The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds, According to Parents and Experts

At 8 months old, your little one is getting stronger and more discerning by the day. “Baby’s becoming more mobile, more communicative and exploring the world around them,” explains Jana Sarno, BCBA, a board-certified behavior analyst and the chief clinical officer of Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers. So, if you’re finding the toys they once loved a week ago are now gathering dust, fear not: this is a regular rite of passage.

“Babies at this age are craving to explore,” says Laura Purdy, MD, MBA, a family doctor in Nashville, Tennessee. They are “learning how to interact with the world and people around them, and they are very curious.” Plus, their depth perception is improving, meaning they can (and will) reach out and grab more. They’re also starting to recognize you and other familiar faces from across the room.

As wonderful as it is to see baby becoming more observant and active, this also sets the stage for separation anxiety. It may not be pretty, but it is perfectly natural—a sure sign of a healthy parent-child bond. And the toys you select now can help not only curb the clinginess but also nurture those emerging skills and support their development.

We’ve rounded up expert- and parent-tested-and-approved picks that encourage exploration, strengthen milestones and (most importantly) keep baby happily entertained.

How We Chose the Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds

The Bump Editors combined expert input with extensive market research to narrow down the most engaging, developmentally appropriate toys for 8-month-olds:

• We interviewed a board-certified behavior analyst, an early childhood educator and a family doctor for guidance on how to select developmentally appropriate toys for 8-month-old infants.
• We tested many of the toys featured in this list with real families. Each product tester unboxed and used the individual toys with their child during playtime and evaluated them based on ease of use, play and entertainment value, learning and skill-building, quality and durability, value for money and, of course, baby’s reaction.
• We conducted a survey of parents within The Bump community asking about their favorite toys for 8-month-olds (and why)
• To understand how these toys have worked for various little ones, we consulted product testers, scoured external forums and message boards and read user reviews to find out what parents nationwide looked for in the best toys for 8-month-olds.

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The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds

*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.

How Do 8-Month-Olds Play?

The eight-month mark is an exciting time for you and baby. The major baby milestones are coming in fast: they’re seeing more, recognising more and moving more.

“Eight months is one of the most exciting times in a baby’s and parents’ life! They are probably not walking yet, but they’re very likely moving in the direction of mobility,” says Purdy. “It is a game changer!”

According to Purdy, infants at this age typically reach the following developmental markers:

• Starting to pull up into a standing position
• Recognizing familiar faces
• Rocking back and forth on their hands and knees
• Sitting unassisted
• Picking up objects with a thumb and forefinger (aka mastering the pincer grasp)
• Passing objects from one hand to the other
• Making sounds like “ma-ma-ma-ma” and “ba-ba-ba-ba”
• Expressing a range of emotions through their face and body language

But don’t get too hung up on your little one ticking every box. Every child develops at their own pace, and ‘should’ is a phrase to be taken lightly. “Milestones are a spectrum and a continuum,” affirms Purdy. “So just because your baby isn’t doing some or all of these things, that doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a problem.”

Now is the time to tap into the toys and activities that support baby’s growing repertoire of skills. And of course, follow up with your pediatrician as often as recommended. In the meantime, make sure you are baby-proofing everything.

How to encourage baby’s play

In many ways, your 8-month-old is a far cry from who they were only a few weeks ago, so don’t be discouraged if the toys and activities that once rocked their world barely get a nod now. It’s not boredom, baby is adapting to a whole new way of seeing and experiencing. And communicating with you is a big part of it.

“Early communication and social skills begin to emerge around this stage,” says Sarno. “At 8 months, infants typically display their emotions through facial expressions and body language, as well as make sounds like ‘ma ma ma ma’ and 'babababa.’ They may also understand their name or certain words.”

That’s a lot of brain power for any one toy or game to keep up with. But, Sarno says, there are still tons of opportunities for you to incorporate play into everyday activities and keep them engaged. “Play is how babies and children learn how the world works around them.”

