Four months is when play really begins. A 4-month-old is reaching on purpose, grabbing with both hands, bringing everything to their mouth, laughing out loud and pushing up during tummy time. Some are starting to roll. The best toys for a 4-month-old meet them right there: light, soft rattles they can finally hold and shake themselves, plush friends with faces and textures to explore, and bold books for tummy time. Pick something beautiful, and it will be a favorite for months to come.
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Every gift in this guide is from Estella, a family-owned New York brand making baby gifts since 2003. Our toys are hand-knit one at a time by artisans in Peru with a soft organic cotton exterior, and our clothing is organic cotton. We’ve earned 1,800+ five-star reviews from 55,000+ families, been featured in Vogue, and you’ll never find us on Amazon.
In this guide:
- Our quick picks
- What 4-month-olds love
- Rattles to grab and shake
- Soft friends to hug
- Books for tummy time
- Outfits that come with a toy
- Gift sets for a 4-month-old
- Frequently asked questions
Our Quick Picks
- Best first toy: the NYC Taxi Baby Rattle ($28), our bestseller, easy for small hands.
- Best for a sports family: the All American Baby Rattles ($65): baseball, basketball and football.
- Best soft friend: Charlotte the Pig ($58), with a snout, ears, feet and tail to explore.
- Best gift set: the Whale Luxury Baby Gift Set ($218), arriving gift-boxed.
What 4-Month-Olds Love
Reaching and grabbing. Hands are the big discovery. Light, soft toys with easy shapes are perfect for little fingers learning to grip and let go.
Making things happen. A rattle they can shake on their own is an early lesson in cause and effect, and a reason to giggle.
Tummy time. Something bright to look at, like a board book propped open or a favorite plush, makes tummy time more fun.
Faces and textures. Stitched faces, floppy ears and knit textures give curious hands and eyes plenty to explore during supervised play.
The best toys at this age are the same for boys and girls. Choose by what the family loves (animals, food, sports or New York) rather than by color.
Rattles to Grab and Shake
NYC Taxi Baby Rattle
Our bestselling rattle: a bright yellow cab with a checkered stripe, light and easy for small hands to hold.
Rattle toy taxi: So cute. Love it. Purchased it for our new grandson who will be born in New York City.
NYC Pigeon Baby Rattle (Pedro)
New York’s most famous bird, as a soft, quirky rattle for the littlest city fan. Always a conversation starter.
Avocado Baby Rattle
A cheerful hand-knit avocado, ready to shake and roll. A sweet $25 gift for the family that puts avocado on everything.
So cute, I bought two!: I bought the first one for my daughter and it was so cute that I bought a second one for my friend's daughter.
Hot Sauce & Avocado Baby Rattle Set
A hand-knit hot sauce bottle and an avocado, for the baby with a spicy family. Funny, sweet and always a hit.
Cute as can be!: My husband eats avocados and hot sauce almost everyday. The rattles were perfect for gifting him at his diaper shower with the guys!
All American Baby Rattles
A hand-knit baseball, basketball and football: three soft rattles for the family that already knows which team baby’s on.
Another winner: This is the third set of rattles I've ordered for expecting/new parents and have yet to be disappointed. Thumbs up!
Soft Friends to Hug
Charlotte the Pig
All charm, with a bright pink snout and a playful spirit. Her snout, ears, feet and tail give little hands plenty to explore.
Pierre the Paris Dog
A hand-knit dog with a stitched face and plenty of Parisian charm, for the family that loves Paris. A friend for years to come.
So cute: Absolutely adorable and made so well! I can’t wait to surprise my little one with it.
NYC Taxi Plush Toy – Large
A big, bold, soft yellow cab to lean on during tummy time now, and a favorite for imaginative play later.
NYC Taxi Cab- Adorable: The soft, stuffed NYC taxi cab has been placed in my grandson’s room. Since the theme of the room is travel, it is perfect.
Grandma & Grandpa Teddy Bear
Two little hand-knit bears, one grandma and one grandpa, sized for small hands. A sweet gift from the grandparents.
Toy bear: The bear is cute and small enough for baby hands to grasp.
NYC Taxi Lovey Security Blanket
A hand-knit taxi lovey with pom-pom wheels, about 14" x 14": just enough for little hands to grab and snuggle during supervised cuddles. Keep loveys out of the crib until after the first birthday.
so cute: gifted this blanket & the nyc abc’s to a friend — she loved it!!!
Books for Tummy Time
Hello, World: New York Board Book
A vibrant, graphic board book that introduces baby to the colors of New York City. Bold pages are just right to prop open during tummy time. $12.
My First Book of New York
A vibrant hardcover tour of the sights, sounds and flavors of the city, for reading together now and pointing at pictures later. $25.
Outfits That Come with a Toy
NYC Print Baby Romper
Taxis, pretzels, apples and pizza, head to toe, in soft organic cotton. Easy snaps, and a big smile in every photo.
Super cute!: Super cute, great fabric, great fit!
NYC Romper & Rattle Baby Gift Set
An organic cotton NYC romper paired with a hand-knit taxi rattle, so the outfit comes with its first toy. A lovely gift at $72.
Super Cute, Super Soft: Love love love the onsie/taxi combo.
Gift Sets for a 4-Month-Old
Big Apple Baby Rattle Set
A coffee cup, a Big Apple, a taxi and a pigeon: four hand-knit rattles for a mini tour of the city.
Wonderful Gift: This was the perfect gift for a NYC babe -- mother loves it and baby seems to enjoy as well.
NYC Little Explorers Baby Gift Set
Two organic cotton bodysuits, a matching NYC bib, hand-knit taxi and Big Apple rattles and a New York board book: six pieces for dressing up, playing and reading.
Generous and Beautiful NYC Inspired Baby Surprise: This bundle feels abundant and so well curated.
Whale Luxury Baby Gift Set
Our bestselling organic whale romper with a matching hat, a whale lovey and hand-knit whale and starfish rattles, all in a gift box.
Beautiful baby gift set: My friends were really pleased with the Whale Luxury gift set. Perfect grouping of soft and cuddly things.
What Size to Give a 4-Month-Old
Most 4-month-olds wear 3–6 months now and move into 6–12 months soon, so choose 6–12 months for an outfit that will last. Rattles, plush toys, loveys and books need no size at all.
Ready to Give
Add a free gift message in your cart, and every order includes a gift receipt with no prices. Gift boxing is $8, complimentary on orders over $175. Orders ship within 1–2 business days, with free shipping on U.S. orders over $75.
Frequently Asked Questions
What toys are best for a 4-month-old?
Light, soft rattles they can grab and shake, plush friends with faces and textures, and bold board books for tummy time. A gift set combines a few of these in one box.
Can a 4-month-old hold a rattle?
Most are starting to. Soft, light rattles with simple shapes are easiest for little hands learning to grip.
What are Estella toys made of?
Our knit toys have an organic cotton exterior, hand-knit by artisans in Peru, with a soft polyester fill. Each product page lists its materials. As with any toy, supervise playtime.
Are there different toys for 4-month-old boys and girls?
Not really. Every toy in this guide is loved by boys and girls alike, so choose by what the family loves.
Can I buy Estella on Amazon?
No. Estella is sold only at estella-nyc.com and at select museum and boutique partners.
More Ideas, Made with Love
See all of our hand-knit baby rattles, our stuffed animals and our organic baby gift sets. Shopping for the holidays? See our Baby’s First Christmas gifts.
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