The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds to Bring Joy to Tiny Tots (2024)

• Our Picks

• How We Selected and Tested

• What to Look For

• Why Trust Verywell Family

Our favorite thing about this Hape Pound & Tap Bench is the variety of ways it keeps toddlers engaged. In addition to making music, children can satisfy their desire to pound things by using the wooden hammer and balls. Best of all, they can put it all together by letting the ball roll down the xylophone to make some one-of-a-kind melodies. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are a lot of pieces to this toy, which are easy to misplace.

We are big fans of this Playskool Explore ‘N Grow Busy Gears because it encourages toddlers to explore cause and effect while strengthening their fine motor skills. Specifically, we love that children can foster their creativity by rearranging the 11 interchangeable gears that spin, play music and sounds, and display twinkling lights. The parents we surveyed recommend it as a great starter toy for babies to learn valuable new skills.

Although it’s designed to be a bath toy, the Sassy Whirling Waterfall can be used just about anywhere. The parents we talked to love to suction it to the table to entertain their kiddos while they eat dinner, and they say it's especially useful during meals at restaurants and while on family vacation. As a bonus, this Whirling Waterfall is a great way to introduce STEM principles because it encourages curiosity, interaction, and problem-solving.

Little People toys are a great way to introduce your toddler to figurines and imaginative play. We especially love this Little People Choo-Choo Zoo Train because it comes with a conductor, polar bear, and gorilla, which our editor’s son loves to chew on and play with independently. We also like that it plays a sing-along jungle song and realistic train and animal sounds; however, we don’t like that there’s not an on/off switch.

The best bath toys can make bathtime much more fun for your child. This little boat makes a great pick for 1-year-olds because it paddles across the water and doubles as a squirt toy. Parents in our survey say that their toddlers love watching it move and have tons of fun playing with it during bathtime. We also like that it has soft, round edges for little hands to grip and is easy to wind up and keep clean.

Toddlers love music, so why not let them make their own with an age-appropriate musical toy? Thanks to Baby Einstein’s Magic Touch Technology, your child can feel as though they're strumming the strings of a real ukulele (even when they’re just patting their hands on the base). Kiddos are enamored by the various sounds and melodies it makes, and we love that it’s the right size for little hands and keeps them entertained for hours on end.

When your little one is ready to move, this pup will be there to help! Babies can ride on top of the puppy or push it like a walker, plus sort the shapes that fit in the toy's side (to help with those finer motor skills).

For the baby and toddler sports fans (ok, maybe the sports fan parents), this interactive, 4-in-1 play center includes basketball, soccer, and baseball toys as well as a pretend concession stand. But instead of keeping score, it helps teach ABCs, 123s, colors, shapes, and teamwork. Talk about a win for the home team!

The Fisher-Price Rollin' Rovee is one of our favorite choices for its sensory engagement and overall value. It's made from durable plastic and has hair and soft fabrics integrated into its design to help introduce kids to new textures. It also plays peek-a-boo, throws a ball, counts, crawls, dances, lights up, and plays fun music, so basically, it has it all. It features four different stages of play and becomes more advanced as your baby grows, so it has great longevity. Rovee says more than 190 phrases, teaches the alphabet, numbers, and more, and is just a lot of fun for kids to play with.

This one is a great pick for a little one who is getting ready to put on their baby walking shoes and be "on the go!" This cute walker plays songs and offers an array of brightly colored, lit-up buttons for endless practicing and fun. As with any toy that increases their mobility, be sure to supervise your kiddo when using this toy because they can be dangerous around stairs and uneven surfaces.

Little kids love table sets that are sized for them, and this one is specifically made for kids as young as a year old. It comes with a white table and two chairs, which are available in a few different colors and can be mixed and matched. The pieces are made from beechwood so they can be wiped down easily, meaning kids can eat, play, or craft without worrying about destroying the furniture. If shopping at Amazon, note that the Play Table and the Play Chairs are sold separately.

Bath time is fun for babies, but it’s really fun for toddlers as they continue to refine their fine and gross motor skills. One thing they definitely love to do is pour water from one cup to the next, which is exactly what this set is made for. It comes with five buckets, each with its own animal design, that have holes in the bottoms so kids can watch the water drain out or try to pour it out before it all drains out first. These cups are safe for kids as young as 9 months old and will only become more fun as your little one grows.

