Image: MomJunction Design Team
At eight months, a baby starts to crawl, babble, and try to reach for their toys. So, here’s our list of the best toys for 8-month-old babies to help them stay engaged for hours. Your child might show more interest in their toys than before, so choose colorful, stimulating toys to aid their overall development. Fun, educational, interactive toys help your child learn age-appropriate skills through play. So, check out the best-selling and time-tested toys listed below to find one that suits your child’s interests.
Top Picks
25 Best Toys For 8-Month-Old Babies In 2024
1. Best For Cuddling: Gund Baby Animated Flappy The Elephant Stuffed Animal Plush
Do not mistake this cute elephant to be a regular cuddly toy. It is an interactive plush toy that flaps its ears and plays songs. Pressing the play button makes the elephant shut its ears for a game of peek-a-boo, making it a perfect baby gift for keeping babies engaged. Check out a reviewer testing the product in this video to gain an insight into how the toy works.
Pros
- Ideal for children to develop social skills
- Suitable for pretend-play
- Soft material
- Available in many variants
Cons
- Ears may not cover the eyes over time
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 36,020 reviews on Amazon, this product is a winner.
2. Best Multisensory: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Sis
This cute little puppy is a multisensory soft toy that plays music and gives warm comfort to your child. It is an ideal age-appropriate toy with sensory elements to help stimulate your 8-month-old’s senses and develop their fine motor skills. Check out this video to learn more about this toy.
Pros
- Teaches numbers, colors, and letters of the alphabet
- Helps introduce new words
- Equipped with a playlist of 75 songs
- Multiple buttons on the body promote cause-and-effect learning
- Highly interactive
Cons
- Some infants may find the lights to be bright
- Sounds may become feeble after a point
"My child adores this captivating toy for its softness, and I give it a thumbs up for its interactive music and games. It does promote learning in a fun manner!"
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 22,782 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
Did you know?3. Best Visually Attractive: Melissa & Doug Flip Fish Baby Toy
As your baby learns to develop their sense of touch, this multi-textured fish toy can come in handy. It is a brightly colored toy that babies can squeeze to strengthen their grasp.
Pros
- Visually appealing design
- Helps achieve developmental milestones
- Texture encourages grasping and finger strength
- Crinkly scales on the toy aids in tactile exploration
- Durably made to survive wear and tear
- Engages children with a screen-free time
Cons
- Fish might be large for some infants
- Seams may come apart over time
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
Over 5,044 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.
4. Best Soft Toy: Manhattan Toy Snuggle Pod Sweet Pea First Baby Doll
Give your little one a soft and comfy doll while sleeping. This cute soft toy can give your baby company at night as they drift into sleep after a tiring day of exploration. Before buying, take a look at the tester’s experience in this review video for more details.
Pros
- Snuggle-friendly
- Easy to dry after washing
- Adorable design
- Cute colors of the toy engage the baby
Cons
- May not be sewn well
- Ribbon may get caught between fingers of the baby
Quick fact5. Best Activity Set: Infantino Balls, Blocks, & Buddies Activity Toy Set
Your baby is now able to sit and play. This 20-piece activity set consists of tiny blocks and colorful balls that your baby can spend hours playing. The set includes eight textured sensory balls, eight counting blocks, and four animal toys. The squeezable toys double as a teething toy to strengthen your little one’s finger muscles and soothe sore gums.
Pros
- Ideal for introducing numbers, colors, and animals
- Travel-friendly
- Works as a learning tool for descriptive language and object recognition
- BPA-free
Cons
- Some toys may have relatively sharp edges
- May require keeping it away from moisture to avoid molds
6. Best For Tactile Stimulation: VTech Baby Rattle And Sing Puppy
The best toys for eight-month-old babies are those that help reach developmental milestones. This musical and classic baby toy looks attractive, plays various songs, sounds, and phrases, and is an ideal toy for developing the baby’s motor skills.
Pros
- Suitable for teaching cause and effect
- Helps develop finger strength
- Provides tactile stimulation
- Easy to grasp
Cons
- Some children may find the toy heavy
- May require a specialized battery that could be difficult to get
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The whopping 9,061 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
7. Best Interactive: Skip Hop Explore And More Baby’s View 3-Stage Interactive Activity Center
As your baby turns eight months old, they can probably sit up straight and crawl. This activity center can be useful to prep your baby to stand. The 360-degree rotating seat enables the baby to sit and bounce.
