Infants love putting things in their mouths, so keep an eye on age recommendations to ensure your kiddo plays safely. We researched value, toy safety, age recommendations, and milestones when reviewing products. Keep the 10-month-old in your life happy and busy with any of these toys. Price at time of publication: $150 Price at time of publication: $8 Parents praise this toy and find that it truly engages young kids and can be considered a must-have for their kiddo. While some reviewers don’t love the songs, their kids do and the parents appreciate the two-level volume and auto-off feature. Price at time of publication: $20 Parent reviewers highly recommend this doll and praise it for its longevity, as many kids will love it for years to come. It’s a thoughtful gift for a new or soon-to-be older sibling. Price at time of publication: $22 Parents appreciate the versatility, since kids can put other toys in the bin and how it’s all self-contained. It’s easy to store in a toy room and there’s not lots of clean-up involved. Price at time of publication: $26 Simply turn the toy on for the balls to start flying out of the elephant’s trunk. It’s easy to spin the direction of the trunk to point to where the balls fly. As the balls pop into the air, there’s fun music and sound effects to complete the experience. Price at time of publication: $39 Recommended for kids 12 months old and up, babies will love matching the pictures underneath each piece. Puzzles encourage hand-eye coordination, visual perception skills, and provide a sense of accomplishment. Price at time of publication: $15 The sturdy seat has multiple learning levels, so kids can learn at the right age and stage (and parents won’t get sick of repetitive sounds and songs). Price at time of publication: $44 When storytime is done, use the books like building blocks and put them in and out of their convenient and portable cardboard carrying case. Safe for kids 8 months old and up, parent reviewers praise the budget-friendly price tag and versatility of this toy, making it a go-to gift. Price at time of publication: $17 Given their curious nature, look for toys that allow them to explore and try different ways to play. Also, since they’re getting closer to being more independent, toys that mimic real-life activities will be a big hit and they provide a learning opportunity. It’s especially good to look for toys that allow caregivers to engage and interact with their baby as they play with them as “demonstration of the activity by a parent or caregiver will likely produce imitation and learning of new skills,” according to Quinn.
Milestones
While they’re getting closer to the finish line of the first year and the many, many milestones that come with it (they start to slow down after 12 months), there are still a few more major developments that they’re either working towards or practicing to master at 10 months. Toys that are designed to specifically support their development are always a good idea. Here are a few ideas:
Entertainment
One of the best things about this age is how excited babies are, and the sweet giggles that come when they’re adequately entertained, so obviously the goal is to find a toy that will spark this kind of reaction. Thankfully, they’re pretty easy to entertain, especially when you play into their natural desire to learn and explore. For example, Quinn says, “Peek-a-boo is […] an interactive game used to promote the infant’s learning of object permanence, in other words, the understanding that if a person or object is out of sight, it can still exist,” so toys that allow for similar learning will certainly be a hit. Also, sensory play is still really important at this age and it will help keep them engaged, so be on the hunt for toys with different textures and shapes that are safe for babies to touch and chew (since everything goes into their mouth at this age).
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year-old daughter. Her favorite toys for younger kids are simple toys that have longevity and might be enjoyed by older siblings too. Stacking toys and book sets are always big favorites. Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler. Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer, mom to a 1 and a 4-year-old, and she has personal experience in researching and using infant carriers, strollers, and travel systems. Key considerations she focused on when selecting these products include personal experience, safety features, ease of use, and user reviews.
More Toys and Gifts for Kids
When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Newborn Baby Gifts The Best Unique Baby Gifts The Best Baby Gifts The Best Gifts for Baby Girls The Best Baby Boy Gifts The Best Infant Toys The Best Gifts for 2-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Month Olds The Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 12-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 15-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds The Best Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys The Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 10-year-Olds The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 12-year-old Boys The Best Gifts for Teens The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys The Black-Owned Gift Guide
