Babies Gear and Products The 22 Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds of 2022 The Playskool Poppin’ Pals take playtime up a notch with pop-up surprises By Christine Luff Christine Luff LinkedIn Twitter Christine Many Luff is a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 17, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Vanessa Nzeh, MD Medically reviewed by Vanessa Nzeh, MD Facebook Twitter Vanessa Nzeh, MD, is an internal medicine and pediatrics physician who is passionate about patient advocacy, the integration of maternal and child health, as well as increasing diversity and inclusion in medical education. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell / Sabrina Jiang As their attention spans grow and they become more mobile, 9-month-old babies are eager to explore the world around them. Their developmental milestones help them thrive, and toys that encourage movement, language skills, and social-emotional intelligence are crucial for their development. Reviewed & Approved The Playskool Poppin’ Pals Pop-up Activity Toy features animal friends who pop up by pushing, twisting, or sliding levers. If you prefer a multi-use toy, we recommend the VTech Stroll and Discover Activity Walker. "At nine months, many babies have the motor skills—crawling, pulling to stand, cruising along furniture—to explore in new ways. They can move to the objects or toys that they want to play with, rather than having to wait for someone to bring toys closer to them. This opens up a whole new way for them to play," says Elizabeth Zack, PhD, outreach and education specialist at the University of Washington. When buying toys for 9-month-olds, keep in mind that at this age, safety is of the utmost importance since babies love putting things in their mouths. We researched value, toy safety, and age recommendations when reviewing products. Here are the best toys for 9-month-olds that will entertain, stimulate, and help them learn new skills. Our Top Picks Playskool Poppin’ Pals Pop-up Activity Toy at Amazon Jump to Review The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys at Amazon Jump to Review VTech Stroll and Discover Activity Walker at Walmart Jump to Review Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth at Amazon Jump to Review Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks at Amazon Jump to Review Bright Starts Oball Classic Ball at Amazon Jump to Review VTech Pull and Sing Puppy at Amazon Jump to Review Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter at Amazon Jump to Review Boon Stacking Boats Bathing Toys at Amazon Jump to Review Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look for in Toys for 9-Month-Olds Why Trust Verywell Family Playskool Poppin’ Pals Pop-up Activity Toy Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Develops fine motor skills Teaches cause and effect Mess-free Cons Some knobs are harder to move than others Could pose choking risk if broken or used incorrectly Stickers may fall off after extended use Watch your baby’s face light up as they push, twist, or slide the levers for pop-up surprises. Adorable animal friends are revealed when a lever is moved, and babies can simply snap the lid shut again for more pop-up fun. Parents and caregivers will love that this toy doesn’t include additional pieces, so cleaning up is a breeze. The pop-up animal friends can help your baby develop fine motor skills and learn cause and effect, while also teaching them colors and shapes. The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Pros Teaches numbers Inspires creativity Durable plastic Cons Has holes; can't hold liquid Two yellow cups Numbers on cups are hard to see These simple-yet-fun nesting cups are always a hit with babies, who use them to stack, fit together, or turn over and hide things underneath. Colorful and bright, they have numbers on their base so your baby can practice counting and number recognition skills as they get older. Recommended for 6-month-olds and up. What Our Editors Say "For $5, you can't do better. My daughter loved these simple cups so much, we got a set for our house as well as her grandparents'. The set kept her occupied, whether she was making noise with the cups, stacking them...or just throwing them on the floor!" — Lauren Levinson, Editorial Director, Verywell Family VTech Stroll and Discover Activity Walker Courtesy of VTech View On Walmart View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Has interactive lights and sounds Provides sturdy support Batteries included Cons Some accessories fall off easily No adjustable handle May be too many buttons for some children This sit-to-stand activity walker is packed with lights, sounds, spinners, and sorters to keep them entertained and curious. Once your baby is more mobile, the attachable activity center snaps onto a sturdy base to prop them up as they start walking. As your tot grows, you can switch the walker between two age-appropriate speeds. Recommended for ages 9 months and up. Fisher-Price Linkimals Smooth Moves Sloth Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Pros Has interactive lights and songs Teaches letters, colors, and numbers Develops motor skills Cons Has trouble connecting with other Linkimals Four batteries required Clicking sound made when unable to move This super cute, interactive sloth gets little ones learning and moving with its songs and dance moves. Babies ages 9 months old and up can press the buttons on the sloth’s feet to hear about letters, colors, and numbers, as he sings, claps, bobs his head and lights up. With over 85 tunes and sounds, there are endless