Best Toys For Babies 6-12 Months: Top 5 Picks

Has your little one just hit the six-month mark, or are they nearing their first birthday? This stage is a whirlwind of exciting milestones! They’re no longer just observing the world; they’re actively exploring it with newfound skills. But with all these amazing developments comes a common question for parents: what toys are best for this busy, curious age?

Choosing toys for babies between 6 and 12 months can feel overwhelming. You want to pick items that are safe, engaging, and actually help your baby learn and grow. It’s easy to get lost in aisles filled with bright plastic or feel unsure if a toy will truly benefit your baby’s development. The fear of buying something they won’t use or that isn’t age-appropriate is real!

Fear not! This guide is here to help. We’ll dive into the types of toys that are perfect for babies in this magical developmental window. You’ll discover how to select toys that encourage crawling, grasping, problem-solving, and sensory exploration. By the end, you’ll feel confident in your choices, knowing you’re providing your baby with wonderful opportunities for fun and learning.

Top Toys For Babies 6-12 Months Recommendations

No. 1

Baby Montessori Sensory Toys for 0-6 6-12 Months, Baby Teether Teething Toys for Babies 0 3 6 9 12 18 Months, Newborn Infant Learning Developmental Toys Gifts for 1 2 Year Old Boys Girls

Multi-Sensory Baby Toy: This baby sensory toy uses 12 kinds of bright colors and textured silicone balls to stimulate baby’s senses. The rattle ring, twisting clicking ball and rotating ball also allow baby to have more sensory fun
Silicone Baby Teether: This baby teether is made of high quality soft silicone and ABS plastic, which helps relieve gum pain and ensures the safety of your teething baby, great teething toys for babies 0-6 6-12 months
Developmental Montessori Toys: Babies will be instantly drawn to this colorful and lightweight infant toy. Impact size designed for the little hands, encourage grasping and reaching to develop babies’ gross motor skills
Essential Baby Travel Toy: Perfect size for tiny hands and easy to store in diaper bags. Relieve babies and keep them busy for a long time, an essential travel toy when baby is on the go, perfect for a car or plane trip
Ideal Gifts for Newborns and Infants: This baby sensory toy is an ideal gift for baby Christmas stocking stuffers, baby showers, or birthdays. Perfect infant toys, newborn toys, and baby toys 0-3 3-6 6-12 months

No. 2

Hooku 2 Pack Silicone Teething Toys for Babies 0-6 Months, Teethers for Babies 6-12 Months, Remote Teether for Baby, Sensory Toys for Babies, Baby Chew Toys KLW8808

【Scientific Design For Babies】 The Silicone Baby Teether Toys are designed with the appearance of a remote control, which can satisfy the baby's curiosity; Toddler Teether Toy have different protruding textures and bumpy massage particles, which can massage the baby’s gums and easy grasp by babies; Baby Teethers colors are bright, which can improve the baby's color recognition.
【Safe High-Quality Material】Hooku Baby Remote Control Toy is made of Food Grade Silicone, Non-toxic, BPA-free, Durable for biting and chewing. This Baby Chew Toys 3-6 months is Soft, Smooth surface, No burrs. The soft and bendable silicone material can avoid damaging your baby's gums.
【Meet Babies' Special Needs】The Infant Teething Toys are suitable for those with oral sensory needs, biting needs, ADHD, autism to promote calm, soothe, and focused. The Montessori Toys for Babies 0-6 Months reduce chewing pencils, hands, clothes, hairs, etc. The Baby Toys 12-18 Months Effective relief of the itching and pain associated with teething. Perfect gift for the newborn, 0 to 6 months and 6 to 12 months infants and toddlers.
【Easy to Clean】Hooku Infant Teething toys for babies 6-12 months No Deformation, No Fading, More Assured of Biting. The Remote Control Teether for Baby can be used in dishwashers, refrigerators, also freezable. Recommended that you wash it and boil it for sterilization before use.
【Perfect Gift For Babies】Hooku Baby Teething Remote Control Toy is a Good Baby Gifts Idea. The Baby Girl Toys and Baby Boy Toys are suitable for all kinds of holiday gifts, including Birthday gifts, Easter gifts, Christmas gifts, New Year gifts etc. Please don't miss any chance to surprise your babies!

