As babies leave the newborn weeks behind, they become more interested in the people and things around them—and they’re also likely more curious about checking out baby toys at this age. To find the best toys for 6-month-olds, it helps to understand where they are developmentally, but it’s also fun to explore their budding interests and personalities by seeing which playthings most appeal to them.
The best toys for 6-month-olds help newly curious babies explore new visuals, textures, sounds and a ... [+] bit of movement. Kitchen Set Toys For Kids
As a mom to three kids and a product reviewer and tester, I’ve seen and tried out many baby toys. To learn more about what makes for the best toys for 6-month-olds, I also spoke to four experts, including two pediatricians. “Play allows for creative learning and is essential for healthy brain development,” pediatrician Dr. Esther Liu, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, told me.
By giving babies the tools they need to play and explore their world, you set them up for success in all areas of development. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a 6-month-old baby or just want to grab something special for your child, here are some of the best. After reading this story, you might also want to peruse our best toys for 1-year-olds story, or pick up some more tested and proven baby gear, such as the best high chairs or the best diapers.
These textured, squeezable blocks are soft, so baby won’t get hurt when they knock the stack down. “Before they are even able to stack blocks independently, babies will explore blocks by passing them back and forth between their hands and banging them together,” says Dr. Charissa Chamorro, clinical psychologist in New York City.
Two out of three of my kids have been fascinated with cars from a very young age. These animal race cars are simple for babies to operate: They only need to press down on the top to make them go. For best results, use them on a hard surface or low pile carpet. To help develop language skills, you can repeat words like “go,” “vroom vroom” and “beep beep” as you play.
These soft blocks won’t hurt if baby falls down on them. The set includes two cubes, a pyramid and a ball, all designed in high-contrast colors to appeal to babies. The objects also feature tags, a mirror and a bell for more fun at tummy time.
According to Dr. Chamorro, mirrors encourage “baby to engage and interact with their reflection, [and] they can practice smiling and they will even start to make sounds when looking at their reflection.” She also explained that parents can point out body parts and name emotions. It’s a simple toy that can support many aspects of baby’s development, plus it’s adorable to watch them check themselves out.
If your 6-month-old is trying to crawl but isn’t quite there yet, this puppy might be the motivation they need to get going. Place it a few feet away from your baby and watch as the dog wiggles and sings. Across three modes of play, the dog sings songs, repeats phrases and reviews letters, numbers, colors and shapes.
This fabric ball has sections made of various textures that are easy to grasp. In addition to having different textures, the ball also makes crinkle and rattle sounds, which can help keep baby’s interest and develop their sensory awareness. Since it’s soft, it won’t hurt if they throw it at you as they get a bit older and start to explore cause and effect. My favorite thing about it is that it’s machine washable, so you don’t need to worry about spit-up and teething stains.
This interactive push toy includes a removable activity board that’s filled with fun toys for non-mobile babies, including musical keys and a faux telephone. It’s perfect for tummy time, and then as they get ready to start trying out those first steps, it can be pushed around the room.
Pediatric physical therapist Kaitlin Rickerd says that a push walker can actually help to encourage babies to crawl and pull to stand as they reach for the interactive toy. This walker is ideal starting at 9 months of age for most babies, but younger ones can use the removable activity board. Just remember to keep any dangerous areas, including stairwells and the kitchen, closed off with a baby gate whenever you introduce a wheeled toy like this.
While most 6-month-olds aren’t crawling just yet, many of them are starting to work on pre-crawling skills. This engaging toy encourages them to reach their hands out in tummy time, which can help to strengthen their muscles and stability. As they get stronger and start to crawl, they’ll bat this toy away from them, which can encourage them to continue to crawl.
This 6-in-1 toy just about has it all. It’s a visually stimulating place to do tummy time, the tunnel encourages babies to scoot and crawl, and the zebra toy encourages them to practice sitting up while they play. The toy includes hanging sensory toys, a piano, a roller ball, a crawl tunnel and more. You can also remove the piano and the hanging toys for tummy time.
Babies need somewhere comfy to play with all of their exciting toys. Around 6 months, many babies start to rock on their hands and knees, and some even begin crawling. They’ll appreciate this padded surface as they play and grow. Totter + Tumble play mats are my absolute favorite of any play mat I’ve tried because they’re aesthetically pleasing, reversible, easy to clean and nicely padded.
