Ring, Bean, Squeak & Body Rattles

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Keel Toys

Shake and rattle to keep baby entertained with our plush rattles. Rattles come in a host of different varieties - some are designed for babies to grasp in their hand, some to cuddle; but all have a different sounds, rattles and squeaks.

Our rattles can be priced at the perfect level for an impulse buy - the ideal quick pickup for a present for a newborn baby, or an add-on gift to give from a sibling or small friend.

Of course, because rattles are designed for small babies, the safety of these toys is paramount, which is why Baby Brands Direct only chooses to stock rattles from tried-and-trusted brands including Lamaze, Keel Toys and Taf Toys. We also include some well-loved friends in this category, such as Paddington, Pooh and Friends, Elmer the Elephant and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. All much-loved characters who will encourage sales.


Why do rattles sell so well?

Rattles are the go-to toy for very small babies. They may be simple but they have a long history - evidence of a baby rattle from the Iron Age around 2,500 years ago has been found by archaeologists! Anyone looking for a gift for a newborn is likely to opt either for a plush or a rattle. That’s why our plush rattles are the perfect combination - soft and cuddly but with added play value. The fact that they sit at a very reasonable price point also makes them easy to sell. They make a lovely little gift to send along with a card to new parents, and a cute offering for an older sibling to give to a new baby brother or sister.

What are the benefits of plush rattles?

They may seem like very simple toys, but rattles have a number of developmental benefits for babies. For very small babies, holding the rattle in front of them and moving it from side to side can help them learn how to visually track, coordinate their eyes to watch something, and identify where the sound is coming from. As they get older, they will learn about cause and effect - they realise that if they shake the rattle, it makes a noise.

Motor skills can also be developed - first by grabbing hold of the rattle (a ring rattle makes this an easier task) - and then later on learning how to shake the rattle to get different noises; hard and fast for a loud noise, slowly and gently for a quieter noise. This is also the beginning of learning about rhythm and musicality. A plush rattle, with its softer surface, has a benefit all of its own - when babies start to shake the rattle about, they are not always careful who or what they shake it at - a plush outer avoids bumps and bruises!

Rattles soon become a favoured toy - and most babies have a favourite. If it goes everywhere with them, it’s wise for parents to purchase a duplicate in case it goes missing from a pram or buggy while they are out, or gets left at Grandma’s house. The advantage of a favourite toy is that it can be used to encourage babies to progress in other areas. For instance, during tummy time for an older baby who is getting ready to crawl, if you place that favourite brightly coloured rattle in front of them, they will have an added incentive to get moving towards it. Wrist rattles also help to get babies moving their arms and legs. The Lamaze Gardenbug Wrist Rattle Foot Finder Set fits gently on wrists and ankles and encourages movement of arms and legs, which is rewarded with the rattle’s sounds.

It’s not all about the rattle

Many rattles serve a dual purpose. For instance, the adorable The Very Hungry Caterpillar Teether Rattle has a soft tail that is perfect for gnawing on when the baby is teething - and makes a best friend during story time. The Elmer The Elephant plush rattle, meanwhile, doubles up as a soft and cuddly toy, with a fascinating rattle inside. He makes the ideal first best friend for a baby.