There are so many excellent toys for babies out there, it can be difficult to figure out which ones to buy and which can be left on the shelf. When buying toys for a 9 month old girl or boy, it’s important to choose something that can help with their learning and development, as they learn through play at this age. We will talk a little more about 9 month old development and choosing a suitable toy below. Then, you’ll find our reviews of 20 of the best picks. There are toys for both boys and girls and everything we have picked is age-appropriate, educational, safe, and not to mention, fun! You are sure to find something here your little one will love to play with over and over again.
Considerations When Choosing Toys for 9 Month Old Babies
As we noted above, there are a few things to consider when choosing the best toys for 9-12 months old children. The first factor should be their age – a toy has to be age-appropriate so they can make the most of it. By checking with the manufacturer which age group a toy is suitable for, you will make sure it can help with their current stage of development.
Safety is another key consideration, and this can go hand-in-hand with age-appropriateness. A toy that is for older children could be dangerous for a baby of nine months. But, it’s also important to look at the materials used – make sure paints are non-toxic and there are no sharp edges.
Development is also something worth considering when buying a new toy. Choose a toy that will help your baby learn or practice important skills such as motor skills, problem-solving, learning to crawl or pull themselves up, and more! Each toy can help with something different, so it’s ideal to have a selection of different types for your baby to choose from.
20 Best Toys for 9 Month Old Infants
We will now present our 20 picks of the top toys for babies in this age group. There is sure to be something here they will love!
1. Hape Beach Toys
Kicking off our guide to the best toys for 9 month old boys and girls is this set of beach toys. It’s perfect for keeping babies entertained in the summer and is ideal for them to enjoy some sensory play in the sandbox or at the beach. The set comes with a bucket, a spade, a sifter, and a rake. They are made from safe and non-toxic materials, so they are perfect for babies and toddlers. They are sure to have many years of fun with these toys – they offer excellent value for money!
2. Baby Einstein Activity Table
If your baby is starting to pull themselves up to a standing position, this is one of the best toys to help encourage them to do so. But, if they’re not quite there yet, there’s no need to worry as the legs can be removed for playing on the floor too. The table plays more than 60 interesting songs and sounds so it’s fun to play with every time. The top of the table is packed with colors, gears, lights, and other fun activities for babies to explore. Baby Einstein is one of the best brands to consider when it comes to 9 month toys, and this table is no exception.
3. Skip Hop 3-in-1 Ride-On
Nine months is the perfect age for babies to start learning how to use a ride-on toy, and this one has three different modes so it can continue to be used for longer as they get older. In the first mode, the toy can be used as a walker or a wagon. The second mode is a ride-on, as shown below. The final mode is a scooter which is ideal for older toddlers once they have gained more confidence at walking. There is a headlight on the scooter and the height of the handlebars can be adjusted to ensure it can always accommodate your growing child.
4. LeapFrog Picnic Basket
LeapFrog is one of the best brands when it comes to toys that are both educational and fun, and this picnic basket is no exception. It comes with plates, cups, forks, a blanket, and play food pieces. The foods are shaped to fit onto the plates, so it works in a similar way to a shape sorter. Opening the basket causes it to play fun sounds and music – sure to delight your baby every time! The picnic basket toy is great for encouraging babies to use their imagination whilst they play – they will love having a picnic with mom and dad!
5. Manhattan Toy Skwish
Another great brand to consider when choosing 9months toys is Manhattan Toy. The Skwish is made from wood and has beads that make rattling sounds as they slide back and forth along the poles. The toy can be flattened down but it will always pop back up to its original shape and size when it is released. The rattle is ideal for teething as well as rattling and squashing!
6. Lamaze Soft Stacking Rings
Stacking rings are a classic toy for babies, and these ones are soft with crinkly sounds inside. The rings are different colors and have interesting patterns and textures for babies to explore, and stacking them is excellent for developing their hand-eye coordination. This toy is ideal for helping babies start to recognize different colors, even if they won’t yet be able to name them.
7. Munchkin Bath Animal Puzzle
When it comes to babies toys 9 months olds will love, something for the bath is a great pick! Some babies love spending time in the water, whilst others don’t seem to enjoy it much. In either case, these toys are sure to make bathtime a lot more enjoyable! There are more than 30 pieces that can be used to build 12 different animals, or mix and match to create some new ones! The pieces can float and also stick to the bath when they are wet – babies are sure to have loads of fun with these even as they get older.
8. Hide & Squeak Eggs
These eggs are a fun, interactive toy and are perfect for helping babies learn about sorting and matching. There are six eggs in the box, each with a chick inside and a different colored face on the top half of the egg, which matches the color of the chick. The chicks squeak when they are pressed down to add extra fun to the game.
9. VTech Baby Walker
VTech makes some of the best toys for 9 month old boys and girls, and this convertible walker is one great example. There are three different modes for sitting, standing, or riding. There is a panel on the front packed full of buttons, lights, levers, and more, and it plays more than 60 sounds and phrases to keep babies engaged every time they play. The toy also has a mirror for developing self-awareness. It takes two AA batteries for operation.
