As we approach the holiday season, it can be quite an effort to find the best toys for 1-year-olds — especially if they seem to have everything.
Luckily, we not only put together a gift guide of the 50 best toys for 1-year-olds, but we also turned to experts in both child development and retail trends to provide expertise on what the most resourceful items may be that will benefit their learning.
“The best toys that aid in a child’s learning development are those that are both entertaining (to keep them engaged) and educational – whether that’s motor skills or emotional play,” Joe Glass, Zulily’s resident toy expert, told the New York Post. “For instance, a wonderfully colorful toy that offers children unlimited creativity and imagination, while also teaching them about ‘building’ skills is great.”
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The best toys for one-year-olds for learning, according to experts
“It’s important to note that the best toy for your 1-year-old may not be the best toy for another 1-year-old, and that’s okay,” Krystal Starke, PhD candidate at Buffalo University’s Graduate School of Education — studying early childhood development and play-based learning — told The Post. “What’s great about the toy industry’s approach to designing these products is that there really is something for everyone.”
From a child development perspective, there really isn’t a difference between what boys and girls need at this age, Starke adds. “Traditionally, ‘boy toys’ focus on vehicle play with more bold and primary colors, and ‘girl toys’ focus on doll play, with more pastel and secondary colors. Providing your child with a balance between these options is the best way to let them show you their interests, because following the child’s lead will ultimately lead to the best play and development.”
What’s more, that perfect toy for a one-year-old is going to look different than, say, a toy for a three-year-old. “For [one-year-olds], we look for toys that are stimulating and engaging for babies and toddlers,” Ali Mierzejewski, editor-in-chief at The Toy Insider, shared with the New York Post. “We look for things that start to hone those basic developmental skills, including fine motor skills, movement, exploration and more.”
According to Mierzejewski, this extends to interactive toys with bright colors, tactile play or lights and sounds to keep babies engaged.
See our hot list of the best toys to buy for the 1-year-old you know below, along with shopping recommendations from our retail and child development experts. We know these great buys are going to make the unwrapping experience ten times better.
Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds
The Fisher-Price Lil’ Gamer Learning Toy is a great budget buy that teaches directions, colors, shapes and numbers. When the buttons are pushed down, lights, music and hands-on activities will play.
Let’s be real — every little one loves stacking and lining up Little People. This adorable Animal Friends Play Set is a great toy less than $25 and will allow your little one to learn about many farm animals before preschool.
3. CoComelon Upholstered Chaise Chair, $60, original price: $70
We all love CoComelon, the Netflix show that’s taking over the world by storm. This Upholstered Chaise Chair makes a great gift and is great to teach your little one how to prop themselves up and climb (with supervision, of course).
For a fun collectible that teaches one-year-olds colors and how to clean up, the Creative Minds Assorted Baby Basket Set is a wonderful less-than-$50 buy for the holiday season. Not only are the plushies safe to hold and walk around with, but they make great friends!
The Fisher-Price DJ Bouncin’ Beats Interactive Toy is another less-than-$50 buy that’ll teach little ones the alphabet, colors, counting from one to 10 and even opposites. Plus, there are more than 75 songs and phrases with multi-colored lights and bouncing action.
If you’re torn between buying a CoComelon toy or a farmhouse play set, look no further than this all-in-one bundle on Amazon. It comes with Farmer JJ, animals and accessories to complete this adorable set, while helping to improve motor skills, imaginative play and dexterity.
You don’t have to go to an amusement park to reap the benefits of a sweet ride. The Flybar FunPark Racer Bumper Car is a hidden gem at Target that the toy experts love. Not only does it have a cute black-and-white checkered flag at its end, but it provides a safe and comfortable ride.
Speaking of rides, the Jurassic World 6V T-Rex Quad is just shy of $75 and is one of the coolest toys on this list. Not only do we want one in an adult version (if only) but it features an easy-to-use acceleration button that keeps the dinosaur steady and stable.
Kickstart your one-year-old’s musical ability early with the Fat Brain Toys Lamaze Squeeze Beats First Drum Set. For less than $40, it encourages sensory learning, motor skills and cause-and-effect learning, thanks to its pat-and-make-sound functionality. Plus, the vibrant colors make it adorable for any baby.
We have nieces, and this is No. 1 on our shopping list. The Little Tikes Look & Learn Window is a wonderful way to teach your child shapes, colors and the weather in this all-in-one learning hub. It’s even two-sided, so there’s nighttime features on its flip-side.
For a toy your one-year-old can grow with, the CoComelon My First Sing-Along Boombox is that perfect $50 gift that they’ll love. It features Bluetooth compatibility to stream to your device, 24 built-in songs to encourage learning and a rechargeable battery (charging cable included).