features for your kiddo to discover. Infantino Press & Stay Sensory Blocks Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Inspires creativity Develops fine motor skills Durable material Cons Not BPA-free Some blocks may have trouble sticking together Blocks are hard While your little one may not be quite ready for building towers with wooden blocks, this colorful set is totally age-appropriate. Recommended for babies ages 6 months old and older, the blocks have interlocking nubs so they stay where they’re put, which makes stacking and building much easier and more fun. They are small enough for your babe to practice their fine motor skills without being too tiny. What Our Experts Say "Sensory play and play that encourages hand-eye coordination, communication, and motor skills is the most beneficial at this age." -Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, author of The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting Without Losing Yourself Bright Starts Oball Classic Ball Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Lightweight 32 finger holes Easy to grip Cons May not engage kids for long periods Some areas may have sharper edges Not designed to double as teether The award-winning flexible design of the Oball classic makes it easy for babies of any age to grip, catch, and play. Lightweight and soft, it has 32 large, easy-to-grasp holes and is made of a flexible plastic that’s a cinch to wipe clean. The 7 Best Developmental Toys for Babies of 2022 VTech Pull and Sing Puppy 3.3 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination Teaches numbers and colors Batteries included Cons Puppy's leash is short Ears and tail only move manually Tips over easily Babies have a blast pulling and pushing this dog toy as they watch and listen to it play music and light up. Perfect for 9-month-olds, this highly interactive and visually stimulating toy helps them learn about cause and effect and develop their fine and gross motor skills. From teaching them their numbers and colors to the parts of their body, this toy will be a learning favorite as they grow. The 11 Best Toys for Fine Motor Skill Development of 2022 Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter Baby and Toddler Toy Courtesy of Melissa and Doug View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Pros Develops fine motor skills Easy to grip Teaches sorting and matching skills Cons Sorting pockets are shallow Loud when moved/shaken Bulky This padded on-the-go activity center is so much more than a basic shape sorter. Babies can lift the crinkly flaps, match the shapes, and drop the textured blocks through the sorter. As they develop their skills, they’ll enjoy identifying the objects and zipping and unzipping the bag. Recommended for babies ages 9 months old and up, the set also has an easy-to-grasp handle to carry it from place to place. Boon Stacking Boats Bathing Toys Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Thenaturalbabyco.com Pros BPA-free Inspires creativity Dries quickly Cons Difficult to stack Colors made fade over time Water drains out quickly These brightly-colored, stackable boats make bath time more fun for babies. They can float them in the tub or use them to scoop up water and let it drain out as they watch the cool rain effect. Suitable for 9-month-olds and up, they’re free of BPA, phthalate, and PVC and are single-piece construction, so they won’t get moldy like other bath toys. What Our Experts Say "They love water play at this age and this can be encouraged. However, parents have to make sure that there is no standing water in the bathtub and close the toilet lid so their little explorer does not fall in." -Dyan Hes, MD, pediatrician and medical director of Gramercy Pediatrics in New York City The Best Bath Toys That Kids Will Love Sassy Stacks of Circles Stacking Ring STEM Learning Toy Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros Develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination Easy to stack Teaches numbers Cons Not safe for sterilizers Top rings may be too small/thin for some children Not water-friendly (will fill with liquid) Designed to help develop fine motor, grasping, and hand-eye coordination skills, this stacking toy features chunky rings of all different textures and weights. The straight post accepts different size rings, so stacking is frustration-free. And when they’re a bit older, the numbers on the side of each ring will help babies learn counting order. Recommended for ages 6 months old and up. VTech Turn and Learn Driver Courtesy of VTech View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Teaches animals, vehicles, and colors Has interactive lights and sounds Batteries included Cons Noisy/Loud Two batteries required Steering wheel is small As your baby steers the wheel, this toy plays songs and the little dog moves back and forth. The fun design also includes a traffic light, a turn signal lever that triggers sounds and music, a horn, and a gear shifter. Little drivers can also press the five colorful buttons to learn about different animals and vehicles. Recommended for ages 6 months old and up. Fisher-Price My First Fidget Cube Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Kohls.com Pros Develops fine motor skills Easy to grip No sound Cons Not BPA-free Heavy One side features knob with no purpose With six sides of colorful clickers, spinning rollers, toggle switches, and more, this activity block will keep little ones engaged as they practice developing their fine motor skills. This entertaining little toy will keep your tot occupied minus the endless noise. Recommended