Jan 06, 2023

Best Toys for 8-Month-Old

One of the most challenging and exciting stages of parenting is when your little one turns eight months old. At this age, babies are becoming more interactive and inquisitive about the world around them. This is the time to introduce toys that will engage, stimulate, and help them develop.

With countless baby toys for 8 months old to choose from, it can be difficult to know what’s right for your little one. To make it easier, here is a guide to the best toys for eight-month-olds that will keep them entertained and encourage their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development.

Top Toys for an 8-Month-Old

Best Toys for an 8-Month-Old Girl

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Baby Rattles

A crochet baby rattle is a great toy for 8-month-old girls. They are easy to grasp and shake, making them fun for your little one. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it easy to find a rattle that suits your baby’s size and development level.

Baby rattles help your baby develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As they learn to control their movements, they can also gain confidence in their own abilities.

Soft Blocks

Building blocks are useful for a baby’s physical and cognitive development. A set of soft, stackable blocks is a great way to help an 8-month-old girl learn cause and effect while strengthening their hand-eye coordination.

The best soft blocks are brightly colored and made of non-toxic materials. A set with different shapes and textures will also help your baby learn about the world around them.

Stackers

Stacking toys for 8-month-old girls are great for developing hand-eye coordination and problem-solving abilities. They also help your little one learn how objects fit together. Your baby girl can learn shape recognition and color sorting while having fun.

Activity Cubes With Shapes and Buttons

Among the most popular toys for 8-month-old girls are activity cubes with shapes and buttons. This type of toy encourages problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination while also giving them something they can touch, shake, and press to explore cause-and-effect relationships. These are the perfect toys for infants 0-12 months because they’re colorful, lightweight, and durable.

Musical Instruments

Music can be a great way to get your baby moving and grooving. Musical instruments such as hand drums, mini xylophones, tambourines, maracas, and kazoos will introduce your baby to the wonderful world of music. They’ll have a fantastic time shaking and banging them while also learning about rhythm and sound.

We recommend musical instruments as toys for babies under 1 because they help foster a love of music and movement in the early stages of life.

Best Toys for an 8-Month-Old Boy

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters encourage problem-solving skills as your baby discovers how to fit the pieces into their respective slots. These toys also teach color and shape recognition and hand-eye coordination. Look for a set that includes a variety of shapes so your baby can explore different combinations and become increasingly proficient.

Toy Cars

One of the best gifts for babies under 1 year is a toy car. Boys are always curious about vehicles. At 8 months, they’ll love pushing cars around the house or playing with them in the yard. Cars also help encourage gross motor skills as your baby learns to move around independently.

As the baby pushes the car around, they will learn about balance and coordination. Look for cars with bright colors and interesting textures to help stimulate your baby's senses.

Stuffed Animals

Among the best brain-boosting best toys for babies 6 to 12 months, stuffed animals are a must-have. These toys help children develop empathy and other social skills by allowing them to role-play with their furry friends. Look for plushy animals with bright colors, varying textures, and friendly faces that your baby will love to cuddle up against.

The best-stuffed animal toys, such as this Ladybug Stuffed Animal, are designed with babies in mind. They’re made from cotton, meaning they’re soft and durable. Plus, the colors are great for visual stimulation. This helps foster your baby's growing cognitive skills and ensures they’ll stay entertained for hours on end.

Ball Pit

A ball pit is a great way to keep your 8-month-old active and engaged. This type of toy encourages physical activity as your little one skips from one ball to the other, trying to collect them all. It also helps promote problem-solving skills as your baby learns how to reach the balls from inside the pit.

In addition, ball pits provide a fun and stimulating environment for sensory exploration. Look for one that comes with brightly colored balls to help stimulate your baby's visual development.

Stacker

A stacker is an excellent learning toy for 8-month-old boys. This type of toy encourages problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills as your baby learns how to stack the pieces in the right order. Some stackers even come with removable parts that your little one can use to create their own designs. This is why they are also recommended as the best toys for 6-9 months old.

Stackers also help teach color and shape recognition. Look for a set that includes varying shapes and textures to help keep your baby stimulated as they stack the pieces up higher and higher.

Handprint & Footprint Kits

Capture special moments for your baby with a handprint or footprint keepsake kit. Not only will you be able to keep those tiny prints forever, but the process of creating them is also a fun and bonding experience for both you and your little one. As they grow older, they’ll appreciate this thoughtful gift even more.

To make sure your prints come out perfect, look for kits designed specifically for babies. The printable material should be non-toxic and safe for babies without worries.

Activity Play Mats

Activity play mats are a great way to keep your baby entertained while fostering physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Look for one that comes with fun toys and activities such as mirrors, lights, music boxes, and more. This will provide hours of adventure for your baby as they explore the mat's different textures and sounds.

Plus, activity play mats are designed to help keep your baby safe. Look for one with a non-slip bottom and lightweight material that can be easily folded up for storage. This will ensure you get the most out of this toy as your baby starts to explore their world.

Developmental Toys for an 8-Month-Old

Developmental toys are an important tool for promoting the growth and development of infants and young children. At 8 months old, a child is beginning to become more mobile and is developing their fine and gross motor and cognitive and social skills. Choosing the right developmental toys can help support and encourage these skills and allow your child to learn and explore in a fun and engaging way.

Some specific toy recommendations for an 8-month-old include:

Stacking Toys

These toys, which often consist of rings or blocks stacked on top of one another, help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They also promote problem-solving, as the child works to figure out how to stack and balance the pieces.

