As your precious little bundle of joy grows and becomes more curious about the world, it is time to introduce them to the exciting world of toys! It is important to note that babies require different toys based on age. Toys are not a "one-size-fits-all" kind of thing.
Below you will find an easy breakdown of what toys are appropriate for specific ages.
Baby Toy Safety by Age
0-2 Months
Babies are not generally super active yet during this time, as their biggest goal is to learn to hold up their heads. Their vision is also still quite blurry. They can best see objects within 8-10 inches from their face, and they enjoy high-contrast colors best. Tummy time is an excellent opportunity to start introducing them to toys. This can help them develop the muscles in their necks to hold up their heads. Additionally, toy time can help encourage their visual development.
Safe Toys:
- Soft plush toys with bright contrasting colors
- Floor play gyms meant for babies in this age range – you will find baby may like to just look up at the colorful toys that hang over their heads
- Rattles – while they usually can’t grasp a rattle yet, you can use this for visual stimulation as you rattle it for baby
- Soft activity pads
3-6 Months
Baby may start reaching for toys during this age range. They will start to reach for toys and begin to play with them, shaking and rattling whatever is in their little hands. They also put the toys in their mouth.
Safe Toys:
- Softballs that you can start rolling toward your baby
- Board books
- Teething toys meant for baby to chew on
- Rattles they can begin to grasp and shake
- Floor play gyms/tummy time mats
- A simple blanket for peekaboo – as this can help with object permanence and social development
7-9 Months
By this age, your baby likely can sit up on their own and may be starting to crawl. They are becoming more active every day and cognitively developing many essential skills. The toys you select for them to play with can help build many vital skills. Playtime is necessary for our growing babies.
Safe Toys:
- A soft ball, you can begin to roll back and forth with baby
- Cause and effect toys that teach baby when I do this, then this happens
- Wiggle and crawl balls
- Large blocks they can grab and begin to learn to stack
- Music activity tables
- Plush books
10-12 Months
Your baby is always on the go. They may be cruising the furniture or even taking their first steps, but either way, they are out to see and explore their surroundings. Baby may have even chosen her favorite toys and activities.
Safe Toys:
- Books or toys that allow baby to identify objects, such as a cat or the color green
- Push walkers to practice walking
- Standing activity boards
- Stacker and sorting toys where baby needs to place the correctly-shaped object in the hole
Determining if Toys are Safe
To baby, everything is a toy, so it’s critical to keep objects away that may be harmful to the baby. This includes small items that can be easily swallowed, electrical cords that babies will naturally want to put into their mouths, etc. You will need to baby-proof your house to ensure baby can play safely, especially as they become more mobile.
Check the label on their toys. Baby toys are typically marked with recommendations on what age the toy is appropriate for. Check the label to determine if they are ready for it yet. Still have questions? Your baby’s primary care doctor is always available as a resource.