12. Crawligator Tummy Time Toy, $69 to $73
Tummy time is encouraged by pediatricians to develop strong neck and shoulder muscles, so the Crawligator Tummy Time Toy is perfect to supplement your one-year-old’s growth. Namely, it provides mobility and a comfortable surface to lounge on (what’s better than that)?
13. BabyBjörn Bouncer, $200
Though the BabyBjörn Bouncer isn’t a toy per se, it’s recommended by our retail experts to encourage movement and mobility. Plus, it’s great for on-the-go use to help keep your baby in a safe, contained area.
It’s the teddy bear, reimagined. The LeapFrog My Pal Scout is one of the hottest toys this year, according to our experts, and has more than 7,000 positive reviews on Amazon. With more than 15 different activities, it’ll teach your one-year-old first words, feelings and emotions and colors and counting.
15. VTech Level Up Gaming Chair, $31 to $42
Though you can’t necessarily purchase an Xbox for a one-year-old, you can purchase the VTech Level Up Gaming Chair. For less than $50, it boasts an included WiFi-free gaming tablet that encourages the learning of letters, numbers, animals and music with 26 buttons and 10 piano keys.
OK, we’re all about the CoComelon Ultimate Learning Bus. It’s one of the buzziest new toy launches this year and recommended by our retail experts for how it encourages developmental learning. With music, shapes and letters, it’s perfect to kick-start their school journey in advance.
The Mega Blocks 54-Piece Green Town Building Set is perfect for teaching your one-year-old how to build a green thumb early. Even better, all the pieces are CarbonNeutral-certified, so you’ll feel good about your sustainable purchase.
18. Fisher-Price Barbie Little Dreamhouse, $42, original price: $53
Finally, there’s a Barbie Dreamhouse suitable for one-year-olds. We’re telling everyone about this IRL for its traditional Little Peoples figurines and incredible learning play set that encourages sensory learning (especially with an elevator that moves up and down), along with sounds and phrases thanks to its ability to play music.
“One of my favorite toys for vehicle play is this Top Bright Wooden Ramp Racer,” Starke says. “By design, the cars can be put on in any orientation and still ride down the ramps. This allows baby to play without frustration while still working through that hand-eye coordination of placing the car onto the ramp.”
Plus, this all-in-one play set is an Amazon’s Choice product with nearly 11,000 rave reviews.
“These are great investments as kids can work to grow their little world as they get older, with the wide age grade of 1-5 years old,” Starke shares. “At 1-years-old, you can expect the baby to explore the buttons and sounds of these toys, carry around their favorite figures as a comfort item, and even begin to role play with the characters after watching their grown-ups create stories with them!”
We love the traditional dollhouse feel of this set, too, along with the included people and adorable, vibrant furniture pieces.
“This advanced stuffy supports the baby’s cognitive development from number, letter, shape and color recognition to body parts and first words,” Stake adds. “This is a great all-in-one learning content gift for baby that can be brought just about anywhere with them.”
What’s more, it’ll introduce more than 100 words to your one-year-old, and encourage motor skill development by pressing the soft buttons.
Similarly, the Fisher-Price Linkimals Interactive Musical Learning Toy is an adorable gift (because who doesn’t want to have a baby penguin toy around at all times?)
“These tech-infused learning toys cover just about all of the cognitive development content you can think of in a highly-stimulating way for baby.,” Starke highlights. “The songs are catchy, the lights are flashy, and the characters are collectable.”
We’ve never seen a toy like the Miaodam Dancing Cactus, and we’re absolutely glad we did. Not only are we mesmerized by its glowing, spinning and singing nature but it’ll encourage your one-year-old to dance and laugh.
Though a splurge, Lovevery’s play kits are worth every penny for developmental learning. Specifically, its Babbler Play Kit encourages cause-and-effect learning, fine motor skills, routines, rotation, spatial relationships and parts of a whole.
For more options, check out more play kits suitable for babies around the one-year mark.
25. Montessori UFO Food Grade Pull String Activity Toy, $16, original price: $19
Montessori toys are in, and we’re glad they are for their simplistic nature. On that note, the UFO Food Grade Pull String Activity Toy makes a great gift to stimulate a baby’s curiosity and exercise the ability of their little fingers. It features bright colors, too, which helps inspire their vision development.
For $5, The First Years’ Stack N Count Cups is an eight-pack worth snagging as a cute, learning-inspired add-on to any holiday gift. It’s great for sensory play, too, especially when filled with water or purchased with a water table ($79).
We’re just about ready to frolic to a picnic ourselves with this outrageously cute Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket by LeapFrog. For less than $30, it’s one my nieces love, thanks to the ability to learn shapes, colors and discover where items fit.
You know what they say — be like a pineapple and stand tall. The Melissa & Doug Multi-Sensory Pineapple Soft Stacker Toy is a great less-than-$25 buy that’s a unique way for one-year-olds to discover textures and sounds. Plus, it’s great for car and stroller play time.