for babies aged 6 months and up, the cube is the perfect size for tiny hands to grasp and explore. Hape Double Bubble Wooden Bead Maze Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Mastermindtoys.com View On Sears.com Pros Develops fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination Durable Made from non-toxic materials Cons Could pose choking risk if broken or used incorrectly Suctions cups can be easily removed Toy itself is small This two-track bead maze promotes fine motor skills, develops hand-eye coordination, and entertains little ones as they work the wooden beads from one end to the other. Durable and portable, it has two suction cups to keep the wooden base secure on smooth surfaces for extra stability. Recommended for ages 6 months old and older. Sassy Pop n' Push Car Courtesy of School Specialty View On Schoolspecialty.com Pros Easy to grip Teaches cause and effect Inspires exploration Cons May not roll on high-pile carpet Beads may not pop each time Car is small Babies love to pull back this easy-to-grasp car and watch it zoom forward as they let it go. The beads “pop” when the car moves, helping them learn about cause and effect. The colorful car also inspires exploration, as babies chase and retrieve it after it’s released. Recommended for 6-month-olds and up. VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck Courtesy of Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Teaches numbers, colors, and shapes Batteries included Develops fine motor skills Cons Could pose choking risk if broken or used incorrectly String may be too short for some Batteries required More than just a pull along toy, this colorful truck helps little ones learn about numbers, colors, and tools. As they load the plastic rocks into the truck, it counts each one. They can also push buttons to play songs that teach colors, words, and tools. Recommended for 6-month-olds and up. Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Faoschwarz.com Pros Durable Helps soothe babies BPA-free Cons May not engage older kids Heavy May not work best on carpet This adorable, wooden musical toy plays soothing, tinkling sounds as it waddles, spins, and rolls. As the sweet penguin wobbles, the interior bell creates a light sound that is perfect for little sensitive ears. Babies ages 6 months and up can bat at it, and it always pops back up. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Develops fine motor skills Has ride-on and walking modes Teaches sorting Cons May not roll on high-pile carpet Handle is not adjustable Wheels are difficult to roll for some children This adorable Stride-to-Ride Puppy grows with your baby, as it easily converts from a walker to a ride-on toy. Babies can sit and play with it by sorting the colorful blocks and “feeding” them to Puppy. When they’re ready to walk, the seat raises and becomes a handle. Whether they’re pushing, walking, riding, or scooting along, babies can watch the puppy’s head and ears wiggle and listen to fun songs and encouraging phrases as it moves. Recommended for ages 9 months and older. LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Develops fine motor skills Teaches letters, numbers, shapes, and colors Includes Spanish and English modes Cons Slides and tips over easily Book is one page Tabletop is heavy without legs Little ones can press, slide, spin, and pull the colorful instruments on this activity table, as they work on developing motor skills. The learning mode introduces them to basic concepts like letters, numbers, shapes, and colors, in both Spanish and English. You can remove the legs for floor play, and then replace them when your baby is ready to stand. Recommended for ages 6 months old and older. Amazon Prime Day 2022: What You Need to Know VTech Musical Rhymes Book Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Walmart Pros Teaches music and colors Builds vocabulary Develops fine motor skills Cons Could pose choking risk if broken or used incorrectly No way to play both pages Tiny fingers may get pinched between pages Babies will hear songs, sounds, and phrases as they slide, twist, and push buttons and levers in this interactive book. Recommended for ages 6 months and up, it helps little ones build motor skills. The musical tabs introduce them to instruments, colors, and help build childrens' vocabulary. What Our Experts Say "Books are some of the best toys for 9-month-olds as they start to develop their language skills." -Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, author of The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting Without Losing Yourself The Best Board Books for Your Littlest Reader Green Toys Tugboat Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Earthhero.com Pros BPA-free Great for older kids Made from 100 percent recycled plastic milk containers Cons Won't float when over-filled Difficult to clean small crevices May not keep attention long for some children Babies can float this colorful boat across the bathtub or use the wide spout to scoop and pour water. Like all Green Toys, it’s made in the USA from 100 percent recycled plastic milk containers and contains no BPA, PVC, phthalates, or external coatings. Recommended for ages 6 months and up. VTech Baby Babble and Rattle Microphone Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Pros Develops fine motor skills Inspires creativity Has interactive sounds Cons Noisy Batteries required Sound is muffled when singing into microphone This interactive microphone amplifies your little one's voice, and the puppy button encourages them to sing along with playful melodies. When babies shake it