Best Toys For 1-Year-Olds 2024 - Forbes Vetted

Freshly-minted toddlers are extra busy, as they master walking and talking, while also craving to explore everything. They’re also more interested in playing with the best toys for 1-year-olds, from sensory books, puzzles and stacking blocks to ride-on bikes and all the balls. Whether you’re a parent, family member or friend, here are the best gifts and toys for 1-year-olds, sorted by category—some of which are award-winning and hopefully all of which keep that newly mobile tot busy and happy.

TK

Before making a purchase, it’s important to consider where 1-year-olds are developmentally. “Most kids are starting to walk around age 1 and exploring more of their environment,” explains Dr. Lauren Anne Tarnok, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey and mom of two children. “They’re also developing their fine motor skills and getting better with their hands. They may start to manipulate smaller objects.” Dr. Tarnok also points to the “explosion of language” at this age and the interest in new sensory experiences (and toys).

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“While it may not be the most aesthetically-pleasing activity table, this affordable and interactive Fisher Price favorite kept all three of my children enthralled as babies and toddlers,” says co-author Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar.

It’s jam packed with fun, including lights, learning songs, a pretend phone and fun places to “visit" like the zoo and market. There’s plenty of buttons for curious tots to push and three smart stages so the table grows with them. The legs are removable too, so you can set the top on the floor for babies who aren’t ready for standing play.

Manhattan Toy

Make those personal pony dreams come true with this equestrian-themed Manhattan Toy wooden activity table. It’s just 13 inches tall but includes plenty for young tots to do, from knobs to wooden pegs and bead runs. Plus it just looks a bit prettier in the corner of the playroom than your standard activity table. It’s rated for ages 12 months and up and passed safety standards in the U.S., European Union and Canada.

Target

They can play the piano, drums, guitar or French horn with this colorful and musically inclined activity table. There are also numbers and colors to check out here, and although it might seem a bit boisterous (yes, batteries are required), kids can’t help but be drawn to it. “When my son was a 1-year-old, this toy was my go-to on rainy weekends,” says Margaret Badore, the Forbes Vetted baby and kids gear editor. “It definitely held his attention longer than a lot of his other toys at that age.”

Piccalio

If you have a little climber, why not gift them something safer to climb than your furniture? This dual-sided wooden climbing triangle is designed for kids ages 1 to 6 (or up to 132 pounds) and is full of climbing options that lets them explore those fledgling gross motor skills. A removable third piece is a flippable ramp that turns over to reveal a slide sure to thrill those little daredevils. We love that the whole thing folds down flat so you can store it out of sight as needed. It’s made with sustainably sourced birch plywood and New Zealand pine.

Amazon

This is one of our favorite gifts for toddlers, particularly younger ones and new walkers. It gives them their very own carryall for their favorite trinkets and toys, as well as an early taste of autonomy as they pull it and fill it with whatever they choose. It doesn’t hurt that it’s made in the U.S. of recycled plastic, BPA and phthalate-free—and dishwasher safe if you want to go that route (although a quick wipe down works for us). It was first recommended to us by the founder of the Busy Toddler, a parenting site that offers lots of activity ideas for kids this age.

Amazon

The four wheels, low seat and lack of pedals make this an ideal learn-to-ride balance bike for those extra active 1-year-olds who are already motoring around solo. Hape is a beloved children’s toy brand, so the construction on this bike is solid. We appreciate the non-marking rubber wheels and little backstopper on the seat. It weighs about 5 pounds, so it isn’t hard for little ones to maneuver it.

Pottery Barn Kids

Play couches are ideal for pretend play, active play—and keeping kids from tearing apart your sofa to make a rainy day fort. While a 1-year-old might seem young for this toy, it’s actually a great age to introduce them to the concept of a fort. You or an older sibling can demonstrate the basics by moving this modular set around, creating tents and slides, and they’ll take it from there for years to come. We like this non-vinyl option from Foamnasium and Pottery Barn Kids. It’s available in performance fabrics and colorways that help it blend into your décor. It’s also Greenguard Gold certified for fewer VOCs in your home and free of antimicrobials and other chemical additives.

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Tots place these friendly round characters into the chute at the top of the tower and watch them tumble and roll all the way down. Everything is sized for little kids’ hands, and the shark, crab and octopus are actually soft and squishable. They make a little chime noise on the way down, and the tower is crafted with Forest Stewardship Council certified wood, meaning it’s eco-friendly. You can buy additional packs of the Rollables if yours go missing or you need more to keep the good times going.

