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The Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds, According to Developmental Experts

Calling all 9-month-olds for playtime! Your little one is rounding the corner to their first birthday and is quickly embracing all the milestones that will eventually lead to toddlerhood. But for now, play is still the name of the game when it comes to learning. This month, baby may use those crawling skills to pull themself to a stand , or maybe they’ll even start cruising a bit!

The best toys for 9-month-olds encourage them to develop the skills they’ll need as they grow. That’s why we’ve rounded up some of our favorite developmental toys for 9-month-olds, plus some tips to keep in mind when shopping for your little one at this age.

What Are Good Toys for 9-Month-Olds?

Generally, a good toy is always an educational toy, says Mark Coster, founder and editor-in-chief of STEM Geek , a website dedicated to STEM activities for kids of all ages. But what does education mean for 9-month-olds? The keyword here is sensory , Coster says. “A good toy will stimulate one or more senses. But at this age, it needs to pair sensory stimulation with basic problem-solving.” Nine-month-old babies are reaching some important milestones, like greater mobility and better fine motor skills. Their playtime should support and encourage these important developments. “At nine months, babies are usually confident sitters and are on the move or very close to crawling ,” says Lisa Lohiser, EdD, manager of Early Childhood Development Research at the Fisher-Price Play Lab. “This can include pulling to a stance and even cruising. Toys that make moving fun, like activity tables to pull up on and rolling toys that encourage baby to crawl after them, are great for this age,” Lohiser says.

And it isn’t just gross motor skills that are exploding at this age. Nine-month-old babies are experiencing a huge increase in fine motor skills as well, says Lohiser, so the best toys for 9-month-olds have lots of busy activities for development in that area—things like doors, buttons or spinners. Another great feature for this age group? “Toys that have action/reaction activities so baby can learn cause and effect,” Lohiser says.

As always, when you’re shopping for baby toys, pay attention to the age ratings. These will not only help you pick out playthings that are developmentally appropriate (so baby doesn’t get too bored or too frustrated), but they also indicate what’s a safe toy for this age.

Activity Walker

Your little one is enjoying their new-found mobility now, which makes a push toy one of the best toys for a 9-month-old. This one from VTech features plenty of lights and colors, and tons of fun activities to keep baby busy for hours. Mobile kiddos can push the toy, while those who prefer to sit or crawl will enjoy playtime using the removable activity panel. Age rating: 9 to 36 months.

Wooden Rolling Drum

Lohiser recommends rolling toys for 9-month-olds, since they can encourage baby to crawl if they haven’t already started. Once you’re able to get your little one’s attention using the toy, roll it gently away from them and watch as they try to navigate toward it. This wooden Montessori-inspired rolling drum contains brightly colored balls that move and bounce inside as it rolls. Age rating: 3 to 18 months.

Shape Sorter

By now, your little one has the manual dexterity to pick up blocks and similar objects. Help them get a jump on those critical thinking skills with a shape sorter like this one from Melissa & Doug. This two-sided activity toy features a 9-holed shape sorter as well as back crinkle flaps that reveal shaped objects. And thanks to the soft, zippered pouch, it’s ideal for on-the-go play. Age rating: 9 months+

According to Lohiser, pop-up toys are among the best developmental toys for a 9-month-old. “Pop-up toys can help your little one work on fine motor manipulation and object permanence at the same time, making them a great multipurpose toy,” she says. This one from Fisher-Price features colorful friends with oversized buttons that are perfect for strengthening dexterity. Age rating: 9 months+

Musical Table

Learning tables have become one of the most popular toys for 9-month-olds, and for good reason: They’re the perfect way to encourage your little one to practice those early standing skills! “Activity tables naturally encourage babies of this age to pull up and explore all the different activities that are just out of their view from the floor. This can help baby become proactive about standing and cruising,” Lohiser says. And with a music mode that plays songs and sounds of instruments, as well as a learning mode that introduces shapes and colors, they’re sure to have fun in the process. Age rating: 6 to 36 months.

Activity Steering Wheel

Put baby in the driver’s seat with this cute, engaging toy from VTech. Perfect for encouraging your little one to sit independently (and quietly!) for a few minutes, this steering wheel toy features a ton of sensory inputs, including wheels, buttons and levers. Light-up buttons teach your little one about animals and vehicles, while three play modes with more than 60 songs, sounds and phrases are sure to entertain for hours on end. Age rating: 6 to 36 months.

Light-Up Rolling Drum

Parents may dread musical toys, but “anything that allows baby to ‘play’ their own music is a huge developmental win,” says Coster. This wooden rolling drum works in two ways: stand it upright, allowing baby to bang on it and make music, or turn it on its side and encourage baby’s newfound crawling skills. This clever instrument is one of our favorite learning toys for 9-month-olds. Age rating: 6 months+

Sensory Box

Lakeshore Learning has long been a great source of learning toys for kids, and this plush sorting box is no exception. It comes with a variety of soft, colorful friends for your little one to take out of the box and put back in while simultaneously using their senses to feel and explore these objects. This developmental toy for 9-month-olds will surely become a favorite! Age rating: newborn to 4 years.

Wooden Piano

This sweet little wooden piano comes with color-coordinated cards that allow baby to eventually play their very first tunes. But for now, your little one will enjoy banging on the keys for a fun, musical way to learn cause and effect. Age rating: 6 months+

Your little one is putting the finishing touches on fine motor skills like grasping , which is why this cool toy is one of our top picks for the best developmental toys for 9-month-olds. This lightweight box features stretchy bands that allow baby to put the shapes in and take them out again. The chunky blocks feature various textures to further engage their senses. Best of all, parents rave that this is one toy that kids come back to over and over again, even as they grow into toddlers. Age rating: 6 months+

Musical Book

With tons of excellent reviews from satisfied parents, this engaging electronic book is a perfect toy to bring when you’re on the go with baby. The five piano buttons play classic nursery rhymes and introduce colors and instruments, while some pages have twist-and-slide pieces for added entertainment. Featuring easy-to-turn pages and bright, colorful lights, this fun book is one of our favorite learning toys for 9-month-olds. Age rating: 6 to 36 months.

Musical Toy

This fun boppin’ pal scores high marks when it comes to checking all the sensory boxes for 9-month-olds, says Lohiser. Loaded with educational content using the company’s SmartStages technology, DJ Bouncin’ Beats teaches numbers and letters in a fun, interactive format while bouncing up and down to a catchy beat. A unique record and playback feature allows your little one to use their imagination and remix their own sounds as they get a bit older. Age rating: 9 to 36 months.

About the experts:

Mark Coster, PhD, is the founder and chief editor of STEM Geek , a website dedicated to STEM activities and toys for kids of all ages. He is an organic chemist with more than 20 years of experience in chemistry research and teaching. Also a father of three, he’s passionate about the power of STEM toys.

Lisa Lohiser , EdD, is a Fisher-Price Play Lab expert, where she provides insights into how kids learn and play and how to best support their development. She has a doctorate in education with a focus on learning and teaching in social contexts, as well as a Master’s degree in creativity and change leadership and a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best Sensory Toys for Babies and Toddlers

The Different Stages of Play and How They Help Kids Learn

25 Best Newborn & Baby Toys That Help With Development and Learning

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25 Best Toys for 9-Month-Old Babies Who Are Quickly Approaching Toddlerhood

These expert-tested, parent-approved gifts will be their favorites!

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

It's helpful to keep this all in mind when looking for developmentally appropriate gifts for kids this age. But, since they're still so little, safety is important, too. To that end, the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluates its toy recommendations for both safety and durability. It tests toys with real families to see how they're used "in the field" — and to make sure that they're enjoyed by both parents and babies. The best of the best go on to win Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards . When the results came in this year, these rose to the top.

Our Top Picks for the Best Toys and Gifts for 9-Month-Old Babies in 2023

• Look, it's Woof Woof Dog Board Book , $10 on amazon.com
• Green Toys Mickey Mouse Stacker , $11 on amazon.com
• GUND Sustainable Baby Animal Plush , $20 on amazon.com
• Melissa & Doug Rollables Treehouse Twirl , $33 on walmart.com
• Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table , $44 on amazon.com

With a mix of stackers, sorters, books and toys with lights and sounds, there's something to please every baby on your list.

Looking for more great gifts for babies ? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:

The Best Infant Toys | The Best Gifts for 6-Month-Old Babies | The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Old Toddlers

Melissa & Doug Rollables Treehouse Twirl

When 9-month-olds take the round fox and raccoon characters and drop them down the tree, they can watch the animals roll all the way down — a process which works on fine motor skills, eye tracking and cause-and-effect. The animals, which are firm enough to roll but still squishy enough to grasp, also have chimes inside, which add a sensory component. Ages 9 months+

Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks

Block sets are great for open-ended play and fine motor coordination. The bristles on these blocks give them an extra sensory element, and they also help the stacks and structures stay together so a little builder can keep their creations from toppling so quickly. Ages 6 months+

GUND Sustainable Plush

Parents feel good about buying these plush animals (or giving them as gifts) because they're made from 100% recycled materials. But the good news is that kids love them too: Good Housekeeping Institute tests found kids responded to the 13" size, which is great for hugging and snuggling, and one parent reported this became the favorite take-along toy. In addition to the duckling, you can get a kitten , a bunny , a lamb , a puppy or a bear . Ages 0+

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Toy Awards

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

No doubt you've seen this one stroll by on the playground: It's so immensely popular, it has more than 79,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. And when you see how much is packed into one toy, it's easy to see why: It has a five-key piano, a pretend phone, rollers and gears, numbers and shapes and a removable activity panel, all loaded into a push toy that encourages walking. Ages 9 months+

Green Toys Mickey Mouse Stacker

Disney fans will get a kick out of this Mickey-shaped stacker, which is made from recycled milk jugs . There's no center post, just seven graduated pieces that kids can pile up to their heart's delight. It also comes in a Minnie Mouse shape, and, when playtime is over, it can all go in the dishwasher. Ages 6 months+

'Look, it's Woof Woof Dog' Board Book

Good Housekeeping kid testers were taken in by the collage-like illustrations in this book, which goes through different animals and the noises they make. Sturdy flaps added an extra-special touch, but what kids liked the most is the mirror at the end that asks, "But what do YOU say?" Ages 0+

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Kids' Book Awards

Playskool Busy Ball Popper

The 9-month-old in your life just needs to push the button, and then watch as the power of air pops the balls up to the top of the ramp, where they roll back down again. Sometimes the balls pop off the ramp entirely, and kids get to chase them, grasp them and put them back on the ramp. Following the balls is good for eye-tracking , and music and sound effects add to the experience. Ages 9 months+

Hape Baby Drum

What's a better lesson in cause-and-effect than a drum? You bang it and it makes a sound! This one goes even further: The red and blue circles make two different tones, and they also activate different colored lights. Or, if a baby rolls the drum, it sets of an automatic drum beat and light show. Ages 6 months+

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table

This musical toy is meant to follow a child through their ages and stages: It starts off as something you can lay on the floor for a kid who can sit up, but you can attach legs once they learn to stand. The "DJ" setup has everything a music fan could want, including level buttons to slide, piano keys to play and a turntable to scratch. In Good Housekeeping Institute tests, parents really liked the playback feature, which lets you record a message that can actually be mixed into songs. Ages 6 months+

LeapFrog Sorting Surprise Turtle

When kids sort shapes into the correct holes with this toy, the turtle will make a comment about the piece, reinforcing its shape, color or number. (They can press the flower on his head to hear even more phrases and songs.) But the best part is when the shapes need to come out again — they hit the butterfly atop the turtle's shell, and the pieces fly out! Ages 9 months+

Melissa & Doug Pineapple Soft Stacker

This stacking toy looks adorable all on its own, just sitting on a shelf. But the fun really begins when kids take it apart and try to reassemble it again. Each of the pieces has its own special feature, like a post that rattles, a ring that crinkles, a plastic segment with textures and a topper with crinkly leaves and ribbons. Ages 6 months+

LeapFrog Fruit Colors Learning Smoothie

Good Housekeeping Institute parent testers loved that they didn't have to stop babies from putting this one in their mouths — the straw is actually meant to be a teether. It also lights up in different colors and has songs and phrase about fruits of that color. That's one way to get them to like their fruits! Ages 6 months+

Skip Hop Zoo Stack & Pour Bath Buckets

Whether they're in the bath or at the pool or beach, they'll have a blast with these buckets. They don't just fill and spill: Each one has a different number and shape of holes in the bottom, so the water drains out in different ways. They'll love scooping and experimenting with what happens! When bath time is over, the buckets stack for easy storage. Ages 9 months+

GUND My First Soft Drum

Most musical instruments for babies are hard, like egg shakers. This one takes a softer approach, literally. Tapping the star in the middle activates other lights and sounds, so kids can experiment with rhythm. Ages 0+

Edushape Original Sensory Balls Boho Chic Mega Pack

There are so many ways kids can use these to improve their motor coordination. They can grasp and grab at the smaller balls, roll the bigger ones and eventually move on to throwing and catching. All of the balls have a little give to them, making them easier to hold, and the different textures are fun to explore. You can also get them in different sizes and color combos , including a four-pack of the smaller balls for $22. Ages 0+

Fat Brain Toys InnyBin

Technically, the age grading for this is 10 months and up, but it's worth the one-month wait. The InnyBin comes with five different shapes of different textures and a box threaded with stretchy elastic bands. Kids will have to use their fine motor coordination to push the shapes through the bands and into the box, and then use their problem-solving skills to get them out again. Ages 10 months+

Crawligator Tummy Time Toy

Good Housekeeping Institute parent testers thought this was an ingenious tummy-time helper that encourages crawling. Kids lay across the top — parents loved the raised sides, which helped keep them from falling off — and start off by lifting their heads. As their bodies grow stronger, they can use their feet to push around — the alligator has wheels on the bottom, and they'll roll! Ages 4 months+

Melissa & Doug K's Kids Pull-Back Vehicle Set

Amazon reviewers have given these vehicles more than 9,500 five-star reviews, saying that they really go far and fast with just a little pullback. Parents also appreciate that they're soft, which is good for kids who still like to throw their toys around. (And who doesn't?) The set comes with a school bus, a fire truck, a police car and a family sedan. Ages 9 months+

Ana Banana Teether

If the 9-month-old in your life still loves to chew on anything and everything, this realistic-looking banana is perfect for them. It can also be used as a bath toy. Ages 0+

Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth

This is for any 9-month-old who loves to dance! When kids press the buttons on the sloth's feet, it plays music, claps its hands and bobs its head, encouraging any children to do the same. The songs practice letters, numbers, opposites and colors, and if you have any of the other Fisher-Price Linkimals toys, they can interact. Ages 9 months+

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

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The 21 Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds to Help Them Develop and Explore

These delightful toys teach cause and effect, hone fine and gross motor skills, and more.

In This Article

Our Favorites

Our review process and experts, what to look for in toys for 9-month-olds, your questions, answered.

Parents / Alli Waataja

As their attention spans grow and they become more mobile, 9-month-old babies are eager to explore the world around them. Their developmental milestones help them thrive, and toys that encourage movement, language skills, and social-emotional intelligence are perfect for promoting their development.

" At 9 months , many babies have the motor skills—crawling, pulling to stand, cruising along furniture—to explore in new ways. They can move to the objects or toys that they want to play with rather than having to wait for someone to bring toys closer to them. This opens up a whole new way for them to play," says Elizabeth Zack , PhD, outreach and education specialist at the University of Washington's Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS).

When buying toys for 9-month-olds, keep in mind that at this age, safety is your top priority since babies love putting things in their mouths. To create this list, we consulted several child development experts and rounded up the top toys on the market for 9-month-olds. We made our final picks by comparing each product's value, safety, features, age recommendations, and fun potential.

Fisher-Price DJ Bouncin’ Beats Interactive Learning Toy

The first years stack & count cups.

• VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth

Bright starts oball classic ball, vtech pull and sing puppy.

• Melissa & Doug K's Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter Baby and Toddler Toy

Boon Fleet Stacking Boats Bath Toy

Sassy stacks of circles, hape double bubble wooden bead maze, why we like it.

This bouncing interactive toy will have your baby bopping along to over 75 educational songs that help teach the alphabet, numbers, colors, and opposites, and more. The DJ toy also has a light-up face and soft ears to encourage sensory play. There's also an option to record sounds to mix with the music. With its three levels of play, DJ Bouncin’ Beats will grow with your little one, from sitting and listening to simple songs at 9 months to a full-on dance party with more advanced songs and phrases at 18 months.

But Take Note

An easily missed switch in the back controls how long the songs play for.

These simple, yet fun nesting cups are always a hit with babies, who can use them to stack, nest, or turn over to hide things underneath. Colorful and bright, they have numbers on their base so your baby can practice their counting and number recognition skills as they get older. Though the small holes prevent the cups from holding water, they are still great for water play or bathtime.

The cups have holes, so they can't hold liquid.

VTech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker

This two-in-one activity push toy is packed with lights, sounds, spinners, and sorters to keep them entertained and curious while they're sitting, standing, or walking. Once your baby is more mobile, the attachable activity center snaps onto a sturdy base to prop them up as they start walking. As your tot grows, you can switch it between two age-appropriate speeds.

This toy makes a whole lot of different noises, which can be overwhelming for parents and tots.

Courtesy of Amazon

This super cute interactive sloth gets little ones learning and moving with its songs and dance moves. Babies can press the buttons on the sloth’s feet to hear about letters, colors, and numbers while they watch it sing, clap, bob its head, and light up. With over 85 tunes and sounds, there are endless features for your kiddo to discover. If you purchase other Linkimals toys, they sync up and interact with each other.

It requires four AA batteries.

This ball is easy for babies to grasp and transfer between hands, as well as roll and toss like a regular ball. The award-winning flexible design of the Oball classic makes it easy for babies of any age to grip, catch, and play. Lightweight and soft, it has 32 large, easy-to-grasp holes and is made of a flexible plastic that’s a cinch to wipe clean.

Some areas may have sharper edges, so it's not designed to double as a teether.

Babies have a blast pulling and pushing this dog toy as they watch and listen to it play music and light up. Perfect for 9-month-olds, this highly interactive and visually stimulating toy helps them learn about cause and effect and develop their fine and gross motor skills. From teaching them their numbers and colors to the parts of their body, this toy will be a learning favorite as they grow.

