How to shop for gifts for one-year-olds
Don’t know where to begin? Sensory toys, puzzles, musical instruments, play tables, and walkers are all winners, but the truth is, the type of toy you pick is less important than how you and your children play with it. Decades of research suggest that the most important thing parents can do is interact with their little ones by talking, reading, singing, and getting down on their level to play.
A 2019 clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics echoes this, noting: “The most educational toy is one that fosters interactions between caregivers and children in supportive, unconditional play.” The authors recommend choosing “toys that will grow with the child, foster interactions with caregivers, encourage exploration and problem-solving, and spark the child’s imagination.”
And while you really can’t go wrong with something eye-catching for your little one, we all know you’re also very much gifting the parents who are coping with early-stage toddlerhood so you want to plump for something they’ll enjoy using with their toddler that’s ideally in a colour hue that won’t turn their house into a migraine-inducing rainbow rave.
Sharing her advice, Kirsty Douglas, Parenting Expert at Kiddies Kingdom, said: “When children get to 12 months, they’re beginning to develop more social and communication skills. You can help your child reach these exciting milestones by introducing plenty of imaginative and creativity-based toys. Musical toys are brilliant for this as they help children understand cues and practice mimicking sounds.
“At around 12 months, your child will typically be eating weaning snacks such as vegetable sticks alongside meals. Using toys which require sorting, picking up and moving will allow your little one to build out the fine motor skills needed to help them feed themselves independently. For this, toys such as ring towers and stackers are perfect, as they support fine motor development whilst keeping your child engaged and entertained. This type of toy can also be a terrific way to support cognitive thinking.”
How we tested the best gifts for one-year-olds:
Our Website Director, Bianca, is a mother to a two-year-old with another baby on the way. After extensive research shopping for her (very active and inquisitive) daughter’s first birthday present, as well as those of all her friend’s children, she has become quite the expert. She has also tested these toys on her daughter over a year-long period and only included the ones that she felt went the distance and kept her daughter engaged over a long period. She also grilled all her mum friends and parenting experts to get the best recommendations.
We’ve accounted for all budgets, from purse-friendly book bundles to play kitchens that make for a special treat. Our guide not only includes uniquely educational toys that are ideal for development, but also plenty of meaningful presents that aren’t toys, like personalised baby gifts, practical play mats, and sentimental presents that both baby and parent will treasure forever.