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While hot toys are often associated with older children, parents of babies have another set of trends to follow. In recent years, this has been brain power-building activities, such as the Baby Einstein videos, but since studies have disproven the effects of the videos designed to build a child’s vocabulary, parents’ focus has shifted elsewhere. According to a recent press release by shopping search engine Twenga, this focus might be toward physical baby toys, such as baby gyms and activity mats. While these toys have the visual, hearing, and touch stimulation common with many baby toys, they allow the child to move and interact, as well.

Babies develop physically and mentally, and baby gyms and activity playmats address both of these features. On a small level, activity seats, such as these by retailer Baby and Me Boutique, allow the baby to stay in one place and explore various toys with his or her hands. These toys, usually attached to a bar, come in bright colors or black, red, and white and make sounds when the child touches it and have several textures for the baby to experience.

Full activity platmats, such as these sold through Hunky Dorky Online, give the child a full interactive and sensory experience. The baby is placed on his back – or stomach, if he or she is rolling already – and can touch the toys in the gym. The toys are brightly colored for visual stimulation, have varied textures, and make several sounds ranging from jingling to bells to crinkles. Additionally, the activity mat also makes sounds when the baby moves over it.

Stimulation toys, from black, red, and white mobiles to these activity playmats, are designed to heighten a child’s senses and develop them. A child needs his or her vision stimulated, and the contrasting colors of black, red, and white – although primary shades are also acceptable – help with this. The sounds certain toys make also help with cause and effect, and the child also experiences the sense of touch by feeling toys with multiple textures.