The puppy's leash is short, so toddlers may have to stoop to pull it along.

Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter Baby and Toddler Toy

This padded on-the-go activity center is so much more than a basic shape sorter. Babies can lift the crinkly flaps, match the shapes, and drop the textured blocks through the sorter. The shapes are easy to grip for babies learning sorting and matching skills. As they develop their skills, they’ll enjoy identifying the objects and zipping and unzipping the bag. Recommended for babies ages 9 months old and up, the set also has an easy-to-grasp handle to carry it from place to place.

Because the sides are soft, some find it collapses when babies push the shapes in.

These brightly-colored stackable boats make bathtime more fun for babies. They can float them in the tub or use them to scoop up water and let it drain out as they watch the holes’ cool rain effect. Suitable for 9-month-olds and up, they’re free of BPA, phthalates, and PVC—plus, since they’re single-piece construction, they won’t get moldy like other bath toys.

They only stack in a certain order, which may be frustrating.

Designed to help develop fine motor, grasping, and hand-eye coordination skills, this stacking toy features chunky rings of all different textures and weights. The straight post accepts different size rings for frustration-free stacking, while the see-through ring with colorful beads helps little ones connect sight to sound. Plus, when they’re a bit older, the numbers on the side of each ring will help babies learn counting order.

Though it's made of plastic, these toys shouldn't be submerged in water, as they could grow mold inside.

This two-track bead maze promotes fine motor skills, develops hand-eye coordination, and entertains little ones as they work the wooden beads from one end to the other. Durable and portable, it has four suction cups to keep the wooden base secure on smooth surfaces, like high chair trays, for extra stability.

The beads could pose a choking risk if the toy breaks.

VTech Turn and Learn Driver

 Courtesy of VTech

As your baby steers the wheel, this toy plays one of over 60 songs and sounds as the little dog moves back and forth. The fun design also includes a traffic light, a turn signal lever that triggers sounds and music, a horn, and a gear shifter. Little drivers can also press the five colorful buttons to learn about different animals and vehicles.

This toy is on the noisy side.

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stack & Roll Cups

Babies can stack these versatile cups into a tower, nest them inside of each other, or snap two together to make a ball that they can roll. The cups are numbered one through 10 to help little ones learn their numbers, while the bright hues can teach them about colors. As a bonus, the hard plastic material is easy to wipe clean.

It may be tricky to separate the pieces when snapped into a ball.

Bright Starts Press & Glow Spinner

This toy glows, spins, and plays music at a gentle volume. This spinner will mesmerize your little one with its bright lights and fun tunes. To operate, your baby needs to push on the star, helping them hone their fine motor skills and explore cause and effect. Caregivers will appreciate that the various songs are fairly short.

Flashing lights might not be suitable for some babies.

VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck

More than just a pull-along toy, this colorful truck helps little ones learn about numbers, colors, and tools. As they load the plastic rocks into the truck, it counts each one. They can also tilt the hinged bucket to dump out the rocks or push the buttons to play songs that teach colors, words, and tools.

Its songs may get annoying to grown-ups.

Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler

This adorable wooden musical toy plays soothing tinkling sounds as it waddles, spins, and rolls. As the sweet penguin wobbles, the interior bell creates a soft sound that is perfect for little sensitive ears. Babies can bat at it, and it always pops back up.

It's meant for babies, so won't be entertaining when they're older.

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy

This adorable puppy grows with your baby, as it easily converts from a walker to a ride-on toy. Babies can sit and play with it by sorting the colorful blocks and “feeding” them to Puppy. When they’re ready to walk, the seat raises and becomes a handle. Whether they’re pushing, walking, riding, or scooting along, babies can watch the puppy’s head and ears wiggle and listen to fun songs and encouraging phrases as it moves.

It may not roll on high-pile carpet.

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table

Little ones can press, slide, spin, and pull the colorful instruments on this activity table to play more than 70 songs and sounds as they work on developing motor skills. The learning mode, which can be set to English or Spanish, introduces them to basic concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. You can also remove the legs for floor play and then replace them when your baby is ready to stand.

The tabletop is heavy without its legs.

VTech Musical Rhymes Book

This toy combines the interactivity of an electronic toy with the educational value of a book. Babies will hear songs, sounds, and phrases as they slide, twist, and push buttons and levers in this interactive book, which is full of classic rhymes such as “Little Boy Blue.” Turning this book’s pages helps little ones build motor skills, while the five piano tabs introduce them to instruments and colors and help build children's vocabulary.

Adults will find the songs repetitive.

Green Toys Tugboat

Babies can float this colorful boat across the bathtub or use the wide spout to scoop and pour water. When your little one is old enough to play safely in the kiddie pool, this boat is a fun pool toy, too. Like all Green Toys, it’s made in the USA from recycled plastic milk containers and contains no BPA, PVC, phthalates, or external coatings.

Be sure to clean all its small crevices to prevent mold growth.

VTech Baby Babble and Rattle Microphone

While encouraging your future divas and emcees, this mic develops fine motor skills. This interactive microphone amplifies your little one's voice, and the puppy button encourages them to sing along with playful melodies. When babies shake the rattle or turn the ring, they hear different animal sounds and fun music. Great for promoting imaginative play , this fun-filled toy can also be used well into your kiddo’s toddler years.

Its many interactive sounds may be overstimulating.

Baby Einstein Musical Mix ‘N Roll 4-in-1 Push Walker

For a toy that'll give you the most bang for your buck, try this four-in-one floor toy, activity table, and push walker from Baby Einstein. It starts out as a musical floor toy and then transforms into a walker, DJ mixing table, and finally, a toddler play table. Along with the four different modes of play, babies will love the 100 melodies and phrases, which come in four languages: English, Spanish, French, and German.

Some assembly is required.

We scoured the market to find the top toy trends and tried-and-true bestsellers for this age group. To make our selections, we assessed each toy's features, engagement potential, value, safety, and age recommendations. We also consulted experts to find out more about what to look for in toys for 9-month-olds and which types of toys are best for promoting their development at this stage. Our experts included:

• Elizabeth Zack , PhD, an outreach and education specialist at the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) at the University of Washington, where she shares scientific research with early care providers, educators, and parents.
• Dyan Hes , MD, FAAP, the director of pediatrics at Concorde Medical Group in New York City.
• Safety: At 9 months old, safety is of the utmost importance since babies love putting things in their mouths. Don't give them anything they can fit entirely in their mouth. Magnetic objects and toys with button batteries should be avoided since they are potentially dangerous if ingested. Check how much a baby will need to be supervised or assisted while playing with a toy before buying it.
• Milestones: Milestones are a great guideline to follow to ensure your child is developing appropriately for their age, Certain types of play can help babies to meet these milestones and skills:
• Moving objects from one hand to another
• Moving their bodies and building muscles
• Strengthening their gross and fine motor skills
• Physicality: Toys that encourage movement are great for building a baby’s muscles and strength. Toys like large balls, soft things to crawl to, or vehicles with wheels to push and pull are great for getting a 9-month-old moving.

What types of toys do 9-month-old babies like?

"Babies love simple objects to play with, like a box, a ball, or a drum to bang on," says Dr. Hes. Thick board books are also great, as their little fingers can easily turn the pages. Putting things like blocks or cups into a bowl or box and dumping them out is another fun activity. "They also like to play peek-a-boo at this age, so they like little pop-up toys," adds Dr. Hes.

How many toys does my 9-month-old need to have?

Toys are fun to buy and watch your child play with. However, try not to go overboard. As Dr. Hes points out, 9-month-olds want to explore and probably want to play with whatever their parent is holding, whether it be their cell phone or the TV remote. "I always find it so funny that if you give a 9-month-old an old remote control, they have no interest in it. These babies are smart—they want the remote control that their parent uses." Toys are wonderful for learning cause and effect, and they’re even more beneficial when paired with a good old-fashioned game of peek-a-boo behind a blanket.

How much do toys for my 9-month-old cost?

Toys for 9-month-olds can range in cost, but generally, you can expect to pay between $10 and $60. Simpler toys like teethers or bath toys tend to have a lower price point, while toys with more functions and accessories are often a bit more expensive.

Christine Luff is a freelance writer who covers fitness, health, parenting, and other topics. She’s also mom to a 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, who have always enjoyed a wide range of active and educational toys.

Phoebe Sklansky is a commerce editor at Parents. She is a big fan of sensory play and particularly loves toys that can be adapted for multiple ages and stages.

Healey A, Mendelsohn A. Selecting appropriate toys for young children in the digital era . Pediatrics . 2019;143(1):e20183348. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3348

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: your baby by nine months .

National Association for the Education of Young Children. Good toys for young children by age and stage .

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Best Toys for Babies 9-12 Months

Playtime is the best time these favorite toys help babies learn and develop all while having fun., by amylia ryan.

Babies love to play, especially as they get closer to toddlerhood. Between 9 and 12 months, babies are energetic, uber-curious and eager to explore the world around them as they learn to crawl, cruise and eventually walk. (Time to set up those baby gates !)

Playing with your soon-to-be toddler is a great way to help them meet all of their developmental milestones—and get in a few giggles along the way. There are lots of age-appropriate baby toys to support their growth, as well.

Play helps children thrive , and it’s crucial for little ones entering toddlerhood as they start to truly explore the world around them. Playtime can help develop your baby’s language skills and social-emotional intelligence; it can help them reach physical milestones like sitting independently and crawling; and it can even set the foundation for teaching them complex cognitive concepts like problem solving and object permanence .

Baby’s Development Milestones from 9 to 12 Months

Here are some of the developmental milestones to look out for as your baby approaches one year old, and how play can help, according to the CDC . (These are just general guidelines and each baby meets milestones at their own pace. Be sure to talk with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s development.)

Social and Emotional Milestones from 9 to 12 Months

• Becoming clingy and crying when you leave (even if you’re just leaving the room)
• Showing stranger anxiety
• Imitating people’s movements during play
• Having favorites when it comes to toys and activities (and people!)

Try this: Set a routine of play a few times each day to encourage bonding, attachment and consistency. During playtime, try building with blocks , doing pretend play or reading a book ; just enjoy playing together!

Language and Communication Milestones from 9 to 12 Months

• Understanding and responding to the word “no”
• Lots of babbling, copying sounds and gestures
• Using fingers to point at interesting objects
• Paying more attention when you talk

Try this: Pass a toy back and forth while saying “my turn, your turn” to help your baby develop a sense of sharing. Use descriptive words to narrate what you’re doing while you’re playing with your little one. For example, if you’re playing with a pounding bench , you can say, “Wow, you just used the small hammer to hit the red ball into the hole!”

Cognitive Milestones from 9 to 12 Months

• Looking for things you hide (that’s object permanence starting to kick in)
• Increased interest in exploring objects
• Correctly identifying images when you say the corresponding word (you say “cat” and baby points to the picture of a cat)
• Dropping or throwing objects on purpose to watch you pick it up

Try this: Look for toys that encourage tactile stimulation and encourage open-ended play. Things like textured balls, blocks and imaginary play items are all great choices. Many Montessori toys are also great for this.

Movement and Physical Development Milestones from 9 to 12 Months

• Standing while holding on to furniture or people
• Crawling (some babies skip crawling altogether, so no worries if your baby goes straight to walking)
• Pulling up to stand
• Using a pincer grasp (thumb and first finger) to grab small things like puffs or O-shaped cereal

Try this: Use a push walker to encourage your child to practice walking with assistance. Put a favorite toy just out of reach or use a motorized toy with movement to encourage your little one to crawl.

From pretend play to encouraging crawling, the toys on this list will not only provide hours of entertainment but will also encourage the huge range of developmental milestones that are happening as your little one grows from baby to toddler. (Note: some of the age guidelines for these toys skew older, though they are developmentally okay. As with all toys, be sure there are no small parts or pieces that could be choking hazards, and if your child gets frustrated while playing with the toy, put it away and try it again another day.)

Babylist’s Best Toys for 9 to 12 Months

Object permanence.

These toys may seem like disappearing acts, but your baby is learning to find things that are only temporarily hidden.

Where's the Duck? Felt Flap Book

Young Hands   Sensory Soft Tissue Box

GUND   Flappy The Elephant

Elite Montessori   Montessori Object Permanence Box

Playskool   Busy Poppin’ Pals

Genius Baby   What's Inside Toy Box

Learning to move.

9-12 months is right around when many babies start crawling and cruising. These toys inspire them to get a move on.

Skip Hop   Explore & More Follow-Bee Crawl Toy

YBIKE   Pewi Push & Ride-On Toy

VTech   Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

Gathre   Activity Walker

Fisher-Price   Sit-to-Crawl Sea Turtle

B. play   Activity Table

Fine motor skills.

Pinching, pointing, grasping and dropping—these toys keep little hands working hard.

Ev and Potique   Rainbow Abacus

Hape   Double Bubble

Familiar Faces   Mirror Peekaboo Puzzle

Lovevery   The Thinker Play Kit

Fat Brain Toys   Dimpl

Fat Brain Toys   InnyBin

Green Toys   Recycled Plastic Stacker Shape Sorter

Manhattan Toy   Musical Diego Dino

Green Toys   Recycled Plastic Stacker

Language learners.

Those first words will come any day now (even if they’re just babbles at first). These favorites can help get baby talking.

Fisher-Price   Laugh & Learn Puppy​

My First Signs: American Sign Language

Macmillan   First 100 Board Book Box Set (3 books)

Melissa & Doug   Wooden ABC/123 Blocks

Fisher-Price   Laugh & Learn Countin' Reps Dumbbell Toy

Little Feminist   Celebrating Differences Book Set

Looking for more toys.

Check out our Toy Shelf in the Babylist Shop!

Amylia Ryan

Associate editor.

Amylia Ryan is the Associate Editor at Babylist, specializing in the topics of health, wellness and lifestyle products. Combining nearly a decade of experience in writing and editing with a deep passion for helping people, her number one goal in her work is to ensure new parents feel supported and understood. She herself is a parent to two young children, who are more than willing to help product test endless toys, books, clothes, toiletries and more.

Out with the rattles, in with the stacking cups.

If you’re a first-time parent shopping for new toys for your baby, it’s hard to know what’s worth your money. Or, if your friend has a wee babe and you’re just trying not to kill your house plants, maybe you need a little guidance on where to find the best toys for a 9-month-old baby. They’re not yet running across the lawn, and they’re likely no longer a newborn-like babe. These toys hit the sweet spot in between and are designed for babies who can sit (maybe even stand) on their own and can be enjoyed while playing in one place. Some might even help or encourage baby to take their first steps.

What to look for when shopping for toys for a 9-month-old

When buying toys for your baby, no matter their age, it’s a good idea to think about the developmental milestones they’re working on and choose toys that will help them build those skills. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 9 and 12 months of age , babies may be:

• Pulling up to stand
• Walking while holding onto furniture, also known as cruising
• Looking for things that are hidden or placed out of sight (hello, object permanence)
• Taking an item in and out of a container
• Picking things up with their thumb and forefinger, which is called a pincer grasp

“Nine months is a really important age where, if they aren’t already crawling, they’ll be getting on hands and knees,” said Amanda Phillips, PT, DPT, physical therapist at Children’s of Alabama, in an interview with Romper. “Classic toys are always good, like blocks and stackable cups. Babies love to put things in and out, bang things together, and swap things from hand to hand, and blocks and cups are easy to manipulate. Balls are great too because they can hit them away and that can possibly motivate them to crawl.”

Phillips added that at 9 months of age, most babies still taste test everything, so choose toys that are safe to put in the mouth. She said to consider music toys that light up when hit to teach baby cause and effect, and bath toys for playtime in the water. She also cautioned parents to steer clear of a few popular toy options.

“We usually encourage families to stay away from walkers and jumpers because it’s not the right kind of movement. Push toys and activity centers are better. Even before they’re standing they can use these sitting and in a tall kneel, up on their knees with their butt off the ground,” she said.

So, since your little one will most likely want to spend their time practicing these skills, why not choose toys that help them along? There are options in this list for the most dedicated Montessori moms and the parents who are perfectly fine with plastic singing gadgets. Even if you opt for a toy that’s just plain fun, that’s important for babies too.

We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

A multipurpose shape sorter

Pros: This toy can grow with your baby for months to come.

Cons: The lid is designed to come off easily, which means the shapes can fall out and get lost.

Every baby needs a shape sorting toy — while at first your little one may not grasp the concept, they can start by using the bucket to take things in and out of, and then add the lid as they grow to challenge their fine motor skills. This one is super simple and affordable, with a bucket, removeable lid, and 10 colorful shapes to insert.

Review: “ I bought this for my daughter and it became a favorite toy...in the 1980s! Now I bought it for her daughter (9 months old). She loves playing with the shapes and enjoys dropping them in the basket without the cover (too challenging for right now). But it will eventually be added, as she grows into it and continues using it. Perfect for developing fine motor skills!”

A barnyard bath toy set

Pros: They squirt water which could delight your little one.

Cons: Bath toys with holes in them can grow mildew inside and should be cleaned and/or replaced regularly.

By 9 months old, most babies are sitting up by themselves without any support, which means they may need something to do in the bath tub. This little assortment of eight animals is great because you can talk about all of their colors and sounds, teaching baby that pink pigs say “oink” and green frogs say “ribbit.”

Review: “These are super cute and my 3-year-olds love them, and they loved then when they were one and two years old as well. Like all squirt bath toys, you need to drain them after every bath and every once in a while soak them in something to get any possible mildew out (we use white vinegar). By doing this, they should last a year or two as bath toys.”

A simple sensory toy

Pros: The Dimpl is made with 100% food-grade silicone and is BPA-free for safe chewing.

Cons: With wear and tear, the frame around the bubbles can split around the edges.

The Dimpl’s plastic frame holds five silicone bubbles that can be pushed, popped, poked, and whatever else your little guy or gal has up their sleeve. The bright colors and soft-touch material provide a little extra sensory appeal, and the size makes it portable enough to play with on car rides or become a diaper bag staple.

