The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds, Tested by Babies and Moms

Designed for infants 6 months and older, this 12-piece plush toy invites little ones to reach, grab and pull out a variety of colorful “ingredients” before stuffing them back into a smiling taco shell. Equal parts playful and purposeful, it’s a simple setup that provides children with endless practice grasping, transferring between hands and sorting—all while engaging multiple senses.

“At this age, my baby enjoys disassembling the toy much more than trying to put it back together,” our tester Shannon W. shared. “We got into a good rhythm of me putting the toy together and him taking it apart, several times over.” Baby engaged in every position—on his back, on his tummy and in supported sitting—and the excitement was easy to spot: “My son loved it and showed his excitement by reaching for it, kicking his feet and smiling. He has showed this reaction each time I bring out the toy.”

Shannon also appreciated that the taco shell comes pre-assembled, so it’s ready to use right out of the box. The varied textures include two teether pieces and crinkly fabric, and the stitching is sturdy, making every piece soft and safe for mouthing. It’s also lightweight, making it a smart pick for travel or tossing in the diaper bag for entertainment at a restaurant. Plus, there’s bonus play value as children grow—Shannon’s preschooler loved identifying colors and shapes on the fabric, “in addition to taking my order at her taco stand and making me a great taco!”

Age rating: 6+ months | Dimensions: 3.1" (L) x 10.1" (W) x 9.5" (H) | Batteries required: No

At six months, babies are eager to practice sitting up, and giving them a safe seat to help can make all the difference. “Six-month-olds are just starting to sit independently and get around by rolling or scooting on their bellies,” says Lisa Lohiser, EdD, manager of early childhood development research at Fisher-Price. “Sit-at toys with lots of textures and activities provide a great core and fine motor workout.” The Bright Starts SuperSeat Playful Paradise offers three modes in one: an activity seat with six sensory toys, a snack tray chair and (once they get older) a booster seat for mealtime. The supportive foam insert helps hold baby steady, while the rotating tray keeps their six built-in jungle pals close enough to spin, tap and grab as they get the hang of sitting up comfortably solo.

“My baby was extremely excited to see this activity seat and included toys,” Our tester Macie S. tells us. “She smiled, squealed and was jumping in excitement on me.” Her 6-month-old daughter quickly settled into the seat and stayed happily playing upright for more than 20 minutes at a time. “My baby immediately started playing with the toys and I did not have to show her how to use them,” Macie tells us. The crinkly leaf and bead-filled spinner were instant favorites (“she also loves spinning the plastic knobs on each side of the seat”) and Macie appreciated that some toys detach for floor play. Setup was simple too: “This chair was extremely easy to set up and use with my 6-month-old baby,” Macie reported.

The SuperSeat also doubles as a snack tray chair (simply spin the tray around to use it), and don’t worry—cleanup is simple thanks to the wipeable surface and a removable foam insert. While the lightweight build makes it easy to move room to room, Macie notes that it may not feel as durable as heavier models. “There was slight difficulty getting my baby in and out of the seat since it requires you to remove a small section of the chair,” she adds. That being said, “my baby easily sat in the chair and I could quickly attach the 3-point harness to her.”

What really stood out, though, was how the seat kept her daughter upright and engaged independently—building core strength and confidence through play. As Macie sums up: “My baby really enjoys this activity seat and I would say it’s one of her favorite toys at this stage. She still uses it daily.”

Age rating: 6 to 36 months | Dimensions: 22.4" (L) x 22.4" (W) x 22" (H) | Batteries required: No

If you’re looking for a toy that sparks giggles and encourages give and take with baby, the Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll is a standout choice. Developed with early childhood specialists, the touch-activated plush doll recites familiar phrases and sings songs from the beloved show, offering babies and toddlers alike a chance to join in—together.

“Both of my children enjoyed it in different ways,” our tester Amber B. told us. “My baby liked holding and listening, while my toddler pressed the buttons and sang along.” She noted that her 6-month-old happily grabbed, mouthed and cooed while the doll played music, while her toddler took the lead in making the doll “dance” and repeating favorite lines. The real magic, though, came from joining in together: “It was a great tool for us to mirror the doll’s actions, like doing peek-a-boo together or dancing along when it sang, which made it not just a toy but a chance for interactive, playful learning.”

