Toy Ideas for One Year Olds

Whether you’re heading to a birthday party, shopping for Christmas gifts or filling an Easter basket, this toy guide for one year olds is here to make your life easier! 

What you should know about one year olds

One year olds are young toddlers.  They are on the move and intrigued by everything.  One year olds enjoy filling and emptying containers and carrying things from point A to point B. They climb into, on and under objects.  These young toddlers are fascinated with how things fit together and learn through exploration and discovery. 

When choosing toys for one year olds, consider what the child can do with the object instead ot what the object can do for the child.  

Great toys for one year olds include things that:

• Roll

• Stack

• Fit together

• Hold objects

• Have handles

• Can be pushed or pulled 

• Can be sat on or rode

• Toys to chew

• Toys to shake or tap

• Toys to cuddle and care for

• Etc

Examples include:

• Baskets and pails

• Stacking cups

• Blocks

• Simple shape sorters

• Push toys

• Pull toys

• Balls

• Safe items to collect and carry in containers

• Books

• Teethers

• Stacking rings

• Musical instruments

• Sand pail and shovel

• Climbing toys

• Rocking horse

• Riding toys

• Simple doll and cradle

• Finger puppets 

• Animal figures

• Stuffed animals

• Toy cars

The key to buying a beloved toy for one year olds is to remember that it isn’t about finding the most expensive item on the market or something with all the bells and whistles. Toddlers are active, and their brains are wired to explore and experiment. Finding something that allows them to do those things regardless of the price tag or how simple it seems to an adult is sure to be a winner.