The best musical baby toys should be engaging but not over stimulating, repetitive but not boring, and made from safe materials that are easy for babies to manipulate. Based on its sturdiness, sound, and the ability for guided play, we have found that the LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table is the best musical baby toy on our list. Your baby can tap into their musical creative side while making musical masterpieces.
Best Musical Baby Toys
The Fisher-Price Rollin’ Rovee is an expensive, interactive, musical activity toy that is designed to entertain your little one from infancy to preschool with 4 levels of play. The Skip Hop Egg Shakers are a set of 3 whimsical, percussion instruments for a baby to shake and make their own music with a small price tag.
Fisher-Price Rollin’ Rovee
The Fisher-Price Rollin’ Rovee is an interactive musical toy that is created to grow with your baby through the years. With four modes of play, it works for Infants, Toddlers, and even Preschoolers.
Stage one is geared towards younger infants, typically 6-9 months. Pressing the buttons will engage in playful games like peek-a-boo and clapping. Babies are introduced to the alphabet, greetings, and more. Stage two is geared towards older infants, 9-12 months, who are on the move. Playful songs will engage infants in crawl and chase play with introductions to counting, shapes, and opposites.
Levels three and four are geared towards ages 18 months – 5 years. This toy has it all, lights, music, over 190+ songs, sounds and phrases, games, and activities, there’s something new and exciting for every stage. This would be a great interactive musical toy if you have siblings at different levels as well.
Pros
- 4 different levels of play, making this a great toy to grow with infants all the way through age 5
- Over 190+ different songs, sounds, and phrases
Cons
- Drains batteries pretty quickly
- Might be scary for very young infants since this rolls and moves around
Insnug Plush Monkey Musical Baby Toy
The Insnug Plush Monkey Musical Baby Toy is a soft, plush musical toy that is sure to engage your baby. There are three different buttons for pushing, all of which produce something different. One button plays 12 classical songs, another plays sounds of nature, and the last button plays cartoon funny sounds. The buttons also light up when pressed.
The soft velvety fabric is soothing to the baby’s touch, and the hard middle allows this toy to remain upright. It is just around 7 inches tall, making it an ideal size for little babies, but small enough to be portable as well.
There is an on/off switch but no volume control. Songs and sounds don’t loop, but a new song or sound will play with each push of the button. Your baby will love grabbing onto the soft hands and legs of this whimsical monkey as they draw the buttons closer.
Pros
- Three interactive buttons that play songs and sounds as well as light up
- Plays songs, nature sounds, and cartoon sounds, a nice variety of choices
- Soft velvety fabric is safe for babies to mouth on
Cons
- Wipe clean, cannot immerse in water, harder to keep fabrics fully clean with surface cleaning only
- No volume control
Fisher-Price Linkimals Musical Moose
The Fisher-Price Linkimals Musical Moose is a fun, interactive music toy that also reinforces colors and counting. This musical moose can also be paired with other Fisher-Price Linkimals for interaction and further fun.
A big button on the Moose’s belly can be pressed for songs, phrases, and colorful lights. A bobblehead and soft antlers are fun for babies to track with their eyes and bat with their hands developing visual and hand-eye coordination skills.
This musical Moose will work on introducing the numbers 1-10 with your baby with two different counting songs. In addition, the press of a button on the Moose’s belly will play 25 different sounds, sounds, and phrases. A huge assortment that will keep your baby entertained for a long time! Your baby will learn cause and effect as they press the button and hear a different sound, song, or phrase each time.
If you love this Musical Moose, other Linkimals to check out include a Llama, Koala, Sloth, Otter, Hedgehog, Beaver, and Turtle. Each animal has its own songs and activities, and when paired together they will link up for synchronized music and light shows.
Pros
- 25+ different songs, sounds, tunes, and phrases to keep baby engaged
- Big button, bobblehead, and light up belly for additional learning fun
- Can be linked with other Fisher-Price Linkimals for synchronized music and light show
Cons
- Pretty small, less than 7 inches tall
Musical Light Up Dancing Duck
The Musical Light Up Dancing Duck is a movable toy that will promote music and dancing in your child. With six different buttons to push, your baby will be entertained for long periods of time. With a bump and go technology, your baby will love watching this duck dance and glide away. As they learn to crawl they will have even more fun chasing the duck down as he flaps his wings.
The six buttons rotate between songs, voices, and flashing lights. The various moving parts and bright colors will help visually stimulate your baby without being overwhelming. Coming in at just over 7 inches tall, this is a smaller-sized toy, but good for babies.
