TapinToys blog
Toys for babies from 6 to 12 months: how to choose
Which toys suit a baby from 6 to 12 months? How play builds grasping, curiosity and movement, and what to check before you choose a wooden toy.
Between six and twelve months, a baby explores the world around them more and more actively. They reach for things, grab them, pass them from one hand to the other, listen to sounds and watch what happens when they move something themselves. That is why, at this age, toys can become real helpers in everyday play and in finding out how the world works.
But how do you choose the right toys for a baby? Do they need lots of different things, or are a few well-chosen toys enough? In this article we have gathered what to look for when choosing toys for a baby from 6 to 12 months.
How does a baby develop from 6 to 12 months?
Every child develops at their own pace, so age stages are a rough guide, not a strict timetable. During these months many babies become more and more interested in objects and what they can do.
At around six months, a baby may:
- reach for toys and other objects;
- grab objects and explore them with their hands and mouth;
- look at their own reflection in a mirror;
- watch movement and listen to sounds with interest.
Closer to nine months, a baby may:
- look for an object that has disappeared from view;
- pass objects from one hand to the other;
- bang two objects together;
- experiment more and more with how objects move and where they end up.
These skills help you see which kinds of play your baby might enjoy. At the same time, it matters to watch the child in front of you: their interests, their skills and how ready they are to try something new.
Which toys to choose for a baby from 6 to 12 months?
The most valuable toys are often the ones that let a child do things themselves, repeat a movement and notice what it leads to.
1. Toys for grasping and passing from hand to hand
Grabbing things and passing them from one hand to the other is a big part of everyday play. Choose objects your baby can grip and hold comfortably, keeping in mind the child’s age and the age recommendation the toy maker gives.
A simple toy can offer a lot: it can be picked up, turned over, felt and looked at from every side. For this age our workshop makes, for example, wooden cylinders for grasping.
2. Toys with movement and sound
A baby can be fascinated by watching how an object moves and listening to the sound it makes. Movement and sound help them notice the link between what they did and what happened next.
A wooden spinning drum, for example, lets a baby set something moving with their own hands and watch it carry on. Some children find this simple action especially absorbing: they can watch the spinning drum for a long time, very seriously.
3. Toys for putting things in and taking them out
When a baby starts to explore where objects disappear to and where they turn up again, games of putting things in and taking them out can become fascinating. They let a child repeat the same movement and learn how objects relate to the space around them. This is exactly what a wooden box with a ball or an object permanence box is made for.
With these toys it is especially important to follow the stated age and make sure every part suits your child’s stage of development.
4. Toys for looking and discovering
A mirror, moving parts and different shapes can encourage a baby to stay with a toy for longer. The child watches, explores and notices how the picture or the object’s position changes when they move it.
A toy does not have to be complicated. Often one interesting feature that the child can discover alone is enough.
Why can simple toys be so interesting?
Adults sometimes feel that a toy needs lots of functions, sounds and lights to hold a child’s attention. Yet a very simple object can fascinate a baby, especially when they can grab it, turn it, move it or repeat something with it themselves.
Repetition is a natural part of learning. A child tries the same movement again and again, watches the result and slowly gets to know the object. That is why a toy with one simple, clear action can play a big part in everyday play.
TapinToys experience: children try our toys first
In our workshop, the idea and the quality of the making matter, and so does how children really play with a toy. We and our relatives have small children, and they are also our most skilled toy testers.
The wooden spinning drum is a particular favourite. Children love to spin it and watch it move. Sometimes they watch it so seriously, as if they were trying to understand every detail of the movement.
Moments like these remind us that a toy’s value is not always in how complicated it is: what matters is what a child can discover with it on their own.
Experience in making matters too. Our main maker has done joinery for almost a lifetime, and that experience shows in the attention paid to materials, details and careful finishing.
What to look for when choosing a wooden toy for a baby
When you choose a toy for a baby, what matters most is that it suits the child’s age and is safe. Before you buy, check a few things:
- Age recommendation. Check which age the toy is made for, and follow the maker’s instructions.
- Size and parts. The toy and its parts must suit the child’s age. For toys meant for babies it is especially important to rule out any choking risk from small parts.
- Materials and finish. Find out what the toy is made of and what was used to finish it.
- Quality of the work. Check that the surface is smooth, with no splinters or sharp edges.
- Instructions for use. Follow the care and safe-use guidance.
Even when a toy is made for babies, play should always happen under an adult’s eye. Check the toy’s condition regularly and stop using it if it is damaged.
Does a baby need a lot of toys?
No. The number of toys on its own does not decide how good play is. A few well-chosen toys can offer plenty to explore, especially when they let a child play with them in different ways.
You can offer your baby one toy or a few, and watch what catches their interest. If your child settles into one action, don’t hurry them and don’t rush to swap the toy. Sometimes trying the same movement over and over is exactly what a child needs right now.
In closing
When choosing toys for a baby from 6 to 12 months, what matters is not how many there are or how complicated they are. What matters is that a toy is safe, suits the child’s age and gives them the chance to act, watch and discover on their own.
Sometimes the greatest joy comes from a very simple action: grab, turn, and watch again what happens. Small discoveries like these make up a large part of a child’s everyday play.
Have a look at TapinToys wooden toys for babies from 6 months and choose one that suits your baby’s age and interests.
Frequently asked questions
Which toys should I choose for a 6-month-old baby?
Choose age-appropriate toys that your baby can grip comfortably, look at and explore safely. Toys with an interesting movement, sound or visual element can work well. Always check the maker’s age recommendation.
How can I play with a 9-month-old baby?
At this age a baby may enjoy passing objects from one hand to the other, banging them together, looking for a half-hidden object and watching things move. Offer simple, age-appropriate play and follow your child’s interest.
Are wooden toys suitable for babies?
A wooden toy can suit a baby if it is made specifically for that age, carefully crafted and meets toy safety requirements. Look at the material, and just as closely at the toy’s size, parts, surface finish and the maker’s instructions.
How many toys does a baby need?
There is no set number of toys every child needs. It matters more to choose a few safe, age-appropriate toys that invite your child to act and explore.
How do I choose a Montessori toy for a baby?
Look for a simple toy that offers your child one clear action and lets them discover its result themselves. Check the age recommendation and safety, and whether the toy matches your child’s current interests and skills.
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