Development & Top Baby Toys for Ages 9-12 Months

Today, I’m helping you understand the right baby toys for your 9-12 months old. As your child grows, you’re going to want the top baby toys that are right for your child’s age. After all, age appropriate toys are a must!

Be sure to check out even more of my helpful parenting tips, too!

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I'm helping you understand the right baby toys for your 9-12 months old. As your child grows, you're going to want the top baby toys that are right for your child's age. After all, age appropriate toys are a must!

Can Baby Toys Go In the Dishwasher

Whether or not you can put baby toys in the dishwasher depends on the specific toys and their materials. Here are some general guidelines:

Plastic Toys: Many plastic baby toys can be safely washed in the dishwasher. Place them in the dishwasher’s top rack to avoid exposure to high heat, which can cause certain plastics to warp or release chemicals. Ensure the toys are free from batteries or any electronic components that are not dishwasher-safe.

Teething Toys: Silicone teething toys are often dishwasher-safe. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm that they can withstand high temperatures.

Bath Toys: Bath toys that are labeled as dishwasher-safe can typically be cleaned this way. However, inspect them regularly for any signs of mold or mildew, as water can get trapped inside.

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Hard Plastic Toys: Rigid plastic toys without electronic components can generally be dishwasher-safe. Again, check for manufacturer instructions.

Toys with Fabric or Soft Parts: Toys with fabric components, stuffed animals or plush toys are generally not dishwasher-safe. The heat and water exposure can damage the fabric and stuffing.

Before placing any baby toys in the dishwasher, it’s crucial to:

Check the manufacturer’s care instructions on the packaging or their website
Inspect the toys for any damage, loose parts or electronic components
Ensure that the toys do not have any batteries or parts that should not get wet
Use a mild, baby-safe detergent without harsh chemicals

top baby toys 9 month, 10 month 11 month, 12 month old

When in doubt, it’s often safest to clean baby toys by hand using warm, soapy water and a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse them thoroughly and allow them to air dry. This method ensures that you can thoroughly inspect and clean the toys without risking any damage from the dishwasher.

Developmental Stages for Ages 9-12 Months

The stage between nine and 12 months is full of more physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.

This is a time when most babies begin to walk unassisted and explore the world at their own will.

Language begins to develop and you have a much deeper communication with your baby.

Learning and Muscle Strength Increases at 9 Months

At this stage, your baby will use gestures that maybe he or she saw you doing.

Some babies begin to walk at this stage as leg and back muscles begin to get stronger.

They start to have better balance with their bodies, and are able to reach for items without tumbling over.

With the development of deliberate and controlled movement, your baby will continue to enjoy learning letters, numbers and shapes with toys that include lights and sounds.

This is also when you would start introducing colors with decorative interactive toys where you can help your baby recognize the different colors.

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Blocks are also still a great option, as your baby will love building and knocking down blocks.

Top Baby Toys: Understanding of the World Increases at 10 Months

Skills are maturing quickly at 10 months and your baby will definitely show you what he or she prefers.

The understanding of the mechanics of their environment increases during this time; therefore, you may want to use toys that engage curiosity.

These toys include lots of busy activity with different things for your baby to learn and discover on his or her own. Your baby may also start walking at this age.

Beginner educational toys with lots of color, sounds, and buttons intrigue your baby more at this age.

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Pick toys that now teach words, as your baby’s language is also starting to develop.

Your baby will also begin to understand sequence, so baby puzzles are great for this age.

Reinforce Encouragement at 11 Months

Your baby’s learning is increasing rapidly, so this is the time to provide the encouragement and acknowledgement of things that he or she does.

This reinforces their desire to keep learning.

Your baby may begin walking unassisted at this time, and may no longer like the push walking toys.

He or she is starving for learning, and still wants to see lights, sounds, and music happening when they do something.

Your baby will also start to understand the difference between large and small objects.

Toys that encourage the placement of objects into a box that are of different sizes encourage cognitive development.

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At this age, as role playing continues, you may also notice that your baby loves play phones with lights, rings, and maybe even talking.

A Milestone Has Been Reached at 12 Months

At the age of 12 months, your baby has reached a milestone of learning, discovery and physical development.

This is when learning takes on more discoveries and language begins to develop into much clearer words as your baby understands what you are saying.

Now that your baby is mobile, he or she will have no problem reaching for items that he or she wants.

Your baby will love more detailed activity sets, such as a doll castle with figurines and moveable parts, or a farm with animals that have doors and windows that actually work.

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You may now introduce riding toys, such as push cars, where your baby can use his or her leg strength to move around a room.

What are the Best Baby Toys for Ages 9-12 Months?

Between 9 and 12 months, infants become more mobile, curious and interactive. They are ready for toys that encourage further exploration and development. Here are some of the best infant toys for this age range:

Push and Pull Toys: Sturdy push or pull toys help with balance and walking. Look for toys that are stable and easy for little hands to grasp.

Shape Sorters: Shape sorting toys challenge problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination as babies try to fit shapes into corresponding holes.

Stacking Rings or Cups: Stacking toys promote fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and the concept of size and sequencing.

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Musical Instruments: Simple instruments like xylophones, drums, or shakers introduce babies to different sounds and encourage musical exploration.

Pretend Play Toys: Toys that mimic everyday objects, such as toy phones, kitchen sets, or baby dolls, promote imaginative play and social development.

Books with Flaps and Textures: Interactive board books with textures, flaps to lift and simple stories engage babies’ senses and language development.

Balls: Soft, lightweight balls are great for rolling, tossing and catching, helping to develop gross motor skills.

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Puzzles: Simple puzzles with large, easy-to-grasp pieces encourage problem-solving and fine motor skills.

Activity Tables: Activity tables with buttons, levers and moving parts provide sensory exploration and promote standing and cruising.

Bath Toys: Toys designed for bath time, such as floating boats, cups for pouring and water-friendly books, make bath time an engaging sensory experience.

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Ride-On Toys: Ride-on toys that babies can scoot on their own or with a little help from a push bar are excellent for developing leg strength and coordination.

Building Blocks: Soft, oversized building blocks are safe for stacking and knocking down, fostering creativity and fine motor skills.

Toys that grow with your child and encourage exploration and imagination are ideal for this stage.

When selecting toys, prioritize safety, and ensure they are free from small parts that could pose choking hazards. Always supervise playtime and encourage interaction and exploration with the toys.