Age-Wise Toys for Kids Guide: 0–6 Months, 6–12 Months, 1 Year+

It is the hope of all parents to provide their children with a wonderful, educational childhood. However, in the modern world, parents tend to be confused—there are just too many choices, issues of safety, screen time addiction, and the need to select toys for kids that are both entertaining and educational. 

The reality is that each age group is unique in his or her developmental needs and the appropriate toy can be the difference between them. 

Toys are not just toys, they are growth instruments, be it in developing the motor skills of a baby or developing the creativity of a preschooler.

Toy-related searches will be delivered to you in a guide containing the best toys suited to each stage, including newborns up to the age of 6, with practical advice, low-budget suggestions, and safety considerations.

Toys for Kids (0–6 Months)

Major Needs: Security, sensual stimulation, comfort.

Babies are at this fragile age still discovering the world around them. They gradually start to identify voices, shapes and colours. 

This is why our toys must be soft, sensory-rich and gentle to facilitate healthy growth.

Best Toy Ideas

• Soft rattles & teethers – Easy to hold, safe for gums, and help with grip.
• Hanging crib toys & play gyms – Encourage reaching, kicking, and visual tracking.
• Black and whites in high contrast - Develop eyesight and early visualization.
• Soft plush toys - Provides comfort, warmth and a feeling of protection.

Parent Tip: To be as safe as possible, the choice of toys should always be non-toxic, washable, lightweight, and contain no small removable parts.

Joynbaby Picks for 0–6 Months:

• Silicone Baby Teether – Safe & soothing for teething gums
• Silicone Fruit Feeder – Doubles as a teether + helps explore new tastes
• Baby Head Protector Pillow – Gentle sensory play during bath time

✨ Give your little one the safest start to playtime – Shop Infant Toys Now on Joynbaby

Toys for Babies (6–12 Months)

Priority needs: Crawler, hand-eye, curiosity.

At this age, infants are small adventurers! They begin crawling and picking objects and attempt to figure out how things work. 

Toys that are most helpful at this age promote movement, wonder, and sensing.

Best Toy Ideas

• Stackable rings & cups – Teach size, balance, and colors while improving grip.
• Push & pull toys – Encourage crawling and help with early walking skills.
• Musical toys (with safe sound levels) – Develop rhythm, listening, and joy in sound.
• Play and bath products - Make bath toys safe, fun and stimulating.
• Cozy plush toys - Keep the babies safe and comfortable when they take a nap or go to bed.
  

Parent Tip: Toys that evoke exploration and motor skills are always the way to go. 

Bright colors, engaging textures, and safe designs work best for curious little minds.

Joynbaby Picks for 6–12 Months:

• Round Baby Water Play Mat – Encourages tummy time & muscle strength with floating water animals.
• Breathing Teddy – A soothing plush that mimics real breathing to comfort babies during sleep.
• Baby Adjustable Safe Bathing Shower Cap – Keeps water & shampoo out of baby’s eyes, making bath time safe & fun.

Help your baby crawl, explore, and enjoy stress-free bath & sleep – Shop Baby Toys for 6–12 Months at Joynbaby

Toys for Toddlers (1–2 Years)

Priority Needs: Crawling, hand-eye coordination, curiosity.

At this age, infants become small explorers! They start crawling, grabbing and exploring, attempting to figure out how things work. 

The correct toys stimulate freedom of movement, interest, and sensual play.

Best Toy Ideas

• Stackable rings & cups – Teach size, balance, and colors while improving grip.
• Push & pull toys – Encourage crawling and support early walking skills.
• Musical toys (with safe sound levels) – Build rhythm, listening, and joy in sound.
• Play & bath toys – Make bath time safe, fun, and stimulating.
• Cozy plush toys – Offer comfort and security during naps and bedtime.

Parent Tip: Always go for toys that spark exploration and motor skills. Bright colors, engaging textures, and safe designs are perfect for curious little minds.

Toys for Toddlers (1–2 Years)

These Joynbaby products are designed to make this stage of discovery safer, happier, and more engaging:

• Baby Crawling Knee Elbow Pads – Perfect for little explorers who are still crawling or learning to walk. Soft, stretchable, and protective for knees and elbows.
• Electric Baby Nail Trimmer - Keeps tiny nails neat and safe without the risk of cuts. Gentle LED light + soft grinding pads make it parent-friendly.

Toys for Preschoolers (2–3 Years)

Major Needs: Motor skills, creativity and imagination.

At this stage, toddlers absolutely love to imitate grown-ups, explore stories, and play socially. The right toys can encourage their imagination, language, and physical skills.

Best Toy Ideas

• Art & Craft kits - Unleash the imagination with drawing, coloring and easy crafting.
• Picture books - Enrich the language and build imagination.
• Musical instruments (xylophone, drum set) – develop rhythm and coordination.
• Pretend play toys (dollhouse, mini vehicles) – role-play & social skills.

Parent Tip: Select toys which promote creative thought and social connection. Cooperation, empathy and communication are taught to toddlers through shared play and playdates.

Toys for Preschoolers (2–3 Years) 

Joynbaby collection doesn’t currently include traditional toys like craft kits or storybooks, but you can still integrate practical and imaginative tools that support toddler growth:

In Joynbaby Educational Toys collection, you’ll find:

• Tetra Tower Game - encourages building, spatial problem-solving, and coordination.
• Alphabet Learning Soft Pillow Cushion Book- fosters language development, storytelling, and sensory play.

