44 Best Gifts for One-Year-Olds for First Birthdays and Beyond

“Many of the most popular toys for one-year-olds blend multiple areas of development into one versatile, engaging item,” says Sakariyawo. This colorful undersea set helps toddlers learn counting, colors, and matching—all through adorable ocean creatures they can also take into the bathtub or water table for extra splashy fun.

Sakariyawo—and plenty of parents we know—are big fans of Pikler triangles. “Montessori-inspired toys like this, which encourage independent movement and exploration at a child’s own pace, are definitely on the rise,” she says. This set includes a foldable triangle, arch, and climbing ramp for endless active play.

By one, those tiny baby bath towels just don’t cut it anymore. “Bath towels get a ton of wear and tear, just like PJs. These KeaBabies towels are not only incredibly soft, generously sized, and super absorbent, but they also come with the cutest animal hoods—perfect for drying off and post-bath snuggles,” says Lee.

Sakariyawo recommends this touch-responsive piano because it introduces little ones to music while teaching cause and effect. “At one, kids are starting to really understand cause and effect, experiment with imaginative play, and explore the world through their senses,” she says.

“The most engaging books for this age are sturdy and interactive, with flaps to lift, textures to feel, or mirrors to explore. Look for illustrations that are simple and clear, and stories with repetition or rhyme,” says Sakariyawo. Familiar themes—like the zoo animals in this book—help little ones connect the story to their own world and experiences. “Lift-the-flap books are especially great—they support cognitive skills like object permanence, which helps children understand that things exist even when they can’t be seen,” she says.

“They’re developing fine motor skills, like placing objects into containers and using a pinch grasp,” says Sakariyawo. And this adventure tower gives them plenty of playful ways to practice without any tiny parts to worry about. With a slide, tower, and ice cream booth, it pretty much covers all the highlights of a one-year-old’s dream day.

Welcome to the learning farm–an interactive, educational toy for one-year-olds. This push cart’s toy panel detaches for babies to use while sitting up and reattaches for when they’re ready to walk (and eventually run). “Although I can hear the songs from this toy in my sleep, we love it because it has taught our daughter different animal sounds, peekaboo, and, of course, helped build her balance too. It works great on both carpeted and bare floors. She is now 18 months old and still shows focused interest in this interactive toy,” says Glamour contributor Madeliene Bokan Thares.

Baby dolls can help toddlers learn how to nurture and empathize—which is especially meaningful when the toy they’re caring for resembles them. Manhattan Toy has six Playdate Friends of differing sexes and skin tones, each with some serious sartorial style and their own stuffed animal companion.

“At this age, the hard plastic dolls are too heavy for their little hands,” says Earley. This doll is a manageable 14 inches and supersoft (great for cuddles!) but still durable. What parents love the most though? The entire thing is washable—perfect when your child totes it, well, everywhere.

From the minds behind “Purple Monkey in a Bubblegum Tree” (IYKYK) comes this music-themed activity center and toddler play table. It supports baby as they learn to stand, then grows with them as they become more confident on their feet.

“My kiddos are younger than one, but I love that they’ll be able to grow with this toy as they age,” says Anna Moeslein, Glamour deputy editor and mom of twins. “Plus, the piano is removable for an easy way to keep the little one entertained during car trips.” A two-in-one is always a huge win for parents trying to streamline the toy collection at home.

“Thanks to her big sister, one of my toddler’s first five words was Elsa,” says Lee. “These Little People figurines are blissfully noise-free and easy for little hands to hold, making them perfect for imaginative play in the car or at a restaurant. But if you really want to blow their mind, pair it with the Ice Palace Musical Castle—it lights up, plays ‘Let It Go,’ and is a massive hit in our house.”

If your one-year-old loved crinkle toys when they were an infant, they’ll like this more advanced variation. JellyCat crinkle books are perfect gifts for kids who are into animals but aren’t quite interested in sitting through a full board book read yet. The crinkle noises will keep them engaged while you turn the pages.

