41 Best Gifts for One-Year-Olds, Approved by One-Year-Olds Themselves

If your one-year-old loved crinkle toys when they were an infant, they’ll like this more advanced variation. JellyCat crinkle books are perfect gifts for kids who are into animals but aren’t quite interested in sitting through a full board book read yet. The crinkle noises will keep them engaged while you turn the pages.

A ball pit is the gift that keeps on giving. “I gifted my toddler this one for her first birthday,” says Bokan Thares. “We then set it up at her birthday party and every playdate and holiday gathering after that. It not only occupies toddlers and their friends, it also helps expend their energy, setting them up for their next nap. That’s a gift for us all!”

If their one-year-old never stops moving, a foam climbing set is the perfect gift. With blocks, steps, and a slide, they can set up multiple different layouts so their toddler never gets bored of their indoor tumbling kit. And when they’re tired out, they can lounge on the comfortable foam pieces to play with a toy or look at a book.

The Toniebox is one of the most popular toys for toddlers for a reason: This small, plush square offers hours and hours of screen-free entertainment. The box works as a player for figurines called Tonies that play music, songs, and stories for kids—from popular Disney characters to folk songs and more.

“My daughter got her box as a gift for her first birthday and has been adding to her Tonie collection ever since,” says Stephanie McNeal, Glamour senior editor and mom of a toddler. “She’s matured from only listening to baby songs to now being engaged by stories, and has learned to operate the box herself. And as someone who is desperately trying to not have my apartment overrun with plastic toys, adding to her Tonie collection has been a perfect gift for every holiday.”

“I’m so excited for my 18-month-old to see this Play Kitchen under our tree this year. I already know she’s going to love playing pretend while we cook meals together this winter and beyond,” says Bokan Thares.

An Anywhere Chair is a classic gift for a toddler’s first holiday season. With name or monogram embroidery options and tons of colors and fabrics to choose from, it’s a thoughtful, personalized option. “I purchased this for my daughter last Christmas thinking of it more as a decor piece for her nursery. It ended up being one of her all-time favorite items where she spends so much time sitting to read books, and even climbing on it,” says Bokan Thares. “The cover is easily removable and washes so well—I even got strawberry stains out of it last week and it looks brand new.”

Often it’s the simplest gifts that get the best reaction from one-year-olds. “These sensory balls are a huge hit with my daughter and her friends with their fun colors and bumpy texture,” says Bokan Thares. Plus, playing with these can enhance gross motor skills and coordination when toddlers and their grown-ups play together, bouncing, throwing, and rolling the balls. They’re great for both indoor and outdoor play.

If your one-year-old loves reading short and sweet board books, you’ll want to start collecting Nicola Edwards’ “You’re My Little…” book series. “You’re My Little Honey Bunny” is a great one to start with, full of beautiful animal illustrations and pages with shaped cutouts alongside a sweet, rhyming story. “My daughter is obsessed,” says Bokan Thares.

If they have any family travel on the horizon, this gift is super helpful. This busy board is perfect for planes with eight pages of activities, all in a zipped carry case. Items like a zipper, shoelace, belt, button, clock, calendar, matching shapes, and more will keep your toddler occupied for hours.

These mini magnetic drawing boards are the perfect size for entertaining your toddler at a restaurant, in the car, or on a plane. From scribbling on their own to watching a grown-up draw a picture, there are countless ways to use this nostalgic toy. With this multipack you can put one in every bag or gift them to family and friends. The larger color version is great for playrooms and toddler tables too.

Whether baby loves bath time or not, a water table will blow their mind. And parents, listen up: It’s a savior when you want to kick your feet up. “This toy makes hot days in the backyard so much more bearable—for both the parent and child!,” says Earley. “My kids spent hours splashing about in this water table. It’s perfect for keeping kiddos occupied (and not squabbling) on playdates too.” Whatever size you end up buying (this top-rated one has room for multiple kiddos to splish and splash), a “baby laughs or your money back” guarantee could come on the box.

From the minds behind “Purple Monkey in a Bubblegum Tree” (IYKYK) comes this music-themed activity center and toddler play table. It supports baby as they learn to stand, then grows with them as they become more confident on their feet.

“My kiddos are younger than one, but I love that they’ll be able to grow with this toy as they age,” says Anna Moeslein, Glamour deputy editor and mom of twins. “Plus, the piano is removable for an easy way to keep the little one entertained during car trips.” A two-in-one is always a huge win for parents trying to streamline the toy collection at home.

