The 10 Best Tummy Time Toys to Encourage Muscle Development

Tummy time—when a baby is on their stomach while awake and supervised—helps strengthen a baby’s muscles so they can later learn to crawl, sit up, and eventually walk. Some babies love tummy time, but others hate laying on their bellies.

The good news is that tummy time toys can provide entertainment so they don't mind it as much, plus help them develop additional skills—like fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination—if they have mirrors, musical sounds, rattles, or squeaky objects that encourage babies to get curious and reach or grasp the items in their hands. "[This] encourages visual exploration and helps babies develop depth perception and spatial awareness," explains Deborah Gilman, PhD., a licensed psychologist.

To help you find the best tummy time toys, we looked for safe, fun, and age-appropriate options that encourage babies to spend time on their bellies and help them reach developmental milestones. We also spoke with Dr. Gilman and a pediatric occupational therapist about the importance of tummy time and got their advice on what features parents should look for in baby toys to curate our list. A family physician on our Expert Board also reviewed this article for accuracy and integrity surrounding safe and appropriate toys for tummy time.

When Should a Baby Start Tummy Time?

According to the AAP, babies can start tummy time as soon as they get home from the hospital. Babies should engage in two to three short tummy time sessions, approximately 3 to 5 minutes each, daily after birth, increasing to 15 to 30 minutes per day by about 2 months of age.

"In the early days, it's okay to do tummy time on your chest," says pediatric occupational therapist Marielle Marquez, "but I recommend getting on the floor within the first few weeks." Check with your pediatrician for specific instructions for you and your baby. 

Our Favorites

• Best Overall: Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time & Seated Support
  
• Best Mirror: Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror
• Best Pillow With Attachments: VTech Tummy Time Discovery Pillow
• Best With Music: Fat Brain Toys Rock 'n Roller Piano
• Best Play Mat: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym
• Best With Textures: Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy
• Best Visual: Teytoy Tummy Time Floor Mirror
• Best Electronic: Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Activity Station
• Best Portable: Splashin'kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat
• Best Beginner: Lovevery Activity Gym and Play Mat

Best Overall: Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time & Seated Support

Why We Like It

The Infantino 2-in-1 Tummy Time and Seated Support tops our list because of its versatility. It is suitable for newborns through 18 months because the pillow molds into different shapes as your baby grows. For infants, the soft fabric toy unfolds like a snake to provide tummy time support as your baby develops head and neck muscles. It also includes a detachable mirrored crinkle toy and a BPA-free teether to motivate babies to reach and grasp. We appreciate the neutral design, so it's a great baby shower gift for families who want to wait until birth to learn the sex of their baby.

But Take Note

Even though this toy grows with your baby, it does have limitations. As your baby develops more strength and learns to sit up, the convertible toy stacks to make a supportive and comfortably padded chair. But if you have a particularly tall baby, this might not offer as much support as you like when in chair mode.

The Details:

• Recommended age: Newborn and up
• Dimensions: 16.5 x 5 x 14 in.
• Materials: Foam

Best Mirror: Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror

Why We Like It

Mirror toys are a smart way to help tots stay engaged while on their tummies, but even once they can sit up, this toy is still loads of fun. The smart and sturdy easel-style Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror toy features a large, true reflection mirror, which helps your baby focus on a human face and promotes vision development.

The lightweight design makes this a travel-friendly solution to keep your baby entertained when you're on the go. In addition to the mirror, it has high-contrast toys—like a ball and ladybug—that are fun for tactile exploration and peek-a-boo.

But Take Note

The compact, travel-friendly design lacks the proper support to keep the mirror from falling over, so we recommend propping it up against something sturdy during tummy time.

The Details:

• Recommended age: Newborn and up
• Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 3 in.
• Materials: Plastic

Best Pillow With Attachments: VTech Tummy Time Discovery Pillow

Why We Like It

The VTech Tummy Time Discovery Pillow is downright cute and versatile—plus your kiddo can grow with it. This adorable giraffe pillow has multiple removable attachment toys, like a light-up piano with sounds and songs, that you can interchange or remove if you're on the go. The cute animal theme also supports object recognition as tots get older and the soft and cushiony texture makes this a fun and comfy toy for little ones to interact with.

VTech makes the same tummy time pillow toy (via a Walmart exclusive) with a deer instead of a giraffe. 

But Take Note

Be aware that this pillow is surface wash only, so when it gets dirty, you'll only be able to do spot cleaning.

