Best toys for 1 year olds

1 year-olds (13 to 24 months old) are very curious about how things work, what things do and what happens if I do this?(cause and effect). They are developing motor skills, and many will be able to walk at or soon after turning 1 year old. They are keen to explore. The best toys for 1 year olds are toys that encourage their natural curiosity, help build new skills and encourage exploration. 

Stacking toys

Simple stacking toys, such as blocks or cups, can help teach cause and effect with the action of putting the toy together and watching it fall apart. Stacking toys can also help with hand-eye coordination, development of gross motor skills and building muscle strength. Once old enough, stacking toys also help teach shape and colour recognition.

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Push and pull toys

Push and pull toys have both mental and physical benefits. The action of pushing or pulling teaches cause and effect, and spatial awareness and encourages pretend play. These items can also help build muscle strength in their arms, legs, and hands, and they require skill with coordination.

Hammering toys

Babies love to bash, smash, and throw things. Hammering toys are a great way for babies to build muscle strength and hand-eye coordination as well as encouraging concentration skills. Plus, they’re just plain fun!

Simple musical instruments

While your baby can’t yet play a proper tune yet, simple musical instruments such as tambourines, drums, or maracas are good for babies. These items help stimulate your child’s brain, build gross motor skills, help with sensory development, and can even help soothe and calm them when upset.

To see our full range of musical instruments – click here.

Soft balls

While 1 year olds won’t yet be able to throw with much aim or purpose, soft balls are a great gift for teaching cause and effect. Sitting on the floor and rolling a soft ball back and forth is a fun, safe activity, and perfect for 1 year olds who love to ‘chuck’ things.