Start teaching your kiddo about some amazing activists early with this book. Each page in this kid-sized board book teaches them about someone who stood up and fought for what's right including Gloria Steinem, Martin Luther King Jr., Alice Paul, and even Greta Thunberg.

If you plan to teach them how to ride a two-wheeler by using a balance bike, you can start them out early with this toddler-size one. It has four wheels, so they don’t have to actually balance to stay on it, but it will get them used to that style as opposed to a tricycle or bike with training wheels so that when it’s time to transition to a larger balance bike, they’ll be ready. This bike is available in four different styles and is recommended for kids between 10 and 36 months old.

Attractive and sturdy, this colorful crocodile will quickly become one of your child's favorite things to drag around the house. Even if they aren't walking yet, they'll enjoy pushing it back and forth on the floor. The wheels are rimmed with rubber so they won't scratch wood floors, and your little one will love watching the croc's tail wiggle as it moves.

Instead of a rocking horse, gift them with an adorable, soft rocking giraffe. The runners and handles of the toy are made from strong, durable solid wood (so it won’t fall apart easily), and the fur of the giraffe is so snuggly kids won’t want to get off it. The toy is safe for kids between 1 and 5 years old, and can even be personalized.

You get six separate books in this set, each focusing on its own color. They come in board book format and have different ways for kids to interact with them thanks to peek-through cutouts. Great for learning colors, this mini board book set is a great addition to any library.

Truthfully, this gift may be more for the caregiver than for the 1-year-old, but that’s totally fine. It’s a silicone mat with a bowl in the middle that will help kids master eating out of it without making a giant mess.

The mat, which comes in several color options, sticks to the table to keep the bowl in place, and then, once the snack or meal is over, the mat just peels off and can be tossed in the dishwasher or wiped down with soapy water.

At 1 year old, kids are still playing on the floor a lot, and if they live in a house with hardwood versus carpet, this playmat will make the space a little cozier. It measures 36 x 28 inches, is made with super-soft fabrics, and is filled just enough to keep it fluffy without being too plush.

This book not only teaches kids shapes, but also shows them how the shapes may appear in everyday life, like a circle cookie, the star on the end of a magic wand, or a triangle slice of pizza. It comes in hardcover format and each page is full of pretty and unique illustrations that are engaging and educational.

Once they reach 18 months old, toddlers can safely ride around in a kid's wagon. It has a three-in-one design so it can be set up as a wagon with a canopy, a bench, or a traditional wagon. When it’s not in use, it can collapse down for easy storage with just a pull of a handle.

The wagon is also equipped with water bottle holders, a storage pocket, two seat belts, and a canopy that's perfect for keeping them protected on hot sunny days.

This whimsical, gender-neutral t-shirt, which pays homage to the classic children's bookWhere the Wild Things Are, is perfect forfirst birthdayphotos. Made from soft cotton, it will also get plenty of use beyond the party. It comes with either short or long sleeves, and you have the option to choose either a black or white background.

Whether they’re working on learning to walk or they’ve mastered the skill already, little kids will love pushing this wooden toy along and watching the alligators chomp their teeth together with every step. It’s recommended for kids 12 months old and up, and it features bright colors and fun designs like spinning butterflies.

Grabbing, tossing, and stacking are all fair game with this toy set. The simple stacking mechanisms enforce building and motor skills in the easiest way possible. At the same time, littles can work on learning colors and numbers when playing with the different discs.

How cute is this jacket? It comes in sizes from 0-6M all the way up to 6T, so you can purchase one that’s just the right fit for now, or even go a size bigger to make it last through their next growth spurt. The jacket is made from 99% cotton and has all of the features of an adult jacket like button closure, pockets, and an adorable collar.

This toy teaches colors, matching, and gives kids an excuse to enjoy a little tea party while engaging in pretend play. It comes with a teapot that talks, sings, and makes sounds when it’s “poured” or is “brewing” its tea. The set also comes with a cake with four different slices, each its own color and flavor, as well as two teacups for a complete tea party.

