Our Favourite Developmental Toys and Books for a Six-Month-Old

As a first-time mom (mum), I’ve loved watching my son grow and discover the world around him. At six months old, every day seems to bring a new skill, whether it’s reaching for a toy, exploring different textures or becoming fascinated by books.

I’ve found that you don’t need an endless collection of toys to support your baby’s development. A few engaging toys, some interactive books and plenty of time playing together can go a long way.

These are the toys and books my six-month-old has been loving recently, and how we use them to encourage movement, sensory exploration and language through play. Every baby develops at their own pace, but I hope this gives you some inspiration if you’re looking for ideas for your own little one.

1. Cause and Effect Pop-Up Box

One of our favourite toys at the moment is a simple pop-up and close cause-and-effect box.

Cause-and-effect toys help babies begin to understand that their actions have an outcome.

Pressing a button causes something to pop up, and closing it again resets the activity ready to repeat. Repetition is key for learning at this age.

We also use this toy as an opportunity to develop language.

As we play together, I narrate what’s happening using simple words and short phrases such as:

• “Open…”

• “Close…”

• “Push.”

• “Again!”

  
  

2. Bright Starts Moving Crab, VTech Ball and Orange Cat Toy

These three toys have been fantastic for encouraging movement during tummy time.

Rather than placing toys directly in front of him, I position them just out of reach to encourage him to reach, pivot and weight shift. These are all important foundations for rolling, transitioning between positions and eventually crawling.

The moving crab is particularly motivating because it travels across the floor, encouraging him to visually track it and move towards it. The VTech ball rolls unpredictably, while the orange cat toy provides another engaging target to reach for.

Tummy time doesn’t have to feel like an exercise session—it can simply be fun play that naturally encourages movement.

3. The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Pop-Up Book

Reading together has become one of my favourite parts of the day.

This interactive version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar captures his attention with bright colours, pop-up pages and opportunities to explore the book using both his eyes and hands.

At six months, reading isn’t about sitting still for an entire story. Instead, it’s about hearing language, sharing attention, exploring pictures and enjoying those moments of connection together.

4. Lift-the-Flap Books

Lift-the-flap books are another daily favourite.

They encourage curiosity and interaction while providing lots of opportunities to build language.

He’s also started trying to lift the flaps himself, giving him opportunities to practise reaching, grasping and using both hands together.

5. Don’t Tickle the…Series

If I had to choose one favourite, it would probably be the Don’t Tickle the… books.

The different textures provide wonderful sensory experiences, while the sound buttons make the book's engaging.

Recently, we’ve started encouraging him to press the sound buttons independently. It’s lovely watching him begin to understand how to activate the sounds himself, while also developing his hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Why Play Matters More Than the Toy

Talking during play, waiting for your baby to respond, following their lead and sharing moments of joy together all help build communication, attention, motor skills and secure relationships.

You don’t need the latest expensive developmental toy to support your baby’s learning. A small selection of engaging toys, books and plenty of interaction is enough.

A Final Thought

Every baby develops at their own pace, and what interests one six-month-old may not interest another. I am not a child development professional, these are simply the toys and books that have worked really well for us during this stage.

The biggest takeaway? Get down on the floor, play alongside your baby, talk about what they’re doing and enjoy the process. Those everyday interactions are some of the most valuable opportunities for learning.

I’d love to know—what toys or books has your six-month-old been loving recently? Let me know in the comments below.