In my experience, babies love any toy that involves dropping something through a hole and then watching it come out the other side. Dr. Chamorro explained that babies enjoy watching objects disappear, and then reappear, because they are beginning to understand object permanence. This is an engaging way for them to work on their memory and to begin to understand the world in a more abstract way.
Rattles, a car, a suction cup toy and a teether: This wooden set has so many interesting toys for babies. If you’re looking for gifts for a 6-month-old you don’t know very well, this Hape collection is a good option, because it has a few different types of toys.
Rickerd recommends rolling toys that move away as babies crawl toward them. This wooden roller encourages them to crawl across the floor, and may even inspire some giggles. It’s brightly colored, and it makes noise, both of which are enticing to babies.
This sweet set includes several baby toys, but the real treasure is the box. It’s really fun for babies to put things in and then take them out of containers. “At this time, they become very interested in the concept of things being able to disappear and still exist, later reappearing,” says Dr. Chamorro. Playing like this can help them understand object permanence.
These rattles are a favorite in our home; they’re great for sticking to windows, high chair trays and stroller trays. My babies also like to use them as teethers once they manage to pull them off the surface they’re stuck to. Suction cups help them stay fast, and as babies swat at them and try to pull them off, they rattle and shake.
There’s no wrong way to play with this toy: It squishes, rattles and rolls around as babies maneuver it in their hands. One of my favorite things about this toy is that it helps babies be successful when they try to pick it up because there are so many gripping points. This can help your baby develop their motor skills and grip strength as they work to hold and manipulate the toy.
This sweet wooden penguin toy wobbles as babies reach for him, teaching them a few things about balance and motion. His arms also shimmy a bit as he waddles, and he plays a few bell-like sounds at a moderate volume, inspiring kids to interact with him.
Many of the experts I spoke to recommended toys that encourage parents to play peek-a-boo and sing songs with their babies, making this musical, soft-sided fox in a box ideal. The fox pops up and down and sings, making for engaging playtime for baby. I like this toy for babies when compared to a traditional jack-in-the-box, because you don’t need to fuss with stuffing the toy back into the box for them—it does it on its own.
This sweet drum lights up and teaches kids songs and more in both Spanish and English. Dr. Harvey Karp explained that “a baby-appropriate toy drum that they can rat-a-tat-tat on” can support gross motor development. This can also keep them entertained while they work on sitting independently.
Babies love to listen to music, so it’s no surprise that musical instruments tend to be a hit with this age. Dr. Liu explains that toys with buttons, such as this adorable toy avocado guitar, teach babies cause and effect. They’ll rock out to the six songs and 10 guitar riffs included in this toy. Just don’t forget the batteries.
Instead of pushing buttons, the technology on this musical toy allows babies to simply touch the board to make sounds. It has three modes: instrument, color/animal and freestyle. I love that you can set this toy on the floor or on their high chair for tabletop playtime.
As babies become more mobile, it’s essential to have a safe place to set them down. This Deluxe Sit-Me-Up Seat is not only a safe place to sit, but it’s also a musical entertainment center. Set the piano at their feet or hands so they can play a tune, and when they don’t need the seat portion anymore, detach the piano for a fun standalone toy.
Typically, I steer clear of overly electronic toys, but this wildly popular baby toy is a lifesaver for many. When a mom of a 6-month-old recently asked for toy recommendations in a moms’ group that I’m in, this was by far the most recommended toy. It includes buttons and manipulatives, and it plays songs and sounds. All of the buttons, knobs and sounds are sure to hold your little one’s attention.
Gund’s singing and playing animated animals are honestly one of the most adorable lines of baby toys I’ve ever seen. This new version features Buttermilk the Cow. She plays “Old McDonald Had A Farm” and engages babies in an animal sound guessing game, encouraging them to repeat animal sounds. On top of that, the toy is very plush and cuddly.
This innovative musical set allows babies to experiment with sound as they simultaneously hone their motor skills. It includes buttons, a turntable and a slider—all of which activate different music and sounds. Many of the experts I spoke to noted that babies of this age are very curious about cause and effect, and this toy provides plenty of options for them to see what happens when they manipulate the toy. Plus, I have a feeling many parents are just as likely to drop a new beat as their baby.
Don’t underestimate books when it comes to playtime for babies. This one incorporates puppets, music and animal sounds, all of which are sure to be a hit with 6-month-olds. They’ll learn more about this popular song and thrill to meet all these friendly animals. For more book recommendations, you can also browse our list of the best baby books.
