Toys that 3-6 Month Old Babies Love

Now that her eyes can see a bit farther and her hands are starting to have a purposeful grasp, your baby is ready to start playing with toys!

Watching my infant daughter start to grab and investigate with her hands and mouth was a lot of fun. I loved starting to interact with her in new ways as her senses developed. While her dad and I were still the most important 'playthings' in her life, we found there were some excellent toys out there for her to play with and learn from. We found some duds too, like a soft rattle that we'd gotten as a shower gift which started unraveling within a month (yikes!). Through the years of playing with my daughter, nieces, and nephew as well as volunteering in my church's nursery, I've gotten a pretty good handle on what kinds of baby toys tend to work the best.

To give you some ideas, I've compiled a list of my favorite toys in some general developmental areas to focus on for babies 3 to 6 months old. Whether you're searching for a great baby shower gift, looking for a Christmas gift for baby, or wanting a developmentally appropriate toy for your little one, you're bound to find an excellent selection for your 3-6 month old baby on this list. These baby toys have been gummed, grabbed, squeaked, and crinkled to the delight of many little ones who are starting to explore their worlds. In addition, they get high ranks with parents and children, including my own family and circle of friends, as well as in Amazon reviews.

Here's what it takes for a toy to make my favorites list:

- Holds child's interest for an age-appropriate amount of time

- Fun/Enjoyable

- Durable/Quality Construction

- Age and Developmentally Appropriate

FYI: I tend to give higher ratings to toys with songs and sounds that are the least annoying to parents when heard over and over and over. Remember, babies love repetition, so it's important to take this factor into account. You don't want to be driven nuts by your child's favorite toy.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/futurestreet/3380299103/

Knowing where your child is developmentally can help you choose the most appropriate toys for how they're learning and growing

Around the three month mark, you'll probably notice your baby having a new alertness and interest in the world. She'll have filled out a bit and is slowly getting stronger. By around 4 months or so, she'll amaze you with lifting her head and chest off the floor and supporting herself with her arms. If you're like me, you'll be getting the camera out even more often to capture every new baby 'trick' she does.

Her eyesight is making some improvements. Baby is able to see a bit farther away and her depth perception as well as her improving fine motor skills help her reach for and grasp toys. She'll have a mitten-like grip, using her thumb opposite the rest of her hand. By six months, most babies will be able to transfer a toy from one hand to the other. Nearer to the six-month mark, your baby will probably figure out the joy of dropping things to see what happens. Ah, the 'I drop it, mommy/daddy picks it up' game begins. It can be baby's favorite, but usually not the parent's favorite. ;)

During this time you'll also see your baby trying out her vigorous kicking skills. Putting a suspended object near her feet will delight her as she bops it around with her new foot-power. Most 3-6 month olds love being held and bounced in a standing position in your lap. It won't help your baby walk any quicker, but babies love bouncing and it strengthens their leg muscles. Be sure to not hold your baby's body weight by their hands or arms, though.

Remember, YOU are your baby's favorite 'toy'. He'll enjoy your facial expressions and just watching you, but as his world expands, he'll benefit from interacting with the new textures, colors and sounds that toys can provide as well. Why not play together?

Quite a few of my friends' children have also been delighted by Lamaze's take-along moose, who has such silky, touchable fur. In addition, they offer a pirate-y octopus, a robot, a kitty cat, a horse, and the runner-up in popularity, Freddie the Firefly.

Here are some more great choices for your baby's first toys.