The Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds, Recommended by Parents and Experts

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Toys for 1-year-olds we recommend on a purple background

Verywell Family / Amelia Manley

At around 1 year of age, kids start leaving the baby stage and entering the toddler stage. As they develop physically, emotionally, and developmentally, a whole new world of age-appropriate toys opens for them as well. The best toys for 1-year-olds provide sensory enrichment, help develop motor skills, and encourage language learning

You'll want to make sure that the toys you choose are fun and developmentally appropriate. Children this age are intrigued by colors, sounds, and textures. But they also like to put things in their mouths, so choose toys that are safe and easy to keep clean.

To find the best toys for 1-year-olds, we surveyed 875 parents and caregivers and asked about their kids' favorite toys, what skills they help them develop, and how durable and easy to use they are. In addition, we interviewed a pediatrician and a toy industry expert to gain further insights into toy safety and the latest trends. We narrowed our list down by selecting toys that are safe, durable, easy to use, educational, and age-appropriate.

A physician double board-certified in neonatology and pediatrics on our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding the safety, ease of use, and developmental appropriateness of toys for 1-year-olds.

Fisher-Price Farm to Market Tractor Ride-On With Pull Wagon

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 4-In-1 Farm To Market Tractor Ride-On Learning Toy For Baby & Toddlers

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Once toddlers can walk on their own, a whole new world of mobility opens up with ride-ons, pull and push toys, and more. This 4-in-1 Farm-to-Table Tractor Ride-On by Fisher-Price maximizes all these newly learned abilities.

This learning toy features a tractor ride-on, a market wagon that attaches to it or can be pulled with a handle, and removable shape-sorter fruits and veggies (and a credit card!). The tractor plays over 75 songs to help kids learn their ABCs, numbers, shapes, and more. We love that this toy has a "smart stages" switch that enables you to pick the right level of learning for your kiddo, with simpler songs and concepts for the younger toddlers and more elaborate phrases as they learn and grow. If you're buying it as a gift, keep in mind that this toy requires 3 AA batteries (not included).

Why We Recommend It

This award-winning musical toy has been praised for its colorful, wooden design and its ability to teach kids about cause and effect. Rather than push a button, kids make their own music with a wooden hammer and balls, which little hands can place into the corresponding holes.

This toy is made of high-quality wood with child-safe paint and rounded edges, making it easy to clean for little hands and mouths. The parents we surveyed love how this toy keeps their toddlers engaged and entertained for hours and how they are able to find more creative ways to play. One of our editors also owns this xylophone, and she says this is the only toy her son plays with every day. Sometimes he taps the xylophone, but his favorite part is pushing the balls through the slots and putting them back in.

Manhattan Toy Little Rocket Finds Home Soft Activity Crinkle Book

Manhattan Toy Little Rocket Finds Home Soft Activity Crinkle Book

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

By the time their first birthday rolls around, babies are usually starting to show more interest in exploring books on their own. With loads of sensory experiences, this soft crinkle book gives them more than enough material to be amazed at. There are colorful illustrations, a variety of different textures (like a fluffy cloud), noises like a squeaker and rattle toy, and flaps and pockets for them to check out.

We appreciate the teether corner and the fact that this is washable, and also love that it’s easy to pack up when heading out. And unlike other books for babies and toddlers, this one actually has a story you can read together as you explore the different textures. 

Fisher-Price Baby's First Blocks

Fisher-Price Baby's First Blocks

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

This classic toy is an ultra-affordable option that is sure to please little ones. The set includes 10 colorful blocks that fit into identical slots in a convenient carry case. The blocks promote a host of important skills, including matching, sorting, and problem-solving.

Battat Wooden Activity Cube

Battatt Wooden Activity Cube

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

With five different play surfaces and a variety of activities, the Battat Wooden Activity Cube will surely keep 1-year-olds occupied and engaged. The solid cube features a wire bead maze, spinning blocks, sliding knobs, little doors to open and shut, and rolling wood blocks with cheerful farm animals. The cube is also mindfully designed with curved corners to help prevent bumps and bruises

The activities on the solid wood cube offer learning opportunities for matching, exploring cause and effect, and practicing hand-eye coordination. Vibrant colors, adorable pictures of animals, and a variety of activities will keep toddlers entertained for quite some time.

