The 43 Best Toys For 6-Month-Olds To Promote Development—And Giggles

These textured, squeezable blocks are soft, so baby won’t get hurt when they knock the stack down or bump them on their face. “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, a clinical psychologist in New York City. Forbes Vetted editor and mom of three Esther Carlstone frequently gifts these blocks. “My own babies were all obsessed with these blocks and I love all the sensory elements they let them experience,” she says.

A multi-purpose toy is always ideal, particularly for families who have limited space. This toy includes plenty of ways to keep baby (and toddler) engaged: a busy board, activity table, play table and easel. Because it’s elevated, this toy is really helpful for little ones who are just learning to stand and need support. 

Two of my three kids have been fascinated with cars since they were very young. 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 smooth surface or low-pile carpet. To help develop language skills, you can repeat words like “go,” “vroom vroom” and “beep beep” as you play.

According to Chamorro, mirrors encourage baby to "engage and interact with their reflection—they can practice smiling and they will even start to make sounds when looking at their reflection.” She also explains that parents can point out body parts and name emotions. It’s a simple toy that can support many aspects of baby’s development. As an added bonus, it’s adorable to watch them check themselves out.

This interactive push toy includes a removable board that’s filled with fun activities for nonmobile babies, including musical keys and a faux telephone. It’s perfect for tummy time, and they can eventually push it around the room as they get ready to try out those first steps.

Pediatric physical therapist Kaitlin Rickerd says that a push walker can encourage babies to pull to stand as they reach for an 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.

As babies start crawling and discovering their environment, they’ll need safe places to explore. This foam climbing set supports their gross motor development with a soft, cushioned surface to protect them from falls or slips. The set includes steps, a slide and a mirror on the side, which can be used for encouraging babies who are still working on tummy time to lift their head and strengthen their neck muscles. 

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 center for short portions of the day to explore all the engaging toys. Because it’s portable, it’s good for families with older kids that to bring the baby along to sporting events or other activities. The sun canopy also makes it ideal for getting them outside to enjoy the fresh air. 

In my experience, babies love any toy that involves dropping something through a hole and then watching it come out the other side. Chamorro explains that because they are beginning to understand object permanence, babies enjoy watching objects disappear and reappear. This is an engaging way for them to work on their memory and to begin to understand the world in a more abstract way.

“Sensory toys that feature different textures are also great,” says Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician and author of The Happiest Baby On The Block. Rattles, a car, a suction cup toy and a teether: This wooden set has so many interesting ridges, textures, sounds and movements for babies to explore. Since it comes with a variety of toy types, it’s a great gift option for a 6-month-old you may not know well.  

This sweet set includes several baby toys, but the real treasure is the box—since babies love to put things in and taking them out. “At this time, they become very interested in the concept of things being able to disappear and still exist, later reappearing,” says Chamorro. This type of play can help them understand concepts like object permanence.

These rattles are a favorite in our home—they’re great for sticking to windows, high chair trays and stroller trays. Suction cups help them stay put (as the name suggests) as babies pull and swat at them. My babies also like to use them as teethers once they manage to pull them off the surface to which they’re stuck. 

With so many (securely attached) parts, it’s easy for baby to grab and pick up this wooden car. Everything is rounded and smooth, so there aren’t any sharp edges that baby might get hurt on. The toy can also function as baby’s first fidget toy—the rainbow pieces can move back and forth and make a clacking sound when baby pushes them together. 

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’s easy to pick 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 is another one of those baby shower gifts that every baby seems to love,” says Carlstone, who used this with all of her babies. 

Many of the experts I spoke to recommend 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. I like this toy for babies more than a traditional jack-in-the-box because you don’t need to fuss with stuffing it back inside—the toy does so on its own.

Babies love to listen to music, so it’s no surprise that musical instruments tend to be a hit with this age. 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.

As babies become more mobile, it’s essential to have a safe place to set them down. This Deluxe Sit-Me-Up Seat not only provides security and peace of mind, but is 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 to turn it into a fun standalone toy.

This sweet wooden penguin toy wobbles as babies reach for him, teaching them a few things about balance and motion. Its arms also shimmy a bit as it waddles, and it plays a few bell-like sounds at a moderate volume, inspiring more interaction.

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. There’s enough entertaining elements to hold any baby’s attention.

This innovative musical set allows babies to experiment with sounds 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. 

Chamorro explains that books can help babies develop communication and fine motor skills as they learn to turn pages. This sweet board book incorporates puppets, music and animal sounds, all of which are sure to be a hit with the 6-month-old crowd. They’ll learn more about this popular song and get a thrill meeting all the friendly animals. For more book recommendations, you can also browse our list of the best baby books.

This small but mighty board book is full of inspiration, pulling out key lessons from popular banned books. From To Kill A Mockingbird to The Giver, the book includes many well-known banned books. The bright and colorful illustrations are engaging for babies, and the content is interesting for parents. 

