43 Best Gifts for One-Year-Olds, Recommended by Parents
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When shopping for the best gifts for one-year-olds, it’s helpful to remember that at a mere 12 months old, babies aren’t all that clued in to what’s happening on their birthday. This is why most parents will appreciate something practical (such as adorable baby clothes) or something that hones a particular skill (like a balance bike). If you really want to go with a toy, look for a baby gift that will enrich their day-to-day and help their development. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests buying “toys that will grow with the child, foster interactions with caregivers, encourage exploration and problem-solving, and spark the child’s imagination.” This means sensory toys like a water table, wooden puzzles, musical instruments, activity centers, and walkers are all winners.
To help you find the perfect present for the little munchkin in your life, we relied on our own experiences in this department (this guide has been cowritten by four moms), plus tapped other parents deep in the toddlerverse to find out what they’ve given and received. Below you’ll find highly reviewed picks from baby-focused brands like LeapFrog and Little Tikes, personalized baby gifts, and more.
The best gifts for one-year-olds, at a glance
- Best Gift for One-Year-Olds Overall: Skip Hop Walker Scooter, $38
- Best Bath Toy for One-Year-Olds: Playmobil Junior & Disney: Moana's Boat, $25
- Best Developmental Toy for One-Year-Olds: LeapFrog Get Ready for Phonics, $20
- Best Furniture Gift for One-Year-Olds: Anywhere Chair, $129
- Best Gift Under $25 for One-Year-Olds: LeapFrog Count and Swirl Ice Cream Maker, $25
- Best Push Cart Toy for-One-Year-Olds: VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker, $40
- Best Musical Toy for One-Year-Olds: Fisher-Price Disney Frozen Playset, $46
Meet our trusted experts
- Shanna Shipin is a mom to a toddler and newborn in Los Angeles, as well as a writer specializing in motherhood and parenting, with more than a decade of experience. She’s currently the shopping director at Allure.
- Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor specializing in kids’ shopping, beauty, home, and, of course, parenting—she has four children under the age of six.
- Anna Moeslein is the deputy editor at Glamour and a mom of one-year-old twins.
- Stephanie McNeal is a senior editor at Glamour and a mom of a toddler.
- Madeleine Bokan Thares is a freelance writer, a content creator focused on motherhood, and mom to an 18-month-old.
- Christa Lee is a freelance writer and a mom to a toddler and a five-year-old.
Best Overall Gift for One-Year-Olds: Skip Hop 3-in-1 Baby Activity Push Walker to Toddler Scooter
This is our top pick for best gifts for one-year-olds, but it’s also an excellent gift for a two-year-old. It’s designed to grow through three stages: prewalking, it’s a seated wagon for riding along; during early walking, they can push or pull the vehicle; and once the toddler has enough balance and coordination, it works as a scooter.
The best part? At whatever stage the baby boy or girl is in, the scooter is a storage bin. Kids love this feature, because they love a place to put stuff. Not just their toys—pillows, the charging cord you can’t find…you name it. “My kids load up toys like this with whatever they can find and happily cruise around the house for what seems like hours,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley.
Best Push Cart Toy for-One-Year-Olds: VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
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.
Most Recommended Screen-Free Gift: Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set
The Toniebox is one of the most popular toys for toddlers for a reason: This small, plush square offers hours and hours of screen-free entertainment. The box works as a player for figurines called Tonies that play music, songs, and stories for kids—from popular Disney characters to folk songs and more.
“My daughter got her box as a gift for her first birthday and has been adding to her Tonie collection ever since,” says Stephanie McNeal, Glamour senior editor and mom of a toddler. “She’s matured from only listening to baby songs to now being engaged by stories, and has learned to operate the box herself. And as someone who is desperately trying to not have my apartment overrun with plastic toys, adding to her Tonie collection has been a perfect gift for every holiday.”
Best Gift for One-Year-Olds That Can Grow With Them: Fisher-Price 3-in-1 Hit Wonder Activity Center & Play Table
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.
