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Watching a 1 year old explore the world is a joyful experience. At this age, babies are curious, energetic, and developing rapidly, walking, talking, and experimenting with cause and effect. Choosing the right toys can make a huge difference in supporting their motor skills, cognitive growth, and sensory development. According to the NHS, supervised play with a variety of textures, colours, and sounds is crucial for early development.
In this guide, I’ve tested and reviewed the best toys for 1 year olds, considering safety, educational value, and fun factor. You’ll find detailed reviews, a comparison table, and practical buying tips to help you choose toys that are both entertaining and developmentally beneficial. From ride ons to stacking toys, soft dolls, and sensory games, these selections encourage curiosity, coordination, and imaginative play.
Whether you’re looking for a gift or a toy to engage your toddler at home, this guide highlights options that combine safety, learning, and enjoyment, making playtime meaningful and worry free.
As your child approaches their second birthday, you might also be interested in exploring our expert picks for 2 year olds
Top Picks Comparison Table
| Product Name | Key Features | Price Range | Why I Recommend It |
| Linkimals Cool Beats Penguin | Musical, lights, interactive | £45–£55 | Engaging, encourages dancing and music interaction |
| Wheelybug Ride On Ladybird | Smooth ride, sturdy, safe | £70–£85 | Promotes gross motor skills and balance |
| Clementoni Soft Clemmy Touch | Soft, stackable, sensory blocks | £25–£35 | Perfect for tactile exploration and early construction |
| Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Grocery Cart | Sturdy wooden cart, shape sorting, pretend play | £50–£60 | Promotes motor skills, color recognition, and imaginative play |
| Jaques of London Noah’s Ark Toy | Wooden animals, safe paint | £30–£40 | Classic, encourages imaginative play |
| Poppy the Count & Stack Flower Pot | Stacking, colour recognition, soft | £20–£30 | Helps hand eye coordination and learning numbers |
| LAMAZE Octotunes | Musical, colourful, sensory textures | £25–£35 | Supports auditory and tactile development |
| Peter Rabbit Wooden Pull Along Toy | Pull along, wooden, safe | £20–£30 | Encourages walking and coordination |
| VTech First Steps Baby Walker | Interactive, walking support, lights | £50–£60 | Supports early walking skills and curiosity |
| Little Bird Told Me Dexter Dog Push Along | Push toy, interactive | £25–£35 | Helps walking skills, encourages movement |
| Scuttlebug 3 Wheel Foldable Ride On Tricycle | Foldable, ride on, sturdy | £85–£100 | Long term use, develops balance and motor skills |
| Little Bird Told Me Rocking Donkey – Norbert | Rocking toy, soft, safe | £35–£45 | Fun, gentle movement, encourages balance |
| Kinderkraft Halley Scooter | 3 wheel, adjustable, colourful | £60–£75 | Outdoor play, gross motor skills development |
| In the Night Garden Talking Soft Toys | Interactive, soft, audio | £25–£35 | Familiar characters, promotes comfort and engagement |
| Baby Annabell Little Sweet Princess Doll | Soft doll, outfit, imaginative play | £30–£40 | Encourages pretend play and nurturing skills |
How I Picked These
I selected toys based on safety, educational value, durability, and engagement. All products meet UK safety standards (EN71) and are suitable for toddlers aged 12–24 months. Soft materials, non toxic paints, and sturdy construction were key priorities.
From a parent perspective, I also considered ease of cleaning, storage, and multi stage usability. Toys that grow with the child or offer multiple ways to play are particularly valuable.
Parent Tip: Toys that encourage walking, stacking, or imaginative play help build both physical and cognitive skills while keeping toddlers entertained.
Best Toys for 1 Year Olds
Linkimals Cool Beats Penguin
A lively penguin that dances and lights up to cheerful tunes, encouraging toddlers to move, groove, and build gross motor skills. Durable plastic ensures safe play, while its interactive features keep children entertained. Batteries are needed for full functionality, combining music, lights, and movement for endless fun.
Pros:
- Encourages dancing and movement
- Musical and interactive
- Durable and safe design
Cons:
- Requires batteries
Best For: Music loving toddlers who enjoy active and sensory play.