No. 3

Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring STEM Learning Toy, Age 6+ Months, Multi, 9 Piece Set

Straight post accepts different sized rings, strengthening hand-eye coordination
Chunky rings make it easy for baby to grasp, strengthening fine motor skills
Each ring features a different texture and weight; Textural variety is great for mouthing.
Colorful beads in the clear ring allowing baby to connect the sound to sight
9 piece set

SaleNo. 4

Baby Piano Toy 6 to 12 Months Light Up Music Baby Toys for 6 9 12 18 Months Early Learning Educational Piano Keyboard Infant Babies Girl Toy 1 Year Old Boy Girls Gift

Perfect Musical Educational Toys: The cute elephant light up music toys come with colorful design and funny sounds effect, the piano toy for 1 year old light up when sing, well attract the attention of your kids and enlighten your toddlers to see, hear, touch, observe and explore, cultivate the babies’ color recognition, and sensory engagement. It is an awesome light up baby toy 6 to 12 months!
Endless Fun in Two Modes: Elephant music baby toys for 1 year old boy girl have two modes to play. Learning Mode: Learn numbers, various music instrument voice and animal sounds; Music Mode: Learn the cognitive scale and enjoy the lovely melody. Early educational baby toys for 6 months kids toddlers boys and girls, you deserve it.
100% Safe and Sturdy: Made of premium ABS plastic, the music toys for babies 6 to 12 months are designed with a smooth surface, no sharp corners. Totally safe for your baby, even puts the piano toys in mouth. A volume adjustment button helps you turn the music down and stop the noise, protect your baby's hearing. The infant music toy is 100% safe for your kids.
Multifunction Preschool Learning Toy: The kids keyboard piano has 6 major hand training parts: turn the elephant nose, rotate the ball, pull the flower, flip the page, grasp the rings, and twist the knob. A variety of small hand-training mini-games allows your baby's little hands to explore and improve dexterity. Greatly develop your baby's fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Perfect newborn baby toys for infant 6 9 12 18 24 months.
Great Gift Idea: The size of 6 month old baby toys is 5.3*7.9in and with a handle deisgn.Easy for your baby to grasp and carry the 1 year old girls toy anywhere.Perfect choice for newborn gift,birthday gift for 1 year old boys girls, 1 year old girl gifts, idea party favor gift choice for Christmas ,Thanksgiving, etc.Special musical infant toys for 6-12 month, fine motor skills toys for 1 year old.

No. 5

Etyat Baby Toys 6-12 Months, Montessori Toys for 1 Year Old, Silicone Pull String Teether Toy, Stacking Building Blocks Infant Toddler Toy 0-3, Shape Bin Sensory, Baby Boys&Girls Gifts Set

【Montessori Toys Set】The baby toys set contains building blocks,Magic tissue box, stacking cups, pull string Infants toys, and cube toddler toys that will help baby develop their: Color and shape recognition and sorting skills, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness and reasoning, cognitive flexibility, language skills, creativity, problem solving, logical thinking.
【SAFETY】 Our Montessori toys are made with premium quality, 100% safe and high quality materials, BPA free, Phthalate Free. All of baby items have passed the most stringent CPC/ASTM, Educational toys for 1-3 year old boy and girl.
【Baby Tissue Box】 Babies love playing with tissue boxes and paper, so we’ve created a safe and fun replacement.Our early development toys (3 Pack crinkle paper + 8 Juggling Rainbow Dance Scarves) are ready for your baby, This sensory tissue box will entertain babies for hours with its vibrant colors, crinkly sounds, and pull-along fun. which will promote their skills of fine motor, distinguish colors, stimulate the development of their hearing and vision.
【Pull String Toys】This multi-sensory silicones activity toy has a unique design, montessori silicone toy has 6 brightly colored ropes, which can develop their motor skills and sensory perception by pulling up and down silicone ropes, pressing and pushing buttons. This sensory silicone toy will keep the baby occupied and entertained for hours while they play and explore the cause and effect.
【Explore Sensory Bin& Stacking Toys】 Our stacking building blocks baby toys 3-6 months are good for learning colors, shapes, textures, counting, visual development etc. Also can be used as bath toys and matching game! The educational shape sorting toys frame made of high quality ABS plastic,has rounded corners are soft, baby tries to push the shapes through the elastic bands and perform the sensory shapes.

