Best Toys for Kids: Ages 6-12 Months

As your baby grows and becomes more curious about the world around them, it is time to introduce them to toys that will encourage exploration, movement, and cognitive development. From interactive playsets to toys that promote fine motor skills, there are countless options available to engage and entertain infants aged 6 to 12 months. Here are my top 10 picks for the best toys for this age group:

Activity Centers

Activity centers offer a variety of interactive features, including buttons, levers, and spinners, that keep babies engaged and entertained for hours. Look for activity centers with bright colors, interesting textures, and music or sound effects to stimulate your baby’s senses. There are many different types, but I prefer activity cubes as I never know if the ones they sit in will put too much pressure on their hips.

Stacking Rings

Stacking rings are excellent toys for developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Encourage your baby to stack the rings from largest to smallest or explore different ways to play with them, such as shaking or rolling. While stacking the rings call out their colors and sizes to introduce the baby to the new words. Say things like: “We will first put the big red circle; now we will follow it with the smaller orange circle. Look how much bigger the red one is.” Speaking with them about everything you do will do wonders for their vocabulary in the future.

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters help babies learn about shapes, colors, and spatial relationships as they match different shapes to corresponding holes. Choose shape sorters with chunky, easy-to-grasp pieces and bright, contrasting colors to capture your baby’s interest. I prefer the wooden toys so we choose the wooden shape sorters. As with the previous toy call out their colors and shapes to introduce the baby to the new words.

Push Toys

Push toys are perfect for babies who are starting to explore their surroundings and take their first steps. These toys help them gather the confidence they need to start moving. Look for sturdy push toys with handles and wheels that provide stability and support as your baby learns to walk.

Musical Instruments

Musical instruments, such as tambourines, maracas, and drums, allow babies to explore rhythm, sound, and cause-and-effect relationships. Encourage your baby to shake, bang, and tap the instruments to create their own music. Honestly, this is not one of my favorite toys as they make so much noise. I think I had a permanent headache for a while, but it was worth it for the smile on her face. She still loves the musical toys, but now she can make more melodic noise.

Soft Books

Soft books are great for introducing babies to the world of reading and storytelling. Choose soft books with bright colors, simple illustrations, and different textures for tactile exploration. I was surprised at how interested she was in looking through those books, and now a year later she still loves them. She often grabs a book, climbs into my lap and we read together.

Nesting and Stacking Cups

Nesting and stacking cups are versatile toys that promote hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills. Encourage your baby to stack the cups, nest them inside each other, or use them for pouring and scooping. We spent long hours pouring water from one to another, scoping rice and beans, and eventually stacking them. This was a great practice for stacking building blocks when she got a little bit bigger.

Ball Pit

A ball pit provides endless fun and sensory stimulation for babies as they explore the soft, colorful balls and practice reaching, grasping, and throwing. Look for inflatable or collapsible ball pits that are easy to set up and store. We didn’t have enough space for it with either of my kids, and I still regret it. They always look so fun that I would want to jump in.

Light-Up Toys

Light-up toys captivate babies’ attention with their bright colors and flashing lights. Choose light-up toys with simple controls and interactive features that encourage exploration and discovery.

Baby Swing

A baby swing provides a soothing and relaxing experience for babies while also promoting balance and coordination. Look for swings with adjustable speed settings, comfortable seating, and safety features for peace of mind. Please be aware not to leave the baby unattended.

These top 10 toys for infants aged 6 to 12 months are sure to delight and engage your little ones as they continue to grow and explore the world around them. From developing fine motor skills to stimulating their senses, each toy offers valuable opportunities for learning and play. Best of all, these toys will be fun for you also.