or turn the ring, they hear different animals or fun sounds and phrases. Intended for babies ages 3 months to 3 years old, this fun-filled toy enhances listening and motor skills, while also promoting imaginative play. Baby Einstein Musical Mix ‘N Roll 4-in-1 Push Walker Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros More than 100 melodies/phrases Lightweight Four conversions Cons Requires three batteries May not lock correctly each time Assembly required For a toy that'll give you the most bang for your buck, there's this 4-in-1 push walker from Baby Einstein. It starts out as a music creator floor toy and then transforms into a walker, DJ mixing table, and finally, a toddler play table. Aside from the four different modes of play, babies will love the more than 100 melodies and phrases, which come in three different languages. Final Verdict Affordable and colorful, The First Years Stack Up Cups (view at Amazon) allow for a variety of activities, encouraging baby to get creative. From water and bath play to stacking, the cups also promote counting and color and number recognition skills. What to Look for in Toys for 9-Month-Olds Safety At 9 months old, safety is of the utmost importance, since this is the age babies love putting things in their mouths. Magnetic objects and toys with button batteries should be avoided for babies due to their potential dangers if ingested. Check how much a baby will need to be supervised or helped while playing with a particular toy before buying it. And, if they can fit it into their mouth entirely, avoid it altogether. "It can be challenging, but we need to take a step back at times and allow children to follow their curiosity, even if it might feel a bit risky to us. Stay close by so you can offer verbal or physical support," recommends says Elizabeth Zack, PhD, outreach and education specialist at the University of Washington. She continues, "Rather than saying 'be careful,' which doesn’t provide helpful information, say things like, 'take your time. Check your feet before climbing higher.' Providing this type of scaffolding—a technique in which adults offer the right level of support to take a child to the next level—can support safe play as children follow their curiosity and build confidence and skills." Milestones Milestones are a great guideline to follow to ensure your child is developing appropriately for their age. Certain toys can help babies to meet these milestones and skills. At 9 months old, your baby could reach these major milestones through play: Moving objects from one hand to another with the Infantino Press and Stay Sensory Blocks (view on Amazon). Moving their bodies and building muscles with the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Stride-to-Ride Puppy (view on Amazon). Crawling and strengthening their gross and fine motor skills with the Oball Classic Ball (view on Amazon). Physicality Buying toys that encourage movement is great for building a baby’s muscles and overall strength. Toys like large balls, soft things to crawl to, or vehicles with wheels to push and pull are great for getting a 9-month-old’s body moving. Frequently Asked Questions What types of toys do 9-month-old babies like? "Babies love simple objects to play with, like a box, a ball, or a drum to bang on," says Dr. Hes. Thick board books are also great, as their little fingers can easily turn the pages. Putting things like blocks or cups into a bowl or box and dumping them out is another fun activity. "They also like to play peek-a-boo at this age, so they like little pop-up toys," adds Dr. Hes. Do toys help with a 9-month-old's development? Babies are extremely curious at this age, says Dr. Hes. "Remember, a 9-month-old has the attention span of a flea, so all of these activities may not last longer than two minutes," adds Dr. Hes. Still, toys that help build fine and gross motor skills, language, and cause and effect can be very beneficial. Toys that encourage babies to pass things between their two hands, help them practice crawling, standing, or cruising, and support early language skills are all wonderful options. How many toys does my 9-month-old need to have? Toys are fun to buy and watch your child play with. However, try not to go overboard. As Dr. Hes points out, 9-month-olds want to explore, and probably want to play with whatever their parent is holding, whether it be your cell phone or the TV remote. "I always find it so funny that if you give a 9-month-old an old remote control, they have no interest in it. These babies are smart—they want the remote control that their parent uses. What is the fun if it is not forbidden?" says Dr. Hes. Toys like the Playskool Poppin’ Pals Pop-up Activity Toy above are wonderful for learning cause and effect, and even more beneficial when paired with a good old-fashioned game of peek-a-boo behind a blanket. Why Trust Verywell Family Christine Luff is a freelance writer who covers fitness, health, parenting, and other topics. She’s also mom to a 13-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son, who have always enjoyed a wide range of active and educational toys. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources 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. Healey A, Mendelsohn A. Selecting appropriate toys for young children in the digital era. Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20183348. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3348 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: your baby by nine months. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Good toys for young children by age and stage.