“Wooden blocks may look pretty, but in my experience, they become dangerous projectiles,” says Earley, who was much more fond of this plastic iteration. “These building blocks were not only safer for my little ones but also possibly even more engaging, because they latch together so the kiddo won’t get frustrated by toppling towers.” We love that they’re compatible with other brands of blocks too, because the collection will, indeed, expand—quickly!

Musical toys are great developmental gifts for babies and toddlers, and this one is a regular on “best toys” lists for playtime. It also happens to be one of the most popular toys in this guide, according to Glamour readers. With a mini xylophone, clacking saddles, and a detachable maraca, this little llama will make a standout first birthday gift. Mom or Dad will appreciate how easy the wooden toy is on the eyes too.

Babies don’t keep, and once your little one approaches one, they’re less likely to snooze through your daily walks. Help stop the squirm by upgrading their ride. “My kids all cycled through a red version of this car when they were in the one- to two-year-old range," says Earley. “It was such a hit. And it clearly is with everyone else in my neighborhood, since I see these cars all over the place on a daily basis.”

There’s a safety belt and a foldable handle, but the toy’s unique features are the Whisper Wheels and the poppable hood for storage (yes, like a Tesla frunk). FYI, the Step2 car also comes in a cool blue for something a little more chill.

When in doubt, snag a pull toy (that essentially doubles as a push toy) to help encourage movement and coordination. Hape makes a series of animal-themed ones that have hidden talents, like this cat whose yarn ball bobbles up and down with every step.

“This toy is so adorable in action,” says Earley. “And as a nice little bonus that’ll make you seem totally in the know: My friends gush about the fact that Hape is one of the most storied sustainable toddler toy brands out there.”

Here’s a way to get their hand-eye coordination going. Sure, the parents can take an old Kleenex box and wrap rubber bands around it for the same effect, but that takes more effort, plus this will last longer and ensure no miniature hands are snapped in the toy-rescuing process.

“This is a simple toy that gets a surprising amount of mileage,” says Earley. “It’s a little challenging at first, especially for kids just turning one, but that’s a good thing, since it’ll grow with them. If your baby is anything like mine, they’ll probably shake it around for the rattle sounds until about 18 months when they’ll master the toy for what it’s really meant for.”

If you’re looking for a plush toy, make sure to check out Gund. It’s one of the oldest makers of soft toys in the US, having been established more than 100 years ago. While Gund is known for its vintage-looking teddy bears, we think the additional selection of somewhat unusual animals, like this too-cute hippopotamus, make great gifts. “It’s rare to see my friend’s child without this hippo in tow,” says Earley.

They’re not just ultracute—they’re thoughtfully designed with features like quilted feet and ears to promote tactile play. We also love—as will any other parent—that this stuffy is 100% machine-washable.

Need something extra quiet for play in the car or on a plane? Why, yes, of course you do. Silicone press toys are gaining traction as the new fidget spinners (you see versions of this in every goodie bag that comes home), but they’re much safer for babies to engage with. They can even double as teething toys.

This aesthetically pleasing imitation paint palette will keep their little hands—and brains—occupied with minimal sound. “My twins take theirs (‘my poppy’) everywhere, even to their cribs at nap time,” says Earley. “I don’t mind, because it’s quiet and mess-free.”

When it comes to sensory activities, bubbles are a surefire win. But little ones this age can’t do it themselves (they just spill the liquid everywhere), so the onus is on the caregiver—fun for the first five minutes!

Thankfully, this gal is very lightweight and battery-operated, so you can bring it anywhere. “At the risk of sounding lazy, I love that I don’t have to blow bubbles for minutes on end—I just switch it on,” says Earley, and pretty much every parent she knows that has one. It’ll pump out hundreds of bubbles per minute, which is extremely entertaining—basically the perfect kid’s gift. Bonus: The bubble formula is premixed and won’t leave the kiddo with sticky hands.

One-year-olds have energy to spare, but they’re not exactly the most coordinated individuals. This adorable rocker (from former Teen Vogue editor in chief Elaine Welteroth’s curated Pottery Barn guide) will help them practice their balance and—even better—channel their energy into contained motions. Make it even more meaningful by personalizing it with the little one’s name.

Baby dolls can help toddlers learn how to nurture and empathize—which is especially meaningful when the toy they’re caring for resembles them. Manhattan Toy has six Playdate Friends of differing sexes and skin tones, each with some serious sartorial style and their own stuffed animal companion.

