A young child in a yellow striped shirt climbing on a wooden play structure in a sunny backyard.

38 Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

These are the best gifts for 1-year-olds, recommended by parents of little ones! Many of these are Christmas or 1st birthday gift ideas that 1-year-olds can enjoy for years. Find more ideas for open-ended toys to delight your increasingly curious and mobile tot on our lists for 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds, too.

What makes Upparent gift lists unique? The baby gift ideas for 1-year-olds that you see here are submitted by regular parents in our community. You won't find a one-size-fits-all list compiled by an editor, or recommendations that seem legit but are actually paid for by brands. We're just sharing the toys and gifts that our 1-year-olds have gotten and loved, that we've discovered and are excited to give, or that are on the wish list. Help us build a list of must-have gifts for 1-year-olds by adding your picks and reviews below!


 

    Ugift College Fund Contribution

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    Carly Follett said:  It's never too early to start planning for your child's future. With Ugift, you can give a truly meaningful gift...money toward your child's education. This is a convenient service that lets you or any family member or friend contribute to your child's college savings plan.

    amzn.to

    Elefun Busy Ball Popper

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    Amanda Banta said:  Hands down, the Playskool Elefun is one of the best toys my kids have ever received. With an easy push of a baby-friendly button, lightweight hollow balls fly up from the trunk. The trunk can be positioned in different ways, allowing the balls to be recirculated back into the trunk or down to a base, giving your kid several ways to play. My older son received this for his first Christmas and it is still in our rotation of played-with toys. I plan to hold onto it for as long as possible because every toddler who comes over to play gravitates toward it.

    amzn.to

    Xylophone

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    Stephanie W. said:  This simple little toy was gifted to my daughter for her first birthday and has quickly become one of her favorites! She loves using the mallets to bang on the keys and the sound of the notes when she or I play make her light up! For 1 year olds who love music, this is a great gift idea!

    amzn.to

    Play Tent with Tunnel

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    christadiserio said:  At 1 year old your child is likely VERY active, making this folding tent tunnel the perfect gift. It'll give your child something to hide in, crawl through, and play in with plastic balls. Take it for what it's worth but my 17-month-old loves her tent tunnel. I'm the mom that sticks her head at the other side of the tunnel and has my daughter laughing hysterically before she comes through. This tunnel is a fun and interactive piece for children and parents, too.

    amzn.to

    Kidoozie Funtime Tractor

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    Kristy Pepping said:  I received this for my daughter's first birthday and am now giving one to my nephew. The one I received, I saved for when other smaller children come over to play.

    amzn.to

    LeapFrog AlphaPup

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    christadiserio said:  While your toddler walks this little dog and refines her gross motor skills, the dog will also sing its ABCs. So, the more they play with the dog, the better they will learn the alphabet and words that start with each letter. After just a few weeks of playing with this dog, my 18-month-old now knows her letters all the way through "p." It's a cute, fun and educational toy - you can't go wrong with this purchase.

    amzn.to

    Little People Music Parade Ride-On

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    Kristy Pepping said:  One-year-olds are on the move! They may not all be walking yet, but they sure do love to scoot. These rider toys let them do just that. They can use it to motor around or just sit and press light up buttons. A win-win for a toddler!

    amzn.to

    Fisher-Price Around the Town Learning Table

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    Kristy Pepping said:  Adjustable activity tables are great gifts for 1-year-olds! Every child sits up and starts walking at different ages. You can remove the legs of this table and let your child play on the floor or attach the legs and let them play standing up. It's sturdy enough while standing for even wobbly little ones to prop themselves up. Plus, there are plenty of lights, sounds and things to press to keep toddlers entertained for hours!

    amzn.to

    Fisher Price Food Truck

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    Brigitte Nohra Miller said:  This toy doubles as a kitchen and a food truck! Kids will be busy creating and cooking the food in the kitchen grill, and then selling it at the food truck window. This immersive toy is sure to spark your little one's imagination and is a great tool for practicing hands-on activities. It includes countless features for countless hours of fun time!

    amzn.to

    Melissa & Doug Stack & Count Parking Garage

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    Stephanie W. said:  These cars are the perfect size for one-year-old hands, they are brightly colored, and easily stacked! With 10 cars and 10 "levels" in the parking garage, there are so many great ways for kids to both play and learn - about counting, color-coding, etc. My daughter loves these little toys, because what 1 year old doesn't love wheels?? And best of all, I know she'll enjoy them down the road, too!

    amzn.to

    Crayola My First Markers

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    Lisa R said:  These bright toddler markers are 'ultra-washable' and come with blunt tips that won't twist off so you can let your little one scribble to their heart's content. They make a great addition to an arts and crafts or learning themed present, and are a useful stocking stuffer!

    lilyandriver.com

    Lily & River Little Climber

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    Jaclyn Keifer said:  The little climber/Pikler triangle is a beautiful open-ended toy to promote self confidence, gross motor skills, balance control, muscle growth, and expand creativity. Our children are 18m and 5YO and love climbing around on this. Accessories: rock climbing wall and slide.

    amzn.to

    Simply Sweet Fabric Play Scarves

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    Jaclyn Keifer said:  Inspired by Waldorf Toys, play silks allow children to use their imaginations. Use them for capes, dress up, doll blankets, costumes and accessories, and more! Bundle comes with 6 bright colors; red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and pink. Loved by both boys and girls. Your children will love to dance, move, and dress up with these scarves.

    amzn.to

    Fat Brain Toys Dimpl

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    A small, handheld sensory toy with colorful, flexible silicone bubbles. Pressing these bubbles creates a satisfying popping sensation, engaging children's senses and promoting fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration.

    lakeshorelearning.com

    See-Inside Sorting Bucket

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    Stephanie W. said:  A sorting bucket may seem like a cliche toddler gift idea, but kids love them and they can be entertained for long periods of time by them! My daughter has one and is just starting to get the hang of how to sort the different shapes. In the meantime, she has loved just taking the top off and putting the pieces in and out of the bucket. She also loves carrying it around on her arm and putting other toys inside!

Primary photo:   Alexander Dummer on Unsplash

Upparent collects community-submitted recommendations and reviews, and any ideas that are shared reflect the opinions of individual contributors.