Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds

There’s no doubt that your 6-month-old loves to play, play, play, whether alone or with his favorite person — you! Although it’s great to have a collection of toys for your little one to explore, at this age, just about everything is “play.” Even seemingly basic interactions like imitating your baby’s smile, coos and babbles count as play from birth to 6 months, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).  For instance, smiling back at your baby teaches him social-emotional skills because he’ll learn that this action will get your attention.

There are also major benefits to using regular household objects for play with your baby. You can use items with interesting textures like fabric, feathers or tissues or objects that make different sounds when manipulated such as a newspaper page. Even something as simple as placing your baby in different positions helps them see the world from new and interesting vantage points.

For babies who may be a little more advanced, there are still plenty of DIY options, like using a mirror to show your baby different facial expressions or playing peek-a-boo. “Six months old is the ideal time to introduce mirrors and personalized books or toys, as this is the age they start responding to their own name,” says Sarah Lytle, Ph.D., director of the Outreach and Education division at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences (I-LABS) at the University of Washington.

What to consider when buying toys for a 6-month-old

Before you purchase toys for a 6-month-old, take these factors into consideration:

• Develops language skills. Babies are often starting to babble at this age. You can help your little one develop his pronunciation and vocabulary skills by pointing out images on a toy or book and saying the word loudly and clearly. One of the best ways babies learn language is when they are read to — the AAP recommends reading to your children every day. Because of this, books make great toys. Babies also learn via repetition, so toys that make a game out of repeating things are also great for learning.
• Different types of play. Around this age, your baby will benefit from toys that encourage hand-eye coordination and problem solving, as well as toys that can be held, chewed on or manipulated in other ways. Toys with rattles and bells are a great bet for introducing interesting sounds, baby mirrors can be used for playing peek-a-boo and keeping their attention during tummy time, and blocks are great for stacking, chewing on, or learning to count with later on.
• Safety. Most 6-month-olds are able to roll from side to side — and some of them can roll pretty quickly. You’ll want to make sure play spaces and the surrounding areas are clear of any potential hazards, and it’s particularly important that you never leave them unattended on a high surface like a bed or changing table. Also, pay close attention to the age recommendations on toys — these are in place as developmental guidelines, but also as safety alerts, since toys outside of your child’s age range could include things like small pieces that pose a choking hazard. It’s also a good idea to look for non-toxic toys made out of natural wood or BPA-free plastic — especially at this age when kids are more likely to chew on their toys.

How we chose the best toys for 6-month-olds

To find the best toys for 6-month-old babies, we asked three experts — Dr. Lytle, Ilan Shapiro, M.D., F.A.A.P., medical director of health education and wellness at AltaMed Health Services and Steven Abelowitz, M.D., F.A.A.P., regional medical director of Coastal Kids Pediatrics. They told us what features to look for in toys for 6-month-olds based on the factors above, plus which types of toys are especially great for little ones at this stage based on what’s happening with their development and overall growth.

We also combed through recommendations from the millions of parents in the What to Expect community. We scoured reviews in search of the toys that were recommended the most — a sign that, even though preferences may vary slightly from baby to baby, the toys we picked were most likely to work for the largest amount of families. Then we vetted each item, making sure that each toy was not only a safe, age-appropriate pick according to experts, but also a joy for babies to play with alongside their parents.

Find the best toys for 6-month-olds below.