When it comes to selecting toys for infants between 6 to 12 months old, choosing the right ones can play a crucial role in their development and overall well-being. At this stage, infants are starting to explore the world around them more actively, engaging in sensory experiences, developing their motor skills, and beginning to understand cause and effect. With that in mind, it’s important to provide them with toys that are not only safe but also stimulating and age-appropriate. Here are the top 10 best toys for infants aged 6 to 12 months.
1. Soft Blocks
Soft blocks are perfect for little hands to grasp and manipulate. Infants at this age are refining their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and soft blocks can help encourage these developments. They also provide sensory stimulation through touch and can be used for building simple towers, promoting spatial awareness.
2. Activity Balls
Colorful, textured activity balls are great for engaging infants’ senses. These balls often have different textures, colors, and sometimes make sounds, providing a multi-sensory experience. Rolling, tossing, and chasing these balls can also help with gross motor skill development.
3. Stacking Rings
Stacking rings are classic toys that never go out of style. They are excellent for promoting hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and color recognition. As infants stack the rings onto a peg, they learn about size relationships and develop their spatial awareness.
4. Teething Toys
Teething toys are a must-have for infants who are going through the teething stage. Look for toys that are made from safe, BPA-free materials and have various textures to soothe sore gums. Teething toys not only provide relief but also help infants learn about cause and effect as they explore biting and chewing.
5. Musical Instruments
Introducing infants to musical instruments like shakers, tambourines, or simple drums can be a delight for their developing senses. Infants love to explore different sounds, rhythms, and movements, making musical instruments a fun and interactive toy choice. This can also help with their auditory discrimination skills.
6. Board Books
Board books with bright colors, simple pictures, and textures are perfect for engaging infants during story time. Reading to infants at this age can help with language development, cognitive skills, and bonding with caregivers. Choose board books with interactive features like flaps or mirrors for added engagement.
7. Shape Sorters
Shape sorters are excellent for encouraging problem-solving skills and shape recognition in infants. These toys typically come with various shapes that need to be matched with the corresponding holes, promoting hand-eye coordination and cognitive development. Infants can also enjoy the clacking sound of dropping shapes into the sorter.
8. Nesting Toys
Nesting toys, such as stacking cups or nesting dolls, are great for promoting fine motor skills and understanding size relationships. Infants can stack, nest, and even use these toys for imaginative play as they experiment with different ways to fit the pieces together. These toys can also be used for simple pouring and scooping activities.
9. Sensory Balls
Sensory balls with different textures, colors, and shapes are fantastic for stimulating infants’ senses. These balls can be squeezed, rolled, tossed, and explored in various ways, providing tactile and visual stimulation. Infants can learn about cause and effect through rolling the balls or watching them bounce.
10. Activity Tables
Activity tables with interactive features like buttons, lights, music, and spinning gears can provide endless entertainment for infants. These tables offer opportunities for sensory exploration, fine motor skill development, and cognitive stimulation. Infants can press buttons, turn knobs, and explore cause and effect relationships while having fun.
The Bottom Line
Choosing age-appropriate and engaging toys for infants aged 6 to 12 months can help foster their development and keep them entertained. From soft blocks and stacking rings to musical instruments and sensory balls, there are plenty of options to cater to infants’ growing curiosity and abilities. Remember to prioritize safety, quality, and variety when selecting toys for your little one, and enjoy watching them explore, learn, and play with their new toys!