
The Best Toys for One-Year-Olds
Your newly minted toddler is ready to play, explore and build their imagination.

By Briana Engelbrecht and Amylia Ryan
Fact Checked by Shannon Vestal Robson
At this age, your little one is on the move, exploring cause and effect (hello, endless dropping of objects!), and starting to dabble in pretend play.
The best toys keep up with their growing skills—think bright colors to grab their attention, hands-on features to build coordination, and anything that gets them moving. Your toddler wants to get their hands (and mouth) on everything, so this is the perfect time to start stocking the playroom with toys that boost both fine and gross motor development and coordination. Puzzles, stacking/nesting toys and shape sorters are perfect for tiny hands to gain dexterity and growing minds to learn problem-solving. Lots of Montessori toys also fall into this category.
Before I became an editor at Babylist, I was a preschool teacher and have a degree in early childhood development. I am also a mom of two who are now three and five—so I’ve seen firsthand how the right toys can spark a one-year-old’s curiosity and support their rapid development. I used both of these experiences to choose the toys on this list.
Here are some of the best toys for one-year-olds.
Puzzles, Blocks + Sorters for One-Year-Olds
These toys are fantastic for a one-year-old’s fine motor and cognitive development because they encourage hands-on learning and strengthen key skills while also being fun.
Stacking Toys for One-Year-Olds
The absolute best part of building a tower is getting to knock it down at the end. But besides that excitement, stacking toys are also great for developing fine motor skills and hand eye coordination, among other things.
Toys to Push & Pull Along
Whether they’re still working on pulling up to cruise along your furniture, or they’re zooming around on two feet, these toys they can push and pull are the perfect thing to get them moving.
Ride-On Toys
Speaking of being on the move, entering your toddler era calls for a new set of (tiny) wheels. These picks make great first ride-on toy picks. If they’re already walking, an intro balance bike allows them to explore their surroundings a bit more. The Cozy Coupe and Radio Flyer are classic options that parents can operate and toddlers can grow into.
Stuffed Animals for One-Year-Olds
Stuffed animals aren’t just cute, they provide a calming sensory experience and encourage pretend play and the development of social emotional skills.
Books for One-Year-Olds
These engaging books make great additions to their little library. Books offer the perfect opportunity for parent-child bonding and exposure to language. (Pro tip: personalized books make meaningful gifts and keepsakes!)
All-in-One Activity Centers and Cubes
These activity hubs are like a command center of fun.
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