Your little one’s first birthday is an important and exciting milestone! We understand the importance of finding products that are not only safe and practical but also keep your baby engaged and entertained. In this round-up, we've handpicked the best gifts for 1-year-olds that are sure to bring joy to both babies and parents alike. From colorful toys to interactive books, we've done the research so you can make informed choices and create memorable moments with your little bundle of joy.
Our Best Buy
The VTech Push & Pop Bulldozer is our top pick for a gift for a 1-year-old, offering endless excitement and developmental benefits at an affordable price of $24.99. This interactive toy features a unique pop-and-drop action that captivates little ones, encouraging movement and enhancing motor skills development. With colorful balls popping up through the chimney and into the scoop bucket, children are engaged and entertained as they watch the balls return to the starting point. The chunky handle is designed for easy grasping, promoting further motor skill development, while motion sensors trigger delightful tunes that boost attention and coordination. Additionally, buttons on the bulldozer teach colors, numbers, phrases, and music, providing an enriching learning experience. Although some customers have noted that the handle may bend easily and balls occasionally stray from the loader, the overall benefits of this engaging toy make it an ideal choice as your child embarks on their next year of life.
In this guide
Best Gifts for 1 year old
Our Review
The MEGA BLOKS Block Toys are an ideal gift and will stimulate your child's imagination and fine motor skills. Boasting 80 robust and brightly colored building blocks, this set offers limitless potential for play and creativity. The blocks have been designed for durability and are easy for tiny hands to grasp, making stacking and creating an effortless task.
These toys are not just enjoyable but are also instrumental in boosting thinking abilities and hand-eye coordination. Other Mega Bloks toys can complement the blocks for extended playtime. The handy storage bag makes cleanup simple, and it's easy to carry the toy set wherever you go. These Block Toys are highly recommended for children 1 year old and above, making it a perfect gift for a child's 1st birthday.
What we like
- Robust, easy-to-manipulate blocks designed specifically for tiny hands.
- Fisher-Price endorsement, a leading brand for preschool building toys in the USA.
- Compatibility with all Mega Bloks building toys, adding hours of playtime and learning fun.
- Includes a reusable storage bag for easy cleanup and mobility.
Things to consider
Some users experienced difficulty pulling apart certain blocks in the set. Alternatively, some users have reported that the blocks did not stay together well, causing disappointment during building time. Overall, most customers enjoyed their purchase.
Useful product information
- Product Dimensions: 5 x 12 x 14 inches.
- Item Weight: 1 pound.
- Manufacturer Recommended Age: 12 months - 5 years.
Our Review
The Game & Learn Controller is a delightful gift for a child's first birthday! This product offers two engaging modes with plenty of hands-on activities. Ideal for children aged 1 to 3 years, it makes learning numbers, shapes, colors, and more, a fun and interactive experience.
Stimulating imagination and role-playing skills, this controller combines education with entertainment in an irresistible package.
What we like
- The light-up face video game controller comes with two musical settings: Learning and Play.
- Interactive gaming elements, like ABCD shape buttons and a directional number pad, activate engaging music, lights, and phrases.
- Introduces basics like colors, the alphabet, shapes, and numbers through catchy songs and phrases.
- Clicker disc and toggle switch provide additional fine motor play, enhancing dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
- Lets your baby pretend to "play" along without using a real video game controller.
Things to consider
Some customers reported that the toy was delivered already turned on with the sounds playing, which drained the batteries. You may need to purchase new ones soon after the toy arrives. However, most users found that their children loved the toy.
Useful product information
- Product Dimensions: 5.91 x 3.94 x 1.97 inches.
- Item Weight: 2.4 ounces.
- Manufacturer recommended age: 6 months - 3 years.
- Batteries: 3 AAA batteries required. (included).
Our Review
The M SANMERSEN Piano Mat is the perfect gift for 1-year-olds that's bound to keep them entertained. Its unique features encompass 10 piano keys and 8 instrument sounds, catering to children's auditory development while aiding them in recognizing colors, animals, and musical notes. The inclusion of the adjustable volume option makes it a practical choice for both indoor and outdoor playtime.
This piano mat isn't just engaging and educational; it's made of child-safe, soft, non-woven fabric. The foldable, lightweight design makes it a cinch to transport, making it a top pick for outings like picnics or camping trips. Powered by 3 AA batteries, the mat encourages both hand and foot play, fostering your child's sports ability and enhancing their hand-foot coordination skills. Given its long-lasting build and versatile features, this musical mat stands as an ideal gift choice for boys and girls and will last your child for years to come.
What we like
- 10 piano keys and 8 instrument sounds ensure a varied musical experience.
- Adjustable volume ensures comfort both indoors and outdoors.
- Child-friendly, soft, foldable fabric material.
- Encourages multiple aspects of child development including auditory perception, color and animal recognition, and motor skills.
Things to consider
One potential downside of the M SANMERSEN Piano Mat is some reported issues with button and mat alignment. This means that certain keys may not function as expected when pressed. While this can be seen as a minor inconvenience, it is worth considering before purchase.
Useful product information
- Product Dimensions: 40 x 14 x 1 inches.
- Item Weight: 10.6 ounces.
Our Review
The VTech Push & Pop Bulldozer is a captivating and interactive toy that keeps little ones endlessly entertained--perfect as a first birthday present! This bulldozer, with its unique pop-and-drop feature, motivates movement and promotes motor skills development in your child. As the vibrant balls pop up through the chimney and into the scoop bucket before returning to start, your little builder will be mesmerized.
