What toys should my 7-month-old have?

The best toys for 7-month-old babies are ones that encourage them to explore the world around them while strengthening their fine motor skills. Some of the most popular include rattles, soft toys, teether toys, sensory toys, and stacking rings. Since 7-month-olds love to put items in their mouths, their toys should be free of small parts that pose a choking risk and should be made from a material that’s safe to chew on.

How many toys should my 7-month-old have?

While there is not a set number to stick to, you should have as many toys as needed to help your 7-month-old explore in some way. It is more about quality rather than quantity. A handful of toys is all you need, as long as the toys engage your baby's interest and allow them to build and practice new skills.

What does a 7-month-old baby play with?

A 7-month-old baby is starting to take interest in the world around them and is often drawn to things like bright colors, faces, and any toys they can safely pick up, shake, and explore with their hands and mouth.

The 17 Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds of 2023

By 7 months old, babies are mastering the developmental milestones they learned the previous month, like sitting up and reaching for toys. While all babies develop at their own pace, infants at this age are much busier than before. This is a great time to introduce fun, new toys for your little one, whether to continue the development of milestones or for good old-fashioned fun.

When shopping for toys for 7-month-olds, keep in mind that they love to explore using their mouths, which means any small part poses a choking risk. We carefully considered toy safety, design, value, developmental milestones, and ease of cleaning when reviewing products.

Here are the best toys for 7-month-olds on the market.

Our Top Picks

Fisher Price Rock-a-Stack and Baby’s First Blocks Bundle at Amazon

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Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy at Amazon

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Manhattan Toy Cactus Garden at Amazon

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Bright Starts Oball at Amazon

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Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror at Amazon

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Infantino Pat and Play Water Mat at Amazon

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Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic Rattle and Teether at Amazon

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Evergreen Baby Wood & Silicone Rattle at Evergreen.baby

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Lily & River Little Climber at Potterybarnkids.com

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Skip Hop Baby's Activity Center at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Walmart

The Fisher Price Rock-a-Stack and Baby's First Blocks Bundle ranks high on our list because it comes with two toys that can be used for years of fun. With this bundle, babies get two classic toys that are safe for little ones between 6 months and 3 years old. It includes a stacking tower that features five plastic rings as well as a shape sorter with 10 blocks in various colors and shapes.

Both of these toys are great for helping kids work on motor skills, further their cognitive development, and get familiar with colors, shapes, and cause and effect.

Price at time of publication: $17

4.2

Walmart

Babies love this little portable music player, which features seven classical melodies, bright colors, and fun lights. It’s made for babies as young as 3 months old and designed so that it’s easy for little hands to grab and tap on.

The toy also features little beads along the side for sensory play and some extra fun.

Price at time of publication: $11

Amazon

These soft cacti are safe for babies from birth to 4 years old and feature magnets for fun stacking. It comes with three groups of three stackers which can be mixed and matched into various combinations. The stackers are made from soft fabrics, high-quality embroidery, and each range from 4 to 6 inches in height when stacked.

Price at time of publication: $37

Amazon

This Oball is wonderful for babies of all ages and toddlers up to 3 years old. It’s designed to be easy for little hands to grab onto and features three little rattles to add some shaking fun. What makes it even better is that it’s free of lights and noises and allows for various types of play.

Price at time of publication: $5

Courtesy of Amazon

Tummy time will be a lot more fun with this floor mirror that features a soft, plush frame and black and white patterns, which are great for developing eyes. Built to stand on its own, the mirror includes two attachments, one flower, and one bumblebee, adding pops of color and different textures for even more fun.

Price at time of publication: $21

Courtesy of Infantino

Babies as young as 3 months old can enjoy this cute sensory mat. Just fill it with water and let your little one pat it and move the little toy animals inside around. This toy lays flat, so it can be used on the floor, a table, and is especially great for high chairs.

