My youngest is about to turn one, and this is a stage I’ve been through twice now. I’ve learned a thing or two about what 1 year olds play with, and the toys that last. It’s wild how quickly your one-year-old changes. There are too many toys that get old fast, and ones that won’t grow with your baby. I love toys that they’ll play with for months or years to come. Young toddlers can be tough to shop for. They are too old for most baby toys but too young for anything with small parts. If you’re looking for the best birthday gifts for 1 year olds, we own (and love) almost all of these toys, or a similar version. You can shop my favorite gifts for 2 year olds here.

The Best Toys and Birthday Gifts for 1 Year Olds

Choosing the perfect birthday gift for a one-year-old can be both exciting and challenging. At this sweet age, children are beginning to explore the world around them and develop their senses and motor skills. Therefore, the ideal gift should be both stimulating and safe, encouraging their curiosity and development. Safety is paramount when selecting gifts for one-year-olds. It’s essential to choose toys made from non-toxic materials, with no small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Additionally, toys with rounded edges and smooth surfaces reduce the risk of injury during playtime. I try to choose books and toys that a one year old will love in the years to come. 

The Best Toys for 18 Month Olds

If you want to purchase toys your little one can use in the coming months and years, here are my favorite toys for 18 month olds.

Tonies

Toniebox

I've raved about the Toniebox for years – it's one of the best gifts for toddlers and preschoolers, too. And it's been one of my girls favorite things for as long as I can remember. Toddlers love switching characters (great for fine motor skills!), listening to stories, and dancing to music. IIt was designed for children three and up but my younger daughter started using it independently at around 15 months with supervision.

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Green Toys

Cupcakes

When it comes to first birthday gifts, this is another favorite. All 3 of my kids love this Learn new skills like stacking and color matching. They're sized perfectly for little fingers, but little kids love them, too. And they're plastic and so durable (eco friendly, too) so use them anywhere. These cupcakes are great for playing bakery (imaginative play), as bath toys during bath time, outdoor play, or in a water table.

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Learnworx

Flash Cards

This set comes with over 100 flash cards that include animals, vehicles, household objects, etc. Help your toddler learn their first words and give them a head start by reading, and playing with these cards. Flash cards may not sound fun, but my 1 and 3-year-olds love these cards. The back of each card has a game that will help teach colors or numbers – these are so good for language development. They stack them, play pretend with them, They're durable and great for small hands, too.

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Magnatiles

Magnatiles

1 year olds are a little young for magnatiles, but they're still making the list for best birthday gifts for 1 year olds. Building blocks are great, but Magnatiles are so much more fun than wooden blocks, and are a great toy that your kids will use for years. Both my kids love magnatiles, and my friends with 5 and 6-year-olds say their kids love them, too. I would say it took my older daughter until she was 4 to really (really!) get into building, but she's hooked and plays with Magnatiles and Duplo almost daily. They recently came out with animal sets that make playing with Magnatiles even more fun.

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The Best Gifts for 1 Year Olds

Little People

Farm

I usually avoid larger plastic play sets but this farm is gold. All 3 of my kids have used it – it's great for younger and older toddlers, too, and is one of those toys that will get years of use.

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Hape

Pound Bench

Both girls loved playing with this. The function is pretty straightforward. It's reasonably priced and when they're done with the bench, you're left with a musical instrument. Looking for a Christmas gift for a 6 month old? I'd go with this.

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Amazon

Wooden Rainbow Tunnel

This is one of my favorite open-ended toys that my kids use all the time, and it's great for babies, too. This rainbow is pretty enough to display on a shelf and can be used to create anything. Make a rainbow tower, tunnels, or even a little town.

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Fat Brain Toys

Spoolz

I bought these for Margot when she was maybe 8 months old and both girls still like them. They're fun to stack and roll – ideal for open-ended play and great for hand-eye coordination.

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Pat Zietlow Miller

Be Kind

My girls love books, and we all really love this children's book. My older daughter has had this one memorized since she was two - can finish every single sentence. It's all about what it means to be kind and is the sweetest most heartwarming story. I love giving it as a gift and have purchased it 7 times. Books are always one of the best gifts for 1 year olds.

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Deborah Diesen

Pout Pout Fish

Deep in the water where the fish hang outlives a glum gloomy swimmer with an ever present pout. Yes, I know the entire book by heart. It's adorable.

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The Best Gifts for 1 Year Olds (that they’ll grow into)

Fat Brain Toys

Dimpl

This is one of my favorite developmental toys, and is basically the baby version of bubble wrap. It's great for younger babies, so you'll get some use out of it. The Dimpl is recommended for 10+ months which is around when I got it for Margot, and she loves popping the pieces.

