Gifts for babies are quite different from gifts you would get for children and toddlers since babies don't have any understanding or knowledge of the world yet. However, that puts gift-givers in a unique position to play a part in how the baby starts to piece together and understand the environment and themselves. While finding a gender-neutral gift may seem difficult, all babies, regardless of their gender, start from the same blank slate.
We have put together a list of the 10 best gender-neutral gifts for babies and a handy buying guide to help you know what to be mindful of when shopping. The Personalized Name Puzzle by Woodily Toys snagged the first place spot because of its simplicity and thoughtfulness. It's also a toy that can grow with the baby as they get older and starts recognizing colors, letters, and their own name. If you're struggling to find the perfect gift for the new human or humans in your life, this article will hopefully be of some use to you!
Image | 1 ![]() Woodily Toys | 2 ![]() Love to Dream | 3 ![]() UGG | 4 ![]() Fisher-Price | 5 ![]() Parker Baby Co. | 6 ![]() aden + anais | 8 ![]() Olive & Cocoa | 8 ![]() Margaret Wise Brown, Clement Hurd | 9 ![]() Lupantte | 10 ![]() SmartNoggin |
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Name | Personalized Name Puzzle | Swaddle UP | Bixbee | Infant-to-Toddler Rocker | Baby Bandana Bibs | Dream Blanket | Lulu Lamb & Blankie | Goodnight Moon | 7-in-1 Baby Play Gym Mat | NogginStik |
Features | A Toy and Decoration in One | Support Comfortable Sleep for Baby | Fuzzy, Cozy Booties to Keep Little Toes Warm | Keep Baby Comfortable and Entertained | A Set of Neutral Bibs to Keep Baby Clean | A Double-Sided Muslin Blanket | Give the Gift of Cozy Snuggles | A Classic for Baby and Caretaker to Enjoy | A Play Mat That Can Grow With the Baby Until 18 Months | Support Developmental Milestones With This Rattle |
Price | $8.00 | $29.95 | $34.99 | $44.99 | $14.95 | $39.99 | $94.00 | $5.36 | $56.99 | $22.99 |
Highlights | Customizable | 5 colors, 3 sizes | 6 colors, 3 sizes, machine washable | Rocking or stationary, adjustable reclining, 2 hanging toys, vibration mode | 8 sets of different patterns, adjustable sizes | 44 x 44 in., 42 patterns available | Blanket 30 x 36 in., comes in wood crate with ribbon | 30 pages | 6 removable sensory toys, 36.5 x 25.5 x 20.5 in., machine-washable | Multi-activity |
Materials | Birch plywood, non-toxic paint, beeswax finish | 93% cotton, 7% elastane | Fleece, faux suede outsole, silicone tread | Machine-washable polyester seat cushion | One side 100% organic cotton, other side 100% polyester | 100% cotton muslin | Chamois blanket | Board book | Polyester | Free from BPA, PVC, lead, phthalates |
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We rounded up a list of diverse gender-neutral baby gifts to cater to different baby needs, based on product reviews and careful research.
Price for one letter
$8.00
Highlights | Customizable |
---|---|
Materials | Birch plywood, non-toxic paint, beeswax finish |
$29.95
Highlights | 5 colors, 3 sizes |
---|---|
Materials | 93% cotton, 7% elastane |
$34.99
Highlights | 6 colors, 3 sizes, machine washable |
---|---|
Materials | Fleece, faux suede outsole, silicone tread |
$44.99
Highlights | Rocking or stationary, adjustable reclining, 2 hanging toys, vibration mode |
---|---|
Materials | Machine-washable polyester seat cushion |
4 pack
$14.95
Highlights | 8 sets of different patterns, adjustable sizes |
---|---|
Materials | One side 100% organic cotton, other side 100% polyester |
$39.99
Highlights | 44 x 44 in., 42 patterns available |
---|---|
Materials | 100% cotton muslin |
Board book
$5.36
Highlights | 30 pages |
---|---|
Materials | Board book |
$94.00
Highlights | Blanket 30 x 36 in., comes in wood crate with ribbon |
---|---|
Materials | Chamois blanket |
$56.99
Highlights | 6 removable sensory toys, 36.5 x 25.5 x 20.5 in., machine-washable |
---|---|
Materials | Polyester |
$22.99
Highlights | Multi-activity |
---|---|
Materials | Free from BPA, PVC, lead, phthalates |
When considering what gift to buy for a baby, prioritize the gift's purpose, safety, and usefulness. Since babies are learning about the world around them, gifts that help this purpose or gifts that keep the baby comfortable are excellent ideas.
Babies are constantly doing a massive amount of observing and processing to understand the world around them. Senses such as touch, sound, and sight are easily stimulated by toys and help babies work those senses to start refining them.
Toys don't have to be overly complicated or complex; in fact, they should be simple but engaging. Simple toys like rattles stimulate babies' auditory senses and help them understand the relationship between cause and effect.
When looking for toys, choose ones that are brightly colored, have some texture or make sounds. Of course, the baby's safety is of the utmost importance, so avoid toys that are sharp, overly heavy or hard, or have small parts that they could choke on.
Books are another great gift that is stimulating and educational. They create quality time between the baby and the reader as well. Most babies around four to seven months old will start to interact with the books more actively, although younger babies can still benefit from the quality time the adult provides while reading.
Choose books that are bright and have big pictures, because newborns’ eyes are still not developed enough to catch fine details. Tactile features like flaps, mirrors, and textures are also fun for babies to explore.
Soft things like blankets, stuffed animals, and clothes are gifts that can help soothe and comfort a baby. It's not a bad idea to prioritize fabrics that are naturally dyed or derived, because babies’ skin is sensitive and dyes may cause a reaction.
Cotton is an overall great choice for anything because it’s soft, easy to wash, and breathable. Fleece is another good option for any age because it’s soft and stays soft for a long time. Linen is breathable and keeps babies cool, making it a great choice for hotter months or using for bedding.
A gift that makes the lives of the caretakers better is always a good option. Things like decorations or diaper bags are gifts that benefit both baby and caretaker.
If you know what the caretaker's home is like, you can choose gifts that are an appropriate size and design to match the decor. Toys that are loud or hard can lead to stress and irritation for the caretakers and could do some damage to the baby, caretakers, and home.
Searching for other baby items? Here are some relevant articles we've written that may be helpful for you!
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