An Anywhere Chair is a classic gift for a toddler. With name or monogram embroidery options and tons of colors and fabrics to choose from, it’s a thoughtful, personalized option. “I purchased this for my daughter thinking of it more as a decor piece for her nursery. It ended up being one of her all-time favorite items where she spends so much time sitting to read books, and even climbing on it,” says Bokan Thares. “The cover is easily removable and washes so well—I even got strawberry stains out of it last week and it looks brand new.”

“Wooden blocks may look pretty, but in my experience, they become dangerous projectiles,” says Earley, who was much more fond of this plastic iteration. “These building blocks were not only safer for my little ones but also possibly even more engaging, because they latch together so the kiddo won’t get frustrated by toppling towers.” We love that they’re compatible with other brands of blocks too, because the collection will, indeed, expand—quickly!

Musical toys are great developmental gifts for babies and toddlers, and this one is a regular on “best toys” lists for playtime. It also happens to be one of the most popular toys in this guide, according to Glamour readers. With a mini xylophone, clacking saddles, and a detachable maraca, this little llama will make a standout first birthday gift. Mom or Dad will appreciate how easy the wooden toy is on the eyes too.

When in doubt, snag a pull toy (that essentially doubles as a push toy) to help encourage movement and coordination. Hape makes a series of animal-themed ones that have hidden talents, like this cat whose yarn ball bobbles up and down with every step.

“This toy is so adorable in action,” says Earley. “And as a nice little bonus that’ll make you seem totally in the know: My friends gush about the fact that Hape is one of the most storied sustainable toddler toy brands out there.”

Here’s a way to get their hand-eye coordination going. Sure, the parents can take an old Kleenex box and wrap rubber bands around it for the same effect, but that takes more effort, plus this will last longer and ensure no miniature hands are snapped in the toy-rescuing process. “This is a simple toy that gets a surprising amount of mileage,” says Earley. “It’s a little challenging at first, especially for kids just turning one, but that’s a good thing, since it’ll grow with them. If your baby is anything like mine, they’ll probably shake it around for the rattle sounds until about 18 months, when they’ll master the toy for what it’s really meant for.”

One-year-olds have energy to spare, but they’re not exactly the most coordinated individuals. This adorable rocker (from former Teen Vogue editor in chief Elaine Welteroth’s curated Pottery Barn guide) will help them practice their balance and—even better—channel their energy into contained motions. Make it even more meaningful by personalizing it with the little one’s name.

One of the most highly anticipated milestones happens around the time baby turns one: They’ll finally utter a few words. And one of the best ways for little ones to learn language is through repetition. You might have to listen to the same words over and over again, but babies love pushing the buttons in this interactive book. “The audio is very clear and easy to understand, so any child trying to learn words should have no trouble with it,” one parent said. “Also, I love that it has the option to change to Spanish. Why not make him bilingual?”

This toy has been an Amazon bestseller for years. It’s simple yet colorful and engaging—perfect for the one-year-old in your life. All they have to do is tip one of the included four mini cars off the parking deck up top, then watch it zigzag down the ramp.

“It’s smaller than it looks, but that’s part of the beauty of it,” says Earley, who recommends this over Hot Wheels ramps for kids this age. “Nobody wants a giant race track overtaking their playroom, and there’s no setup with this one,” she says. “It’s just as engaging and also sturdier, so little hands can grab at it.” We like that the paint is all nontoxic too.

Forget tricycles and training wheels. Today balance bikes are all the rage, and that’s because they really set kids up for success once it comes time to ride a two-wheeler. “All of my kids got balance bikes when they were one years old and had so much fun zooming around on them—we’re talking years of entertainment,” says Earley. “Just as importantly, they all learned to ride a two-wheeler at an early age, skipping right over training wheels. My youngest learned at just three and a half!”