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Bigjigs Toys

Alphabet Puzzle

You're never too young to start learning your letters, right? This is something your toddler will use in the years to come. 

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Amazon

Bubble Blower

I've yet to meet a child who doesn't love bubbles. My daughters love their bubble blower. This one works with batteries, so you can use it anywhere. Take it out side and just let the bubbles blow as they play. It makes spring and summer playtime that much more fun.

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Guidecraft

Wood Front Loader

These are so sturdy, and I love the simple (beautiful) design. Toys like this get used for years and years.

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Slumberkins

Snuggler

The perfect lovey for baby to sleep with once they turn one. I gave my girls both a Slumberkins on their first birthday and will do the same for Jack. They still love them years later – they are free of stuffing and buttons so they feel extra safe.

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Little sleepies

Bamboo Pajamas

These are the softest PJs ever. The prints are so fun (my girls love them) and they are super-stretchy, so they last forever.

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Why I'm Glad I Started a Family Later in Life

I got married at 35 and had my first baby 9 months later, and my 3rd at 40. And I wouldn't change a thing.

Read the Post

Splurge Gifts

Lovevery

Toddler Play Kits

These are really beautiful and some are open-ended, but others felt like they were sort of one and done. I'd still recommend these educational toys. The toys are more interesting than a typical shape sorter and are the perfect gift for little hands and are beautifully made. We passed everything down from Margot to Kate, and I love the learning aspect.

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Baghera

Twister Ride On

This ride-on seems like it's easier to use than most (twists multiple ways) and it's pretty cute. Both my girls still love it. This toys goes well beyond year 1.

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Micro Kickboard

Toddler Scooter

I can't say enough good things about this scooter. 18 month olds will use it with a seat, and as your child gets older the seat can be removed, and there's a handle that's good until age 5!

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Pottery Barn Kids

Play Kitchen

This is a definite (big) splurge but PBK regularly has sales for 25% off, it's so well-made, and it will be used for years (longer if you have more than one child!). It's really beautiful and would look nice in your living room, so if you're keeping things to a minimum or trying to blend baby/kid stuff with your decor, this is a lovely option.

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Lily and River

Pikler Climber

This is a great way to build strength and independence in your toddler, and is especially fun for winter. I'd get this for a baby as young as 9 months, and it's a beautiful, special gift that would be perfect for a birthday or Christmas gift.

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Olli Ella

Stroller Basket

This push toy is so cute and so sweet, and much prettier than most push toys. It's great for little kids as old as 3 – my older daughter still loves and uses it. It was a birthday gift for Margot from her Grandma, and almost 3 years later, she still uses it all the time. The strolley is a beautiful, memorable gift that will last for years.

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Janod

Chunky Wood Puzzle

These puzzles are amazing and are great for tiny hands. We have a handful of them and store all the pieces together in a basket. They're really solid and most stand up on their own, so they function as figurines. These puzzles make a great gift that your child will play with in the years to come.

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Manhattan Toy

Baby Stella Doll

When it comes to baby dolls, this is it. Baby Stella is one of the best soft dolls for your little boy or girl. Stella was my older daughter's first doll and years later, both girls still play with it. She's the perfect size to snuggle and love.

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Toniebox:

I’ve raved about the Toniebox for years – it’s one of the best gifts for toddlers and preschoolers, too. And it’s been one of my girls favorite things for as long as I can remember. Toddlers love switching characters (great for fine motor skills!), listening to stories, and dancing to music. IIt was designed for children three and up but my younger daughter started using it independently at around 15 months with supervision.

Cupcakes:

When it comes to first birthday gifts, this is another favorite. My little girl loves this! Learn new skills like stacking and color matching. They’re sized perfectly for little fingers, but little kids love them, too. And they’re plastic and so durable (eco friendly, too) so use them anywhere. These cupcakes are great for playing bakery (imaginative play), as bath toys during bath time, outdoor play, or in a water table. They’re great for stacking, sorting, and learning colors. 

Flash Cards:

This set comes with over 100 flash cards that include animals, vehicles, household objects, etc. Help your toddler learn their first words and give them a head start by reading, and playing with these cards. Flash cards may not sound fun, but my 1 and 3-year-olds love these cards. The back of each card has a game that will help teach colors or numbers – these are so good for language development. They stack them, play pretend with them, They’re durable and great for small hands, too. 

Safari Magnatiles:

1 year olds are a little young for magnatiles, but they’re still making the list for best birthday gifts for 1 year olds. Building blocks are great, but Magnatiles are so much more fun than wooden blocks, and are a great toy that your kids will use for years. Both my kids love magnatiles, and my friends with 5 and 6-year-olds say their kids love them, too. I would say it took my older daughter until she was 4 to really (really!) get into building, but she’s hooked and plays with Magnatiles and Duplo almost daily. They recently came out with animal sets that make playing with Magnatiles even more fun. 

