We aren’t parenting pros, but we have figured out what works for our six month old. Today I wanted to share some of Cata’s favorite toys that have helped with her growth and milestone development! If you’re also a first time mom just looking for what’s helped someone else, stick around — I gotchu. 😉

When we became parents, I didn’t realize just how many questions seem to pop up about so many different things you never thought about (or never needed to think about before):

• What is tummy time?
• Our baby hates it, how do we get her to like it?
• What toys can we use to help her developmental growth?

And that’s just scratching the surface, right? 😅

We were brand new to being parents, so we had no idea where to start. If that’s you, we get you. We were there.

Watching Cata go through these early stages herself has been a real treat for us. We had to do some research of our own to find her toys that help her physical and mental development.

We’ve watched her:

• Develop her eyesight to start tracking things
• Gain strong head control
• Start reaching for things
• Develop hand-eye coordination
• Start grabbing things
• Reach for her toes
• Start bringing objects to her mouth

All with the help of the toys on this list. 🎉

These are toys we use daily for things like tummy time, independent play, in the car, during diaper changes, and bath time.

Our midwife recommended to us The Inspired Treehouse for free resources on development. Their post on Making Tummy Time Fun for Babies is where I found some of these toys.

Taking Cara Babies (the life-saving baby sleep courses we live by!) has some awesome ideas for activities here.

I hope these are as much a blessing to you as they’ve been for us!

1. Baby Einstein Light Bar Musical Activity Station

We normally try to lay Cata on her belly so she learns to reach, push the buttons, and scroll the rattle, but we learned she loves laying on her back with this over her belly. She’s also a big fan of the music. Bonus that it has a Spanish option!

2. Baby Sensory Caterpillar

Another go-to toy, we’ve given this to Cata in her rocker, in tummy time, sitting on our lap, etc. It’s just one of the best versatile toys.

3. Black and White Contrast Mirror and Crinkle Book

This was like a two-for-one for us! As soon as Cata reached scritchy scratchy on everything stage, she became a BIG fan of the crinkle book. She also loves looking at herself in the mirror or just eating the side of it 😂 These are two staples to place around her at tummy time.

4. Car Seat/Stroller Spiral Hanging Mobile

I wish you could see the excited flailing Cata hands every time I pull down the handle of her car seat for her! Sometimes when she’s SUPER tired, she’ll fall asleep with her little fingers dangling from the hanging rings. This usually stays on her car seat handle but sometimes I put it on her stroller bar too.

5. Baby Rattle Pack

Cata didn’t start gaining interest or be able to hold these until around 3 months, but it was great to try every day to get her to play with them. We use these at tummy time, in her high chair when she sits next to our desk or is waiting to eat, or just when we’re hanging out. Some of the best money we’ve spent on toys so far.

6. Play Mat, Walker, Musical Activity Center

This was one of Cata’s first Christmas presents! I love that it can grow with her even when she starts learning to walk. She loves laying on the mat and swatting the hanging toys and kicking the music buttons with her feet. Now that she can sit up, she loves to sit and swat the toys. Big fan fav around here!

Hope you enjoy! Talk soon!

xoxo,

Cindi