The doll is soft yet durable, built to withstand baby chewing and comes with a quiet/loud switch for sensory sensitivities. While the buttons are intuitive for older toddlers, Amber noted her 6-month-old needed help to activate the songs. Still, she adds, “it’s easy for parents to jump in and press the buttons, which makes playtime together very simple and enjoyable.” That limitation ended up being a huge plus, since it encouraged her toddler to press buttons while baby held and listened—an easy setup for sibling play and family interaction.

With its mix of comfort and entertainment, it’s a toy that can grow with children, offering baby a snuggly, musical companion now and a source of language practice as they get older. And when playtime winds down, it’s still soft enough to serve as a cuddly comfort toy.

Age range: 6 months to 3+ years | Dimensions: 8.4" (L) x 11" (W) x 12.75" (H) | Batteries required: Yes

A toy that baby makes gripping easy is an excellent way to promote fine motor skills development with your 6-month-old—the more hands-on the better. And the Baby Einstein Grip & Spin Oball Rattle Toy is designed with those little hands in mind. The bendable frame has holes just the right size for tiny fingers to slip through, making it easy for baby to grab, hold and turn the toy to explore what’s inside.

“The small holes in the toy are the perfect size,” our tester Chantelle H. confirms. “They aren’t too big for baby’s hands to get stuck, but they are big enough for him to easily grasp the ball and hold onto it himself.” Her 6-month-old reached for the toy instantly and could grab it easily without it rolling away (though, being six months old, he was mostly interested in mouthing it). The rattle and spinning mirror drew his attention briefly, but she suspects the toy will really shine as he grows. “I think once he crawls, he will love going after the ball and will be more interested in the other unique sensory aspects of this toy, like the spinning component inside the ball, the mirror and the rattle.”

The ball’s lightweight design means it won’t hurt if dropped, and its durable plastic frame can withstand plenty of chewing and tossing. Chantelle noted it wipes clean easily, though the interior can’t be reached. Overall, she found it to be “a fantastic toy option to practice fine motor skills”—one that will only grow more engaging as baby moves from early grasping to crawling.

Age range: 0+ months | Dimensions: 4" (L) x 4" (W) x 4" (H) | Batteries required: No

Reaching, rocking, inching forward—sometimes the right toy may be just the thing to encourage baby’s pre-crawling moves. That’s what our tester Samantha A. found with the Roller Classic. Light enough for little hands to grab, the simple wooden toy prop nudged her baby to reach further, push a little harder and practice those early rock-on-the-knees moments.

“In just 3 days of using the toy and my baby constantly having to reach for it as it rolls away, she learned to get on her knees and start rocking,” Samantha tells us. And once her daughter realised the toy could roll, the game clicked. “She started throwing and pushing it away, then shimmying to grab it again.” Each session turned into a mini workout in disguise, and it quickly became the first toy she reached for during playtime. Even when she tired of the chase, her six-month-old enjoyed rolling onto her back to shake it and hear the gentle rattle inside.

Crafted from chemical-free rubberwood, the Roller Classic feels sturdy despite its palm-size build, and it holds up to daily drops and tosses with no issues. “It didn’t even cross my mind that the toy would break at all,” shares Samantha. “There are no loose parts, and everything feels nice and sturdy. The toy can definitely last years.” Samantha noticed the bright colors kept her daughter interested, too, though it couldn’t compete with her teething toy for long stretches of attention. And when it comes to getting baby's body moving, the Roller Classic punches above its weight. “Lots of toys for 6-month-old babies are usually teething toys,” she reflected. “So this one is a breath of fresh air, and it improved my baby’s physical movement.”

Age range: 6+ months | Dimensions: 2.6" (L) x 2.2" (W) x 2.6" (H) | Batteries required: No

The classic jack-in-the-box gets a softer, baby-friendly makeover with Baby GUND’s Fox in a Box. Tap the soft-sided box and a plush fox pops up and plays music, sparking those early cause-and-effect connections. For younger babies, the surprise alone is enough to capture their attention. As they grow, they’ll start to anticipate what’s coming next and eventually learn how to make it happen themselves. It’s the kind of simple, surprising play that sparks both curiosity and confidence.