Pros
- Can be converted into a table for playing or drawing
- Can be set up anywhere
- Encourages kids to use their legs
- Comes with four different interactive toys
Cons
- Seat may be a bit large for some infants
- Seams might be a bit sharp
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 14,883 reviews on Amazon, it's clear that many people love this product.
8. Best For Tummy Time: Control Future Infant Crawling Crab
Suitable for infants up to 12 months of age, this crawling crab toy in bright colors moves fast and crawls sideways. It plays fun music and lights up, encouraging children to chase it, which develops their limbs and movements. The toy has sensors that help change or reverse its direction when faced with an obstruction. It makes a good baby gift for children learning to walk or crawl.
Pros
- Suitable for tummy time
- Improves neck strength
- Suitable for pets
- Easy to use
Cons
- Does not run on batteries
- May run faster than expected
"I am glad I bought this crawling crab toy, as it brings a joyful smile to my son's face every time he plays with it. In addition, this toy crab has helped reduce his resistance to engaging in tummy time sessions, which is a huge relief for me."
Did you know?9. Best For Hand-Eye Coordination: VTech Stack And Sing Rings
Stacking is a skill-building and educational activity for babies. This toy’s Wobbly base challenges the baby to work harder to stack correctly. It is a set that plays 40 songs for your child to learn sing-along songs and melodies while stacking. Colorful textured rings help develop tactile senses, help teach colors, shapes, numbers, and so on.
Pros
- Encourages color recognition
- Challenging and fun to play
- Sharpens cognitive skills
- Batteries included
Cons
- May be challenging to keep it clean
- May tip over easily
"My little ones are quite fond of this stacking toy as the monkey's amusing sounds add an interactive touch to hold their attention. Also, with the aid of this toy, they have been learning their colors while enjoying the different melodies. However, the quality of the sound recordings could have been a notch better."
10. Best For Gross Motor Skills: Skip Hop Explore & More Follow-Me Bee 3-Stage Crawl Toy
Now that your darling angel can crawl, encourage them to chase this musical toy. It helps develop gross motor skills. The removable bee toy makes a rattling sound when it shakes. The cloud moves in circular and random patterns to make the baby chase after it by playing different types of music and flashing colorful lights.
Pros
- Suitable for all crawling stages
- Offers exercise to body by promoting discovery and exploration
- Comes with sensors to avoid obstacles
- Equipped with moveable beads for teething
Cons
- May require adult supervision while playing
- Sounds may startle some children
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has earned its stripes, with over 10,159 reviews on Amazon.
11. Best Phthalate Free:LeapFrog Learn & Groove Color Play Drum
Let your baby make some noise with this colorful and bright drum set. It plays different types of music and flashes colorful lights. Ideal for teaching numbers and colors, the musical toy helps in developing gross motor skills.
Pros
- Plays classical, marching, and salsa music
- Can be connected with LeapFrog for customized learning learning ideas
- Can come in handy for bilingual learning
- Speaks out in two languages, namely English and Spanish
- Helps develop gross motor skills
Cons
- May require more effort to hit and create music
- Sound from the drum may be feeble
"My munchkin adores this musical drum toy for its light-up feature and bright pink color. Moreover, I like its durability; its bilingual feature is a great touch. Also, the handle makes it portable. I am quite happy with this purchase."
12. Best Solvent-Free:Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table
This musical activity table offers multiple musical instruments so your little musician can become a musical maestro one day. Its large buttons are child-friendly, and the colorful lights excite the baby.
Pros
- Plays music and instructions in English, Spanish, and French
- Plays sounds of instruments like piano, drum, guitar, and French horn
- Teaches numbers, colors, letters of the alphabet, and so on
- Allows the baby to create their own music with multiple instruments
- Comes with three AA batteries
- Carpet-friendly
Cons
- Legs of the toy may not lock in while in use
- Activity table may be prone to glitching
13. Best Artfully Crafted:Nuby Little Squirts Fun Bath Toys
If your baby hates bathing, we can feel your pain. That is why we recommend making bath time more fun with squirting toys. This water toy set contains ten different types of squirting toys in bright colors that help improve hand-eye coordination skills and is free of BPA.