The Details:

• Recommended age: Newborn and up 
• Dimensions: Not listed
• Materials: Not listed

Best With Music: Fat Brain Toys Rock 'n Roller Piano

Why We Like It

As a colorful xylophone with rolling wheels, the Fat Brain Toys Rock 'N Roller Piano makes sounds like ringing bells but, as babies mature into toddlers, play some tunes using the included mallet. It's great for tummy time, well made, and has pleasant chimes (no parent earplugs needed). Moreover, the rollers are easily activated, and the colors are vibrant.

But Take Note

Parents should note that the included toy mallet is intended for older babies (10 months+). So, you might want to put it away for safekeeping until your little one is old enough to use it.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 10 to 24 months
• Dimensions: 11.80 x 2.80 x 8.50 in.
• Materials: Plastic

Best Play Mat: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym

Why We Like It

Entertain your baby with music, lights, and sound with the versatile Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym. It has an adjustable arch with removable accessory toys (which can also attach to your stroller) and a removable and adjustable piano keyboard. During tummy time, your baby can rest on the mat and reach for the toys or the piano. Other fun features include the piano's five light-up keys and four musical settings, including one with 15 minutes of continuous music.

But Take Note

We appreciate that the mat is machine washable, but the downside is that the padding is a bit thin. This might not be an issue for homes with carpeting, rugs, or play mats. But you'll want to lay down an additional blanket if your home has hard floors.

The Details:

• Recommended age: Newborn to 36 months
• Dimensions: 36.02 x 27.01 x 17.99 in.
• Materials: Plastic

Best With Textures: Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Soft Baby Toy

Why We Like It

The Melissa & Doug Flip Fish is an adorable sea friend with hidden pictures under each scale. Tiny fingers will love exploring the vibrant, crinkly fabric and other textures, while parents and caregivers will appreciate the machine-washable fabric. A squeaker tail encourages finger and grasp strength (and sounds fun in the process, without the need for any batteries). The shatterproof mirror lets littles check themselves out whenever they want. 

But Take Note

At 13.5 x 9.75 inches, it is a bigger toy that might not be manageable for younger infants, even though it's recommended for babies as young as 1 month old.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 1 month and up 
• Dimensions: 13.5 x 9.75 x 3.75 inches
• Materials: Not listed

Best Visual: Teytoy Tummy Time Floor Mirror

Why We Like It

This super lightweight black and white mat is perfect for younger infants who are still gaining full-color range with their vision. It's also versatile: You can put it in a triangle position or flat on the floor for tummy time to stimulate your baby. In addition to the black and white images, there’s a big mirror and textured attached toys to play with.

But Take Note

While this pick can stand upright without having to be propped up, we found that the mirror may look warped, creating a fun house effect.

The Details:

• Recommended age: Newborn and up
• Dimensions: 18.9 x 10.2 in.
• Materials: Cotton

Best Electronic: Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Activity Station

Why We Like It

If bells and whistles engage your baby during tummy time, this pick is for them. Easy to activate, the Baby Einstein Glow & Discover Light Bar Activity Station is fun and interactive for little ones. Simply position your baby within reach of the activity bar and let them explore. Little ones will learn about animals and colors, and play with the xylophone in three languages: English, French, and Spanish. The activity bar is easy to wipe down and clean and requires three AA batteries, which are included.

But Take Note

There's a lot to love about this interactive musical light-up bar, but the built-in stand isn't as sturdy as we'd like. Additionally, some babies may not like the light functions, which may feel like intense sensory stimulation.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 3 months and up
• Dimensions: 5.85 x 12.8 x 9 in.
• Materials: Plastic

Best Portable: Splashin'kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat

Why We Like It

While it may not seem like a 26 x 20-inch mat is portable, this one definitely is. The Splashin' Kids tummy time water mat easily inflates to full size, but when not in use, the mat deflates and folds away. Likewise, you can easily drain or refill the leak-proof mat with water to get the perfect level of firmness for your tiny tot. Interior toys make this an interactive pick that keeps young minds engaged, whether traveling to visit friends or hanging out at home.

But Take Note

There's a chance of mold growing inside the mat, but it depends on how often you change the water. We found that draining the mat after every use creates a larger potential for mold to grow (because you can't fully dry out the inside) rather than changing the water occasionally.

The Details:

• Recommended age: 3 months and up
• Dimensions: 26 x 20 x 2.5 in.
• Materials: Plastic

Best Beginner: Lovevery Activity Gym and Play Mat

Why We Like It

The Play Gym by Lovevery is our best beginner tummy time toy because it grows with your baby. It has five Montessori-inspired play zones that prevent overstimulation and teach focus, sound-making, and more. It also has an age-appropriate activity book to help encourage brain development and motor skills. 

