Toys for one-year-olds are exciting because they allow them to interact and play, which is exciting for both them and you. For the best gifts for 1-year-olds, we spoke with two toy experts and a developmental psychologist, in addition to researching and testing the products. Jim Silver, CEO of TTPM, Maddie Michalik, senior editor of The Toy Insider, and Bronwyn Charlton, PhD, developmental psychologist and cofounder of Seedlingsgroup are among our panel of experts.
It usually doesn’t take much to get a 1-year-attention, old’s but when purchasing a gift or toy for them, keep in mind how many months they have been alive. A 12-month-old is significantly different from a 23-month-old in terms of development. In order to account for this discrepancy, some of our gift suggestions are recommended for children aged 18 months or older.
Silver advises parents to only purchase toys that are rated according to their children’s ages. Gift purchasers should exercise caution when purchasing electronic toys, according to Charlton. In terms of lights, music, sounds, and batteries, she explained that the more a toy can do, the less work your child has to do themselves and the less benefit they receive.
No matter if you’re on the hunt for a big gift or just a few small toys to round out your shopping, we’ve got something for the 1-year-old on your list.
Listed here are 27 of the perfect toys for 1-year-olds:
An interactive crockpot
LeapFrog Choppin’ Enjoyable Studying Pot, out there at Target, Walmart, and Amazon, from $19.97
Young children as young as a year old are at the stage in their development where they want to be involved in everything you are doing. While they are not yet capable of handling kitchen tools and appliances, they can participate in the fun by using this interactive pot. It is supplied with a pot, a bowl, a cutting board, a knife, a spoon, as well as four different types of vegetables.
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
A child shark tub toy
Robo Alive Junior Child Shark Battery-Powered Sing and Swim Tub Toy, out there at Amazon and Buy Buy Baby, from $12.59
The same reason that adults can’t get the song “Baby Shark” out of their heads is also the reason that 1-year-olds adore it. Because of the song’s infectious melody, children are quick to pick up on the lyrics and sing along. Due to the fact that this swimming bath toy is water-activated, all they have to do to play is drop it into the tub.
Recommended for children ages 18 months and up
Toys that keep put with a suction cup
Whirly Squigz, available at Fat Brain Toys, $21.95
The throwing of toys and other misplacing of toys is a common occurrence among young children. With the help of the suction cup that comes with these fun swirly toys, you can keep them exactly where you want them. These are great for strollers, high chairs, airplane windows, and any other place where a suction cup can be used. Furthermore, they are not only entertaining to play with, but they can also be used as teethers in a safe manner.
Recommended for children aged 10 months and up
Their first finger paints
Crayola My First Fingerpaints, available at Amazon, $22.99
It is extremely important for children’s development to engage in sensory play, and most children delight in getting their hands dirty. You’d be surprised at how much time a little paint can keep a 1-year-old occupied. And the best part is that these paints are non-toxic and washable.
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
A picket stacking toy with their favorite characters
Melissa & Doug Blue’s Clues & You! Picket Rainbow Stacker Puzzle, out there at Amazon and Walmart, $16.49
Simple Montessori-style pieces and figurines are included in this set of six rainbow stacking pieces and three figurines. Children can use them as a puzzle or stack them to create a miniature world for themselves to play in. When we tested an editorial review sample of this toy, we discovered that the pieces were extremely well-made and durable.
Recommended for children ages 18 months and up
A drum set with built-in video games
Be taught and Groove Caterpillar Drums, out there at Walmart and Amazon, $17.59
What kid doesn’t want to have their own drum set? Start them off early with these caterpillar drums, which include built-in games as well as a free-play mode to keep them entertained. In response to the lighting of the three drums, the caterpillar’s body twitches, its feet wiggle, and its tail rattles. Young toddlers will be encouraged to get up and dance by the songs that have been included.
Ages 6 months and older are recommended.
A luxurious elephant that performs peek-a-boo
Gund Flappy the Elephant, available at Buy Buy Baby, $34.99
In addition to singing “Do Your Ears Hang Low?” and playing peek-a-boo with its ears folded down to cover its eyes, Flappy the Elephant is a stuffed animal that can be found in many toy stores. Flappy can be interacted with by small children by squeezing its feet, which causes music or a game to be played. They will return to it for months.
Ages between 0 and 24 months are recommended.
