When shopping for the best gifts for one-year-olds, it’s helpful to remember that at a mere 12 months old, babies aren’t all that clued in to what’s happening on their birthday. This is why most parents will appreciate something practical (such as adorable baby clothes) or something that hones a particular skill (like a balance bike). If you really want to go with a toy, look for a baby gift that will enrich their day-to-day and help their development. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests buying “toys that will grow with the child, foster interactions with caregivers, encourage exploration and problem-solving, and spark the child’s imagination.” This means sensory toys like a water table, wooden puzzles, musical instruments, activity centers, and walkers are all winners.
To help you find the perfect present for the little munchkin in your life, we relied on our own experiences in this department (this guide has been cowritten by four moms), plus tapped other parents deep in the toddlerverse to find out what they’ve given and received. Below you’ll find highly reviewed picks from baby-focused brands like LeapFrog and Little Tikes, personalized baby gifts, and more.
The best gifts for one-year-olds, at a glance
- Best Gift for One-Year-Olds Overall: Skip Hop Walker Scooter, $38
- Best Bath Toy for One-Year-Olds: Playmobil Junior & Disney: Moana’s Boat, $25
- Best Developmental Toy for One-Year-Olds: LeapFrog Get Ready for Phonics, $20
- Best Furniture Gift for One-Year-Olds: Anywhere Chair, $129
- Best Gift Under $25 for One-Year-Olds: LeapFrog Count and Swirl Ice Cream Maker, $25
- Best Push Cart Toy for-One-Year-Olds: VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker, $40
- Best Musical Toy for One-Year-Olds: Fisher-Price Disney Frozen Playset, $46
Meet our trusted experts
- Shanna Shipin is a mom to a toddler and newborn in Los Angeles, as well as a writer specializing in motherhood and parenting, with more than a decade of experience. She’s currently the shopping director at Allure.
- Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor specializing in kids’ shopping, beauty, home, and, of course, parenting—she has four children under the age of six.
- Anna Moeslein is the deputy editor at Glamour and a mom of one-year-old twins.
- Stephanie McNeal is a senior editor at Glamour and a mom of a toddler.
- Madeleine Bokan Thares is a freelance writer, a content creator focused on motherhood, and mom to an 18-month-old.
- Christa Lee is a freelance writer and a mom to a toddler and a five-year-old.
