10 Best Toys for 6–12 Months That Boost Development and Fun in 2025
From tummy time to first steps, your baby’s world is bursting with discovery between 6 and 12 months. They’re learning to sit, crawl, babble, and grasp — making this stage the perfect time to introduce toys that inspire curiosity, encourage movement, and build fine motor skills. The best toys for 6–12 months that boost development.
We’ve curated a list of 10 top-rated toys, all loved by parents and designed to support your baby’s growth and learning journey. Every toy below has a 4.7-star rating or higher, ensuring they’re both fun and trusted.

How We Chose These Toys – Best Toys for 6–12 Months
At Parenting Genie, we only recommend toys that:
- Encourage motor and sensory development
- Offer safe, durable, and baby-friendly materials
- Keep babies entertained while supporting learning milestones
- Have rave reviews from real parents
- Pass strict safety standards
1. VTech Magic Star Learning Table – Best Toys for 6–12 Months
Transform your baby’s playtime into an adventure of lights, sounds, and colours. The VTech Magic Star Learning Table is a multi-activity centre that grows with your child — from floor play to standing exploration.

Price: $41.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.8
Key Features
- Over 6 bilingual activities (English & Spanish)
- Teaches colours, numbers, and sounds
- Detachable legs for floor or standing play
- Encourages motor coordination and balance
Parenting Genie Tip:
Perfect for babies learning to pull up or stand. It keeps little ones engaged and encourages early walking confidence.
2. Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
This colourful maze of soft tubes doubles as a teething and sensory toy — a must-have for 6–9-month-olds discovering their hands and mouths.

Price: $17.97 AUD | ⭐ 4.8
Key Features
- Lightweight and easy to grasp
- BPA-free soft tubes for teething
- Encourages clutching and hand-eye coordination
- Refrigerate for teething relief
Parenting Genie Tip:
A lifesaver during teething! Keep one at home and another in your nappy bag.
3. LeapFrog My Pal Scout – Best Toys for 6–12 Months
Meet Scout — your baby’s cuddly learning companion! This soft plush toy introduces your baby to songs, emotions, and first words while serving as the perfect snuggle buddy.

Price: $24.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.7
Key Features
- Over 40 songs and lullabies
- Teaches colours, emotions, and counting
- Personalise with your baby’s name
- Connects via app for customised play
Parenting Genie Tip:
Ideal for bedtime or car rides. Babies love the comforting voice and gentle glow of Scout.
4. VTech Baby Lil’ Critters Moosical Beads
Cute, cuddly, and full of musical fun! This plush cow introduces early learning concepts while encouraging tactile play.

Price: $17.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.8
Key Features
- 30+ playful songs, melodies, and sounds
- Bead ring for motor skills
- Soft textures and bright patterns
- Portable and baby-safe
Parenting Genie Tip:
A perfect mix of snuggles and stimulation — helps babies recognize patterns and sounds.
5. Skip Hop Follow-Me Bee Crawl Toy
Encourage crawling and movement with this interactive bee toy that rolls, lights up, and plays fun tunes to motivate babies to chase and explore.

Price: $29.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.6
Key Features
- 3 crawl stages (tummy time, pre-crawl, active crawl)
- Moves and wobbles to engage movement
- Soft lights and cheerful sounds
- Builds strength and coordination
Parenting Genie Tip:
Excellent for tummy time! Babies are instantly drawn to the motion and sounds.
6. Bright Starts Easy-Grasp Oball Bundle Gift Set
Simple yet brilliant! This lightweight ball-and-rattle set helps babies develop grip strength and coordination — perfect for little hands.

Price: $9.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.8
Key Features
- BPA-free, flexible design
- Easy for tiny fingers to hold
- Promotes grasping and shaking
- Durable and dishwasher-safe
Parenting Genie Tip:
A go-to toy for on-the-go playtime or bath fun. Babies love rolling and chasing the ball.
7. The First Years Stack & Count Stacking Cups- Best Toys for 6–12 Months
A simple classic that does so much. This colourful cup set lets babies stack high, nest neatly, scoop and pour in the bath, and practice early counting. Each cup is a slightly different size with embossed numbers, so little ones naturally learn size order, sequencing, and 1–8 while building fine-motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Holes in the bases turn water play into a mini science lesson, and the lightweight design makes them perfect for play at home or on the go.

Price: $7.49 AUD | ⭐ 4.8
Key Features
- Set of stacking/nesting cups (1–8) for early counting and size order
- Great for floor play and bath time (drain holes for pouring fun)
- Encourages fine-motor skills, grasping, and hand-eye coordination
- Teaches colour recognition, problem-solving, cause & effect
- Lightweight, durable, and easy to clean (wipe or top-rack dishwasher)
Parenting Genie Tip:
Start with two cups and say, “Which one is bigger?” or “Can you fit it inside?” — then add more cups as your baby masters the idea. This keeps play engaging without overwhelming them.
8. Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks – Best Toys for 6–12 Months
A timeless classic! These colourful blocks help babies learn shapes, colours, and problem-solving while practising their fine motor skills.

Price: $15.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.9
Key Features
- 10 chunky blocks for stacking and sorting
- Teaches colour and shape recognition
- Handy carry bucket for cleanup
- Strengthens hand-eye coordination
Parenting Genie Tip:
Great for independent and guided play. Encourage your baby to “find the yellow one!”
9. Move2Play Hilariously Interactive Baby Ball
Price: $24.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.5 (3,200 reviews) | Amazon’s Choice

The Move2Play Interactive Baby Ball turns ordinary floor time into giggles and games! This motion-activated plush ball responds to movement with over 30 songs, silly phrases, and animal sounds, keeping your baby entertained while building motor skills.
It’s lightweight, soft, and designed for safe indoor play — perfect for encouraging crawling, rolling, and active exploration. The bright colours and funny reactions spark curiosity while helping babies understand cause and effect.
Key Features
- 30+ songs and sound effects for interactive learning
- Motion sensor rewards rolling and movement
- Plush, safe cover for indoor play
- Encourages gross motor and social skills
Parenting Genie Tip:
Use this ball during tummy time or crawling sessions — the sounds and laughter motivate your little one to move, strengthening coordination and core muscles most joyfully.
10. VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker – Best Toys for 6–12 Months
As your little one transitions from crawling to walking, this toy is a game-changer. It combines fun with balance, giving babies the confidence to take those first steps.

Price: $44.99 AUD | ⭐ 4.8
Key Features
- Detachable play panel for sitting play
- Light-up buttons and piano keys
- Encourages gross motor development
- Adjustable speed for safety
Parenting Genie Tip:
A fantastic long-term toy that supports both early walkers and toddlers.
Final Thoughts – Best Toys for 6–12 Months
Between 6 and 12 months, your baby’s curiosity blossoms — and the right toys can make every moment a learning adventure. These top picks nurture their growth while filling their days with smiles, music, and discovery.
Explore more expert-curated parenting tools and product guides at Parenting Genie. Join the Parenting Genie Community — where parents connect, learn, and grow together through every stage of parenting.
Written by Babrah Tavaziva
Registered Nurse, Midwife & Maternal and Child Health Nurse
Parenting Genie