Best Clothing Brand for Toddlers: Hanna Andersson Baby Velour Sweatshirt & Sweatpants Set
“I’m that mom who’s all about matching sets for my kids, and Hanna Andersson makes it so easy with adorable options like this cherry sweatsuit. No more scrambling to piece together an outfit before my daughter swoops in with her very strong opinions on what she needs to wear that day,” says Glamour contributor Christa Lee, who is a mom to a toddler and a five-year-old.
Best Crinkle Toy for One-Year-Olds: Farm Tails: A Soft Activity Baby Book by Jellycat
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.
Best Ride-On Toy for One-Year-Olds: Step2 Whisper Ride II Push Car
Babies don’t keep still, and once your little one approaches one, they’re less likely to snooze through your daily walks. Help stop the squirm by upgrading their ride. “My kids all cycled through a red version of this car when they were in the one- to two-year-old range," says Earley. “It was such a hit. And it clearly is with everyone else in my neighborhood, since I see these cars all over the place on a daily basis.”
There’s a safety belt and a foldable handle, but the toy’s unique features are the Whisper Wheels and the poppable hood for storage (yes, like a Tesla frunk). FYI, the Step2 car also comes in a cool blue for something a little more chill.
Best Furniture Gift for One-Year-Olds: Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair
An Anywhere Chair is a classic gift for a toddler’s first holiday season. 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 last Christmas 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.”
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Best Gift for One-Year-Olds and Siblings: Joyin Dinosaur Bubble Machine
Is there anything kids love more than bubbles? Nope. But when you hand a one-year-old a bubble wand, you’re just asking for a puddle of soap and tears. Enter this convenient and genius battery-operated dinosaur that spits out 5,000 bubbles a minute to keep the good times going.
Best Gift for One-Year-Olds Who Love Board Books: You’re My Little Honey Bunny by Nicola Edwards
If your one-year-old loves reading short and sweet board books, you’ll want to start collecting Nicola Edwards’ You’re My Little… book series. You’re My Little Honey Bunny is a great one to start with, full of beautiful animal illustrations and pages with shaped cutouts alongside a sweet, rhyming story. “My daughter is obsessed,” says Bokan Thares.
Best Travel Gift for One-Year-Olds: Esjay Toddler Busy Board
If they have any family travel on the horizon, this gift is super helpful. This busy board is perfect for planes with eight pages of activities, all in a zipped carry case. Items like a zipper, shoelace, belt, button, clock, calendar, matching shapes, and more will keep your toddler occupied for hours.
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Best Building Blocks: Mega Bloks First Builders Toddler Blocks
“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!
Best Musical Toy for One-Year-Olds: Manhattan Toy Musical Lili Llama
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.
Best Pull Toy for One-Year-Olds: Hape Pull-Along Toy
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.”
Best Problem-Solving Toy for One-Year-Olds: Fat Brain Toys InnyBin
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.”
Best Fidget Toy: Mushie Paint Palette Press Toy
Need something extra quiet for play in the car or on a plane? Why, yes, of course you do. Silicone press toys are gaining traction as the new fidget spinners (you see versions of this in every goodie bag that comes home), but they’re much safer for babies to engage with. They can even double as teething toys.
This aesthetically pleasing imitation paint palette will keep their little hands—and brains—occupied with minimal sound. “My twins take theirs (‘my poppy’) everywhere, even to their cribs at nap time,” says Earley. “I don’t mind, because it’s quiet and mess-free.”
Best Gift for One-Year-Old Boy: Elephant Critter Nursery Rocker
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.
Best Doll for One-Year-Olds: Manhattan Toy Harper Playdate Friends
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.
Best Developmental Toy for One-Year-Olds: LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
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?”
Best-Selling Gift for One-Year-Olds on Amazon: Top Bright Wooden Race Track Car Ramp
Courtesy of brandThis 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.
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Best Outdoor Gift for One-Year-Olds: Sereed Baby Balance Bike
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.
Best Gift Set for One-Year-Olds: Lovevery The Music Set
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.”