Pros
- Squirts water to make bath time more fun
- Encourages imaginative play
- ASTM-certified
- Perfect size for babies to squeeze
Cons
- May be prone to developing mold
"These colorful bath squirters have helped make my child's bathtime more entertaining. However, ensure they are dried thoroughly after each use to prevent mold buildup. Overall, it was a satisfactory purchase!"
14. Best Safe To Chew:Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo
This durable stacking toy for babies consists of six dual-colored spheres and a base made of BPA-free ABS plastic to ensure it is safe for your baby. Its unique design and shape make stacking fun.
Pros
- Dynamic play potential
- Great for sensory exploration
- Encourages spatial reasoning
- Aids in open-ended creative play
Cons
- Bigger pieces may be heavy
- May have sharp edges
15. Best For Hand Eye Coordination:Histoye Baby Piano Toy
The baby elephant musical toy is suitable for children aged six to 12 months. It is made of high-quality ABS plastic and does not have sharp edges, burrs, or scraps, making it safe for children to hold and play with. With various sensory elements, the toy helps develop the child’s hand-eye coordination skills, fosters motor development, and stimulates their senses. Children can turn the balls, twist the elephant’s trunk, turn the page, twist the knob, and play with the keys.
Pros
- Features fun baby songs and stories
- Adjustable volume
- Soft light for eye protection
- Portable design
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Volume may not be loud enough for some
"I found this compact elephant piano toy ideal for little hands and portable for our road trips. The toy also comes with various sounds, songs, and tactile features, making it an all-rounder sensory toy. Although slightly smaller than expected, its durable build and versatile features are noteworthy."
16. Best Adorable Design:HumorPlay Musical Turtle Crawling Toy
Keep your child engaged for hours with this musical, light-up toy by HumorPlay. The crawling turtle toy can be operated with one button, making it easy for children to use. It plays fun songs and moves around, encouraging children to crawl or run after it. Designed for children aged six to 12 months, this interactive toy offers a hand drum and a telephone game, helps them learn the alphabet and numbers, and plays eight lullabies, six animal sounds, and five musical instrument sounds.
Pros
- Shatterproof ABS material
- Free of BPA
- Rounded smooth edges
- Two volume settings
- Soft lights for eye protection
Cons
- May be smaller than you expect
- May have gaps big enough for fingers to get stuck
"Although the toy is more suitable for playing on hard surfaces than the carpet, I like it because it encourages my little one to crawl. Plus, it has a charming appeal and offers educational benefits via its lullabies and animal sounds."
17. Best Multi Functional:Baby Einstein Explore & Discover Soft Blocks Toys
These soft blocks can help promote your baby’s tactile senses and help them differentiate between different kinds of surfaces. Set includes a peek-a-boo child-safe mirror for self-discovery. The toys for babies come with colorful and exciting images.
Pros
- Multi textured sides fosters tactile stimulation
- Engages child in the long run
- Suitable for newborns as well
- Colored blocks contain names of colors in English, French, and Spanish
Cons
- Sounds may be a little loud
- Paint may peel off over time
"What I love about these textured blocks is that they not only keep my baby busy for a long while but also help develop their motor skills. Although I had to assist my baby during the first few play sessions, they feature a soft and smooth surface, making them safe for delicate little hands."
18. Best Non-Toxic:Baccow Musical Activity Learning Table
Here’s a child-friendly learning table that plays exciting music and flashes lights to keep little ones entertained. It allows your child to flip the animal sound book, push the buttons, and spin the pointer, thus improving their fine motor and early education skills. It runs on three AA batteries, and you can adjust the volume to suit your needs. The toy, measuring 9.7×8.7×7.1in, is made of non-toxic materials and is safe and smooth for hassle-free playing.
Pros
- Soft lights
- Detachable legs
- Can be tied to the crib railing
- Portable design
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Legs may not be very sturdy
19. Best For Easy Grip:BeAndge Toddler Rattle & Roll Toy Vehicles
These colorful rattle toys are shaped like a truck, a tortoise, and a crane. They are soft and flexible and have smooth finger holes, making them easy for children to grasp. Each car and truck produces a different rattle sound, improving the child’s auditory skills and keeping them engaged.
