The Best Baby Toys for 6-12 Months Babies
The transition from 6 to 12 months is a time of remarkable transformation for a baby. It's a phase when they evolve from being a mostly immobile infant to an increasingly active toddler, potentially taking their first steps. As parents and caregivers, witnessing these milestones is nothing short of thrilling. But it's also crucial to remember that during this time, their tiny brains are working overtime, soaking up knowledge and learning new skills at an astonishing pace.
As such, the toys we introduce to our little ones during this stage should do more than just entertain. They should stimulate their rapidly developing senses, foster problem-solving abilities, and aid in the enhancement of gross motor skills. These toys act as tools that open up a world of exploration and discovery, serving as catalysts for their burgeoning curiosity.
From beautifully designed shape sorters that encourage cognitive development and fine motor skills to wooden stackers that are as much a visual treat as they are a learning tool—every toy plays a role in shaping their understanding of the world around them. Similarly, sensory balls provide tactile exploration, while bright, colorful rattles can spark their imagination and auditory senses. Interactive books introduce them to language, textures, and a host of delightful sounds, cultivating a love for reading early on.
Indeed, every toy selected during this period should resonate with the concept of learning through play—an approach that perfectly blends the joy of childhood with the acquisition of vital developmental skills.
As we explore the brain boosting best toys for babies 6 to 12 months and for this age group, remember that the best toys are those that meet the developmental needs of your baby while bringing a smile to their face. After all, the world of a child should be filled with endless moments of fun, creativity, and learning. So let's dive in and explore these marvelous toys that make the journey from infancy to toddlerhood a joyous and enriching experience.
What This Article Covers:
- Shape Sorters
- Stackers
- Movement Toys
- Sensory Toys
- Baby Books
- FAQs About The Best Toys for Babies Under 1
Shape Sorters
Shape sorters are a wonderful way to enhance your baby's problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination.
Tender Leaf Toys Animal Shape Lorry
For the discerning parent who appreciates the intersection of fun, education, and creativity, the Tender Leaf Toys Animal Shape Lorry is a beautiful wooden toy that allows your little ones to match animal shapes and explore their imagination. Each animal shape is intricately designed and brightly colored, engaging the attention of children while fostering their understanding of shapes and colors.
The sturdy wooden construction is perfect for enduring the curious hands of a 6 to 12 months old baby. Besides promoting imaginative play, the Animal Shape Lorry provides a perfect opportunity to introduce your little one to the world of animals. This delightful toy is one of the best gifts for babies under 1 opens up a world of storytelling possibilities, encouraging the development of language skills as well as imaginative play.
Cubika Wooden Tower
Take a step into the chic world of Cubika's Wooden Tower, a refreshing interpretation of the traditional shape sorter. Lovingly crafted in Europe from sustainable hardwood, this toy seamlessly combines the simplicity of a shape sorter with the elegance of a modern design piece. A myriad of shapes and colors await your child's inquisitive hands and minds.
The variety of shapes and the vibrant colors are an invitation to an educational adventure - your child will enhance their fine motor skills, shape recognition, and problem-solving abilities all while having fun. More than just a toy, the Cubika Wooden Tower is a testament to the convergence of play, learning, and art.
Bajo Sorting Box
Unleash your child's love for vibrant colors and intriguing shapes with the Bajo Sorting Box. Lovingly created by Polish brand Bajo, this shape sorting box showcases chunky, brightly colored shapes that are perfect for little hands. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted from sustainable wood and painted with non-toxic dyes, making it a safe and durable toy that brings parents peace of mind.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Bajo Sorting Box fosters critical motor skills and encourages shape recognition in your little one. This toy presents an opportunity for your child to learn through play, enhancing their spatial intelligence as they match the shapes with their corresponding slots.
Sebra Wooden Shape Sorter
Embodying the perfect blend of functionality and style, the Sebra Wooden Shape Sorter is an absolute gem. Designed in Denmark, this sorter is constructed from sturdy plywood, ensuring it withstands the rigors of a child's playtime. The array of shapes rendered in subtle, muted tones makes it not only a fun plaything but also a chic addition to your baby's playroom.
