Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic Rattle and Teether

Full Review

The Skwish has won basically every baby toy award in existence, and when you hand one to a baby, you understand why. It's a geometric wooden structure connected by elastic cords with sliding beads. Baby can squeeze it flat and it springs back to shape. They can shake it and the beads rattle. They can chew on the smooth wooden dowels. They can grab any part of it from any angle, which is perfect for developing grasp reflex. It's one of those rare toys that works from birth (as a visual and rattle) through the first year (as a teether and manipulative toy). The wooden construction feels premium compared to the plastic toys that dominate the baby aisle. It's surprisingly light for wood, so even young babies can hold and shake it. The elastic connectors are fully enclosed inside the wooden dowels so there's no pinch risk. We gave these as baby shower gifts for two years straight because they're universally loved. The only complaint is that the beads can get gummed up with drool and stop sliding smoothly, but a quick wipe fixes that.