“At this age, the hard plastic dolls are too heavy for their little hands,” says Earley. This doll is a manageable 14 inches and supersoft (great for cuddles!) but still durable. What parents love the most though? The entire thing is washable—perfect when your child totes it, well, everywhere.

One of the most highly anticipated milestones happens around the time baby turns one: They’ll finally utter a few words. And one of the best ways for little ones to learn language is through repetition. You might have to listen to the same words over and over again, but babies love pushing the buttons in this interactive book. “The audio is very clear and easy to understand, so any child trying to learn words should have no trouble with it,” one parent said. “Also, I love that it has the option to change to Spanish. Why not make him bilingual?”

This colorful toy has three strong suction cups that adhere to the surface of baby’s tub to create a floating piano of sorts. Each whale functions as a key—press them and they’ll sing the notes do, re, mi, sol, la while spraying water from their spouts. It’s engaging and interactive, and also teaches baby all about cause and effect.

“Trust me on this one: At this age, bath time is a chance for the caregiver to actually sit (while supervising, of course) for five minutes, so anything that makes it even more engaging is a huge win,” says Earley.

What mom doesn’t love to see her little girl all done up in a sparkly denim jacket like this one? It’s a personalized gift that’s bound to elicit all kinds of oohs and ahhs, probably even a few squeals of delight. “My three-year-old daughter absolutely loves this jacket, but I think I might love it even more,” says Earley. “It instantly elevates any OOTD and is ripe for any photo op.”

Sizes start at 12 to 18 months, but we recommend sizing up. Kids grow like weeds at this age, and this is a jacket you’ll want to make sure fits them for as long as possible. “For anyone worried about the durability of the patches: We’ve washed ours on more than one occasion without any issue.”

This toy has been an Amazon bestseller for years. It’s simple yet colorful and engaging—perfect for the one-year-old in your life. All they have to do is tip one of the included four mini cars off the parking deck up top, then watch it zigzag down the ramp.

“It’s smaller than it looks, but that’s part of the beauty of it,” says Earley, who recommends this over Hot Wheels ramps for kids this age. “Nobody wants a giant race track overtaking their playroom, and there’s no setup with this one,” she says. “It’s just as engaging and also sturdier, so little hands can grab at it.” We like that the paint is all nontoxic too.

Anything that lights up and makes noise is a home run at this age, as is anything that resembles something the parents might use. This flashlight fits both bills and just so happens to be educational. The buttons all activate songs, phrases, and sounds that teach little ones about animals, colors, and numbers. “My son got one of these (the yellow one) from his grandma for his first birthday," says Earley. “It was the perfect size for his little hands and entertained him right away—that’s saying a lot.”

It’s an incredibly durable toy too—a must for this age. “Ours has stood up to a lot of banging, and the battery life is excellent,” says Earley. And don’t worry, parents: It comes with an on-off button and two volume levels.

Forget tricycles and training wheels. Today balance bikes are all the rage, and that’s because they really set kids up for success once it comes time to ride a two-wheeler. “All of my kids got balance bikes when they were one-years-old and had so much fun zooming around on them—we’re talking years of entertainment,” says Earley. “Just as importantly, they all learned to ride a two-wheeler at an early age, skipping right over training wheels. My youngest learned at just three and a half!”

There are a number of them on the market, but we like the one for the youngest set. It’s a little easier to get the hang of, plus it’s designed with a few extra safety features, like a fully widened closed wheel to avoid clamping baby’s feet and a limited turning radius to prevent tipping.

By now most parents are fully aware of Lovevery’s play kits, each dedicated to a different developmental stage. But not everyone may know that the brand has a few newer options for parents too—like this music set. It includes five instruments, a working metronome, and a Rhythm & Songs Book that helps parents and caregivers teach toddlers how to make their own music as young as one and a half years old. Baby Beethoven in the making.

“I love that, unlike so many other rickety music sets for this age, this one is made from the same sustainably harvested wood as other Lovevery products,” says Earley. “We’ve always used it more as entertainment than a true learning tool, but I’m impressed by the overall quality, and the kids love the instruments—especially the bells.”

