Share on Pinterest

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

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

Best standing toy for 9-month-olds

Best walking toy for 9-month-olds

Best climbing toy for 9-month-olds

Best musical toy for 9-month-olds

Best sensory toy for 9-month-olds

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

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

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.