At six months old, a typical infant will just be learning to sit up. A baby will be able to roll over and will probably be trying to crawl or scoot. Babies discover their hands at this time, and love to manipulate objects that have a unique texture or make sounds. But their primary sensory organ is still the mouth. Absolutely everything must be experimentally chewed, so make sure toys are tooth-friendly and lack detachable parts that could pose a choking risk.
Teethers
Your baby is probably starting to get a few teeth in at this point, which partly accounts for all the chewing. Therefore, buy toys that are especially designed for teething. You can freeze these or merely cool them in the fridge. Most have a soft, giving texture that allows your baby to gnaw for hours, if needed. Make sure that the label on plastic toys indicates they are BPA-free.
Rattlers and Squeakers
Toys that rattle, crinkle and squeak are a big hit with six-month-olds. They love learning to use their hands to manipulate objects and produce the sounds. Choose toys that fit in little hands and are easy to pick up. Toys with wooden grasping rings, soft toys with bells inside, and plastic ducks that "quack" when squeezed are all examples of this sort of toy.
Mirrors
Babies learn to recognize faces very early on in their developmental life. But it's unknown when they start to recognize their own face. At this age, looking into a mirror can provide endless entertainment. Your baby will watch himself smile, babble and even play peek-a-boo. Choose a baby-safe mirror that won't break.
Balls
Babies at this age are just learning the basic rules of physics, so a rolling ball is fascinating. It also encourages your infant to move and chase it as it rolls away. Or roll it toward your baby and watch her catch it. Soft fabric balls that aren't too bouncy are the way to go at this age.
Board Books
It's never too early to read to your baby. Board books allow your baby to turn the pages on his own and will withstand the inevitable chew marks.
