- Age 1
- Age 2
- Fine Motor
- Cognitive
- +1
Switches, knobs, buttons and lights on a compact board. Builds fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and travels well on car rides. Ages 1–2.
Toys for 1-Year-Olds
The best learning toys for 1-year-olds
First words, sensory play, and fine motor beginnings.
What 1-year-olds are working on
The second year is a busy one. Around their first birthday most babies pull up to stand and cruise along the furniture, pick up small things between thumb and finger, and put things into a container and take them out again. Over the next few months many take their first steps on their own and start saying a few words.
Every child moves at their own pace. If you have questions about how your little one is developing, your pediatrician is the best person to ask. These are just the skills that the right toys can make room for.
What to look for in a toy at this age
The toys that last are simple ones your child can do something with: push, stack, fill and dump, open and close, bang and listen. One toy that does many things beats one that does one trick.
- Cause and effect: buttons, switches and lids that do something when pressed or opened.
- Push and pull: sturdy toys to lean on while cruising and walking.
- Fill and dump: nesting cups, shape sorters and boxes with big pieces.
- Sounds and words: board books, simple instruments and toys you name and talk about together.
Safety basics
Toys for children under 3 must not have small parts that can fit in the mouth, so check the age on the box and skip anything marked 3+. Keep button batteries, high-powered magnets and long cords or strings away from toddlers, and look for battery compartments that close with a screw.
Common questions
What are the best learning toys for a 1-year-old?
Simple, open-ended toys your child can act on: push toys for first steps, stacking and nesting cups, shape sorters, busy boards with switches and knobs, chunky board books and simple instruments. The best ones get you playing together, because talking about what your child is doing is how new words grow.
How many toys does a 1-year-old need?
Fewer than you might think. A handful of toys within reach, swapped out every week or two, keeps play fresh and makes it easier for a toddler to focus.
Are toys marked 3+ safe for a 1-year-old?
No. A 3+ label usually means the toy has small parts that could be a choking hazard for children under 3. Stick to toys labeled for your child's age.
What should my 1-year-old be able to do?
Around 12 months many babies wave bye-bye, pull up to stand, cruise along furniture and pick up small things with a finger and thumb, and by 18 months many walk on their own and say a few words. Children develop at different paces; your pediatrician can tell you what to expect for your child.