The Best Toys for 10-Month-Olds, According to Pediatricians

You know that reading is important, but little kids with tiny hands that love to explore can sometimes send books through the wringer. That’s where soft books (that are tear-resistant, washable and fun to touch) come in. This soft counting book featuring the all-time-classic Very Hungry Caterpillar crinkles, squeaks and helps your little one learn. It’s also machine washable and BPA-free just in case it winds up in the mouth). “Babies especially like soft books with a variety of textures,” says Dr. Fradin, which this one has. An on-the-go clip that’ll easily attach to a stroller handle or diaper bag makes this book a good bet for travel, too.

Recommended age: All ages

Weight: 0.05 pounds

Dimensions: 5 x 8.5 inches

Walk, ride, push, pull — this Pewi “bike” supports all of the different elements of your child’s desire to … go! It comes with a removable push handle for parents (in case your little one is not quite ready to make things move on his own) and wheels that are tough enough for outdoor play. “I like it because it’s lightweight and stable — even if the child takes a tumble, the material is not sharp or likely to cause a bruise,” Dr. Fradin says. Just remember to always supervise new walkers when riding on their own, and install safety gates at any stairs so they don’t roll or fall down.

Recommended age: 9 months to 3 years

Weight: 4 pounds

Dimensions: 20.5 x 16.5 x 17.9 inches

Weight capacity: 44 pounds

If your little one loves music, the last thing you likely want is a Baby Shark toy playing in the background of your home. Enter: this round-edged cube that plays eight classical music tunes with the touch of a button. Your child will love controlling how much instruments like the French horn and the flute play, and Dr. Playforth notes that this musical toy has an added perk: the “buttons allow for that same cause/effect,” making it a learning toy, too.

Recommended age: All ages

Weight: 1.45 pounds (with packaging)

Dimensions: 5.25 x 5.25 x 5.25 inches

The cause and effect phenomenon (When I do this, that happens) is a big developmental milestone around this age and this toy sets a child up for learning it, all the while enjoying music, says Dr. Fradin. Parents like that Hape’s Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone is durable and made from water-based paint, too. That means that it can stand years of (safe) playing, pounding, tapping and grabbing. You just have to remind yourself that the noise is music: your child discovering the things around them.

Recommended age: 1 to 3 years

Weight: 3 pounds

Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.9 x 5.3 inches

This gorgeous climber toy is just as beautiful in your living room as beneficial it is to your little one. The Lily & River Little Climber helps develop your budding toddler’s gross motor skills and his balance, as well as muscle growth, self confidence and creativity. While it is a bigger toy, it folds up so that you can tuck it behind a shelf or under the couch when it’s not in use. To cap it all off, it’s made with sustainable, extremely strong Bamboo wood, and comes with a Little Climber read-along board book.

Recommended age: 6 months to 4 years

Weight: 20 pounds

Dimensions: 31.5 x 31.5 x 24 inches open, 31.5 x 6.75 x 28 inches folded

Weight capacity: 90 pounds

“Stacking cups are old school but are great to help with fine motor skill development,” says Dr. Playforth. This is the type of development that eventually leads to things like holding silverware and scribbling! “There’s the cause and effect piece, too, because you can stack and knock over. I like the cups especially because they can double as bath toys.” Your little one will love stacking, pouring and playing with this set of eight from Mushie that are BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free (read: okay if they wind up in baby’s mouth). They also have a cult following from parents, thanks to their chic, coffee-table-approved design.

Recommended age: 0 to 3 years

Weight: 5.1 ounces

Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 3.5 inches

“Playing ball back and forth with a 10-month-old helps develop social play and interaction,” says Dr. Playforth. This one by trusted toy brand Manhattan Toy is BPA-free and comes with different fabrics for baby to explore, including velour, satin and polyester. Chime and rattle features also encourage cause and effect. Plus, the ball is covered in high-contrast black and white patterns and bright colors for added visual stimulation.

Recommended age: 0 months and up

Weight: 4.5 ounces

Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 5 inches

A top toy among parents, this oddly-shaped toy with silicone bubbles for babies to push in and out keeps babies occupied in car seats, on planes and beyond. Dr. Playforth notes that this BPA-free sensory toy is one of her favorites for travel and also for the high chair. “It seems to fascinate them endlessly and makes both a satisfying sound but also changes shape and is brightly colored.”

Recommended age: 10 months and up

Weight: 0.30 pounds

Dimensions: 6.25 x 5.8 x 1.25 inches

Lots of 10-month-olds are on the cusp of walking. “Toys that prepare them for that stage can be helpful,” says Dr. Playforth. This popular option is affordable, easy to get set up and fun (think: 70 sing-along songs). It also has a pretend telephone handset for make-believe play. The wheels roll on carpet or hardwood, meaning it’ll work no matter what your living room or nursery set up is like. Plus, the activity panel can be removed from the toy, meaning that you and your little one can still have lots of fun playing with it while sitting on the floor.

Recommended age: 9 months to 3 years

Weight: 5 pounds

Dimensions: 16.5 x 14.2 x 18.1 inches

“A push cart toy with blocks is great for helping gross and fine motor skills and fostering open-ended play,” says Dr. Fradin. This wooden one from Tender Leaf is approachable and sturdy enough for a toddler to lean on. Little one not on the move yet? Twenty-nine different bright, garden-themed blocks will spark his interest and inspire play in younger toddlers, giving this walker a longer shelf life than other accessory-free ones on the market.

Aesthetically, the wood walker fits well into the nursery or your living room. Eco-conscious parents will love that Tender Leaf replants 100 percent of the trees the company uses to make its wooden toys. Note that the recommended age is 18-plus months, but you and your 10-month-old may enjoy playing with the blocks until baby can fully embrace this walking toy. Just remember to always stay close to a baby who’s learning to move!

Recommended age: 18 months and up

Weight: 6.78 pounds

Dimensions: 16.34 x 11.22 x 16.54 inches

Books are always a great choice for your baby. But to make the process of reading even more interactive, Dr. Playforth encourages the use of books with different flaps and textures. Lifting flaps can develop your little one’s dexterity and motor skills, too. This book, a classic, introduces your little one to many different animals in the zoo.

Recommended age: 1 to 4 years

Book length: 18 pages

While many parents choose walking toys around a year of age when baby starts to move on two feet, pull toys are another good pick, notes Dr. Playforth. This wooden toy frog from Hape opens and closes his mouth as your little one moves, promoting curiosity and imaginative play (What’s he doing? What does he eat?). It’s also comically cute, making it an adorable pick to add to your little one’s collection. Note that while the toy is technically recommended for tots 12 months and up, you can still roll it around with your little one while playing on the floor together before he starts walking.

Recommended age: 12 months and up

Weight: 0.5 pounds

Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.3 x 3.8 inches

Want a toy that won’t roll away? Look no further than this cute wobbler toy that will also “shake” and “waddle” when your little one reaches for it. This penguin comes with the added perk of a built-in bell that your baby will get a kick out of (and you won’t mind hearing!). Plus, it’s sturdy, made with child-safe paint and will last for years (many parents say it’s a favorite for multiple kids).

Recommended age: 6 months and up

Weight: 0.42 pounds

Dimensions: 4.41 x 3.54 x 4.96 inches