Board books are great for tiny hands, because the sturdier pages are easier to turn. They’re also less prone to damage, like rips. Our editors have long loved this set, which features colorful illustrated portraits of female leaders like Maya Angelou, Malala Yousafzai, Amelia Earhart, and Frida Kahlo. The set comes with four books, which feels like more of a substantial gift than a single. It’s the perfect addition to a growing first library.

An oldie but a goodie, this swing has graced many a backyard. “I remember having one when I was a kid,” says Earley, who bought one for her own kid—as did some of her friends. It’s fantastic, because you don’t need an entire swing set (a surprisingly pricey plaything!). Instead, a tree branch or a structure like a covered porch will do just fine. It has adjustable straps and a high weight limit—50 pounds—so they’ll have many of years of fun ahead. “Ours lasted for years (for reference, my four-year-old is 50 pounds!) and was still in good enough shape to pass on to a neighborhood friend once we were done.”

One year is a milestone for so many reasons—one of which is that experts say a baby can now (safely) have some blankets and toys in their crib. At this stage, you’ll find a lot of baby blankets are a bit too small to adequately cover them when they snooze, so this is a great time to invest in a larger children's blanket, saving parents from having to re-tuck them in over and over.

We love this option because it comes in dozens of colors and patterns (pick the one that best suits their interests), plus you can personalize it with their name. “My eldest son received a similar blanket for his first birthday and is still holding on tight as a six-year-old,” says Earley. “We ordered this one for the rest of the kids when they started asking why they didn’t have a blanket with their name on it, and I love the quality even more. The blankets are perfectly sized and supersoft, not to mention adorable. We have a video-game-themed one, a race car one, and a princess one.”

Think of this as a baby walker for kids who love construction vehicles (the vast majority!). As little ones push the bulldozer across the floor, little balls pop out of the chimney. Cue squeals of delight. “It’s kind of like an extreme jack-in-the-box,” says Earley. “My twins would walk the bulldozer back and forth for what seemed like hours. Even the bigger kids (ages two and three at the time) wanted to get in on the action.”

There’s a learning component too. Motion sensors work to deliver songs, while buttons on the truck itself help kids learn colors, numbers, and basic phrases.

We don’t need to tell you again how much babies love whatever their parents regularly reach for—and that includes their water bottle. So you’ll look extra in-the-know when you present this new launch from Infantino to the one-year-old being celebrated. “I posted a picture of my three-year-old daughter holding hers on Insta, and my friends went crazy—everyone wanted one for their kid,” says Earley.

The soft silicone cup is actually a cut above the adult version, if you ask us. This kid’s tumbler has a secure lid and a leak-resistant straw. “You can hold it upside-down or toss it in your diaper bag, and it won’t spill,” says Earley.

At this age, it’s often the simplest things that end up being the most engaging. And as simple as it is, this stacking set is actually surprisingly engaging. Stack them, knock them down, use them in sensory bins or the bathtub, you can even bring them to the beach to make a sand castle. “I keep it in my kitchen for entertainment while I’m prepping meals,” one parent told Glamour. “My daughter sits there and tinkers away for at least 20 minutes, and trust me, there aren’t many things that can buy me that kind of time.”

So much more than your average plush, this little otter functions as a sound machine, playing the parents’ choice of music, sounds, and soft lights, and mimics the rhythmic motion of breathing for added comfort.

“It’s actually really soft, especially given all it does,” one parent told us. “I gave this to my 11-month-old when we started experiencing some resistance at bedtime, and I don’t think he’s put it down since!” It’s not just for the youngest users—parents say it’s comforting to their four- and five-year-olds too.

Year one of a baby’s life is full of opportunities to build their fine motor skills (movements that involve smaller muscles, like those in fingers), and by 12 months they may be able to grab—and control—crayons, especially larger ones like these egg-shaped ones. We love that they don’t break like normal crayons, either. Adios, crayon nubs!

One of the best gifts you can give a parent and child? The perfect antidote to a rainy afternoon. So here you go. This pop-up tunnel stores completely flat in an included storage bag, but immediately expands to create a playground of sorts right inside the house. Tots will zoom in and out, and will delight in silly games of peekaboo with siblings or caregivers. “We have one of these, and it’s still a hit five years later,” says Earley. “Now my kids use it as part of their homemade obstacle courses.”

A pair of walking shoes is a useful gift for toddlers who are on the move. They’ll be walking in style thanks to the fun colors and design of this sneaker, and the best part is that they’re washable. “Stride Rite sneakers were truly instrumental in my daughter learning to walk independently with confidence,” says Bokan Thares.