Active toys for toddlers can be used indoors, outdoors, or both, such as this pick. Introduce your child to baseball, softball, or Wiffle ball in the least intimidating way with the Little Tikes T-Ball Set. This toy includes five plastic tee balls so your child can practice batting over and over again. Thanks to the unique hang-on-the-wall design, you can easily store this set on any hook once playtime is over. Plus, the height is adjustable, so toddlers of various sizes can play, and the toy can grow with your child over time.

This is the perfect time to give your child a toy for fine motor skill development and sensory play. These colorful balls and beads click together, stack, and can be played with in so many different ways. They’re safe for kids between 10 and 36 months and are made from plastic that can be easily wiped clean.

This chunky wooden puzzle makes an ideal gift for a one-year-old. Fitting the pieces into the correct shapes helps them practice hand-eye coordination, and they'll also learn about patience and trial and error as they make mistakes. The smiley farm animals will be familiar to a toddler, and you can even sing Old MacDonald or try out the different animal sounds as you put the pieces into place.

This classic toy has a simple premise: Your kid pushes or pulls, and the balls move around, making a delightful racket. As your child gets older, it can be a fun part of imaginative play as he or she pretends to vacuum. The jiggling balls help teach the important concept of cause and effect (move the toy, see the balls bounce).

There's a reason why blocks are so beloved by seasoned preschool teachers: They can help kids practice hand-eye coordination, get familiar with early math concepts, and understand cause and effect (build a tower too high, it falls down). These are colorful and ideal for teething toddlers, since they have a silicone-like texture that's safe and comfortable for chewing. Each of the 10 blocks is hand-sculpted, and the sides are decorated with animals, numerals, and shapes that create different textures.

When it comes to kids' pajamas, few things are as cute as those with little footies. These ones that feature characters from Where The Wild Things Are are no exception. They’re available in sizes 0-3M up to 18-24M, made from 100% organic cotton, and feature a zipper closure with a snap at the top.

The fabric is super soft and light, so kids won’t get too hot when they’re wearing them, and it's safe to toss into the washer and dryer after each wear.

A playtime classic, this fun little dump truck is made from recycled milk containers. It's one of our favorites because it's quite durable and can handle a bit of rough play as your little one wheels it around the yard or fills it with sand or rocks. The best part? If it gets dirty, you can just throw it in the dishwasher!

These multi-hued stacking cups are all numbered to help kids get familiar with concepts like counting and numeral recognition. The most genius aspect is the fact that each one has holes on the bottom which correspond to the number of the cup, which creates a fountain effect when used in the bathtub. We love that the cups can be stacked but also nest together so you can throw them in your purse or diaper bag for an emergency play session.

Whether you have a boy or a girl, it's never too early to introduce your child to the idea of being a nurturer, especially with a doll. Dolls can also encourage pretend play, as kiddos mimic their parents' or caregivers' actions, such as rocking to sleep or changing a diaper. This 12-inch doll is the perfect size for hugging during story time, and it has a light lavender scent.

The pacifier comes with a skillfully hidden magnet that allows it to stick on perfectly (your baby will soon become obsessed with taking it on and off) as well as a magnetic-tipped bottle, book, and teddy bear. If you're hoping to expand beyond the usual blonde baby dolls, the Baby Stella line offers a variety of skin tones and hairstyles.

Ride-on toys can do more than engage kids in play. This option, which has a working steering wheel, puts the power back into your little one's hands. Not only that, scoot toys like this one encourage kids to practice their gross motor (or large muscle) skills, which are important for proper physical development. Although it's priced a bit higher than other wheeled toys, it's built to last through several kids: The tires are rubber, the seat is ergonomic and supportive, and the front accent piece is made from shiny chrome, giving it stylish retro vibes.

This fabulous fold-out house has five rooms on two levels and comes with three easy-to-grasp Little People figures (two children and a dog). The homey layout will feel comfortable and familiar to a little one, who will eventually come to love acting out household scenarios such as taking the dog for a walk,putting toys away, and tucking a child into bed. There are also lots of cool sound effects, like a barking dog and a flushing toilet, and the house can be folded closed with the pieces inside when it's not in use.

This teddy bear plays white noise to soothe your baby to sleep. The best part? If your little one wakes up, the "smart bear" detects it and starts playing the shushing sounds again.