Small hands find it easy to push thanks to the chunky handle while the in-built motion sensors trigger enjoyable tunes, boosting attention and coordination. Additionally, learning about colors, numbers, and music has never been more fun thanks to the buttons on the bulldozer, creating an enriching learning experience. This construction push toy makes the ideal first birthday gift for those tiny explorers and learners.
What we like
- Chunky push handle is designed to be easily grasped, promoting motor skill development for toddlers.
- Colorful balls, popping out of the chimney into the bucket, ensure endless amusement and stimulate engagement.
- Buttons on the bulldozer teach colors, numbers, phrases, and music, fostering early cognitive development.
- Motion-induced fun tunes and songs captivate the children and help improve their attention and coordination.
Things to consider
A few customers have pointed out that the handle of this toy can bend easily, which might pose a challenge for toddlers who are still mastering the art of walking. Although the balls are meant to land back in the loader, sometimes they go astray, requiring some tidying up.
Useful product information
- Product Dimensions: 6.18 x 6.18 x 6.3 inches.
- Item Weight: 2.48 pounds.
- Manufacturer recommended age: 12 months - 3 years.
- Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included).
Our Review
The Hape Pound & Tap Bench makes a great first birthday gift! It is an essential musical toy for toddlers aged 12 months to 3 years. This multifaceted instrument presents a unique audio experience with its slide-out xylophone and solid wooden mallet. It permits kids to experiment with varied notes and sounds, either by dropping balls on the keys or composing their tunes. The bench not only exposes children to early music education but also fosters the cultivation of crucial motor skills like dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Additionally, it prompts the acquisition of problem-solving abilities, logical reasoning, and cause-and-effect understanding. With its smooth surfaces, rounded edges, and durable materials, this vibrant playpiece assures safety and longevity. It grabs the attention of little tots with its vibrant rainbow colors and shapes. Furthermore, its multiple awards underscore its exceptional quality and unique design. Overall, it serves as a versatile and stimulating toy that encourages musical and motor skill development in a safe, enjoyable environment, and will entertain your child for years to come!
What we like
- The many ways to use it ensure limitless exploration and musical creativity.
- Fosters dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and manipulation, contributing to essential motor skill development.
- By letting toddlers pound and tap, they develop their musical skills, audio recognition, and learn through play.
- Made with child-safe materials, including non-toxic water-based paint and finishes, to guarantee a secure playtime experience.
Things to consider
Although the discussed product is an excellent overall toy, some parents have found the xylophone section slightly small. The closeness of the keys might occasionally cause a ball or two to get stuck, which can be frustrating for toddlers. If your child is easily frustrated, you may want to consider an alternative option.
Useful product information
- Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 5.3 x 5.9 inches.
- Item Weight: 2.67 pounds.
- Manufacturer recommended age: 12 months - 3 years.
Our Review
The GUND My First Sports Bag is a wonderful birthday gift to introduce little ones to the world of sports from a tender age. This delightful 5-piece set includes four sensory-stimulating plush sporting balls and a soft, sizeable duffel bag for storage. The toys – a crinkling soccer ball, a rattling football, a squeaky basketball, and a plush baseball with sound – engage and entertain, aiding the development of dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
The plush duffel bag makes tidying up after playtime a simple task. Furthermore, the set's machine-washable nature guarantees easy cleaning. The toy set is created with baby safety in mind, making the playset a prime option for a first birthday gift.
What we like
- Each toy's design captivates young children while encouraging cognitive and motor skill development.
- Machine-washable due to its high-quality construction, providing effortless cleaning.
- Plush duffel bag keeps all toys neat and within easy reach, ensuring excellent organization.
- The thoughtful and interactive nature of the playset makes it a fantastic gift choice for baby showers and first birthdays.
Things to consider
Some customers found the sports balls smaller than they expected. Despite being specifically designed for infants and 1-year-olds, the set can appear more suited for a newborn than a 12-month-old child. Nonetheless, its petite dimensions do not detract from its cute and high-quality appeal.
Useful product information
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 3.5 inches.
- Item Weight: 5.6 ounces.
- Manufacturer Recommended Age: 6 months and up.
Our Review
The Melissa & Doug Old MacDonald's Farm Book is a captivating and interactive board book designed to entertain your little one for hours. Comprising a robust 20-page design, this book is perfect for little hands and is sure to make a beloved first birthday gift. Unique to this book are the click-to-count buttons that make fulfilling "clicks" and "pops" as your child counts down the animals on Old MacDonald's Farm.
Apart from encouraging counting skills, it also aids language development and fine motor skills. The patented Pop-a-Tronic technology provides a unique experience for kids. By poking the dots from the front or the back, with pages either raised or flat, children can find new popping sounds. This book makes an excellent addition to your child's library and is a perfect birthday gift.
What we like
- Interactive 20-page board book with engaging buttons to press and "pop."
- Enjoyable countdown from 10 cows to 1 rooster, in sync with the Old MacDonald's Farm song.
- Aids language development, counting, and fine motor skills.
- Dots emit varying clicking and popping sounds adding to the fun.
Things to consider
Some reviews express disappointment due to stuck bubbles on a few pages that do not pop. Similarly, some customers faced issues with the book’s binding, which either broke or fell apart shortly after purchase. Using the book carefully will help ensure it lasts for continued use.
Useful product information
- Product Dimensions: 9.25 x 7.25 x 1.35 inches.
- Item Weight: 2.1 pounds.
- Manufacturer recommended age: 12 months - 5 years.