At the undeniably adorable age of 1, babies are constantly absorbing new information. Not only are 1-year-old children likely to explore every inch of a given object, but they’ll also probably perform a taste test.
As such, the best gifts for kids in this age group will support early brain development, provide plenty of interactive entertainment, and be safely constructed of baby-proof materials.
So how can you find gifts and toys that will meet all of these criteria? That’s exactly what this list of the best gifts for 1-year-olds will cover. That way, you can easily get a gift that will be a hit with parents and babies alike!
1. Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube
An impressively interactive hand-eye coordination baby toy, this Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube supports the early development of fine motor skills and spatial understanding.
This high-quality shape sorting cube set comes with 12 vibrantly coloured 3-D wooden shape blocks that can be dropped in through the correlating holes of a finished hardwood cube.
Once filled with shapes, the shape sorter cube lid opens so that the colourful wooden blocks can be removed. Then, the fun starts over again! With child-friendly materials, baby-safe construction, and early learning design features, this Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube is a staple among toys for little ones.
2. Baby Einstein Hape Magic Touch Wooden Piano
Music is one of the fastest ways to improve memory and encourage mental development in children. As such, this little piano from Baby Einstein is one of the best toys for 1-year-olds. It allows even very young kids to make their own music effortlessly.
This piano can also play classical music, has 6 different pre-set songs, and features a play and learn mode.
This Magic Touch Wooden Piano makes realistic instrumental sounds and comes with three sheets of music. It’s easily one of the best gifts for a 1-year-old, 2-year-old, or young toddler.
Kids will love the “magical” button-free touch operation, while moms and dads will like watching their children learn and explore the musical world around them.
3. Faces: Baby Touch First Focus
From the age of 3 months old to 1 year, children are constantly taking in information and logging it away. One of the main things they will learn is how to recognize and focus on faces.
As such, this book is an ideal gift for a 1-year-old. It has bright happy faces that have been specifically coloured to help stimulate visual development.
At the end of the book, there’s even a mirror so that a child can see their own little face. This is one of the best books for babies first beginning to show interest in printed images. It has bright and highly contrasting colours that are easy for any young baby to focus on.
4. Beatrix Potter Peter Rabbit Large Plush
Inspired by the classic best selling Beatrix Potter books, this cuddly stuffed rabbit is soft, sweet, and adorable. It’s one of the best toys for young kids and is suitable for babies ages 1 and up as well as toddlers.
With a plush design that’s easy for tiny hands to hold on to, it may earn the title of the cutest and most versatile gift.
This Large Peter Rabbit Plush measures 33cm and showcases GUND’s trademark style. Careful attention to detail and durable materials make this plush an amazing gift for parents and kids to cherish for years to come.
5. Zeke and Zoey Soft 100% Cotton Knit Baby Blanket
A quality blanket like this can make a sentimental gift that parents will appreciate and use often. This particular blanket is of good quality and is perfect for newborn babies, 1-year-olds, toddlers, and most young kids. Carefully knit of soft 100% cotton, it comes in colours like white, grey, pink, and blue.
6. Tomy Hide & Squeak Eggs
Playtime makes learning fun, and nothing is as much fun as peek-a-boo for a young baby or toddler! These Hide & Squeak Eggs let babies ages six months and older learn their shapes and colours by sorting each shell into its own spot within the bright yellow plastic egg carton.
These eggs have six different face and shell combinations that open to reveal adorable chicks that cheep and chirp. No batteries are required, which makes this gift a versatile and long-lasting choice. Little ones can safely spend time practising fine motor skills with their hands as they pull open the shells, make the chicks squeak, and mix and match the shell colour combinations.
7. Sophie La Girafe: The Original Teether
For a teething baby, the best toys will be safe for taste tests and capable of massaging and soothing the gum line. That’s why this Sophie La Girafe Original Teether is such an amazing gift choice! Made of 100% natural rubber, this teether lets kids explore all of their senses easily.
This teether toy makes a great crib or car seat companion as well. Babies will love Sophie the Girafe’s long neck and friendly face. This toy is also designed for tiny hands to hold and has a contrasting spotted pattern that’s visually stimulating.
8. Bonds Unisex Baby Cotton Blend Zip Wondersuit
The ultimate sleep and play outfit, this Wondersuit has been masterfully designed to provide an apparel solution for babies and parents. Every baby will love the feel of the soft and stretchy breathable cotton, polyester, and elastane. These are durable materials that won’t easily be stretched out of shape as a little one scoots, rolls, and crawls around.
Caretakers will appreciate the protective two-way zipper that makes changing a breeze. It also has folding cuffs that can cool or warm the feet. This cute outfit comes available in an array of colours, patterns, and versatile sizes to fit newborns, 6-11-month-olds, 1-year-olds, and more! All in all, this is one of the most comfortable, cute, and useful gift options for kids this age.
9. Boxiki Kids Wooden Stacking Toys & Shape Sorting Board
Stacking toys are a great gift for developing motor skills and providing endless entertainment. This cute and colourful Kids Wooden Stacking Toy features various shapes that can be individually stacked in their designated spots on the wooden platform. Kids will have fun fitting each shape to the right place with this geometric stacker.