The Sebra Wooden Shape Sorter encourages the development of fine motor skills and shape recognition. It engages your child's curiosity and stimulates their spatial intelligence as they figure out where each shape belongs. This is a toy that grows with your child, accommodating their evolving skills and tastes.
Pebble Child Fair Trade Crochet Shape Sorter
Discover a world of texture, warmth, and imagination with the Pebble Child Fair Trade Crochet Shape Sorter. This unique toy is a soft, cozy alternative to traditional wooden sorters. Handmade by women artisans in Bangladesh, it is crafted from soft, organic cotton yarn, making it an ethical and eco-friendly choice for parents.
Featuring a variety of shapes and colors, this crochet shape sorter engages your child's sense of touch and sight. It not only promotes fine motor skills but also cultivates an appreciation for colors and shapes. It's a heartwarming testament to the power of Fair Trade and an engaging learning tool for your little one.
Stackers
Stackers can help your baby develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and understand sizes and sequences.
Nobodinoz Stacking Tower
For the minimalist parent with a discerning eye for design, the Nobodinoz Stacking Tower is a delightful choice. Featuring an elegant, streamlined take on the classic stacker, it's more than just a toy—it's a statement piece. Made from sustainable wood, its pastel shades and geometric shapes create an appealing visual feast for your little one.
The Nobodinoz Stacking Tower not only mesmerizes your child visually but also promotes hand-eye coordination. The varying sizes of the blocks challenge your baby to identify the correct order, thereby enhancing their problem-solving skills. This is a toy that combines aesthetics, function, and learning in one beautifully designed package.
Liewood Edith Puzzle
If you're seeking a toy that checks multiple boxes, the Liewood Edith Puzzle is the way to go. Doubling as a stacker and a puzzle, it's crafted from 100% BPA-free silicone, combining soft-touch materials with playful shapes and colors for a multi-sensory experience.
This multi-purpose toy helps stimulate sensory development, fine motor skills, and problem-solving. The different shapes and colors encourage visual discrimination while the silicone texture promotes tactile exploration. The Liewood Edith Puzzle is an engaging toy that offers endless hours of educational fun.
Sebra Wooden Stacking Bird
With the Sebra Wooden Stacking Bird, your child gets to experience the best of Scandinavian aesthetics and developmental play. This charming stacker is made up of seven bird-themed pieces, each inviting your little one to engage with their innate sense of curiosity and exploration.
Not only does it enhance tactile exploration, but it also encourages balance, coordination, and fine motor skills development. The Wooden Stacking Bird is more than a toy—it's a story of birds, nature, and discovery waiting to be unfolded by your child.
Konges Slojd Stacking Fruit
Delight in the whimsy and charm of Konges Slojd's Stacking Fruit. This toy provides an imaginative and fun twist on the classic stacker. Crafted from 100% FSC certified wood, each piece represents a different fruit, inviting your child into a world of creative play and learning.
The Stacking Fruit stimulates fine motor skills development while the varied shapes and colors enhance visual discrimination. This toy is not just a playful learning tool but also an enchanting visual treat, providing a sensory-rich experience that your child will adore.
Janod Sweet Cocoon Stacking Stones
Introduce a touch of the great outdoors to your child's playtime with the Sweet Cocoon Stacking Stones from Janod. Designed to mimic the feel and look of natural stones, these beautifully designed wooden "stones" are a fantastic way to cultivate a sense of balance and creativity.
The irregular shapes and varying sizes challenge your child to stack the stones creatively, enhancing their problem-solving skills and spatial intelligence. Engaging and subtly educational, these stacking stones are a testament to Janod's dedication to creating toys that stimulate, entertain, and educate.
Movement Toys
Movement toys encourage babies to crawl, stand, or walk, helping them to strengthen their gross motor skills.
Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone
Ignite your child's musical curiosity with the Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone. This versatile toy encourages sitting babies to interact with it, and crawling babies to chase after the balls or xylophone. Its inviting colors and intriguing sounds make it a sure hit for little ones in the 6-12 months age group.
The Pound & Tap Bench provides an enriching sensory experience, promoting hand-eye coordination, cause-and-effect understanding, and fine motor skills development. Furthermore, it introduces your child to different sounds, fostering musical exploration and appreciation from an early age.