Puzzles

Simple puzzles with large pieces can help develop hand-eye coordination, color recognition, and logical thinking. They also provide an engaging challenge for curious minds. For instance, a four-piece puzzle featuring animal shapes can help children develop shape recognition. It may also help them learn the names of animals.

Activity Centers

These toys feature multiple activities designed to stimulate a child's development. Common features include spinning gears, sliding blocks, and open and close flaps. They usually provide a variety of sounds, colors, and textures for sensory exploration.

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters are classic toys for helping toddlers develop gross and fine motor skills, as well as sorting and problem-solving abilities. Look for toys with brightly colored shapes that can be sorted into corresponding openings for your 8-month-old's developing coordination and cognitive skills.

Pull Toys

Pull toys are ideal for an 8-month-old who is learning to crawl and walk. Not only do they provide a fun way for your child to explore the world around them, but pulling the toy also helps strengthen their motor skills and coordination. We also highly recommend these as the best 7-month-old toys.

Balls

Balls of various sizes and textures can be used for rolling, throwing, and catching, which can help to develop gross motor skills and coordination. When selecting a ball for an 8-month-old, look for one that is lightweight and easy to grasp.

Soft Toys

Soft toys, such as stuffed animals or dolls, can be used for imaginative play and help develop social skills and emotional intelligence. There are many types of soft toys that can provide a range of sensory experiences. For instance, a stuffed animal with fur may help to promote tactile exploration. A musical toy can provide auditory stimulation, while a toy with interactive features, such as a button that plays a sound or lights up, can help foster cognitive development.

Remember to supervise your child while they play and to check toys for any wear or damage regularly. With the right developmental toys, your 8-month-old can have fun while learning and growing.

Educational Toys for an 8-Month-Old

Most parents want to give their 8-month-old baby the opportunity to explore, learn and develop at this age. Educational toys can be a great way to help your baby reach developmental milestones such as rolling over, discovering their hands and feet, beginning to sit up on their own, and more.

Below we will look at some of the best educational toys for an 8-month-old.

Building Blocks

Building blocks are a great way to help your baby learn problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and color recognition. Look for building blocks in different shapes, colors, and textures. This can help your baby learn spatial awareness by trying to fit the shapes together, figure out new ways to use them, and discover which colors go well together.

Musical Toys

Music can be a great way to get your 8-month-old baby engaged with learning. Get musical toys to make a sound when pressed or moved around. This will help your baby learn cause and effect, as well as learn about different sounds.

Shape Sorting Toys

Shape-sorting toys are a great way to help your baby learn how to identify shapes and fit them into the right spot. To provide educational value, these toys usually have different colors to help your baby learn colors too.

Baby shape-sorting toys often include simple shapes such as cubes, circles, and stars. Different sizes of each shape can also be included for further learning opportunities. These toys are perfect for helping your 8-month-old develop hand-eye coordination from moving the shapes in and out of the slots.

Stackers/Nesting Toys

Stacking toys are a classic learning tool that helps your baby learn cause and effect as they move objects up one by one. These can be made from wooden rings, small cups, or other materials. Nesting toys have the same effect but involve fitting an object into another. This is great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Mirror Toys

Mirrors are a fun way to help your 8-month-old baby practice their reflexes and facial expressions. They can also be used to help your baby work on early language skills like how to make different sounds with their mouths.

Crawl Toys

At 8 months old, your baby is probably starting to crawl. Crawling toys are great because they encourage your baby to move around and explore. These can range from small balls, rattles, or stuffed animals that make noise when moved across the floor. They are also the best toys for 11-month-old babies.

Play Cubes

Play cubes are a great way to help your 8-month-old learn how to problem-solve. These cubes usually consist of multiple sides, each with different activities such as sounds, music, or shapes. This is perfect for helping your baby explore their environment and create connections between their senses. It is also among the best baby toys for 6-12 months, who can now recognize more complex shapes and items.

Activity Tables

If your baby is getting restless, activity tables are a great way to keep them occupied. These have several fun activities such as lights, sounds, and songs that will provide educational value while entertaining your 8-month-old at the same time. They usually come with balls, figures, or blocks to keep your baby occupied. The educational value of these tables also increases as your baby grows older.

Christmas Gifts for an 8-Month-Old

Whether it's for your own child, a nephew or niece, or for a friend’s baby, picking the perfect Christmas present can be challenging. Below, we'll go over some of the best gift ideas for an 8-month-old.

Decor Christmas Tree

Investing in a small Christmas tree is always great when gifting an 8-month-old. Not only will the baby love the decorations, but they can also have fun playing with the stuffed ornaments and lights.

Baby Clothes

At 8 months old, babies grow like little weeds and can always use a new wardrobe! Look for clothes in bright colors and fun prints that are also comfortable for the baby to wear. The best clothes, such as these organic baby bodysuits, are made of 100% natural materials and are safe for the baby’s sensitive skin.

Baby Blanket

A soft and comfortable blanket is always a great choice for an 8-month-old. Look for one with fun colors or cartoon characters that the baby will love. A lightweight organic handmade baby blanket is perfect for keeping your little one warm during the colder months.

Conclusion

Toys for 8-month-olds are a great way to help them further explore and develop their skills. As parents, it’s important to take the time to find toys that will be safe, enjoyable, and educational for your baby. The best toys will offer various sensory experiences, cognitive challenges, and motor skill-building activities.

A great selection of toys is available on the market, from rattles and blocks to activity centers, balls, and books. No matter what toy you choose for your 8-month-old, make sure it’s age-appropriate and that it encourages your baby’s development. You can give your 8-month-old hours of fun learning with the right toys.

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