We love this tummy time play gym for beginners because it’s straightforward to set up and take down with no tools required. There are three adjustable clips attached to the frame that help with visual stimulation. Paired with the 14 different learning cards, this tummy time play gym will satisfy all your baby’s developmental needs while also keeping them occupied with ease. Plus, the soft mat is a comfy place to set your tot down, while the more structured frame is designed to last. The sustainable materials are the cherry on top.

But Take Note

While mirrors are some of the fun attachments included in this baby gym, they don't stand up well independently. You may need to prop them on something if you want your child to use them effectively.

The Details:

• Recommended age: Newborn and up
• Dimensions: ‎43 x 38 x 24 in.
• Materials: Cotton

Our Review Process

When selecting tummy time toys, we chose toys loved by both babies and parents while also making sure they're safe and durable. We evaluated the toys' age recommendation, size, and material, along with their capability to adapt and grow with your baby as they reach new milestones in their development. We also spoke with child development specialists to get their expert feedback on what criteria are most important when selecting toys, as well as the core benefits of tummy time.

Our Experts

• Marielle Marquez, OT, a pediatric occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and founder of Thrive Little, a therapeutic practice that assists caregivers with treating children with tethered oral tissues (TOTs)
• Deborah Gilman, Ph.D., a licensed pyschologist, mediator, child specialist, coach, and national/international trainer and speaker on topics of child development, trauma, and parenting

Factors to Consider When Buying Tummy Time Toys

• Entertaining: The point of tummy time toys is to serve as a fun distraction. If your baby is distracted and excited by toys, they’ll be likely to spend more time on the tummy, which will help to build baby muscles and gain strength. According to Dr. Gilman, incorporating a baby-safe mirror can "provide visual feedback and encourage self-discovery. Babies are fascinated by their own reflections." For babies who are working on mastering holding their heads up through tummy time, entertainment can be engaging lights and sounds, contrasting colors for visual stimulation, and tactile surfaces for physical exploration.
• Safety: Babies working on tummy time should always be supervised. Never leave them alone, and don’t allow a baby to fall asleep on their tummy. Babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep for naps and at nighttime. So, if your little one is starting to look sleepy, remove them from their tummy time mat or toy and move them to their crib or bassinet, sleeping on their back. 
• Milestones: Tummy time toys can help babies reach other developmental milestones and grow strong neck, shoulder, and core muscles. Milestones like crawling, rolling over, and sitting up will all be influenced by tummy time. Since they’ll be spending time in new positions, tummy time can also help reduce the risk of flat spots on the baby’s head.

Your Questions, Answered

Why is tummy time important?

Tummy time is important to help your baby gain muscle strength. "Tummy time became necessary when back to sleep recommendations came to about in the '90s...babies began developing motor delays and flat heads from spending too much time on their back," says Marquez. "Tummy time gives them a chance to work on strengthening their extensor muscles on the back of their body, develop head control, and to push up with their arms."

How much does a good tummy time toy cost?

Tummy toys can vary in cost based on many variables, such as developmental stages, construction and materials, and other add-on features. Ultimately, it's important for you to choose a tummy time toy that serves your purposes, whether it be simply supporting your baby upright to aid in growing those back and neck muscles or entertaining your baby to help with sensory development and motor skills. You can typically find a good tummy time toy between $16 and $140.

Who We Are

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, 8-year-old son, and 4-year-old daughter. Tummy time already seems like ages ago, but Maya does remember it well. In her opinion, the best toys are ones that don’t take up too much room or can be used in a few modes for a long(ish) period of time.

Additional reporting by:

Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer, enthusiastic shopper, and devoted mom. She’s researched thousands of baby products, toys, gifts, and more and personally tested many of them. Katrina used the VTech Tummy Time Discovery Pillow when her son (now 4) was a newborn, and he loved the detachable piano and played with it well beyond his tummy time days.

Dorian Smith-Garcia is a commerce, health, and parenting writer at Parents, and a mom of one 5-year-old daughter, who wasn't the biggest fan of tummy time. However, the best tummy time toy for her daughter was actually their Yorkie Jimmy Choo, who was more intrigued by the Bright Starts Tummy Time Interactive Play Mat than her daughter. Thankfully, she was intrigued by Jimmy Choo and learned to reach out to grasp his legs and raise her head to interact with him.