Best Toys and Gifts for a One Year Old

Most toys for one year olds are brightly colored, cute, and multifunctional.  But even though they’re appealing to the senses, not all of them are actually good, beneficial buys for babies.  Of course you want to get the most bang for your buck by finding toys that are fun, durable, and perhaps even educational.  To help you shop for the baby in your life, here are some of the top toys and gifts for one year olds:

iTeknic Automatic Bubble Blower

The iTecknic Automatic Bubble Blower is a great toy for little ones to enjoy outside. Babies are fascinated by bubbles, so what better way to keep their attention and encourage movement than a bubble blower?

What we love:

• It can be plugged in or used with batteries. You can take this toy nearly anywhere.
• It’s great for kids of all ages, so it can be used for years.
• It is easy to set up and use.

What we don’t love:

• It is louder than other bubble blowers.
• It may need to be refilled often.
• It is more expensive than the other bubble blowers available.

Radio Flyer My 1st 2-in-1 Wagon

This Radio Flyer Wagon is a classic toy that can be a walker wagon or a pull wagon, which makes it perfect for beginning walkers. This helps one year olds gain balance while on the move, and it enables them to haul their little treasures. 

What we love:

• It’s a great way to store toys and to tote them around the house.
• It only takes five minutes to assemble and does not require any tools.
• It’s sturdy and stable. It is made of high-quality materials so that it is built to last. 

What we don’t love:

• It is the perfect size for toddlers, but kids cannot use it for very long after that age.
• It is smaller than expected, so be sure to measure prior to placing your order.
• It is advertised as being a ride-on wagon, but it is not supportive enough to hold a child.

VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer

The VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer is a fun ball-popping toy that is perfect for one year olds. In addition to giving new walkers the assistance they need, this toy offers music and a fun game.

What we love:

• Its features include buttons to help one-year-olds learn colors, numbers, and music.
• It keeps little ones entertained.
• It comes assembled and ready to use.

What we don’t love:

• The balls may pop too far instead of popping into the bucket as they are meant.
• The handle is not as sturdy as some other walkers for toddlers.
• It is a good toy for babies and toddlers, but it cannot be used long-term as they grow.

Melissa & Doug Pull-Back Vehicles, Soft Baby and Toddler Toy Set

This is a cute set including four soft vehicles – a school bus, family car, fire truck, and police car. The pull-back feature sets them apart from other types of soft baby cars. The set includes a carrying case that is perfect to use on the go.

What we love:

• They are easy for toddlers and young children to use.
• They help children to develop sensory, fine motor, gross motor, and communication skills as they play.
• The wheels can detach, so you can wash the body of the vehicle in the washing machine.

What we don’t love:

• The vehicles are a little more expensive than other similar vehicle toy sets.
• The vehicles do not work on carpet or rugs. They will only work on hardwood flooring, tile flooring, and other hard surfaces.
• The paint on the wheels rubs off easily.

ToyerBee Pounding Toy with 1 Hammer & 4 Balls

This is a simple toy that gives little ones an opportunity to develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination while hammering. Its bright colors make it appealing to the eye.

What we love:

• It’s simple and easy for little ones to use.
• It is made of high-quality materials and can stand up to lots of use.
• All of its pieces are organized into one larger piece.

What we don’t love:

• The balls could be slightly bigger to improve the safety of the toy.
• Children can only play with this for a year or two before it becomes too easy for them.
• It is less affordable than similar options.

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Scooter

The Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Scooter is a toy that grows with the child. Kids can use this from age one all the way to age three and beyond. It is a ride-on scooter toy that has fun buttons, sounds, and interactive features.

What we love:

• It’s a very affordable ride-on toy.
• It works on carpet or hard flooring.
• It offers three levels of play for little ones of all ages.

What we don’t love:

• It can tip over if the child is not stable enough to stand on her own.
• The front-wheel doesn’t pivot, so children cannot steer.
• It may be difficult for little ones to scoot themselves at first.

Green Toys Submarine

This Green Toys Submarine is an environmentally-friendly bath toy. It is made from 100% recycled plastic milk containers. It can be used both indoors and outdoors at the pool or in the bathtub, and it’s available in two different color schemes.

What we love:

• It’s built to last and will hold up to regular use.
• It has rounded edges, which helps to keep kids safe.
• It’s a fun, painless way to rinse kids off in the bathtub.

What we don’t love:

• It doesn’t come apart, so it cannot be fully cleaned.
• It is more expensive than other bath toys.
• Children cannot open and close the submarine on their own.

Personalized Birthday Party Book Girls 1st Birthday Gift

This is a personalized birthday book designed for girls ages zero to six allows you to customize it with your child or loved one’s information.

What we love:

• It’s a unique gift that the child will love for years to come.
• It’s a sturdy board book that is made to last.
• The child’s name is on the cover and incorporated into the entire story.

What we don’t love:

• It does not mention the child’s age anywhere throughout the book. Some people may want to add this.
• It costs more than other children’s books.
• You will need to order it in advance due to it being personalized.

TOP BRIGHT Wooden Race Track Car Ramp Racer With 4 Mini Cars

This is a fun wooden toy that includes a ramp and four mini cars. It has four ramps as well as a parking lot on the top. It’s a toy that keeps kids engaged with its bright colors and fast, racing action.

What we love:

• It promotes social and learning skills.
• It is built for your child’s safety. The wheels cannot be removed easily, and the cars are not a choking hazard.
• Kids can enjoy this from age one and beyond. Even preschoolers can learn and play with this toy.

What we don’t love:

• The ramp is advertised as being wooden, but there are a lot of plastic pieces, as well.
• The numbers and colors on the ramps do not match up with the numbers and colors on the cars.
• The cars and ramps are smaller than you might think.

UTEX 3 in 1 Pop Up Play Tent with Tunnel

This playset includes a tent, tunnel, ball pit, and carrying bag. It can provide kids with hours of entertainment and makes a great gift.

What we love:

• It can be used indoors or outdoors.
• It’s easy to open and assemble as well as store.
• It’s perfect for all kinds of play, and can even be used as a reading spot.

What we don’t love:

• It doesn’t include the ball pit balls, so those will need to be purchased separately.
• There are many openings, so it can be difficult to keep the balls inside.
• It’s not as durable as other tunnel and tent options, depending on how rough your child might play.

Shopping for a baby is fun, but the endless options make it a bit of a project. Use this guide to help narrow your options and ensure you’re making a purchase that your one year old will love.