What Toys To Buy for 1 Year Old Babies?
It can be difficult to know what are the best toys for 1 year old babies. Before I had my son I hadn't a clue what to buy as presents for 1 year olds, but since then I have done a lot of research into the best toys. The suggestions and advice in this article is based on the toys my two sons and nieces and nephews played with and really enjoyed at home, friend's houses, toddler and play groups between the ages of 1 and 2. My youngest son has just turned 1.
In a hurry or just curious....
In a hurry or just curious....
✔️ This toy is the most popular one on this page with our readers.
The best toys for 1 year old babies are quite often ones which encourage them to use their hands to improve their fine motor skills. Toys such as shapesorters, activity tables, balls and 1st sets of building blocks all fall into this category.
Noisy toys that have voices speaking, nursery rhymes and songs are also good to help encouage talking and listening skills.
Noisy toys that have voices speaking, nursery rhymes and songs are also good to help encouage talking and listening skills.
Toys that enourage 1 year old babies to stand up and start walking or improve their balance and walking skills are also good for this age group.
Read on for the best toys for 1 year old babies.
Read on for the best toys for 1 year old babies.
Ride on Toys for 1 Year Old Babies
Ride on toys are a must have toy for 1 year old babies.
My son received a couple of ride on toys for his first birthday. At first he used to push them around but it wasn't long before he was sitting on it and scooting around. The great thing about ride on toys is that they last for years. My eldest son was still going on his ride on toy at 3 years of age. Ride on toys are a must have toy for 1 year old babies.
The Vtech ride on alphabet train featured is perfect for 1 year olds. It can be used as a floor play, ride on, walker and a pull cart. So If they're not walking yet, there are lots of activities for sit down play. When they're ready, the front part becomes a sturdy walker and the back part a fun pull along cart. The whole train can also be used as a ride on too.
My son received a couple of ride on toys for his first birthday. At first he used to push them around but it wasn't long before he was sitting on it and scooting around. The great thing about ride on toys is that they last for years. My eldest son was still going on his ride on toy at 3 years of age. Ride on toys are a must have toy for 1 year old babies.
The Vtech ride on alphabet train featured is perfect for 1 year olds. It can be used as a floor play, ride on, walker and a pull cart. So If they're not walking yet, there are lots of activities for sit down play. When they're ready, the front part becomes a sturdy walker and the back part a fun pull along cart. The whole train can also be used as a ride on too.
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There are 10 activities on the train. Music, blocks, light up buttons, story book, clock face, gears and much more. The double sided stackable blocks help teach the alphabet. Put them in the slot to hear the letter sound.
There are over 260 melodies, phrases and songs to keep babies engaged. Toddlers love to put things in and out of the storage compartments at the back of the train too. Another favorite ride on toy of my son was the cozy coupe car. Check out some more ride on toys for 1 year olds |
Traditional/Classic Baby Toys
I found that tradiitional baby toys without the fashing lights were often the ones that keep children occupied for ages. Most of them are so simple yet very effective for keeping babies enteratined and educational too.
A toy drum like the one below is a popular toy.
A toy drum like the one below is a popular toy.
  
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Young babies delight in banging on a toy drum. and as they get older it's a good tool to learn about rhythm.
Another one of my favourite baby toys is a peg and hammer bench It's colourful to attract attention and help teach colours. Babies will love knocking the pegs with a hammer, helping to develop motor skills about teach about cause and effect. |
Shape sorters
 
