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Play is important for a baby’s development, and the appropriate toys can accelerate your baby’s physical and mental growth. This includes the development of both hand-eye coordination and motor skills. Toys that focus on sensory play can help with brain development too.

Selecting toys at each stage of your child’s journey may not be at the top of your to-do list, so luckily we’ve done the work so you can focus on the ever-growing needs of your baby. We’ve found some of the best toys for 9-month-olds on the market today.

These toys are safe, educational, and engaging, providing the opportunity for all types of play.

To create our list, we scoured the reviews for toys that were a good value, developmentally appropriate, and most likely to keep your baby engaged and entertained.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $20
  • $$ = $20–$40
  • $$$ = over $40

Best crawling toy for 9-month-olds

Sassy Fascination Roll Around

Price: $

Ideal for an active youngster, this rolling toy will keep your child moving and encourage crawling as they chase after it or push it along. It’s perfect for independent play but also makes a wonderful peer-play option. Easy for tiny hands to grasp, it strengthens motor skills while providing endless entertainment.

Best standing toy for 9-month-olds

LeapFrog Learn & Groove Musical Table

Price: $$

With a variety of instruments, buttons, and songs, this table introduces letters, numbers, and shapes in English and Spanish. You can easily remove the table legs if you want to use this table on the floor or another surface. It’s perfect for encouraging motor skills in children who are learning to stand.

Best walking toy for 9-month-olds

VTech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker

Price: $$

As your little tyke learns to walk, this push walker helps them along while introducing them to animals, shapes, and numbers. The front panel detaches so you can play with it on another surface or even pack it for an outing.

The learning walker plays music and includes five piano keys, light-up buttons, and spinning gears. The walker enhances motor skills, creative thinking, and sensory exploration. But keep in mind: For sensitive tots, the lights and noises may be too stimulating.

Best climbing toy for 9-month-olds

Costzon 6-Piece Kids Crawl and Climb Foam Play Set

Price: $$$

While it’s on the pricey side, this play set is worth the money in terms of the learning it provides. The set includes six foam blocks that your baby can use for crawling, climbing, and walking.

The blocks promote creativity while improving hand-eye coordination and motor skills. With an inside made of eco-friendly cotton, the lightweight blocks are durable enough for years of use.

Best musical toy for 9-month-olds

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy

Price: $

With its clear sound and colorful lights, this musical toy stimulates auditory and visual development, giving your baby a musical learning experience.

The toy includes a volume control and includes seven classical melodies, including those of Chopin, Vivaldi, and Mozart. It’s small enough to keep your little one occupied during diaper changes or to toss into a weekend bag.

Best sensory toy for 9-month-olds

BOBXIN Baby Blocks and Sensory Ball Set

Price: $$

These soft blocks and textured sensory balls can provide hours of enjoyment. The blocks are soft enough to squeeze, and doing so produces a squeaking noise, which delights little ones. You can use the blocks in the water or as teething toys. The balls as double as a massage tool, heightening sensory awareness.

Best ball pit for 9-month-olds

LOJETON Rocket Ship Play Tent, Tunnel & Ball Pit

Price: $

This pop-up ball pit, tent, and tunnel not only provides a ton of fun for little ones, it helps foster motor skills, encourages social skills, and inspires creativity. Connect all three pieces for a mini obstacle course perfect for crawling babies, or leave them separate for a different kind of fun.

It includes a convenient carrying case, and the waterproof fabric dries easily and is a cinch to clean. The ball pit doesn’t include the balls, so you’ll need to purchase those separately.

Best ball drop toy for 9-month-olds

VTech Drop & Go Dump Truck

Price: $

Teaching cause-and-effect and problem-solving skills, this toy also improves motor skills. Along with hand-eye coordination, you can incorporate color and number introduction with the three different balls.

Best stacking toy for 9-month-olds

Sassy Stacks of Circles

Price: $

Bright and cheerful, this vibrant nine-piece set boosts hand-eye coordination and helps to develop motor skills. Your babe can stack the textured rings as they please, plus they can use them as a teething toy. The weighted rings provide endless options of sequences and free play.

Best sorting toy for 9-month-olds

Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter

Price: $

Popular for a reason, this shape sorter features textured blocks in an easy-to-carry sorter bag. You can use it to introduce objects, shapes, and colors, and turn it over to reveal pictures on the crinkly flaps that make up the back of the bag.

This toy aids in fine motor, sensory, and communicative development, helping to enhance your baby’s learning experience.

Best hide and find toy for 9-month-olds

Identity Games Elmo's World Hide & Seek Game

Price: $

Suitable for a variety of ages, this game offers several options and levels for play. Young ones can play with the talking Elmo doll as well as the game cards.

Searching for Elmo underneath a blanket or similar item helps babies to learn object permanence. Plus, they’ll want to crawl, cruise, or walk to get to Elmo when he’s put at a distance.

Best bath toy for 9-month-olds

Green Toys Tugboat

Price: $

Parents love the Green Toys brand because their toys are durable, affordable, and made from recycled plastic. But your kid will likely dig this tugboat because it floats, spins, and pours water. Unlike soft bath toys that can grow moldy inside, this toy is easy to clean — just pop it in the dishwasher.

Developmentally your baby may already be crawling, standing, or walking. They may also be able to cruise in a standing position while holding onto sturdy objects.

You’ll want to select toys that are in line with their 9-month developmental milestones, which may or may not be exactly on target. Regardless, it’s important to choose toys that will be suitable for their age, and help encourage their development, even if they haven’t yet mastered a certain skill.

A 9-month-old may start to:

  • sit without support
  • crawl, stand, or walk
  • cruise by moving in a standing position and holding onto sturdy objects
  • use the pincer grasp to pick up an object using their thumb and index finger
  • follow simple directions
  • engage memory recall
  • handle more stimulation
  • understand certain words
  • make sounds
  • make hand gestures
  • create an attachment to a security item or favorite toy
  • comprehend object permanence
  • use their hands to play with objects

Toys can provide the perfect learning experiences as your child explores the world around them while learning and growing. Chances are, your baby will be happy with most of the toys out there, but it’s still a good idea to choose toys that will enhance their development.