Avenlur

This attractive wooden slide from Avenlur is the perfect antidote for rainy days spent indoors. It’s sized for kids ages 18 months to about 4 years old and can hold up to 80 pounds. The handle grips help them get to the top of the three easy steps, and it’s quite the gentle slope, so it shouldn’t be a scary ride. It might just encourage a bit of gross motor development and test their balancing skills, too. The best part is that it folds down flat for storage.

Amazon

This ball is extra easy for little ones to pick up, throw and sometimes even chew on. It’s rated for use from birth up, and all those holes make it a cinch for little ones to grasp. Just before their first birthday, your little one might start trying to throw it, too, making the Oball a classic active toy for these busy tots.

Amazon

This recommendation is part gift for the baby, part gift for the parents. It can be used solo as a smooth riding tricycle with the removal of a few pieces, or as a stroller. The Doona Liki Trike is especially fantastic when your tot hits that sweet spot of wanting to walk or just starting to, but they aren’t able to motor along as fast as you’d like them to or at all really. Set them in this seat and they can happily go along for the ride now that they have a steering wheel rather than a bumper bar to grip. We also love that you can lock the wheels and steering wheel to keep your little one from taking over the trike when you’re pushing. It all folds up compactly—just like the best strollers.

Learn More: Doona Liki Trike Review

Amazon

Let them flex those motor skills by grasping and placing the balls into this tower, over and over again. Tots need to stand up to reach the top of it, and track those balls carefully with their eyes. Expect plenty of giggling, too, as the balls whirl and swirl their way down this Fat Brain Toys RollAgain Tower.

Amazon

This classic rocker lets the youngest kids get moving with ease. It’s sized just for them, meaning they don’t have to miss out on the fun when this rocker is around. Use it indoors or outdoors—it’s lightweight and portable—and easy to wipe clean.

Amazon

One-year-olds often love ride-on toys just before they hit the balance bike stage. This tractor version amps up the pretend play with its farm theme. They may not be able to pedal it right away, but they can push with their feet while they learn. The wagon on the back is a nice bonus to make them feel like a real farmer. It’s rated for ages 18 months and up.

Amazon

“This was my summer baby’s first birthday gift from her grandparents, and it was a huge hit with all of the kids, including her much older siblings,” says co-author Rose Gordon Sala. “They loved all the little cups and toys that came with it, as well as creating a waterfall by pouring water through the top tier. It has held up well over several years. We do give it a scrub with a sponge and some dish soap from time to time as we store it outdoors year-round.”

Early Rider

Your toddler will be off to the races with the coolest balance bike on the block in the uniquely engineered Bella Velio. It’s designed for kids as young as 10 months up to 2 years old, allowing little ones, even those who can’t yet walk, to work on their strength, balance and coordination as they cruise around the house (and can even get a little help from a detachable “tiller” pole that allows parents to help steer). The Bella Velio has a low frame and large spherical wheels to prevent tipping and an active balance system to keep babies from falling off. We’re also impressed by how well-made and beautiful the first bike is.

Amazon

This stunt racetrack set is sure to wow your 1-year-old with its big loops and multi-track racing. We love this toddler take on the classic Hot Wheels track, too. It combines the excitement of race cars with the more little-kid friendly chunky Little People cars. It has sounds, a car-lift ramp, a double spiral track and a triple car launcher, as well as some fun pretend play elements like a car wash and gas station. It’s best for kids ages 18 months and up.

Amazon

One of our favorite baby walkers, this push cart from Melissa & Doug comes with enough accessories to keep things interesting for active toddlers. The wooden toy includes puzzle boards, a play coffee cup with lid and more. We especially like that the wagon can carry things to and from their play areas.

Amazon

This wooden shape sorter is made for babies as it greets them with friendly faces painted onto each block and the box. It includes two circles, two triangles and two squares, offering an early introduction to spatial reasoning, problem solving and 3D shapes. Coming from the French brand Janod, the quality and design are impeccable.

Amazon

Mega Bloks is one of the few building block toys designed for ages 1 and up. The blocks are a 1-year-old-friendly large size and have easy inter-locking action. We love this 50-piece set, because it incorporates wheels, which your tot might enjoy racing back and forth. It also introduces letters with the alphabet theme and plays music, engaging another sense.

Maisonette

What does the cat say? Toddlers will love playing with all the cute wooden animals on this chic shape sorter tray. Each one has different tactile patches underneath to stimulate their senses. While they may not be able to fit the animals in their proper places just yet, it’s great for encouraging color and animal recognition and strengthening fine motor skills as they grow.