Pros
- Friction-powered
- Moving eyes and mouth
- Made of premium, non-toxic materials
- Improves hand-eye coordination
Cons
- Small parts may pose a choking hazard
- Hooks on the back may not be highly durable
"The vibrant movements and rattles of these toy cars have made playtime more engaging for my toddler. Despite demanding constant parental supervision due to the small detachable parts, I like these cars for their durability and ease of handling."
20. Best Innovative Design:VATOS Tummy Time Water Mat
This water mat comes with colorful bright floating characters that encourage babies to crawl. The activity play mat is easy to set up and fold and makes a good toy for developing your baby’s gross motor skills.
Pros
- Helps improve hand-eye coordination
- Ideal as indoor and outdoor toy
- Leak-proof and soft
- Made from BPA-free PVC
Cons
- May have a smell of paint
- May develop holes over time, leading to water leakage
"Upon arrival, the initial smell of plastic was a slight dampener, but the mat's engaging features overpower its minor flaw. Also, the mat is inflatable, making it easy to store when not in use."
21. Best For Physical Movement:LeapFrog Scout’s 3-In-1 Get Up And Go Walker
After your child has mastered crawling, the next step would be walking. Central dome lights up in different colors and includes light-up piano keys, a phone, a peek-a-boo door, a book page, a bead spinner, a high-five paw, toy gears, and two dangling toys. The various interactive functions make this toy a perfect gift for your little one.
Pros
- Comes with adjustable speed levels to suit the child’s ability
- Can be used as a play gym
- Plays engaging music
- Can be used as a floor activity panel and a walker
- Apt for teaching colors and letters
Cons
- May tip occasionally
- May move too slowly when set to ‘slow’
"The walker is a delightful toy with a smooth transitioning ability from a lay-flat play station to an engaging walker. The arrangement of various toys can seem a bit cumbersome, but it offers plenty of entertainment and growth opportunities. I like that my child can play with this toy for a long time."
22. Best For Rounded Corners:Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube Music Toy
The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube music toy is a perfect toy for introducing your little one to the world of music. This educational toy teaches how different sounds, including harp, flute, French horn, piano, and violin instrument sounds, combine to create eight Mozart masterpieces. The Orchestra button allows your child to hear all the instruments playing at once while the lights flash in tempo with the music. The Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube Music Toy is recommended for budding young composers of all ages.
Pros
- Smooth edges and easy to hold
- Encourages creativity and imagination
- Promotes active listening skills
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- Some children may find it heavy
- Can be loud at times
23. Best Free play Mode:We Offer What You Want Piano, Bongo Drums And Guitar
This set could be your baby’s first step to becoming a pop star as it comes with different types of toys such as a piano, guitar, and drums. Each toy comes with big buttons, so your baby finds it easy to play with. The toy plays over 25 different songs and can help kindle your child’s interest towards music.
Pros
- Equipped with a free-play mode
- Songs pick up from where the baby stops
- Aids in cognitive, physical, and emotional development
- Certified for safety
Cons
- Users may find trouble turning it off
- May be smaller than expected
"I appreciate these musical toys for their compact size, as they fit perfectly in my child's hands. They are also durable, as they have survived several drops and throws. The absence of an on/off switch button for the music component can occasionally be frustrating, but these toys do a great job of keeping my little one content."
24. Best Fun For Hands:Fat Brain Toys Oombee Cube Sorter
The Oombee cube sorter from Fat Brain Toys is a quality set that helps make learning about shapes and textures fun for babies. The six silicone shapes are tethered to the corners of the cube, making them easy for little hands to grab and explore. The shape sorters are made of food-grade silicone, so they’re safe for teething babies to chew on. The cube is made of durable plastic and is BPA-free. This tactile toy for babies is great for strengthening fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to use
- Improves hand-eye coordination
- Teaches children about colors and shapes
- Encourages problem-solving
Cons
- May be smaller than expected
- Some children may find the sorting challenging
"The most amazing feature of this shape sorter is that all the shapes come with attached strings, avoiding the risk and hassle of misplacing any component. It not only helps little brains learn about shapes but also keeps them entertained during long car rides."