Because it is meant to dance and glide along the floor, your baby will get fine motor practice by pushing buttons rather than picking up and manipulating this toy. Mom and Dad may find the music a little less enjoyable, but chances are your baby will be captivated.
Pros
- 6 different buttons for pushing, moveable parts, and lights are features that will keep your baby engaged
- Bump and Go technology makes this a fun toy for babies to chase after as they become mobile
Cons
- No volume control, more “annoying” songs and sounds than classical music
LIGHTDESIRE Musical Caterpillar
The LIGHTDESIRE Musical Caterpillar is a great musical toy for the smallest of babies. Not only does the head play a song when squeezed, but other sections also have bells, squeakers, and crinkle paper for various auditory experiences.
This caterpillar is also great for visual stimulation. There are a variety of colors and patterns that will attract your baby’s attention. Different fabrics with textures are used, and there are flaps throughout for your baby to grab onto. All great tactile experiences as well.
This is an all-around wonderful sensory toy. From visual to auditory to tactile, there are so many experiences for your child to engage with. The best part is it’s perfect for babies starting at a very young age. They can enjoy the music, sounds, textures, and colors all before they are able to sit up. The enticing patterns and colors are perfect for a baby just learning to reach and grasp objects.
As a bonus, the belly of this caterpillar is a ruler design for you to track your baby’s growth in inches. It’s less than 2 feet long, but would still be fun for the first few months as a photo opportunity. Or you could measure the growth of your child’s hands or feet over the years. They’re likely to cuddle up to this soft caterpillar beyond the baby stage.
Pros
- Plays a song, has bells, squeakers, and crinkle paper all for different sound experiences
- Colorful patterns in different textured fabric for visual and tactile engagement
- Almost 2 feet long and soft and plush, perfect for little babies to play and cuddle with
Cons
- The button inside the head to start the song can be hard to locate for very small kids
Skip Hop Egg Shakers
The Skip Hop Egg Shakers are a great introductory percussion toy for babies. This set comes with three different shakers, all of which make their own unique shaking sound.
The whimsical animals are designed to fit into the palm of baby hands. Bright colors and unique textures are also on the outside of each animal for added visual and tactile experiences. As babies shake and tap these instruments they will begin to learn to differentiate between different sounds.
At 2 inches they are too big to fit into a baby’s mouth, but also might be a little bit too big to fit into just one hand. However, two hands can shake just fine as well. Enjoy the days of your baby feeling the beat with these whimsical shakers, before you know it they might be banging on a drum set!
Pros
- Set of 3 shakers each with a unique sound
- Colorful patterns and textures on the outside to provide additional sensory engagement
Cons
- Shakers are too big to fit into 1 baby hand which could be frustrating for some
Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler
The Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler is a delightful musical toy for babies. They will enjoy watching this penguin wobble, spin, and rock while pretty bells tinkle softly.
You don’t need to worry about annoying songs or loud volumes, the built-in bell just tinkles gently as the penguin wobbles along. Little babies can bat at the penguin without him tipping over. They will love the flapping wings, and will quickly learn that as they bat and swat at the penguin he wobbles faster. As he wobbles the bell to increase its tempo, also teaching babies additional auditory perception.
This would be a great entertaining activity for babies practicing tummy time. The gentle bells are soothing and the silly wobbling is enough to delight any baby.
Pros
- A gentle tinkling sound from built-in bells
- Engaging but not over stimulating, a simple toy geared towards younger babies
Cons
- Only works on a hard surface, will not wobble as well on a carpet
Best Musical Toys for Toddlers
The Musical TV Remote Control does not play songs but rather makes musical sounds and chimes plus the number buttons repeat in English, Spanish, or French, and the Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone has 8 rainbow keys with a mallet for your little one to make their own musical noise by practicing their hand/eye coordination.
Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube
The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube is a great educational toy for teaching babies how different sounds combine to make classical Mozart tunes.
The cube has a large button on each of its sides. The orchestral button plays all instruments at the same time, or you can hear individually harp, flute, french horn, piano, and violin. Lights will gently flash to the tempo of the instruments, adding in an extra learning opportunity for babies.
Parents will appreciate the volume control, even with beautiful classical music playing. This cube will play through 8 different Mozart classics. The cube itself is lightweight and 5x5x5 inches, making it the perfect size for little baby hands. The corners are rounded so you don’t have to worry about any accidental bumps or bruises.
This Munchkin Mozart Magic cube is a great introduction to classical music and instruments for little ones. With the five individual instruments, you can add or subtract which ones play by pushing the buttons. Babies will begin to differentiate the sound of each instrument, and may even pick a favorite. The buttons are large and easy to push, so young children will be able to navigate how to work it early on.