The engaging puzzle design keeps young children playing and learning while the different shapes with their smooth surfaces are ideal for little hands to hold and explore. It’s baby-safe and just complex enough to keep a little one busy without being so complicated that children will become discouraged.
10. Grobag Sleeping Bag Swaddle Wrap
Safety-conscious caretakers will appreciate this premium Swaddle Wrap immensely. It’s ideal for babies who are a few months old as well as 1-year-olds.
This Grobag Sleeping Wrap provides a safe and cozy napping environment that’s perfectly comfortable and warm.
Optimized for nursery temperatures of 24-27 degrees, this swaddle wrap can be zipped around a child so that they’ll sleep in safe comfort all night long. It utilizes a Zip-click closure system for added safety and caretaker convenience.
Made of 100% breathable cotton, this cute sleeping wrap comes with a Nursery Thermometer, user guide, and booklet of safe sleep information. It’s also machine washable and showcases an adorable tropical pattern. Without a doubt, this is one of the best gifts for young babies who kick off their blankets when they sleep.
11. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book
If you want to get the perfect books for a toddler or child age 1 or older, Eric Carle’s children’s classics are a fantastic option to consider. In the Very Hungry Caterpillar, the story follows the journey of a small young caterpillar who manages to nibble his way through a range of foods from page to page.
Along the way, fascinating colours and shapes have been masterfully illustrated to provide a visual feast for the eyes. As this book is read to a child, they will learn the cadence and rhythm of the spoken word. Plus, most babies will like the look of the beautifully printed shapes and colours on each page.
12. Debaijia Baby First-Walking Shoes
Between 9-18 months of age, babies will usually begin walking. Since a brand new walker will need a stylish and comfortable way to get around, these Debaijia Baby First-Walking Shoes are the perfect solution.
Available in various sizes and colours, Debaijia Baby First-Walking Shoes have been specifically optimized to cushion and support a child’s little feet as they take their first steps to explore the world around them.
Constructed of durable canvas, flexible TPR, and other soft interior materials, these shoes provide flexible and safe foot protection from rough surfaces. They also offer lots of comfort and grip. The soft TPS sole offers elasticity and anti-slip protection to help any new walker more easily stay balanced! So, these shoes are the perfect choice for babies who are already walking or just taking their first steps.
13. ELC Wooden Activity Cube Giant
Early learning toys like the ELC Activity Cube are ideal for babies who are discovering the world around them. With everything young children need to build new motor skills as they play, this ELC Activity Cube is visually appealing and enriching. It has plenty of shapes and colours to keep little eyes, ears, and hands busy.
It can add a charming and fun element to any playroom or nursery and comes with plenty of things for children to touch, pull, push, and move around safely. For 1-year-olds, this is an early learning toy that’s entertaining, fun, and safe.
Tips for Buying Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
You’d think that getting a present for a baby would be simple! However, there are actually a lot of important factors to consider. To save you from having to read through tons of gift guides, we’ve created this helpful condensed shopping tip section. That way, you can easily find gifts that one-year-olds and their caretakers will love for a long time to come!
Prioritize Safety First
First and foremost, you will want to be sure that anything you get a baby will be safe for them to play with. After all, nobody wants to see their present cause an injury. As such, safety should always be your first priority when presenting an item to a baby. At this stage of development, if something can fit into a baby’s mouth, the baby will ultimately put it in there. Be sure that there aren’t any small parts that a baby can pull off and swallow. It’s also smart to check that all materials are child safe.
To make things easier, most products will specifically list safety information and age level appropriation clearly. Luckily, most products that have been made for babies in their first year will automatically have these features. Still, it never hurts to double-check.
Consider Mum and Dad
Also, you will want to consider the needs of a child’s caretakers. To be sure, most parents will be happy to see their child get any present. However, it’s a good idea to select toys and baby products that will be beneficial for both caretakers and babies. While babies are generally unaware of social norms, those caring for them will truly appreciate the gesture.
The best presents are often simultaneously useful and sentimental. An interactive toy, baby blanket, cute outfit, or stuffed animal are all thoughtful and long-lasting gifts. Everyone will have a great time watching a baby explore a set of new blocks, give their love to a stuffed animal, or enthral themself with a silly squeaky toy.
Find a Toy that Offers Enrichment and Education
Educational toys encourage physical and mental development while also keeping babies safely entertained. A book, block set, squeaky bath toy, baby-safe puzzle toy, or sound-making type toy can provide learning and fun. Since this is a wondrous time when little ones are taking everything in, the perfect toy can offer various developmental advantages.
Consider that at this stage of growth, 1-year-olds are just starting to actively interact and engage with the world around them. They’re building new motor skills, discovering unfamiliar sounds, babbling, and deciding what they do and don’t like. During these months, many babies will also be learning to walk and talk. So, look for educational toys to support these kinds of skills.
Know the Difference Between Toddler and Baby Toys
Toys for 1-year-olds should also be age-appropriate. Even though many toys are good for both babies and toddlers, there are some key differences to consider. Toddler and baby products are often the same in that they’re safely designed to be free of choking hazards. Also, toys like this usually have features that support early learning.
However, toddler toys tend to be more complex, helping to enrich young children and further develop their motor skills. On the other hand, baby toys are often designed to build base motor skills and provide stimulating entertainment through play and sensory enrichment.