Amber B. said her 6-month-old was instantly intrigued: “At this stage, my 6-month-old mostly interacted with the toy by grabbing for the box and trying to put it in his mouth, but he was definitely intrigued when the fox popped out and sang. He would pause, stare and listen, which showed me it was capturing his attention.” She even noticed him catching on “that something fun was going to happen.” And it’s these small doses of anticipation and surprise that also form a key part of emotional regulation. The toy is sure to grow with baby too—Amber’s toddler loved tapping the box to activate the fox on his own.

“The songs and pop-up action are entertaining without being overwhelming, and the fact that it has two modes makes it feel more versatile than a standard pop-up toy,” Amber told us. We love that the soft, plush construction makes it safe for little hands, and Amber was impressed with the quality: “While the fox mechanism is electronic, it doesn’t feel fragile or overly delicate. I think this toy will easily last through multiple children and could be passed down without issue.” Cleanup was simple with spot cleaning, and the toy stood up well to grabbing and pressing from both toddler and baby. The only quirk? If you want to switch it off mid-song, you’ll need to wait until the fox retreats back inside. Still, Amber tells us, “I can see it being engaging for several months and even more fun once he’s old enough to understand cause and effect.”

Age range: 0+ months | Dimensions: 6.25" (L) x 6.25" (W) x 6.25" (H) | Batteries required: No

Six-month-old babies are all about touching, squeezing and mouthing everything within reach—and Sophie the Giraffe is a natural fit for tactile exploration. Made from natural rubber with a soft, flexible body and firmer spots like ears and horns for teething relief, Sophie offers just the right variety of textures to keep little hands and mouths busy. No surprise she’s become a cult favorite among parents.

“He lights up every time he sees this giraffe! I bring it with us everywhere for this reason,” our tester, Caitlyn M., tells us. “He squeals every time it makes noise and he absolutely loves chewing on it. It is great for teething babies and provides soothing comfort.” She adds, “This toy is perfect for tactile exploration and right now is the ideal age at 6 months.”

Because it’s so light, Caitlyn noticed her infant could hold it out to examine it, pass it between hands and gnaw away happily without frustration. She also appreciated the toy’s practical side—Sophie wipes clean easily, feels durable and looks appealing enough to tote everywhere. Plus, “it is teething-friendly and very durable. I can see this toy lasting through multiple babies.” The price tag may be steep for a teether, but Caitlyn said seeing her son’s reaction made it worth it: “After witnessing and seeing how much my son interacts with it, is entertained by it and loves it, I think it might be worth the price point.”

Age range: 0+ months | Batteries required: No

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Object permanence is one of baby’s first big “aha!” moments—the realization that things don’t just vanish when they’re out of sight is a huge step for little ones. The Sassy Wonder Wheel Ball Drop brings that lesson to life. The colorful spinning wheel has four chambers where baby can drop a ball. As the wheel whirls, the balls disappear and then reappear at the bottom, showing object permanence in a way that’s simple, repetitive and endlessly engaging.

“My baby instantly loved the brightly colored spinning wheel,” Macie told us. “She loves spinning it even without using the included balls.” After some modeling from mom, Macie’s baby began dropping the balls in herself, watching with excitement as they traveled around the wheel and plunked out at the bottom. The textured balls add extra sensory appeal, and the thrill of the fast spin kept her baby coming back. “She immediately smiled and jumped/moved her arms around in excitement,” Macie told us, adding that it quickly became one of her baby’s favorite toys—they played with it multiple times a day.

While the wheel can tip over if baby pushes too hard, Macie noted it was easy for her daughter to spin and play independently once she steadied it. But durability was a big plus. “The quality is great and the materials used feel high quality,” Macie said. “The toy functions exactly how it should and seems very durable. I think this toy would last years as long as the included balls do not go missing.”

