Wooden rattle

A wooden rattle is one of the oldest baby toys because it asks for almost nothing from an infant and gives back a very clear sound and something easy to grip. By our assessment, its best quality is that directness: the movement, the knock of wood and the small size are enough to hold attention without lights or batteries. The limit is just as clear, since wood is hard and noise can be blunt rather than soft, so it is not the right choice for every mood or every nursery. In practice it feels simple, honest and very physical, the sort of thing adults notice more for solidity than for features. Compared with plastic rattles it is usually quieter and less flashy, and compared with plush toys it is much more about touch and sound than comfort. Wooden rattle suits the very early stage of play, where grasping matters more than pretending.