Gift Ideas 6 months to 1 year old

I always find this a tricky age to buy for as all of my kids were so different during this 6 month window. They were growing so quickly, learning so much and changing interests all the time. Here are a few of the toys and activities that we had (or in one case, wish we had) that really engaged our babies during this pivotal age in development.

Stacking toys

What’s not to love about a stacking toy. They are great for encouraging fine motor skills and problem solving. They don’t take up much room. They don’t make much noise. And the bonus of these silicone stacking toys is they are made from food grade silicone which means they can totally double as a teether too. I call that a huge win.
 

Spinning toy

A lot of people saw this on my Instagram stories and asked where it was from. Ruby got this for Christmas last year when she was 9 months old and she still loves it. When she was younger she loved to hand us the pieces and watch as we put them on. As her motor skills improved she now loves to put them on herself, then pull the stick out and watch them roll off the end. Her older brothers have also been showing her how to order the pieces either by size or colour. So there is a lot of fun to be had with this one. Plus, it’s a bit addictive. Matt and I often find ourselves daydreaming and putting the pieces on this one. @entropytoys.
 

Totli Box

I wish I had gotten this for Ruby last year. I keep reading so many wonderful reviews about it and one of our brand reps has showed us some amazing uses. Designed by early childhood specialists with a passion for all things Montessori this box give your baby so many opportunities to explore the world through colour, shape and texture. It encourages problem solving, exploration, imagination and so much more. If you haven’t heard of them before, I seriously recommend you check them out.  
 

Play Mat

If you haven’t yet gotten an easy to clean play mat for your little on this is the time to get it. For all those learning to sit, crawl, walk and tumble. It also provides the perfect wipeable place for introducing solids, and will quickly become the heart of your home. Plus, they create a fun, and inspiring invitation for your little one to play. All of our play mats have a fun engaging kids side and a beautiful décor friendly reverse which makes you feel like you are getting two for one. Finally, if you end up creating lots of messy and sensory play activities in the years to come the easy to wipe surface will come in handy.
 

Rattle Maraca

Sound is one of the many senses babies are continually working on in the early years. Often one of the first toys for babies, rattles such as this maraca will stimulate their senses while also helping motor skills such as grasping and shaking. This also helps with their understanding of cause and effect. Plus, listening to different instruments and music helps a child develop a deeper understanding of beat and rhythm. This maraca is a nice soft introduction into the world of instruments because let’s be honest some of them are crazy loud and will drive you crazy at first.

If you're a mum who loves this Christmas Gift Guide, send it to your loved ones as a Christmas Wish List for your bub!