Best Toys for 6–12 Month Old Babies

Sitting, Crawling & Teething — What Actually Helps

 

Somewhere between six and twelve months, something shifts.

 

Your baby is no longer happily lying down, staring at the ceiling fan.
Now they’re sitting, rocking, crawling, chewing…
and absolutely determined to put everything in their mouth.

 

This is the stage where toys start to matter a little more —
not because babies need more things,
but because their bodies and brains are suddenly very busy.

 

So let’s talk about which toys actually support development from 6–12 months,
and which ones mostly just take up floor space.

 

 

 

🧠 What Babies Are Working On at 6–12 Months

 

This stage is all about movement and coordination.

 

Between six and twelve months, babies are developing:

 

• Independent sitting
• Crawling (and early standing for some)
• Hand–eye coordination
• Fine motor skills
• Oral exploration (a.k.a. constant teething)

 

Toys that help should invite movement, grabbing, and problem-solving —
not passive watching or loud entertainment.

 

 

🪑 Sitting Stage (Around 6–8 Months)

 

Once babies can sit steadily, their hands are finally free to explore.

 

Best Toy Types:

 

• Stacking cups or rings
• Simple shape sorters
• Soft blocks or wooden blocks

Why they help:

 

• Encourage balance while sitting
• Support hand coordination
• Introduce basic cause and effect

 

👉 If a toy lets your baby knock it over, restack it, and repeat — it’s doing its job.

 

 

🐛 Crawling Stage (Around 7–10 Months)

 

Crawling changes everything.
Now toys need to motivate movement.

 

Best Toy Types:

 

• Push-and-roll toys
• Soft balls
• Simple pull toys

 

Why they help:

 

• Encourage forward movement
• Strengthen arms and core
• Support spatial awareness

 

👉 Toys don’t need to move on their own.
They just need to be interesting enough to chase.

 

 

🦷 Teething Stage (Basically… Always)

 

Let’s be honest — most toys will be chewed.

 

Best Toy Types:

 

• Silicone teethers
• Textured fabric toys
• Natural rubber or wooden teethers

 

Why they help:

 

• Soothe sore gums
• Support sensory exploration
• Keep babies from chewing furniture

 

👉 If it’s going in their mouth, material matters more than features.

 

 

✋ Fine Motor Development (8–12 Months)

 

As babies approach their first birthday, finger control improves quickly.

 

Best Toy Types:

 

• Peg boards
• Shape sorters with large openings
• Toys that involve opening, closing, or inserting

 

Why they help:

 

• Strengthen finger muscles
• Support problem-solving
• Build focus and persistence

👉 Struggling a little is part of learning. Perfection isn’t the goal.

 

 

🧩 What Makes a Good Toy at This Age?

 

The best toys for 6–12 months usually:

 

• Are simple in design
• Encourage baby-led play
• Use natural or soft materials
• Don’t rely on screens or constant noise

 

More toys don’t mean more learning.
The right toys create better play.

 

 

☕ A Real-Life Tip

 

If your baby:

 

• Drops the toy
• Crawls away
• Comes back to it later

That still counts as good play.

 

Development doesn’t look tidy.
It looks repetitive, messy, and very normal.

 

 

From sitting to crawling to standing,
your baby is learning through movement.

 

The best toys don’t entertain them —
they invite them to try.

 

And sometimes, that’s more than enough.