Pros
- Plays through 8 different Mozart songs, as a whole orchestra or broken down by various combinations of instruments
- Lights gently flash along with the tempo teaching children about beats and rhythm
- Large enough for little babies to press buttons without it rolling away
- Solid, sturdy design that will withstand rough play
Cons
- Synthetic sound of instruments rather than recordings of real instruments
- When you press the orchestra button it changes the song rather than playing the current song with the full orchestra
Kids Musical TV Remote
The Kids Musical TV Remote is a great alternative for curious babies who love to steal the TV remote. This Musical TV remote is realistic looking and a great educational tool.
Babies will enjoy the various sounds that this remote makes, including musical elements. You’ll find more musical tunes and sounds rather than songs, but the buttons beep and chime. The number buttons will repeat numbers in English, French, and Spanish which is an added bonus. A soft light at the front shines similar to how a real remote will light up as well.
While this is a great musical toy for a baby, we think it will engage Toddlers as well. We all know little kids prefer real-life objects and learn through imitation, so this realistic-looking remote is a great option.
Pros
- Realistic looking to a real remote
- Repeats words in English, French, and Spanish
Cons
- No on/off button or volume control
- Musical sounds and noises rather than songs
Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone
The Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone is a classic choice for your budding musician. There are 8 colorful keys that your baby can tap with the tethered mallet to make beautiful songs.
This xylophone is on wheels, which makes it a great choice for babies who are newly on the move. They will develop hand-eye-coordination while tapping keys, and the colorful keys are a nice visual stimulation. There are no busy electronic sounds or repetitive songs, making this a great choice for curious kids who are learning about cause and effect.
As they get older, babies can begin to sound out what notes come from which key. You can put together a basic song and help your baby repeat the notes. If you think piano playing might be in their future, a xylophone is a great way to get started. There is no limit to their creativity.
Pros
- Great for hand-eye-coordination as baby learns to tap each key with the tethered mallet
- Reinforces cause and effect as baby learns that their tapping is making the musical sounds
- Doubles as a gross motor toy that kids can pull along since it is on wheels as they become mobile
Cons
- The string is very short, making it hard to reach the end key
Best Baby Einstein Music Toys
The Baby Einstein Star Musical Take-Along Toy is a take along toy that attaches to a stroller or car seat that plays 6 classical musical songs for baby; whereas the Baby Einstein Clever Composer Piano is a table that acts as both a piano and musical activity table with over 300 sounds and melodies.
Baby Einstein Rock, Light & Roll Guitar Musical Toy
The Baby Einstein Rock, Light & Roll Guitar Musical Toy is a fan favorite when it comes to musical toys for babies. Designed specifically to fit into a baby’s hands, it is lightweight and easy to grasp as babies learn to manipulate objects.
There are 10 different classical melodies that your baby can switch between by pressing a large center button. Melodies include those by composers such as Mozart and Chopin. One of the parent’s favored features is the volume control. Even though the tunes are classical and soothing, as a parent, having the ability to adjust the volume on a child’s toy is key.
The stimulating lights paired with engaging melodies will help with cognitive development. One side of the guitar acts as a teething chewer. The big buttons in the center for pushing will promote hand motor development. Babies will have so much fun they won’t even realize they are working and learning.
Pros
- 10 different classical tunes to rotate through, a good variety for babies
- Volume control that parents will love
- Made from hard plastic for easy cleaning
Cons
- Can get annoying after a little time.
Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table
The Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table is a really great interactive wooden piano table that babies starting at 6 months to 3 years are sure to enjoy! All your baby has to do is touch the colorful keys and buttons to hear real piano and musical sounds.
There are two different ways to play with this table; either the piano or the musical buttons. Babies and toddlers can try out over 20 instruments and three modes of play. They will love the award-winning Magic Touch technology.
Children can enjoy over 300 melodies and sounds all from one small table. Also, they can play the table in three different languages to feel like a multi-lingual composer. While it’s not a real piano, it’s a great introduction to music and give your child a feel for what sounds they like and do not like.
Next, the table includes three different sound levels including no sound. Also, take the legs off so kids can set on the floor and play making it a great toy for babies who are not standing yet. There’s no way for babies to hurt themselves either as its a wood top and all the “instruments” are buttons flush with the tabletop.
As babies develop, they can follow along with the sheet music as they practice matching colors and imitating rhythms. There’s plenty of room to grow with this musical toy, so we think it’s one of the best musical toys for babies. It’s a beautiful table ready to inspire kids to find their sound.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing with natural real wood and pretty colors
- Volume control allows for soft or loud music
- Real piano and instrument sounds
- Legs come off for floor play
Cons
- The buttons may not always work.