Review: “ My two granddaughters both love this toy. The youngest received it for her first birthday, though it is suitable for younger babies also. The 2-year-old immediately took possession and played with it for at least 20 minutes. It is colorful and attracts their attention. The baby caught on to the function quickly and liked handling it and chewing on it. All the adults had to try it out too. Will definitely buy this for baby gifts in the future.”

The best stacking rings

Pros: The stacking stick in the middle isn’t tapered so baby can put on the rings in any order instead of just biggest to smallest.

Cons: Reviewers say the clear plastic ring fills with water when washed (or baby drool when chewed).

With almost 40,000 reviews and a five-star rating, these rings are a clear favorite with parents and their babies. Stacking rings can aid developing babies’ motor skills and problem-solving brain power. This set includes rings in a variety of textures, sizes, patterns, and colors, all of which are meant to capture your baby’s attention and stimulate their senses.

Review: “Purchased these for my 7-month-old. The quality and design are great. The circles have different weights, shapes, and sizes which are great for learning. A couple of the smaller rings are made somewhat out of a softer material so it's not as hard when the baby tries to bite/chew on it.”

This highly-rated crawl ball

Pros: The ball plays 45 songs and recites animal noises to keep baby engaged.

Cons: The ball is heavy and can hurt if baby drops it on their toes.

By 9 months of age, some babies are strong crawlers already while others are still getting the hang of it. This Wiggle and Crawl Ball will entertain avid crawlers with plenty of songs, lights, buttons, and movement. And it may just entice babies still learning to crawl to get moving.

Review: “ This is my 8-month-old granddaughter’s favorite toy. Had it for three months now and it seems to be one that she goes to the most. It has a little turtle that spins on the top of the ball. When turtle starts spinning, the ball will roll around. It lights up, sound and music are clear. Has buttons with numbers, colors and animal shapes. She has a lot of toys, but always picks this out!”

A set of stacking cups

Pros: The cups are BPA- and phthalate-free.

Cons: Since they don’t connect, it’s easy to lose cups around the house.

Stackable cup toys have been around for generations, and for good reason. Little ones love to nest them together and see what other toys can fit inside. They’re great in the bath for scooping water and watching it drain from the holes in the bottoms. This set includes eight cups, each with a number on the bottom for counting lessons.

Review: “If I could pick ONE and ONLY ONE toy to entertain a baby for the entire first year and beyond, THIS IS IT. Hands down, no question. These cups are frickin' amazing and versatile. Light enough for young babies to handle, sturdy enough for older babies and toddlers to beat on, no sharp corners, compact and easy to travel with, and they make a really satisfying clattering noise when you knock them down, unlike those soft blocks.”

Stacking boats for bath time

Pros: They’re dishwasher-safe.

Cons: They hook together to form a train but don’t stay connected very well.

This little set of six boats can stack, float, pour water, and link together to form a little boat parade. They’re a super affordable, highly durable option for a bath toy that doesn’t hold water inside (hooray for no icky, hidden mildew), and the bright colors will definitely catch your baby’s attention.

Review: “My older daughter likes to help wash her little sister by pouring water from the boats onto her back. They like to have boat races in the tub. And they are easy to stack and store! Best of all — run them through the dishwasher when they need a cleaning and they are good as new!”

The most realistic looking toy smartphone

Pros: Babies learn to mimic behaviors, so you can play telephone together if they have their own cell.

Cons: The volume is pretty low, and reviewers say it’s hard to hear.

This Laugh & Learn Smart Phone from Fisher-Price actually looks similar to a real iPhone, so it actually stands a chance of letting you use yours in peace. It sings 30 songs, teaches numbers and counting, calls out greetings, and responds to button pushing with lights and sounds.

Review: “Like many babies, mine is obsessed with my cell phone because it's bright, flashy, can be used to FaceTime Grandmom, and frankly because I won't let him have it — which means it's irresistible. I've been looking for a faux cell phone that baby can chew on (versus giving him an old non-working one), and the ones I found prior didn't have any lights, just some buttons you could press down, with gaps for drool to get inside. The buttons light up, which is one of the reasons he always wants my phone, and the songs and ‘apps’ really engage him.”

The best toy for learning to stand and walk

Pros: The wheels have two adjustable speed modes: one for new walkers and one for faster movers.

Cons: Some of the pieces aren’t attached (like the phone) and can be easy to lose.

These push toys are in just about every must-have baby toy list, and for good reason. The play panel can detach from the frame so your baby can reach all the bells and whistles, or you can keep it attached to encourage your little one to stand to play with the features up top. It also helps them toddle about and practice walking before they’re ready to do it all on their own. With more than 74,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.8-star rating, it’s basically guaranteed to be a hit with your child.

Review: “ Love this walker! My little girl is 7 months old and was pulling herself up to stand before we received the walker. She loves standing up on the walker and playing with the board. A 12-month-old little boy comes over every day and the two of them constantly "fight" over who gets to play with it. They used to get bored with their toys after only an hour or so, but now they play for hours! One of the best purchases.”

A remote that’s safe for babies

Pros: It comes with a volume control for parents and an automatic shut-off.

Cons: The songs it plays are about watching TV, which some parents may not love.

Does your little one always grab the real remote off the coffee table? Give them their own baby-safe version from VTech. This little remote flips through its pretend news and weather channels, recites colors and shapes, and teaches the concept of opposites with up and down volume controls.

Review: “My daughter has been interested in the TV remote since she was a few months old. As she got a bit older, she would try to be sneaky and would wait until no one was looking and she would hide our remote in her covers. Bought her this, and she was instantly enthralled with it. Lots of buttons and lots of different noises, but she always likes to hit the same button over and over again, no matter the toy. I love the volume control it has: off, low, and high. I turn it on low when she feels the need to repeat the same sounds.”

A set of toy keys

Pros: The keys are dishwasher-safe, a major perk for moms of teething babes.

Cons: Some reviewers say the plastic isn’t great quality.

Just like smartphones and remotes, kids love keys. This key set is a noise- and music-free toy that won’t drive parents batty, and the keys come on a plastic ring so the set stays together.

Review: “ I have an older version of these keys for my daughter and ordered this set for a friend. My daughter loves to shake these and especially chew (or gum) on them. I love the fact that they are easy for her to grasp, and that they do not require any batteries. They are very colorful and make some noise (but not too much for a restaurant or around home. If you were at a show or the movies or a church service they may be distracting).”

A block set that sticks together

Pros: The blocks grab onto each other, so babies don’t have to stack them perfectly to build something.

Cons: These look just as painful to step on as a LEGO.

Infantino’s Press & Stay blocks have a gripping texture on all sides so even young babies can stack a few and create fun shapes. The set includes 24 blocks so your baby will have plenty of building materials.

Review: “This has been wonderful. Got these for my little at 6 months. He explored their texture and mouthed them at first and now at a year he puts them together and pulls them apart. As he continues to grow he will be able to build with them and learn new skills all with one toy!”

A talking puppy plush with 5 stars

Pros: It has three age settings so the toy can grow with your child.

Cons: The heartbeat sound it makes is a little unsettling.

The Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy combines the cuddles of a stuffed animal with the interactivity of bigger, plastic toys, so chances are baby doesn’t have anything else quite like it. It sings songs and can sound off with 100 different words, including parts of the body, numbers, shapes, and more.

Review: “ I got this puppy when my son was 9 months. He always liked hugging and playing with it. My son is now 18 months and now is the time he really enjoys the puppy. He understands the body parts and the instructions that puppy gives. When he hears the puppy say the familiar words like peekaboo/high five he gets very excited. He feels like the puppy is his new friend. I carry it in the car and my son is engaged for a long time listening to songs that puppy plays.”

A pull-along dump truck

Pros: It has lots of features that will keep baby coming back over time.

Cons: The balls have a tendency to roll away and get lost.

VTech’s Drop and Go Dump Truck sings songs about, well, being a dump truck, and plays the names and sounds of tools with the press of a button. Load the rocks into the hole in the front of the truck and watch them pop into the back, where they can be dumped out with the lever on the side. It’s fun for babies to push and play with crawling, and to pull behind them once they’re on two feet.

Review: “ Bought this when my son just turned 7 months. Since the day it was delivered it’s been his absolute favorite toy. He plays with it everyday. He loves the rocks so much. He loves to hold it and bite it. Since he is still very young to ‘put the rocks in the hole’ (the toy says that over and over), I do it for him and it really entertains him. The toy has buttons that light up and teaches you to count from one to three (from the three rocks). You pull the blue lever on the side and it dumps the rocks. Overall great toy!”

These versatile rubber blocks

Pros: The soft material of this block set is great for teething babies (and is BPA- and phthalate-free).

Cons: If your kiddo loves banging toys together, these won’t make much of a sound.

Toss, squeeze, and stack with this 10-piece baby block set from B. toys. Each block comes in a bright color with an animal on one side and a number on the other, so you can talk to your babe about counting and critters while you play.

Review: “After much play from two children, these are still going strong and one of our household favorites. The colors are vibrant, the blocks are made of a thick and sturdy rubber, and the designs on them are so cute and very fun to look through. The carrying bag can be used to store the blocks, but we eventually threw it away after we got tired of bagging them up every day. They stack very well and stay stacked, but we turn them just a bit to help them stay balanced when the block tower gets high! Just for information’s sake, and because our kids think every toy in our house is bath appropriate, these blocks CAN be played with in the bathtub BUT they each have a hole in them, so the water can get in and become trapped.”

A simple bead maze

Pros: The size of this bead maze makes it super portable.

Cons: Some reviewers said the suction cups don’t work well (or at all).

Melissa & Doug’s toys are all about learning and development, and this bead maze is intended to help babies with their motor skills, sorting, and hand-eye coordination. It features two curving wires with primary color wooden beads, and two smaller wires built into the base.

Review: “ Grandson is now 9 months old and still loves to play with this after he eats. What an awesome toy for such a low price. I went with our daughter to 9-month check up at pediatrician yesterday and they had a similar toy (larger) in the waiting room. We love love love it. Grandson is strong and did manage to pull the toy up (rubber placeholds still work great) and hit himself in the face but he didn't cry. I have seen some reviews say the toy doesn't stay in place but it has for us.”

An Amazon exclusive pop-up toy

Pros: This toy doesn’t require any batteries.

Cons: Once baby figures out the game, they may lose interest quickly.

This Amazon exclusive pop-up toy runs solely on baby power, and the cute little insects popping up with the push of a button or flip of a switch help your little one learn about cause and effect.

Review: “Wanted to introduce some more cause/effect toys into my son's play routine. I like to offer him organic items from around the house...but there is still something quite satisfying about pushing a button or twisting a knob and having something happen, so I bought him this one. He figured this toy out in about 2 days. He LOVES it and will spend 30 minutes with it on his own...He'll often crawl away, play with something else, and go back to this one.”

An at-home ball pit

Pros: The ball pit can be used indoors or outdoors.

Cons: Balls are not included and it takes up a lot of space.

Your little one will absolutely obsess over this miniature ball pit that’ll feel like a Chuck E. Cheese in their very own room. It has a mesh basketball hoop built in, which your baby will love to dunk balls into once they’re older. Until then, crawling through the colorful pit and tossing balls every which way will be plenty of fun. Unfortunately this pit doesn’t come with balls, but you can buy a pack of 200 BPA-free balls for $28 .

Review: “This ball pit is perfect, easy to fold and set up! For anyone wondering how many balls to buy, there’s 200 in mine. When it’s completely unfolded there’s just barely enough to cover the bottom but if it’s folded up smaller the bottom is a little more full. Definitely would recommend this!”

An activity cube with lots to offer

Pros: For sitting babies, the bead maze can come off the top and rest on the floor for easy access.

Cons: Reviewers noted it’s smaller than the pictures make it look, so check the dimensions before purchasing.

This Play22 Activity Cube boasts spinning numbers on one side, a shape sorter on another, a track puzzle, an abacus with rainbow beads, and a brightly colored bead maze on top. Toys like this are great for 9-month-old babies, because the cube can be reached while seated but encourages your little one to move around all the sides.

Review: “Got this for our one-year old grandson, and it's great! Very nice, and sturdy construction. At first I thought it would be too small, as I was envisioning the size you usually see in waiting rooms. This size is actually better. He loves it and can easily manipulate all the different options. He even likes picking it up with both arms and dropping it (as they do with everything at this age!) and it is holding up well.”

A set of pull-back car toys

Pros: Need to wash the cars? The covers come off with a simple Velcro fastener.

Cons: Babies just learning to push may get frustrated by the pull-back mechanism.

Having little car toys can help babies learn about pushing, pulling, and rolling, but many toys with wheels are built with small parts that could present a choking hazard to tiny drivers. This set from Melissa & Doug is safe for children 9 months and older. Just roll the cars backwards to rev them up, then let go and watch them race across the room.

Review: “These are a must-have for young kids. They are so much fun! No batteries, great design, colorful, and well made. That's what we want in a toy. My grandsons started by watching the cars moving when we operated them. Then they started crawling after them...over and over again. It won't be long before they figure out how to make them go and then they will have another level of fun with these cute vehicles.”

An activity table that teaches three languages

Pros: The legs come off for babies who aren’t ready to stand yet (and for easy storage).

Cons: Some reviewers say the legs aren’t sturdy enough for babies pulling to stand.

Baby Einstein’s activity table features piano keys that can teach baby to count, a French horn rattle, drum, and guitar, and four buttons that call out additional instruments and shapes. It plays snippets of classical music as your baby mashes the buttons, and can toggle between English, Spanish, and French modes.

Review: “ A year and half after purchase, this is the one toy that has survived the test of time. My son was too tall for it out of the box but he loved it all the same. Yes, they'll trap their fingers in the flap that changes from music to numbers but they learn to move their fingers and it's hardly a major injury. Eventually I got sick of him tipping it over all the time so I took the legs off. Now at 26 months he carries it around and still loves to bang on all the buttons. He loves counting and the number keyboard is a favorite.”

A crawling toy and rattle combo

Pros: Your baby can fall in love with the bee, then get to chase after it months later.

Cons: Babies still getting used to crawling might slip, and if they’re chasing a hard toy like this, bonk their heads.

This Skip Hop bumblebee has three stages: it starts as a handheld rattle, then pops into the cloud when baby is ready to try crawling. It can be set to move in small circles to stay close by, or to move faster without a set pattern as your baby gets the hang of moving on all fours. If your baby catches the bee and pulls it from the cloud, the base plays music and lights up as a fun reward.

Review: “We use this toy every single day, for hours at a time, and one month later, we still haven’t needed to replace the batteries. The music is cute and pleasant, and not too loud. This works great on carpet. The weight of the bee is substantial but still light enough for a baby to pick up one-handed.”

A complex sorting toy

Pros: Since it’s made of wood, it’s built to last.

Cons: Reviewers say the paint chipped easily when their babies chewed the shapes .

Looking for a sturdy shape sorting toy? Melissa & Doug’s version looks like it could survive just about anything. It comes with 12 shapes color coded to match their opening in the wooden drum. Once all the shapes are inside, your baby will love shaking the sorter to hear them clatter.

Review: “I was actually looking for a rolling drum and decided to buy this instead because it’s less expensive, can be used to make noise while rolling, has uses far beyond a rolling drum, and is Melissa & Doug, which has always been a pretty durable line of wood products. This toy has been fun for and will continue to grow with our baby. While it’s been used for months, there very little sign of wear and tear. Recommend for anyone that wants a learning toy for a youngster.”

A fire truck with jumbo wheels

Pros: The large tires on this toy can conquer concrete and grass outdoors just as easily as the floors inside.

Cons: It doesn’t have many bells and whistles, just a few moveable ladders.

If you’re sick of singing, flashing toys, you’ll love this one. This little fire truck is meant for indoor and outdoor use. The plastic construction makes it easy to wipe clean (an essential trait if you’re going to be taking it outside and bringing it back in), but the materials comply with FDA food standards, so it’s safe for your baby to mouth.

Review: “Outstanding truck! My kid loves it. It's very safe as well. There are no meaningful sharp edges anywhere on the truck. Definitely a durable piece. After all, kids can be hard on toys, you want them to last. This is built to last.”

A safe, snuggly plush

Pros: It comes in three sizes, so you can choose a travel-friendly lovey or a giant cuddle buddy.

Cons: It’s not machine washable.

Jellycat plushes are some of the softest stuffed animals on the market, making them perfect for babies. If your 9-month-old is starting to get attached to toys, this is the gift for them. Even parents love Jellycat , so don’t browse their site unless you’re ready to buy yourself a plush version of blue cheese.

Review: “I bought this puppy when my son was around 3. I was very, very low on money at that point in my life and though it wasn't expensive, it FELT costly. Well-made, weighted a bit, soft. It's eight years later now and ‘Mr. Puppy’ is the thing he would take if the house caught fire. It goes on all the trips, stays in his bed, is occasionally washed, and lives a great life. He has worn, and looks loved, but has stood up to a rambunctious boy without so much as a split seam. Occasionally I knit him a tiny hat or my wife sews him a little shirt.”

A 5-star rated singing purse

Pros: It comes with a phone, keys, compact, and more, so there’s no need to purchase accessories separately.

Cons: The accessories don’t light up or make sound.

Fashionistas in training will love having a purse just like Mom’s, complete with a credit card, phone, and more they can take in and out. It also gives little ones a chance to practice opening and closing the handles, and using a zipper. The purse plays catchy tunes, counts, names colors, and even says some phrases in Spanish.

Review: “Gave this to my niece for her first birthday and she loved it! The accessories are light, so they don’t weigh down the purse, making it easy for her to hold. She loves the cell phone and mirror that comes with the purse. The music is fun and the buttons easy for her one year old dexterity.”

Two suction cup toys

Pros: These toys cling to high chair trays, walkers, and activity centers to occupy baby or refresh a toy they’re tired of.

Cons: Reviewers say the suction isn’t as strong as they’d like.

This vibrant animal duo have suction cup bases to stick anywhere to keep your little one engaged on-the-go (or in their high chair while you finish up some dishes). The critters include parts that spin and twist, rattle, and more.

Review: “We had one of the Sassy suction toys already and I bought these to swap out for variety. The bird quickly became the new favorite. I've washed it — like, scrubbed dried on food off of it — probably 100 times and it still looks brand new. The tail fabric still looks crisp and new as well. It's a fun interactive toy for him and it suctions well to his Joovy walker tray. Definitely recommend!”

