Holy cow, babies change quickly. One minute you’re ooing and awing over your precious new little bundle and the next you’re teaching them to drive {insert sobbing face here}. Because they grow and change so quickly, their toys and gear change quickly as well. While I was searching for the best toys for 8-month-old boy I was totally overwhelmed. There are so many toys out there; you could spend a fortune just keeping up with your child’s development. I’ve found, the toys that can be used for various stages give you the best bang for your buck. Toys for 6 months that grow with Baby are what we’re still using at 8.5 months old. Score! These are the best 6-9 month toys and gear for Baby (as proven by my 8.5-month-old).
Best 6-9 Month Toys and Gear for Baby
You don’t need a lot of 6-9 month toys if you find ones that serve multiple purposes. Some of our favorite toys can most definitely be used before and after that time range as well. Several of the larger items on this list we bought when our son was 3 months old and he’s been using them in various capacities ever since. We fill in with new, small toys as he grows and needs more variety and new developmental toys. I can say for a fact these are the best toys for 8-month-old boy since that’s where we are at.
The Best Toys for 6 Months to 9 Months
Walker – We bought this Zebra Walker on sale when our son was only 3 months old. We used it as a seated toy starting around 4-5 months old. Now he still sits at it but mostly he climbs up it, stands at it pushing the buttons and has actually started trying to walk behind it, woah! It’s one of his favorite things so definitely one of the best toys for 8-month-old boy or girl!
Activity Center + Suction Cup Toys – We also got our Skip Hop Activity Center when my son was around 3 months old. He started using it basically right away but couldn’t really reach all the toys. As he’s grown he’s been able to grow with the various toys which makes it ever changing fun. It even turns into an activity table for when they’re preschoolers! We also add some suction cup toys (Sassy and Infantino are our favorites) that we rotate to keep things new and interesting.
Activity Mat + Mirror – Our Activity Mat came with a baby toy mirror but if yours didn’t, buy one. Our son loves giggling at himself in the mirror, it’s just adorable. This one also falls into the 6-9 month toys for development category.
John Deer Stacker – This is one of the best toys for 8-month-old boy or girl. It’s a bunch of toys in one and it’s a favorite in our house. The stacker makes animal noises when the correct animal ring is put in place, the tractor plays music when you push the top, it’s a different take on a car/truck toy, and it has a stacker! Looove it! {You know I just sang that like Oprah} This one of those perfect toys for 6 months and beyond.
Melissa and Doug Farm Puzzle – This farm puzzle is one of the dual duty toys that grow with your baby. Right now my son loves the shapes (for putting in his mouth and throwing) eventually it can be used for matching and for fitting the shapes in the correct place.
Stuffed Animals – We already have A LOT of stuffed animals from various family members. My favorites are the Melissa and Doug Orange Cat (similar) and the Melissa and Doug Black Cat because they match our real fur babies and they were the first thing I bought when we found out we were having a baby. HE plays with them now because they aren’t huge and I am sure they will grow with him.
I also made a large bunny out of the sweater my dad was wearing when he first met our son in the hospital. Heartbreakingly, we lost my dad 3 months later from cancer (F*@% cancer, amirite?!) and I wanted a tangible way for him to be a part of our son’s life. We now have the picture of them in the hospital above the bunny in his room. He doesn’t play with it now because it’s big but I know he will eventually. I’ve had a lot of people ask me to make one for them and I promise I’ll share directions on the blog so you can make a memory bear as well!
Chain Links – I received a pack of Chain Link Teethers as a gift and really wasn’t sure how I would use them. Well initially I used them for my genius mom hack and now we simply use them as toys and teethers. He just loves them! He goes crazy shaking them, trying to pull them apart, and, of course, putting them in his mouth. These are awesome toys for 6 months and beyond!
Duplo Legos – So, Duplo Legos are not technically toys for 6 months old but they were a hand-me-down and I was in need of some new toys for 8-month-old boy and decided to give him a few. As always, he loves putting them in his mouth and throwing them. He also loves when I put 2 together and then pull them apart like it’s a magic trick. It’s just adorable watching him try to figure out how I’m doing it. What’s also fun about these is we can play together because no one is too old for Legos.
Rattles – Still a favorite. The Oball, and Fisher Price set have been played with since our little guy was young. They are definitely toys that grow with your babe through the first year.
