11 Best Toys for a 1-Year-Old

From crawling to walking, from babbling to chatting, from tummy time to real fun—a lot has happened this year! The first birthday is a big milestone and the start of a new season of discovery and joy as your baby becomes a toddler. Between now and their next birthday, your child will learn and grow so much. Age-appropriate toys foster imagination, sensory stimulation, and physical development in ways that intrigue your toddler. 

Bright colours are important for little ones this age, as they are easy for them to differentiate and more enticing at play time. (Pastels and muted shades are still good for sleep spaces, but stock up on rainbow-hued and primary colour toys to stimulate that growing mind!). Music and movement are two other pillars of the perfectly stocked 1-year-old play space. Their hand-eye coordination is blossoming, so make sure that their smaller toys and puzzles are easy to grab and manipulate. To get more specific, here are some of the best toys for 1-year-olds.

Activity Table

If there is one word to describe 1-year-olds, it is busy. Put that energy to good use with a table that has lots of buttons, levers, screws, and cranks to explore. A grow-with-me table that starts out for sitters and can have legs added later on will be good bang for your buck, but you can also try one geared at older toddlers like the Manhattan Toy Company Treetop Adventure Activity Center that is recommended for age 12 months to 5 years. Both of these offer visual stimulation and hands-on fun that will keep your toddler entertained endlessly, while standing and strengthening those little legs.  

Pushcart or Push Walker