The 11 Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds of 2023

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Eight months old is a transitional phase for babies as some can sit up on their own or start to seek out the world around them. Many 8-month-olds are very busy since they love to explore, crawl, and discover (often by putting objects in their mouth). This age is a great time to introduce toys that will feed their development as they reach new milestones.

Look for fun, age-appropriate toys that aid in the development of your growing baby. We carefully considered design, milestones, age recommendations, toy safety, ease of cleaning, and value when reviewing products.

Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube

Amazon

Pros
  • Made with soft, rounded corners

  • BPA-free and phthalate-free

  • Budget-friendly

Cons
  • Songs do not play for long

The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube ranks high on our list because it promotes the development of cause and effect and encourages a love for music. Safe for any age, this innovative cube includes instrument sounds from the harp, flute, French horn, piano, and violin.

Press each button for individual sounds or press the Orchestra button to play all the instruments at once. This toy will inspire creativity and interactive play while teaching babies how sounds combine, so it’ll be fun for a long time.

Price at time of publication: $29

Fat Brain Tobbles Neo Infant Stacking Toy

Fat Brain stacking toy

Courtesy of Fat Brain

Pros
  • Colorful

  • Promotes sensory exploration and motor skills

Cons
  • Some pieces are heavier than others

  • Made with hard plastic

Perfect for ages 6 months and up, these versatile and stylish blocks are great for sensory exploration, motor skills, coordination, spatial reasoning, and imaginative thinking. Busy and curious little kids will be engaged as they balance, nest, spin, and stack these blocks in gravity-defying angles.

Price at time of publication: $29

Bright Starts Lots of Links Rings

4.2
Lots of Links

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Easy to clean

  • Portable

  • Durable

Cons
  • Links may come apart easily

A versatile toy that is perfect for any age, this set includes 24 flexible bendable links. The links are fun on their own or can be used to attach other toys to your car seat, stroller, diaper bag, or anything else. Great for when on-the-go, throw a few links in a bag and you’ll have an easy way to entertain a fussy baby. The strong, durable plastic is easy to wipe clean with a wet wipe or a quick dip in soapy water. 

Price at time of publication: $6

Bright Starts Lots of Links

Verywell Family / Michelle Piccolo

VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

vtech-walker

Courtesy of Walmart

Pros
  • Removable play panel

  • Over 70 sing-along songs + more

  • Encourages imaginative play

Cons
  • Phone is not attached

  • Only back wheels lock

Help your little one enhance their gross motor skills with this versatile sit-and-stand walker. For sitting babies, the removable play panel engages with shape sorters, light-up buttons, and more. As your growing baby begins to walk, move the panel back to the walker, and your kiddo can play with it standing or use the walker for some helpful support. 

Price at time of publication: $40

Fat Brain Toys Store Oombee Cube Sorter, Tactile Toy for Toddlers

Fat Brain Toys Store Oombee Cube Sorter, Tactile Toy for Toddlers

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Six rubbery shapes

  • Strengthens fine motor skills and more

Cons
  • Shapes may be hard to put back in

  • Only shapes are soft

Little hands will love this shape-sorting toy which invites kiddos to slide each shape smoothly and snugly into their respective slots. The pieces are rubbery, textured, and squishy, so they are made for little fingers and safe for teething. Shapes include a triangle, square, oval, circle, pentagon, and double circle. Time with this toy will strengthen fine motor skills, shape recognition, and visual-spatial skills. 

Price at time of publication: $22

VTech Click and Count Remote

VTech Click and Count Remote

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Flashing lights are fun

  • 10 buttons introduce shapes, numbers, and colors

  • Two volume options

Cons
  • Batteries need replaced often

Babies will feel like they're in control of the TV with this realistic toy remote full of colorful buttons, songs, and more. Lights flash when you press specific buttons, while playful songs teach littles how to count to 10. Surf through multiple channels with the power of two AAA batteries (included, but for demo use only) and adjust the volume through two sound options.

Price at time of publication: $12

Munchkin Twisty Figure 8 Teether

Munchkin Twisty Figure 8 Teether

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Four textured surfaces

  • Develops motor, sensory, and cognitive skills

Cons
  • Most parts made of hard plastic

Babies will love that they can twist, shake, or chew on this figure-eight teether rattle. The four textured surfaces will help soothe the baby’s gums while also providing stimulating tactile exploration. Safe for babies 6 months and up, the integrated rattle will make noise anytime it gets moved around. Parents appreciate that this well-made toy is sized just right for little hands. 

Price at time of publication: $6

Munchkin Bath Toy, Little Boat Train, 6 Count

Munchkin Bath Toy, Little Boat Train, 6 Count

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Lightweight

  • Easy to grasp

Cons
  • Not dishwasher safe

Lightweight and easy to grasp, these six colorful boats float and link together to create a bathtime boat train. They have funny faces and are numbered, making them perfect for counting, ordering, and number identification games. Great for bathtime (or the beach or a water table), the boats can scoop up and pour out water over and over again. Beneficial for hand-eye coordination, these versatile toys are safe for kids of any age.

Price at time of publication: $6

VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube

VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Five sides of play

  • 14 interactive features

  • 25 songs and melodies

Cons
  • Low volume too loud for some

With five sides of play and more than a dozen interactive features, the play opportunities are endless with the VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube. Littles will love the light-up buttons that introduce them to animals, sounds, and shapes, while parents and caregivers will appreciate two volume settings. Two AAA batteries (included, but for demo purposes only) power all features, including the 25 playful songs and melodies to keep babies entertained.