An tissue box toy

Pros: The plush box has a weighted bottom to hold it in place while baby pulls out the play tissues.

Cons: Some reviewers said the tissues bleed dye when washed.

Some babies just love unraveling a roll of toilet paper or yanking all the wipes out of the package. If yours shares the same passion, they’ll love this tissue box toy. It’s full of silky and crinkly fabric tissues that can be pulled out and stuffed back in endlessly. The vibrant colors will keep your little one coming back to this toy instead of the real Kleenex box.

Review: “ My son is a wipe puller, constantly trying to pull them out and make messes. I got him this as a Christmas gift and he plays with it daily. Great product for an 18-month-old who likes to tear, rip, and mess with paper or wipes. He now leaves that alone and plays with this. Plenty of ‘tissues’ provided.”

A singing play lantern

Pros: It’s fun for babies to press the buttons and watch the lights, and big kids can use it to play pretend.

Cons: The base is a little heavy, so babies who like to sling toys around may bump their heads.

This is certainly the cutest camping lantern you’ll ever buy. Press down on the top of the lantern to make it sing, call out phrases and colors, and talk about all things nature. Or, swap to lights-only mode and twist the knob to change the lantern’s color.

Review: “Very sturdy seems to have very good quality. My 1-year-old beats this toy to death and it keeps on kicking. It has a nice feature that switches from play mode to lantern mode and the volume can be set to a nice reasonable level.”

A weighted, textured stacking toy

Pros: The weighted bases, rubbery bottoms, and jagged edges help babies stack the pieces without having to balance them perfectly.

Cons: If your baby likes to throw things, these could actually do some damage.

These broken eggshell-looking things are called Tobbles, a fitting name as they wobble around on rounded bottoms, and then topple over when baby stacks them up and pushes them down. The set comes with six pieces and a base.

Review: “This is one of my grandson's favorite toys. I got them for him when he was about 6 months old and he's been playing with them for three months so far. They are a constant source of entertainment. They are great for stack and knock-it-down play, but also the shape, color, and smooth texture are all appealing to him. Definitely a five-star. We see this being a great toy to grow with him for a long time.”

A working piano and sheet music

Pros: The piano wipes clean with a damp cloth.

Cons: Since it’s made of wood it’s heavier than most toys. Some reviewers recommend only using it on the floor.

This adorable little piano has a five-star rating on Amazon — not surprising since it’s a collaboration between two of the biggest toy brands out there, Baby Einstein and Hape. Baby can poke at they keys to hear notes and create their own original masterpieces. The piano comes with color-coded sheet music so that, as your child grows, they can learn to play real songs.

Review: “I was skeptical of this product, as I am with all musical toys (they often sound horrible). But I got it because it said it sounds like a real piano. And I am actually really happy with it,” says one Amazon reviewer. “The sound is only ever so slightly tinny, but a far cry from most other musical toys. The melodies are nice and you can change the setting to piano only or to playing songs when you touch the keys. Most importantly, my 14-month-old loves it! At this point he simply likes listening to the melodies and dancing to them, but I suspect when he's older he'll enjoy creating his own melodies.”

A pony to push or ride

Pros: Baby can use it as a push toy now and a ride-on toy later.

Cons: Some reviewers say the wheels don’t roll well on smooth floors.

Doesn’t every child want a pony at some point? This little walker transforms from a push toy into a bouncer, and eventually a rolling ride-on toy, so it’ll entertain baby for the long haul. It lights up and sings with motion, and has a few fun games on the front.

Review: “I bought this for my second daughter, who is just now turning 9 months, and has started pulling herself up to stand. This is one of the best quality baby toys I’ve ever seen. The songs are SO GOOD, and the combination of bouncy seat and two sets of handles that she can pull herself up on are also great! I love that it’s gender neutral (one of the songs mentions cowboys AND cowgirls) and the colors are so nice. She will be able to play with it for at least another year and a half. I seriously love this toy, and would recommend it for any baby or toddler!”

An elephant ball popper toy

Pros: The trunk can be positioned to pop the balls out and right back into the top, so no chasing them all over the floor.

Cons: The air pump is loud, according to reviewers.

Pop a ball into this elephant’s ears or arms and watch it fly high out of the trunk. The toy plays 10 different songs when it’s on to keep little ones moving and grooving.

Review: “ Keeps her attention and she loves to try to figure out what happens when she puts the balls in different spots. Songs are fun and she loves to dance to them, but there’s no volume control. The air blowing out is also loud, but that’s what makes the toy so fun.”

A singing puppy pull toy

Pros: Sturdy construction means this pup can take some hits.

Cons: The string isn’t very long, so pulling it can be a challenge.

The VTech Pull and Sing Puppy has a 4.5 out of 5 star rating on Amazon, so it must be doing something right. This puppy sings, introduces parts of the body, has a light up nose, and carries a little house key rattle.

Review: “My 10-month-old granddaughter quickly learned how to bark like a puppy and said ‘doggy’ within an hour. This is adorable, high-quality and absolutely fun for the family to play and help the youngest in the family learn. She had a yellow dress on and every time the puppy said find my yellow button, she pointed to her dress and the puppy's yellow button. Amazingly fun and interactive. Learning made fun for all!”

A talking armchair

Pros: Reviewers say it’s easy to put together.

Cons: Kids who like to climb may try to stand in the seat.

The Laugh & Learn Song & Story Learning Chair does something you may not realize you have to do with babies: teach them to sit on furniture. When your little one sits down on the seat, the chair plays music as a reward. To add to its overall cuteness, it even has a side table with singing crayons, a working reading lamp, and a book for your little one to practice turning pages.

Review: “I LOVE this chair! It's so frickin’ cute. It's for my son's first birthday and I'm very excited for him to have his own little seat. It's not super quiet nor is it super loud, perfect volume. Super easy to put together as most pieces just snap together. We were missing the two screws but we had some spare so it wasn't a big deal to us! Definitely recommend for any little that needs their own chair!”

A wooden walker that’s built to last

Pros: It’s made with real wood to withstand plenty of rough-and-tumble play.

Cons: The price point is higher than comparable walker toys.

If you’re looking for a push walker toy that doesn’t make a ton of animal noises or sing songs every time your baby touches it, this is the model for you. It’s made with wood and non-toxic paints, and has rubber treads on the tires to help protect your floors and provide traction for baby. The walker includes a xylophone and sticks, shape sorter, number blocks, and more to keep your little one entertained from all angles.

Review: “ I purchased this walker for my 9-month-old who is starting to cruise. I don't like the overly colorful and noisy Fisher-Price ones, and was looking for something more organic. This walker is visually stunning, has items that every baby at that age is drawn to, and glides so smoothly and easily across the floor.”

A customizable play house

Pros: It’s suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

Cons: The slide and doorway opening are on the small side for some kids.

This Little Tikes playhouse can be positioned as an enclosed, four-sided house, or opened up for easier access to all of its fun features. It has doors and shutters to open and close, a telescope, a mailbox, a window planter ball drop zone, and an activity panel with a mirror, spinning gears, and more.

Review: “I gave this to my 9-month-old son for Christmas. He LOVES it. He uses it to pull himself to a stand. He goes in and out through the slide. The size was exactly what I expected...My 3-year-old daughter will get in it with him too. He loves to play with the balls and blocks in the mail box. It keeps him entertained and away from getting into things he isn't supposed to.”

This popular play center

Pros: It’s a great place to corral other toys when you want to tidy up the room.

Cons: The car can slide around if placed on tile or hardwood floors.

This adorable little car has a shape sorter side, a ball drop zone, and an interactive dash board with steering wheel, radio, ignition, and more!

Review: “The car is really good for babies who are learning to pull themselves up. My son does crawl and scoot around it playing with all of the functions. He especially loves the radio. I'm pretty sure this car taught him his sense of rhythm because he started dancing to the hip hop song and now his favorite thing to do is push the radio buttons and dance. He even stood up by himself dancing for the first time the other day. He's always playing with this car in one way or another. He likes to put his toys in the space where he's supposed to sit — but hey, it kind of helps me look like I've cleaned the living room.”

A rocking unicorn

Pros: This rocking toy has a seat with supportive back and sides, and a safety belt.

Cons: Baby can only use this toy with your help and supervision.

This Labebe unicorn rocker is made with stain-resistant, pill-proof fabric to withstand life with a baby. The real wood base offers plenty of sturdiness but it’s still lightweight enough to rock with ease.

Review: “Can I give it 10 stars? I bought this for my daughter's first birthday present because of how much she loves to rock. I could barely put it together before she started trying to get on it. I kept having to tell her no and finally had to get Daddy to run interference so I could get it screwed together. She absolutely loves it. More than any of her other toys. I've already recommended this to others twice.”

A foam obstacle course

Pros: You can clean the play set with a damp cloth or wet wipe.

Cons: Some reviewers say the pieces are smaller than expected.

Giving your baby ramps and arches to crawl over and different levels to pull up on can help them make some serious strides in developing their coordination. The soft foam means the shapes are safe to play on and easy to arrange in whatever way you think baby would love.

Review: “We got these for my baby around 6 months. They have been great for crawling & learning to stand. We can’t wait to see how she plays with them in the future.”

There’s a good chance the baby you’re buying for will love any toy in this list. If you’re still shopping for the perfect gift, just keep those 9-month milestones in mind so they can learn and play.

Source interviewed:

Amanda Phillips, PT, DPT, physical therapist at Children’s of Alabama

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Important Milestones: Your Baby By Nine Months

CDC’s milestones and parent tips have been updated and new checklist ages have been added (15 and 30 months). For more information about the updates to CDC’s developmental milestones, please review the Pediatrics journal article  and these  important key points .

How your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves offers important clues about your child’s development. Developmental milestones are things most children (75% or more) can do by a certain age.

Check the milestones your child has reached by 9 months by completing a checklist with CDC’s free Milestone Tracker  mobile app, for  iOS  and  Android  devices, using the Digital Online Checklist , or by printing the checklist  [714 KB, 2 Pages, Print Only]  below.

“Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools .

What most babies do by this age:

Social/emotional milestones.

Close video

Language/Communication Milestones

Cognitive milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving), movement/physical development milestones, shows several facial expressions, like happy, sad, angry, and surprised.

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Moves things from one hand to her other hand

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Smiles or laughs when you play peek-a-boo

Sits without support

Other important things to share with the doctor…

• What are some things you and your baby do together?
• What are some things your baby likes to do?
• Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
• Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
• Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

Concerned About Your Child’s Development? Act Early.

You know your child best. Don’t wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child’s doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools at 9, 18, and 30 months and for autism at 18 and 24 months or whenever a parent or provider has a concern.

If you or the doctor are still concerned:

• Ask for a referral to a specialist who can evaluate your child more; and
• Call your state or territory’s early intervention program to find out if your child can get services to help. Learn more and find the number at cdc.gov/FindEI .

For more on how to help your child, visit cdc.gov/Concerned .

As your baby’s first teacher, you can help his or her learning and brain development. Try these simple tips and activities in a safe way. Talk with your baby’s doctor and teachers if you have questions or for more ideas on how to help your baby’s development.

• Repeat your baby’s sounds and say simple words using those sounds. For example, if your baby says “bababa,” repeat “bababa,” then say “book.”
• Place toys on the ground or on a play mat a little out of reach and encourage your baby to crawl, scoot, or roll to get them. Celebrate when she reaches them.
• Teach your baby to wave “bye-bye” or shake his head “no.” For example, wave and say “bye-bye” when you are leaving. You can also teach simple baby sign language to help your baby tell you what he wants before he can use words.

Click here for more tips and activities

• Play games, such as peek-a-boo. You can cover your head with a cloth and see if your baby pulls it off.
• Play with your baby by dumping blocks from a container and putting them back in together.
• Play games with your baby, such as my turn, your turn. Try this by passing a toy back and forth.
• “Read” to your baby. Reading can be talking about pictures. For example, while looking at books or magazines, name the pictures as you point to them.
• Limit screen time (TV, tablets, phones, etc.) to video calling with loved ones. Screen time is not recommended for children younger than 2 years of age. Babies learn by talking, playing, and interacting with others.
• Find out about choking risks and safe foods to feed your baby. Let him practice feeding himself with his fingers and using a cup with a small amount of water. Sit next to your baby and enjoy mealtime together. Expect spills. Learning is messy and fun!
• Ask for behaviors that you want. For example, instead of saying “don’t stand,” say “time to sit.”
• Help your baby get used to foods with different tastes and textures. Foods can be smooth, mashed, or finely chopped. Your baby might not like every food on the first try. Give her a chance to try foods again and again.
• Say a quick and cheerful goodbye instead of sneaking away so your baby knows you are leaving, even if he cries. He will learn to calm himself and what to expect. Let him know when you return by saying “Daddy’s back!”
• Have routines for sleeping and feeding. Babies do better when they know what to expect.
• Stay close by as your baby explores and moves around your home so she knows that you are near.
• Make sure your baby gets enough sleep: 4- to 12-month-olds need 12 to 16 hours of sleep a day (including naps). Consistent sleep times make it easier!
• Take care of yourself. Parenting can be hard work! It is easier to enjoy your growing baby and be a loving parent when you feel good yourself.
• Make it a game when your baby drops things. Hand the item back to her so she can drop it again.
• Pay attention to the way he reacts to new situations and people; try to continue to do things that make your baby happy and comfortable.
• Describe what your baby is looking at; for example, “red, round ball.”
• Play a game that teaches your baby to look for things she sees you hide, such as a toy under a blanket.
• Give your baby safe places to explore. Baby-proof your home. For example, move sharp or breakable things out of reach. Lock away medicines, chemicals, and cleaning products. Save the Poison Help Line number, 800-222-1222, in all phones.
• Use your words, facial expressions, and voice to show what you think your baby is feeling (sad, mad, happy). For example, tell him “You are sad, let’s see if we can make you feel better.”
• Put your baby close to things that she can pull up on safely.

Special acknowledgments to the subject matter experts and others who contributed to the review of data and selection of developmental milestones, especially Paul H. Lipkin, MD, Michelle M. Macias, MD, Julie F. Pajek, PhD, Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, Karnesha Slaughter, MPH, Jane K. Squires,  PhD, Toni M. Whitaker, MD, Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD, and Jennifer M. Zubler, MD.

Sincere gratitude to Natalia Benza, MD and José O. Rodríguez, MD, MBA for their thoughtful review of the Spanish-language translation of these milestones.

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What Are The Best Developmental Toys For 9 Month Old Babies?

Nine-month-olds are in the thick of their babyhood. Their personality is exploding, and they want to move, communicate, eat, and play!

Nine-month-old milestones are so much fun, and there are many educational toys and tools that will serve this age. You and your little one can make the most of this age by meeting their interests and capabilities with age-appropriate activities. 

The best gifts for nine-month olds are ones that invite them to move, to practice their hand-eye coordination and allow them to learn about the world around them through sensory experiences. Read on for specific examples!

The Rocking Stacker

An example of an educational toy for your nine-month-old is a classic Montessori material known as  The Rocking Stacker .

The Rocking Stacker consists of a thick dowel on a rocking base with rings of varying sizes that fit on the dowel. The qualities of a good developmental toy are that your child will not master it the first time they use it. 

Here's how it works.

Introduce this activity to your baby starting with just the largest ring. Show them how to take the ring off the dowel and slowly put the ring back on the dowel.

Move your hands slowly and deliberately to give them the chance to watch how you place the ring exactly over the center of the dowel before moving it down. This gives your little one more information for when they do it themselves.

As they begin to master using just one ring, you can introduce two, and then three rings. This activity supports their fine-motor control, as they have to grasp the ring with their fingers, and it supports their hand-eye coordination, as they work to place the ring exactly on the dowel.

The stacker offers the added benefit of a cognitive exercise—your baby will experiment with which ring to put on the dowel first, and they will see how order affects the way the rings fit. 

More of the Best Toys For 9-Month-Old Babies

Interlocking discs.

This unique shape helps your baby practice hand to hand transfer and builds their hand-eye coordination.

Hex With Balls

While the middle rod moves, your baby adjusts their grasp to compensate, strengthening their fine motor skills.

This rattle's moving parts engage your baby, challenging their grasp and encouraging hand-to-hand transfer.

Rolling Drum

This toy rolls just a bit and then stops, tempting your baby to pursue it and building strength and perseverance.

First Object Permanence Box

This box and ball introduce the concept of object permanence: an object exists even if we can't see it.

Rainbow Nesting Cups

Made of food-grade silicone, the Rainbow Nesting Cups build your child's problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.

Wooden Rainbow Blocks

These infant-sized, proportional blocks build math and spatial skills that will be used for years to come.

All of those items, plus a cloth basket for storage, a First Foods book, and Dining Set are included in the  Monti Kids 7-9 month  Play Set.

On the Move: The best gross motor toy for your nine-month-old

By now, your little one is crawling or on the verge of crawling. Once they are moving well on the ground, they are going to want to pull up and walk!

There is research that shows the many benefits of time spent crawling, and you do not want to rush their development, so this toy is not intended to speed up the process. But by supplying the walker wagon, which they are capable of using independently, you are inviting them to explore the next stage of their gross motor movement at their own pace.

Once they are able to pull up, they can hold onto the handle of the walker wagon . As it rolls forward, they will begin to move their feet in a walking movement. If you have a wagon that rolls too quickly for them, you can introduce it in the grass, or you can place a pile of heavy books or hand weights to slow it down as they get used to the coordination required for walking. When their confidence increases, you can put it on a smooth surface, and they will use their own balance to moderate the speed.

The walker wagon is an excellent way to practice walking because your baby can do it independently of you.

Additionally, they will practice in a comfortable position for their body, rather than by holding your hands above their own head.

*Monti Kids will receive a small amount of affiliate revenue from this purchase 

Books are an important developmental tool

Research has shown the advantages of reading regularly to babies from a very young age. The language of the books, the intonations of their caregiver’s voices, and the quality time all have an immense effect on babies’ development.

