Newborn to 3 months: high-contrast visuals (black, white, red) and simple sounds matter more than colourful toys, since a young baby’s eyesight and colour perception are still developing.
3 to 6 months: reaching and grasping toys, textured fabrics, and simple rattles support hand-eye coordination as babies start actively reaching for things.
6 to 12 months: stacking and cause-and-effect toys (press a button, something happens) support the fine motor and understanding skills that develop rapidly in this window.
Across every stage, a small rotating set of toys — rather than everything out at once — tends to hold a baby’s attention better than a room full of options all competing at the same time.