From 6 months to 2 years, babies undergo rapid developmental changes—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s during this critical window that choosing the right toys can make a real difference. But with so many options available, how do you know which toys are suitable, safe, and truly beneficial?
This complete guide will help you understand what types of toys are best for babies between 6 months and 24 months. You’ll find age-appropriate toy recommendations that support motor skills, sensory development, problem-solving, language acquisition, and emotional growth. Whether you’re shopping for your own baby, a grandchild, or a gift, this article will guide you toward the best choices.
Why Age-Appropriate Toys Matter
Not all baby toys are created equal. A toy that’s too advanced can lead to frustration, while one that’s too basic might not engage your child at all. The best toys for babies aged 6 months to 2 years:
Match their developmental stage
Encourage exploration and learning
Promote gross and fine motor skills
Support sensory stimulation and cause-and-effect understanding
Are safe, durable, and free from small parts
Understanding the milestones at each stage will help guide your choices.
Developmental Milestones: 6 to 24 Months
✔️ At 6–9 Months:
Babies begin to sit up unassisted
Explore objects by mouthing, shaking, and banging
Respond to their name and enjoy peekaboo
Start crawling or scooting
Best Toy Features: Soft textures, easy-to-grab shapes, light-up buttons, sounds, contrasting colors.
✔️ At 9–12 Months:
Pull up to stand, cruise along furniture
Begin understanding object permanence
Enjoy stacking, nesting, opening, and closing things
Say simple words like “mama” or “dada”
Best Toy Features: Stackable items, interactive toys, shape sorters, push-pull toys.
✔️ At 12–18 Months:
Walks independently, may start running
Imitates adults (talking on phone, sweeping, etc.)
Begins pretend play
Develops hand-eye coordination
Best Toy Features: Pretend-play toys, toy phones, musical instruments, ride-ons.
✔️ At 18–24 Months:
Builds short towers with blocks
Understands and follows simple instructions
More interested in interaction with others
Expands vocabulary rapidly
Best Toy Features: Building blocks, play kitchens, simple puzzles, toy animals.
1. Sensory Toys (6 to 12 Months)
Babies learn through their senses. At 6 to 12 months, sensory toys that engage touch, sight, and sound are ideal.
✅ Recommended Sensory Toys:
Soft fabric books with crinkle pages and different textures
Sensory balls – spiky, smooth, bumpy surfaces
Rattles and teethers – easy to grasp and chew
High-contrast cards or black-and-white toys
Light-up musical toys with buttons
These toys improve visual tracking, auditory discrimination, and tactile exploration.
2. Stacking & Nesting Toys (9 to 24 Months)
From around 9 months, babies start understanding spatial concepts like “bigger” and “smaller.” Stacking toys teach balance, coordination, and cause and effect.
✅ Recommended Toys:
Stacking rings
Nesting cups – perfect for bath time or sand play
Soft building blocks – foam or fabric
Montessori stacking toys with natural materials
Tip: Choose BPA-free, non-toxic options that can also double as teething toys.
3. Cause-and-Effect Toys (9 to 18 Months)
Cause-and-effect learning is when babies understand that actions have consequences—pressing a button makes a sound, shaking a toy makes it light up.
✅ Best Cause-and-Effect Toys:
Pop-up toys – press, twist, or slide levers to make characters appear
Button toys with music or animal sounds
Ball ramps – watch as a ball rolls down and disappears
Push-button books that play music or sounds
These toys boost curiosity and cognitive development.
4. Musical Toys (6 to 24 Months)
Music has a profound impact on brain development. Simple instruments help babies learn rhythm, cause-and-effect, and even basic language patterns.
✅ Baby-Friendly Musical Instruments:
Baby drum or bongos
Maracas and shakers
Xylophone with mallet
Pianos with large buttons
Bonus: Musical play also promotes movement and social bonding.
5. Push & Pull Toys (12 to 24 Months)
As babies start walking, toys that encourage movement are invaluable.
✅ Great Options:
Push walkers with interactive panels (sounds, buttons, etc.)
Pull-along animals or carts with strings
Shopping cart toys
Ride-on toys with handles
They develop balance, leg strength, and coordination.
6. Pretend Play Toys (12 to 24 Months)
Imitation is key at this stage. Babies love to copy what parents do—pretending to cook, talk on the phone, or clean the floor.
✅ Popular Role Play Toys:
Toy phones
Mini kitchens
Tool benches
Doctor kits
Doll strollers and cribs
Pretend play builds imagination, emotional understanding, and language.
7. Books for Early Development (6 to 24 Months)
Reading to your baby daily supports language development and cognitive growth.
✅ Must-Have Book Types:
Soft fabric books for 6–12 months
Touch-and-feel books with textures
Lift-the-flap books (12 months+)
First word books with colorful images
Sound books with animal noises or songs
Choose durable, safe materials, and use reading as bonding time.
8. Safe Climbing Toys & Gross Motor Development (12 to 24 Months)
Physical play helps develop large muscles and coordination.
✅ Toys to Consider:
Foam climbing blocks
Mini slides for toddlers
Ball pits
Tunnel crawlers
Soft indoor gym sets
Always supervise and ensure padding for safe exploration.
9. Bath Toys (6 to 24 Months)
Make bath time both fun and developmental.