25. Best Historical Fantasy:Green Toys Stacking Cups
The My First Green Toys stacking cups are suitable for your little one’s bath or playtime. Made from recycled plastic milk containers, these colorful and durable stacking cups are volumetrically accurate and numbered on the bottom from one to six. They’re also easy to clean after a fun day of playing.
Pros
- No BPA, phthalates, or PVC
- Dishwasher-safe
- Stackable for easy storage
- Meets FDA standards
Cons
- Paint may chip easily
- Some cups may have sharp edges
"These star-shaped stacker cups feature a thoughtful design. Moreover, the numbers present on each cup aid in improving the child's numeracy skills. Though it took my little one a while to figure out how to play with the cups, they are worth the hype as they also double as bath time toys."
How To Choose The Right Toys For 8-Month-Old Babies?
Here is a comprehensive buying guide to help you select suitable toys for your eight-month-old baby.
- Developmental milestones: Look for toys that will help your baby develop their fine and gross motor skills and enhance their imagination. They should have different textures, lights, sounds, and more to encourage your child to move and grab.
- Safety:Ensure the toy you choose is non-toxic and safe for your baby to play with. Avoid anything with small parts that could cause choking, and look for well-made toys that won’t easily break apart.
- Portability: Consider choosing lightweight toys you can easily carry to make traveling with your child easy.
- Interest: Choose toys based on your child’s preferences to keep them engaged for long. Toys with various features work well to hold your child’s attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How should I stimulate my eight-month-old?
At eight months, your little one will become more independent by mastering crawling, and some are even ready to stand and take their first steps. During this stage, you can stimulate your baby’s senses by engaging them in noisy games like musical toys and peek-a-boo games. You can even sing to them, make them dance to the beat by helping them clap, and book reading by showing them colorful images will also grab their attention and stimulate their visual skills. Choose sensory bags, picture books, or toys with different textures to stimulate their different senses.
2. What can babies play with at eight months?
Most babies enjoy knocking on the stacked cups and towers at this stage, and it is a good idea to engage and play with them. Rattles, shakers, squishy teethers, building blocks, puzzles and pianos with large buttons are some other toys babies enjoy playing with at eight months.
3. How much should an eight-month-old play independently?
Independent play at any age is healthy, and there is no set time for this, which is also true for eight-month-olds. Encouraging the babies to play independently helps them to explore and develop focus and improves their attention span. You can leave your eight-month-old in a safe and secure place like playpens for at least 30 to 45 minutes, provided there are no sharp or tiny objects or things that pose a risk.
4. How many words should an eight-month-old baby say?
Babies start babbling at this age and can utter syllables like ba, ma, and da. They can even say words like baba, mama, and dada.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose specializes in writing about toys and gifts for babies, having written hundreds of articles in different categories. To help your eight-month-old reach their developmental milestones, Priti has compiled this list of some of the best toys that are safe, interactive, entertaining, and meet the age recommendations after reviewing countless baby toys. These consumer-tested toys encourage children to improve their fine motor skills, sensory skills, and hand-eye coordination.
The Bottom Line
Our list of the best toys for 8-month-old babies includes a variety of options, from stuffed toys to musical toys and rattles to sensory balls, that make fun and cute gifts for babies. When choosing a toy for your 8-month-old baby, you must check if the toy is made of non-toxic, BPA-free material. In the case of stuffed toys, they should be soft and interactive like the GUND Baby Plush Elephant. Also, consider a toy that grows with your child like the Skip Hop Activity Center that converts into a play table. Choose time-tested toys like the Infantino Sensory Balls, Blocks & Buddies that introduce children to different textures and shapes. Lastly, ensure the toy is free of sharp edges and meets all safety standards.
Infographic: Features To Look For In Toys For 8-Month-Old Babies
Choosing suitable toys for eight-month-old babies is essential, as babies at this age develop quickly and have varied interests. In this guide, we will provide tips on selecting appropriate toys for eight-month-old babies that can aid in their development while keeping them entertained and safe. Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
1. Movement: 8 to 12 Months; American Academy of Pediatrics
2. US Department of Health and Human Services
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