6-12 Month Gift Guide
simple toys for big firsts
As a pediatric physical therapist and mom of 3, I look for toys that give babies opportunities to explore the skills they're working on now, with room to grow into what comes next. For this stage, think toys that encourage crawling, climbing, and pulling to stand, plus hands-on favorites for grasping, stacking, and cause and effect play.
Remember, you don't need a million toys for this age! A few can go a LONG way.
Thoughtfully curated by Dr. KC Rickerd, PT, DPT | Updated November 2026
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. That means, I get a small commission if you purchase through this link. However I make it a point to only share items that I truly love, use, or check all my boxes!
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& why I love them
LeapFrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo
One of my favorite toys across the board to encourage everything from head lifting and pressing through hands during tummy time to big kids standing on one leg and spinning it with their foot! It is by far one of the best toys for keeping kids engaged and entertained, and the music is so dang catchy!
At this stage, baby is really focused on exploring their environment more independently for the first time, and having intentional items in their play space that support movement, crawling, climbing, pulling & more is your best bet for supporting that development! In my experience, this set is the perfect option for kids in this age range to do just that!
My top 5 toys for babies 6-12 months
Tiny Land Soft Foam Climbing Blocks
hahaland Silicone Baby Tissue Box Toy
One little toy that targets SO many skills - from helping little fingers get stronger and encouraging novel sensory exposure & exploration, to supporting cognitive skills like cause and effect, object permanence & more! And if you’ve ever had a little one hit themselves on wooden variations of this toy - I promise you, you’ll appreciate the thoughtful silicone box design!!
This activity table can truly support your child’s milestones from tummy time through big kids with just some intentional use, but the 6-12 month age range is absolutely the sweet spot for it! It’s a great one for encouraging exploration of pulling to stand & pre-walking skills like squatting, getting into/out of standing, side stepping with support & more, but also keeps them cognitively engaged and exploring once they’re in standing too!
Simple but mighty, this will not only keep your little one engaged and having fun, but moving & grooving while they chase it for more!
LeapFrog Little Office Learning Center
Move2Play Interactive Baby Ball
You don't need all of these!
Start with one or two and a safe, open space to move and explore. You're still their favorite play partner, too!
How can it be used to support social-emotional & cognitive development? Consider if it’s used actively vs. passively (they have to do something to activate it vs. just sitting & watching it), does it foster turn taking with caregivers/siblings, or encourage understanding of cause & effect (I do x and something happens), etc.
Can it support sensory exploration in a variety of positive ways? Think: varieties in textures, fabrics, sounds, lights, etc.
How does it support physical milestones? Think: what are they currently working on (rolling, sitting, crawling, pulling to stand through steps), what are they working towards, and what seems to motivate them?
a few things to keep in mind
Aiming for toys that support your child's current development and upcoming milestones can make a world of difference.
Most toys can last across SO many more ages and stages than we typically realize, especially if you can get a bit creative! Considering features that grow WITH your child can absolutely get you more bang for your buck.
what i look for in toys for 6-12 months
favorites that grow with your baby
Consider important safety features. Things like: does it have any choking hazards, what are the materials used (ex: lead free, baby safe finishes, food grade silicone), & what are the battery safety features, if relevant.