Toys for babies

Activity Ball
Manufacturer Tiny Love
Age From 6 months
Price £14.95
iVillage rating *****
Buy online www.johnlewis.com

Manufacturer says An interactive soft activity toy designed to stimulate your child to explore, touch and listen through various textures and activities. Baby taps the ball and is rewarded with five magical sounds.

We say A great new product from the makers of the popular Gymini Activity Mat. Much more than a jack-in-the-box. The extending head and legs pull out easily and then jitter back, which kept our 8-month-old tester amused for hours. The ball encourages a baby to sit and has plenty of variety. All the sounds are suitably soft and gentle. Excellent value.

Barnyard Crawl
Manufacturer Lamaze
Age From 6 months
Price £19.99
iVillage rating ****
Buy online www.toys-express.co.uk

Manufacturer says Encourages baby to crawl. Includes light and sound, rattling balls and teething knots.

We say Lamaze manages to stimulate most of the senses with this hourglass shaped rolling toy. Our baby tester enjoyed rolling it back and forth and crawling after it once we set it in motion. Lights and sounds can be switched on or off and there is a volume control. It includes beads that rattle inside, cloth ties to feel, and like all Lamaze's stimulating products, lots of bright patterns.

Five Ring Rattle
Manufacturer Myriad Natural Toys
Age From 6 months
Price £7.90
iVillage star rating *****
Buy online www.myriadonline.co.uk

Manufacturer says Hand finished, soft edged alder wood rattle with five coloured beech wood discs. Pleasing sound.

We say Myriad's range of rattles includes zodiac and birth gemstone designs, all made for tiny hands from the very best materials. Myriad's stacking toys for games of hide and push it over are brilliant too.