For your baby, you will want a mixture of paper and board books. If they are able to sit and not tear the pages, then the paper pages will offer a more authentic experience, and also tend to provide larger pictures. But if they struggle with being careful, or if you would like to be able to leave them alone with books, then there is nothing wrong with having board books for them to choose from. In either case, you will want to model treating the books with care, and if they persist in being quite rough, you will probably want to put them aside and try again later.

As for topics, Dr. Montessori believed that the finest subject matter for the child under six was based in reality. This means that you will save fantastical books for when they are older. A young child does not know that tigers can’t drive, fish can’t talk, and people can’t fly. The world is already a beautiful and spectacular place to live, and when you give your baby real information about the world, you are building the foundation of their intelligence and imagination. There will be plenty of time for the fun of fantasy once they understand how the world really works. Check out the  Monti Kids First Library  for a great starter set.

A Dining Set for Independent Eating

Finally, a  dining set  may not seem like an educational toy at first glance, but it will teach them a lot about how to be independent. By now, your baby is already enjoying solid food at the table. When they have their own utensils, cup, and bowl, they can be an active participant in this activity.

It may be too much to lay out all the dining ware at once, so you can start with just one utensil and the cup.

Show them how to spear a soft cube of food, such as a sliced sweet potato, with the fork and then bring it to their mouth. They may need help getting the food onto their fork, but let them do as much of the process as possible.

Show your baby how to drink from a little cup. Place a small amount of water in the cup, and then let them bring the cup to their mouth. Assume that they will spill most of the water as they experiment with how the cup works.

Mealtime is messy at this age! As your little one becomes more confident with these dining items, you can introduce the spoon and bowl. Show them how to place the spoon into the bowl to get the food and then let them put it in their mouths.

As with all Montessori toy including the best toys for 9 month old babies, if they abuse the materials by throwing them on the floor or repeatedly banging, you can put it away and try again later. The journey towards independence in their play and eating will not happen overnight, but opportunities from a young age will help them with this process.

Website: montikids.com

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Discovery Play with Littles

2:01 pm ·

15 Powerful Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

I looked over to her table and she’s crying. Again. While everyone else is happily working away, she sat there, unable to move, just crying. 

Not asking for help.

Not trying to solve her problem.

Just crying.

I took a deep breath before heading over. We’ve already been at this for several months…isn’t it about time the problem-solving has kicked in yet?

One glance and I could tell what her problem was. She didn’t have her pencil.

Know how I knew?

It laid on the floor beside her. In plain sight.

As a kindergarten teacher, I don’t jump right in and solve problems for kids. It’s good for them to try to solve the problem themselves. This is something she struggled with. 

I reminded myself of the need for patience and empathy as I walked up to her. “What’s wrong, Amanda?” 

“I…can’t…find…my…pencil….” she sputtered out between sobs. 

“Ok, that’s a problem we can solve. What have you tried?” 

“I don’t know.” 

After a long time trying to first, calm her down, and second, come up with some strategies she could try, she finally found her pencil. At that point, everyone else had finished the project. 

What is Problem Solving?

Problem-solving is the process of finding a solution to your problem . This can be quite tricky for some young children, especially those with little experience in finding more than one way to solve a problem.

Why is Problem Solving Important? 

Problem-solving skills are used throughout childhood into adulthood. As adults, we solve problems on a daily basis. Some problems we solve without thinking much- I wanted to make tacos for dinner but forgot to buy the ground beef. What are we going to have for dinner now?

Other problems are significantly more complicated. 

Problems for kiddos can be problems with friendships, the inability to find something that’s needed, or even what to do when things don’t go your way. 

Kids who lack problem-solving skills struggle to maintain friendships or even begin to attempt to solve their own problems. 

Children who lack problem-solving skills are at a higher risk for depression as well.

What Are Problem-Solving Skills?

Problem-solving skills are:

• Breaking Down a Problem into Smaller Parts
• Communication
• Decision-making
• Logical Reasoning
• Perseverance

That’s a big list to teach toddlers and preschoolers. Where do you begin?

The Problem-Solving Steps

Sometimes kids are so overwhelmed with frustration that it affects their ability to solve problems.

Kids feel safe in routines, and routines help them learn and grow. After a few times of repeating this routine, you’ll find your kiddo starts to do this on their own. 

It’s important not to skip straight to solving the problem , because your kiddo needs to be in a calm state of mind to solve the problem, and also they need to know their feelings are valid. 

• The first thing to do when your kiddo is struggling with problem-solving is to validate their emotions.

In doing this, they will feel more understood and learn that their emotions are okay. There are no bad feelings, and we must learn how to manage our emotions. 

This might sound something like “Oh, I can see you are really frustrated that the block won’t fit on there right. Let’s take some deep breaths to help us calm down before we think about what to do next.”

• Next, work through your calm-down process . This may be taking some deep breaths together, hugging a stuffie, or giving your kiddo some quiet time to calm down their heart and mind.
• Identify the problem . This sounds like something you may have already done (before the meltdown) but it’s important to be very clear on the problem you’re solving. Have the child tell you their problem out loud.
• Move on to solution-finding . When your kiddo is ready, talk about what the problem is and three possible solutions. When possible, let your kiddo do all of the talking. This allows him to practice his problem-solving skills. It’s important to remind him that the first thing he tries may not work, and that’s ok. There’s always another way to solve the problem. If he’s prepared for this, solutions that don’t work won’t be such a frustrating experience. 
• After you’ve done that, test your solutions one by one. See what works. If you haven’t found a solution yet, go back and think of different ways you might be able to solve your problem and try again.

Are you tired of hearing “It’s TOO HARD!” followed by a meltdown?

Using this one simple phrase you’ll get in this powerful lesson, you’ll not only be able to help your kiddo not give up but you’ll:

>Activate their superpower of perseverance so that they can turn around a meltdown and keep trying

>Inspire them to use perseverance …even when it’s hard

>Teach them to recognize the warning signs of giving up , and how to turn it around by taking control of their choices.

Grab your powerful FREE video lesson to teach your kiddo one of the most powerful keys to perseverance.

Powerful Activities that Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Toddlers & Preschoolers

These activities below may look simple, but don’t let that deter you from trying them. A lot happens in little developing brains and these powerful activities help toddlers and preschoolers make connections and develop {many} essential skills-more than just problem-solving.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.  

Puzzles are fun and a great way to encourage cognitive development in children. They are great for spacial reasoning and strengthening problem-solving skills. They also develop memory skills, critical thinking, and the ability to plan and execute the plan. Toddlers will enjoy the simple puzzles, and preschoolers will do great with floor puzzles with larger puzzle pieces.

Doing Simple Chores

Doing simple chores is a great way to teach children problem-solving skills, and it strengthens responsibility and perseverance as well. 

During the toddler years , you may start with just picking up their toys, or helping you put their dirty clothes in the hamper. 

Preschoolers can take their dirty dishes to the sink (or load them in the dishwasher), collect the trash, dust, wipe baseboards, and do their own personal care items like making their bed, taking care of their dirty clothes, and putting clean clothes away.

Stacking Rings

When watching a toddler play with stacking rings it doesn’t look like much is happening, but playing with these toys is full of ways to encourage development. It helps with visual and spacial perception and planning ahead, but it also with balance control, crossing the midline, creative play, and gross motor skills. Not to mention it’s a great opportunity to practice problem-solving. 

Playing Hide-and-Seek

Hide and seek has many surprising benefits for kids. Playing hide and seek is like a treasure hunt that helps develop gross motor skills and encourages physical development, as well as problem-solving skills. It also helps young children develop visual tracking, working memory, and social-emotional skills.

Imaginative Play

Imaginative play (also called role-play) builds important skills. Through pretending to be in different situations, kids develop social skills, emotional skills, better communication, and problem-solving skills. Imaginative play is a great idea for young toddlers all the way to older children.

Free Play 

Many young children don’t have {enough} time for free play. Free play is important for healthy brain development , not only developing imagination, cooperation, physical skills, and independence but also providing a great opportunity to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

Playing with Wooden Blocks

Building blocks are a fun way for children to develop creative thinking, imagination, problem-solving, fine motor skills, and if working with others, cooperation, communication, and friendship.

Playing Memory

Memory games improve attention, focus, visual recognition, and concentration. It helps children recognize details and of course, strengthens problem-solving skills. 

Ask Questions

When I see my son struggling with something, my first instinct is to give him choices or at least lead him in the right direction. The better thing to do is to ask very open-ended questions that lead his process, not his thoughts.

Questions like “What’s one way to solve your problem?” are much more effective in teaching problem-solving skills than “Well, where did you last see your stuffy?” 

Read Books and Social Stories

Reading books is one of my favorite ways to teach any skill. It’s extremely effective at teaching, and it’s also an amazing bonding time with kids.

When we read stories, our brain reacts as if we’re living in the story. This is why reading books about skills such as problem-solving is so effective. 

Kids of all ages learn from the people they love . (Yes, even those older kids who you don’t think are paying attention.) Often as adults, we’re too busy going through our daily routine to think about talking about the way we solved the problem at work that day.

Talking about how you use skills such as problem-solving, perseverance, and integrity is a great way to set an example, and an expectation that this is how we do things, and it will provide encouragement for your kiddo to do the same.

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a great group activity that can strengthen your child’s logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

When Your Kiddo is Ready, Add These Activities

Preschoolers would benefit from all of the fun activities on the list above and when they’re ready, feel free to add in the following activities.   

Mazes are great for problem-solving and perseverance, but your kiddo will need to have decent fine motor skills to do these activities. Mazes are one of our favorite activities. We love to take our activity book of mazes in the car with us for road trips. 

Board Games  

Board games are a good way to strengthen problem-solving, teamwork, planning skills, patience, sportsmanship, and communication skills. They also strengthen family relationships by providing some intentional time of connection .

Any board game can also be turned into an academic game with just a deck of cards for whatever skill you’re working on. If you’re working on the alphabet, put one letter on each card. Before each player’s turn, they draw a letter card and say the letter’s name. (You may accidentally forget the name of a letter every now and then to see if your kiddo is really paying attention!) 

Allow Opportunities for Hands-On Investigations

Kids are tactile. They love to touch and explore things with their hands. This is a good activity for toddlers also, as long as they are out of the putting everything in their mouth stage. Hands-on exploration is great for language development, sensory exploration, and problem-solving.

Allowing kids to investigate with their hands allows them to see how the world works up close. It also gives them time and space to try to make things work…and problem-solve when it doesn’t go as they think it should.

The Most Difficult Way (and Most Important Way) To Strengthen Problem-Solving Skills

Watching our kids struggle is hard ! We don’t want to see them having a hard time…and most of the time we don’t want to deal with the impending meltdown. Standing back and giving our kids time and space to work through even simple problems is hard to do. It’s also the most important way to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

As parents, we’re like frogs in boiling water. When our kids are infants, they need us to recognize their needs and solve them immediately. As they get older, they can point to what they want, but we still have a lot of interpreting and problem-solving to do on our own. If we aren’t careful, we stay in this stage and don’t teach our kiddos the steps to problem-solving for themselves. 

The next most difficult thing? Allowing natural consequences to happen. (As long as your child is safe of course.) If your child saves their money for a long time to buy a new toy, but walks down the toy aisle and picks up something you know they’ll be disappointed with, let it happen. It will teach a valuable lesson that will last for years to come.

Another Essential Part of Problem-Solving

Perseverance is a big part of problem-solving. We are rarely able to solve problems the first time, and it’s essential that kids can find more than one solution to a problem. Studies have found that perseverance is actually the biggest predictor of success, even more than aptitude or raw talent. 

An entire module is dedicated to perseverance in our course for kids, Super Kid Adventures . Your kiddo will get 25 teacher-led lessons on character traits (perseverance, empathy, friendship, responsibility, and wellness) and activities that take their learning further. 

Want a free preview? Grab a FREE Perseverance video lesson that teaches your kiddo one of the most important secrets that help them use perseverance.

Want More? 

If you like this, you’ll love: 

The Ultimate List of Books that Teach Perseverance

7 Simple Ways to Encourage Independence in Young Children

How to Help Your Child Develop Self-Help Skills

Your Turn 

What are your favorite ways to teach problem-solving skills?

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a mama of two boys, a former teacher, and the founder of Discovery Play with Littles. Her mission is to make raising kids with character simple and fun. Join us for our best learning through play ideas, character growth activities, and family connection ideas so you can watch your child thrive.

Reader Interactions

As a SLP trying to guide parents as I work with their child. I would like to know what toys to recommend to my parents as I assist in guiding their child’s development in cognition and expressive language.

Perseverance is the biggest predictor of success, even more than raw talent or aptitude.

Grab a FREE lesson to teach your kiddo one of the keys to perseverance...which is how we talk to our brains.

They'll learn what to say when they encounter something difficult, and why it's so important.

PLAY is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. -Mr. Rogers

11 Best Toys For 9-Month-Olds

The 11 best toys for 9-month-olds, according to pediatricians and parents.

As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.

Your baby is nearing 9 months of age — time flies when you're having fun, right? Though the back half of infancy can be bittersweet for some parents (where did that squishy newborn go?), the final three months of a baby's first year of life can be a blast.

"It is fun to begin seeing the personality of a child come alive, which is becoming more apparent as they are starting to develop more facial expressions," says Luke Prest, MD , a board-certified pediatrician by the American Board of Pediatrics. "They are also becoming more interactive, as well."

Those interactions may include a little language — though you may not understand what they're saying at this stage — and movement.

"They are probably vocalizing or babbling some sounds while working on imitating sounds and words," says Puji Jonnalagadda, MD , a developmental-behavioural pediatrician at Pediatrix Medical Group. "They are working on getting in and out of a crawling position and paying a lot of attention to how objects in their surroundings work."

To aid in this development (and make life fun for parents and babies alike), caregivers may consider adding 9-month-old toys to their little one's shelves .

"The growing brain of a baby craves stimulation and depends on their parents to engage them," Dr. Jonnalagadda says. "Toys provide an easy solution for engageing their babies. Choosing the right type of toys at this age can help them succeed in developing good control of their bodies, improve brain function, and use their developing sense of touch, sight, and sound."

There are tons of toys for 9-month-olds to browse, which can feel slightly overwhelming. So what are the best toys for a 9-month-old? We chose 11 based on pediatrician advice and caregiver reviews.

Best Block Set Toy For a 9-Month-Old

Melissa & Doug Classic ABC Wooden Block Cart Educational Toy ($19)

This wooden block set with numbers and letters can grow with your child through kindergarten. At 9 months, Dr. Jonnalagadda says, they'll build multiple skills — no pun intended.

"They can be stacked to build structures and practice fine motor skills with their hands and fingers," Dr. Jonnalagadda says. "Balancing, stacking, and building with blocks allows for practice of hand-eye coordination."

Different textures and colours make playing with blocks a multisensory experience, and parents can use the letters and colours to build vocabulary now and later. Parents can also use the blocks to encourage movement by placing them a little farther away from the baby and letting them reach for it.

"This strengthens their muscles as they balance, twist, and shift weight from side to side," Dr. Jonnalagadda says.

Best Soft Block Toy For a 9-Month-Old

Bobxin 15 PCS Baby Blocks Toys ($20)

Some parents may prefer to start with softer blocks. This option from Bobxin offers different colours and textures and stacking opportunities that assist with fine motor skill development.

"These are firm yet pliable, great for teething and stacking," a recent customer writes. "Both baby and mom have fun stacking and knocking down."

Best Toy For a 9-Month-Old Learning Cause and Effect

Battat Wooden Activity Cube ($61)

At 9 months, babies may experiment with cause and effect, such as throwing food on the ground (fun times). Dr. Preston loves that this activity cube (and others like it) encourages this experimentation (in a less messy way) through rotating blocks, a bead maze, and open-and-shut doors.

Best Stacking Rings Toy For a 9-Month-Old

Lovevery Montessori Wobble Stacker ($18)

Dr. Preston says stacking toys like rings aid in fine motor skill development. Lovevery's stacker has large rings that are easy for small hands to grasp and a wobbling base that playfully challenges a 9-month-old to build agility and coordination.

Best Stacking Cups Toy For a 9-Month-Old

The First Years Stack N Count Cups ($11)

Another great stacking option? These under-$10 cups. The bright colours are visually appealing to an infant, who will love the ability to fit the cups together or stack them on top of each other. Parents can use the numbers on the bottom to work on counting skills as a child grows. The cups have a 4.8-star Amazon rating based on more than 88K reviews, with parents raving that the cups are easy to clean, versatile, and durable.

"My son absolutely loves these stackable cups," an Amazon reviewer writes. "They've taught him a lot of different skills and has helped hone his fine motor abilities. The colours keep him engaged and intrigued."

Best Wooden Sorter Toy For a 9-Month-Old

B. Toys Wooden Shape Sorter — Wonder Cube ($12)

A 9-month-old may not be able to put the shapes into this cube (that'll start around 18 months to 2 years), but Dr. Jonnalagadda says older infants can learn valuable lessons from a shape sorter.

"It works on fine motor skills of grasping and dropping," Dr. Jonnalagadda says. "When the shapes disappear into the bin, babies start to discover object permanence, which is a step of brain development that involves the concept that objects continue to exist even when you cannot see them . . . It's endless fun for a baby at this age and a great teaching tool."

Best Elastic Sorting Toy For a 9-Month-Old

Fat Brain Toys InnyBin Baby Toys ($28)

The elastic nature of Fat Brain's shape sorter makes it easier for a 9-month-old to manipulate. Though it doesn't offer the same object-permanence lessons as a more traditional sorter, it still works on grasping and placing some objects into another. Different-textured blocks provide another layer of sensory exploration. More than 4K Amazon reviewers have rated this toy with 4.8 stars.

"It's a great quality toy and has smaller sides to add a little challenge for those little ones who have mastered pulling and pushing in the shapes on the easier sides of the square," one reviewer says. "This toy will grow with your little one for at least a year. The shapes are great for new grippers and aren't cheap plastic. Highly recommend."

Best Bath-Time Toy For a 9-Month-Old

The First Years Disney Finding Nemo Bath Toys ($11)

Bath time can be hit or miss at this age. Some babies may be little fish who love the water, while others may not be into it. Some toys can make bath time more fun either way. These "Finding Nemo" squirt toys are easy to grip and make little ones and their Disney-loving parents smile. Enjoy the giggles as you playfully squirt your little one or make a game of finding Nemo.