A piece of play equipment tailor-made to their age
Lovevery Play Kit, available at Lovevery, from $36/month
Lovevery Play Kits are monthly subscription boxes that are tailored to the developmental stage of a child. Every three months, subscribers receive a new kit containing toys such as a ball run, a wooden coin bank, puzzles, and a flashlight, among other things. Each box contains a play guide that will assist parents in understanding their child’s development and maximizing play time with each toy in the collection.
Ages between 0 and 48 months are recommended.
A gentle and cuddly child doll
Manhattan Toy Wee Child Stella, out there at Amazon and Bed Bath and Beyond, from $19.98
It is the opinion of Charlton that Wee Baby Stella is a toy that can change and grow with children as they progress through various developmental stages. The soft doll stands 12 inches tall, which is a perfect height for a 1-year-old child. Children can take the doll’s binky off and put it back on, as well as change its clothes, both of which help them to develop fine motor skills.
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
An animal push-and-pull toy
Hape Push and Pull Elephant, available at Amazon, $9.99
Hape Push and Pull Giraffe, available at Amazon, $10.95
If you’re looking for a toy that will keep your child active, Charlton suggests pull-along toys. When children push and pull one of these painted wooden animals, they can improve their gross motor skills at the same time. As they approach the age of two, the elephant or giraffe will almost certainly inspire imaginative play as well.
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
A Mickey Mouse stacker
Inexperienced Toys Mickey Stacker, out there at Amazon and Walmart, $9.99
This stacker toy from the environmentally-conscious brand Green Toys is constructed entirely of recycled plastic. It is made up of graduated pieces in red, yellow, and blue, as well as a top and base that are Mickey-themed. Stackers help children improve their problem-solving skills, motor skills, trial and error, and spatial reasoning abilities.
Ages between 6 and 36 months are recommended.
Books that may face up to teething
Indestructibles Books, out there at Amazon and BuyBuyBaby, from $5.95
Due to the fact that they are water and rip-proof, Indestructibles are the best books for toddlers. Children will have a difficult time destroying these, regardless of whether they are teething or do not yet understand how to handle a book. The books also capture the attention of a 1-year-old due to the presence of brightly colored illustrations in the front and center of the pages.
Ages between 0 and 24 months are recommended.
A hooded towel for post-bath snuggles
Animal Tub Wraps, out there at West Elm and Pottery Barn Kids, from $34.50
One-year-olds become cold very quickly after bath time. When they get to snuggle up in one of these plush hooded animal towels, they’ll be overjoyed! There are five different designs to choose from, each with embroidered details: a puppy, a unicorn, a bear, a raccoon, and a lion. The towels measure 31 by 23 inches and are made of a soft cotton terry.
Ages between 0 and 24 months are recommended.
A sturdy toy chest
Melissa & Doug Picket Toy Chest, out there at Amazon, Walmart, and Melissa & Doug, from $112.99
Children under one year old tend to accumulate an overflowing collection of toys, making adequate storage a necessity. This toy chest is still in excellent condition after nearly two years of use with a toddler. We appreciate the safety features, which include a hinge on the lid to prevent pinched fingers, in addition to the durability of the product.
A Lego set with letter blocks.
Lego Duplo My First Alphabet Truck, available at Amazon, $20
Michalik recommends toys that help children develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, among other things. As children stack blocks and maneuver the truck in this Lego Duplo set, they are practicing both of these skills. It contains 36 Duplo pieces, which include 26 letter bricks, a truck, and 10 other bricks and figures in addition to the letter bricks.
Recommended for children ages 18 months and up
A puzzle with easy-to-grasp knobs
Melissa & Doug Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle, available at Amazon, $15.99
Children can begin putting together large knob and peg puzzles as early as one year old, which Charlton recommends for the development of fine motor skills. Additionally, these farm-themed jumbo puzzles aid in the development of vocabulary, perception, hand-eye coordination, and matching skills in toddlers.
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
A walker, bouncer, and ride-on toy in a single
Walk, Bounce, and Ride Pony, available at Walmart, $48.99
When riding, pushing, or bouncing on this pony, one-year-olds will be able to improve their gross motor skills. The toy has over 50 songs, sounds, and phrases that it can play. When they’re finished walking, the back handle can be folded down to make riding more convenient.
Ages between 9 and 36 months are recommended.
