Finding toys for one-year-olds is challenging. Children in this age range are hardly toddlers, hardly longer newborns. They are beginning to outgrow infant toys, which do nothing more than crinkle, rattle, and provide a soft portion for chewing.
According to Rebecca Parlakian, M.A., E.D., a parenting expert from Zero to Three, an organization that focuses on children’s development in the early years, one-year-olds are at a stage in their development when they are becoming increasingly powerful and competent. This is demonstrated by the fact that they are beginning to walk and talk. “Big queries like “How does this work?” and “What does it do?” also pique their curiosity. What will happen if I do this, too?
The finest toys and presents for 1-year-olds encourage children to investigate these ideas and put their new physical abilities to use. This includes basic objects like a ball to kick and pursue as well as push toys or objects that may be dragged while walking, according to Parlakian. “Toys can also present entertaining puzzles for 1-year-olds to solve; consider a stacking ring, nested cups, shape-sorter, busy box, or straightforward wooden knob puzzles. Additionally, a set of cube blocks is always a good idea, along with a basket or bucket to put them in and take them out of. At this age, noisy toys like a xylophone, drum, or toy piano are also popular.
These are the best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds in 2022:
Busy Buggy
“Beep, beep!” You may still push your child around on this Toy Award-winning toy as they are developing their leg muscles. Once they are able to walk with more assurance, they can run. There are several other little components that spin, click, and create various noises. Ages 1+
Go! Go! Go! Smart Wheels Launch & Chase Police Tower
This playset, another previous Toy Award Winner, has a police car and a getaway car that race around the vibrant track. The lights, noises, and sounds that the vehicles generate as they go around the solid tracks amused less-than-gentle toddlers. Ages 1+
Chase n Go Ball Popper
Your child may run after the bright balls as they emerge from the elephant’s trunk after pressing the button, or they can pursue them and put them back in. It plays six entertaining melodies and comes with four easy-grasp balls. 9 months and older
pipSquigz
These gadgets are curiously alluring, much like toddler-sized fidget spinners. Each suction cup rattles, sticks to surfaces like tables and countertops, and sticks to other suction cups. Even grownups have been known to play with them carelessly. 6 months and older
Mega Bloks
These traditional huge blocks are especially ideal for children who have just passed their first birthday because of their vibrant colors and easily graspable forms. By turning placing the 80 pieces back into the zip-up storage bag into a game, you may even entice children to assist with cleanup. Ages 1+
Dimpl Digits
Even though it’s so straightforward, there’s something about this toy that simply seems so satisfying: One through 10 varied-colored bubbles with varying numbers each give off a gratifying burst when you push them in. It has the numerical and the number word on one side and the Spanish number with the appropriate number of raised dots on the other. Children benefit much from practicing words, numbers, and colors. Ages 1+
Personalized Wood Name Puzzle
A letter puzzle can only be more enjoyable if it spells out your child’s name because it is one of the first words they will learn. When not in use, these bright puzzle pieces make for wonderful home décor because they are around 4″ tall. (Note: There was no suggested age range for these puzzles.)
Smart Shots Sports Center
Start your active child out with a single toy that includes basketball and soccer. The set emits light and noise while also keeping score of the goals and baskets on a scoreboard that emits light. Ages 1+
Tinkle Crinkle Jumbo Caterpillar Plush
In addition to being adorable, this small caterpillar provides a wealth of sensory sensations. When children touch each section, it will emit a distinct sound, such as a rattle, crinkle, or squeak. Each segment is constructed from a different fabric with a varied texture. Ages 0+
Pound & Tap Bench With Slide-Out Xylophone
Beethoven, bow down.