Maileg Mouse Scooter with Sidecar
Stimulate your child's imagination and movement with Maileg's Mouse Scooter with Sidecar. This delightful toy invites your child to create fascinating stories with their Maileg friends, who perfectly fit into the charming sidecar. The beautifully designed scooter is made from sturdy materials that can withstand many grand adventures.
The Maileg Mouse Scooter with Sidecar encourages movement and creativity, helping your child weave stories of exploration and friendship. It's more than a toy; it's a catalyst for imaginative play that helps enhance your child's language skills and cognitive development.
Wishbone Mini-Flip Mix & Match
Witness the innovative design of Wishbone's Mini-Flip Mix & Match—a walker, rocker, and ride-on all in one stylish package. This versatile toy adapts to your child's needs and skill level, ensuring it's a toy they won't quickly outgrow. Its sleek design and durable construction make it a valuable addition to your child's playroom.
The Mini-Flip Mix & Match promotes physical development and coordination, catering to various stages of your child's growth. Its design encourages movement, balance, and exploration, all vital for your child's development during their early years.
Ostheimer Handmade Wooden Vehicles
Engage your child's imaginative play with Ostheimer's Handmade Wooden Vehicles. Made from sustainable wood, these beautiful vehicles inspire your little one to embark on countless adventures. Each piece is meticulously crafted to be perfect for little hands and big journeys.
These wooden vehicles not only promote imaginative play but also enhance fine motor skills as your child navigates their toy through imagined landscapes. Ostheimer's Wooden Vehicles offer a timeless, tactile play experience that fosters creativity and cognitive development.
Olli Strolley
Support your child's first steps with the Olli Strolley—a playtime companion that's designed to grow with your child. This unique toy doubles as a walker and a stroller for their favorite toys, combining function and fun in a sleek design. With an adjustable brake for safety, it ensures your child can explore their surroundings with confidence.
The Olli Strolley provides a valuable learning experience, improving balance and motor skills as your little one learns to navigate their world. Its spacious storage also encourages organization and responsibility, making playtime both enjoyable and instructive.
Sensory Toys
Sensory toys are designed to help babies develop their senses like sight, touch, sound, and sometimes even taste and smell.
Estella Hot Sauce Rattle
For a dash of fun and creativity, look no further than the Estella Hot Sauce Rattle. With its vibrant colors and engaging sounds, this playful rattle will spark your little one's imagination and auditory senses. It's the perfect size for tiny hands, making it an easy-to-hold toy for your baby.
The Estella Hot Sauce Rattle not only stimulates your child's senses but also fosters their motor skills as they learn to grasp and shake the rattle. This colorful toy will be an instant favorite, bringing a smile to your child's face and a dash of joy to playtime.
Wee Gallery Organic Sensory Taggy Ball with Rattle
Enhance your baby's sensory development with the Wee Gallery Organic Sensory Taggy Ball with Rattle. Crafted from GOTS-certified organic cotton, this toy features high-contrast graphics and colorful tags, providing a rich visual and tactile experience.
The Taggy Ball encourages fine motor skills as your baby grasps and explores the different tags. Its rattle offers auditory stimulation, engaging your child's sense of hearing. This is a toy that respects the environment and caters to your child's developmental needs.
NogginStik Developmental Light-up Rattle
With the NogginStik Developmental Light-up Rattle, playtime becomes an enriching learning experience. This innovative toy isn't just a rattle—it's a tool designed to help parents, caregivers, and early intervention specialists make the most of the baby's first year. With its light-up feature, it stimulates the baby's eyes and encourages visual tracking.
The NogginStik Rattle provides a multi-sensory experience, engaging sight, sound, and touch. Its easy-to-hold handle promotes grasping, while the changing lights and sounds stimulate your baby's developing senses, making it a comprehensive developmental tool wrapped in a fun, engaging toy.
Stokke Wooden Bead Rattle
Immerse your baby in a world of sensory exploration with the Stokke Wooden Bead Rattle. Made from solid beech wood, this toy provides a rich sensory experience for your baby. The colorful beads are fun to touch and move around, encouraging the development of fine motor skills.
