Skwish Rattle Teether vs Sassy Sushi Sorter: Which Sensory Toy Is Best for 6-Month-Olds?

Around 6 months, babies start grabbing, mouthing, and exploring everything within reach. That’s the sweet spot for sensory toys that combine rattle sounds, teething relief, and cause-and-effect play. Two popular options are the Manhattan Toy Skwish rattle teether and the Sassy Sushi Sorter. Both are designed for this age, but they work differently. Here’s a hands-on comparison to help you pick the right one for your baby.

We’ll look at how each toy supports sensory development, which one is easier for tiny hands, and where each shines (or falls short). By the end, you’ll know exactly which toy fits your baby’s current play style.

How the Skwish Rattle Teether Works

The Manhattan Toy Skwish is a classic rattle teether made of elastic strings and wooden beads. When your baby grabs, squeezes, or shakes it, the beads slide and clack together, making a gentle rattle sound. The wooden center bead is designed for teething, and the open structure makes it easy for small hands to grip from any angle. It’s lightweight and doesn’t rely on batteries or electronic sounds.

One of the Skwish’s biggest strengths is its simplicity. Babies as young as 3 months can start batting at it, and by 6 months they can hold and shake it independently. The elastic strings allow the toy to spring back into shape after being squished, which adds a satisfying sensory feedback loop. However, because it’s all wood and elastic, it doesn’t offer the variety of textures or interactive features that some babies crave.

• Best for: babies who love grasping, shaking, and mouthing a single toy with clear cause-and-effect.

How the Sassy Sushi Sorter Works

The Sassy Sushi Sorter is a plastic shape-sorting toy shaped like a sushi roll. It comes with three colorful pieces (a salmon, a cucumber, and a rice block) that babies can push through matching slots. Each piece has a different texture and makes a rattle sound when shaken. The toy also has a clear window so babies can see the pieces inside, which encourages object permanence play.

This toy offers more variety than the Skwish. Babies can practice fine motor skills by grasping the chunky pieces and fitting them into the slots. The rattle sounds are bright and satisfying, and the sushi theme is playful. On the downside, the Sassy Sushi Sorter has more parts, and some babies may get frustrated if they can’t immediately fit the pieces. It’s also slightly heavier and less portable than the Skwish.

• Best for: babies who enjoy shape-sorting challenges, multiple textures, and a toy that grows with them into toddlerhood.

Key Differences at a Glance

The Skwish is a single-piece rattle teether that’s all about grasping, shaking, and mouthing. It’s great for on-the-go play and doesn’t require any problem-solving. The Sassy Sushi Sorter is a multi-piece shape-sorter that adds a cognitive challenge and more sensory variety. Both toys are safe for 6-month-olds, but they target different developmental milestones.

If your baby is still in the ‘grab and mouth’ phase, the Skwish is likely the better choice. If your baby is starting to show interest in fitting objects together or enjoys watching things disappear and reappear, the Sassy Sushi Sorter will keep them engaged longer. You can also use both together to rotate toys and keep playtime fresh.

• Skwish: one piece, elastic strings, wooden beads, teether-friendly, portable.
• Sassy Sushi Sorter: three pieces, plastic, shape-sorting, rattle sounds, object permanence.

Which One Should You Buy?

For a 6-month-old, I’d recommend starting with the Skwish if you want a simple, durable rattle teether that’s easy to clean and take anywhere. The Manhattan Toy Skwish is a tried-and-true sensory toy that works for months. If your baby is already showing interest in puzzles or stacking, the Sassy Sushi Sorter adds more complexity and can grow with them into the 12-month range.

That said, there’s no wrong choice. Many parents end up with both because they serve different play needs. The Skwish is great for calm, focused play, while the Sassy Sushi Sorter encourages active problem-solving. Either way, your baby will get valuable sensory input and plenty of smiles.

Both the Skwish rattle teether and the Sassy Sushi Sorter are excellent sensory toys for 6-month-olds, but they suit different play styles. The Skwish is a simple, portable teether that’s perfect for grasping and mouthing, while the Sassy Sushi Sorter offers shape-sorting challenges and more interactive features. Think about your baby’s current interests and choose the one that fits their next developmental leap.