Price at time of publication: $20

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Magic Color Mixing Bowl

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Magic Color Mixing Bowl

Courtesy of Amazon

Pros
  • Six removable play pieces

  • Volume control switch

  • Plays songs, lights, and sounds

Cons
  • Stickers may come off easily

Introduce your 8-month-old to the alphabet, numbers, colors, and color mixing with playful songs, sounds, and phrases. The toy comes with six removable pieces, including a milk bottle, two measuring cups, a spoon, and more. Adding the “ingredients” into the bowl produces exciting sounds, lights, and songs. Safe for babies 6 months old and up; parents will appreciate the volume control switch. 

Price at time of publication: $25

Eric Carle Board Book Box Set

Eric Carle Board Book Box Set

Amazon

Pros
  • Books come in sturdy box

  • Simple and engaging texts

Cons
  • Some books may be misprinted

From beloved author-illustrator Eric Carle, this set of six classic board books features simple and engaging texts. The six books come in a sturdy box, so young ones will have fun taking them out and putting away their special books. With thoughtful and repetitive text, these classic reads are sure to become family favorites. 

Price at time of publication: $49

How We Selected the Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds

We chose the best toys for 8-month-olds by studying the design and features of more than 20 toys on the market. We also researched reviews from customers and competitors while monitoring shopping trends to bring you the best and most up-to-date offers on toys for 8-month-olds. We considered toy safety, design, age recommendations, material, developmental milestones, and value when reviewing products.

Additionally, we spoke with Meredith Soucie, an occupational therapist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on how to promote moving and exploring in 8-month-olds. 

What to Look for in Toys for 8-Month-Olds

Interests

Typically, when you think “interests” for kids, favorite characters, sports, and games might come to mind. While that’s definitely true for older kids, it’s not the case for babies because they’re still developing so much. At 8 months old, babies are starting to inch closer to the transition to toddler, and chances are high they’re most interested in moving and exploring. So, look for toys that offer sensory play and opportunities for curiosity, and that prompt movement. 

To promote moving and exploring, look for toys that are easy for babies to grab onto. According to Meredith Soucie, an occupational therapist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, adults can “support babies' interest in moving their bodies by having various toys placed around them where they need to roll or creep some to reach them.” 

Milestones

In the first year of life, developmental progress and reaching milestones is important. While every baby progresses on their own time (and development can’t be forced), toys can be a fantastic aid and support in mastering skills.

  • At 8 months old, babies typically learn about the world through taste and touch (meaning, everything goes into their mouths). This is essentially exploration through sensory play, and the Munchkin Twisty Figure 8 Teether is ideal for this, thanks to its multi-textured teething surfaces.
  • While they likely aren’t walking at this age, babies are working towards it by pulling themselves up into a standing position from the floor. The V-Tech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker provides endless fun regardless of sitting or standing.
  • Eight-month-olds often like to bang and stack toys together, which they can do with the Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo.

Entertainment

Entertaining an 8-month-old can be tricky, but if there’s one thing Soucie recommends, it’s sensory play. She explains that caregivers can “encourage exploration in diverse toys by having objects with different textures, shapes, colors, and sounds.” So, while a baby likely won’t be able to sort by colors or shapes at this age, they will still get engaged with toys' sight and touch. 

Babies are often working on mastering crawling around this age, too, so toys that roll on the ground, whether a ball or an electronic toy that moves around on the floor, can encourage that movement. Finally, don’t forget how entertaining and engaging books can be for kids of all ages, especially as baby starts understanding more and more. Books that offer opportunities for interaction (like different textures to touch or flaps to flip) are especially appealing for 8-month-olds.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What toys should my 8-month-old have?

    At 8 months old, babies start to explore. They’re sitting up on their own, and they might even be crawling. Your 8-month-old will likely love any toy with sensory elements, such as textures, bright colors, and music. A sit-to-stand walker can help encourage them to move with support if they are crawling and inching toward walking. Your baby might also enjoy a teether if they have teeth coming in.

    Any toys for an 8-month-old must be safe and non-toxic, as putting things in their mouth is still the primary way they explore the world.

  • How many toys should my 8-month-old have?

    It’s really easy to pile up a lot of toys quickly. But at 8 months old, babies don’t need too many toys. They are learning about the world and might be just as happy playing with a box as with an age-appropriate toy. It’s less about quantity and more about quality. Is the toy engaging? Is your child able to hold it or grasp onto it? Is it a safe toy that they can put into their mouths? Three to five good-quality, interactive toys, such as teethers, ring toys, and an activity cube, could be enough for your baby.

  • What are the best toys for an 8-month-old's development?

    During this transitional phase—they’re on the path to toddlerhood—8-month-old babies need toys that will help satisfy their curiosity. That means having toys that engage the senses, as well as toys that encourage movement. Toys that stack and that can be pushed over, toys that have bright colors, and toys that help them get moving are all good for development. Music is also very engaging at this age, so keep that in mind when looking for developmentally appropriate toys.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s a mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. Her favorite toys for 8-month-olds are a set of classic board books. They have long-lasting appeal, as that 8-month-old can someday read them back to you (or younger siblings).

Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler.

Ashley Ziegler is a parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing products that are essential to motherhood. Key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include functionality and purchaser reviews.

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:

1 Source
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: Your baby by nine months.