"[I] got these for my granddaughter for Christmas, and they are so cute," one fan comments. "[They were] a little larger than I expected but perfect for bath or pool time. The colours are brilliant . . . who doesn't love 'Finding Nemo?'"

Best Toy For a 9-Month-Old Who Likes Stuffies

Manhattan Toy Camp Acorn Canoe Buddies ($21, originally $29)

These soft stuffed animals offer more than something to cuddle. Little ones can put the woodland ones into the canoe to experiment with cause and effect and develop motor skills. As your little one grows, the owl, raccoon, and fox make perfect companions for early pretend play.

"I expected this to be slightly larger than it is but am actually quite happy with the size," one Amazon shopper writes. "[It's] perfect for little hands, and the quality seems to be pretty amazing as well."

Best Sensory Book Toy For a 9-Month-Old

"See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book" ($8)

Your little one may not be saying real words yet, but Dr. Prest encourages parents to continue reading to their babies at 9 months at bedtime or anytime.

"Children at this age are starting to be able to look at pictures/books, and I recommend reading to them at this age even though they may not understand it," Dr. Prest says. "You can also use books to look at and talk about the pictures."

"See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book" has different raised textures, a mirror, and colourful pages that can prompt all kinds of fun interactions with your 9-month-old.

Best Back-and-Forth Toy For a 9-Month-Old

Spark Create Imagine Rattle Ball ($2)

Dr. Prest suggests seeking toys for 9-month-olds that prompt back-and-forth play. A ball is a natural fit.

"A ball that is rolled between child and parent can help children learn about taking turns and cause and effect," Dr. Prest says.

This durable ball has a rattle that can help grab the attention of an on-the-move 9-month-old.

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30 Toys And Gifts That'll Hold A 9-Month-Old's Attention

Because 9-month-olds aren't easy to impress.

BuzzFeed Staff

1. A vibrant stacking toy with a ~spin~ — literally! Is it splurgy? Yes. Will it keep little ones mesmerized as they drop the discs onto the threaded corkscrew pole and watch them spiral down? Absolutely.

Promising review: "My baby loves it . Colors are bright !! Good for babies to interact with and also keeps baby entertained!" — Amazon Customer

Shipping Info:  Available on  Amazon Prime  with 2-day shipping.

Get it from Amazon for $34.95 .

2. A sophisticated wooden xylophone with lights that plays real tunes (aka not annoying) when mini Mozarts tap on the intuitive keys. Especially great for encouraging development of fine motor skills.

Promising review: "I have one for my kids and have given one as a gift. The sound it makes is nice, not tinny and annoying like most kids toys. I like that they can either press each color individually to play or push the blue button for a prerecorded song. The size and weight are perfect for smaller children." — Jesse

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 .

3. A 3-in-1  tent, tunnel and ball pit to transform any home into an ~exciting play zone,~ where little ones can crawl, explore and fling balls (don't ask!) for hours on end, while the grownups kick back with a glass of wine.

Promising review: "Light enough to carry a piece to family’s house, easy enough for my tiny 9 month old to navigate and play in, perfect for her to crawl through, and the castle is super stable." — Chelsea

Get it from Amazon for $21.99+  (clip the coupon on the product page to save 10%; available in eight styles).

4. A VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker  because it'll help little ones transition from their wobbly first steps to zooming across the living room gleefully. Plus, I can personally attest they'll play ~nonstop~  with the barn door, phone, and piano keys on the front.

Promising review:  " A must purchase! My son learned to pull up and walk with this contraption. He is 3 years old and still requests to walk around our neighborhood with it. He loves it!!! My 9-month-old daughter is pulling up on this thing as well and is about to start pushing it to walk . She loves using the phone and opening and closing the barn door. This whole product is just such a well-thought-through thing. Thank you to the team that created it! It really works and has been recommended by my sister, whose two boys learned to walk with it. It’s a hit. We love it! Highly recommended!!!!!" — Meet The Jacksons

Get it from Amazon for  $39.99+  (available in four colors)

5. A classic Fisher Price shape sorting bucket that'll challenge their dexterity and problem-solving skills as they dunk the vibrant blocks through the matching slots in the bucket lid. It has 23,000 5-star (!!!) reviews for a reason.

Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter and it became a favorite toy ... in the 1980s! Now I bought it for her 9-month-old daughter. She loves playing with the shapes and enjoys dropping them in the basket without the cover (too challenging for right now). But it will eventually be added, as she grows into it and continues using it. Perfect for developing fine motor skills!" — Bookworm

Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping.

Get it from Amazon for $10.99 .

6. A Leap Frog alphabet spin toy because little ones will become obsessed with spinning the wheel, watching it light up, and hearing it play the ABCs, animal names, and sounds.

Promising review: "My baby absolutely loves it. She is 9 months old and after a week, she would sit and spin the wheel for several minutes at a time during the day. We had to take a break from it when my partner and I started absentmindedly singing the songs." — SBMc

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in two colors).

7. A cult fave Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? board book because you'll read it over and over again until you have it memorized. Trust me, it brings an exponential amount of joy to babies.

Amazon Shipping Info:  Available on  Amazon Prime  with 2-day shipping.

Get it from Amazon for  $5.36  or from Bookshop for $8.36 to support local bookstores.

8. A magic cube to introduce kiddos to Mozart's classical music masterpieces. With a touch of a button they can play the harp, flute, French horn, piano, and violin instrument sounds from eight melodies by the musical maestro. They can also press the orchestra button to have them all play together.

Promising Review: " A wonderful musical toy. This is one of my 9-month-old grandson's favorite toys. At first I had to push the panels but he can now do it himself. I love how you can have all the instruments playing or select just one or two. There is a nice selection of music and my grandson rocks back and forth when it plays. He has dropped it and it is very durable. He watches the lights flash as the instrument plays. I highly recommend." — M.A.

Get it from Amazon for $27.45 .

9. A huggable Gund animated elephant stuffie that flaps its ears, sings, and plays peek-a-boo to make any baby coo, laugh, and gurgle with pleasure all day long.

Promising review:  " Best toy ever. We gave this to my 9-month-old granddaughter, and it quickly became her best friend. She was and still is enthralled by the moving ears and is learning to clap to the musical tune. She even giggles every time the elephant does. The toy is very soft and is a good size. Quality and fun!" — Sari

Get it from Amazon for  $29.57+  (also available in five other styles).

10. A pack of brightly colored stacking cups guaranteed to become any baby's fave open-ended toy. Just trust the 70,000+ 5-star (!!!) reviews and the many, many reviewers who have said "this is the best $4 I've spent on a toy."

Bonus: These have holes in the bottom for water play and come with a cute star ring to keep them together.

Promising review:  " Best toy I've bought — and so inexpensive! My 9-month-old has been playing with these for the past month and a half since receiving them and loving it . She enjoys banging them together or just flipping them around. We can stack them for her and she loves knocking the tower over. I love that there are elements targeted for as she gets older (each cup is numbered from smallest to largest and has the same number of shaped holes in the bottom). They seem so basic, but truly — that's the beauty of them. I can see her playing with, using these, and learning from these for years to come. Baby gifts I give from this day forward will contain a set of these cups." — Staynegative

Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $8 .

11. A personalized abacus to add a little dose of cuteness to a toy shelf and help strengthen motor skills at playtime. Win-win.

Ev And Potique is a small biz based in Nelliston, NY, owned by a momma of three, that specializes in handmade baby and toddler items.

To customize the colors, add your preferences in the personalization box before adding to cart.

Promising review:  "This made the sweetest gift!" — Abby Butler

Shipping Info:  Ships 8 business days after ordering, shipping fee of $9.60.

Get it from  Ev And Potique  on Etsy for  $45.89+  (originally $54.99+; available with or without a base). 

12. A TikTok famous crawling crab that'll clatter across the living room enticing little ones to chase after it. How can any baby be ~crabby~ interacting with this adorable Mr. Crabby?

Promising review: "We ordered this toy for our son after seeing multiple videos about it on Instagram. We do not regret it at all! Although our 9-month-old was a little nervous about playing with it at first, he soon realized how much fun it was. Now he chases it both crawling on the floor and in his walker (where he has the tactical advantage). Definitely recommend as a gift for the baby in your life ." — Krissa

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (clip the coupon on the product page to save $3; available in five colors).

13. And a  whale bath toy  you may have seen on TikTok that lights up automatically and starts spouting water the minute it hits the water. Who wouldn't want to play with this ~whaley~ cute buddy during bath time? 

Promising review: " My 9-month-old baby girl loves it and now she wants to bathe every day with his new toy . I’m impressed with the suction power and the sensors work really great." — Omark Reyes

Promising review: " Worth every penny! My little one loves bath time, and this makes it even more fun! The water spout is awesome and gets taller the longer it sits in the water. The lights are an extra bonus! If you're thinking about buying — do it! Your little one will love this." — Ahliilai

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+  (available in six styles/colors).

14. A VTech activity cube perfect for teeny hands to tinker with because there's so much to explore and learn — from spinning the ABCs to pressing on the light-up buttons to hear animal sounds! It has 29,000 5-star reviews (!!!) for a reason.

Promising review: "I got this when my baby was almost 9 months old. When he began to crawl and started sitting up, he really began to like this cube. Now he is 9 months plus and this is his favorite toy. I think it's the only toy that keeps him busy for a while.  My baby hasn't learned how to use the musical instruments to play sounds but nonetheless he touches them randomly and the music keeps playing. Same goes for the shape buttons with animals. What he loves the most about the cube right now are the spinners and the alphabets that spin too. He also enjoys rolling the cube, banging on it, and using it to stand on his feet. I think the cube is a winner, and I'm very glad that I purchased it." — Tabby

Get it from Amazon for $17.99 .

15. A machine-washable Tiny Twinkle rainbow apron bib with possibly the cutest ruffles to make messy eating fashionable.

Tiny Twinkle is a small biz based in Phoenix, Arizona that prides itself on creating high quality, safe products for babies, children and parents. 

Promising review: "I was given a few apron style bibs as a baby shower gift and was excited for those, but found that they were difficult to clean and stained easily. Plus, they were too large at the neck. This bib is amazing. I purchased this as a back up and am so impressed with it. It cleans easily by just rinsing it off. The ruffle shoulders add an unexpected flair and a bit of coverage against food. The print is adorable and I am excited to try more by Tiny Twinkle!" — Trixie L

Get it from Amazon for $11.99  (available in sizes 6 months–4 years and in 31 styles).

16. A set of safe-to-chew-on pastel silicone stacking blocks to encourage shape and number recognition in little ones. These will make any playroom look Pinterestworthy.

Promising review: "This is the first review I’ve ever written. Watching my nephew enjoy these blocks has been too much fun to not share. He was about 9-months-old when I gifted them and the blocks have quickly become his (and his parents’) favorite toy to have nearby. The tactile quality, teething friendly factor, and stackable shapes are great for early development explorations. And I can’t wait to see how the set grows with him when shapes, animals, and numbers become meaningful to the next stages of his development. An excellent, modest investment for the enjoyment that comes from this simple blocks set." — Corinne E. Barthelemy

Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $19.99  (clip the coupon on the product page to save 20%; available in two styles).

17. An ultra plush personalized name minky blanket  any parent will treasure for years to come. It's also ridiculously cozy for naptime snuggles.

Sugar House Swaddles is a small biz based in Salt Lake, Utah that specializes in personalized baby blankets, muslin swaddles, and more.

You can personalize the name and font. Just add your notes in the personalization box or comment section when placing your order.

Promising review:  "I’ve ordered several blankets as baby gifts and loved all of them. Super soft, great colors, and I love getting the small one because it’s perfect for the car seat/diaper bag!" — cassidyriden

Shipping Info:  Ships 7 business days after ordering.

Get it from Sugar House Swaddles on Etsy for $15.50+ (originally $34+; available in 49 colors and in three sizes).

18. An owl-shaped white noise machine that plays 10 lullabies and'll blend seamlessly into your little's room theme. Just when you thought you didn't give more of a ~hoot~ about products for babies!

Promising review: "This owl saved our lives!! I never leave reviews but I had to for this item. We were really struggling with sleep training our son. Before we knew it, he was 10 months old and still not sleeping in his crib. I almost gave up until I found the Bubzi! My son loves the lights and all the lullabies. I also love the fact that the songs and lights last 30 minutes. Enough time for him to fall asleep on his own!" — Rhonda Walker

Get it from Amazon for $44.95 (clip the coupon on the product page to save 5%; also available in three other styles.

19. A cushy shark-themed bath or beach set that's basically a gift for you because it'll make your kid so friggin' adorable you'll just want to take a big ole bite out of 'em. *Cue cute aggression*

It comes with a hooded towel, bath mitt, and li'l slippers with elastic backs.

Promising review:  "This is our GO TO baby shower gift, and it's a never fail gift. People love having a little shark action show up in the mix with all their practical and dull breast pumps, bath tools, and the buckle up chair nonsense that show up in piles for their new wee one. This is an affordable win every time." — J. Jorgenson

Get it from Amazon for $32.30 .

20. A bestselling Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy with catchy, classical melodies (by Mozart, Vivaldi, and other masters) and twinkling lights that any parent will tell you is their secret weapon to immediately calm down a fussy baby.

Promising review: "My wife and I are first-time parents. At times a fussy baby can be very challenging. This toy was a lifesaver during those moments! We bought this toy when our son was around two months old and it was easily the most used toy we bought. The music and the lights always calmed him down and made diaper changes so much easier. He's nine months old now and he still loves pressing the buttons and listening to the music. I highly recommend this toy!" — David Leccese

Get it from Amazon for $9.99 .

21. A  Fisher-Price kick and play piano that I can personally attest will keep any kiddo's attention for HOURS — whether they're kicking the light-up piano keys like a karate champ, playing with the toy arch, or rocking out to the music.

Promising review: " My daughter seriously loves this mat. First she was kicking the piano and lying down now she's 6 months and lives to sit up and play the piano.  She smiles when the songs play and the songs will get stuck in your head. It has a nice variety of music that is not repetitive. She loves the hanging toys at first; she would try to grab at them, and now it's nice to remove them for her to play with. This toy is so versatile and brings so much joy each day; it's seriously a great deal. One of the best play gyms you'll buy. I had a pricey, less colorful play gym that got no love. Trust me your baby will live the colors and activity that this toy offers." — N. Ford

Get it from Amazon for $45.17 .

22. And a cult status Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo because all that bouncing is guaranteed to get them tuckered out before bedtime. But let's be honest: This is ~actually~ a godsend for new parents, who can finally get stuff done around the house.

Promising review: "My nine-month grandson loves this bouncer! He bounces and bounces and bounces. He also loves the lights and sounds. I highly recommend this product!" — Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $89.99+ (available in four styles).

23. An easy-to-grasp  bumpy ball  boasting a combo of vibrant colors, bold patterns, textures, materials, and rattle sounds to provide a sensory experience that little ones will find oh-so-exciting.

Promising Review: “This toy has just come into its own at our house. After having it for about three months, my 6-month-old is now fascinated by its bumpy and rattly ways. It was great for staring at previously, but now he loves to bump it, toss it, and crawl after it. Easy to grip and light enough for little arms to toss, but weighty enough to not go too far or too fast, it's the perfect ball for babies. And older kids love to toss it too." — ezmerkat

Get it from Amazon for $14.98 .

24. A  snuggly otter  that actually "breathes" and has a heartbeat sound to soothe little ones to sleep. Perfect for those looong, tiring nights when your arms ache from holding them against your chest.

Promising review: " If I could give this 10 stars, I would. The best purchase we have ever made!! I bought this for my son when he was 6 months old hoping it would help with calming him before bed time.... fast forward to today... he's now 1 and LOVES this thing. He looks for it when it's time for sleep and it instantly calms him and gets him ready for bed. He loves to snuggle with it and he even looks for it when he wakes. He learned how to turn it on himself and now puts himself back to sleep at night. If you want your child to sleep 12+ hours at night... BUY IT NOW!!!!!!" — Logan’s Mommy

Get it from Amazon for $44.94 .

25. An oh-so-cute  Smily Mia Penguin pacifier  designed to mimic a boob that'll stay put on a baby's hand — so parents don't have to retrieve dropped pacis from the floor a gazillion times a day! 

Promising review:  "My nine month old baby is teething to the fullest, this has been such a great teether for her. Her tiny hands can hold it while she chews on it. Soft enough for her gums. Love it." — Mary Emma

Get it from Amazon for $6.99  (available in six other styles and in two-packs).

26. An InnyBin for a challenge that any curious tot will relish — to plunk chunky shapes through the elastic bands into the cube and then pull them back out (all while fine-tuning motor skills!)

Promising review: "I got this toy for my daughter who’s 9 months and she loves it! She likes to stuff things under the couch and into the couch cushions so this was a great toy for her. I love the potential it has as well, I’m a big fan of toys that can be used multiple ways. Example I was able to put some toy tissues in it as a makeshift tissue box and she had a great time pulling them out." — Avalt A.

Get it from Amazon for $27.95 .

27. The Dimpl aka a portable sensory toy designed for babies and toddlers. It simply has five vibrant silicone bubbles — yet if the 15,000 5-star (!!!) reviews are to be believed it'll hold your munchkin's attention for a while.

Promising review: " One of our daughter's favorites.  This has been on my wishlist for a long time and I'm glad I finally got it for my baby girl. She can hold onto it easily and really likes to look at it and I am sure she will figure out how to 'pop' the bubbles backwards and forwards on purpose soon, though right now it happens just on accident. It keeps her entertained for minutes at a time, which for a 6-month old is a lot...lol. I have pulled and pushed the silicone 'bubbles' to test out this Dimpl for both  and durability and am confident with it as my daughter plays." — A Beut

Get it from Amazon for $9.95 .

28. A "Taco Tuesday" gift set  if you literally CANNOT WAIT to introduce future little ones to your weekly tradition. 

The gift set comes with three food-themed sensory toys including a crinkle shell taco, an avocado rattle, and lemon and lime clackers.

