Shopping for gifts for 1 year olds can be challenging! There are few things more disappointing than giving a little one a present they’re just not into. Keep reading for the best gift ideas for 1 year olds.
Buying toys for babies and toddlers can be tricky because they don’t understand what they actually want yet. It’s even harder if you don’t know the little one that well!
Presents for 1 year olds: What to consider
When you look for a present for a 1 year old, there are a few things you can consider to make sure you find the best gift possible.
1. Make sure it’s age-appropriate.
This is usually super easy, because most items made for babies, toddlers and children have intended ages printed on them. This is obvious for toys, but even things like stroller accessories, car seat attachments, blankets and non-toy baby items have ages on them.
2. Think about what catches the toddler’s attention.
If you’re lucky, you’ll know what your 1 year old baby likes, which makes it easy to zero into the toys and things they’ll be drawn to.
For example, we knew from a very young age that my son loved vehicles. He wasn’t old enough for Matchbox cars and traditional Thomas the Tank Engine train cars, but he, like most babies and young toddlers, wasn’t picky. If it had wheels and he could push it around, he was happy.
3. Learn about the things most toddlers (and parents of little kids) love!
Chances are you’re here because you don’t know exactly what the toddler you’re buying for is interested in. In that case, you’ll want to move on to the next section for 3 tips on what toddlers and parents love.
How to find the best baby gift ideas (even if you don’t know the child)
1. Go with what interests most babies.
Toys that light up and make noises are almost always a winner for 12 month old baby gifts.
Brands like Fisher-Price, Vtech Baby and Baby Einstein specialize in making toys that little ones will love. Tried and true toys have longevity for a reason.
Classic wooden toys, a simple musical instrument, dolls, building blocks and play sets are the most fun ways to encourage an independent, imaginative play skill for toddlers!
2. Go with educational toddler toys.
I always love age-appropriate toys that help little brains grow and develop. My favorite brand for this is Lovevery, because they make learning toys that are clearly intended for different ages.
I’m including my favorite of their items in the list of toddler gift ideas below, but you really should see what they’re all about. You can start by reading my 100% honest Lovevery review.
Related: Lovevery Black Friday: All the Details!
I also have a whole list of STEM toys for babies and toddlers that will make shopping easier for you!
3. Go with something that helps out mom and dad.
If I can be blunt for a moment, the 1 year old won’t remember what he or she received for this birthday. Sure, if it’s particularly memorable or long-lasting, their parents might remind him or her of who gave it to them. Maybe.
Then again, life with a toddler is hectic, and it doesn’t get less crazy for parent as their baby gets older. It’s nice and generous to give a gift, even if mom and dad might not remember who it came from!
Keeping that in mind, you can also give presents to the 1 year old child that will ultimately help out mom and dad. Consumable goods like diapers, wipes, toddler snacks and baby food squeeze packs are absolutely lovely to receive.
Other great gift ideas that benefit both parents and baby are:
- Kids bedroom decorations
- Bedding for a toddler bed
- Tear-free shampoo or body wash
- Local children’s museum tickets or memberships
Now that you have some ideas of what to look for, it’s time to share my suggestions for the best gift ideas for 1 year olds!
Top Gifts for 1 Year Olds: 21 Great Presents to Give
Here they are! Our picks for 21 great presents for 1 year olds. They’re perfect for holidays, birthdays, special occasions or just because.
1. Lovevery Play Kits
We’re not the only big fans of Lovevery play kits! These boxes are packed full of stage-based play essentials designed by experts to support brain development for ages from 0 months to 4 years old.
Lovevery Play Kits are filled with educational toys, accessories and resources curated to your child’s age and stage.
Every item is reviewed by a development expert and is made with safe and sustainable materials—so you know your little one is getting the very best. Plus, each box comes with a guide that teaches parents how to interact and play with baby.
2. Nuby Floating Octopus Hoopla Bath Toy
The Nuby Octopus Hoopla is a floating bath toy with rings that encourage interactive play and help develop hand-eye coordination!
Vibrant colors and textures are designed to engage the senses, while its materials are made to avoid mold issues.
3. Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone
The Hape Pound & Tap Bench with Xylophone is a multifunctional musical instrument toy that offers a variety of ways for babies and toddlers to play music!
Pound the balls with the included hammer and they can roll musically down the xylophone. Or pull out the xylophone and use the mallet play it on its own.
Bright colors, textures, shapes and sounds promote dexterity, hand eye coordination, manipulation, fine motor skills in a multi-sensory experience.
4. LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Word Book
The LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 word book introduces your 1 year old to more than 100 age-appropriate words chosen by learning experts.
An interactive, sturdy and durable, book, little ones can touch the words on each page to hear the words, sound effects and fun facts. Lights and music complete the sensory learning experience.
Words, songs and instructions can be heard in both English and Spanish for a full bilingual experience.
5. Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall
Multiple kids can play on either side of the Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall to encourage social interaction and shared exploration as they engage in sensory play!
Kids learn cause and effect as water cascades through spinners, zigzags, and funnels, fostering hand-eye coordination and introducing early STEM concepts.
6. Rolio Sensory toy
The Fat Brain Toys Rolio is a rolling sensory toy with colorful textured pegs that move in and out as it rolls on its soft, silicone tires.