Price at time of publication: $7

4.8

Courtesy of Amazon

This toy is a classic because its unique design is perfect for developing babies as young as three months old. It features wooden beads in various colors that are strung together with rods and elastic string. Babies can grab onto it, twist it this way and that, and safely chew on it.

One important note—this toy needs to be spot cleaned, as submerging it in water can damage the wooden beads.

Price at time of publication: $21

Courtesy of Evergreen

This little rattle is made from wood and features BPA-free silicone beads that are great for massaging sore gums. Babies can enjoy some sensory play with this rattle, too, thanks to the grained wood and smooth feel of the beads.

This rattle is made from high-quality materials, is durable, and needs to be hand-washed.

Price at time of publication: $20

Pottery Barn

Babies as young as 6 months old can use this climbing tower to strengthen their gross motor skills, use it as support when pulling up, and do some fun exploring with adult supervision, of course. It’s made from bamboo wood so it’s durable enough to last for years.

As your baby gets older, you can invest in accessories, too, like a slide and rock climber to pump up the fun.

Price at time of publication: $285 for birch wood in natural finish

Courtesy of Amazon

This activity center is designed for babies as young as 4 months old and has three different stages—sit, swivel, and bounce and play—so it grows with the baby as they develop and master new skills. Each stage offers fun features that are designed specifically to aid in babies’ development.

Since the activity center is made to grow with your baby, they can play with it well into their toddler years so it is a worthwhile investment.

Price at time of publication: $142

Melissa & Doug

With this pack, you get four squirt bath toys shaped like different underwater animals including a turtle, octopus, crab, and fish. These toys are able to squirt water with a little squeeze making them ideal for babies mastering their raking grasp, The lightweight plastic allows the toys to float so they can be played with in multiple ways.

Each squirt toy is made from safe, high-quality materials, is shaped to fit little hands, and is safe for babies as young as 6 months old.

Price at time of publication: $17

Courtesy of Miniland

Sensory play is the best because babies genuinely enjoy it and it’s great for their development. This sensory set comes with six balls, each with its own shape, color, and texture. They are made from natural rubber, which is soft, safe for babies to put in their mouths, and easy to grip.

What’s really great about this toy set is that as they continue to grow and develop, kids can find new ways to play with them beyond sensory exploration.

Price at time of publication: $47

Walmart

Each of the toys in this four-piece set is perfect for babies from birth up to 3 years old. It comes with a ring of hoops in varying colors and textures, a butterfly teething ring, a bumpy ball, and a “fishy fascination station.”

The toys offer babies multiple ways to play and explore with their hands and mouths. Seriously, you can’t go wrong with this set.

Price at time of publication: $19

Amazon

Perfect for babies who are working on their grasps, this wooden toy is specifically designed for small hands to grab hold of. It’s safe for little ones 6 months old and up and features several brightly colored blocks that are held together with elastic bands, allowing kids to twist and turn the toy to create different shapes and move their hands in new ways.

This toy is made from beech wood and is safe for babies to chew on.

Price at time of publication: $18

4.5

Amazon

The Winkel should be a staple in a home with babies because it offers so many ways to play and can be enjoyed from birth and beyond. It features several little plastic loops that attach to a cinder block that rattles when it’s shaken.

It’s great for babies learning to grasp, shake, and/or are working on hand-eye coordination. As a plus, it also works great as a teether and can even be put in the freezer to make it extra soothing.

Price at time of publication: $14

Courtesy of Mushie

This stacking toy comes with seven rings and a round topper that are made from soft, squeezable BPA and PVC-free plastic. Each ring is a different size and color, allowing for exploration.

This classic toy is simple and safe for babies of all ages.

Price at time of publication: $18

Amazon

This cute little bee offers three stages of play and is safe for babies starting at 5 months old. Each stage encourages sensory play, motor skill development, and general exploration. The toy lights up, makes sounds, and ultimately encourages babies to start crawling by rolling around for them to chase.