Also from Melissa & Doug: the Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart. Its all-in-one toy helps encourage walking while teaching your little one shapes, colors and fruit! Plus, it’s one of the best (and cutest) toys to teach balance.
30. Little Tikes First Slide, $34 to $40
Everyone’s racing to the Little Tikes First Slide, and for a good reason. Not only is it a wonderful outdoor toy to welcome the upcoming springtime season with, but it’s safe, easy to set up and American-made.
Exclusively on Amazon, your little one will adore the Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster. Along with adult supervision, Starke adds, this colorful set is ideal to help practice balance, hand-eye coordination and sharing.
Another Amazon exclusive we love is the Playskool Sit N Spin Activity Toy. With nearly 44,000 rave reviews, it’s no surprise it’s a frequently purchased (and loved) toy that’s great to help practice balance, coordination and motor skills.
We can’t get over how adorable this crawling crab is. As a No. 1 Amazon best-seller, this treat from the sea is a toy your one-year-old will love chasing around, teaching them how to avoid obstacles in their path. Plus, it helps improve hand-eye coordination, cognitive ability and senses of sight, hearing and touch.
The Fisher-Price Corn Popper is that top-tier toy that has stood the test of time. Not only great for encouraging balance and walking, but its vibrant popping balls also help improve sensory learning.
Similarly, the VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer is a snazzy, vehicle-revamped version of the classic corn popper, clad with features to help learn colors, numbers, phrases and music. Plus, gripping onto the chunky handle helps encourage motor development.
36. Lydaz Bubble Lawn Mower, $21, original price: $40
We love walking toys, if you couldn’t tell. The Lydaz Bubble Lawn Mower is a great budget buy that has more than 23,000 rave reviews on Amazon. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor use and even comes with three bubble solutions and bubble sticks.
The VTech Drop & Go Dump Truck is a unique addition to your one-year-old’s vehicle collection (other than the typical car). When a play rock is dumped into the top of the truck, it’ll tumble into the bucket and then play music and teach numbers.
The Fisher-Price Hot Wheels Racing Loops Tower is a wonderful less-than-$50 buy that’s the play set of any one-year-old’s dreams. With a major stunt ramp, a loop-de-loop and sounds, it encourages motor skills and sharing.
For less than $15, grab the Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes Musical Toy. It’s one our nieces love, much ado to its bright colors, sensory play and its versatility to entertain your little one during feeding, while in the stroller or chilling in the car seat.
Have you ever seen those adorable YouTube videos of babies laughing to pulling tissues? Well, we have, and they’re so cute, which is why we were thrilled with Starke recommended the Magic Tissue Box Montessori Toy. It’s affordable, vibrant and encourages sensory play.
To add a fun puzzle to the mix, consider the Melissa & Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle. For less than $20, it’s one of the best — and simplistic — toys to teach colors, shapes and where pieces fit.
For more of a splurge, pick up the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Playhouse. It’s the perfect addition to your living room, too, many thanks to its immersive learning center filled with the following: an interactive “hub” crawl-through door, a porch light (that turns on!), a role play kitchen center and more.
43. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Gamer Bundle, $15, original price: $22
Save money and enjoy the benefits of motor-based learning with the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Gamer Bundle. With the remote and take-with-you gaming system, it’s an adorable addition to any playroom or diaper bag.
The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Baby Walker is one of our favorites on this list (along with Starke’s), namely for it being a two-in-one musical toy. It’s also versatile, too, as your little one can sit and play or stand and walk with this $25 buy.
The BeatBo is similar to the brand’s DJ Bouncin’ Beats, but with a twist. It’s a smaller size, which is great for taking around, and has unique light and glow settings that’ll make your little one smile and dance.
We think this may be one of our favorite Fisher-Price toys yet. The brand’s Rollin’ Rovee (love the name, BTW) will grow throughout different life stages (from baby to preschooler) and features an interactive play model — all while teaching the alphabet, colors and more.
Run to this toy! How precious is the Fisher-Price Bounce & Spin Puppy? For just $70, it’ll be the focus of your playroom, all while playing music and allowing your baby to ride, bounce and balance.
We haven’t met a more chic toy than the Baghera Speedsters Ride-On Car from Neiman Marcus. Like other ride-on toys our experts recommended, this one has a center wheel for movement and mobility while having an on-trend, modern aesthetic.
Gift an all-in-one learning center with the Fat Brain Toys Forest Friends Discovery Tree. For just $75, it features several abacuses, vibrant colors and blocks to play with. Comprehensively, it promotes sensory exploration, cause-and-effect learning and experimentation.
Tested and approved, the LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart is one my nieces love for stacking ice cream, learning colors and wheeling the cart to and from. If you’re looking for a great less-than-$35 gift, snag this ASAP.
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