The Must-Have Toys for Every 1-Year-Old: Tried and True Favorites!

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Shop the best toys for 1-year-old. 

baby sitting on floor with tummy time pillow looking at blue and yellow crab toy

Your baby said they needed these. 💁🏼‍♀️🎁

Shop our tried and true list of 13 gift ideas! Our affordable best toys for 1 year old list come from seasoned moms and are loved by babies.

Be sure to check out our Christmas Shopping Challenge – it has a gift guide for everyone on your list this year! 🎁🤩


Shop all of our top 1 year old toys all at once over on LTK by clicking the photo below:

collage of gifts for one year olds


1. This timeless baby teether is never going out of style and loved by babies.  

baby giraffe teether in front of target cart

There’s just something about Sophie the Girafe that babies love! The flexible, natural rubber and long neck makes it easy for babies to grip and teeth making this toy just as functional as it is cute! Plus, it features food-grade paints and is BPA, PVC, and phthalate free so it’s safe too.


2. Get this cute teddy bear which has a removable helmet. 

hand holding a yellow San-X Rilakkuma bear on snoopy blanket

San-X Rilakkuma Space Plush Teddy Bear – $29.99

*Note that this is currently OOS so be sure to check back!

The anime Rilakkuma may not be on your 1 year old’s radar quite yet, but if you’re into cute and cuddly stuffies this one is cuter than them all. This little bear is a popular character known for being lazy and relaxed – everything a 1 year old should be, right? 😆 We love that it’s gender-neutral, the helmet comes off giving it different looks, and it’s a great size too.


3. Grab this teether which also gives your baby’s mouth a gentle clean.

baby in car seat holding banana shaped teether in mouth

Nuby Nananubs Banana Massaging Teether – $3.49 (regularly $6.99) 

It’s never too early to teach your babies to clean their little gums and this teether feels just as fun as it is practical. The unique banana shape makes it easy for their little hands to hold and is made of 100% silicone so it’s gentle on the most sensitive gums. The little end bristles gently massage and clean so we know it’s one “toy” every teething baby will reach for.


4. These crayons are a great gift for a 1 year old because they’re easy to grip. 

toddler holding red egg shaped crayon sitting in front of house coloring book

Crayola My First Palm Grip Crayons – $15.95 (regularly $17.99)

The ergonomic design of these crayons is perfect for little hands and the only crayons they’ll need during their first year. They’ll love scribbling away with these crayons and they’re washable so parents will love them too. 😉


5. This baby walker is actually four toys in one. 

close up of white baby walker with rainbow colored buttons and toys on front

Babies love to cruise around at this point in their lives so a walker is a crucial toy for every 1 year old to have so they can perfect their balance and walking. We chose this walker over all of the others on the market because it has a removable toy panel for seated play which comes with 40-plus play features, songs, sounds, lights, and more! Plus, it grows with babies and can convert into a walker (as shown above), a shopping cart, or a stroller! How awesome!


6. Bring the party anywhere with this lively walking crab that will occupy any baby.

hand holding blue and yellow crawling crab toy

Crawling Crab Toy – $9.99 (regularly $19.99) 

Our Hip sidekick and new mom, Soleil wears by this walking crab toy for her little one. She said her baby smiles, laughs, and his eyes follow it making tummy time (at 12 weeks old) so much easier! Plus, as a parent, she also commented on how fun the music is and would describe it as a fun baby rave. 😆 Needless to say, this one will be the life of the party!


7. This mini bike is a perfect starter bike and perfect for indoor riding too.

close up of SEREED Baby Balance Bike on outdoor tiles

SEREED Baby Balance Bike $39.99 (regularly $50.99)
Clip the $10% off digital coupon
Final cost $35.99 shipped for Prime Members!

*Non-prime members can grab this same bike for $41.39 shipped!

Balance bikes are definitely becoming a more popular way to teach little ones how to ride a bike from an early age. Gift a baby the ability to learn how to walk and ride with confidence. Plus, this balance bike will help develop balance and steering coordination for when they’re ready for a real bike! We love this bike because it’s suitable for indoors so they can play any time of day.


8. Grab this timeless toy that will provide endless fun for 1 year olds.

blue elephant ball popper toy sitting on carpet against wall

1 year olds are quick to figure out how this adorable elephant works and they’ll have endless fun popping out the balls and chasing them around. Plus, it’s just as cute to look at. 🥰 Note that some reviewers stated to grab 4 D-size batteries when breaking it out of the box.


9. A bag of large Mega Bloks is a staple in every playroom and something they’ll play with for years to come.

mega bloks sitting on carpet in animal shape with bag

MEGA BLOKS Fisher-Price Block Toys$16 (regularly $24.99)

Speaking of timeless toys, these Mega Bloks are always a hit for any baby or kiddo. This set in particular is great for 1 year olds because they are large enough that they aren’t a choking hazard and provide endless building opportunities. Also, they have over 65,000 5-star reviews so do you really need any more convincing to grab these?


10. V-tech makes this adorable interactive hoop for sports lovers. 

red mini basketball toy on floor in front of red wall

This is the perfect no-fuss toy to have in your living room, playroom, or basement! It’s interactive and parents love that it doesn’t come with a ton of pieces. This sportscenter will come with two inflatable balls and is one toy they won’t be able to resist playing with when they walk (or crawl) into a room.


11. Melissa and Doug make great montessori toys for 1 year old babies and beyond. 

toddler sitting on floor doing wooden farm puzzle

With any Melissa and Doug toys you can always expect the best quality and toys that are built to last easily making them one of the best toys for 1 year old babies! Having personally owned this puzzle for my kiddos, I can attest to that same great quality and it lasted through THREE kiddos and was still able to be donated. These puzzles feature large knobs so they’re easy for 1 year old to grip and the bright colorful shapes make it the perfect activity for developing fine motor skills.

As a tip, check your local consignment shops for these lightly used puzzles as I’ve been them quite a bit over the years!


12. Gift some toys so they can have fun during tubby time too.

toddler in bathtub playing with suction cup toys on tile wall

Bathtime is fun for 1 year olds as they’ve now mastered to sit up on their own during supervised bath time. We love these best toys for 1 year old babies because they suction directly to the wall and have unique shapes and functions like pinwheels to make bathtime so elevated!


13. A traditional Radio Flyer ride-on toy is always a sure bet.

toddler baby playing with radio flyer ride on car

Radio Flyer Busy Buggy – as low as $39.97

This ride-on toy will be worth the splurge for any little 1 year old and will likely be their favorite gift of all! It has so many interactive features like a honking horn, a screw-on gas cap, seat storage, and more!


Check out more holiday gift ideas!


About the writer:

Sara is a self-taught blogger & photographer and brings 9+ years of experience to her craft. Her work has been featured in numerous esteemed publications, spanning building, travel, and fashion. Beyond her creative pursuits, Saraโ€™s primary mission is to empower others to embrace a toxic-free & sustainable lifestyle.


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