Amazon

This multipurpose toy draws in kids with its sweet cupcake design. Use it as play food if you like, but it’s also part shape sorter—part puzzle, part sensory toy. Kids as young as 1 can take the cupcake top off and piece it back together with the correct bottom. It’s easy to grasp with little hands. In addition to shapes, it introduces color sorting. “My preschooler still plays with this set after several years, using it more in the play kitchen these days,” says Sala.

Fisher Price

The interactive Fisher-Price Linkimals series offers a variety of friendly animal toys that light up, sing songs, the ABCs and count, engaging babies and toddlers in some big kid skills in a fun way. The buttons are big and responsive enough that even babies can tap it on. Choose from among several cute animal characters, including this koala or adorable narwhal. It was an infant/preschool best toy award winner from the Toy Association.

Le Toy Van

A colorful set of wooden blocks just might be the quintessential toddler toy. This 60-piece block set is made of 100% rubber wood and comes with its own storage bag. Kids are drawn to the bright colors and the limitless building opportunities. The edges of these chunky blocks are smooth and the surface is painted with a water-based paint.

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Sure, painting with a small kid is going to be extra messy, but we can confirm it’s a whole bunch of fun to watch your child create their first art piece. This set from Crayola has everything you need to get them started—and don’t be afraid to spend a little time in the bath post-paint session.

Fat Brain Toys

This puzzle pulls triple duty, introducing shapes, colors and puzzle skills to 1-year-old in a five-piece wooden set. The little knobs help kids maneuver the pieces, and it’s exceptionally sturdy for when your tot decides to find out what it’s like to bang the pieces together.

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Let them get creative with their rocket design by building this wooden rocket ship in a new way each time. The colorful, magnetic pieces stick together, so they can’t go wrong. It’s seven pieces and just 6 inches high, making it easy for little hands to manipulate. It’s finished with a water-based paint.

KiwiCo

Take their love of cars to the next level with this cool color wheel racing ramp, which my 2-year-old is still obsessed with. Not only do the vehicles and wheels race down one after the other teaching cause and effect, but as the wheels spin they reveal colorful optical illusions, turning into spiral and checker patterns. Your 1-year-old may not appreciate the science behind this toy just yet, but it’s a great tool to explore color mixing and optical illusions as they grow.

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Tots learn a bit about cause and effect with this talking, laughing, counting and singing blender from Fisher-Price. Kids can place the ingredients into the blender and press the buttons to get their imaginative play going. They can start to count along with the toy, listen to their ABCs and maybe even learn some colors. We like that the toy is small enough to tote along in the diaper bag if needed.

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“We have an embarrassingly large collection of these sweet French-designed dolls at my home with two daughters,” says Sala. “The brand makes a fantastic baby doll with a soft body and little details like the blinking eyes and curled hands. This Corolle Bébé Calin Unicorn doll is extra sweet in her purple onesie, but you can choose from among several different dolls. These babies were rocked, fed play food, carried in the tricycle and just about everywhere at my house.”

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Jellycat stuffed animals are beloved for their ultra softness and variety of realistic looking animal plush toys. Your little one can enjoy snuggling in close with this black and white puppy; we would expect this bashful pup to factor into all sorts of make-believe games to come as well. “After my son turned one, a Jellycat stuffed animal became a must-have for his bedtime,” says Badore.

Amazon

This is a great introductory play food set for little ones not quite ready for the full play kitchen setup. It comes with a play tote that can be used in other games, and includes 17 pieces of fresh fruit, vegetables and other items. Designed for ages 18 months and up.

Manhattan Toy

Is your newly minted tot obsessed with putting things in or taking things out of containers? All of ours were. This soft birdhouse comes with four feathered friends. Little ones can explore those fine motor skills of container play with this fun theme and zero sharp edges.

Fat Brain Toys

We know it seems like just a set of cups, but most types of containers easily turn into playtime for little ones, from water fun to hide-and-seek with another set of toys. These colorful cups come in a pack of six and are made of food-grade, BPA-free silicone, so they can even drink from them. The suction cup bottom might offer another distraction as kids try to unlatch them, or at least it’s a way to minimize spills.

Amazon

This eco-friendly truck hauls its race car buddy wherever your kid wants them to go. Race them side by side or use the flatbed truck to carry other objects. It’s a special first truck, designed in the U.S. with 100% recycled plastic milk containers and without any BPA, PVC, phthalates or external coatings, so it’s all made to be extra baby friendly. You can even throw this truck into the dishwasher.

