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The best gifts for a baby between 6 and 12 months match what they're starting to do right now: grabbing, mouthing and banging things together, then filling, emptying and crawling after whatever rolled away. Give one toy they can use today and one for the next few months, check the age label, and skip anything with small or loose parts. A practical gift, like a first straw cup, often gets more daily use than a toy.
What babies this age are working on
Every baby moves at their own pace, but over these six months many babies:
- sit up, pass things from hand to hand and put almost everything in their mouth
- bang, shake and drop things to see what happens
- start crawling or scooting, then pull up on furniture
- take things out of containers, then start putting them back in
So the useful question isn't "what's the best toy for a 9-month-old?" It's "what is this baby doing a lot of right now?" Ask the parents if you're not sure.
Gifts for babies who are sitting, grabbing and mouthing
| Gift | Why it works now | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Itzy Ritzy Pop & Whirl | Suctions to a high chair tray or the side of the tub, so it doesn't end up on the floor. Silicone poppers to push and a part that spins. Labelled for 6 months and up. | $11.95 |
| Itzy Ritzy Mini Maracas | Two small shakers with different sounds, sized for small hands. | $14.99 |
| Itzy Ritzy Itzy Blocks Sensory Blocks Set | Soft silicone blocks, balls and figures to squeeze, mouth and knock over. Later they become stacking blocks. | $24.95 |
| Hape Baby's Farm Animal Book | A wooden book with shaped pages that's hard to tear, for reading together. | $9.99 |
Gifts for babies who are crawling, filling and emptying
| Gift | Why it works now | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Itzy Ritzy Play Barn Spill and Fill | A barn with a door and four animals. Tipping them out comes first; putting them back in comes later. | $19.99 |
| Itzy Ritzy Sensory Scarves | Soft scarves to pull out of a fabric barn box, which also stores them. | $24.99 |
| Itzy Ritzy Music School Xylophone | Each bar plays a different note, and the mallet is shaped for small hands. Good for babies who already love banging. | $19.95 |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Check the age label on each product page and the package before you gift it.
Practical gifts parents use every day
A baby this age doesn't need much, and grandparents often ask what would actually help. These get used daily:
- A first cup. Babies can start practising sips from a cup at around 6 months. The Itzy Ritzy Itzy Sips Weighted Straw Cup ($10.95) has a weighted straw, so it works even when tipped. Our Itzy Sips vs b.box comparison covers how the two popular weighted cups differ.
- A sleep sack in the next size up. Babies outgrow them fast, and parents rarely buy ahead. Ask the family what size and warmth they use now. Our TOG guide explains the warmth ratings.
- Bath toys. Bath time becomes play time around now. Pick toys labelled for this age and easy to dry out.
Which gifts are still in use next Christmas?
A baby's interests change quickly in the first year, so it's worth knowing which gifts carry on past the first birthday.
| Gift type | Likely still used at 18 to 24 months? |
|---|---|
| Books | Yes. Board and wooden books get read over and over. |
| Blocks and stacking sets | Yes. The play changes from mouthing to stacking and building. |
| Fill-and-spill and pretend sets | Yes. Animals and barns turn into pretend play. |
| Musical toys | Usually, especially ones they can bang on themselves. |
| High chair suction toys and teethers | Less often. These suit the first year best. |
If you'd like more on matching toys to what a baby is doing, our guide to baby toy types by play stage goes through each type.
Safety checks before you wrap it
Health Canada's toy safety advice comes down to a few checks:
- Follow the age label. Toys made for older children can have small parts that are a choking hazard for a baby. That includes a gift for an older sibling that ends up on the same floor.
- No small or loose parts for a child under 3. Pull on anything attached, like eyes, ribbons or tags.
- Remove all packaging before the baby gets the toy: plastic wrap, ties, foam and film are suffocation and choking risks. Gather up wrapping paper and bags as presents are opened.
- Keep soft toys out of the crib. They're for playtime, not sleep.
- Check for recalls on the Government of Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts website, especially for second-hand toys.
Want to see the toys in person? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know what we have on hand.