Wheelybug Ride On Ladybird
A sturdy ladybird shaped ride on that helps toddlers improve balance and coordination. Smooth wheels glide across indoor floors, while the safe, durable construction builds confidence and independence. Encourages exploration and active movement, making it an ideal choice for little ones learning to walk.
Pros:
- Promotes balance and coordination
- Smooth ride on various surfaces
- Safe and durable
Cons:
- Requires indoor space
Best For: Active toddlers developing walking confidence.
Clementoni Soft Clemmy Touch
Soft, colorful blocks designed for tactile exploration and early construction play. Encourages creativity, problem solving, and fine motor development. Perfect for small hands, these blocks are safe to squish, stack, and explore indoors, offering a versatile and imaginative play experience for curious toddlers.
Pros:
- Soft, safe, and colorful
- Encourages construction and imagination
- Easy for tiny hands to grasp
Cons:
- Not suitable for outdoor play
Best For: Sensory and early building skills development.
Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Grocery Cart
A fun and educational wooden grocery cart for toddlers that combines shape sorting, matching, and pretend play. Its sturdy construction and smooth wheels make it easy to push, while the 16-piece set encourages fine motor skills, color recognition, and imaginative play. Perfect for toddlers learning through interactive play.
Pros:
- Combines sorting, matching, and pretend play
- Durable wooden construction with non-toxic finishes
- Encourages fine motor skills and early learning
Cons:
- Fixed handle height may not suit taller toddlers
- Best for younger toddlers; older children may outgrow it quickly
Best For: Parents looking for an engaging, developmental toy that blends fun with learning for toddlers.
Jaques of London Noah’s Ark Toy
A wooden ark with painted animals, sparking storytelling and imaginative play. High quality, child safe materials ensure durability, while the toy encourages role play and creativity. Though it provides limited sensory stimulation, it’s perfect for introducing toddlers to classic imaginative play.
Pros:
- High quality wooden construction
- Encourages storytelling and creativity
- Timeless design
Cons:
- Limited sensory stimulation
Best For: Imaginative and role playing fun.
Poppy the Count & Stack Flower Pot
Stackable flower pots that teach colors, numbers, and hand eye coordination. Soft, safe materials help toddlers develop fine motor skills while introducing early numeracy. Small pieces require supervision, but the toy combines learning and play, keeping toddlers engaged and curious.
Pros:
- Educational stacking and counting
- Soft and safe
- Promotes motor skills
Cons:
- Small pieces can be lost
Best For: Learning early numbers, colors, and coordination.
LAMAZE Octotunes
A multi textured, musical toy that stimulates tactile and auditory senses. Soft fabrics, varied textures, and fun sounds encourage curiosity and sensory development. Though it’s not designed for gross motor or ride on play, it provides engaging, multi sensory stimulation for babies.
Pros:
- Promotes sensory development
- Encourages auditory and tactile exploration
- Soft and colorful
Cons:
- Not a gross motor toy
Best For: Sensory and auditory play for curious toddlers.
Peter Rabbit Wooden Pull Along Toy
A classic pull along toy motivating toddlers to walk and improve coordination. Durable wooden construction with smooth edges ensures safe play. While limited in interactive features, it’s ideal for supporting early walking skills and encouraging active indoor movement.
Pros:
- Supports walking and coordination
- Durable wooden construction
- Safe edges
Cons:
- Limited interactive features
Best For: Encouraging walking and mobility development.
VTech First Steps Baby Walker
An interactive walker with lights, sounds, and activities that stimulate curiosity while supporting walking skills. Durable and safe, it helps toddlers develop coordination and confidence. Batteries are needed, but the combination of mobility and interactive play keeps children engaged.
Pros:
- Supports walking and coordination
- Interactive lights and sounds
- Durable and safe
Cons:
- Requires batteries
Best For: Toddlers learning to walk with interactive stimulation.
Little Bird Told Me Dexter Dog Push Along
A lightweight push toy that builds walking confidence and coordination. Its dog shaped design engages toddlers and encourages independent movement. While limited in sensory features, it’s easy for little hands to push and enjoy, promoting active play indoors.
Pros:
- Encourages walking and coordination
- Lightweight and easy to push
- Fun design
Cons:
- Limited sensory features
Best For: Active toddlers developing walking and balance skills.