SaleNo. 6

hahaland Baby Toys 6-12 Months - Surprise Barn Stuffed Farm Animals Plush

MY FIRST FARM ANIMAL SET: This delightful set includes a charming farm house & 6 animals. Crafted with love and care, these plush toys are more than just cute companions, they are a gateway to a world of sensory exploration and developmental play
SENSORY WONDERLAND: Say goodbye to fussy playtimes & hello to captivating engagement! They offer a hands-on experience, allowing your little ones explore farm animals' diverse textures, enhanced by delightful rattles inside some animals for surprises and joyful engagement. Satisfying crinkle sounds accompany gentle squeezes, offering a sensory experience beyond the ordinary. The barn's side mirror becomes a portal for self-discovery, fostering self-awareness and igniting moments of joy
FILL, DUMP & REPEAT FUN: Turn playtime into a developmental adventure! They go beyond ordinary play with two specially designed opening in the barn, creating an interactive experience for toddlers. The unique openings allow your little one to fill the barn with animals and joyfully dump them out again, providing endless entertainment and practice important motor skills
PERFECT FOR ON-THE-GO PLAY: All animals come neatly packaged in a big barn with a convenient handle. The compact design makes it easy for little hands to carry. Get baby & toddler happy and save parent’s worry for car trip, make the journey more enjoyable
SAFE TO EXPLORE & EASY TO CLEAN: Designed for babies 6–12 months who naturally mouth and chew, this plush toy has been tested to meet applicable safety standards, made with baby-friendly materials, and designed without small parts. Easy to clean after drool, teething, and everyday messes, it stays soft, fresh, and ready for cuddles and play

SaleNo. 7

Infinno Baby Wrist Rattle Socks and Foot Finder Set, Perfect Baby Toys for 0-12 Months Newborn Boys and Girls As Shower Gifts, Garden Bug Series

PROMOTE SENSORY EXPLORATION - The bright colorful rattle socks will promote baby sensory exploration through sight, touch and sound. Baby boys and girls will be encouraged to grab and reach the bright colorful wrist rattles and foot finders.
FIT COMFORTABLY - This set contains two soft wrist rattles and two foot finders. These bright colorful wrist rattles and foot finders fit easily and comfortably on baby's wrists and ankles. Extended straps allow for continued use as baby grows.
DELIGHTFUL BABY GIFT - Packaged in an exquisite gift box, this rattle socks set makes a delightful baby shower gift, and a baby registry must have for new mom.
LOUDER ENCHANTING RATTLE - The rattle socks and wrist rattles with contrasting patterns, bright colors and improved with louder enchanting rattle sound will stimulate baby vision, interaction and exploration.
SAFE AND SOFT COTTON MATERIALS - Baby-friendly soft materials are very safe for baby to touch and even chew.

SaleNo. 8

iPlay, iLearn Press to Go Car Toys for Toddlers 1-3, Baby Animal Racing Cars, Infant Play Vehicle Set, Baby Push Go Friction Car Toys for 6-9-12-18 Months, 1st Birthday Gifts for 1-2 Years Old Boys

Safety in Mind — Our Press & Go car toy is designed with rounded edges and smooth surfaces, making it safe for babies to play with. It's made from high-quality ABS materials and doesn't contain any small parts.
Press to Go — This toy is easy and enjoyable for young children to play with. All they need to do is press the head of the car down and watch it go! It's simple, fun, and doesn't require batteries.
Attractive Design — With bright colors and cute cartoon character designs, our Press & Go car toy is sure to stimulate your child's curiosity and support their sensory and cognitive development.
Great for on-the-go — Our Press & Go car toy is suitable for on-the-go fun. Recommended play surfaces: wooden floors, tiled floors, pavement. Not recommended play surfaces: carpets, grass, sand.
Warm Gift Choice — If you're looking for a fun and engaging gift for a young child, our Press & Go car toy is the awesome choice. It's sure to bring a smile to any young child's face!

Choosing the Best Toys for Your 6-12 Month Old

As your baby enters the exciting world of 6-12 months, their curiosity explodes! They are learning to sit up, crawl, and explore everything with their hands and mouths. This is a crucial time for development, and the right toys can make a big difference. This guide will help you pick the best toys to support your little one’s growth.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for toys for this age group, focus on features that encourage exploration and skill-building.

