the Lamaze bug one (although I rate their toys - he loves them). He is mad for the Jellycat Avocado Book though!” - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, YawnyOwl
Our verdict
It’s difficult not to smile when presented with the quirky Jellycat Avocado Book, complete with a cute pair of dangly feet.
Your baby is sure to love lifting the flaps in this fun crinkly fabric book to find out how an avocado grows up. And if avocados aren’t your thing, Jellycat also does a carrot and a sweetcorn version too. Ideal for priming them for all those lovely vegetables when weaning eventually comes around.
Read next: The best baby carrier backpacks to buy
Latest deals from trusted retailers
7. Best rattle pram toy: Tiny Love Sunny Stroll Activity Arch
Price: RRP £32 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: From birth to 4 months-plus | Machine washable: No
What we love
Develops fine motor skills, senses, and language and communication
Comes with a teether
Folds up well for travel
What to know
More expensive than other pram toys
What Mumsnet users say
“The Tiny Love toy bar is a big hit” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Inmypjsagain
Our verdict
The Tiny Love Sunny Stroll Activity Arch is guaranteed to elicit some gummy smiles from baby, who will be entertained by the rattle toys, mirrors and the fascinating baby-activated fan that will certainly draw their attention.
The flexible plastic arch can be easily attached to most buggies using the chunky plastic clips and can also be clipped to car seats. Just don’t use it while driving as the car seat handle acts as a roll cage to protect your baby in the event of an accident. A toy attached to this bar may stop this safety feature from working as well as it should.
Read next: The best baby car seats for newborns
Latest deals from trusted retailers
8. Best bumper bar pram toy: Bright Starts Take Along Toy Bar
Price: RRP £10 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: From birth upwards | Machine washable: No
What we love
Great value
Velcro straps make the toy easy to attach and remove
What to know
Noise may prove irritating for parents after a while
Requires batteries
What Mumsnet users say
“I bought this for my four-month-old DD - best tenner spent yet, and the sounds are not actually that irritating” - recommended by Mumsnet user, WonkyDonk87
Our verdict
The Bright Starts Take Along Toy Bar is a real feast for the senses. Featuring larger-than-life jungle characters which are familiar to fans of this particular brand, this toy bar rattles, spins, lights up and plays four tunes, which your baby is sure to love. It will be a sure-fire hit, all for the bargain price of just a tenner.
Read next: The best car seats for toddlers
Latest deals from trusted retailers
9. Best colourful pram toy: Lamaze Activity Spiral
Price: RRP £18 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: From birth upwards | Machine washable: Wipe clean only
What we love
Easy to attach to prams and carriers
What to know
Spiral can slip to the side if pulled
Fewer activities than on other pram spirals
What Mumsnetters say
“It's made by Lamaze and they seem to do lots of good toys for babies. Mine loved the Activity Spiral” - recommended by Mumsnet user, SandyDanny
Our verdict
Lamaze, the makers of Mumsnet’s favourite octopus Captain Calamari, are also the brains behind this multicoloured activity spiral.
Easily wrapped around pram bars, this tactile toy is soft, crinkly and springy, and features some brightly-coloured, friendly animal faces to keep your little one company on journeys both long and short. And they’re great for cuddles too.
Read next: The best sensory toy for kids
Latest deals from trusted retailers
10. Best pram toy book: Peter Rabbit Buggy Book
Price: RRP £6 | Latest deals from Amazon
Key specs
Recommended age: From birth upwards | Machine washable: No
What we love
Affordable
Beautiful classic illustrations
What to know
Paper can be chewed or torn off
What Mumsnet users say
“I tend to buy books with associated gifts sometimes. E.g. I might theme it Peter Rabbit and buy a board book, bath book and buggy book, and maybe a cuddly toy” - recommended by Mumsnet user, StColumbofNavron
Our verdict
This charming buggy book is filled with beautiful illustrations from Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter, showing exactly how this mischievous bunny originally looked before the James Corden film.
Nice and chunky for little hands, the book can be easily attached to buggies and car seats via the large plastic clip. The Peter Rabbit Buggy Book is a great price to boot, making it the perfect baby gift for newborns and beyond.
Read next: The best toys for babies from six months
Latest deals from trusted retailers
What are the benefits of using a pram toy?
There are several benefits to using a pram toy. A quality toy that crinkles, rattles, squeaks, plays music and so on can help to encourage sensory development. Those that come with a teether are perfect for sore gums too. Pram toys help to keep babies occupied and happy while on the go, which makes for calmer and happier journeys all round.
Read next: Can you take a pram on a plane? Everything you need to know about travelling with a pushchair
How do I choose the best pram toy?
There are a number of things to consider before buying a newborn pram toy.
Is it age-appropriate? Make sure the pram toy you buy is suitable for the age of your baby. For example, older babies may appreciate a toy that includes a teether to gnaw on.
Attachment: Where does the pram toy attach? Is it a spiral that wraps around the bar? Does it fix over the top of the pram with the toys dangling down for baby to play with? Most pram toys are pretty easy to attach, but if you want to prevent baby from pulling it off when they get a bit older and stronger, go for something that attaches securely and can’t be easily tugged off.
Function: What does the toy do? Is there enough there to keep your little one entertained?
Budget: Always think of your budget. Some of the pricer toys may be all-singing and all-dancing, but your baby may be just as happy with a cheaper option.
What is the best pram toy for newborns?
Mumsnetters love the cute and cuddly Lamaze Captain Calamari. With his crinkly hat, knotty legs and concealed mirror, he is a hit with young babies and would be a welcome addition to any pram.
How we chose our recommendations
Our list of the best pram toys has been compiled by an experienced parenting journalist. We scoured Mumsnet forums to find out which pram toy for newborns our users, i.e. real-life parents, rate highly - and which ones they weren’t impressed by.
We also consulted consumer watchdogs and took note of what they looked for in pram toys for newborns and which brands they were recommending to their readers.
Finally, we collated all that information and then cross-checked our shortlist with other expert review sites to see which pram toy for newborns had received the best recommendations from hundreds of parents up and down the country.
About the author
Laura Cooke spent nearly 19 years writing for local newspapers before going into freelance journalism.
Laura’s career began with an apprenticeship on her local newspaper when she was 18, studying at City College Brighton and Hove. Over the following years, Laura’s byline appeared in numerous local newspapers and magazines across Sussex. Career highs include leading a successful campaign that won her a regional media award. Career lows include writing an obituary for a cat…
Since then, she has written for a range of publications including the i Newspaper, Business Insider and Stylist, and has researched and written a large number of baby product round-ups for Mumsnet.
Laura lives with her husband and two daughters, aged six and 10, in the south of England.
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