You’ll want to make sure that the toys you choose are fun and developmentally appropriate. 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. Make sure to look for toys that are challenging—but not too advanced—by following the age recommendations on the toys you choose. To find the best toys for one-year-olds, we researched products that are safe, durable, easy to use, educational, and age-appropriate. Based on our reviews, these are the best toys for one-year-olds on the market today. The activities on the solid wood cube offer learning opportunities for matching, cause and effect, and hand-eye coordination. Vibrant colors, adorable pictures of animals, and the variety of activities will keep toddlers entertained for quite some time. Price at time of publication: $60 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $41 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $16 Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $14 Price at time of publication: $22 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $35 Price at time of publication: $33 This toy is made of high-quality wood with child-safe paint and rounded edges, making it easy to clean for little hands and mouths. Our tester loved how this toy kept her son engaged and entertained for hours and how he was able to find more and more ways to play. The only downside our tester found was that her son liked to throw the wooden balls while playing, which can be loud and even cause damage if used around fragile objects. Still, the musical toy is too engaging and multifunctional for the price to give up. Price at time of publication: $33 Price at time of publication: $14 Price at time of publication: $180 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $23 Price at time of publication: $6 Price at time of publication: $35 Price at time of publication: $15 Price at time of publication: $57 Price at time of publication: $140 Price at time of publication: $35 for 1-2 letters no pegs, with engraving message Price at time of publication: $40 Price at time of publication: $88 Price at time of publication: $80 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $30 Price at time of publication: $17 Price at time of publication: $11 Price at time of publication: $21 Price at time of publication: $45
What to Look for 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. You want to make sure the toy is lightweight enough for your toddler to carry and lift it while also having easy-to-use features. It’s also important that it can be easily wiped clean and stored away when your child isn’t playing with it.
Educational Value
It’s also beneficial to think about whether the toy you’re buying is educational. There’s a lot for one-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 Natasha Burgert, MD, a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas. “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 that they will be able to 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 Kristin Morency Goldman, senior advisor of strategic communications for The Toy Association.
Safety
Babies love to grab, chew and throw things, so choose toys that are made up 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.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a staff and 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.
