6 Best Development and Educational Toys for 6 Months Olds of 2023

 By the age of 6 months, your baby is likely capable of rolling over and starting to sit independently. Our experts recommend developing educational toys encouraging sitting up, engaging in play, and even stimulating crawling. Crawling is an important milestone in a baby's motor development, strengthening their muscles and coordination. 

Look for crawling toys that allow your baby to practice crawling, such as interactive play mats, tunnels, or enticing toys to encourage them to explore their environment.

As babies become more mobile and active, choosing toys that can keep up with their growing energy and encourage their newfound crawling skills is important. These toys not only entertain but also promote physical development and spatial awareness.

When picking the best developmental toys for 6-month-olds, we thoroughly examined over thirty options, considering factors such as value, toy safety, and age recommendations. 

To ensure the toys we recommend are safe and suitable for development, we reviewed toy safety guidelines provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics and consulted experts in pediatrics, clinical psychology, and the toy industry.

1. LeapFrog My Pal Scout Smarty Paws Puppy

Pros	Cons
Over 40 lullabies Personalized option More than 15 learning activities Interactive play with music, games, and mindfulness exercises.	Requires setup for personalization. May have limited compatibility with certain devices. Some users may find the learning activities repetitive. Requires adult supervision.

The LeapFrog My Pal Scout Smarty Paws is a cute and educational puppy pal that helps children learn first words, numbers, and colors. It features over 40 lullabies and can be personalized with the child's name. With interactive play, Scout reacts to touches and engages in music, games, and mindfulness exercises. It also teaches cause and effect, providing a fun learning experience. 

During bedtime, Scout's nighttime mode plays soothing music for relaxation, and the volume can be adjusted. The toy's soft and plush fabric adds a comforting touch for little ones. While the personalization feature requires initial setup, it should be noted that compatibility with some devices may be limited. 

Additionally, some users may find the learning activities repetitive over time. Lastly, it's important to consider that the LeapFrog My Pal Scout Smarty Paws is designed for early learning and may not be suitable for older children. 

Overall, this toy offers a range of interactive features and educational content, making it a valuable choice for young children.

2. Crawligator

Pros	Cons
Promotes crawling and gross motor skill development. Provides a fun and engaging crawling experience. Encourages exploration and movement. Safe and durable design. Lightweight and portable for easy use. Can be used indoors or outdoors. Stimulates sensory development through tactile experiences. Enhances spatial awareness and coordination.	May not be suitable for all types of flooring. Not suitable for older children

The Crawligator is a fantastic tool for promoting crawling and supporting gross motor skill development in infants. It offers a fun and engaging crawling experience that encourages babies to explore their surroundings and move independently. With its safe and durable design, parents can have peace of mind knowing their little ones are supported during this crucial stage of development.

The Crawligator is lightweight and portable, allowing for easy use both indoors and outdoors. Its tactile features stimulate sensory development, providing babies with different textures and experiences as they crawl. Furthermore, the Crawligator helps enhance spatial awareness and coordination as infants navigate their environment.

While the Crawligator has numerous benefits, it's important to note that its use may be limited for children who have already mastered crawling. Additionally, the suitability of the Crawligator on certain types of flooring should be considered. Adult supervision is necessary during use to ensure the baby's safety. Some users may find assembly or disassembly of the Crawligator challenging. Lastly, it's not suitable for children with mobility limitations.

Despite these considerations, the Crawligator offers a valuable tool for promoting crawling and supporting early motor development. Its benefits in stimulating movement, sensory experiences, and coordination make it a worthwhile choice for infants.

3. Stack Up Cup Toys

Pros	Cons
Facilitates early number and color recognition Fun and entertaining Stimulate senses	Limited complexity Size and storage Material durability Lack of interactivity Minimal Versatility

The set includes eight vibrant cups that offer engaging activities like stacking and pouring, making them enjoyable while also facilitating early number and color recognition in children. 

Each cup features unique hole patterns at the bottom, allowing kids to fill them with water or sand and observe the trickling effect. Moreover, these stacking cups are easy to clean and serve as versatile and budget-friendly toys.

4. SmartNoggin NogginStik Developmental Light-Up Rattle

Pros	Cons
Free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, or lead Encourages sense of touch Develops self-recognition and vision skills	Plastic design could deter some buyers Limited entertainment value Require batteries. Fragile. Lack of educational content. One time use

Noggin Head is a multi-functional interactive toy that offers several benefits for a baby's cognitive development. It boasts safe materials, color-changing lights for visual tracking, a mirror for self-recognition, and a textured body for tactile engagement.

However, its plastic design might not appeal to all customers. With the addition of the parent's guide, caregivers can make the most out of this educational toy by closely monitoring their baby's developmental milestones.

5. Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror

Pros	Cons
Easy to set up Develop visual skills Stimulates a sense of touch.	Age restricted Limited use Lack of educational content Lack of skill development

Introducing a baby floor mirror designed for tummy time, adding a fun and adorable element to the experience. Setting it up is a breeze with its easel-shaped design that allows it to stand on the floor. The mirror is not only visually appealing but also stimulates the baby's developing vision. Additionally, interactive features like a rotating, clicking, and crinkly bee and ladybug rattle, both attached to the mirror, will surely captivate curious little ones.

Closing Thoughts

The list of the 6 best development and educational toys for 6-month-olds of 2023 includes a range of engaging and stimulating options. Among these  tummy time toys, the Crawligator stands out as a fantastic tool for promoting crawling and gross motor skill development. With its safe and durable design, the Crawligator provides a fun and engaging crawling experience, encouraging exploration and movement. It stimulates sensory development through tactile experiences and enhances spatial awareness and coordination as infants navigate their environment. Moreover, its lightweight and portable nature allow for easy use both indoors and outdoors.

While the Crawligator offers numerous benefits, it's essential to consider that its use may be limited for children who have already mastered crawling, and it might not be suitable for all types of flooring. Adult supervision is necessary during use to ensure the baby's safety, and some users may find assembly or disassembly challenging. Nevertheless, the Crawligator's advantages in promoting movement, sensory experiences, and coordination make it a valuable choice for supporting early motor development.

In addition to the Crawligator, other tummy time toys such as the LeapFrog My Pal Scout Smarty Paws Puppy, Stack Up Cup Toys, SmartNoggin NogginStik Developmental Light-Up Rattle, and Sassy Tummy Time Floor Mirror offer a variety of educational and developmental benefits suitable for 6-month-olds. 

Parents can consider these toys to encourage their child's cognitive, sensory, and motor development while keeping them entertained and engaged.