Toys All Around
Make a loose circle of toys around your baby. A new toy in every direction invites them to roll, pivot, reach, and explore a little farther.
- 6 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Movement：Reaching for toys placed in different directions gives your baby repeated practice rolling, turning, and using their muscles to explore a wider area.
- Cognitive：Trying different body movements to get closer to a toy gives your baby experience changing their approach when the first movement is not enough.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
Several favorite toys
Step 1
Roll Toward the Toy Circle
Place several toys in a loose circle and lay your baby on their tummy in the middle. Shake one toy to catch their attention, then give them time to roll or turn toward it. Reaching the toy can show your baby that moving their body brings something interesting closer.
What to notice
- Rolls or turns while trying to reach a toy
Gross Motor - Reaches toward a toy after noticing it
Initiative and Curiosity
Tips
- For many babies at this age, rolling is an important way to move independently. A toy just to one side can provide a playful reason to practice.
- Use only a few toys and leave plenty of open space for your baby to roll and turn freely.
Step 2
Turn Toward the Sound
After your baby reaches and explores one toy, move to another direction and shake a rattle behind them. Wait while they turn their head, shift their body, or pivot on their tummy to get closer to the sound.
What to notice
- Turns their head or body toward the sound of the rattle Gross Motor
- Tries more than one movement to reach a toy behind them
Reasoning and Problem-Solving
Tips
- Respond as soon as your baby reaches the toy: “You heard it, turned around, and found it!”
- When your baby turns toward the sound, do not hand over the toy right away. Let them adjust their body; move it closer only if they become frustrated.
Step 3
Move a Little Farther
When your baby willingly rolls or turns for a toy, place the toy box a little farther away. Wait without rushing. Encourage repeated rolls, a tummy pivot, or a small forward scoot as they work toward the box.
What to notice
- Rolls more than once to reach a toy farther away Reasoning and Problem-Solving
- Keeps trying to move closer to the toy box
Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)
Tips
- Moving forward is not required. Celebrate any repeated roll, turn, or reach: “You rolled again—you’re almost there!”
- Reaching toward a farther toy gives your baby more chances to practice the movements that come before crawling.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026