Fisher-Price

With its open top and chunky figures, this Little People toy plane is sure to star in many toddler play sessions. “My kids all adored an earlier version of this plane and filled it with all their favorite action figures before rolling it or flying it around the room,” says Sala. This updated plane comes in Barbie colors, has a light-up nose, and play sounds, music and says a few phrases.

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Gund makes some of the best stuffed animals for kids and toddlers around. Its Oh So Snuggly line offers kids an under-stuffed pal that is more than huggable. Choose from among several animal friends, including this 12.5 inch elephant, a bunny, a hippo, a puppy and more.

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A dozen board books in bright primary colors give your baby’s library an immediate boost. “I own another version of this Eric Carle board book set and frequently gift it to friends and family,” Sala says. Each chunky book fits in a baby palm and covers a single subject in a few short pages with just a word per page, helping little ones learn animal names, colors and more.

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Read about and then pet all the sweet baby animals in this set of four board books: On the Farm, Baby Animals, At the Zoo and Perfect Pets. They’ll explore colors and their sense of touch, as well as start learning the names of animals with this interactive book. This style of mini board book is small enough for toddlers to hold on their own.

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“These interactive, musical books were always a big hit with my toddlers,” says Sala. This age loves to touch, feel and explore their reading material, and the Ditty Bird series encourages it. There’s a button on each page that plays a song, which corresponds to the story. The Learning Songs book plays a variety of educational tunes, including counting songs and the ABCs.

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This lift-the-flap style board book lets your child peek under each cutout to discover a new surprise, from a friendly animal to a little joke. It’s an ideal first book that’s fun for both parent and kid to read.

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Inspire big dreams with this four-book Little Feminist set from Mudpuppy. This particular series explores four themes by featuring groundbreaking women in each sector: pioneers, artists, leaders and activists. It’s a nice introduction to women like Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Cleopatra and Amelia Earhart.

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Point out and name your 1-year-old’s body parts as you read this simple lift-the-flap board book, and they might just start to read with you: toes! nose! my ears! Little kids often delight in the surprise element on every page with lift-the-flap books. For even more book ideas, check out our list of best baby books.

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This wooden elephant from Petit Collage has everything your little one needs to create their own music, including a pop-out drum piece, xylophone and cymbal. What’s most clever about this music toy for babies is that it has additional music-makers built into the design, which lets kiddos flex their musical creativity. For example, you can tap along the various cut-outs with the included drum stick (which is the elephant’s tail by the way) to create percussive sounds. It’s made from FSC-certified wood, printed with water-based inks and the packaging uses 75% recycled material.

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Hape makes a number of baby and toddler-friendly musical toys, and this tambourine-drum combo is particularly accessible to younger children. Kids can tap or shake the instrument to elicit an immediate sound. We also love that it’s made with wood and sized for small hands. It’s rated for ages 12 months and up.

Amazon

Let your little mix to their heart’s content with this tot DJ table, which won the an infant and toddler toy of the year category from the Toy Association. It includes three piano tunes and of course, opportunities to hear their ABCs, 123s and colors. There’s a mini turntable that they can spin and plenty of buttons and things to press, as well 100 available songs, phrases and sounds. We love that you can pop the legs off to use it on the floor with a non-mobile kid, too.

Skip Hop

This genius red fox of a xylophone’s mallet is attached to the toy by a string, so it can’t get lost. Skip Hop gets it, folks. The mallet stows neatly out of sight under the fox’s belly when not in use. We also love that the eight primary colored keys provide a range of musical notes. The toy is also advertised as PVC and phthalate-free. While the little string attached to the mallet turns this musical instrument into a pull-along toy, it is a bit short. The fox bobs up and down as your little one walks or crawls with it.

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These wooden eggs deliver sweet acoustic sounds all of your little one’s own making as they shake these instruments to their own beat. They can shake ’em or bang them together to create whatever sounds they prefer. Egg shakers are ubiquitous at baby music class, so why not add this five-pack to your child’s personal stock? They’re sturdy, smooth and made in Germany for little one’s hands.

Amazon

They can tip it up or down, or shake this Hape Beaded Raindrops toy around to elicit gentle rain sounds. The wooden toy is colorful and incorporates both sound and movement of the beads to encourage kids to pick it up and explore the low-key, non-battery operated musical toy.

Amazon

They’ll gravitate toward these oversize, colorful keys, no doubt eager to play the lap-version of the Baby Einstein piano. Kids can switch between playing piano sounds to the xylophone or drum. The keys light up as they play, and there are more than 150 sounds and melodies available, as well as some sound effects. It does require three batteries to get going.

