Best Toys & Gifts for 1-Year-Olds (Parent Picks!)

Erin P.:  This is such a fun set of musical instruments! The little one in your life will have endless fun with the drumsticks, castanets, tambourine and more. This is a great set of toys for the grown-ups to get down on the floor and play right alongside the kids!

Erin P.:  These awesome sippy cups have been such a hit in our house, and are great, practical gifts for 1-year-olds! They are perfect for taking anywhere since they don't spill or leak. They are also a good way for children to learn the mechanics of drinking out of a cup. And (perhaps most importantly!), they are easy to clean! They are dishwasher safe and do not have any extra valves or pieces.

Lisa R:  Every week my daughter attends an under 2 playgroup, and every week this is the hot item that all the babies are eyeing. Sure there are plenty of other push toys available, but you just can't beat having something that looks exactly like the real thing. We had other types of push carts at home, but they tipped over or slid forward too quickly when my daughter was just learning to walk, and then she quickly lost interest once she mastered them. Not so with this shopping cart, which is stable, easy to steer, and offers years of imaginative play.

Kristy Pepping:  I had this toy as a child and it's still around for kids to enjoy today! Little kids love to pull toys around the house. The phone also helps with learning numbers and colors.

Kelly R.:  A set of high-quality building blocks will last a child for years, inspiring a whole variety of open-ended creative play and learning. We love this set of 60 natural-finished wooden blocks from Melissa & Doug, and it comes with a wooden tray for storage.

Stephanie W.:  The convenience is explained in the name - this personalized chair can go anywhere! It's great for toddlers who want to sit on their own but aren't quite ready for a grown up chair, and it's comfortable too! The perfect spot to read a book or have a snack.

Kristy Pepping:  Little People have been around for a while now and they are still a great toy for kids. Over time they have changed the Little People to be larger and safer for little ones. There are so many accessories like this farm, an airplane and other houses to use along with the Little People.

Beth Wood:  This is a classic toddler toy that an early (or soon-to-be) walker can operate on their own, while toting around their favorite belongings. The walker has a push feature that allows beginning walkers to build confidence and balance. The wooden sides are removable, and a furniture friendly bumper protects your home.

Lisa R:  There are a lot of play tunnels on the market, and while most are marketed specifically for older kids, I've seen plenty of under-2s enjoying them. The tunnels easily collapse into a flat, compact package for storage or transport. It is a great toy for the park or playgroup as a quick, no-fail way to meet new friends. Throw it in the car and take it to grandma's. This is a great toy to have tucked away in the closet for a rainy day.

Vanessa M.:  One year olds love to learn about cause and effect! As little ones drop the balls into the hole, they are rewarded with fun sounds and music as they watch the colorful balls pop into the back of the dump truck! The string allows toddlers to pull their truck along behind them.

Jennie Utsinger:  Perfect for 1 year olds (though my 3- and 6-year-olds enjoy it just as much!), the Mozart Magic Cube plays 8 different Mozart pieces. The orchestra button includes all instruments, or little hands can tap on one instrument at once to hear the harp, french horn, piano, flute or violin. The new design features rounded corners so that your baby can easily roll it across the floor.

Lisa R:  Here is another under-2 perennial playgroup favorite. If all this toy involved was six colorful eggs sitting in a bright yellow box, it would probably be enough. However, each egg also comes with a unique face and bottom to help kids learn shapes, matching, and fine motor skills. The eggs also squeak when you press them down.

This fun activity center gives little ones many things to do and many different ways to do them. Toddlers love moving the beads and shapes for hours of fun learning and exploration.

Amanda Banta:  Hands down, the Playskool Elefun is one of the best toys my kids have ever received. With an easy push of a baby-friendly button, lightweight hollow balls fly up from the trunk. The trunk can be positioned in different ways, allowing the balls to be recirculated back into the trunk or down to a base, giving your kid several ways to play. My older son received this for his first Christmas and it is still in our rotation of played-with toys. I plan to hold onto it for as long as possible because every toddler who comes over to play gravitates toward it.

Carly Follett:  It's never too early to start planning for your child's future. With Ugift, you can give a truly meaningful gift...money toward your child's education. This is a convenient service that lets you or any family member or friend contribute to your child's college savings plan.