Promising review: "Our 9 month old grandson loved these! The orange and lime slice are his favorite (actually he loves the ring they came on the most)!! The avacado is his next favorite. The taco is still a little big think. Overall, I would buy again, and as a gift for another teething baby." — Mindy fangedmom Janicke

Get it from Amazon for $13.39+  (available in three styles).

29. A bestselling aquarium crib soother chock-full of classical melodies, ocean sounds, and glowing light effects that'll help them fall asleep and stay asleep (fingers crossed🤞). 

Promising review:  " My daughter loves this. I got this when she was 6 months old. She is now 8 months and she will stare at this thing when she wakes up in the middle of the night. I go turn it on for her and she stays occupied and falls back asleep with the sound of the ocean waves. The mechanism is a little noisy, but to an infant its a comforting hum it produces. The crib light is helpful at night when we have to search for her binky or just to see to pick her up. The full light feature is very bright in a dark room, but my daughter has no issues falling asleep with it. Batteries can go by fast if you use the motion at all times. But I've used it for a good couple of months with no dead batteries yet. Plan on buying rechargeable for it soon. We mostly use it every night for the ocean sound no motion or lights. UPDATE 2/10/2020: My daughter is now over 10 months old. She randomly wakes up in the middle of the middle of the night and she will stand up in her crib and push the button to turn this on, then off, then on again. It helps her go back to sleep without waking us up. Best purchase ever." — BP-JP

Get it from Amazon for $39.98 .

30. And an  inflatable water mat with floating foam fishies to cast a mesmerizing spell on your bubba — until they temporarily forget that they, um, detest tummy time.

Promising review: "My baby’s did not like doing tummy time. Once I got this my daughter was so happy to do it. First time I showed her she was so excited and played for 20 mins. She’s now 8 months and still loves it." — AllisonPaula

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+  (available in two colors).

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

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Best Activities for a 9-Month-Old Baby

Medical review policy, latest update:, what skills is your child developing at 9 months , social and emotional skills, language and communication skills, cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills, best activities for a 9-month-old baby, read this next, experiment with textures, play clapping and sing-along games, introduce utensils and practice open-cup drinking, play music together, tunnel time.

But while you should aim to factor playtime into your baby's daily routine, you also shouldn't be too hard on yourself or feel like you have to invest in tons of gear. Research shows that simple activities like talking, singing and reading are some of the most important things parents can do to engage with their children.

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Introducing a Cup , February 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics,  Infant Physical Activity , July 2021 American Academy of Pediatrics,  Movement: Babies 8 to 12 Months , April 2021. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association,  Birth to One Year , October, 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  Important Milestones: Your Baby By Nine Months , July 2021. CHOC Children’s, Children’s Hospital of Orange County,  Developmental Milestones: Fine Motor Skills and Visual Motor Skills , 2021. KidsHealth From Nemours,  Movement, Coordination, and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old , June 2019. KidsHealth From Nemours,  Communication and Your 8- to 12-Month-Old , June 2019. KidsHealth From Nemours,  Smart Toys for Every Age , June 2018. Mayo Clinic,  Infant Development: Milestones from 7 to 9 Months , June 2020. Merck Manual,  Separation Anxiety and Stranger Anxiety , June 2020. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine,  Developmental Milestones Record—9 Months , October 2020. Stanford Children’s Health,  The Growing Child: 7 to 9 Months , 2021. University of Michigan Health, Michigan Medicine,  Emotional and Social Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months , May 2020. Manasa Mantravadi, M.D., a board-certified pediatrician in Indianapolis, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health. Elizabeth S. Norton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Department of Medical Social Sciences, principal investigator at LEARN Lab at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

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Fun and Engaging Activities for Your 9-Month-Olds

It’s a world of wonder with your 9-month-old! In this post, we’ll explore a variety of fun and creative activities that are perfect for curious and active 9 month olds as they continue to reach exciting milestones in their development.

Welcome to the exciting stage of your baby’s development at 9 months old! Your little one is growing rapidly and becoming more curious about the world around them. As a parent, you play a crucial role in supporting their developmental milestones and fostering their curiosity through fun and engaging activities. In this article, we’ll explore what 9-month-old babies can typically do and provide you with 20 creative and easy activities to do at home that will delight and stimulate your baby’s senses and motor skills.

What Can a 9-Month-Old Baby Do?

At 9 months old, your baby is becoming more mobile and developing their motor skills. They may be sitting independently, crawling, or attempting to pull themselves up to stand. They are also starting to explore objects with their fingers and grasp items using their whole hand (palmar grasp). Additionally, their language development is progressing, and they may be babbling or responding to familiar words and sounds. Your baby’s personality is also emerging as they become more social and interactive, seeking attention and expressing their preferences.

9-Month-Old Baby Milestones

• Sitting independently for longer periods of time
• Crawling or attempting to crawl
• Pulling themselves up to stand with support
• Transferring objects from one hand to another
• Exploring objects with fingers and mouth
• Responding to their name or familiar sounds
• Babbling and imitating sounds
• Showing preferences and developing a sense of likes and dislikes

WANT TO TRY THESE ACTIVITIES LATER? PIN IT NOW SO YOU CAN FIND IT WHEN YOU NEED IT!

14 Fun and Easy Activities for 9 Month Olds at Home

• Edible Sensory Play: Create an edible sensory experience for your baby by offering them different types of safe and soft foods such as cooked pasta, mashed fruits or vegetables, or yogurt. Let them explore the textures, colors, and tastes with their hands and mouths.
• Painting with Food: Set up a safe painting activity by using baby-safe paint or pureed fruits and vegetables on a large sheet of paper or a high chair tray. Let your baby use their hands, fingers, or a brush to explore and create their own edible artwork.
• Bubble Wrap Stomp: Lay out a piece of bubble wrap on the floor and encourage your baby to stomp on it, promoting their gross motor skills and sensory exploration.
• Sorting Fun: Give your baby a set of colorful objects such as blocks, balls, or soft toys, and provide containers with different shapes or sizes for them to sort and drop the objects into. This activity promotes their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills.
• Sensory Bath Time: Make bath time a sensory experience by adding colorful bath toys, foam letters or shapes, or bubbles to the water. Let your baby explore the textures, colors, and sensations while having fun in the water.
• Water Play: Fill a shallow container with warm water and let your baby splash and play with their hands and toys. Add some bath toys or containers for pouring and scooping for extra fun and sensory stimulation.
• Musical Instruments: Introduce your baby to different musical instruments such as a mini keyboard, shaker, or drum, and let them experiment with making sounds and rhythms. This activity promotes their auditory development, fine motor skills, and creativity.
• Soft Obstacle Course: Create a soft and safe obstacle course using pillows, cushions, and soft toys for your baby to crawl or climb over. This activity promotes their gross motor skills, balance, and spatial awareness.

More Activities for 9 Month Olds at Home

• Bubble Play: Blow bubbles and watch your baby’s excitement as they try to catch or pop them. This activity promotes their visual tracking, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration.
• Homemade Sensory Bags: Create sensory bags by filling resealable plastic bags with various materials such as water, hair gel, or sand, and adding small toys or objects for your baby to squish and explore with their fingers.
• Nature Walk: Take your baby for a leisurely walk in a park or your backyard, and point out different natural elements such as flowers, leaves, or insects. This activity promotes their visual and sensory development and encourages a connection with nature.
• Treasure Hunt: Hide small objects or toys around a safe area and encourage your baby to search for and discover them. This activity promotes their fine motor skills, visual tracking, and problem-solving skills.
• Soft Toy Tower: Build a tower using soft toys or plush blocks and encourage your baby to knock it down, promoting their hand-eye coordination and gross motor skills.
• Ball Roll: Sit facing your baby and gently roll a soft ball back and forth, encouraging them to reach for and grasp the ball, promoting their hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

Final Thoughts

As always, ensure that all materials used are safe and age-appropriate, and closely supervise your baby during these activities. Follow your baby’s cues and interests, and let their natural curiosity guide the play. Enjoy the precious moments of discovery and exploration with your 9-month-old baby! Happy parenting!

Disclaimer: Please consult with your pediatrician or healthcare provider before starting any new activities with your baby to ensure their safety and well-being. Always follow appropriate safety guidelines and age recommendations for toys and activities.

Age Suitability

These at home activities are good for babies aged 9-months-olds and up.

The mess level for these activities for 9-month-olds varies.

Difficulty to Create Activities for 9-Month-Olds

Skills developed for activities for 9-month-olds.

Visual tracking, Body awareness, Reaching, grasping & eye hand coordination, fine motor skills, gross motor skills.

Toddler and Preschooler Curriculums, Books & TV Show!

Play2learn toddler & preschool programs for curious toddlers.

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers  includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool  which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.  That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These  toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities  will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:  Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Book:  Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy  here .

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book:  Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?  The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles that show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years   old and up.

TV Show:  Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show  Curious Crafting  which launched in July 2022 on  TVOkids  and  TVOkids YouTube ! Season 2 airs in the summer of 2023! We were also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

In season 2, we add new kinds of crafts like STEAM crafts and slime!

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WILL YOU MAKE THESE ACTIVITIES FOR 9-MONTH-OLDS WITH YOUR KIDS? PIN IT FOR LATER!

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• Sensory Bins, Bottles and Bags

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Toys for a 9-Month-Old

At 9 months, your little one is growing and developing quickly. This is the time when he or she is likely to be very curious and eager to explore the world around them. The best toys for nine-month-olds are those that offer a variety of sensory experiences, encourage exploration, build problem-solving skills, and promote fine motor development. 

This article will explore some of the best toys for this age group to help you get started. By the end, you'll be able to determine which toys will help your nine-month-old reach their milestones and provide hours of playtime fun.

What this article covers:

How to Choose The Best Toys for a 9-Month-Old

Top toys for a 9-month-old.

Before choosing the right toys for your nine-month-old, it is important to consider a few things. Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing appropriate toys:

• Size and Weight: Opt for lightweight and easy-to-hold toys. Your little one should be able to hold and manipulate the toy with ease.
• Safety : Toy safety is of utmost importance during this stage. Opt for toys free from sharp edges, small pieces, and toxins.
• Variety : Toys should offer a variety of sensory experiences such as auditory, visual, and tactile exploration. This will help to keep your little one engaged and will help them develop cognitive skills.
• Durability : Choose toys that can withstand the wear and tear of your nine-month-old's exploration. This way, you won't have to keep replacing them every few months.

Best Toys for 9-Month-Old Boys

Stuffed animals.

Organic stuffed animals are among the best toys for nine-month-old boys. These soft and cuddly animals look not only adorable but also provide tactile feedback and can be used for imaginative play.

When your boy plays with a stuffed animal, such as this Organic Peanut Stuffed Animal Toy , he'll be able to develop his fine motor skills and learn about different textures. This toy is made from organic cotton and polyester, making it a safe option for your baby.

Ride-On Toys

When boys reach nine months, they start to become mobile. Ride-on toys are perfect for them as they help develop their gross motor skills. They provide the perfect balance between stability and mobility.

The best ride-on toys are lightweight and feature adjustable handlebars. They should also be able to handle the wear and tear of being ridden around. They help the little boys explore their environment and move around independently, which can be a great confidence booster. They are also regarded as the toys for babies 6-9 months and the best toys for babies under 1-year-old .

Musical instruments

There is nothing as fun and exciting as making music. Nine-month-old boys love to explore the different sounds that instruments make, which is why musical toys are a great choice for this age group.

Musical instruments like xylophones not only encourage auditory exploration but also help develop fine motor skills. They also provide an opportunity to engage in imaginative play. Others, such as a guitar or drum set, can help little ones practice rhythm. They help your baby develop essential skills such as hand-eye coordination and concentration.

These instruments are also great 8 months baby toys since they aid in their cognitive and physical development.

Building Blocks

Building blocks are great toys for nine-month-old boys. They help develop finger dexterity and strengthen eye-hand coordination while also teaching problem-solving skills.

The set of building blocks should have large pieces that are easy to hold and manipulate. Wooden blocks with smooth edges are the best choice since they provide a tactile experience and can last for a long time. These blocks are also regarded as the best toys for 11-month-old babies .

Activity Walker

Activity walkers are a must-have for nine-month-old boys. They provide the perfect platform to help your little one explore their environment.

These activity walkers are designed with multiple features, like adjustable speed settings and music-playing functions, which can help develop hand-eye coordination, balance, and agility. Their bright colors, interesting shapes, and sounds also help stimulate your baby's senses.

Steering Wheels

If your 9-month-old is already crawling, then they may be ready to explore the world with a steering wheel. These toys can help develop their balance and coordination as well as teach them about cause and effect.

Steering wheels come in different versions such as remote control cars, scooters, and motorcycles. They are designed with bright colors, interesting shapes, and fun music which can keep your little one entertained for hours. They also provide the perfect opportunity to help him explore his environment while having lots of fun.

Best Toys for 9-Month-Old Girls

Soft blocks.

Soft blocks provide a safe and stimulating way for little ones to learn. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors and are perfect for encouraging visual exploration.

Soft blocks also help to develop fine motor skills as your baby can hold, stack and pull them apart. Plus, they come in different textures which encourages tactile exploration.

Pretend Play Toys

At this age, little girls love pretending to be a mommy or daddy, taking care of baby dolls, or playing tea party. Pretend play toys include kitchen sets, baby dolls, and toy animals for imaginative play.

These toys help to develop language skills by using words like “milk” and “doll” as well as hand-eye coordination as she imitates your hand movements.

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters are great for teaching colors, shapes, and problem-solving skills. They also improve fine motor skills as the baby reaches for the different shapes and places them in the correct holes. Plus, when she masters the shape sorter, you can add a fun twist by using the shapes to create patterns.

Rattles and Musical Toys

Rattles are fun and provide auditory stimulation. They also help the baby with hand-eye coordination as she tries to grab onto them and shake them. Musical toys can play soothing music which helps relax your little one.

These types of toys are also great for developing language skills as they introduce your baby to words like “up” and “down.” They also help the baby to distinguish different sounds like “meow” and “woof.” No wonder they are also the best Christmas gifts for a 10-month-old girl .

Dollhouses are fun for pretend play and can help to develop imagination. They also give your baby a place to practice problem-solving skills as she uses the tiny furniture and figures in different ways. Dollhouses come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your needs.

The best dollhouse should be safe, durable, and easy to clean. You can even get one with extra features like lights and sounds for added fun.

Developmental Toys for a 9-Month-Old

Developmental toys are those that help babies learn, explore, and grow. At nine months, your baby is ready to have fun while learning important skills like crawling, walking, and problem-solving. Here are some of the best developmental toys for a 9-month-old:

Stackable Blocks

Stacking blocks can help develop motor skill development as well as imagination. Start with simple shapes and sizes that your baby can easily grab and manipulate, such as cylinder blocks or cubes. As they get older and their skills grow, you can add more challenging pieces like pyramid shapes or curved bars.

Baby Gym & Play Mat

A baby gym is designed with colorful objects hanging from an arch. This encourages your little one to reach out and grab them, building hand-eye coordination. A play mat is also a great choice for babies as it encourages them to explore their environment through sight, touch, and sound.

Having a baby gym and play mat can also help develop your baby's gross motor skills. For instance, they may learn to crawl, balance, push and pull objects.

Shape Sorter

Shape sorters are a great way to help your little one learn the basics of problem-solving. They come in fun shapes like triangles and cubes that can fit into the right slot on a board, helping babies figure out how to match shapes and solve puzzles.

Balls are a great way to help your little one explore their environment while also having fun. A ball pit is a great place for them to use their newfound motor skills and get physical activity. You can fill the ball pit with soft balls that your baby can scoop up and throw, as well as colorful rings they can pick up and place.

Soft books are great for introducing your baby to stories, colors, shapes, and numbers. Most soft books come with crinkly pages, rattles, and other fun features that encourage their senses. You can also use them to teach about animals, objects around the house, or even the alphabet!

Rocking Horse

Rocking horses are classic toys that can help promote balance and gross motor skill development in your 9-month-old baby. They also provide plenty of opportunities for imaginative play and fun. Look for a toy that is made with sturdy materials and isn't too heavy for your baby.

The best rocking horse should have several features, including a saddle with high sides and handlebars for security, a sturdy base, and wheels so your baby can easily move it around.

Wooden Rolling Drum

Wooden rolling drums are great for developing hand-eye coordination as your baby learns to roll the ball around. They also help with sensory development by introducing different textures and sounds. Plus, it's a fun way to introduce cause and effect by showing your baby what happens when she rolls the ball in different directions. 

Pop-up toys can be a fun and interactive way to help your baby learn. Look for one that comes with colorful, soft characters or shapes they can push down and make "pop" up, as well as activities like spinning wheels or moving animals.

One of the unique aspects of a pop-up toy as a developmental toy is that it can help your baby learn to wait and anticipate. Your little one will need to be patient as they watch the characters or shapes move up and down while also getting rewarded with a surprise when they finally pop back up. This also makes it one of the best baby toys for 0-12 months .

Musical Table

The mind of a 9-month-old is like a sponge. It absorbs everything around it. That’s why a musical table can be a great choice for development. Filled with colorful lights, interactive objects, and melodic tunes, your baby will stay entertained while learning important skills like coordination, problem-solving, and color recognition.

Your little one can explore the table by pressing buttons to hear music, spinning wheels to watch colors change, and moving objects around for a tactile experience. It’s also great for teaching cause and effect since your baby will learn that certain actions result in different reactions from the toy.

A musical table is also a great way to introduce them to basic concepts such as numbers and the alphabet. Look for musical tables with various settings so you can adjust the difficulty level and make it suitable for your child’s age.

Light-Up Rolling Drum

A light-up rolling drum is a great way to introduce the concept of cause and effect to a 9-month-old. Your baby will be able to press down on the drum and watch as a bright ball lights up, rolls around, and makes musical sounds.

This toy also helps build motor skills while providing sensory stimulation. As they press down on the drum and watch the colorful ball roll around, they’ll learn to move their fingers in coordination with the sound and light.

Finally, a light-up rolling drum will help your baby develop hand-eye coordination as they learn to align the finger press with where the ball is going to appear.

Educational Toys for a 9-Month-Old

Education doesn't have to start when children enter school. At 9 months, your little one is developing cognitive skills and creativity. Fun and educational toys can help them learn and grow while having fun.

