52 Gift Ideas for 1-Year-Olds to Encourage Curiosity and Fun

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It’s nothing short of amazing to watch a 1-year-old become more and more themselves every day. Their unique personality and quirks begin to shine through, and even though we’ve known them since they were born, we can begin to really see who they are. Every time we turn around, they’ve learned something new… which is cute when they learn to say “mama” and less cute when they learn to climb out of their crib. One thing they’re not so good at – and won’t be for a while – is telling us what gifts they want. It’s not on them – learning a language is hard! – but it’s still a problem for those of us who want to shower them with gifts. (And who amongst us doesn’t want to give them all the gifts?!)

So we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for 1-year-olds, from throwback winners to award-winning contemporary favorites. We wanted to make sure we checked all the boxes: educational, durable, and, most importantly, toys that will provide hours (or even years) of fun for your little one. They may not know what they want, but we’re certain they’ll like our 1-year-old gift picks!

Treetop Activity Center

This fun-filled, beautifully designed learning toy is a perfect addition to any toddler’s play. Four quadrants feature nature-themed activities perfect for busy hands and developing fine motor skills!

More: The Absolute Best Toys of the Year

Laugh & Learn Smart Learning Home

This activity and music filled little doorway is the perfect place for your 1-year-old to play make-believe. See who’s at the door, what’s in the mailbox, or what you can whip up in the kitchen. More than 200 songs enhance the experience of helping your little one learn about colors, shapes, weather, and more.

Pound-A-Ball

Once they hammer down four brightly-colored balls into the maze, your child will be hypnotized, watching them zig-zag along before rolling out — and then the fun starts over again.

Not only is this gift for 1-year-olds fun, but it also encourages dexterity and hand-eye coordination and begins to teach cause and effect.

Musical Llama

We love this toy as a gift for 1-year-olds for a few reasons. For one, it’s a great way to encourage your little one to develop musical interest and ability through play. For another thing: Just look at it! How cute is this little llama? It's room decor as entertainment — do it for the ‘Gram!

'What Should I Wear?' Soft Activity Baby Book

Your little one will have fun moving their doll through the cloth pages of this book deciding... what should they wear? A grass skirt? A bathing suit? A parka? Not only does this toy help develop vocabulary and hand-eye coordination but imaginative play and a love of books.

Toddler Ball Pit

Back when I was a kid, heading to a play area with a ball pit was the most exciting thing I could hope for in any given week. Babies these days can experience that thrill every day with this adorable memory foam ball pit. Easy to clean (because 1-year-olds) and sure to be a hit for a long time.

DUPLO My First Growing Carrot

Your 1-year-old can make this adorable carrot "grow" in its pot by stacking bricks. The sun, rain, and watering can accessories also make it great for imaginative play. Perfect for burgeoning Lego fans.

Ring Stacking Toy

Available in both turtle and unicorn designs (honestly, you can't go wrong) this Montessori-style toy will help your 1-year-old develop vital developmental skills like grasping, stacking, and hand-eye coordination. The rings also make great rattles!

Boynton's Greatest Hits: The Big Yellow Box Set

No one does toddler stories like Sandra Boynton, and this boxed set comes with four of her greatest hits, The Going to Bed Book; Horns to Toes; Opposites; and my personal favorite, But Not the Hippopotamus. The Big Blue Box and Green Box are also available.

Soothe & Glow Seahorse

This adorable little fishy is full of surprises. A fun toy, a huggable snuggle buddy, a gently glowing nightlight, a ocean-waves sound machine and a source of soothing music, the Soothe & Glow Seahorse is sure to be one of your 1-year-old's most beloved toys.

Bilingual Nursery Rhymes

Your 1-year-old is constantly learning. In fact, the degree to which they’re absorbing language right now is uncanny, especially when you consider they didn’t know they had feet until a few months ago. These charming books, available in French and Spanish, are a great way to introduce them to second languages in an entertaining and accessible way.

Balance Bike

They may not be ready for their first bicycle, but you can get them started on the core motor skills they’ll need with this absolutely adorable ride-on toy, available in a variety of colors.

Pokémon Pajamas

Can a toddler ever really have too many pairs of pajamas? If so, we’ve yet to discover that number. Whether they’re fans of Pokémon or their nerdy parents are (no judgment), these cute little pajamas are a practical and adorable gift for 1-year-olds.

Fish n Splash Water Table

No matter what your child is doing, if you bring them anywhere near a water table they’re going to want to stop whatever they’re doing and start splashing. This gift will entertain your 1-year-old not just for hours but years.