If you’re unsure what to gift a 6-month-old baby, then consider a toy subscription box. The Lovevery Play Kit box is filled with developmentally appropriate toys that arrive on the recipient’s doorstep every two months. The kits include toys for the babies to explore and activity guides for their grown-ups.
This ball is soft, easy to roll back and forth and contains colorful hidden pictures, letters and numbers. It also talks! Babies hear numbers counted from 1 to 10, as well as the ABCs recited while playing with this fun toy.
This activity center lets babies grow into all the fun. Once they’re able to hold their heads and trunks up solidly, they can be placed in the chair for short portions of the day to explore all the fun toys. There are mirrors, buttons to press, sounds and songs, shape sorters and more. Once they start thinking about climbing out of it, transform it into an activity table for tots.
I like to use Poke-A-Dot books to help with language development. Say the word of the animal or the sound it makes as you poke its dot. As babies learn to poke the dots themselves, they’ll also begin to work on their fine motor skills and finger strength. Of course, you can’t deny the educational content of a book either.
Babies love to look at faces, and it’s especially engaging to look at familiar faces. Fill this personalized board book with pictures of baby’s favorite people. Not only do they love looking at it, but it might also help them get a little closer to saying their caregivers’ names. After all, there’s nothing quite like hearing a little voice say “mama” for the first time.
“Sensory toys that feature different textures are also great,” Dr. Karp said. This four-pack of multisided cubes from Manhattan Toy features ribbon, soft textures, shapes, numbers and more. It also comes in bold, high-contrast colors that are appealing to 6-month-olds’ developing vision.
This mat is filled with floating sea creatures, and it’s a mess-free way to get in some sensory water play, especially during tummy time or just while seated on the floor. “I really like the water mats on the floor to encourage babies to work on their upper body and core strength and engaging them without the flashing lights and noise that can distract them,” says Dr. Liu.
Oballs (balls with round finger holes) are easy for 6-month-olds to grab while they’re working on their pincer grasp and grip strength. This toy is an Oball, car and rattle in one. Babies enjoy watching the beads move while they push it along the floor. Best of all? No batteries required.
Babies can listen to the rain sounds and watch the beads fall down as they play with this musical rattle. It has some longevity too, as many bigger toddlers also enjoy making rain sounds and shaking the toy.
Sensory play scarves are arguably the most used toy in my kids’ playroom—they’ve loved them since they were babies, and my 5-year-old still plays with them. Try stuffing them into a box or between other toys so your baby can pull them out and work on their fine motor skills. We like to use them to play peek-a-boo, too. As they get older, kids find countless ways to play with them. Just be sure to supervise young kids with any sort of play fabrics—and frankly any toy.
For young babies, this food truck set offers a sensory experience with toys that rattle, squeak and crinkle. They’ll also enjoy playing peek-a-boo with the objects as you put them in the truck. Once they’re older, kids can use this set for pretend play, so it’s one that lasts for years. Plus, at the end of the day, you can pack all of the toys into the food truck, eliminating some of the clutter toys tend to create in the home.
This themed farmer’s market basket includes a tomato, a carrot, a head of lettuce, a milk bottle and a grocery tote. The soft toys chime, rattle, crinkle and squeak, creating a fun sensory experience for babies. In addition to exploring their senses with the toys, babies delight in discovering what happens when they fill up the basket and then dump it out.
Your baby can be the cutest weight lifter at the gym when they show off their muscles with this teething and rattle set. It includes a kettlebell, dumbbell, headband and pretend protein shake. Baby can explore their senses via the teething and sound elements, and you can get some of the most adorable pictures of your little one.
This short book is designed to be chew-proof and rip-proof. Take it from the mom of two boys who love to destroy books—Indestructibles really are indestructible. My kids have chewed on, thrown, crumpled and attempted to rip these books, and all of our Indestructibles are still in one piece. I’ve found that they’re ideal to encourage babies to love reading because you don’t have to hover over them making sure they don’t destroy the book.
Tummy time is still important when babies are 6-months-old, so this visually stimulating gallery can help keep them interested. Dr. Liu explained that parents can help babies work toward crawling and walking by giving them plenty of tummy time. The gallery comes with various cards you can swap in and out to always keep your baby interested, and you can prop it up or lie it flat. Once they’re able to sit up, they’ll probably enjoy manipulating and playing with this toy, too.