Age range: 6+ months | Dimensions: 10" (L) x 8" (W) x 4.5" (H) | Batteries required: No

For baby, books are as much for chewing and crumpling as they are for reading. Indestructibles books are designed with exactly this fact in mind—they’re rip-proof, waterproof and chew-proof, so baby can engage however roughly or messily they like. Meanwhile, the bright colors and simple peek-a-boo theme encourage bonding, early language skills and playful interaction (without you worrying about torn pages).

Caitlyn’s baby was hooked from the start. “He immediately grabbed the book and was quick to start chewing on it and staring at each page. He squeals every time I read the book to him and gets visually excited (kicking legs and cooing) when I turn the pages.” But the real win was how the book turned language practice into fun, interactive play: “This book is designed perfectly for language and sensory development. The story is very engaging for caregiver and baby bonding.”

Made of tight-woven material, Baby can chew, crumple, drool on or toss the book without leaving a mark, while the waterproof pages can be wiped clean and washed without being ruined. While Caitlyn did find that her 6-month-old needed help turning the pages, its small size and chunky pages made it easy for him to hold. “It is as simple as just handing it over to your infant for endless entertainment.”

Age range: 0+ months | Dimensions: 0.2" (L) x 7" (W) x 7" (H) | Batteries required: No

Not all sound toys have to play high-pitched nursery rhymes (you can breathe a sigh of relief). The Janod Pure Rainstick offers a gentler way to engage baby’s auditory senses: beads tumble down through wooden propellers inside a clear tube, creating a soft rain-like sound that’s both calming and captivating. It’s simple, soothing and just right for babies who are curious about sound but easily overstimulated by noisy toys. “My son started grabbing at it and making noise with it right away,” Caitlyn told us. “As a mom, I especially appreciate that the noise is not loud songs or talking, but instead a more natural noise that it makes with the beads moving around inside. It is not obnoxiously loud like other baby toys I have experienced.”

Made from wood with a sturdy plastic window, it’s a toy built to last. “I personally only buy wooden toys for my little ones due to them lasting longer,” Caitlyn tells us. “I believe the toy would last through several kids with no issue.” For her, it struck the perfect balance between quality and price.

More importantly, the toy kept her baby engaged during tummy time and while sitting up, without causing frustration. “He was very perplexed and intrigued when he first saw the toy,” Caitlyn shared. But “once he started rolling it and saw the movement and heard the noise, he became visually excited.” Shaking, rolling or simply watching the beads fall all provided different ways to play, making the Janod Pure Rainstick surprisingly versatile. And while her 6-month-old struggled to grab the toy with one hand, its lightweight design made it easy for him to grasp it and lift it with both hands.

Age range: 6 months to 2 years | Dimensions: 2.4" (L) x 2.4" (W) x 6.7" (W) | Batteries required: No

Depth perception takes practice, and stacking toys make it fun. But the Sassy Stacks of Circles adds a clever twist: every ring has the same size opening, so baby can stack them in any order without getting frustrated. The real payoff? When baby leans forward to grab a ring or reaches for one just out of reach—tiny moves that help build spatial awareness

Amber B. said her son found plenty of ways to explore. “At six months, my baby is mostly practicing grasping, bringing toys to midline and putting them in his mouth, and the size and shape of these rings made that really easy for him to do,” she told us. Lightweight and textured, the rings were easy for him to hold, shake and chew. Plus, the bright colors kept him nicely engaged without overstimulating him. The rattling ring quickly became a favorite, keeping him focused as he learned to shake it on his own. As baby grows, the toy adapts into a lesson in stacking, sorting, colors and even counting.

“It’s also helpful for practicing depth perception as I scatter the rings slightly out of reach—he tries to scoot or lean forward to grab them, and he’s often successful.” While he isn’t stacking yet, the design makes that the next natural step. She added that the toy is “simple, but it invites open-ended play that works at different developmental levels,” keeping it useful beyond the first year.

Quality-wise, Amber described the rings as durable and safe for chewing, though she found the center post a bit lightweight compared to the rings themselves. Still, she felt the set offered excellent value: “It’s such a classic toy that grows with a child from infancy into toddlerhood. It’s the kind of simple, open-ended toy that every playroom should have.”

Age range: 6+ months | Dimensions: 5" (L) x 4.5" (W) x 9" (H) | Batteries required: No

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