✅ Great Bath Toys:
Pouring cups and strainers
Floating animals or boats
Stackable bath toys
Color-changing or squirting toys
Wall-mounted activity toys
Look for mold-resistant, easy-to-clean designs.
10. Toys That Grow With Your Baby
Smart parents choose toys that can be used in multiple ways over time.
✅ Examples:
Convertible activity cubes – with sides that suit different age levels
Blocks with numbers/letters – play now, learn later
Push toys that convert into ride-ons
Interactive tables – with removable legs
They provide long-term value and adapt to your child’s growing skills.
11. Safety First: How to Choose Safe Baby Toys
When it comes to babies and toddlers, safety is non-negotiable. Young children explore the world by touching, chewing, and throwing—so it’s essential that all toys meet strict safety standards.
✅ Baby Toy Safety Checklist:
No small parts that can pose a choking hazard.
BPA-free & non-toxic materials—especially for anything that goes in the mouth.
No sharp edges or exposed seams.
Certified for age group (look for CE, ASTM, or other certifications).
Easy to clean to prevent bacteria build-up.
Durability—toys shouldn’t break easily or have loose components.
Always check the recommended age range on the packaging and monitor your baby during playtime.
12. Eco-Friendly and Montessori Toy Options
Today’s parents are more eco-conscious than ever—and that includes the toys they buy. Thankfully, there are many beautiful, sustainable alternatives available.
🌱 Benefits of Eco-Friendly Toys:
Made from natural materials like wood, cotton, silicone
Free from harmful chemicals
Encourage open-ended play (less electronics, more imagination)
Often Montessori-aligned: simplicity, function, realism
✅ Recommended Sustainable Toys:
Wooden stacking rings or blocks
Cotton plush toys
Montessori busy boards
Beeswax crayons
Recycled plastic bath toys
Supporting eco-friendly brands also helps promote environmental responsibility.
13. Toys to Avoid for This Age Range
Some toys may look appealing or fun but are actually unsuitable—or even dangerous—for babies under 2 years old.
🚫 Avoid These Types of Toys:
Toys with small detachable parts (risk of choking)
Battery-operated toys with exposed compartments
Toys with cords/strings longer than 12 inches (strangulation hazard)
Heavy or metallic toys that could injure a baby when dropped
Cheap plastic toys with strong chemical smells or poor finishes
Even educational toys are useless (or unsafe) if they’re not age-appropriate.
14. Brand Recommendations & Top Picks
🎖️ Trusted Toy Brands for Babies and Toddlers:
Fisher-Price – great for interactive toys, walkers, activity centers
Hape – beautiful wooden toys and eco-friendly options
Melissa & Doug – pretend play, puzzles, and learning sets
VTech – electronic learning toys with songs, lights, and speech
Lovevery – Montessori-aligned subscription kits by age
Green Toys – recycled plastic, durable and safe
These brands are known for combining fun, education, and safety.
15. Buying Online vs. In-Store – Where to Get the Best Toys
Whether you prefer online convenience or browsing in-store, here’s what you should know:
🛒 Buying Online (e.g. Amazon, AliExpress, boutique sites):
✅ More variety
✅ Often cheaper or bundled
✅ Can read reviews and see real-life photos
❌ Risk of slow delivery (AliExpress)
❌ Can’t physically check quality before buying
🧸 Buying In-Store (toy shops, baby stores):
✅ Immediate product access
✅ Staff advice
✅ No shipping time
❌ Higher prices sometimes
❌ Less selection in smaller shops
Pro Tip: Shop early—especially for holidays or birthdays—to avoid last-minute stress.
16. Gift Guide Summary: Best Toys by Age
Here’s a quick summary to help parents, grandparents, or gift-givers choose the perfect toy based on age:
| Age | Top Toy Types |
|---|---|
| 6–9 months | Sensory toys, teethers, fabric books |
| 9–12 months | Stacking cups, cause-effect toys, activity tables |
| 12–18 months | Push/pull toys, musical instruments, pretend-play |
| 18–24 months | Building blocks, dolls, role play sets, puzzles |
Also, consider gift sets that include a few different toy types for well-rounded play.
17. Expert Tips for Maximizing Toy Use
The toy itself is only part of the equation—how you use it matters too.
👪 Parent Tips:
Rotate toys weekly to maintain interest.
Engage with your child during play—talk about shapes, colors, sounds.
Encourage exploration, not just instruction.
Follow your baby’s lead—see what interests them and expand from there.
Keep toys accessible: low baskets, open shelves, soft bins.
Play is learning—make it joyful, rich, and intentional.
Conclusion: Smart Toy Choices Build a Stronger Future
The first two years of a child’s life are full of wonder, discovery, and rapid growth. By choosing age-appropriate, safe, and stimulating toys, you’re not just giving your child something to do—you’re giving them the tools to learn, grow, and thrive.
From sensory toys and stacking rings to push walkers and pretend kitchens, the best toys for babies 6 months to 2 years are those that support development while bringing smiles and laughter.
Choose wisely, observe how your baby engages, and enjoy every magical moment of their journey from curious infant to confident toddler.
Suggested Link:
🎁 Looking for hand-picked toys for this age group?
👉 Explore our collection of baby and toddler toys (6 months to 2 years)