Nurture your toddler’s imagination, motor skills, and joy of learning—all in one place. Explore Joynbaby Educational Toys now!

Toys for Early Learners (3–5 Years) 

Important Needs: Pre-school learning, teamwork, communication.

Learning at this stage is accompanied with play. Parents are keen to discover toys that assist their kids to acquire real-life skills- without screens.

Best Toy Ideas

• Alpha letter and number learning toys- Learn elements at a young age.
• Game board activities that are age appropriate - Encourage teamwork, patience and turn-taking.
• Both building kits (LEGO, magnetic blocks) and problem- solving, fine motor skills are developed.
• Outdoor (balls, swings) toys-  Develop physical coordination, gross motor development, and active play.

Parent Tip: Select toys which will make learning fun and social. This strengthens cognitive skills and reduces screen dependency.

Joynbaby Picks for Pre-Schoolers (3–5 Years)

Here are Joynbaby educational tools that spark learning, creativity, and play in pre-schoolers:

• Magic Practice Copybook – A reusable handwriting workbook with disappearing ink; includes four books (covering alphabet, numbers, math, and drawing), a magic pen with grip, and 10 refills. Encourages neat handwriting, concentration, pen control, and imagination. 
• Flash Card – Double-sided educational flashcards that are ideal for early recognition of letters, numbers, shapes, and simple words.
• Educational Slate – A kid-friendly drawing slate that lets children practice writing and drawing over and over; great for tactile learning.
• Pen Control Training Workbook – Helps children refine pen grip and writing precision through structured practice. Perfect for fine motor development.
• Kids Magic Water Drawing Mat – A mess-free water-based drawing mat where kids paint with water; encourages creative expression without fuss. 
• Foam Pogo Jumper – A soft foam pogo stick to promote gross motor activity, balance, and strength.
• Magic Flying Fairy – A magical flying toy that promotes imaginative play and wonder—great for active, interactive fun.

Create a world where your child learns, plays, and grows—screen-free and with joy. Shop Joynbaby Pre-School Learning Toys

Safety Checklist for Toys (All Ages)

Safety is first and foremost when it comes to kids. Regardless of the age group, this is a brief list of questions that any parent should consider before purchasing or allowing their child to play with a toy:

General Toy Safety Rules

• Non-Toxic & BPA-Free - No matter the item, it should always be made of non-toxic food grade materials.
• No Sharp Edges - Surfaces must be smooth, have no points, no rough edges.
• Deep Cleanable and Washable Toys will be easy to sanities, particularly like the infants.
• Choking Hazards- Do not use small, detachable parts with babies and toddlers under the age of 3.
• Strong & robust- Select toys that do not break easily and form sharp edges.
• Certified & Tested - ISI, CE, ASTM Certifications will guarantee safety standards.

Age-Specific Safety Tips

Infants (0–12 Months)

• Toys are only large, soft, lightweight.
• Not any batteries, magnets or small beads.
• Should be cleanable (because all goes into the mouth).

Toddlers (1–2 Years)

• Don’t use toys with longer than 7 inch strings (strangulation hazard).
• Make sure toys are strong enough to survive rough play (throwing, biting).
• Look periodically to see loose parts.

Pre-Schoolers (3–5 Years)

• The batteries of toys that run on batteries must have compartments that are screwed locked.
• Art & craft materials should be washable and free of toxicity.
• Learn good sharing, neither pushing nor fighting over toys.

Older Kids (5+ Years)

• Protective gear and helmets are required in the case of outdoor toys.
• Board games are to be large and heavy.
• Do not use too noisy toys (help hearing).

Parent Tip: See that playtime is always supervised, particularly new toys. Only when used under adult supervision can a safe toy be considered to be safe.

FAQs for Parents

Q1. What is the best toy to get my child at his age?

Ans: Select toys according to safety, age label and developmental requirements.

The younger babies need soft and sensory toys, toddlers need building and pretend toys and the older kids need puzzles and board games and outdoor toys.

Q2. What are the core toy age groups?

Ans: The most popular ways to group toys are; 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-5 years, 5-8 years and 8+ years.

Each phase is dedicated to various abilities such as crawling, solving problems or creativity.

Q3. What is the “20 Toy Rule”?

Ans: The 20 Toy Rule is having no more than 20 toys in the environment at a given time. It decreases the clutter and makes the kids more creative in playing. 

Toys can be rotated by parents to make the playtime refreshing.

Q4. What is the reason for the age recommendation on toys?

Ans: Toy age labels make toys safe and developmentally appropriate. For example, “3+” means safe for children above 3 years and avoids choking hazards for younger kids.

Q5. Where can I find safe & educational toys in India?

Ans: You can explore Joynbaby – they offer age-appropriate, non-toxic, and learning-based toys that support your child’s growth at every stage.

Conclusion

All toys that you select turn into a memory belonging to the magic child. The right toys not only make kids happy, but also affect the learning process, imagination, and development of the kid.

The next time you visit the store, make sure to buy only safe, entertaining, and educational toys: your child will not deserve anything less.

www.joynbaby.com has interesting and age-based toys that are smart and happy to play with, and makes playtime with your child even smarter and happier!