Best Toys For 1 Year-Old 2021

How hard can it be when it comes to picking toys for a 1 year-old? Is it really as simple as just going onto any toy website and pick something in the right age category? According to child development experts, the key lies in keeping your babies engaged and find toys that will stimulate their senses and growing minds. Whether you're looking for toy ideas for your little one or buying a birthday gift for your friend's 1 year-old, we've compiled an extensive list of toys and ideas that focus on sensory exploration and motor development.

Child Development Milestones for 1 Year-Old

You'll notice your baby has become more independent, active and expressive. Babies at this age might start using a few words, able to stand on their own and take a few steps and sit on their own with no support. A great way for them to move around safely is by placing play mats in the nursery and living room, so they can crawl and walk around on their own safely without hurting themselves when they stumble.

As they learn to walk independently, toddlers pull up to stand and walk while holding onto furniture. You can go for push-pull toys to help them maintain better balance as they test and refine their new motor skills.

Play at this age is also very focused on sensory exploration and motor development. You’ll also notice them being more eager and curious to investigate objects close to them and by shaking, banging and knocking them down.

Musical toys and toys with moving parts, wheels and levers are usually a hit for children at this age. Consider getting toys that would have a longer lifespan as well, such as building block toys since they're great for open-ended play and your little one will have fun knocking down a tower you build together.

Best Toys For 1 Year Olds

Instead of going for toys that rely on digital features, go for toys that are baby-powered. These toys tend to spark their imagination better and are great for developing their problem-solving skills:

• Ride-on toys
• Stacking toys
• Musical toys
• Push-pull toys
• Books
• Building blocks
• Play mats

Best Ride-On Toys

Egmont Toys Wooden Sit and Ride

This beautiful wooden tricycle comes with three big wheels and it's a great way for your petit to move their legs around and explore indoor. It's the perfect ride for your toddler to learn the basics and enjoy rides powered by their feet. It's also made mostly with wood and can last for years to come. 

Shop Online: Egmont Toys Wooden Sit and Ride

Baghera New Racer Black

Who's ready for a race? This Racer ride-on from the French brand Baghera will surely inspire your toddler to go on plenty of "races" around the house. It's very easy to handle and comes with smooth stirrings and wheels. If you're looking for a stylish ride-on for your petit to practise their motor skills, this is your ride.

Shop Online: Baghera New Racer Black

Best Stacking Toys

Janod "Ultra-Cute Animals" Square Stacking

This set of stacking toy comes with 10 colourful blocks with illustrations of the cutest animals. Your petit will enjoy practising stacking and building using the cardboard pyramid, starting from the largest and building up to the smallest piece. Stack them into a tower and knock them down will provide of hours of entertainment for your toddler. As they get older, they can also learn the numbers and names of the animals on the blocks. 

Shop Online: Janod "Ultra-Cute Animals" Square Stacking

Best Musical Toys

I Am Toy Melody Mix

Packed with 10 different instruments such as xylophone, drum, bells and cymbal, this Melody Mix is a great way for little ones to work on hand-eye coordination, motor development, and of course musical skills!

Shop Online: I Am Toy Melody Mix

Best Push-pull Toys

Egmont Toys Push Along Truck & Wooden Blocks

Did you know toddlers learn to push before they learn to pull? This wooden push along truck helps your petit learn balance and coordination and comes with 29 pieces of wooden blocks. The blocks are great for stacking and building, which is perfect for open-ended play and sparking your little one's imagination. 

Shop Online: Egmont Toys Push Along Truck & Wooden Blocks

Egmont Eliot Pulling Toy

Once your toddler learns to push, it's time to learn pulling! While pulling a cute pup on a string may seem like a simple task, it actually means big things for your toddler's brain development. It teaches them about cause and effect and how to pull their doll through obstacles and around corners. Your toddler may also pretend to nurture their doggie companion by feeding them, putting them to bed, talking to them and taking them out for walks. 

Shop Online: Egmont Eliot Pulling Toy

Best Books

Egmont Toys Fabric Books

These soft fabric books are great for your petits to explore with their senses and discover the world. There are 4 different themes: jungle, farm, transport and baby animals. 

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Oskar and Ellen Zoo Animal Book

This interactive fabric book is perfect for those who loves an adventure and animals. The possibilities are endless - guess the animal, peak-a-boo, learn the different colours, and guess who's riding in the next carriage? The soft animals come attached with strings for safe play. The book is also great for helping your toddler develop their fine motor skills, enhance eye coordination and hand dexterity. Oskar and Ellen also has a Good Night Bunny fabric book that's perfect for creating a fun, comforting bedtime routine for your toddler. 

Shop Online: Oskar and Ellen Zoo Animal Book

Colour Me: Who's In The Water?

Your toddler is going to love bath time even more with this magical book! Bring the playful scenes of wild animals to full colour just by wetting the pages of this clever bath book. You can also use a brush and have your little one paint water over each page and see a colourful penguin shaking off water and sleepy otter holding hands with his mum. 

Shop Online: Colour Me: Who's In The Water?

Best Play Mats

Toddlekind Prettier Play Mat

Made with premium EVA, non-toxic foam, these play mats not only functional and provide a protective surface for your toddler to play or crawl on, they also look very stylish and have the look of a beautifully patterned rug. The durable foam mat comes in square jigsaw tiles and you can easily expand the size of your play mat by adding more tiles. 

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nobodinoz Full Moon Round Playmat 

The Spanish brand is known for their minimalist designs and non-toxic, organic fabrics. Made with GOTS certified organic cotton and OEKO-TEX® CLASS 1 certified fabrics, these round playmats come in two sizes and 15 different prints, and they're great additions to any room or playroom. 

Shop Online: nobodinoz Full Moon Round Playmat Gold Bubble / Night Blue

Quut Playmat - Head In The Clouds

If you're looking for a smaller, playful option, go for this Head In The Clouds play mat from Quut!Made with luxurious soft foam, this play mat has 3 different set-ups and adapts to all stages of your toddler's development. It's also 100% waterproof and does not absorb any fluids, making it a super hygienic option. 

Shop Online: Quut Playmat - Head In The Clouds