The 20 Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds to Make Learning Through Play a Blast
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Best-Toys-for-7-Month-Old-PAR-tout-4fc98c7031bf4157807cd1e789bb45fa.jpg)
Parents / David Hattan
By 7 months old, babies are mastering developmental milestones like sitting up on their own 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 to help them continue to develop their skills and learn about the world through play. When shopping for toys for 7-month-olds, keep in mind that they love to explore using their mouths, which means any small parts pose a choking risk.To find out what to look for when shopping for safe and developmentally appropriate toys for 7-month-olds, we first consulted an expert and reviewed toy safety guidelines. With this professional guidance in mind, we assessed dozens of toys based on their safety, design, value, developmental milestones, and ease of cleaning. We also surveyed 875 parents and caregivers to find out which toys 7-month-olds truly love and tested several of them at home with our own infants. A pediatric neurologist from our Expert Board also reviewed the contents of this article for accuracy about the best ways to evaluate safe and age-appropriate toys for 7-month-olds.Typical Developmental Milestones: 7 Months OldDuring 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.Uses a raking grasp, which means grabbing an object using their whole hand, often holding or shaking it once they’ve successfully grasped it.Exploring different shapes and textures with hands and mouth.Our Favorite Toys for 7-Month-OldsManhattan Toy Put and Peek Birdhouse Soft Activity ToySkip Hop Explore & More 3-Stage Follow-Me BeeThe First Years Stack Up Cup ToysFisher Price Rock-a-Stack and Baby’s First Blocks BundleBaby Einstein Take Along Tunes ToyManhattan Toy Cactus GardenBright Starts OballSassy Tummy Time Floor MirrorInfantino Pat and Play Water MatLoulou Lollipop Bubble Silicone and Wood RattleManhattan Toy Put and Peek Birdhouse Soft Activity Toy
Amazon
$42
$31
Buy on Amazon
$42
Buy on Target
Well-designed and thoughtfully crafted, this soft birdhouse provides endless possibilities for little ones. Open the Velcro roof or door to peek at the four plush birds or put them in and out of the house. The birds and house have loads of fabrics, colors, and textures. This cute set will be a big hit, perfect for a holiday, birthday, or anytime gift. While pricey, we believe this toy is worth every penny, given how much our own babies loved it and how long it kept their attention. It's one of the first toys they go for. They like carrying the birds around, feeling their textures, and chewing on them.Skip Hop Explore & More 3-Stage Follow-Me Bee
Amazon
$27
Buy on Amazon
$27
Buy on Target
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.The First Years Stack Up Cup Toys
Amazon
$8
Buy on Amazon
$15
Buy on Walmart
Endlessly fun, these affordable stacking cups help babies hone fine motor skills, learn about balance and cause and effect, colors, and much more. We love that the BPA-free materials are safe and waterproof, so these cups are as delightful in or out of the bath. Small holes on the bottoms make water play even more intriguing. Our babies really enjoyed these simple and effective cups and came up with all kinds of creative ways to play with them.Fisher Price Rock-a-Stack and Baby’s First Blocks Bundle
Amazon
$17
Buy on Amazon
We love this affordable bundle of two toys that can provide years of fun. It includes a stacking rings tower and a shape sorter with 10 blocks in various colors and shapes. Both toys are great for helping kids work on motor skills, further their cognitive development, and get familiar with colors, shapes, and cause and effect. These classic toys are safe for little ones between 6 months and 3 years old.Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Toy
Amazon
$10
$9
Buy on Amazon
$10
Buy on 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.Manhattan Toy Cactus Garden
Amazon
$37
$33
Buy on Amazon
$41
Buy on Macy's
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 that can be mixed and matched into various combinations. The stackers are made with soft fabrics and high-quality embroidery and range from 4 to 6 inches in height when stacked.Bright Starts Oball
Amazon
$6
Buy on Amazon
$13
$5
Buy on Walmart
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 various play types.Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror
Amazon
$21
$13
Buy on Amazon
$13
Buy on Target
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.Infantino Pat and Play Water Mat
Amazon
$11
$9
Buy on Amazon
$11
$9
Buy on Walmart
Kids' water play doesn't have to be messy with this cute sensory mat. Just fill it with water and let your little one enjoy patting, squishing, and manipulating the little toy animals inside it. This toy lays flat, so it can be used on the floor or a table, and is especially great for high chairs. This pick is suitable for babies 3 months old and up.Loulou Lollipop Bubble Silicone and Wood Rattle
Loulou Lollipop
$25
Buy on louloulollipop.com
$25
Buy on babylist.com
This little rattle is handmade from beech wood and BPA-free, food-grade silicone rings that are great for massaging sore gums. Babies can enjoy some sensory play with this rattle, too, thanks to the smooth feel of the beads. The rattle is available in a variety of colors, and it's regularly tested at an accredited lab to ensure it meets safety standards.Lily & River Little Climber
Pottery Barn
$285
Buy on potterybarnkids.com
Babies can use climbing toys to strengthen their gross motor skills, use them as support when pulling up, and do some fun exploring with adult supervision. This Lily & River Pikler triangle is 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 reversible slide and rock climber to pump up the fun. This toy is recommended for babies 6 months old and up.HABA Whirlygig Wooden Rattle & Clutching Toy
$17
Buy on Amazon
$18
Buy on Target
