Holiday Gift Guide Part II
As promised, here is a list of the best baby toys for babies 6-12 months old. All these toys encourage development of movement milestones!
Squigz
I think these toys are my absolute favorite of all time. They are great for babies, toddlers, and even school-aged kids! They suction to mirrors, windows, hard floors, and foreheads! I like to use them to work on standing balance by placing them up high for munchkins to reach overhead, push together and pull apart for hand and arm strength, and for the silly, endless fun they provide to all munchkins! ;)
Sensory Books
These books were my daughter's favorite thanks to her Auntie Ashley. Babies love crinkle textures! It’s great to introduce your munchkin to turning pages in a book in the 9-12 month range.
Blocks
Blocks are a great toy to encourage babies to bang 2 toys together (4-6 months), transfer a toy from one hand to another (6 months), and to eventually stack the blocks (12+ months). It’s also fun to build a block tower then kick it over to work on standing balance for the walking munchkin.
Shape Sorter
Shape sorters can of course be used in the traditional way. However, typically munchkins achieve the skills to do a shape sorter closer to 2 years old. I like using shape sorters to encourage the skills of taking toys out of a container (6-9 months) and putting in (9-12 months). Your munchkin will continue to use this toy until he masters the shape sorting. That means almost 1.5 years of playing with a single toy!
Play Table
When looking for a play table, I would prioritize a table where the legs can be removed. This is to make the toy last longer and encourage different physical positions and activities for your munchkin. This table has the capability to lay flat without any legs-great for tummy time in that 5-6 month range. You can also attach one leg and prop it up like an easel. This modification is perfect for allowing your munchkin to sit and play or play while on her knees. Finally, you can use the table in the typical form as a full table with all legs. This will help with pre-walking skills such as pulling to stand, squat to stand, and cruising.
I do not recommend equipment where your munchkin is placed in a seat/harness where she can stand, bounce, or walk. Tables that require your munchkin to be in a position that is too advanced for them (i.e. standing for a munchkin who is only 6 months) is unnecessary and can cause delays in movement milestones. Let’s save further explanation on that topic for a different post. :)
Ride on Toy
I love all the benefits of ride on toys. Typically munchkins can start to propel themselves once they can crawl and stand up at furniture. That can be as early as 9 months, however for some it can be a bit later. My little one wasn’t interested until she was closer to 12 months. Ride on toys help babies learn spatial awareness as they will bonk into walls and furniture while propelling. It is also great for muscle strength and endurance and coordination as several muscle groups have to work in a coordinated pattern to be successful with moving the toy forwards, backwards, and eventually turning side to side. For a munchkin who is not yet able to walk, it will help her be able to learn how to bear weight on her feet and work through the available motion of the ankle joints. These are great pre-walking skills. Most ride on toys have a handle on the back that allows for munchkins to use as a push toy when first walking. Awesome 2-in-1!
Push toy/ Baby walker
Some call these baby walkers but I like to call them push toys. This is because I do not want people to be confused with different equipment. I recommend a toy where the munchkin is free of any seat or harness and where he can hold onto the toy with only his hands to push and walk. There are so many wonderful options, so any toy will do! As mentioned above, the back of a ride on toy works great too!
I do not recommend a baby walker where the munchkin is placed in a harness and he can walk around while being secured in the equipment. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend baby walkers. In fact, they have made several claims that they should be banned in the United States as they are in other countries due to the incidence of injuries to babies while using a walker.
I hope this list gives you a little insight into the things to consider when buying toys for that special baby in your life! Happy Holidays!
Keep your munchkin moving!
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