Books – These obviously fall into the 6-9 month toys for development category. We have a variety of board books (Little Blue Truck series is a favorite), crinkle books, and soft books.
Teethers – Great toys for 6 months because that’s around when babies start teething. It’s nice to have a few options so you can find what works. The chain links mentioned above are a type of teether but it’s good to have some soft ones as well. We have the Banana Tooth Brush Teether, FanFan the Fawn, a Sophie Teething Ring, and Keys that you can freeze. He loves all of them. His favorite is the Banana but Recently he really likes the frozen keys. If you go that route I would recommend 2 sets so you can rotate because they don’t stay frozen for long (but do freeze quickly).
Toy TV Remote – The only reason I bought this was to hopefully distract our son from the actual TV remote. It did not work. BUT he does love this toy because it plays music and lights up. He loves it and I guess it can be educational because it teaches counting so I don’t feel so terrible about it being a Toy TV Remote.
Melissa and Doug Latch Board – This latch board might be a little advanced to be considered one of the 6-9 month toys but I found it on sale and my son loves it. He can’t actually work the latches at this point but he loves feeling the different shapes and chains on the board. This one will definitely grow with your child and is worth the cost!
Caterpillar Rumbler Dump Truck – So this dump truck is one of the best toys for 8-month-old boy but I wouldn’t go much younger because it’s loud and it really rumbles! It actually startled my son the first time he saw what it did. But he’s starting to play with it now and I know it will be a favorite toy around the 9+ month mark.
Knee Hockey Stick (similar) – One of our favorite toys for 8-month-old boy is the knee hockey stick because we are a hockey family and because the instant we gave it to our son he loved it. This is just the start of a very expensive hockey obsession I anticipate in our future.
Ride On Toy – I got this Mega Bloks Ride On Jeep at a second-hand sale for future use. At 8 months old I have sat him on it and pushed him and he already enjoys it. He won’t be able to do it himself for a while but he enjoys being pushed and it will grow with him!
Best Baby Gear for 6-9 Months
Camelbak Bottle – Super weird for a baby but our son was always obsessed with our Camelbak Eddy water bottles so I decided to let him try it out. It took him maybe 30 seconds to figure out how to work the no spill bite valve and straw and he’s been hooked on one ever since. I got him his very own little baby Camelbak bottle and we keep it on hand for water at all times. There is ZERO spillage with Camelbak bottles so perfect for little ones. Plus, Camelbak has a lifetime warrenty on their tops. They’ll send you a new top, bite valve, and straw for free if you have any issues. All you do is go to their website, give your info, and answer a couple super brief questions. Super easy and a few days later you have a basically new bottle. Awesome!
Miracle 360 Cup – We’re using the Miracle 360 Cup to teach him how to use a regular cup. He prefers the Camelbak right now but the Miracle Cup is good for preparing him for drinking from the edge of a glass.
Coverall Bib – When they start eating bigger chunks and feeding themselves, full coverage bibs are a must. It’s ridiculous how much mess a tiny person can make. Get at least one coverall bib.
Early Walker Shoes – So, Robeez are amazing. It’s getting cool so socks are a must. The kind that stay on my son’s feet don’t have grips on the bottom. You can either add grips with hot glue or puff paint or you can get early walker shoes. I opted for the shoes because they are more versatile and he can wear them outside if needed. Robeez are thin leather that allows the foot to flex as it if were barefoot but provides traction. and, key point, they stay on! We got this Hockey themed pair because hockey = life. Duh.
Toy Safety Straps – I bought these toy straps last week and I have no idea why I didn’t buy them sooner. As soon as your child is picking up toys and dropping/throwing them, get these.
Playpen + Play Mat – I recently wrote a blog on how a baby playpen + baby play mat for crawling changed my life. Read it. Buy it. Love it.
That’s Our List of Favorite 6-9 Month Toys and Gear for Baby!
They’re the best 6-9 Month toys and gear for our little man and he’s a baby genius so you really just can’t go wrong 😉 PLUS, they’re all things that can be used for those 3 months and beyond.
Make sure you’ve got everything covered. Check out my list of must-have baby items for 3-6 months.
What are your favorite 6-9 month toys and gear for babies?
Let me know in the comments below! After all, my son’s always looking for the best toys for 8-month-old boy 😉
XO,
Meg