Melissa & Doug Safari Jumbo Knob Puzzle

Melissa & Doug Safari Jumbo Knob Puzzle

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Tots 1 year old and up can practice problem-solving and hand-eye coordination with an adorable puzzle, like this one. Each piece is cut from a thick piece of wood and has a large knob on top that’s just the right size for little hands to grasp to help them guide the piece into its place. There are a variety of theme options, too, like farm animals, colorful shapes, and pets

Why We Recommend It

Little ones get to stand up while they play with this table that is broken into four play zones including a zoo, puppy house, market, and farm. Each section has different activities that let kids push buttons, flip switches, spin toys, and more. The table has lights and sounds, includes a toy phone for interactive play, and has three stages to meet your child’s developmental needs. Kids between 6 months and 3 years old are the perfect age to enjoy this table. 

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stack & Roll Cups

Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stack & Roll Cups

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Children between 6 months and 4 years old can play with this toy that can be stacked, nested, or turned into a ball. It has 10 colorful pieces of varying sizes, plus a little yellow ball, that all work together to create fun towers and other configurations. In addition to all the fun, this toy will also help kids work on color identification, counting, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and strengthening fine motor skills. 

Tomy Toomies Hide & Squeak Eggs

TOMY Toomies Hide & Squeak Eggs

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Unlike a typical carton of eggs, children are encouraged to crack all of the eggs inside this TOMY Hide & Squeak set. Each egg has a removable top with a colorful face that matches the chick on the inside. When your kiddo presses down on the chick, it squeaks, which helps develop sensory and fine motor skills

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

This book is full of little activities to strengthen fine motor skills and sound bites that teach science, letters, and numbers. All of the sound features can be played in either English or Spanish mode to further develop vocabulary and language skills. Kiddos will love all the buttons, lights, sounds, and interactive pages that teach them 100 words while having fun. 

B. Toys Squeeze Baby Blocks

B. Toys One Two Squeeze Baby Blocks

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Tots between 6 months and 3 years old can stack, sort, squeeze, toss, and even chew these blocks, which are made from a soft molding foam. The set comes with 10 blocks in various colors that each have different images on all six sides including numbers, animals, and shapes. When they’re not being played with, the blocks stack nicely into a little plastic carrying case for storing

Leapfrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo

Leapfrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

This toy is more functional than it looks. Even though it's small, the buttons on the base let little ones choose one of three modes of play: letters, animals, or music. When your child interacts by spinning the wheel or pushing any number of colorful buttons, they’ll be building their vocabulary and improving motor skills.

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Vacuum

Fisher-price-laugh--learn-light-up-learning-vacuum

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Did you know that kids learn a lot of skills simply from mimicking their parents? Foster good habits and an inclination to help around the house with this fun light-up vacuum. Your kiddo can push the vacuum around just like their parents and caregivers might, but this version plays learning songs and phrases as they push to help expand their vocabulary, too. 

Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano

Baby Einstein and Hape Magic Touch Piano Wooden Musical Toddler Toy, Age 6 Months and Up

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Little Mozarts in the making will have a ton of fun with this piano that has color-coded keys and three sheets of music that will guide them in playing melodies. The coolest part? The piano keys are all laid across a flat piece of wood, so they’re “magic.” This toy is best for budding musicians between 6 months and 3 years old.

Why We Recommend It

This rocking horse is a great way for 1-year-olds to burn some of that extra energy. It’s designed for kids between 1 and 3 years old and under 50 pounds. Its tallest point stands just over 17 inches from the ground, it’s made from strong, durable plastic, and can be played with indoors or outdoors.

