Baby Toys by Age: Birth to 18 Months

Parent and baby exploring large nesting cups on a floor mat — Choose something you can explore together, with room for your child to act and for you to respond.

For babies from birth to 18 months, choose toys that meet the product’s age guidance and match what your child can explore with you now.

SUMMARY

Check the age label first.
A toy marked unsuitable for children under 3 is unsuitable throughout this 0–18-month guide.
Match the play to the skill you see: looking, reaching, filling a container or beginning to pretend.
Remove a toy from play if it cracks, comes loose or sheds small parts.

Choose for today’s play

Use the age bands below as shopping starting points.

Keep the product’s safety restrictions and your child’s abilities in view.

No particular toy is required for the next milestone.

A useful toy does not have to be expensive.

0–3 months: looking and listening

By 2 months, most babies look at faces and can watch a toy for several seconds.

For early looking play, try a high-contrast cloth book while you talk to your baby.

Young baby looking at a contrast cloth book held by a parent — A shared book can be something to look at together before your baby can hold it.

4–6 months: reaching and holding

By 4 months, most babies hold a toy placed in their hand; by 6 months, most reach for a wanted toy and explore objects with their mouth.

For grasping and mouthing, try an easy-to-hold rattle or sturdy cloth book designed for your baby’s age.

A baby-safe mirror is another option for looking.

With your baby on their back, slowly move a bright toy and watch whether they follow it.

Baby reaching for a large ring rattle beside a parent — An easy-grip rattle gives your baby a simple object to hold and explore.

7–9 months: passing and banging

By 9 months, most babies pass objects between hands and bang two things together.

Large sturdy cups and blocks offer things to bang together or pass back and forth with you.

Seated baby holding a large cup in each hand with a parent beside them — Take turns passing a large toy.

10–12 months: in and out

By 12 months, most babies put an object into a container and look for something they have seen you hide.

When your baby is ready to put things into a container, offer large blocks and a wide cup or tub for filling and emptying together.

Baby placing a large block into an open container — Filling and emptying can be the whole game.

13–18 months: copying everyday life

By 15 months, most children stack at least two objects; by 18 months, most use toys simply, such as pushing a car, and scribble.

At 18 months, try a doll or stuffed animal and a toy spoon for pretend feeding together.

For your toddler, rolling a large ball back and forth and talking about pictures in a book are other shared-play choices.

Toddler and parent pretending to feed a doll with a toy spoon — Join your toddler’s pretend feeding and take a turn yourself.

Before a toy enters the play area

Keep small parts away, and avoid toys with long cords, sharp edges or pieces that can break off.

Prefer battery-free toys.

If a toy uses batteries, its compartment must be securely screwed shut.

Keep water beads and loose high-powered magnets out of your baby’s play area.

Avoid loud toys, keep hanging crib toys out of reach, and remove the hanging toys when your baby pushes up on hands and knees or reaches 5 months, whichever happens first.

When your baby becomes sleepy, move them onto their back in a safe sleep space with no toys, pillows or loose bedding.

Keep older siblings’ small-part toys separate and watch closely with a new toy.

Stop using recalled products.

When to pause or ask for help

If your baby turns away, yawns or becomes upset, pause and comfort them rather than pushing on with the toy.

If your child loses a skill, misses an age milestone or you have developmental concerns, talk with their clinician promptly and ask about developmental screening.

Seek emergency medical care immediately if you suspect your child swallowed a button battery or magnet.

If a choking child has a silent or ineffective cough or cannot breathe in properly, shout for help immediately and begin age-appropriate choking first aid.

If a choking child becomes unconscious, call your local emergency number and start CPR.

Never sweep blindly inside their mouth.

Questions that come up while shopping

Should I replace toys every month?

You can keep using a toy across age bands if it remains intact, meets its age restrictions and still suits your child’s interests and abilities.

Can an ordinary cup be a toy?

A sturdy unbreakable household cup can be used for shared play if it has no sharp edges or small detachable parts.

What about an educational screen toy?

For this age range, limit screen use to video calls with loved ones and support learning through talking, playing and interacting.