Scuttlebug 3 Wheel Foldable Ride On Tricycle
A foldable tricycle suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Promotes balance, coordination, and motor skills while growing with the child. Slightly higher priced, but its durability and versatility make it a long lasting investment for active play.
Pros:
- Foldable and portable
- Promotes balance and motor skills
- Long term usability
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
Best For: Indoor and outdoor active play for growing toddlers.
Little Bird Told Me Rocking Donkey – Norbert
A gentle rocking toy that develops balance and coordination while providing fun. Soft, safe edges ensure secure play. Perfect for indoor use, it offers toddlers a soothing way to engage in active movement safely.
Pros:
- Encourages balance and coordination
- Soft and safe
- Fun design
Cons:
- Indoor use only
Best For: Gentle rocking and balance play.
Kinderkraft Halley Scooter
A three wheel scooter designed for outdoor balance and gross motor skill development. Adjustable and colorful, it’s sturdy and safe for toddlers learning movement control. Requires outdoor space and supervision for safe use, making it ideal for energetic children.
Pros:
- Adjustable and colorful
- Promotes gross motor skills
- Safe and sturdy
Cons:
- Requires outdoor space
Best For: Outdoor active play and coordination development.
In the Night Garden Talking Soft Toys
Soft toys featuring In the Night Garden characters, offering auditory engagement and comfort. Promotes imaginative play and sensory development while being soft and safe to cuddle. Batteries are required, but toddlers enjoy familiar characters during storytime or play.
Pros:
- Comforting and engaging
- Soft and safe
- Promotes auditory learning
Cons:
- Batteries required
Best For: Character play, sensory stimulation, and comfort.
Baby Annabell Little Sweet Princess Doll
A soft, cuddly doll designed for nurturing and imaginative play. Encourages empathy, creativity, and role playing skills. Comes with outfits for extra fun, though movement is limited. Ideal for toddlers exploring social and emotional development through pretend scenarios.
Pros:
- Encourages pretend play
- Soft and cuddly
- Easy to handle
Cons:
- Limited movement
Best For: Nurturing and imaginative role play.
Buyer’s Guide: What to Consider Before Buying
When selecting toys for 1 year olds, focus on:
- Safety: Non toxic materials, no sharp edges, and age appropriate design (NHS Toy Safety Advice)
- Developmental Value: Encourages motor skills, sensory stimulation, and imaginative play
- Durability: Toys that withstand chewing, tossing, and frequent use
- Ease of Cleaning: Machine washable or wipeable materials
- Engagement: Interactive, colourful, or musical features
Pro Tip: When I shopped, I wished I prioritised toys that encourage walking, stacking, and imaginative play simultaneously. They provide more developmental benefits and keep toddlers engaged longer.
As your baby transitions from 6 to 12 months, their play preferences evolve. Our 6-12 months guide offers tailored recommendations for this stage.
Safety & Extra Tips
Always supervise toddlers during play, especially with ride ons or stacking toys. Ensure batteries are securely inserted, small parts are out of reach, and toys are used on appropriate surfaces.
Expert Tip: Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest and challenge skills. This prevents boredom and supports ongoing development.
FAQs
What type of toys are best for 1 year olds?
Toys that support motor skills, sensory exploration, and imaginative play are ideal.
Are ride on toys safe for indoor use?
Yes, but only on flat, uncluttered surfaces and with supervision.
How can I ensure toys are safe?
Check age guidelines, material safety, and UK certifications like EN71.
How often should toddlers play with interactive toys?
Short, supervised sessions throughout the day, adjusted for attention span.
Can soft dolls and plush toys help development?
Yes, they encourage nurturing, role play, and social emotional growth.
For insights into toys that support the earliest milestones, check out our guide for newborns to 6-month olds
Conclusion
For active and musical play, the Linkimals Cool Beats Penguin is a standout choice. For imaginative and nurturing development, the Baby Annabell Little Sweet Princess Doll is a strong all rounder.
I know choosing the right toys can feel hard, but this guide helps you select safe, engaging, and developmentally beneficial options, ensuring your toddler enjoys play while learning new skills.