Suction Spinner Toy

Able to stick onto pretty much any smooth surface, these spinning toys will entertain your kiddo at home or on the go. Watch them figure out how to engage with the toy or, if you really want to blow their little baby minds, demonstrate how to spin it for them.

The Pigeon Collection

Mo Willems has given us lots of beloved children’s book characters over the years, but our favorite is still his first: The Pigeon, a cocky, persistent bird who dreams big and whines even bigger. This set comes with seven Pigeon favorites your kiddo will love for years to come.

Peg Sorter Toy

Hand-eye coordination and the ability to problem solve don’t just magically happen one day: They take practice. But practice doesn’t have to be boring! This neat Montessori toy will encourage your child to develop both of these crucial skills.

Yak Kin Kit

Stuffed animals can be an important tool to help little ones develop empathy. Slumberkins is all about nurturing that social-emotional development with their line of adorable characters and affirming books. Yak (and their included book) teaches kids self-acceptance, a lesson they’re never too young to learn.

Magic Touch Piano

This adorable piano is made from wood and features touch technology, no buttons or keys required! Two different modes allow your child to create their own melodies or play along with color-coded “sheets” of classical music when they’re a little older. Two-level volume control means your little Mozart can practice whenever they want without disturbing your Zoom meeting.

Giraffe Plush Rocker

They may not quite have the core strength for a traditional rocking toy just yet, but this adorable giraffe, with its plush seat, is a perfect first rocker. And with a weight capacity of 88 pounds, it will last them well past 1 year old.

Hammering Toy & Xylophone

This 3-in-1 toy has a xylophone, number puzzle, and pounding toy, all of which are educational and fun to play with. It’s also just too cute!

Pop Up Toy

A lot of us probably had some version of this as toddlers. Push, twist, and slide different mechanisms to make little figures pop up. There’s something so satisfying about the cause and effect mechanisms of this toy, and it helps teach this important concept!

Duplo Bath Time Fun

This set is a great introduction to the world of LEGO for the littlest builders. A floating “island” comes with a lion, flamingo, octopus, and a fish — to make getting clean the perfect time to let their imagination wander, or just have fun watching their new animal friends float.

Chatter Telephone

We know you remember this one: It’s been a nursery classic since 1961! The smiling face and old-fashioned dial on the telephone encourage imaginative play. The “pull-along” lead encourages walking and gross motor skills.

2-in-1 Snug 'n Secure Swing Magenta

This is the perfect gift for 1-year-olds who have outgrown the baby swing. This classic design from Little Tikes is indoor/outdoor safe and comes with everything you need to install. With a weight capacity of 50 pounds, your kiddo will enjoy this for a long time.

Baby Sensory Shape Sorter Blocks Toy

From sorting and rolling to tossing it around and putting the blocks in their mouth, there’s no wrong way to play with this cute toddler toy! The perfect gift for one-year-olds who want and need some sensory stimulation.

Scoot Around Bike

Winner of multiple critic and parents’ choice awards, the Hape Scoot Around is the perfect ride-on toy to prepare your child to ride a bike by developing motor skills, muscle strength, and balance. Suitable for indoor or outdoor play. Also: look at it! How charming is this?

Little People Treehouse Playset

Have amazing adventures with Little People friends Jack, Tessa, and their puppy in this whimsical treehouse playset … or just shoo them down the slide or push them on the swing. Either way, this is the kind of toy that can be enjoyed for years!

Corn Popper

Many of us probably remember this toy from our own childhoods, and it’s just as big of a hit today, which just goes to show that sometimes classics are classic for a reason. The colorful balls and lively sounds will encourage walking.

Little Scientist Board Book Set

It’s never too early to instill a love of reading or science in your little one, and with this charming set of books you can do both. Children can explore the stars, planets, life, and famous and influential scientists through vibrant illustrations.

Pull-Back Vehicles

For the kiddo that loves everything with wheels, this set of four plush cars will satisfy their need for speed!

Push them along for a creative play, or pull back on the vehicles to send them zooming across the floor. Perfect for solo playtime or sharing with friends.

Learning Cube

With six functions for your little learner, a push of a button will teach them the alphabet, numbers, colors and entertain them with lights and music. This little cube is a favorite on Amazon, with thousands of overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart

This cheery wooden grocery cart is filled with fun skill-building activities to inspire imaginative play. Your little one can sort colorful wooden food shapes through the holes, spin the built-in roller drum for sensory stimulation, and engage in matching games.

Barnyard Friends Playset

Why should Old MacDonald be the only one with a farm?

Your 1-year-old will love taking care of their very own plush chicken, duck, cow, and pig, handily stored in a cute, soft barn carry case. Each animal makes a sound when squeezed or shaken.