It also features beads to play with (and chew on), moving parts, and a sensor to help it avoid obstacles when it’s buzzing around on the floor.

Price at time of publication: $27

Final Verdict

Any toy from this list would be a great pick for a 7-month-old, but the Baby Einstein Take Along Songs (view at Amazon) toy ranks highest for us for its portability, functions, and age appropriateness.

What to Look for in Toys for 7-Month-Olds

Safety

Safety should be a key consideration when purchasing toys for kids of any age, but it’s especially important for a baby since they don’t know their limits, don’t have full control of their bodies, and aren’t able to communicate beyond crying if something is wrong. When shopping for toys for 7-month-olds, keep in mind that they love to explore using their mouths, which means any small part poses a choking risk.

Additionally, while many babies can roll over by this age, there may still be a risk of suffocation. In general, toys for babies should have smooth edges, be free of small parts that can come loose or pinch little fingers, and be made from nontoxic material that’s safe to chew on.

Developmental Milestones

During the first year of life, babies develop at incredible rates and are working on mastering multiple milestones simultaneously. While every baby develops at their own pace, toys offer a fun way to practice and strengthen skills. Some common milestones for 7-month-olds include:

Transfers objects from hand to hand: The Oball (view on Amazon) is a great toy for this milestone.
Uses raking grasp: This is when a baby grabs an object using their whole hand, often holding or shaking it once they’ve successfully grasped it. The Manhattan Toys Winkel (view on Amazon) is designed for grabbing, holding, and shaking.
Explores with hands and mouth: Babies use their mouths to explore different textures and shapes, and they might start teething at around 6 months old, so the Lucy Darling Toy Teethers (view on Anthropologie) are a perfect choice for this age.

Types of Play

While a toy that flashes lights or plays music may grab a baby’s attention, there are a lot of other ways for a baby to engage and play with their toys. Any toy that allows the baby to explore in some way is a great pick for a 7-month-old.

“Seven-month-olds learn best by actively engaging with and watching others,” says pediatrician Whitney Casares, MD, MPH. She suggests caregivers “spend time reading [the baby] simple picture books with one to two words [per page] to develop their communication and social skills, allow them to explore their physical environments by offering plenty of time for floor play with soft toys, and give them opportunities to practice their fine motor skills by providing chew toys they can pick up and manipulate themselves.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What toys should my 7-month-old have?

The best toys for 7-month-old babies are ones that encourage them to explore the world around them while strengthening their fine motor skills. Some of the most popular include rattles, soft toys, teether toys, sensory toys, and stacking rings. Since 7-month-olds love to put items in their mouths, their toys should be free of small parts that pose a choking risk and should be made from a material that’s safe to chew on.
How many toys should my 7-month-old have?

While there is not a set number to stick to, you should have as many toys as needed to help your 7-month-old explore in some way. It is more about quality rather than quantity. A handful of toys is all you need, as long as the toys engage your baby's interest and allow them to build and practice new skills.
What does a 7-month-old baby play with?

A 7-month-old baby is starting to take interest in the world around them and is often drawn to things like bright colors, faces, and any toys they can safely pick up, shake, and explore with their hands and mouth.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.

More Toys and Gifts for Kids

When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:

Fisher Price Rock-a-Stack and Baby’s First Blocks Bundle

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy

Manhattan Toy Cactus Garden

Bright Starts Oball

Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror

Infantino Pat and Play Water Mat

Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic Rattle and Teether

Evergreen Baby Wood & Silicone Rattle

Lily & River Little Climber

Skip Hop Explore & More Baby’s View 3-Stage Activity Center

Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Squirters Water Toys

Miniland Sensory Balls

Sassy Discover the Senses Gift Set

HABA Rainbow Ring Wooden Clutching Toy

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

Mushie Stacking Rings Toy

Skip Hop Explore & More 3-Stage Follow-Me Bee