The one-year mark in a child’s life is a big milestone as kids leave the baby stage and officially enter the toddler stage. As they develop physically, emotionally, and developmentally, a whole new world of age-appropriate toys also opens for them. 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.
The best toys for 1-year-olds provide sensory enrichment, help develop motor skills, and encourage language learning. To find these toys, 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. A physician double board-certified in neonatology and pediatrics on our Expert 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.
Our Favorites
Fisher-Price Farm to Market Tractor Ride-on With Pull Wagon
Once toddlers start walking independently, a whole new world of mobility opens up with ride-ons, pull and push toys, and more. The Fisher-Price Tractor Ride-On maximizes all these newly learned abilities. This learning toy features 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).
Hape Pound & Tape Bench
This award-winning musical toy has been praised for its colorful wooden design and 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.
The Hape Pound and Tap Bench is made with high-quality wood with child-safe paint and rounded edges, making it easy to clean and safe 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 daily. 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
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
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.
Radio Flyer Ride-On Car
The Radio Flyer Busy Buggy gets kids moving, whether pushing this adorable car around or interacting with one of its many features. One of our writers received a free sample of this Radio Flyer ride-on toy (but in pink), and it was a breeze to put together, requiring only the attachment of the handlebar. The Busy Buggy has 17 interactive features, like clicking dials and folding mirrors, which allow toddlers to enhance their fine motor skills.
We love the storage compartment underneath the seat, where kids can pack their favorite toys (or the TV remote) for the ride. If kids don’t feel like walking, they can sit on the seat and power the car using their feet.
Battat Wooden Activity Cube
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
Tots one year and up can practice problem-solving, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills with an adorable puzzle like the Melissa & Doug Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle. 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.
Fisher-Price Learning Table
Little ones get to stand up while they play with the Fisher-Price Around the Town Learning Table, which 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
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, all working together to create fun towers and other configurations. In addition to all the fun, this stacking toy helps kids work on color identification, counting, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and strengthening fine motor skills.
Tomy Toomies Hide & Squeak Eggs
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
The LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book contains 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
Littles between 6 months and 3 years old can stack, sort, squeeze, toss, and even chew on these soft molding foam blocks. The set comes with 10 blocks in various colors, each with 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 storage.
Leapfrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo
The LeapFrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo is surprisingly functional. 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
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
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 Baby Einstein Magic Touch 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.
Little Tikes Rocking Horse
The Little Tikes 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
Children up to 2 years old can clutch and teeth on the Manhattan Toy Winkel 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
If your family isn’t quite ready for a real puppy, the VTech Pull and Sing Puppy 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.
First 100 Words
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 a child’s daily life, provides a gentle nudge in the right direction. The board-book style makes “First 100 Words” easy for tiny hands to maneuver, and bright, bold illustrations keep kids engaged.
FoxPrint Rocket Ship Tent
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.
BusyPuzzle Personalized Name Puzzle With Pegs
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 names.
Little Tikes First Slide
When your new toddler is still a little too small for the playground, this beginner-level slide is a great alternative for a climbing toy. The Little Tikes First Slide is 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
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
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 adult help, a learn-to-ride trike, or a classic trike suitable for more independent riders. Though the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike is pricier, it’s a worthy investment because you’ll use it for years; it’s suitable for children as young as 1 year and as old as 5 years.
Mega Bloks 80-Piece Big Building Bag
The Mega Block Big Building Bag is a set of 80 large-scale blocks that provide 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
This toy puts a new 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.
Boon Building Bath Toys Set
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
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.
VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck
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
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 play fun songs and sounds.
Our Review Process
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.
Our Experts
- Natasha Burgert, MD, is a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas. She’s also the American Academy of Pediatrics national spokesperson and 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.
Factors to Consider 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. The toy should be lightweight enough for your toddler to carry and lift, and 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 they can 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.
Your Questions, Answered
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.
Who We Are
Ashley Ziegler is a 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.