Toys & Activities for 8 mo old?

[Anonymous]

I have found that my DS likes to climb on things now. He is trying to stand up on me when I am on the floor as well. Are there any toys that anyone recommends for kids this age? Also, what about activities. We have done a music class and get out to the grocery store and things like that but I don't know whatelse to do with him! Thanks.

[Anonymous]

My almost 9-month-old son loves toys that make noise (drat!), so in addition to all the soft toys he already had, we got some basic wooden blocks. He's miles away from building anything but loves to knock over Mommy's piles or bang blocks together. In his highchair he also loves to bang his sippy cup, bowl, and spoon, so I think I'm going to sit him down old-school with some pots and wooden spoons and let him go to town. We also make a lot of goofy faces and play peekaboo which lead to endless giggles. And yes, we have caved and have several noisy plastic cause and effect toys (when he smashes a button, music plays - oy, pounding and horrible music. But the squeals of delight make it worth it!)

Activity-wise, we haven't done much besides run errands, take walks, hit the local pool, and visit museums and the zoo (he was much more interested in the people). We tried a mom-baby Pilates class that was really fun for me, but he was too fidgety the last time so I think we're done with that.

Which music class did you try, and would you recommend it? I've been mulling whether to do Kindermusik or one of the others thru Arlington County...

[Anonymous]

I am in the same boat with my ds who turns 8-months old today. All he wants to do is walk around the house and look at things (holding my hands for support of course), climb over things, and scoot around on his belly. So, I just try to give him a lot of time to explore.

As for toys, he likes to thoroughly examine them/turn them over etc, push buttons, and suck on them. The best toys are the ones that can be crammed in his mouth. I've also noticed that he has started to like music more as he appears to be shimmying his shoulders to some tunes. I'm going to try and encourage this by playing more music. We do have several music/noise making toys already. We also have blocks, stacking cups and rings, lots of books, stuffed animals, and a car that I push him around the house on. All the standard stuff. We also go to the park to swing and people watch. He is very interested in watching what other kids are up to.

I try to play games with him regularly as well. For example, saying "how big" then responding "so big" and raising his arms up, This little piggy went to the market..., peek a boo, having him help me turn on/off lights, identifying objects as we walk around the house, patty cake, etc.


Anyway, not sure if this helps. I could use some suggestions too!