With fun textures and quiet rattles, the Rolio is perfect for independent play and travel. It encourages sensory learning, fine motor skills and visual tracking.
7. Little Tikes First Slide Toddler Slide
The Little Tikes First Slide is a cute and bright playing set. Sized 3 feet long, and safe especially for younger kids, this is the perfect beginner slide.
You can easily assemble it in a short time, and you’ll also save space when it just folds down without tools for compact storage and moving.
8. Hatch Rest Smart Sound Machine, Night Light and Sleep Trainer
With gentle lights and sounds to soothe your baby, the Hatch Rest smart night light, sound machine and sleep trainer soothes your baby, teaches your toddler when it’s time to rise, and helps your big kid develop sleep independence.
Control it, adjust settings, set timers, control the volume dim/brighten the light all via an app or easy-access buttons on the device.
9. Tegu Magnetic Wooden Block Set
Built to foster creativity, The Tegu Magnetic Wooden Block Set offers the mystery of magnets with the marvel and joy of a new experience.
Safely embedded magnets in each block allow babies, toddlers and kids to defy gravity and push their imagination in brand new ways!
Safe and eco-friendly, Tegu toys are natural wood, with water-based finishes and recycled packaging. They are naturally safe: no lead, no plastic and non-toxic.
10. Baby Einstein and Hape Magic Touch Piano
Unleash your baby’s creativity with their first piano toy. The wooden Baby Einstein and Hape Magic Touch Piano magically makes music with just a touch; includes 3 sheets of music and 6 different songs.
Practice color coordination by matching the color-coded notes on the sheets to the keys on the piano; with 2 modes of play, babies can create their own original songs or discover familiar ones.
11. Melissa & Doug Wooden Rollables Wooden Ocean Slide
Inspire imaginative oceanside adventures through kinetic play with a sturdy, wavy wooden slide and 3 adorably round Rollables with the Melissa & Doug Rollables Wooden Ocean Slide.
Adorable, diverse characters and a variety of fun shapes and textures encourage exploratory, skill-building play, while squishy toys encourage sensory, fine motor and problem solving skills.
12. Disney Toy Story Wooden Balance Blocks
The Disney Toy Story Balance Wooden Blocks Set helps to teach and develop imagination during free play and fine motor skills in young children.
Build out a world of fun when you introduce this classic play experience into your child’s playtime, including wooden figures, blocks, balancing blocks, cars, trains, puzzles, and clutch toys.
13. Road Play Map Rug
TAKE YOUR IMAGINATION FOR A RIDE with the Road Play Map Rug! An updated version of traditional play rugs, this rug was designed for interactive fun.
Whether playing by themselves or sharing with friends, your child will love taking their toys all around town – and without ever missing a stop sign.
Includes police station, fire station, hospital, supermarket, school, airport, car wash, bank, library and gas station.
14. Learning Resources Poppy the Count & Stack Flower Pot
Have counting and stacking fun with the Learning Resources Poppy the Count and Stack Flower Pot!
Poppy and her 6 colorful count-and-stack-flowers encourage fine-motor fun. Carry Poppy around by her kid-size handle, stack her two-piece flowers, then count them up!
15. Whose Feet? Melissa & Doug Soft Book
The Melissa & Doug Whose Feet Soft Activity Book is an educational book featuring dangly feet, a funny story and colorful artwork.
Easy-to-read text, a funny story and machine washability makes this an exceptional gift for babies and toddlers.
16. Mega Bloks Build ‘n Learn Activity Table with Built-In Storage
The Mega Bloks Build N Learn Activity Table comes with 28 big building blocks, a toy car and built-in storage!
Endorsed by Fisher-Price, these blocks help to develop motor skills, creativity and imagination.
17. Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks and Rock-a-Stack Baby Toy Set
The Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks and Rock-a-Stack Baby Toy Set is a classic duo that every baby should play with!
10 blocks and a storage bucket make up the Baby’s First Blocks set, while five colorful rings and a stacker help develop fine and gross motor skills.
18. LEGO DUPLO Bath Time Fun: Floating Animal Train
The Bath Time Fun: Floating Animal Train features LEGO DUPLO bath-safe toys with bricks and figures to build and float.
Green hippo, yellow duck and white polar bear come with a bucket, rain cloud and easy to clean floating rings!
19. Little Tikes Snug ‘n Secure Swing
The Little Tikes Snug ‘n Secure Swing has over 33 THOUSAND reviews averaging 5 stars!
A baby and toddler swing in one, this swing can support up to 50 pounds and its the perfect combination of safety and comfort.
20. VTech Push and Pop Bulldozer
The Vtech Pop-a-Balls Push and Pop Bulldozer will have your little one loading, pushing, chasing and catching colorful balls!
This toy encourages movement and motor skills when the colorful balls pop up through the chimney, into the scoop bucket and back again. Load the balls into the bulldozer, push the chunky handle and watch the bulldozer come to life with popping balls and music!
Your little one can also sit and play with the bulldozer by pressing the buttons to learn colors, numbers and music.
21. Pretendables Lemonade Time Set
This pretend and play Lemonade Time Set from Pretendables lets your little one explore preparing drinks with a pitcher, cups, ice, lemon slices and a whole lemon that can be cut with the included play knife.
The set encourages early math, communication skills, cooperative play and imaginative play.
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