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Children up to 2 years old can clutch and teeth on the Winkle Rattle all they want. It's colorful and lightweight, so it's fun to fiddle with and throw around. This rattle toy is big enough to keep little ones entertained, but small enough to easily tuck into a diaper bag or under the stroller. The teething tubes are made of BPA-free plastic, perfect for tiny hands and teeth.

VTech Pull and Sing Puppy

Amazon VTech Pull and Sing Puppy

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

If your family isn’t quite ready for a real puppy, this fun pull toy is a great alternative. This dog’s got plenty of tricks: He walks, sings, and even teaches numbers, colors, and body parts through more than 60 songs, melodies, sounds, and phrases. 

Why We Recommend It

At 1 year of age, your child's vocabulary is likely on the verge of exploding. This comprehensive book, complete with 100 words essential to child’s daily life, provides a gentle nudge in the right direction. The board-book style makes the book easy for tiny hands to maneuver, and bright, bold illustrations keep kids engaged

FoxPrint Rocket Ship Tent

FoxPrint Rocket Ship Space Themed Pretend Play Tent

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

It's never too early to encourage the joy of imagination. This rocket ship play tent is out of this world and perfect for kids from 12 months to 7 years old. The tent easily fits in most corners or can be folded flat in no time. Kids will enjoy having a play space all their own and when they get older, the tent can be a cozy reading nook.

Fisher-Price Settle & Sleep Projection Soother

Fisher-Price Settle & Sleep Projection Soother

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

If your child has trouble falling, or staying, asleep, then this might be a solution. The Settle & Sleep Soother easily attaches to a crib, but can also be placed on a tabletop for older kids. It features 30 minutes of music and sound that transition to white noise. There's also a projection of images on the ceiling or wall for a soothing light show that will lull them to bed before you know it.

BusyPuzzle Personalized Name Puzzle With Pegs

Name Puzzle With Pegs Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle Wooden Toys Custom Name Puzzle by BusyPuzzle Christmas Present Personalized Birthday Baby 1 Year Old Gifts Boy and Girl Easter Gifts for Kids

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

For a unique gift that both littles and parents will love, try a personalized name puzzle. This artful toy is crafted with high-quality material to give it a super sophisticated vibe, but it’s functional, too. It’ll provide hours of fun that help children build problem-solving skills and fine motor function, and—eventually—teach them how to spell their name

Why We Recommend It

When your tot is still a little too small for the playground, this beginner-level slide is a great alternative for a climbing toy. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, so you can enjoy active play no matter what the weather is like. Parents love that it folds flat for portability and convenient storage.

Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure Activity Center

Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure Activity Center

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

There’s no shortage of fun to be had with this award-winning wooden toy. The freestanding activity table, which features dozens of bead runs and gliders that facilitate grasping skills, is just the right size—small enough for the younger set to sit and play, but large enough for toddlers to tinker while standing.

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike

Amazon Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

This ride-on toy is perfect for growing youngsters hitting new milestones all the time. It has four different ways to ride: Use it as an infant trike, a steering trike with help from adults, a learn-to-ride trike, or a classic trike suitable for more independent riders. Though this toy is on the pricier side, it’s a worthy investment—it’s suitable for children as young as 1 year and as old as 5 years.

Mega Bloks 80-Piece Big Building Bag

Mega Bloks 80-Piece Big Building Bag

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

This set of 80 large-scale blocks provides the perfect introduction to building blocks. The colorful pieces easily click together, so kids can harness the power of their imagination and create any number of things—from towers, to castles, to cars, and more.

Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Kids Stacking Toy

Fat Brain Toys SpinAgain Kids Stacking Toy

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

This toy puts a twist on the classic stacking toy. This set of six brightly colored, graduated discs spin down a corkscrew pole, encouraging hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and the concept of cause and effect.

Why We Recommend It

Get those creative juices flowing and those problem-solving skills into tip-top shape with this fun bath-time building set. Kids will love figuring out how to connect the pipes to create a maze of working waterfalls

B. toys by Battat FunKeys Toy

B. toys by Battat FunKeys Toy

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

There’s just something about keys—little kids love them. To ensure your set doesn’t go missing, give toddlers their own special set of keys they can chew on, rattle, and carry around. In addition to the eye-catching colors, these baby-safe keys have a realistic design and a functional remote that emits car sounds and turns on a flashlight. 