Perfect for babies who are working on their grasps, this wooden toy is specifically designed for small hands to grab. It’s safe for little ones 6 months old and up and features several brightly colored beads, which are attached to the center with elastic bands, allowing kids to twist and turn each one. This toy is made from beech wood and is safe for babies to chew on. The jingly bell at the center adds some sensory fun to help littles learn about cause and effect.Skip Hop Baby's Activity Center
Amazon
$142
Buy on Amazon
$142
Buy on Target
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 it can be used into toddlerhood, we believe this is a worthwhile investment.Melissa & Doug Seaside Sidekicks Squirters Water Toys
Amazon
$17
$9
Buy on Amazon
$17
Buy on melissaanddoug.com
With this pack, you get four bath toys shaped like different underwater animals, including a turtle, octopus, crab, and fish. These toys squirt water with a little squeeze, making them ideal for babies mastering their raking grasp. 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.Infantino Textured Multi Ball Set
Amazon
$15
$12
Buy on Amazon
$13
$10
Buy on nordstromrack.com
Sensory play is the best because babies genuinely enjoy it and it’s great for their development. This sensory set comes with six balls with different shapes, colors, and textures. Each ball is made from BPA-free, phthalate-free plastic. What’s really great about this toy set is that as your baby continues to grow and develop, they can find new ways to play with them beyond sensory exploration. They're designed for little ones ages 6 months to 2 years old.Sassy Discover the Senses Gift Set
Amazon
$24
Buy on 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.Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy
Amazon
$14
$10
Buy on Amazon
$14
Buy on Walmart
The Winkel should be a staple in any home with babies because it offers so many ways to play and can be enjoyed from birth to toddlerhood. It features several little plastic loops attached to a small central block that rattles when shaken. It’s great for babies learning to grasp and shake or 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.Litand Soft Stacking Blocks
Amazon
$20
$16
Buy on Amazon
Babies as young as 6 months old can safely play with these soft stacking blocks. The set comes with 12 blocks that feature different colors, shapes, designs, and textures, so they’re ideal for play and exploration. They’re made from durable silicone that babies can squeeze (and squeak), shake, and chew on. These blocks are BPA-free, non-toxic, and can be enjoyed well into the toddler and preschool years.Manhattan Toy Skwish Classic Rattle and Teether
Amazon
$21
Buy on Amazon
$24
Buy on babylist.com
This toy is a classic because its unique design is ideal for developing babies starting at 3 months old. It features wooden beads in various colors that are strung together with rods and elastic strings. Babies can grab onto it, twist it this way and that, and safely chew on it. One important note—this toy must be spot-cleaned, as submerging it in water can damage the wooden beads.Mushie Stacking Rings Toy
Amazon
$18
Buy on Amazon
This stacking toy comes with seven rings and a round topper that are made from soft, squeezable plastic that's BPA and PVC-free. Each ring is a different size and color, allowing for exploration. This classic toy is simple and safe for babies of all ages.How We Selected the Best Toys for 7-Month-OldsTo choose the best toys for 7-month-olds, we researched dozens of toys on the market, evaluating them for safety, value, age-appropriateness, and how they help babies practice skills and reach developmental milestones. We also looked for toys that encourage a variety of types of play.The best toys are the ones kids will play with the most, so we asked 875 parents and caregivers about their babies' favorite toys, how they engage with them, and how long they keep their attention. Finally, we put our selection to the test with our own kids to make sure our recommendations are practical and offer good value to caregivers.Our ExpertsTo learn more about what to look for in safe and developmentally appropriate toys for 7-month-olds, we reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and consulted an expert:Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, private practice pediatrician, mother of two, and author of "The Working Mom Blueprint: Winning at Parenting Without Losing Yourself."Factors to Consider When Shopping for Toys for 7-Month-OldsSafety: Keep in mind that 7-month-olds love to explore using their mouths, so avoid anything that may pose 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 materials that are safe to chew on. Types of Play: While a toy with flashing lights, electronic noises, or music may grab a baby’s attention, there are other ways for a baby to engage with toys. Encourage them to explore their physical environment by offering lots of floor play time with soft toys, and give them opportunities to practice their fine motor skills by providing chewable toys they can pick up and manipulate themselves. Infants learn best by watching and engaging with other people, so the best toy is a parent or caregiver. Reading to your baby can help develop their communication and social skills.The best toys for 7-month-olds are ones that encourage babies 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.While there is not a set number to stick to, you should have toys to help your 7-month-old explore in some way. It's more about quality than quantity. A handful of toys is all you need, as long as the toys engage your baby's interests and allow them to build and practice new skills.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.Who We AreAshley 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 three nieces and two 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. For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Parents.We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings