Selecting the best toys and gifts for a 1 year old can be both an exciting and overwhelming experience. At this age, little kids are developing rapidly, exploring their surroundings, and discovering new skills and learning every day. To help you choose the perfect toys and gifts that will not only entertain but also support the little child’s development, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best toys and gifts for a 1 year old. These 10 educational learning toys are designed to foster creativity, motor skills, cognitive growth, inspire learning while ensuring fun and safety.
- Stacking Ring Toys
Stacking ring toys are a classic to help babies improve their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. The colors and different ring sizes also aid in visual and spatial perception, making it fun for learning and developing. Here’s a stacking ring toy doubling up as a teething toy from Jelly Stone Designs:
- Activity Walkers
ActivityWalkers/Strollers - perfect toy or gifts for a 1 year old learning to walk while keeping them safe. They are designed to grow with your child, with the versatility of a walker, stroller, and ride-on, providing endless fun and developmental support.

This baby activity walker at Little Kids Business has interactive music and engaging play activities, it stimulates your little one's senses and motor skills. Its sturdy, adjustable design ensures safety and comfort, making it an ideal companion for your child's early learning and exploration.
- Musical Instrument toys
Introduce your little kid to the joy of music with simple music instruments like a xylophone, little piano keyboard, drumset, or a toy guitar. These musical toys enhance auditory development, rhythm recognition, and hand-eye coordination. Plus, making music is always fun! Find out how they are beneficial for little kids.
- Shapes and Gears
Shapes and gears sorters are fantastic for teaching problem-solving and fine motor skills. Your child will enjoy figuring out which shape fits into which piece or hole, learning about different shapes and sizes along the way. It’s a great educational learning toy for 1 year olds.
- Activity Cubes
Activity cubes are multi-functional educational learning toys that offer a variety of activities in one. From bead mazes and spinning gears to shape sorters and sliders, these activity cubes provide endless entertainment while fostering cognitive and motor development.
- Bath Toys
Bath time can be a fun and educational learning experience with the right toys. Bath toys such as floating boats, squirt toys, sprinklers, stacking cups can make bath time enjoyable and help your child learn about water and floating objects.
- Board Books
Board books are a great way to introduce your child to the world of reading, making great gifts for a 1 year old. Baby development books at Little Kids Business beautifully designed black and white board book:


Other baby books have bright pictures, simple words, and interactive elements like flaps and textures. Reading together can enhance language skills and instill a love for books.
- Puzzles
Simple puzzles with large pieces are excellent for developing problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. This Montessori Wooden Sensory Toy Puzzle instills learning of colours and co-ordination for all ages (supervised for under 3 year olds):
- Ride-On Toys
Ride-on toys like small cars, tractors, balance bikes encourage physical activity and help develop gross motor skills. These ride on toys also promote balance and coordination as your child learns to push themselves along. A great gift for a 1 year old to grow into is a balance bike/trike:
- Push and Pull Toys
Push and pull toys are excellent for encouraging physical activity and developing gross motor skills. Whether it’s a cute animal on wheels or a small wagon, these toys help your child practice walking and balance.
Choosing the best toys and gifts for a 1 year old involves considering safety, developmental benefits, and of course, fun! The toys on this list are not only entertaining but also support various aspects of your child's growth. From stacking rings to ride-on toys, each item can play a crucial role in your child's early development. So, the next time you're shopping for the best toys and gifts for a 1 year old, consider these top educational learning toys to ensure hours of fun and development.
By selecting the right educational learning toy, you can provide your child with a rich and engaging environment that supports their curiosity and developmental milestones. Happy playing!