The Stokke Wooden Bead Rattle is more than just a toy—it's an eco-friendly choice that supports your child's development. The wooden beads offer a different texture than conventional plastic rattles, promoting tactile discovery. Plus, its vibrant colors captivate your baby's attention, further enhancing their visual perception.
CaaOcho Rainbow Sensory Ball
Bounce into a world of sensory fun with the CaaOcho Rainbow Sensory Ball. With six different textures for tactile exploration and bright rainbow colors for visual stimulation, it provides a full sensory experience for your little one.
The CaaOcho Rainbow Sensory Ball is a versatile toy that encourages fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and tactile exploration. The varied textures offer an exciting tactile experience, and the bright colors capture your baby's attention, making it a must-have toy for their sensory development.
Books
Books are essential for babies of all ages. They stimulate imagination, enhance language skills, and promote parent-child bonding.
Usborne 'That's Not My Puppy...'
Introduce your baby to the enchanting world of textures with 'That's Not My Puppy...' from Usborne. This touchy-feely book is designed to stimulate your baby's sense of touch while offering an engaging storyline that's sure to captivate their budding curiosity.
With different textures on each page to explore, this book encourages tactile exploration and language development. It's not just a book—it's a sensory journey that stimulates your baby's developing senses and fosters a love for reading from an early age.
"Moon" by Britta Teckentrup
Create a soothing bedtime routine with the captivating "Moon" by Britta Teckentrup. This classic board book transports your little one to the serene world of the night sky through its engaging story and beautifully illustrated pictures.
"Moon" is not just a story—it's an experience that promotes language development and kindles curiosity about nature and the cosmos. It's a charming addition to your child's library, offering a soothing end to their day.
"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle
Enrich your baby's learning experience with the beloved book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr and Eric Carle. With its brightly colored artwork and repetitive, rhythmic text, this book is excellent for teaching colors and animals.
Through its engaging narrative, this book helps your child develop language skills, color recognition, and animal knowledge. It's a wonderful way to bond with your child, making learning fun and interactive.
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle
Cultivate a love for reading and learning with "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle. This iconic children's book is perfect for teaching days of the week, food names, and the process of transformation—bringing the magic of nature right into your child's hands.
Its vibrant illustrations and engaging storyline capture the imagination, while its educational elements make learning fun and easy. The tactile experience of turning the pages and interactive design of the book further enhance fine motor skills, making this book a staple for every young reader.
"Moo, Baa, La La La!" by Sandra Boynton
Introduce your baby to the amusing world of animal sounds with "Moo, Baa, La La La!" by Sandra Boynton. This fun and silly book isn't just entertaining—it's an engaging tool for promoting language skills and early phonetic understanding.
Each page offers a delightful array of animal sounds and cheerful illustrations, promising a bonding experience filled with giggles and learning. It's an exciting addition to your child's reading routine, sparking joy and promoting cognitive development.
FAQs About The Best Toys for Babies Under 1
What type of toys should a 6-12 month old play with?
Toys for infants 0-12 months that stimulate their senses, enhance fine motor skills, encourage problem-solving, and promote gross motor skills are ideal for babies in this age range.
How many toys should my baby have?
The number of toys isn't as important as having a variety of toys that stimulate different areas of development. Remember, quality over quantity is important for the best toys for 11 month old babies and below.
Should I get my baby educational toys?
All toys can be educational at this age. Look for toys that encourage interaction and stimulate their senses.
Is it okay for my baby to play with non-toy items?
Yes, under close supervision. Many household items can be interesting to babies and help them understand the world around them. Just ensure they're safe.
Can toys help my baby start talking?
Toys can definitely support language development. Toys that encourage interaction, like dolls and teddy bears, or books, can help.
Estella NYC continues to stand as a go-to resource for parents seeking unique, high-quality, and organic baby gifts. With a curated selection of toys and books aimed at nurturing the development of your child, we're here to make the journey of parenthood a touch more special. Explore our range of carefully selected items—from engaging plush toys to colorful rattles, interactive books, and more—and discover the joy of quality, organic gifts that both you and your baby will adore. At Estella, we believe in creating lasting memories through toys that inspire learning, creativity, and fun. Dive into the world of Estella today and let's create moments worth remembering.
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