Little People:

I usually avoid larger plastic play sets but this farm is gold. All 3 of my kids have used it – it’s great for younger and older toddlers, too, and is one of those toys that will get years of use.

Pound Bench:

Both girls loved playing with this. The function is pretty straightforward. It’s reasonably priced and when they’re done with the bench, you’re left with a musical instrument. Looking for a Christmas gift for a 6 month old? I’d go with this. 

Wooden Rainbow Tunnel:

This is pricey, but it’s a favorite wooden toy. It comes in a few different colors and is a good choice if you like giving gifts that last a while. My girls play with it all the time and use it for pretend play – they’re so much fun and are great for older children, too. Make a rainbow tower, tunnels, a town, zoo, or farm.

Spoolz:

I bought these for Margot when she was maybe 8 months old and both girls still like them. They’re fun to stack and roll – ideal for open-ended play and great for hand-eye coordination. 

Our favorite kindness book:

My girls love books, and we all really love this children’s book. My older daughter has had this one memorized since she was two – can finish every single sentence. It’s all about what it means to be kind and is the sweetest most heartwarming story. I love giving it as a gift and have purchased it 7 times. Books are always one of the best gifts for 1 year olds.

Pout Pout Fish:

Deep in the water where the fish hang outlives a glum gloomy swimmer with an ever present pout. Yes, I know the entire book by heart. It’s adorable.

Alphabet Puzzle:

You’re never too young to start learning your letters, right? This is something your toddler will use in the years to come. 

Bubble Blower:

I’ve yet to meet a child who doesn’t love bubbles. My daughters love their bubble blower. This one works with batteries, so you can use it anywhere. Take it out side and just let the bubbles blow as they play. It makes spring and summer playtime that much more fun. 

Wood Cars: 

These are so sturdy, and I love the simple (beautiful) design. Toys like this get used for years and years. 

Lovey:

The perfect lovey for baby to sleep with once they turn one. I gave my girls both a Slumberkins on their first birthday and will do the same for Jack. They still love them years later – they are free of stuffing and buttons so they feel extra safe.

Pajamas:

These are the softest PJs ever. The prints are so fun (my girls love them) and they are super-stretchy, so they last forever. 

Dimpl:

This is one of my favorite developmental toys, and is basically the baby version of bubble wrap. It’s great for younger babies, so you’ll get some use out of it. The Dimpl is recommended for 10+ months which is around when I got it for Margot, and she loves popping the pieces.

Toddler Play Kits:

These are really beautiful and some are open-ended, but others felt like they were sort of one and done. I’d still recommend these educational toys. The toys are more interesting than a typical shape sorter and are the perfect gift for little hands and are beautifully made. We passed everything down from Margot to Kate, and I love the learning aspect. 

Ride-on toys for 1 year old:

This ride-on seems like it’s easier to use than most (twists multiple ways) and it’s pretty cute. Both my girls still love it. This toys goes well beyond year 1. 

Scooter:

I can’t say enough good things about this scooter. My daughter started using it when she was just over 1.5 but could have used it earlier. The seat and push handle are key. We’ve walked a few block with this, and there’s just no way she could have kept up without me pushing her. When she gets faster, the handle comes off. And when she’s older, the seat comes off and the push handle becomes her handle! 

Play Kitchen:

This is a definite (big) splurge but PBK regularly has sales for 25% off, it’s so well-made, and it will be used for years (longer if you have more than one child!). It’s really beautiful and would look nice in your living room, so if you’re keeping things to a minimum or trying to blend baby/kid stuff with your decor, this is a lovely option.

Pikler Climber:

My one-year-old loves this, and my almost four-year-old does, too. We have the ladder and rock wall (each has a slide on the other side). This is a great way to build strength and independence in your toddler, and is especially fun for winter. I’d get this for a baby as young as 9 months, and it’s a beautiful, special gift that would be perfect for a birthday or Christmas gift.

Strolley Basket:

This push toy is so cute and so sweet, and much prettier than most push toys. It’s great for little kids as old as 3 – my older daughter still loves and uses it. It was a birthday gift for Margot from her Grandma, and almost 3 years later, she still uses it all the time. The strolley is a beautiful, memorable gift that will last for years. 

Chunky Wood Puzzle:

These puzzles are amazing and are great for tiny hands. We have a handful of them and store all the pieces together in a basket. They’re really solid and most stand up on their own, so they function as figurines. These puzzles make a great gift that your child will play with in the years to come. 

Baby Stella: 

When it comes to baby dolls, this is it. Baby Stella is one of the best soft dolls for your little boy or girl. Stella was my older daughter’s first doll and years later, both girls still play with it. She’s the perfect size to snuggle and love. 

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