There are a number of them on the market, but we like the one for the youngest set. It’s a little easier to get the hang of, plus it’s designed with a few extra safety features, like a fully widened closed wheel to avoid clamping baby’s feet and a limited turning radius to prevent tipping.

By now most parents are fully aware of Lovevery’s play kits, each dedicated to a different developmental stage. But not everyone may know that the brand has a few newer options for parents too—like this music set. It includes five instruments, a working metronome, and a Rhythm & Songs Book that helps parents and caregivers teach toddlers how to make their own music as young as one and a half years old. Baby Beethoven in the making.

“I love that, unlike so many other rickety music sets for this age, this one is made from the same sustainably harvested wood as other Lovevery products,” says Earley. “We’ve always used it more as entertainment than a true learning tool, but I’m impressed by the overall quality, and the kids love the instruments—especially the bells.”

Board books are great for tiny hands, because the sturdier pages are easier to turn. They’re also less prone to damage, like rips. Our editors have long loved this set, which features colorful illustrated portraits of female leaders like Maya Angelou, Malala Yousafzai, Amelia Earhart, and Frida Kahlo. The set comes with four books, which feels like more of a substantial gift than a single. It’s the perfect addition to a growing first library.

An oldie but a goodie, this swing has graced many a backyard. “I remember having one when I was a kid,” says Earley, who bought one for her own kid—as did some of her friends. It’s fantastic, because you don’t need an entire swing set (a surprisingly pricey plaything!). Instead, a tree branch or a structure like a covered porch will do just fine. It has adjustable straps and a high weight limit—50 pounds—so they’ll have many of years of fun ahead. “Ours lasted for years (for reference, my four-year-old is 50 pounds!) and was still in good enough shape to pass on to a neighborhood friend once we were done.”

One year is a milestone for so many reasons—one of which is that experts say a baby can now (safely) have some blankets and toys in their crib. At this stage, you’ll find a lot of baby blankets are a bit too small to adequately cover them when they snooze, so this is a great time to invest in a larger children’s blanket, saving parents from having to re-tuck them in over and over.

We love this option because it comes in dozens of colors and patterns (pick the one that best suits their interests), plus you can personalize it with their name. “My eldest son received a similar blanket for his first birthday and is still holding on tight as a six-year-old,” says Earley. “We ordered this one for the rest of the kids when they started asking why they didn’t have a blanket with their name on it, and I love the quality even more. The blankets are perfectly sized and supersoft, not to mention adorable. We have a video-game-themed one, a race car one, and a princess one.”

Whether baby loves bath time or not, a water table will blow their mind. And parents, listen up: It’s a savior when you want to kick your feet up. “This toy makes hot days in the backyard so much more bearable—for both the parent and child!” says Earley. “My kids spent hours splashing about in this water table. It’s also perfect for keeping kiddos occupied (and not squabbling) on playdates.”

“I love customized clothes, but at this age they outgrow them so quickly. That’s why this chenille-lettered backpack is such a great find—it’s perfect for your one-year-old who is heading to daycare for the first time or who is just ready for their first backpack, and it’ll last well beyond the fleeting baby stage,” says Lee.

Looking for the ultimate gift for both parents and kids? Meet your rainy-day lifesaver. This ball pit and pop-up tunnel set folds completely flat into its included storage bag but transforms into an indoor playground in seconds. Little ones will zoom through tunnels, giggle through endless games of peekaboo, and stay entertained for hours. “The subtle, monochromatic colors make it so much easier to ignore the chaos of balls flying everywhere,” says Lee.

This “paint” activity kit lets one-year-olds dive into sensory play without any of the mess. Little artists can finger paint directly on the flexible cover, and when they’re done, parents can rinse the whole thing under the faucet—or even toss it in the dishwasher—for the easiest cleanup ever.

One-year-olds are just sorta kinda starting to sit still for storytime—but only if it’s interactive enough to keep them hooked. “This one has these cute peekaboo flaps that she loves flipping all by herself—especially when she’s in the high chair. Plus, it’s rip-proof for my Hulk baby,” says Lee.