Ezpz

“As a parent I always appreciate gifts that will grow with my children and can be used for multiple purposes,” says Kadar. This pretty play mat functions as a fashionable snack tray, palette for painting and the perfect place to organize their beads for bracelet making when they’re old enough. It comes in three chic muted colors and suctions to the table, making it tough for littles to tip.

Target

More than just a nightlight projector or a sound machine, Cloudbox lulls toddlers to sleep with 36 original stories, soothing melodies, nature sounds and white noise. The custom light projections also change with each story creating the most a magical audiovisual experience that can make bedtime a little more enticing. What’s even cooler is parents or family members can record up to eight of their own stories to comfort kids as they drift off into dreamland.

Amazon

Mom takes her tumbler everywhere and now her toddler can too. This tiny 9-ounce silicone tumbler from Infantino is designed for tiny hands, with an easy-to-hold handle, a straw that can’t be pulled out and an integrated valve so they can hydrate without spilling water everywhere. It’s available in lots of fun colors too so you can snag their favorite.

7AM Enfant

This insanely soft boxy sweater from stylish and eco-friendly kids wear brand 7AM Enfant will keep them snug as a bug. It’s perfect for lounging, playing and impromptu naps. It also appeals to parents with a natural aesthetic and comes in more chic and soft neutral colors. Pair it with the matching fuzzy pants to complete the cozy outfit.

Lovevery

Choosing the perfect gifts geared toward a toddler’s development can be tricky, especially with so many options out there. Lovevery, a modern toy subscription service, takes the guesswork out of gift giving with their stylish, curated toy kits designed to support brain development while also being really fun—and pretty for parents to look at. Once of our top subscription boxes for kids, you can gift just one play kit or have three or six kits chocked full of awesome, age-appropriate toys delivered throughout the year.

Forbes Vetted has curated a wide range of gift guides for all interests and ages, including children. In the baby and kids gear category, we approach all coverage from a safety-first perspective, considering any recalls, safety guidelines and potential hazards with the item (or category) in question before including it. We never want to recommend something unsafe for your child or home.

As parents and parenting writers, we constantly review new toys, speak to manufacturers and parents and watch kids of all ages play. We consider what toys and gifts our own children have enjoyed, and also reach out to experts in the field and other parents to gather firsthand guidance and recommendations.

What Gifts Are Appropriate For A 1-Year-Old?

Most toddlers at this age aren’t particularly picky, which is good news for gift-givers. Look for age and developmentally-appropriate toys (always check the box for age recommendations to help guide your purchase), and avoid any toys with small parts, which can be a choking hazard. It’s also a good idea to shop with the parent’s style in mind when looking for the best gifts for 1-year-olds. Consider whether they’re more of a modern minimalist, Montessori toy kind of family or if playthings that light up and make a lot of noise are okay.

Toy expert and pediatric occupational therapist Keri Wilmot, author of Fine Motor Foundations: Tools and Techniques for Tiny Hands, recommends some other great, non-toy gift ideas:- Passes for experiences to places kids can attend with family members like the zoo, community play areas and children’s museums- Utensils, sippy cups and quality dinnerware like divided plates- Personalized books- Toy subscription boxes like Lovevery or KiwiCo- Night light projectors and sound machines for the nursery

What Toys Keep 1-Year-Olds Entertained?

“In general, for 1-year-olds, simple toys are better,” says Tarnok. “Things that allow the child to use it in their own way. Things like blocks, shape sorters...Things to bang together.” She also loves open-ended and pretend play items, such as dolls, play kitchen items, sensory balls and touch-and-feel books.

For busy toddlers, ride-on toys and small climbers are always a big hit, notes Wilmot. She also likes cause and effect toys, dump and fill toys, simple puzzles, sensory tissue boxes, ring stackers, vehicles, ramp-type toys and kitchen sets for opening and closing drawers and taking things in and out of bins, which 1-year-olds love to do.

Can 1-Year-Olds Sleep With Plush Toys Or Lovies?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it’s generally considered safe for healthy babies to sleep with plush toys, stuffed animals and/or lovies once they’re a year old. “From a self-regulation perspective, many young children benefit from having a plush toy or lovie that they attach to and find comfort from,” says Wilmot. However, it’s important to remember that every child is different. “Just because a child magically turns 1, doesn't mean that all 1-year-olds have the same skills and abilities as another, so it's something parents should follow up with by asking their pediatrician.”

Co-author Elizabeth Mitchell Kadar added several new toy and gift picks, as well as guidance from occupational therapist Keri Tarnok. We also answered some frequently asked questions about toys for 1-year-olds.