best toys by age — what babies and toddlers actually engage with
most baby toys are bought for the parent, not the baby. this is the honest list — what actually gets engagement, by age. open-ended over flashy. fewer items, more play.
by Sophie Nguyen · last updated 4 May 2026
general info, not medical advice
for product safety, check accc.gov.au/recalls. for development concerns, talk to your GP or maternal child health nurse.
0–3 months
newborns mostly look. high contrast and faces win.
- high-contrast black/white cards or book
- small unbreakable mirror
- soft rattle (light enough they can hold it)
- a play gym/arch with hanging toys for tummy time + back-lying play
3–6 months
everything goes in the mouth. they grab, drop, repeat. cause-and-effect starts.
- teething rings (silicone or natural rubber)
- soft fabric blocks
- sensory balls — different textures
- Sophie the giraffe (or any silicone teether they actually like)
- wooden ring rattle
6–9 months
sit-up + grasp + drop is the new game. peekaboo is officially the funniest thing ever.
- stacking cups
- shape sorter (introduce, don't expect them to nail it)
- soft books with fold-out flaps
- a basket of safe random objects to explore (treasure basket / Montessori-style)
- any toy that makes a sound when they hit it
9–12 months
pulling-up, cruising, bumbling toward walking. push toys come into their own. word + action mimicking starts.
- a sturdy push walker (not a sit-in walker — those are not recommended in AU)
- a basic toy phone
- stacking rings
- wooden cars they can push
- interactive board books
12–18 months
- shape sorter — now they get it
- chunky puzzles (3–5 piece)
- musical instruments — egg shakers, drums
- toy kitchen + play food (yes, now)
- ride-on toy
18–24 months
- Magna-Tiles or Duplo
- play-doh (supervised)
- first chunky crayons
- bigger puzzles (6–12 piece)
- a couple of dolls or stuffed animals to look after
2+ years
- imaginative play setups (kitchen, doctor kit, garage)
- real-life imitation tools (kid-safe broom, kid-size watering can)
- first scooter or balance bike
- Duplo / chunky Lego
- art supplies — paint, paper, stamps
fewer toys = more play
Montessori research shows kids engage longer with fewer, more deliberate toys. consider a toy rotation — keep half away, swap weekly. it makes the same toys feel new.
frequently asked
do babies need lots of toys?
no. babies under 1 are happy with 5–10 toys at most. the world (kitchen utensils, leaves outside, a sibling, your face) is more interesting than any toy.
are screens okay for toddlers?
AU guidelines say no screens under 2, and under 1 hour a day for 2–5 year-olds. if you do screens, co-watch, choose slow-paced shows, and avoid mealtimes.
what about second-hand toys?
great for almost everything except anything mouth-related (teethers, dummies). check for cracks, missing parts, AU recall lists. our recalls page tracks AU product recalls including toys.