Our Favorite Toys and Gifts for 1-Year-Olds Are Super Fun (With No Little Parts)

There's a lot to consider when shopping for 1-year-olds. Skills-wise, they're starting to grow out of their baby toys, though some (like those favorite stuffies and loveys) might still have appeal. And they're aging into toddler toys, but many of those might still be too complex. Plus, 1-year-olds still have to be steered away from unsafe toys — play sets that have small parts that can be choking hazards or toys that can pinch little fingers — which can make it difficult to buy gifts for kids this age for their birthdays or the holidays.

"One-year-olds are at a period in their development when they are becoming increasingly powerful and competent — evidenced by the fact that they are starting to walk and talk," says Rebecca Parlakian, M.A., E.D., a parenting expert from Zero to Three, an organization that focuses on kid development during the early years. "They are also really interested in big questions like, 'How does this work?' 'What does it do?' And, 'What happens if I do this?'”

The best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds help them explore these questions and practice these new physical skills. "This includes simple items, like a ball to kick and chase, as well as things like push toys or toys that can be pulled on a string while walking," Parlakian says. "Toys can also pose fun challenges for 1-year-olds to figure out — think about a stacking ring, nesting cups, shape-sorters, a busy-box or simple wooden knob puzzles. And it’s never too early for set of cube blocks, plus a basket or bucket to drop them in and dump them out of. And toys that make noise — like a xylophone, drum, or toy piano — are also a hit at this age.

We tapped veteran parents and toy testing experts to weigh in with their favorite toys for 12-month-olds. The toys were evaluated for safety, durability and easy of use, then sent to toddler testers to make sure they're fun. (Some are even current and former Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners.) When all was said and done, these emerged as the best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds in 2022.

Our testers loved toys that served multiple functions, such as walkers and push toys that doubled as educational toys that practiced numbers or letters. They were also drawn to toys that make music (or, better yet, that helped kids make music) and toys that had a sense of humor to them, even if only parents were in on the joke. Parents or kids, these were the toys for 1-year-olds that had everyone smiling.