Fun and Developmental Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

This indoor/outdoor climber playset might be compact, but it doesn’t fall short on play. It’s action-packed with loads of play options: a slide, climbing wall, basketball hoop, and an outside jungle gym. The best part? It all disassembles and packs away for easy storage and transport, making it the perfect gift for those who live in an apartment or are short on space.

This fun-filled, beautifully designed learning toy is a perfect addition to any toddler’s play. Four quadrants feature nature-themed activities perfect for busy hands and developing fine motor skills!

More:The Absolute Best Toys of the Year

Back when I was a kid, heading to a play area with a ball pit was the most exciting thing I could hope for in any given week. Babies these days can experience that thrill every day with this adorable memory foam ball pit. Easy to clean (because 1-year-olds) and sure to be a hit for a long time.

They may not be ready for their first bicycle, but you can get them started on the core motor skills they’ll need with this absolutely adorable ride-on toy, available in a variety of colors.

They may not quite have the core strength for a traditional rocking toy just yet, but this adorable giraffe, with its plush seat, is a perfect first rocker. And with a weight capacity of 88 pounds, it will last them well past 1 year old.

Whether inside or outdoors, these durable, easy to assemble pieces connect to one another for a maze of imagination and fun. Whether your child is playing make-believe or just resting in a tent with a teddy, this is the perfect play spot that they’ll enjoy for years to come.

The real question is: Do they come in adult sizes?

Your little one will love creating music with their own hands and feet. Maybe you will, too. We don’t judge — we all loved that iconic scene in Big.

Each key makes its own note in one of eight different instrument sounds. As they grow older, they can enjoy the toy’s more sophisticated features, like “recording,” which will play back their latest song.

There might be a chance your 1-year-old is either walking or learning how to walk, and so a perfect gift for this time of life would be a toy shopping cart. They can pretend to be like their parents as they stack in any of the 98-pieces from this kit into the mini cart, as if they are shopping in a real grocery store.

Once they hammer down four brightly-colored balls into the maze, your child will be hypnotized, watching them zig-zag along before rolling out — and then the fun starts over again.

Not only is this gift for 1-year-olds fun, but it also encourages dexterity and hand-eye coordination and begins to teach cause and effect.

No matter what your child is doing, if you bring them anywhere near a water table they’re going to want to stop whatever they’re doing and start splashing. This gift will entertain your 1-year-old not just for hours but years.

This activity and music filled little doorway is the perfect place for your 1-year-old to play make-believe. See who’s at the door, what’s in the mailbox, or what you can whip up in the kitchen. More than 200 songs enhance the experience of helping your little one learn about colors, shapes, weather, and more.

Dare we dream this will encourage them to actually eat vegetables? Perfect for creative play and developing fine motor skills, this adorable garden allows your little one to sort fruits and vegetables into their proper spot.

Your 1-year-old is constantly learning. In fact, the degree to which they’re absorbing language right now is uncanny, especially when you consider they didn’t know they had feet until a few months ago. These charming books, available in French and Spanish, are a great way to introduce them to second languages in an entertaining and accessible way.

With six functions for your little learner, a push of a button will teach them the alphabet, numbers, colors and entertain them with lights and music. This little cube is a favorite on Amazon, with thousands of overwhelmingly positive reviews.

This set comes with 80 colorful blocks, making them perfect for your little 1-year-old builder to create anything… even though they’ll probably just wind up building a big stack of blocks.

But that’s OK! It’s an important first step and loads of fun.

We love this toy as a gift for 1-year-olds for a few reasons. For one, it’s a great way to encourage your little one to develop musical interest and ability through play. For another thing: Just look at it! How cute is this little llama? It’s room decor as entertainment — do it for the ‘Gram!

Available in both turtle and unicorn designs (honestly, you can’t go wrong) this Montessori-style toy will help your 1-year-old develop vital developmental skills like grasping, stacking, and hand-eye coordination. The rings also make great rattles!

This adorable piano is made from wood and features touch technology, no buttons or keys required! Two different modes allow your child to create their own melodies or play along with color-coded “sheets” of classical music when they’re a little older. Two-level volume control means your little Mozart can practice whenever they want without disturbing your Zoom meeting.

No one does toddler stories like Sandra Boynton, and this boxed set comes with four of her greatest hits, The Going to Bed Book; Horns to Toes; Opposites; and my personal favorite, But Not the Hippopotamus. The Big Blue Box and Green Box are also available.

Can a toddler ever really have too many pairs of pajamas? If so, we’ve yet to discover that number. Whether they’re fans of Pokémon or their nerdy parents are (no judgment), these cute little pajamas are a practical and adorable gift for 1-year-olds.