Best Reading-Time Gift for One-Year-Olds: Little Feminist Board Book Set by Lydia Ortiz
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.
Best Backyard Gift for One-Year-Olds: Little Tikes Snug ’n Secure Blue Swing
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.”
Best Customized Gift for One-Year-Olds: CustAmaze Monogrammed Blanket
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.”
Best Water Table for One-Year-Olds: Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Toddler Water Table
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.”
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Best Custom Gift for One-Year-Olds: Etsy Custom Toddler Backpack
“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.
Best for Playrooms: Tiny Land Kids Play Tent with Tunnel, Pop Up Play Tent with Ball Pit
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.
Best Sensory Gift for One-Year-Olds: Crayola Washable Finger Paint Station
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.
Best Under $20: Skillmatics Peek-A-Boo Jungle Book
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.
Best Gift for One-Year-Old Girl: Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Toy Disney Frozen Elsa’s Ice Palace Musical Playset
Courtesy of brandYour toddler doesn’t need to have seen Frozen to get swept up in the craze. “Thanks to her older sister, one of my younger daughter’s first five words was Elsa. This Little People playset is perfectly sized for tiny hands, and she’s completely obsessed with how the castle ‘grows’ while blasting Let It Go over and over…and over,” says Lee.
Best Developmental Toy for One-Year-Olds: LeapFrog Get Ready for Phonics™ Spin & Learn
“When my daughter was 18 months old, she had to go through a procedure that meant staying completely still—while awake—for over an hour. I had no idea how we would pull that off with a squirmy toddler. Then we discovered the spinning phonics toy. The bright lights and fun pictures saved the day, keeping her calm and entertained the whole time. Even now, it’s still her favorite car toy,” says Lee.
Best Under $10: Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog
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.
Best Montessori Gift for One-Year-Olds: Adena Montessori 3 for 1 Wooden Play Kit
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.
Best for Arts and Crafts: Ooly Cuddly Cubs Bear Finger Tip Crayon
“Why do one-year-olds color like they’re trying to bench press the crayon? These cute bear-shaped crayons can take the full-body effort—and I love that they don’t roll away when they abandon their masterpiece,” says Lee.
Best Wooden Block Set for One-Year-Olds: Ms. Rachel Melissa & Doug Letter, Number, and Game Wooden Learning Blocks with Activity Cards
Courtesy of brandIf your toddler lights up at Ms. Rachel’s ‘Can you say…?’ catchphrase, these Melissa & Doug Wooden Learning Blocks are a must-have. Packed with letters, numbers, and activity cards, they turn learning into playtime—no screen needed.
Best Bath Toy for One-Year-Olds: Playmobil Junior & Disney: Moana's Boat
“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.
Best Play Kitchen Addition: LeapFrog Count and Swirl Ice Cream Maker
“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.
Best Bath Towel for Toddlers: KeaBabies Hooded Towel
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.
Best Vocabulary Builder for One-Year-Olds: Britannica's Baby Encyclopedia
By age two, kids typically have at least 100 words under their belt. This beautifully illustrated board book is perfect for expanding your little braniac’s word bank, covering everything from animals to everyday objects.
Best Stroller for Toddlers: Stokke x Bonpoint YOYO³ Stroller
Once your one-year-old is ready to ditch the newborn carrier, it’s time for a stroller upgrade. This lightweight cutie, decked out in Bonpoint’s signature cherry print, is as practical as it is adorable. “I’m obsessed with how it folds up small enough to sling over your shoulder and stash in most overhead bins for air travel. The extra-large bassinet and UPF 50+ canopy make it perfect for all-day adventures,” says Lee.
Best Sports Gift for One-Year-Olds: VTech Smart Shots Sports Center
Whether you’re raising the next Mia Hamm or LeBron James, this two-in-one sports center is packed with fun. It cheers your toddler on with playful sounds and phrases as they sink hoops or score goals. “My daughter definitely got in some solid kicking practice with this set—perfect for staying active on cold or rainy days,” says Lee.
Best Shape Sorter for One-Year-Olds: Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart
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.
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