Your youngster may play with different sounds with this timeless toy by hitting the keys with the mallet or sliding the colored balls down the xylophone slide. Ages 1+
Squeezmeez Whale
It’s actually memory foam that fills this adorable whale. Young children may press it firmly and then watch in awe as it gradually takes on the form it had before. (You might desire it for yourself as a fidget toy.) Squeezmeez is also available in the form of a narwhal or a jellyfish. Ages 0+
Peekaboo Learning Farm
Five separate numbered barns contain five different farm animal finger puppets. When they’re young, they might enjoy hiding in the barns and finding the animals there. As kids become older, they may use it for pretend play, counting, and sorting. 18 months and older
Sweet Treats Musical Tea Set
This tea set has so many lovely features: It plays teatime music, teaches youngsters to count (four cupcakes, six pieces of cake, etc.), and the teapot even makes splashing noises as it fills, which is perfect for pretend play. Ages 1+
Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles
With these vibrantly colored wooden puzzle pieces, you can teach children about colors, forms, and “moos” and “baas.” Each piece is simpler for little hands to grasp because of the huge knobs on them. Ages 1+
Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
As your child improves their motor abilities, they may play with the many interesting elements of this active walker for children 9 months and up, including the music, lights, and gears. There is always something new to learn because to the abundance of features. 9 months and older
Musical Rhymes Book
This book has six distinct nursery rhymes that may be read through in a variety of ways. While the buttons on the side instruct young children about colors and instruments, the book plays music and sings songs. 6 months and older
My First Soft Drum and Guitar
Forget egg shakers; this guitar and drum play music and light up to a steady beat. They are soft like your children’s favorite plush animals. It is necessary to buy each instrument separately. Ages 0+
Chomp & Clack Alligator Push Toy
The alligators on this wooden walker snap their jaws with a pleasant click when your youngster maneuvers it. Children who are practicing their first steps will love it. Ages 1+
LeapFrog My Pal Violet
This cuddly friend, which comes in purple or green, can truly remember your child’s name thanks to an accompanying app. The puppy can sing lullabies, count, and teach colors after they become friends. 6 months and older
Musical Lili Llama
Lili Llama is a collection of instruments in one, so she doesn’t only make a statement in a nursery. Lili has two gears, a maraca in her tail, a five-bar xylophone on her back, a set of notches for a washboard sound, two saddle blankets that clatter, four loud spinners, two gears, two gears that store in her skull, and two saddle blankets. Ages 1+
Basket of Babies
Toddlers like imitating their parents and caring for their own infants. There is a lot to enjoy about this set of six dolls! Your toddlers may mix and match each cuddly soft baby’s detachable costume as they work on their fine motor skills by dressing and undressing their dolls. Ages 1+
Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter
Parents like that everything fits into a handled bag so it can be conveniently transported to and from Grandma’s house, but youngsters will also enjoy this traditional form sorter’s crinkly fabric, textured shape blocks, and vibrant colors. 9 months and older
Sweet Smiles Doll
These dolls feature soft, huggable bodies and sculpted faces of Madame Alexander caliber to promote empathy and pretend play. They seem more realistic since they have a variety of skin tones and are weighted. Ages 1+
Edushape Small Sensory Balls
These vibrant balls have tiny nubs all over them that promote tactile development. They can grasp, squash, and run after them as your child gets older. 6+ months
Kai Teddy Bear
Kai is the ideal first companion for your child and is especially adorable due to his extra-large head. He’s also very huggable and squishy. Kai is available in tie-dyed, rainbow, and white. Ages 1+
Purrfect Counting Purse
An ID badge, comb, phone, keys, and change purse are all included in this handbag, along with everything else you’ll need for the day. The pleasure becomes more interactive when you push the kitty’s tiara, though, as it can sing songs and instruct children about counting, numbers, and colors. 6 months and older
The Thinker Play Kit
The Thinker Play Kit is designed to help kids organize knowledge while encouraging them to utilize their creativity. Each set includes information to assist adults in comprehending the advantages of each toy and how to utilize them while playing with kids in ways that are developmentally appropriate. This subscription kit comes with seven toys that improve hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and other skills. 11 months and older
Shape Sorter
This lightweight form short, which is made entirely from recycled plastic milk jugs, is excellent for encouraging young children to improve their fine motor skills, color matching, and shape identification. Eight shapes, including two stars, two circles, two squares, and two triangles, are included in the collection. 6 months and older
Little People Golden Girls Collector Set
Okay, so a 1-year-old might not get the allusion, but they’ll still love playing with the Little People versions of Sophia Petrillo, Blanche Devereaux, Rose Nylund, and Dorothy Zbornak. These figures, which are substantial enough for little hands, are also included in a collection for fans of The Office. Ages 1+
Sesame Street People in Your Neighborhood Collection
All of their Sesame Street pals are dressed like members of their neighborhood, which may be especially appealing to them given how much emphasis we’ve recently focused on valuing important employees. Abby and Cookie Monster are both dressed as doctors, whereas Elmo is a fireman or doctor. Ages 1+