Your baby is growing! Whether it’s holidays coming up or a birthday, choosing the right toys for a 1 year old is not an easy task! It’s a new world of toys and gadgets and will they actually use it? Will it be exciting? If it’s exciting you’re looking for, anything will do. If you want to know what to give a little one near their first year of life, we’ve got you covered with some great ideas which will be a great success.
Gross motor skills
Near the end of the first year babies are working on pulling up to stand, standing, kneeling and climbing. Some, are even about to start walking so, here are our top picks:
- Stand-up with support toys like a musical table, an activity cube or a kid size kitchen.
- Montessori climbing set: for those super energetic ones who try to climb everything!
- Push toys: Your baby stands behind it and uses the handle to pull up to stand and take some baby steps on their own, supported by the built-in mechanism that prevents it from rolling away. (This isn’t the same thing as a walker, which is a container)
- Pushable tricycle: kiddos need to hold their body up in these trikes, unlike with a stroller where they lay back and relax. They’ll love going on walks with these and when they grow up they’ll be able to pedal!
- Balance bike: this can be another great alternative to the pushable tricycle. But they probably won’t use it for a few more months.
- Balls: Balls are great to work on all the body muscles. Throwing them works the arms, fetching them encourages crawling or walking!
Cognitive skills
When they’re not busy trying out their bodies possibilities, they might sit still for a few moments, so here are some great alternatives to foster problem solving skills, exploration and love for reading:
- Open ended toys like wooden blocks, stacking cups, silky scarves, magnatiles. Open-ended means they can be used in multiple ways. So the stacking cups for example can be used for stacking, for classifying, for rolling, for scooping, for pretend play, etc.
- Shape sorting toys: these are the age appropriate puzzles!
- Board books: looking at images, pointing to known objects or animals and hearing an adult read to them will help them develop language.
Sensory play
Babies love sensory play! It’s key to help them process sensory input through touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight. The following items will be a great addition to your home to encourage your little ones tactile exploration!
- Sand box
- Water play table: add elements for pouring and transferring. Maybe even set up a car wash or toy bath time!
- Sand & water play table: mix water and sand and it’s a whole new sensation! These are great for other elements too.
- Beach toys: if you have a beach nearby, beach toys like pales, shovels, rakes, funnels will be a great gift!
Musical play
One-year-olds are starting to discover music and rhythm! They can now play instruments, or dance while they’re standing. These musical toys are must-haves:
- Music table
- Instruments
Social-emotional and language skills
Emotional bonds with toys begin at this time too! So make sure your little one has something they love which they can bring life to through role and pretend play. Before you know it they’ll be feeding them, bathing them, putting them to bed, talking to them and putting them in some seriously dramatic situations.
- Stuffed animals
- Toy animals or figures
- Dolls
- Cars
