First Birthday Gift Ideas for the Little Ones: Toy Recommendations for Your One-Year-Old

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By Jackelyn Cornejo , Parent Herald Jan 25, 09:12 am

Photo: (Photo : Michel Porro/Getty Images)

Delighting one-year-olds involves selecting toys that stimulate and surprise their rapidly developing minds, according to child development expert Sarah MacLaughlin.

To maintain their interest, sensory or mobility features should be incorporated into the toys. These engaging toys range from touch-and-feel books and musical instruments to interactive stuffed animals and ride-on toys.

For one-year-olds, choose toys that allow to practice new skills like opening and closing boxes or recognizing common objects.

Open-ended toys that encourage independent play and complement the house aesthetics are one of the things in mind among the givers. When choosing gifts for other babies, the parents' taste are one of the considerations, as the selected gift may be part of their daily lives for years.

With these considerations in mind, here is a curated list of thoroughly vetted toys for one-year-olds, drawing on recommendations from child development professionals, teachers, arts educators, cool parents, and toy experts. The list is organized by price, making it convenient for budget-conscious shoppers.

Suggested Toys for 1-Year-Olds

Under $25, recommended toys include:

Crayola My First Palm Grip Crayons
Honeysticks Triangular Crayons
Baby Penguin Finger Puppet Book
Hide N Side Crawl Tunnel
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag
Boon Pipes Building Bath Toy Set
PlanToys Submarine Bath Toy
'The Pigeon Needs a Bath Book!' by Mo Willems
Mudpuppy What Color Am I? Magic Bath Book,
Manhattan Toy Rattle and Teether Grasping Activity Toy
Reading Bug Box Monthly Book Subscription

Under $50, suggested toys include:

Baby Einstein Magic Touch Wooden Piano
Infantino Turtle Cover Band 8-Piece Percussion Set
Mookie Scuttlebug Fold & Go First Rider
Melissa & Doug Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles Set
Easy Playhouse Cardboard Fort

Under $100, recommended toys include:

Lovevery Toddler Play Kits, Sarah's Silks Set of 6 Primary Playsilks,
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe
Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon
BlaBla Kids Sardine The Cat Knit Doll
Guidecraft Peekaboo Lock Boxes With Storage Tray
$100 and up, notable toys include:
Doona Liki Trike S5
Manhattan Toy Celestial Star Explorer Wooden Toddler Activity Center,
Crate & Kids Baby and Toddler Natural Pop-Up Ball Pit with White, Pink, and Grey Balls

Some toys listed may have official recommendations for ages 2 and up or 3 and up, but testers have verified their appropriateness beyond these age ranges.

Benefits of Toys for Children

Tovah Klein, Director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development in New York City and author of "How Toddlers Thrive," notes that the first birthday and beyond signify a transition from baby toys.

At this stage, 1-year-olds engage in activities such as pushing, pulling, assembling, disassembling, and the joy of moving items in and out of boxes.

Seek out versatile toys, such as building blocks and stacking cups, which can be enjoyed in multiple ways, advised Sarah Cleveland, the director of a child-care center in Austin, Texas.

At this stage of development, play is predominantly centered around sensory exploration and motor skill enhancement, Cleveland elucidated. Therefore, opting for toys with varied textures that encourage small hands (and, naturally, mouths) to grasp and explore is a wise choice.

Additionally, starter ride-on toys that provide the freedom to move are beneficial. This age presents an opportune moment to invest in keepsake items that will hold sentimental value as the child grows.

For children with medical complexities or developmental delays, toys designated for infants may be more suitable; in such cases, it is advisable to consult with the parent or caregiver to determine the child's developmental age rather than their biological age.

As they progress beyond their first birthday, 1-year-olds are not only exploring physical activities but are also practicing speech and rhyme recognition. Consequently, they are receptive to books that teach words or involve interactive elements like lifting flaps.

As experts unanimously advocate for open-ended toys, parents must emphasize the importance of choosing items that empower 1-year-olds to explore freely without rigid instructions.