Babies love to look at faces, and it’s especially engaging to look at familiar ones. Fill this personalized board book with pictures of baby’s favorite people. Not only will they love looking at it, it may also help them get a little closer to saying their caregivers’ names—there’s nothing quite like hearing that little voice say “mama” for the first time.

If you’re unsure what to gift a 6-month-old baby, then consider a toy subscription box. The Lovevery Play Kit is filled with developmentally appropriate toys that arrive on the recipient’s doorstep every two months. The kits include aesthetically pleasing toys for the babies to explore and activity guides for their grown-ups.

I like to use Poke-A-Dot books to help with language development. The concept is simple: Say the word of the animal or the sound it makes as you poke its dot. As babies figure out how to poke the dots themselves, they’ll also begin to work on their fine motor skills and finger strength while also learning the names of different animals.

Ms. Rachel—a beloved YouTube star for little ones—is a hit the the homes of many babies and toddlers. This doll says over 16 phrases and sings four songs, including the classic Icky Sticky Bubble Gum. It’s a soft stuffy they can cuddle with, and you can turn the sounds completely off if you want your baby to relax quietly. Tip: Shop it ahead of the holiday season—this toy sold out last year when it first launched.

Another toy inspired by the YouTube sensation Ms. Rachel, 6-month-olds enjoy learning about farm animals with this soft sensory barn that has flaps, a plush animal and pockets. Play peek-a-boo with the animals, sing Old McDonald Had A Farm or play along while watching Ms. Rachel. 

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 actually 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. “This is one of those baby toys that’s been a perennial favorite that I’ve handed down four times over,” says Carlstone.

Babies can listen to the rain sounds and watch the beads fall down as they play with this musical rattle. Older toddlers also enjoy making rain sounds and shaking the toy, giving it extra longevity.

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 6-month-old babies.

For young babies, this food truck set delivers 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, prolonging its use. At the end of the day, they can pack everything away into the truck, eliminating some of the clutter toys tend to create around the house.

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 all back out.

Never underestimate kids and their desire to play with cups. “Stacking cups are one of my favorite toys to promote development,” says Chamorro. “Babies can work on fine motor 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 BPA-free cups are fun to play with in and out of the bath.

Made from recycled plastic, this adorable seaplane floats on water. Babies might enjoy spinning the propeller or watching it cruise 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 on dry land.

These floating bubbles are mesmerizing to watch, and the animals inside stay upright as the bubbles float along. Toss them into the bath and play some games with your baby. Your baby can try to pull them to the 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. 

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.

Pipsquigz are a great bath toy, but they’re not just for the water. They’re also the perfect toy to throw in the diaper bag or just have on hand when baby needs something to chew on or play with. Because of the suction cups, the toys stay put on high chair trays, windows and other smooth flat surfaces. They also make rattle sounds, which can help keep baby’s attention, too. 

I’ve tested many KiwiCo crates over the years, including Panda Crates for babies. As a busy parent, I appreciate how they’re developmentally appropriate and include a guide to give me ideas about how to support and play with my kids. The Panda Crate for 6-month-olds includes play scarves, a xylophone, a waterfall shaker and more. 

Wearing a traditional coat isn’t safe in a car seat—in the event of a crash, the extra layers could compress and leave room for your baby to slip out of the harness. Buckle Me Baby coats, however, are designed to be safe in car seats by allowing you to place the car seat harness under the coat thanks to a special side zipper. This way, your little one doesn’t have to get cold when you venture out. You can choose a traditional coat or a snow suit, both of which make outings so much simpler. 

Perfect for football families, this cute set let baby get in on the game-day fun. Teach them about touchdowns, passing and stadium snacks—everything you need to for a tiny tailgate. 

You can never go wrong with gifting a kid a ball, and you might be surprised at how soon babies gain the ability to chuck their toys across the room. Lean into that natural development with this soft ball that’s easy for them to grasp. It also has a hook for a baby gym, which is really convenient. Grabbing at a ball like this is great for both fine and gross motor skills, and it’s just plain fun for baby. 

As babies turn into toddlers, their toy collection often grows exponentially. Right around the time my first turned 6 months old, my dad gave her a toy box, and it was one of the best gifts she’s ever received. This large toy chest closes slowly and has gaps to lower the risk of finger pinches. 

Many babies start cutting their first teeth around 6 months old, and they like to put everything in their mouth. With this adorable teether, they have various different textures to chew on, allowing them to find something that feels good on their gums. It’s made of food grade silicone and is dishwasher safe—you don’t have to worry about what baby is chewing on, and it’s easy to clean once they’re done. 

Attach this dangling toy to a baby gym or stroller for entertainment and motor development. “My twins—who are about 6 months old—love to grab the different parts of this toy,” says Margaret Badore, Forbes Vetted’s baby and kids gear editor. “I like attaching it to the stroller bar when we go out. It’s great for keeping them entertained on walks and errands.” Just note that many safety experts don’t recommend hanging these types of toys on a car seat.