Here are just a few of the ways she recommends to weave developmental play into your everyday routine:

• Hand baby a toy during diaper changes. “Musical and sensory toys like egg shakers, the Shake Shake Sophie La Giraffe rattle (see above) or a soft crinkle book can often keep even the wiggliest infants entertained,” says Sarno.
• Have fun at meal time. “Meal time should still be focused on the food, but why not have fun with it?” says Sarno. “Babies can work on their pincher grasp by picking up yogurt melts, puffs, peas or small pieces of strawberry.” And hey, if they end up ‘painting’ a little with their truck-shaped baby spoon and pureed blackberries, Sarno says “it becomes a built-in sensory experience and may help prevent picky eating.”
• Keep their favorites on repeat. Repetition is the last thing that will bore baby. “Babies are drawn to repetition because it’s familiar, but it also helps them learn,” explains Sarno. It helps them pick up routines and supports their language development. Reading from the same book as part of bedtime is one example. “If you start when they are young, you may even notice them finishing the sentences for you in several months,” she adds.
• Bounce and sing along. “Repetition also builds excitement when kids know what’s coming,” says Sarno. “Parents can play off of this by bouncing baby on their knees to certain songs, which will teach them to expect what’s coming the next time around.”
• Peek-a-boo the anxiety away. Separation anxiety is strong at this age—to toys and people. “Games like peek-a-boo can help with this,” says Sarno. “Hide a toy under a blanket and show them how to find it. Or, to show them that their loved ones will always come back, show them how you will hide behind the couch and pop up to say “hello!” or “peek-a-boo” with them over and over.”

Every day brings something new to master. See what else is happening developmentally in our 8-month-old baby milestones guide.

What Toys are Good for 8-Month-Old Infants?

To build on baby’s blossoming physical and social skills, Purdy recommends toys that involve reciprocal play or cause and effect. Rolling a ball back and forth is one example. Toys with buttons that trigger lights or sounds are another. And as baby is refining their hand-eye coordination skills, Purdy also suggests introducing small, easy-to-grasp toys that they can pass from hand to hand.

Of course, you don’t need a mountain of traditional toys to engage with your 8-month-old. Each of our experts says that everyday household items can be equally as effective. “Using a bandana to play peek-a-boo will have your 8-month-old in fits of giggles, and help them learn about object permanence, says Monness. You can even use a colander to up the ante; baby will be able to peer through the tiny holes. “It’s a fun way to play peek a boo because you can still see the object or person behind ever so slightly,” she adds. What’s more, these kitchen items make amazing bath toys.

Another unconventional go-to? A salad spinner. “Just like a jack-in-the-box, a salad spinner shows a child that when they do one thing, it causes another,” explains Monness. But without the potential scare-factor. And don’t underestimate the appeal of a stainless steel bowl or baby-safe pots and pans. Some ‘toys’ are classics for a reason.

Of course, you can never go wrong with a great book. “Books with pictures and words that go along with familiar songs like The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Los Pollitos (for Spanish-speakers) introduce language in a fun, new way,” says Sarno. “Plus, it helps them retain it.”

What to Look for in Toys for 8-Month-Olds

The best playthings are entertaining, educational and encouraging. Aside from the fun-factor, it’s important that toys are age-appropriate and safe. According to the experts we consulted, here’s what you need to do when shopping for toys for your 8-month-old:

• Keep an eye on the size of parts. At this age, kids love to put things in their mouths. But small toys or items with loose parts can pose a safety risk. With this in mind, choose non-toxic toys that are larger than baby’s mouth to prevent choking—and sturdy enough to withstand a good nibble.
• Prioritize safety. Around this age, little ones are apt to become attached to a favorite baby blanket or lovey. That comfort is great for separation anxiety, but make sure to follow safe sleep practices and keep them out of baby’s crib.
• Embrace different textures. “I believe in giving babies a variety of materials and textures when it comes to their play so that they are exposed to things,” says Monness. With this in mind, look for colorful toys that feature crinkly fabrics, hidden rattles and knobbly or squishy surfaces.

And remember: with newfound mobility comes an increased risk of falling. “Keep toys off of shelves they will want to climb,” advises Sarno. “Keep them buckled in any sitting-related toys that would be dangerous if they topple over. Constant supervision is key as little ones become more adventurous.”

About the writer:
Keshia Roelofs is an e-commerce editor at The Bump, where she researches, edits and writes content supporting parents through pregnancy, postpartum and parenthood. With a background in audience research, Keshia is passionate about delving deep into parents’ needs and helping them make more confident, informed choices. Since 2020, she has collaborated with coaches, experts and human-centered brands, translating complex topics into empowering content that serves those who need it most. As a member of The Bump editorial team, she brings that same people-first approach and editorial rigor to create research-led e-commerce content that families can trust.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.