Figuring out the right toys for fine motor skills for this age definitely takes some trial and error—and yes, there will be tears if it’s too tricky. “But this adorable hedgehog has been a huge hit with my one-year-old and her daycare crew. They love inserting the quills into its back, and it’s a fun way to start building color recognition, sorting, and counting skills,” says Lee.

Toys that don’t ding, buzz, or play endless annoying sounds? Now that’s music to a parent’s ears. “This Montessori set features a colorful matchstick game, a carrot harvest game, and a coin box to boost hand-eye coordination—and it’s been a huge hit with my daughter. She’s completely captivated by all the different ways to play,” says Lee.

“Why do one-year-olds act like bath time is the end of the world, even though they’re obsessed with it? This Moana boat is my magic trick to get my toddler racing upstairs for bath time every single time,” says Lee.

“Usually I try to get my toddler to share her play kitchen toys with her five-year-old sister, but this ice cream maker was such a favorite, I ended up getting two to keep the peace,” says Lee.

Between 12 and 18 months, your kiddo is just starting to get their sea legs—and this grocery cart push toy is here for it. It’s perfect for wobbling around the house while practicing balance. When they’re ready to take a break, they can sit and explore the shape sorter, colors, and all the other fun stuff inside.

Potty training usually starts somewhere between 18 months and three years, and if they’ve got an older sibling, chances are they already know what a potty is. This cute toilet playset features Ms. Rachel’s favorite stuffy, Bean, along with fun accessories so kids can help Bean with everyday routines like changing a diaper, using a sippy cup, and yes, learning to use the potty. “Toys [like this] encourage turn-taking and help support back-and-forth conversation,” says Sakariyawo. “Pair it with the new Ms. Rachel: Potty Time with Bean book—it was key to getting my toddler to sit on the potty,” says Lee.

“Many of the most popular toddler toys are designed to support open-ended play and creative problem-solving,” says Sakariyawo. Baby dolls are a perfect example—toddlers are little sponges, soaking up everything around them, and dolls give them the chance to act out what they see the grown-ups in their lives doing. “This one can come into the water with your kid, and it has all these little accessories to make bath time extra cute as their imaginations go wild,” says Lee.

“Around this age, children often learn to move—whether it’s those wobbly first steps or walking with confidence. They’re developing fine motor skills, like stacking, placing objects into containers, and using a pinch grasp,” says Sakariyawo. This stacker keeps little hands busy with spinning discs and bright colors—great for fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and starting to recognize their colors.

“Look for toys that encourage small movements,” says Sakariyawo. These adorable little dinos are perfect for matching and sorting by color, species, or the shapes on their backs—and they easily snap together for fun that’s both hands-on and brain-boosting.

The cutest Peanuts x Ooly collab includes this travel art kit, complete with nine jumbo crayons (perfect for those cute little hands) and coloring pages that help one-year-olds start building those all-important motor skills.

When shopping for a one-year-old, practical gifts often go further than adding to the toy pile—and daily essentials like sunscreen are always welcome. Since sun protection becomes part of the routine at six months, parents are especially grateful for a restock. “This is my favorite sunscreen brand for kids—the kit comes with two mineral sunscreens, including a non-greasy lotion and two stick formulas that make it way easier to swipe on their face when they’re thrashing around,” says Lee.

Big, bright yellow school bus toys check all the toddler boxes—they’re visually exciting, packed with fun sounds (this one features 40-plus songs, phrases, and learning prompts about the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and more), and spotting a real school bus is always a highlight of their day.

“Every time this Radio Flyer pops up in my local parenting swap group, it’s gone in under a minute,” says Lee. “It grows with your kid—from a push trike caregivers can steer when the kiddo is as young as nine months to a big-kid trike they can pedal on their own up to age five.”