Sensory Stimulation: Look for toys with different textures, bright colors, and interesting sounds. Rattles, squeakers, and crinkle fabrics engage their senses.
Motor Skill Development: Toys that promote reaching, grasping, and stacking help develop fine motor skills. Soft blocks, stacking cups, and shape sorters are great for this. Gross motor skills, like crawling, are boosted by toys that encourage movement. Push toys and tunnels can be fantastic.
Cause and Effect: Babies love to see what happens when they do something. Toys that respond to their actions, like buttons that play music or balls that roll when pushed, teach them about cause and effect.
Safety: This is paramount. Toys should be free of small parts that can be a choking hazard. They should also be durable and non-toxic.

Important Materials

The materials used in baby toys are important for both safety and durability.

BPA-Free Plastics: Many safe and durable toys are made from plastics. Ensure they are labeled as BPA-free.
Natural Wood: Wooden toys are often sturdy and eco-friendly. Look for smooth finishes and non-toxic paints.
Fabric: Soft, washable fabrics are ideal for plush toys and sensory items. Cotton and organic cotton are good choices.
Silicone: Food-grade silicone is safe for teething toys and is often very durable.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Several things can make a toy great or not so great.

Durability: A high-quality toy will withstand being dropped, chewed on, and played with vigorously. Poorly made toys break easily.
Ease of Cleaning: Babies put everything in their mouths, so toys should be easy to wipe down or wash. Toys that are difficult to clean can become unhygienic.
Non-Toxic Components: Always check that paints, dyes, and materials are non-toxic. Some cheaper toys might use harmful chemicals.
Age Appropriateness: A toy that is too complex or too simple won’t hold a baby’s interest. The right challenge is key.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about how your baby will interact with the toy and how it fits into your daily life.

Playtime Interaction: Toys that encourage interaction between you and your baby are wonderful. You can use stacking cups to play a game of peek-a-boo or sing songs while shaking rattles.
Independent Play: As babies get older, they enjoy playing by themselves. Toys that are safe and engaging for independent exploration are valuable. Soft blocks allow for solo building.
Travel and Outings: Smaller, portable toys are great for keeping your baby entertained on the go. A small crinkle book or a soft rattle can be a lifesaver at doctor’s appointments or during car rides.
Developmental Milestones: Toys can be chosen to support specific milestones. For example, a soft ball is perfect for a baby who is starting to crawl and chase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the most important safety features for toys in this age group?

A: The most important safety features are no small parts that could be a choking hazard, non-toxic materials, and rounded edges. Always check for age recommendations.

Q: Should I buy toys that make noise?

A: Yes, toys with gentle sounds can be stimulating. Avoid toys that are excessively loud or have annoying noises that might overstimulate your baby or drive you crazy!

Q: How many toys does a baby this age need?

A: Babies don’t need a lot of toys. A few well-chosen, versatile toys are better than a huge collection. Rotate toys to keep things fresh and interesting.

Q: Are teething toys important for babies 6-12 months?

A: Yes, teething toys are very important. Babies at this age are often teething, and safe, chewable toys help soothe their sore gums.

Q: What is the difference between fine motor skills and gross motor skills?

A: Fine motor skills involve small muscle movements, like grasping and picking up small objects. Gross motor skills involve larger muscle movements, like crawling, sitting, and standing.

Q: How can I make sure a toy is durable?

A: Look for toys made from sturdy materials like wood or robust plastic. Read reviews from other parents to see how well the toy holds up to rough play.

Q: Are electronic toys good for babies 6-12 months?

A: Some electronic toys can be beneficial if they encourage interaction and learning. However, simpler, non-electronic toys are often just as effective and can promote more imaginative play.

Q: When should I introduce shape sorters?

A: Shape sorters are generally introduced around 9-12 months, as babies begin to develop the cognitive skills to match shapes. They are excellent for problem-solving.

Q: How do I clean baby toys?

A: Always check the manufacturer’s instructions. Many plastic and silicone toys can be washed with soap and water or put in the dishwasher. Fabric toys can often be machine washed.

Q: Can I buy used toys?

A: Used toys can be a good option, but inspect them very carefully for damage, missing parts, or wear that could make them unsafe. Ensure they are thoroughly cleaned.