Basket of Babies

Sure, one baby doll is good, but we know your child has enough cuddles for six.All of these hand-sewn and diverse baby dolls are perfectly sized for a toddler’s arms. They’re perfect for sharing at playtime or just pretending you have your own show on TLC.

Reading Bug Box for Babies and Toddlers

Even toddlers love getting presents in the mail, and with the Reading Bug Box, your 1-year-old will get three to four personally selected books every month. A perfect choice for inspiring young readers and rescuing parents from reading the same book over and over again.

Kid's Musical Mat

Your little one will love creating music with their own hands and feet. Maybe you will, too. We don’t judge — we all loved that iconic scene in Big.

Each key makes its own note in one of eight different instrument sounds. As they grow older, they can enjoy the toy’s more sophisticated features, like “recording,” which will play back their latest song.

Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker

Whether your child is walking, crawling, or happy to sit, this toy is the perfect gift for 1-year-olds. With lots of activities to keep them entertained, they’ll love pushing buttons (don’t they always?) and learning colors, shapes, and animal sounds.

Explore and More Follow Bee

Your crawler will love chasing after Follow Bee as it zips around the room. Once they catch up with lights and music, they can remove it from its “get-away cloud” and start again. It’s like what they do to your pets, but the bee never barks or hisses at them, and this bee will never sting them.

Play Tent and Tunnel

Whether inside or outdoors, these durable, easy to assemble pieces connect to one another for a maze of imagination and fun. Whether your child is playing make-believe or just resting in a tent with a teddy, this is the perfect play spot that they’ll enjoy for years to come.

The real question is: Do they come in adult sizes?

Fuddlewuddle Lion Stuffed Animal

Impossibly soft and perfectly adorable, Fuddlewuddle Lion (we are obsessed with this name) will be your 1-year-old’s new best bud. Bead-filled for nice big hugs, this king of the savanna is ready for any adventure your little one has in store.

Laugh and Learn Smart Phone

Parents often struggle deciding when to give a child their first phone, but with this toddler-friendly “smartphone,” the decision is easy.

Your kiddo will have fun pretending to be a grown-up (their favorite thing to do) with 12 “app” buttons that play sounds and songs. Now maybe they’ll stop trying to take our phones… we hope....

Mickey Mouse & Friends Shape Truck

Is there anything better than a great big truck? Well, maybe Mickey Mouse and his friends, and with this toy, you don’t have to choose.

Sort the shapes (with your child’s favorite Disney characters on them) into the truck, or just enjoy zooming your car along the floor. It’s also made from recycled materials, so you can keep it green.

See N’ Say

Would any of us even know what a cow said without this thing? This version of one of our childhood favorites has another ring of animal friends to meet (just fold it over) and features two modes — quiz and animal identification — for even more ways to play.

Pull-Along Sensory Box

Have you ever seen a 1-year-old find a box of tissues? It’s utter chaos: They just. keep. pulling.

But they love it! Which is why this simple box of rainbow scarves is the perfect gift for that same satisfying sensory play without all the cleanup.

Spin N’ Sprinkle Water Lab

Nothing hits quite like a fun bath toy. Attach this water lab to the wall of the tub (don’t worry — it’s just suction cups), and your little scientist can use their “test tube” to fill the funnel and watch the water spin through the various spouts and sprays.

Big Building Bag

This set comes with 80 colorful blocks, making them perfect for your little 1-year-old builder to create anything… even though they’ll probably just wind up building a big stack of blocks.

But that’s OK! It’s an important first step and loads of fun.

Anywhere Chair

We know 1-year-olds aren’t known for sitting too much, but even toddlers appreciate being able to kick back in a big ol’ comfy chair?They’re fully customizable (they don’t all say Wesley … that would just be weird) — and are an adorable decor addition that will serve them through toddlerhood.

Elephant Critter Night Light Buddy

Help your toddler stay comfy and cozy at bedtime with this adorable plush nightlight. They’ll love having a cuddly buddy with them who keeps the dark at bay by projecting LED stars on the wall. These twinkling lights can be set on a timer or illuminated all night long.

Montessori Wooden Garden

Dare we dream this will encourage them to actually eat vegetables? Perfect for creative play and developing fine motor skills, this adorable garden allows your little one to sort fruits and vegetables into their proper spot.

Nursery Rhyme Book Set

Problem: You want to give your child books to encourage early literacy, but your little slobber-monster chews all their board books into oblivion.

Solution: Toddler-proof books! No, really! Chew them, tear them, crumple them — it’s all good! Just wash them and hand them back to your little one. Your kiddo will love reading (and nibbling on) these classic (and possibly delicious) nursery rhymes.

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