Why We Recommend It

This colorful dump truck is so much more than just a pull-along toy. It’s a great tool for teaching kids basic counting—as they load the truck’s hinged bucket with rocks, the toy counts each one aloud. It also plays a variety of melodies and phrases that teach additional vocabulary, including colors and shapes.

VTech Smart Shots Sports Center

VTech Smart Shots Sports Center

Amazon

Why We Recommend It

Toddlers are notorious for their short attention spans, but this activity center gives tots two choices—basketball or soccer—to ensure there’s no shortage of fun. The light-up scoreboard provides positive feedback when kids score and plays fun songs and sounds.

How We Selected and Tested the Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds

Parents and caregivers are the foremost experts on toys that 1-year-olds love and actually engage with. To obtain their valuable insights, we surveyed 875 parents and caregivers and asked about their kids' favorite toys, what they like most about them, how long they keep their attention, and their overall value and quality. We also interviewed a pediatrician and a toy industry expert to learn more about the safety of toys for 1-year-olds and the latest toys and games for this age group.

With this expert feedback in mind, we researched hundreds of toys for babies and toddlers and narrowed our list down to 30 picks. The products featured on our list are the best toys for 1-year-olds based on design, ease of use, safety, size, features, age recommendations, and value.

Our Experts

  • Natasha Burgert, MD, a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas. She's also a National Spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a regular contributor to multiple national media outlets.
  • Kristin Morency Goldman, senior advisor of strategic communications for The Toy Association, an industry organization that represents hundreds of manufacturers and retailers dedicated to championing the benefits of play.

What to Look for in Toys for 1-Year-Olds

  • Ease of Use: Make sure your child's toy is easy to use for both you and your child. You want to make sure the toddler toy is lightweight enough for your toddler to carry and lift, and that the features are appropriate and easy for them to use. It's also important that it can be wiped clean and stored away when your child isn't playing with it.
  • Educational Value: There’s a lot for 1-year-olds to learn, from basic motor and language skills to letters, colors, sounds, and more. Consider what toys they already have and what skills they’re working on when you start shopping. “I encourage toys that hit all the developmental dimensions, says Dr. Burgert. “Toys like books to read together or explore independently, cause and effect toys that have a light or sound when the child engages, balls to kick and throw, blocks to stack and tumble, dolls and stuffed animals, and tactile toys for texture exploration and fine motor play.” 
  • Age Appropriateness: Always check the age range of the toys you plan to buy. While you may be excited to teach your little one new things, you want to find a toy that they will be able to understand, enjoy, and fully engage with safely. Always check the labels on the toys you’re considering, particularly the manufacturer’s recommended age. This guideline is there to help you decide whether the toy is safe and stimulating enough (or too stimulating) for your child, says Morency Goldman.
  • Safety: Babies love to grab, chew and throw things, so choose toys that are made of safe, non-toxic materials and have soft edges. Additionally, watch out for toys with small parts that can be a choking hazard—generally these toys are labeled 3+, says Morency Goldman.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do children benefit from playing with their parents or caregivers?

    One of the best ways for little ones to learn is by observing parents and caregivers. Toddlers are like little sponges, soaking in everything they see. When you play with your baby, they learn how to interact and behave by watching and mimicking your actions.

  • How many toys should a 1-year-old have?

    When it comes to toys, the number doesn't matter as long as they help your 1-year-old explore and learn. You do not need too many toys, as long as they engage your toddler's interests and allow them to work on building new skills, especially cognitive, physical, and verbal skills.

  • When should I buy toys for my baby?

    You can buy toys for your baby at any time, although newborns benefit mainly from watching parents and caregivers. Once they reach 2 to 4 months old, they benefit from toys during tummy time. From there, they gradually become more interested in playing and engaging with toys.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 3-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 10 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.