Never underestimate kids and their desire to play with cups. “Stacking cups are one of my favorite toys to promote development,” says Dr. Chamorro. “Babies can work on fine motor and problem-solving skills by learning to stack the cups, and caregivers can promote problem-solving skills by playing hide-and-seek with different-sized cups.” This set of eight brightly colored cups are fun to play with in and out of the bath and are BPA-free.
This bath toy easily fills with water and then sends down rain showers when your 6-month-old picks it up, creating a gentle water sensory experience. For kiddos who despise the bath, this toy might just entice them to stick around a bit longer. Traditional squirting bath toys develop mold easily, but this one comes apart for cleaning.
Made of recycled plastic in the U.S., this Mickey Mouse-themed seaplane floats on the water. Babies might enjoy spinning the propeller as Mickey cruises around the tub. A bonus: it’s dishwasher safe for easier cleaning. My kids have this plane, and they use it just as much in the bath as they do out of the bath.
Dr. Chamorro explained that books can help babies develop communication skills and fine motor skills as they learn to turn pages. This classic book that many of us know and love is an ideal addition to the bath toy rotation as this edition is designed to get wet.
These floating bubbles are mesmerizing to watch: the bubbles float, and the animals inside stay upright as the bubbles float along. Toss them into the bath and play some games with your baby. Baby can try to pull them to bottom and watch them pop back up, or you could make some light waves to toss them around the bath or encourage your baby to try to grab them. They’re easy to wipe clean but can build up soap residue over time if you don’t keep them dry and clean between baths.
Make bathtime fun (and safe) with this rubber ducky that alerts you if the water is too hot for your baby’s sensitive skin. The bottom of the duck turns white if the temperature reaches 103 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. As an added safety feature, there aren’t any squirt holes for water to get trapped inside to create mold.
Plush toys are always nice for babies who like to chew on things and who will soon be learning to throw. When my twin boys were somewhere between the ages of 6- and 12-months-old, I found myself dodging toys left and right as they learned to toss them into the air. These bath toys feature loops so you can hang them to dry. Try singing songs like “Baby Beluga” or “Bubble Bubble Pop” as you play with your baby in the tub.
As your babies get a little bit older and start to practice pouring, this watering can bath toy provides a perfect opportunity to practice. For now, you can show them what happens when you fill it up and then dump it out. The gentle stream of water might also feel nice poured down their back or onto their toes while they’re in the bath.
Forbes has reviewed hundreds of baby and kids toys, including everything from teething toys to swing sets. We care deeply about safety and selecting safe, useful—and fun—items for families.
As a mom to three kids and a product reviewer specializing in parenting, I’m constantly researching and testing toys, both formally and informally, and I drew on this experience when selecting toys for this story. The editor of this story, Rose Gordon Sala, is also a mom to three and steeped in reviewing baby gear and toys, including attending industry trade shows to see and handle new items and monitoring safety recalls.
Additionally, I spoke to four experts in the baby play realm for this article to ensure ideal toy selection: pediatric physical therapist Kaitlin Rickerd, PT DPT; clinical psychologist Dr. Charissa Chamorro, PhD; Dr. Esther Liu, MD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center; and Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician and founder and CEO of Happiest Baby, maker of the Snoo smart bassinet.
This article is regularly reviewed and updated. It was last updated in December of 2023.
I selected these baby toys based on those items that I’ve tested and used in my own home with my children, as well as those recommended by the pediatric experts interviewed here.
Other toys were selected because they demonstrated features recommended by experts as being ideal for development, so things like sensory toys or those that improve fine motor or language skills. The experts I interviewed helped direct me to the types of toys that would best engage babies. They also spoke to me about why babies need to play, where 6-month-olds are at developmentally and how parents and caregivers can support their play and development.
I also prioritized toys of the highest quality, which meant those with the best reviews and ratings and from the best regarded brands. I included a mix of plastic and non-plastic toys and preferred to steer toward items labeled as free of BPA, phthalates and PVC.
Dr. Chamorro recommends that babies play with toys in each of the following developmental categories: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving skills and social skills. She suggested toys such as blocks, baby books, stacking cups and mirrors.
Miniature Doll House Young babies like to put just about everything in their mouths, so safety is incredibly important when choosing a toy for a 6-month-old. “The best way to know if a toy is safe and appropriate for your baby is to check the label,” says Dr. Karp. “All toys are age-graded based on choking or safety risks and the physical and cognitive skills a child needs to play with the toy. Make sure you avoid any small toys or toys with small parts. And, when you can, opt for toys made of natural materials that are phthalate-, PVC- and BPA-free.”