Introduction
Babies grow so much between 6 and 12 months, it’s seriously amazing. One minute they’re wobbly sitting up, and the next they’re pulling to stand, babbling non-stop, and putting everything in their mouths. At this age, playtime is more than just fun, it’s a crucial part of development. They’re beginning to move around more, they’re no longer just blobs that lay on the carpet! They are rolling, learning to crawl, sit, stand, cruise, and for those early movers, they may be even taking their first steps.
This is when babies really start to learn about and explore the environment around them. They are also interacting much more, and may be laughing, waving, clapping and babbling.
So, what toys are best for this exciting stage? Below I’ve included some favorites that support sensory exploration, motor skills, and curiosity, all while keeping those sweet little hands busy.
1. Stacking Cups or Rings
Why they’re great: Simple, colorful, and endlessly entertaining. These toys help with fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and even early problem-solving. Babies love knocking them over as much as they love stacking them.
Pro tip: Go for ones that double as bath toys for bonus splashy fun.
My now toddler is obsessed with these stacking cups that he’s had since about 4 months old. He loves to use them in the bath as they have different types of holes in the bottom. They’re also bright and colourful and easy to stack, while working on babies fine motor and problem solving skills.
This spinning stacking toy is another super fun toy for your little one to practice honing their hand-eye coordination, and fine-motor skills. The stacking rings are colourful and mesmerising for babies to watch as they spin. Recommended in my previous age range, this is a toy that lasts the ages and is an easy entertainer to keep your bub busy.
2. Soft Blocks
Why they’re great: Soft blocks are perfect for curious babies who love to throw, squish, and chew. They’re lightweight and safe for solo play, plus they help teach cause and effect and spatial awareness.
Look for: Blocks with textures, numbers, animals, or mirrors to encourage exploration.
These soft blocks are perfect for encouraging developmental play. They are soft and squishy as well as bright and colourful, meaning they are easy for small hands to grasp and play with, and keep babies engaged. They provide great visual stimulation as well, and have a number of different textures to alert babies senses.
3. Activity Cubes or Tables
Why they’re great: These multi-sensory toys keep little ones engaged with buttons, spinning parts, beads, and music. They encourage standing and cruising, especially as babies near that 1-year mark.
Bonus: They grow with your baby, so a great investment!
This Montessori wooden activity cube combines a number of toys in one. It has 6 sides with a number of different activities for bubs, including a clock, spinning gears, an abacus, a xylophone, bead maze, shape sorter, sorting and stacking and word cards.
5. Musical Toys
Why they’re great: From shakers to mini drums and baby pianos, musical toys help develop auditory skills and rhythm. Babies love cause and effect- “I hit this, and it makes a sound!” Plus, music supports language and brain development.
Don’t worry: You’ll get used to the noise… eventually.
The Fisher-Price Light up Piano is a small, portable piano that plays songs and sounds, teaching animal sounds, colours, shapes and numbers. It’s engaging and fun for little people, and is a great toy that grows with them!
A learning cube provides education and fun all in one! It has something new to learn on each of its six sides, including numbers, the alphabet, animals, colours, music and musical instruments. It is a stimulating toy that will keep your bub busy for hours as they press the large buttons and watch it light up.
6. Board Books
Why they’re great: It’s never too early for books! Sturdy board books with bright pictures and simple words support early language development. Bonus points for touch-and-feel books that offer sensory play, too.
Best types: Books with real-life photos, animals, or flaps to lift.
You can never go wrong with a classic like The Very Hungry Caterpillar for babies and toddlers. It’s a colourful and exciting book with finger-sized holes for bubs to explore as you read. This book is a must have for your collection!
7. Push-and-Pull Toys (for Older Babies)
Why they’re great: As babies begin crawling and cruising, push-and-pull toys encourage movement and coordination. They also start to understand direction and motion. These toys are wonderful for helping babies build confidence as they begin to stand and walk, plus they make for a fun activity too!
Safety note: Make sure cords or strings are short and supervised.
The Hape Pepe Wooden Push/Pull along toy is definitely aimed at bubs closer to 12 months, but is a great buy-ahead toy (or gift!) that babies and toddlers will love. It’s made of sturdy, solid wood that can handle being thrown around by little ones, and is not easily tipped over. It wiggles and wags its tail as it moves and is also able to sit up. As a bonus, It has rubber rimmed wheels to protect your floor. This makes such a great gift for those bubs beginning to stand or move about!
A walker is an absolute essential for this age range, and this Fisher-Price 2 sided Steady Speed Panda Walker is a perfect, long-lasting toy that grows with your bub. This toy helps support babies learning to stand and move around their environment, providing stability whilst also promoting their balance and co-ordination. It’s 2 sided feature means your bub can use it either way, and the steady wheels keep them moving at a slow and safe pace. It also has a number of little activities to keep little hands busy and 100+ songs, sounds and phrases to keep them entertained!
8. Shape Sorters & Object Permanence Toys
Why they’re great: Shape sorters for little ones are not only entertaining but have a wide-range of benefits, crucial for development. These include cognitive development, fine motor skills, hand-eye co-ordination and critical thinking- just to name a few! They help babies to focus and concentrate on the task at hand as they involve patience and persistence and help to teach about object permanence.
Object Permanence is another important skill that babies learn generally between the ages of 5 and 8 months. It means they are learning that just because they can’t actually see something, it still exists. This does however, also bring with it the notion of separation anxiety, making it ever more important for you to teach your bub that even though you have left the room, you will always come back!
The Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube is a sturdy, long-lasting toy that is made of high-quality, renewable wood. The blocks and the cube itself have smooth edges so it is safe for babies hands, and the blocks are colourful and engaging for bubs. This toy is great for teaching babies shape and colour recognition, problem-solving skills and fine motor skills. A toy that will stand the test of time and become a favourite for every baby to toddler!
This Montessori Object Permanence Box is another great toy for this age range to work on similar developmental skills as the shape-sorter box, while also teaching object permanence. This toy is also made of sturdy, non-toxic material which promises durability. It is colourful, and a fun toy that babies will play with for years.
A Few Tips When Choosing Toys:
- Safety first: No small parts, choking hazards, or loose pieces.
- Multi-sensory: Look for toys that stimulate touch, sight, and sound.
- Easy to clean: Because everything ends up in the mouth. Everything.
- Durability: Babies can be surprisingly strong and…enthusiastic.
Final Thoughts
The best toys for 6–12 month olds aren’t necessarily the flashiest; they’re the ones that spark curiosity and invite exploration, whilst still providing developmentally-appropriate skills. At this age, your baby is learning so much every day. With the right toys, you’re not just keeping them busy, you’re helping them grow, learn, and discover the world around them.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission for any sales made.