Top baby toys: 7 months to 1 year

Babies 7 months to 1 year old are preparing for—or may be already—crawling. That makes it a perfect time for toys that promote balance and hand-eye coordination. But be prepared—she’ll probably throw, chew, and empty everything that's within reach.

• Push and pull toys: Your baby is able to grab these toys easily and will enjoy learning how to make things move.
• Picture books: Help your little one explore the world around her with bright picture books to look at together. Also provide your baby with small, lightweight books she can hold and look at by herself.
• Balls and blocks: Rolling, stacking, making noise—all these activities will bring smiles and hours of fun to your baby and to you.
• Nesting toys: As your baby nears her first birthday, she’ll begin to recognize different sizes and shapes. Let her experiment with toys that fit inside each other, and show her how they stack too.
• Imitative toys: Believe it or not, your infant is ready to play “pretend.” A toy telephone, camera, or baby doll will help her explore the world of make-believe.
• Bath toys: Squeaky ducks, cups to fill with water and empty again—anything that’s water-safe and easy to hold can provide lots of entertainment.