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Shapesorters are great for teaching colours and shapes as well as improving fine motor skills. At 1 years old a baby will be developing just enough skill to start posting some of the shapes.
The shape sorter opposite is big and chunky which is perfect for little hands. As well as being a shapesorter it also plays music and there's a little bug on the top which baby can turn spin to learn about counting or music. There's a pull along string so baby can pull along the toys when he or she is ready. |
Another toy option is a first set of blocks. 1 years old is a good age to get a baby their first set of bricks to learn about building towers and knocking them down.
Activity tables, Keyboards and Toys phones
Activity tables, keyboards and phones are all great toys for 1 year olds. Babies love pressing buttons and hearing music, seeing lights and listening to words and songs which all these toys do.
My son and nephew both absolutely loved many of the Vtech toys especially the Tiny Tot driver.
My son and nephew both absolutely loved many of the Vtech toys especially the Tiny Tot driver.
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Activity centres like the tiny tot driver were always favourite toys for my son.
The flashing lights and music really attracted the attention of my children. There's lots of pieces that babies will enjoy including a steering wheel to turn, a gear stick, buttons to press, a horn and ignition key. The driving elements of the toy make it perfect for imaginative play as children get older. There's lots of learning capabilities with this toy too. Press the buttons to introduce vehicles, animals, colours, numbers and music |
Favourite Toys for Boys
Here are some of my favourite toys for 1 year olds.
My youngest boy in particular loves cars. He lies on the floor and pushes them to and fro with his hands. He just loves moving them around. You can get big chunky cars for little hands and these may great gifts for a 1st birthday.
A garage is a toy my friend bought for her oldest son when he was one. She now has 2 boys who are 2 and 3 and they still play with it. My son is also a big fan of the garage when we go there to play.
My youngest boy in particular loves cars. He lies on the floor and pushes them to and fro with his hands. He just loves moving them around. You can get big chunky cars for little hands and these may great gifts for a 1st birthday.
A garage is a toy my friend bought for her oldest son when he was one. She now has 2 boys who are 2 and 3 and they still play with it. My son is also a big fan of the garage when we go there to play.
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The toy featured is a parking tower and is a great toy for young boys. It comes with a van which is a great size for small hands to play with.
It also has a big spiral ramp and sliding track, flip-up board, fun roller, car wash centre, parking spaces and a petrol station (lots of features which will facilitate imaginative play as baby gets older). |
Learning and Educational Toys for 1 Year Olds
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The Leapfrog shapes and sharing picnic basket has excellent reviews at amazon and it teaches shapes, colours, manners and more.
Great put in and take out play, good for honing fine motor skills and role play too. I actually bought this as a 1st birthday gift for my 1 year old nephew. He absolutely loved it (depsite it being pink!) and he played with all the accessories for ages. There is lots to do including a shape sorter plate, push the button to hear educational songs, lift the basket lid, sort and match the pretend food in the shape sorter plate. |
It's also great for imaginative play as babies get older, so its a toy that should last quite a while.
If you want more learning toy ideas, check out this page on educational toys for 1 year olds.
Many of the toys that have already been featured have educational value but here are a few more...
Fisher Price do some great educational toys called the Laugh and learn series. There are laugh and learn shapesorters, chairs, tea sets, vacuums, laptops and more. Each toy has lots of songs that teach things such as new words, numbers, colours, the alphabet, shapes and more (depending on which toy you get). Many of these toys also have features to develop fine motor skills.
If you want more learning toy ideas, check out this page on educational toys for 1 year olds.
Many of the toys that have already been featured have educational value but here are a few more...
Fisher Price do some great educational toys called the Laugh and learn series. There are laugh and learn shapesorters, chairs, tea sets, vacuums, laptops and more. Each toy has lots of songs that teach things such as new words, numbers, colours, the alphabet, shapes and more (depending on which toy you get). Many of these toys also have features to develop fine motor skills.
Favourite Toys for Girls
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I've recommended the tea set for 1 year old girls but actually my son had this tea set for his 1st birthday and absolutely loved it. So don't rule it out for boys too.
My son loved tipping the teapot to hear the sounds, see the lights and the tea move too. Its a great first toy to encourage role play and get them to make you a cup of tea and have a tea party. The cake is also stackable which is great for developing fine motor skills. The set has 7 sung songs, 5 instrumentals, 20 phrases and 5 fun sounds. |
Stroll Along Musical Walker
  
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This is another on that's aimed at 1 year old girls, but I bet boys would like this too. My son used to love pushing around pushchairs at the toddler groups we went to (although he would always chuck the doll out first).
This stroller offers lots of different ways to play. There's a beads and a flip book on the pushchair that babies will love to play with. A wide wheel base and a sturdy handle make it easy for baby to stroll along so perfect for babies first steps. Music and lights activate as baby walks Bat the magic wand to hear sounds and songs. Great for teaching babies about cause and effect. Dolls are sold separately. |
In the Night Garden Toys
 
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In the Night Garden Toys are a particular hit with this age group as they absolutely love the TV series. My eldest son had the Iggle Piggle toy just before he was one and was absolutely fascinated by it.
I also really like the In the Night Garden Iggle Piggle soft toy feature opposite. You can press Iggle Piggle's Tummy to hear him say 8 fun Iggle Piggle sounds from the show. My mother in law had an In the Night Garden play tent which my son and his cousin used to love sitting in to play peek-a-boo, hide in, eat their lunch and bring in their toys into. Play tents can be used indoors but are also good for putting outdoors in the Summer as they make a great shade from the Sun. |
Walkers
  
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Obviously walkers are great toys for 1 year old babies. Some make a perfect aid to walking before they've taken their first steps. If they've already taken their first steps it won't be long until they are pushing them everywhere. My eldest son had a walker with bricks which he particularly liked as he would spend ages taking the bricks out of the walker and then putting them all in again before pushing them around. The bricks were also great for building and knocking down towers.
The Viga wooden first steps baby walker features high quality wood and paint detail and includes 36 wooden blocks |
As well as walkers, you could also consider push along toys.
A few more suggestions of the best toys for 1 year old babies
Some more great toy ideas for 1 year olds.
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If you're looking for a 1 year old bath toy, check out the octapals bath toy.
The mother octopus is a water pouring toy. She has 8 baby octopus in her tentacles. It also features a number matching activity for when babies get a bit older. Each octopus has number on it, which can be matched to the correct place the octopus has to go on the base. Each baby octopus can also stick on the side of the bath tiles too. |
My 1 year old loves water toys and pouring water in and out of cups etc so I know he would love this.
Outdoor Toys for 1 Year Olds
Summer is upon us and it's nice to be able to let 1 year olds who are crawling and taking their first steps out in the garden. To try and stop them getting into everything (hand in soil, pulling out flowers etc) it's nice to have a few toys to keep them occupied outside.
 
