Newsletter 33:🧸 Best Toys For Babies Aged 6 months to18 Months: What Parents Need To Know

By Swati Gupta – Child Psychologist, Parenting Coach, Author of “Give Your Child Wings” & Founder of Joyful Parenting Club

Jun 20, 2025

Dear Parent,

As your baby transitions from a snuggly infant to a curious, crawling explorer, the first 6 to 18 months can feel both magical and overwhelming. One day, they're giggling at a rattle. The next, they’re trying to stand on their wobbly little legs. And in all of this, the right toys can become gentle tools that shape their brain, body, and bonding with you.

As a child psychologist and parenting coach, I’m here to simplify this for you. Not with complicated lists or brand overload, but with practical insights, emotional understanding, and brain-based guidance that actually work for your child.

Let’s explore how you can choose toys with confidence—not confusion.

🔬 Why Toys Are the Language of Your Baby

Between 6 and 18 months, your child learns primarily through sensory, emotional, and physical interaction. According to developmental psychology and NLP principles, toys are not distractions. They are experiences that:

Build neural connections (especially with repetition and touch)
Create a sense of security and predictability
Encourage movement, speech, and bonding

The right toys support:

✅ Fine motor skills (grasping, stacking, poking)
✅ Gross motor strength (crawling, standing, walking)
✅ Language development (mimicking, listening, early speech)
✅ Emotional growth (self-awareness, bonding, joy)

✅ How To Choose The Right Toy (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

Forget memorizing brand names. Think in simple learning categories. Here's how to break it down:

1. 🖐️ For Grasping & Holding (6–9 months)

What your baby is discovering:
“How do my hands work?” “Can I chew or shake this?”

Choose: Soft rattles or graspers that are safe to chew and easy to hold.
Suggested Toy: Easy-grip wooden or silicone rattle (like Skwish or BPA-free rings)

Swati's Tip: This is peak mouthing age. Washable and safe is a must. Limit options—one toy at a time.

2. 🎵 For Sound & Sensory Play

What your baby is discovering:
“When I touch this, it makes a sound!”

Choose: Toys with beads, rain sounds, or soft bells.
Suggested Toy: Rainmaker tube, rattle tubes, or Hape Raindrop Beads

Swati's Tip: Use during tummy time. Repeat actions with your baby—imitation helps neural wiring.

3. 🧾️ For Face & Mirror Play

What your baby is discovering:
“Who is that? Oh, that’s me!”

Choose: Baby-safe, lightweight mirrors
Suggested Toy: Tummy time mirrors or foldable floor mirrors

Swati's Tip: Point and name body parts. This helps with identity and language skills.

4. 🧷 For Mealtime & Staying Engaged

What your baby is discovering:
“What happens when I drop this?”

Choose: Suction toys or high chair tray rattles
Suggested Toy: Suction cup spinners or rattles

Swati's Tip: Rotate toys weekly. Keep 2–3 on hand and avoid overstimulation.

5. 🚶 For Crawling & Moving (9–18 months)

What your baby is discovering:
“I can move toward something I want!”

Choose: Push toys, rolling cars, or soft walkers
Suggested Toy: Oball car, VTech sit-to-stand walker, foam climbing blocks

Swati's Tip: Let them lead the pace. Applaud effort, not just outcome.

🌿 Swati’s Golden Mantra:

✨ One toy per need. Not one toy per brand.
✨ Your attention > any toy. Play together.
✨ Rotate toys weekly to renew interest.

🇮🇳 Indian Brands I Trust

Support homegrown brands that value safety, simplicity, and child-led play:

Shumee Toys – Montessori-based wooden toys
Curious Cubs – Age-wise activity boxes
BrainSmith – Flashcards, puzzles, early learning
Ariro Toys – Organic and handcrafted for Indian homes

Link for the Toys - https://amzn.to/3ZD1o0d

📝 Downloadable Checklist

A printable version of this guide is available for all subscribers. Want your own? Reply with “I want the Guide” will share the guide with you.

❤️ Raising Joyful, Curious Children—Together

Parenting is not about having all the answers. It’s about staying present through the questions.

That’s why I created the Joyful Parenting Club:
A safe space for conscious parents to learn, connect, and grow—together.

💊 Subscribe to my Substack for:

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Until next time—pause, play, and be present.

Warmly,
Swati Gupta
Child Psychologist | Parenting Coach | Founder, Joyful Parenting Club
📖 Author of "Give Your Child Wings: The Ultimate Parenting Guide"