Baby Einstein Octoplush
The Baby Einstein Octoplush is a great plush toy for littles to snuggle up with as they explore various classical tunes, colors, and additional fun.
Each leg of the octopus can be squeezed, which will, in turn, say the color and then a short classic melody. You can hear colors in English, Spanish, or French for added multi-lingual fun. If you squeeze the head of the octopus, additional classic songs will play.
Parents will appreciate the included volume control. The soft plush feel makes this an ideal choice for younger infants who are starting to roll around. The legs are easy to grab onto, and the colorful pattern on the underneath is enticing and visually stimulating.
Pros
- 3 languages to choose from, English, Spanish and French
- Fully soft, plush toy perfect for younger infants
- Volume control that parents will love
Cons
- Wipe clean, cannot immerse in water, harder to keep fabrics fully clean with surface cleaning only
Baby Einstein Star Bright Symphony Toy
The Baby Einstein Star Bright Symphony Toy is a great on-the-go musical toy for babies. The plush star plays 6 classical melodies from composers including Vivaldi and Beethoven. Gentle glowing lights can help soothe and entertain your baby without being overly stimulating.
A convenient velcro strap allows you to attach this to a car seat or stroller, making it ideal for on-the-go adventures. The star shape is perfect for baby hands to grasp and practice manipulating their toy. This is an ideal musical toy for developing the small motor muscles in a baby’s hands.
The soft fabric and vibrant colors and patterns are great for additional sensory development. You can wipe clean with a cloth and soap to keep this musical toy in tip-top shape. In terms of on-the-go toys, we think this is a great option. It’s small enough to pop in a diaper bag, or the velcro strap can be utilized for music anywhere, anytime.
Pros
- Plays 6 various classical tunes and has gentle glowing lights
- Velcro strap allows you to attach to a car seat or stroller for easy on-the-go travel
Cons
- Wipe clean, cannot immerse in water, harder to keep fabrics fully clean with surface cleaning only
- No interactive functions or buttons for pushing
Baby Einstein Rock
The Baby Einstein Rock is a whimsical and fun beginning guitar for babies. With three different buttons to press your baby can scan between 10 different songs. As the buttons are pushed they will light up for an added visual element.
The pit in the middle can be spun for a variety with cute toys on the inside for added fun. Little fingers will get muscle practice as they rotate between pressing buttons and rolling the ball in the middle. The guitar itself is designed to be easily manipulated by small hands and mimics the look of a real guitar.
There is no on/off switch but you can control the music, so there’s no need to worry about batteries quickly draining on a toy that isn’t shut off. We think your babies will love this adorable play toy ready to increase the music in their life.
Pros
- 10 different songs and lights up
- Various different engagement activities for promoting small muscle control in babies hands
- Includes a teether on the side
- Made from hard plastic that is easy to wipe clean
- Includes three volume levels
Cons
- It doesn’t work will after dropped, which will happen.
Best LeapFrog Music Table
LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table
The LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table is a great musical activity table for your little ones. You can have it on the floor for younger babies, and then add the legs to make it a table when your baby is ready to stand.
Choose from a music mode and a learning mode for additional activities and songs. You’ll discover classic sing-along favorites as well as over 70 sounds, instruments, and engaging songs. There is a bilingual button that allows you to choose between English and Spanish, which is a great added feature.
Babies will enjoy pushing, sliding, pulling, and spinning the various instrument parts as they learn all about cause and effect. In addition to the music mode that teaching songs and sounds of instruments, there is a learning mode. The learning mode introduces shapes, colors, the alphabet, numbers, and more.
Geared towards babies 6 months- 36 months, this is a great educational toy that will get your little one grooving.