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A water table like the Little Tikes pirate ship featured is a great toy. We have a water table which my youngest currently loves. He loves splashing, playing with the boats, turning the water wheel and watching you pour water in the top with the cup. It keeps him occupied for ages. The other day he cried when I had to take him away from it.
The water table featured can be used with either water or sand. It comes with 20 sand and water accessories as well. The great thing about water tables is that kids of all ages love them. My eldest son still plays with it at age 4. |
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Both my children had smart trikes for their 1st birthdays and my youngest currently loves being pushed around in this.
They convert as your baby grows so will eventually convert into an independant trike. For 1 year olds look for a trike with a harness, back support and a bar to keep the babies secure. A removable parent handle means you can push your baby around until they are ready to pedal the trike themselves. The trike featured is one example and comes in blue, pink and purple. Read more advice about what to look for when buying a trike for a 1 year old. |
For hot days, a paddling pool filled with water fascinates 1 year olds. Paddling pools can also be filled with balls and used as a ball pit inside or outside.
Another toy my youngest loves is a mini trampoline with handle. He can't yet walk but he can bounce. He loves holding onto the handle on the trampoline at his cousin's house and jumping. This is a toy that will last a few years too.
Other top choices are a baby swing and a first slide.
The nice thing about baby and toddler slides is that they can be moved indoors or outdoors depending on the weather.
Another idea is a play tent. These can be put up indoors and outdoors. They're great for outdoor play in the summer as they can keep little ones in the shade. Babies will love crawling through tents and sitting in there. As they get older tents are great for imaginative play and kids love having their own special area. They can easily be put up and put away again when you don't want them hanging around.
Another toy my youngest loves is a mini trampoline with handle. He can't yet walk but he can bounce. He loves holding onto the handle on the trampoline at his cousin's house and jumping. This is a toy that will last a few years too.
Other top choices are a baby swing and a first slide.
The nice thing about baby and toddler slides is that they can be moved indoors or outdoors depending on the weather.
Another idea is a play tent. These can be put up indoors and outdoors. They're great for outdoor play in the summer as they can keep little ones in the shade. Babies will love crawling through tents and sitting in there. As they get older tents are great for imaginative play and kids love having their own special area. They can easily be put up and put away again when you don't want them hanging around.
Slides are great too. My son will play on one for ages. Young 1 year olds will need to be supervised to go down a slide (as well as up - my youngest wants to climb up the slide itself at the moment) at first but in a few months they will be wanting to all it all by themselves!
Read more about outdoor toys for 1 year olds.
Read more about outdoor toys for 1 year olds.
More Gift and Toy Ideas
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If you still haven't found anything on my list here are a few final ideas.
Another classic, simple and inexpensive toy which keeps 1 year olds occupied for ages is the classic galt pop up toy. Four colourful characters that babies push down and they pop up. Babies love the little men out and putting them back in again. Simple but fascinating for 1 year olds. Books also make a nice gift for a 1 year old. Look for books with lots of tactile bits for babies to touch and feel. Books for this age should be colourful to attract and hold babies attention too. Flaps to lift and mirrors are also good features. |
Hot Christmas Toys for 1 Year Olds
There are quite a few toys that are set to be very popular for the 1 year old age group this year.
It may still be August but if you're looking around for some Christmas gift ideas check a couple more below.
It may still be August but if you're looking around for some Christmas gift ideas check a couple more below.
Leapfrog My Discovery House
 
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This toy has been around for a couple of years (I actually bought it for one of my nephews last Christmas). It's a great toy for 1 year olds and won't break the bank either.
There's lots for little hands to do and it's a great learning toy too. Open and close the fridge door, push the doorbell, slide the window back and forth, push in the birds, flip the light switch and press the ducky. |
There's over 75 learning responses and five different play areas so it's a toy that will help keep little ones occupied. It has excellent reviews too.
Activity Table
 
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The Vtech discovery activity table is a nice gift for a baby that's just turning 1 year old. It
There's lots of little ones to do and learn. Babies will love pressing the different apple shaped buttons which teach colours and phonics. They will also love the light up spinning disk which introduces 8 animals and music. There's also a 4-page mini book which introduces sing-along songs and cute caterpillar piano keys teach music notes and numbers. |
There's lots of activities. 1 year old will also love the shape sorter. Put the shapes into the holes and they fall down a path inside the tree trunk and appear at the bottom of the tree.
It includes four sing-along songs, 15 melodies and lots of fun sound effects. It's fantastic for learning new words, developing fine motor skills and has lots of educational value teaching animals, colours, shapes, numbers and letters. Well worth checking out.
It includes four sing-along songs, 15 melodies and lots of fun sound effects. It's fantastic for learning new words, developing fine motor skills and has lots of educational value teaching animals, colours, shapes, numbers and letters. Well worth checking out.
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