Below are some of the best educational toys for a 9-month-old:

Building Blocks and Stacking Toys

Problem-solving, fine motor, and hand-eye coordination skills can be developed by playing with building blocks and stacking toys. Wooden blocks, foam cubes, or other shape-sorting toys are ideal for nine months old as they learn how to pick up objects and use both hands together.

Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are great for introducing your little one to problem-solving. Puzzles can help them learn color recognition, and shape matching and develop hand-eye coordination. Look for puzzles with big bright pieces that they can easily manipulate and handle.

As one of the best educational toys for 6-12 months old , puzzles are good for developing cognitive abilities and improving patience and concentration.

We can't overlook the role books can play in a child's development. Reading books helps your little one learn new words and phrases, understand the world around them, and develop their imagination. Introducing your 9-month-old to books can help foster a love for reading that will last throughout his/her life.

Look for interactive books with flaps, colorful pop-ups, or feel-and-find books for tactile stimulation. They are undoubtedly the best brain-boosting toys for babies 6 to 12 months old .

LCD Writing Tablet

LCD writing tablets are an ideal choice for a 9-month-old. They provide a fun and safe way to explore the world of technology and encourage exploration, creativity, and problem-solving. The LCD tablet is child-proof with no internet access or buttons, so it's perfect for children still mastering their fine motor skills.

This LCD tablet can also be used as a drawing board, a notepad, and an electronic blackboard. Your baby can practice writing, doodling, and drawing on it and also learn basic shapes and colors.

Sit to Stand Learning Walker 

A Sit To Stand Learning Walker is a fun and interactive toy that helps babies sharpen their gross motor skills. The walker has colorful buttons, small animals, and objects designed to intrigue your baby while encouraging them to stand and move around.

The learning walker also plays melodies, animal sounds, and other exciting sound effects that can keep the baby entertained for hours. As your little one grows, the toy can be adjusted and used as a regular walker.

When choosing a sit-to-stand learning walker, make sure it is lightweight and has sturdy wheels that can fit different types of surfaces. The best product can also be one of the greatest 7-month-old baby gifts for a special occasion.

Toy Telephone

Toy telephones are a classic toy that can help your 9-month-old learn about communication. Look for one with big, colorful buttons and cheerful sound effects that your baby can press. Toy telephones also have bright flashing lights, which will attract the attention of your little one.

This educational toy encourages role-play, hand-eye coordination, and basic communication skills. Plus, it's a great way to stimulate your baby's language development.

Overall, educational toys are important for babies and toddlers in their first year of life. They foster problem-solving abilities, sharpen motor skills, and can help encourage creative imagination.

Christmas Presents for a 9-Month-Old

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but buying the perfect gift for a baby can be overwhelming. The best gifts for a 9-month-old will stimulate their minds and help them learn new skills. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Activity Cube

An activity cube is a great gift for a 9-month-old. It has many different activities, like color matching and shapes, music, and lights. It helps to keep the baby engaged while they play and develop their fine motor skills.

Baby Walker

This is the age when babies start to take their first steps, and a walker can help them get around. Look for one with adjustable seat heights so it can grow as they do. Also, look for a built-in model with fun activities, like animal sounds and buttons.

Baby Blankets

Baby blankets, such as this organic handmade baby blanke t, are the perfect gift for a 9-month-old. Soft and gentle, these blankets keep the baby warm and cozy during nap time or playtime. Make sure to pick one with bold colors and patterns that will capture your baby's attention.

Doll Strollers

Doll strollers are fun to get your baby involved in pretend play. Look for one that is lightweight and easy to maneuver, as well as one with adjustable handles so it can be used for many years.

Rocking Toys

Rocking toys provide the perfect opportunity for babies to practice their balance and motor skills. Look for ones with plush animals and soft materials that are comfortable for the baby.

Blocks and Building Sets

Block and building sets are great gifts for 9-month-old babies. These toys help to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, reasoning, problem-solving, and creativity. Look for ones with stimulating colors and textures.

Final Thoughts

A 9-month-old is at the age of great development when it’s important to provide them with toys and activities that are fun and stimulating. 

From teethers and rattles to shape sorters, stacking cups, blocks, and more – these toys can help your baby develop their motor skills, explore problem-solving, and discover the world around them. Buy the best quality toys you can, and get toys that correspond to your baby’s age and interests. Above all, have fun with your little one during this amazing time!

Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking:

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Month 9: Top 10 Sensory Activities for your 9 month old baby

Home » Baby » Baby Activities » Month 9: Top 10 Sensory Activities for your 9 month old baby

· --> 7 min read

As an Occupational Therapist and a Mom I have put together top activities for your 9 month old baby. These activities will assist your baby with their cognitive (mind) and motor (movement) development.

Zoooommmmm…. Did you see me?…. Zoooommmmm… Faster than mommy express.. Faster than a speeding daddy bullet.. they call me.. J-Flash!

Today’s challenge for J-Flash is to find the hidden snake in these giant mountains that stand before me. Climbing these mountains is a small feat for a superhero like me. For I will crawl up… and then down.. and up and down and along the way manage to check out all the caves for the angry bear I will keep on zooming until I find him. Time waits for no man. Until next month.

Spending quality time with your baby is one of the most important things you can do. Quality time bundled with creative activities will help stimulate your child’s development.

The fictional story (above) introduced us to Josh’s homemade activities. The cushions acted as mountains and tents turned into caves. Be creative!

Try  this month’s activities to help your baby explore and learn as they play.

Development

What to expect from your 9 month old baby

• Motor Development: – Your baby loves moving around. Provide them with lots of opportunities to crawl, stand or cruise the furniture. – Changing positions is becoming easier: for example from tummy to back or to sitting. – Your baby may be pulling up to stand while holding on to the furniture. – Whenever possible allow your baby to walk/cruise barefoot. This allows better development of the muscles and tendons in their feet. – Your little one is now sitting unsupported. – Your baby is exploring objects around them through the use of their hands and mouth. – Their hand coordination improves as they are able to easier manipulate their toys. – They may be able to use their pincer grasp (use of thumbs and fingers) to pick up small objects and toys.
• Communication Development: – You may hear lots of babbling from your baby. You may be lucky to hear ‘mama or dada’ – Your little one’s understanding skills are also improving. As you ask ‘Where is Mama?’ they may be able to point to you or crawl over to you. – They may also start to use gestures to communicate their needs e.g. reach hands up to be picked up.
• Social Development: –  You may also notice some separation anxiety at this age.

Activities for your 9 month old baby

1. crawling on various surfaces, how to play.

As your baby strengthens their crawling skills you can try to push them further to continue strengthening their body through crawling. The last few months I have included a variety of crawling activities that contained chasing things/people or exploring different textures. This month I encourage you to develop simple crawling obstacle courses. Just like in this month’s story.

These can include:

• Crawling on unsteady surfaces such as trampolines, air mattresses or pillows.
• Creating mounds or “hills” from pillows and blankets. Then have them crawl around on them. Going up and down.
• You can play hide and seek, chase them around on all fours or have them follow their favorite or a random toy/object while crawling on top of the “hills”.

2. Messy play: Fun with Jell-O

This is such a fun game to do with your little one. You can do this activity either outside or inside. Either way it is best to put some kind of a splash mat under them to limit the mess. If warm enough I would recommend keeping your baby in their diaper to let them explore the texture freely without freaking out about their clothes getting dirty. This is completely up to you though.

Once the prep is done simply sit them on to the mat with the Jell-O in front of them and let them explore. You can place it directly on the mat or a tray. They may approach it head on and jump into exploring the texture or they may be slow to explore. Either is fine. If they are slow to explore just provide some encouragement by showing them it’s ok to play in it. You can also add straws and different sized containers that they can use to poke through the Jell-O. They may even find it fun to crawl around in it.

3. Lets shake it all around

Equipment needed: Tupperware containers (various sizes), plastic bottles, items to be placed inside containers (these can include: dry pasta, rice, beans, water beads, hard candy, bells or small toys).

Encourage your baby to explore different sounds and improve their manipulation skills by shaking a variety of home made rattles/shakers. Simply choose a container and place objects inside (ideas provided above) that make sound when shaken. To avoid any choking hazards ensure that containers are securely taped or glued.

Once completed let your baby explore and play music.

4. Grab and drop

In month 8 of this activity series I spoke about a tracking and reaching activity. This month I want to move it to the next level.

Have your baby seated on the floor. Place a large container in front of them as well as toys on both right and left sides. 1. Have your baby pick up objects from either side and then drop them into a container. 2. Encourage your baby to reach across their bodies to pick up an object on the opposite side. This is called crossing the midline (the invisible line in the middle of their body). Then have them drop the toy into the container. 3. Once all the toys are collected they can dump them all out and repeat. 4. Simultaneously you can encourage object exploration as you repeat the game with toys, balls, kitchen instruments, blocks etc.

5. Messy play: Flour play

This is just as simple as it sounds. Place some flour on a tray or on the floor and have your little one explore this texture.

You can also add some cars or animal toys that they can ride or walk through.

6. Humpty Dumpty

The objective of this game is to help develop your baby’s balancing skills while in a seated position. To start off, sit behind your baby and hold them by their hips. Then move their weight to one side. As you pull them off balance you want your baby to place their hand on that side for support. If they are unable to position their hand provide them with some guidance. Repeat this with the opposite side as well as forward and back.

To make this game more fun you can add the ‘Humpty Dumpty’ nursery rhyme to it. ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall’

As you say the words ‘fall’ move them off balance as described above.

7. Ziplock painting on a flat surface

Equipment needed: large zip lock bag, variety of paint colors and masking tape

1. Open up the zip lock bag and place a few drops of different colored paints inside. 2. Close the bag and secure it with masking tape. To avoid any paint spillage place the masking tape on both top and the bottom edges. 3. You can place the bag either on the floor or on a tray of a high chair. 4. Let your little one explore. They can squish and move the paint around mixing the colors.

8. Reach for the sky

The main objective of this activity is for your baby to reach for hanging toys with one of their hands while on their hands and knees. This position will encourage your baby to shift their weight onto one hand while reaching with the other.

1. Find toys that can be attached to a string. These can include bells, shakers, rattles etc. 2. Then attach them to objects that they can crawl under. These can include dining tables, work desks, tree branches or large boxes that your little one can crawl into. 3. Then let your baby loose to try to crawl to and reach for each toy. Make sure that each toy is high enough so your little one needs to stretch to get it.

9. Get grabbing!

As your baby continues to develop their gasping skills make sure you provide them with opportunities to grasp and manipulate a variety of different objects. Variety can be in size, shape and weight. This will strengthen both their tactile and proprioceptive sensory systems. As well as teach them how to problem solve their grasping skills.

At this age your baby is starting to learn how to use their thumb and pointer finger to grasp smaller objects. The safest way to practice this grasp is by providing your little one different types of finger foods such as peas, diced cooked carrots, small pieces of cheese etc

You can also provide smaller sized toys but make sure you ALWAYS SUPERVISE to avoid choking.

10. Squigz grab & pull

If you haven’t heard of Squigz then you could potentially be missing out on many fun memories. I use these frequently with toddlers and older kids but babies can get some fun in as well. Squigz is a suction toy that can be attached to various surfaces or to each other. I recommend the large size for our babies to eliminate a choking hazard. For more information check out the Squigz details.

With our young babies we can use them to develop their hand strength. Simply stick them to a small table or a high chair tray. Then watch them grasp and try to pull them off. You can also have them seated near a window and have them try to pull them off.

Remember that our 9 month old still loves to explore objects with their mouth. This means that these Squigz will quickly end up in their mouths, so you should always supervise your baby to avoid choking.

Occupational Therapy Tip: Working on a vertical surface, such as a window in this case, strengthens muscles in your baby’s shoulders and wrist. These are important for many fine motor skills such as writing and cutting.

Summary: Activities for your 9 month old baby

So there you have it. My top 10 Sensory Activities for your 9 month old that you can do today to help their development.

These are just a few activities that are bound to spark other ideas. Just remember that every new sensory experience is helping your child’s growth and development.

Remember: Each baby develops at their own pace. If your child is not ready or not interested in these months’ activities, just try them again in a few weeks.

Disclaimer: The activities in this blog are intended for sensory play. They are not a replacement for treatment of children with Sensory Processing Disorder, are not medical advice and should not be used in place of the care of a medical doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. These activities should be facilitated and supervised by an adult. All activities are to be performed at your own risk and in no event shall Sensory Lifestyle   be liable for any damages.

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6 Toys for a 9-Month-Old

Whether you like wooden blocks or toys with flashing lights, train sets or dressing-up boxes, the chances are that your 9-month-old baby is into everything .

But what are the best toys for a 9-month-old to encourage their curiosity and help them learn about the world?

Don’t worry, mama.

We’ve looked at the milestones your 9-month-old might be approaching and picked out the toys that will help them to practice their new skills.

What should a 9-month-old be doing?

What toys should a 9-month-old have.

Firstly, let’s park the “should” and remember that every baby is different and will develop at their own pace.

Some 9-month-olds will already be babbling from the minute they wake up, while others prefer to quietly observe.

Some might be crawling or cruising.

Others might have mastered the bottom-shuffle, or be perfectly content to sit where they are, thank you.

No matter what your little one is doing, the perfect developmental toy for your 9-month-old is out there.

At this age, your little one will probably be:

• Moving their whole body from a to b (AKA practicing their gross motor skills).
• Touching or picking up small objects (that’s their fine motor skills).
• Making (loud) noises or watching you as you speak and sing, which is their way of developing speech and language.

So how do you entertain a 9-month-old? You engage all of these newfound skills and interests.

Here are our top types of toys for a 9-month-old baby:

1. Ball pit

In the middle of a ball pit, your baby has a lot of options. They can kick their legs and watch the balls move, they can pick up the balls and pass them between their hands, they can mouth the balls, and they can have a go at throwing. It’s a big, colorful lesson in cause and effect.

2. Pop-up toy

Toys like Jack-in-the-boxes or pop-up farmyards help your little one to learn about object permanence (the idea that things still exist even when they can’t see them). It doesn’t matter how many times they watch these toys in action, they’ll still enjoy the surprise.

3. Toy phone

Babies can be pretty young when they start putting toys to their ear to “talk on the phone.” Whether you go for an electronic baby cell or a pull-along old-fashioned telephone, toy phones encourage babies to use their voices, mimic your tone, and practice their first words and sounds.

4. Shape sorter

At this age, some babies are ready to develop their problem-solving skills. A shape sorter is a great place to start. What’s more, they’re versatile. You can use the pieces to teach your baby about shapes, colors, and building towers too.

5. Baby walker

If your baby is already on the move, a push-along walker is a great toy to help them to stand up and develop their leg muscles ready for walking independently. Lots of walkers have buttons, music, and lights, so even if your 9-month-old spends the first few weeks sitting beside the walker, they’ll be entertained.

6. Activity cube

Usually, each side of an activity cube has a different developmental toy for your 9-month-old to explore. There might be a xylophone, an abacus, a mirror, or a bead roller coaster for them to play with.

You might also be interested in: What’s the Best 9-Month-Old Sleep Schedule?

And one last tip – common household objects can also make great toys for babies. To a 9-month-old, an old formula tin is a drum, a milk jug could be a shaker, and a cardboard box is the best seat in the house.

Let playtime begin!

Read next: Six Toys for 10-Month-Old Babies

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Problem-Solving Brain Games for Babies

January 30th, 2017 | 2 min. read

By Gryphon House

It can be daunting to come up with infant classroom ideas. There are so many ways babies learn, and so many things to teach them! One of the most universal things educators can work with is problem solving activities for infants. Problem solving strategies can be introduced to children pretty early, usually starting around 6 months. 

It can be daunting to come up with infant classroom ideas. There are so many ways babies learn, and so many things to teach them! One of the most universal things educators can work with is problem solving activities for infants. Problem solving strategies can be introduced to children pretty early, usually starting around 6 months. These activities can apply to universal problem solving—determining that individual actions can effect and fix problems—or specific problem solving like communicating with a caregiver. Cognitive activities for infants build these skills and pave the way for effective problem-solving abilities later in life.

There are several books that focus on puzzles for babies. One of them is Jackie Silberg ’s 125 Brain Games for Babies . This book serves as an excellent resource for parents and educators seeking advice on how best to engage with their children. Below are a few brain activities for babies that provide a foundation for problem-solving skills.

Pick Up, Throw Down

Infants are very observant. They notice when two things happen close together and strive to make a connection. When babies begin to hold and drop things, they notice if people stop to pick them up.

What to Do:

• Sit your baby in her high chair and give her several large toys to play with. Play with her and talk about the toy’s texture, what they are, and how they look
• After a while, drop one of the toys on the floor. Draw your baby’s attention to it by saying “Uh oh” or “Where did the rattle go?”
• Bend down and pick up the toy. Do this a few other times if your baby has not yet caught on
• When your baby drops or throws one of the toys on the ground, immediately pick it up and give it back to her. Over time, you can encourage her to point or vocalize to tell you where the toy is

Seek and Find

Once infants discover object permanence, a whole array of problem-solving opportunities open up. This activity facilitates that knowledge by encouraging babies to look for an object they can hear but not see.

• Find a wind-up clock that makes a ticking noise. Hold it up in front of your baby and say a little tick-tock rhyme, such as: “Tick tock, tick tock / Goes the clock / Tick tock”
• After a few moments, cover the clock with a scarf, blanket, or towel. Ask your baby where the tick-tock went
• Encourage your child to locate the clock using the sound it makes. When he pulls on the scarf, reveal the clock and say “Hooray!”
• Practice the game a bit more until your baby gets the hang of it. For an added challenge, move the clock to different places that your child can crawl towards

Quite Puzzling

One-piece puzzles help build motor skills as well as problem solving. Infants have to use trial and error as they attempt to figure out which way the piece fits inside the puzzle.

• Provide your baby with a simple one-piece puzzle with a wooden knob for them to grasp
• Talk to your baby as she tries to put the piece in its place. Ask her what she is doing and periodically turn the puzzle board slightly to help her put the piece in
• When your baby finally puts the piece in the puzzle, celebrate with clapping and praise

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