Pros
- Can be used on the floor, or with legs as a table
- Over 70 songs, sounds, and activities
- Small motor skills will develop with places to push, pull, slide, and spin
- Introduction to instruments as well as new and familiar songs
Cons
- Very lightweight, can be pushed around or may tip over if a baby is using it to pull up on
The Best Musical Baby Toys Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Fisher-Price Rollin' Rovee | 8.0 | 9.6 | 74.99 |
| LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table | 9.8 | 9.6 | 44.99 |
| Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone | 3.9 | 9.0 | 32.53 |
| Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube | 9.8 | 9.4 | 28.99 |
| Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table | 9.7 | 9.0 | 26.99 |
| Baby Einstein Star Bright Symphony Toy | 9.9 | 9.6 | 19.98 |
| LIGHTDESIRE Musical Caterpillar | 9.9 | 9.0 | 18.99 |
| Insnug Plush Monkey Musical Baby Toy | 9.0 | 9.2 | 17.98 |
| Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler | 9.9 | 9.2 | 16.99 |
| Musical Light Up Dancing Duck | 9.5 | 9.4 | 16.98 |
| Kids Musical TV Remote | 9.8 | - | 11.99 |
| Skip Hop Egg Shakers | 9.8 | 9.4 | 9.99 |
| Baby Einstein Octoplush | 9.8 | 9.4 | 8.99 |
| Best Baby Einstein Music Toys | 6.0 | 9.6 | - |
| Fisher-Price Linkimals Musical Moose | 7.8 | 9.6 | - |
How We Selected Musical Baby Toys
Quality
Quality is especially important when it comes to babies. They will place everything into their mouths, bang, crash and crawl over everything in their path. We looked specifically for musical toys that were made from quality material meant to withstand the wear and tear that comes with babies. Materials needed to be non-toxic and nearly indestructible! For toy recalls, check the CPSC website.
Educational Value
Music by itself is a wonderful learning opportunity for children and great for brain development. We looked for toys that would also provide additional learning outcomes for added value. Learning outcomes such as sensory experiences, hand motor control, and visual stimulation. Educational toys will give children opportunities to practice emerging skills, which will inevitably keep them engaged for longer. Music can help your children become well rounded with fully developed skills while still being fun.
Entertainment Level
Entertainment doesn’t mean flashing lights and loud obnoxious music. Let’s be honest, parents can only stand so many baby songs loudly on repeat. Pianos and xylophones that allow for free play, toys with more than one button, bold patterns, and different textures all will provide entertainment value for your babies. We searched for toys that can entertain, engage and grow with babies as their attention span and skills emerge and develop.
Volume Control and On/Off Switch
This is more for you, Mom and Dad. Even toys with soothing classical music can get old when played on a loop for too long. Whether being able to control the volume or turn off the sound when not in use, these are important features that not all toys have. We still placed electronic music toys on our list without this feature, but if you’re going to have to listen to the songs or have other children who may be napping, a volume level would be a selling point.
FAQs – Musical Baby Toys
What are the benefits of musical baby toys for babies?
Music is a natural learning opportunity for babies. They hear the sounds and songs and may turn their head towards what they hear. Babies may grasp and reach for toys or sway to songs. Babies will track movement with their eyes and learn to follow rhythms and beats. Musical toys can provide all of these opportunities for babies in a fun and engaging way. They will have so much fun playing they won’t even realize that they are learning!
At what age should you introduce musical toys to babies?
With the right toy, you can introduce musical toys to newborns! It’s important to follow the product guidelines, but as a rule of thumb, music is great for all ages. While newborns might not be able to push buttons and engage with toys, they can be soothed by soft music and engaged during their wake windows with rhythms and beats. As babies get older they will gravitate towards toys that move, make sound, and light up. Many of the music toys we suggest will grow with children beyond their baby stage and will entertain and teach important skills.
What kind of music is best for babies?
Babies should be exposed to all kinds of music, not just lullabies and nursery songs. Most baby toys will toggle between classical music and cheery kid’s music, which is great. However, providing them with instruments such as pianos, xylophones, and percussion instruments will give babies a chance to use their creativity and learn about cause and effect.
You might think that tapping a drum stick is not doing much, but a baby is learning that their movement is creating sound. They are learning from the feeling of vibrations what their movements are doing. As they age they will learn to tap along to a beat and follow a rhythmic pattern. We recommend introducing your baby to all different genres and types of music, whether through toys, singing, and dancing or playing the radio. Don’t hesitate to share your own preferred music with your baby as well. They will also learn through imitation, and seeing you engage and enjoy music is a great thing for babies to observe.
Wrap Up
Music is an important thing to incorporate into your baby’s life. Through the introduction of musical toys, you can give your child natural opportunities to engage with their creative side. Not only will they be fostering an understanding of music, but they will strengthen hand-eye coordination, small muscle skills, and an understanding of their senses.
If you’re looking for ways to engage your baby during tummy time, musical toys are a great go-to. You will distract them from the hard work of neck control, and instead replace their frustration with delight. Musical toys are not only fun and engaging, but they are great tools for tapping into your child’s creative side as well.
The LeapFrog Learn and Groove Musical Table made it to the top of our list for the best musical baby toy overall. As this musical toy grows with your baby, they can enjoy it for years.
If you have a love for music, make sure to share that with your baby. From instruments to sing-a-longs, engaging with your child and being a part of the development process is what being a parent is all about.