10. Melissa & Doug Shape Sorter
A shape sorter is great for developing problem-solving abilities and this one comes in a compact travel case so it’s ideal for keeping babies entertained anywhere. There are nine different shapes of blocks and each is also a different color and texture. The back of the shape sorter has nine different images, each under a flap. Babies will love lifting them to see what is underneath!
11. Fisher-Price Soccer Ball
When it comes to picking out gifts for 9 month old infants, something that will encourage them to crawl around is ideal. This ball is great for them to roll and throw then crawl after, and it can teach them about counting and colors, too. The ball plays songs, some about rolling faster or slower, so it’s a great educational tool.
12. Vipamz Bath Pipe Toy
Here we have another fun bath toy that’s sure to help make bathtime more fun! Water can be poured into either top part of the toy and it will come out through the bottom and either make the gear turn or sprinkle out of the shower, depending on how the valves are turned. There are suction cups on the back of the toy to ensure it remains securely stuck to the side of the tub.
13. Skip Hop Shape Sorter
Shape sorters make for some of the most popular 9 month old baby toys, and this one has a super-cute design, sure to appeal to your child. There are three different modes to play in as your baby learns and develops. In the first mode, the shapes light up and the toy says the name of the shape out loud. In the next mode, the shape sorter mode, babies will hear music and see fun lights when they correctly solve the puzzle. The final mode is a game that challenges them to find the correct shape – ideal for toddlers who are starting to learn the names of shapes.
14. Fisher-Price BeatBo
BeatBo is a fun, interactive cuddly toy, perfect for either cuddling up and relaxing with or for enjoying during playtime. The toy plays five fun songs and the tummy has lights that flash along in time to the music. Babies will love looking at the bright colors and patterns on this toy – it’s perfect for talking to them about colors and numbers too.
15. Fisher-Price Piggy Bank
Fisher-Price makes some of the best toys for 9 month old baby, and this adorable piggy bank is no exception. It comes with ten coins that will teach babies how to count up to ten, and each also has a different animal on it, so babies can learn about these, too. Babies will love filling and emptying the bank over and over again, and they can move to a more advanced level of learning content as they develop. So, this toy offers many months of fun.
16. Infantino Caterpillar Rattle
Rattles are popular for babies of all ages, and this one has sliding rings and a mirror to make it even more exciting to play with. The caterpillar’s body parts twist around so it can be made into different shapes. Babies will have hours of fun working out how to twist the caterpillar into different shapes and the toy is the perfect size for taking out and about in a diaper bag.
17. B. toys FunKeys
Babies often love trying to play with mom or dad’s keys, so getting them a set of their very own is sure to keep them out of mischief! This toy comes with three keys of different shapes and the keyring has buttons to play four different car sound effects. There is also a button to activate the built-in flashlight, which is practical as well as fun! The keys come with a strap for easy carrying and they are perfectly compact for taking out and about in the diaper bag.
18. Huile Dancing Duck
Next on our list of the best toys 9 months old is this fun dancing duck toy! It plays loads of fun music and has some flashing lights too, so it’s sure to get your baby giggling every time they play! The duck is perfect for encouraging babies to crawl or move around, as it moves about the floor independently. They are sure to want to catch it! Hours of fun will be had with this toy.
19. Melissa & Doug Pull-Back and Go Cars
Cars are great toys at any age and these ones are soft so they are a perfect first pick. There are four different vehicles in the set and each has a pull-back-and-go action. So, they will move far across the floor with just a gentle pull backward. This is great for cause-and-effect play. Babies will love the bright colors and the cute characters inside the vehicles.
20. Bright Starts Construction Vehicles
The final pick in our guide to the top 9 month old toys is another set of cars, this time it’s three John Deere construction vehicles. They have durable wheels that are ideal for playing either indoors or outdoors and they also have holes in the frame to make them easier to grip. The gripping surface is also slightly flexible so it’s easier for little hands to manage. Babies and toddlers are sure to have hours of fun with these trucks! They’ll love the fun faces that bring them to life, too.
Best Buy Overall
After considering 20 great options, we have picked out which toy stands out as the best of all in this case. We have decided to award the top spot to the VTech baby walker. It has so many different features and modes, so it offers months of fun, making it excellent value for money. Babies can learn so much from exploring the buttons on the activity panel, and they will also improve their gross motor skills by riding on it in the different modes. VTech is a great brand so you can be sure this is made from the highest quality materials and is perfectly safe for your baby to enjoy.
Best Budget Buy
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly pick, how about this adorable shape sorter instead? It has three fun modes for babies to play in and is a great, educational toy. They will love the colors, lights, and the cute monster face! It’s perfect for developing problem-solving skills, learning about shapes and matching, as well as improving fine motor skills. Babies will enjoy this for a long time to come – it won’t get boring in a hurry!