A basic exercise heart
Battat Wooden Activity Cube, available at Amazon, $59.99
This farm-themed activity cube is jam-packed with manipulatives and play scenes to keep kids entertained for hours. Doors that open and close, spinners, bead roller coasters, and movable animals are just a few of the attractions. This activity cube, according to Charlton, can be used to encourage exploration and problem-solving in 1-year-olds.
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
A cause-and-effect musical toy
Hape Pound and Faucet Bench, out there at Amazon and The Tot, from $27.89
For 1-year-olds, cause-and-effect games are incredibly entertaining and educational. Kid’s pound balls through holes in this bench, causing them to land on a xylophone at the bottom. They are also capable of playing the xylophone on their own. According to Charlton, at this age, creativity is in full bloom, and musical toys such as this one aid in the development of that creativity.
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
A set of tub rattles
Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles Tub Toys, out there at Amazon and Walmart, from $7.78
With these floaty, rattling bath toys, kids can splash around and discover new things in the tub. Each set contains four transparent balls, two of which contain animals and two of which contain whirly toys. A textured ring on the outside of the ball can be manipulated in order to rotate it around. In an interview with Insider Reviews, Michalik said that one-year-olds should look for toys that encourage them to explore and discover colors, shapes, sounds, and textures. This toy provides coverage for all four.
Recommended for children aged 4 months and up
Magnetic constructing blocks
Buckaroo Foam Magnetic Blocks, available at Amazon, $19.99
When it comes to stacking, one-year-olds can be frustrated, but these magnetic foam blocks eliminate some of the frustration by having magnetic areas that easily bond together. Because the blocks do not have sharp edges, they are safe for use by small children who like to throw things. Silver recommends the use of building blocks to encourage children to engage in imaginative play.
Recommended for children ages 18 months and up
A Batmobile playset
Fisher-Price Little People Batmobile, available at Target, $16.99
Batman’s Batmobile can be transformed into a play set complete with a gym and a dining table for him to eat at. Little People are intended to be safe for children under the age of three, and 1-year-olds are likely to enjoy pushing the car and playing with the figurine in this set. As they grow older, they’ll be able to be more imaginative in their pretend play activities.
Suitable for children aged 18 months to 5 years.
Five musical devices
B. Toys Drumroll Please Instrument Set, available at Amazon, $35.99
This musical toy, according to Charlton, can help children develop their imagination and creativity. It consists of a drum, two drumsticks, castanets, a whistle, a tambourine, and a shaker egg, amongst other instruments. When the children have finished playing, all of the instruments can be tucked away inside the drum.
Ages between 18 and 36 months are recommended.
A frustration-free form sorter
Fats Mind Toys Innybin, out there at Fat Brain Toys and Amazon, $24.95
The Innybin is the ultimate toy for children who want to improve their fine motor skills. It comes with a sorting box with elastic bands as well as six shapes that must be squeezed inside the box. Traditional shape sorters will most likely be too difficult for younger 1-year-olds, but this one will be just challenging enough to pique their interest while still being manageable.
Recommended for children aged 10 months and up
A wagon to move their toys
Inexperienced Toys Elmo’s Wagon, out there at Amazon and Walmart, $24.99
Toys that keep one-year-olds active are recommended by Charlton. This wagon will accomplish this task as children push, pull, load, and unload the wagon during indoor or outdoor play.. It’s the perfect size for them, weighing in at less than 2 pounds.
Recommended for children ages 18 months and up
Constructing blocks for little palms
Mega Bloks Peek a Block Schoolhouse, available at Amazon, $32.13
Among the interactive elements in this mega bloks set are a slide, a launching device, and two “peek a boo blocks,” all of which encourage imagination and play. Mega Bloks are large, which makes them safe for 1-year-olds to play with and easy to grasp for older children. Blocks, according to Charlton, are “open-ended toys; toys that your child can use in a variety of different ways.”
Recommended for children aged 12 months and up
A shape-sorting picnic basket
Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket, out there at Walmart and Buy Buy Baby, from $19.99
Boost your shape sorting skills to the next level with this picnic basket, which includes a shape sorter, two cup holders, two fork holders, two plates, six food items, and a picnic blanket. Silver recommends learning toys that are first and foremost intended to be entertaining. While 1-year-olds enjoy themselves while playing picnic, they are also learning concepts such as shapes, colors, manners, and sharing that they are not aware of.
Ages between 6 and 36 months are recommended.
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