As someone who just celebrated their baby’s first birthday, I can attest to how fast time truly flies during your little one’s first year. From the first time they sleep through the night (if you’re lucky!) and starting solids to watching them learn to roll, crawl, and maybe even walk, there are so many wonderful milestones to experience. And then, in a blink, they’re 1 and suddenly your baby seems like a toddler who’s ready to explore and play in much bigger ways. Because of this, you might be looking for recommendations for the best gifts for 1-year-olds as they enter this fun new stage. Lucky for you, I’ve put together a tried-and-true list of favorites below!
Whether you’re shopping for your child’s first birthday, picking out holiday gifts, or simply need toy suggestions to send to grandparents for gifting at any time, this list has it all. Many of the presents I chose are items I’ve bought for my 1-year-old daughter and have since played with over and over. Others are gifts we’ve been given from friends and family that have been a total hit with my kiddo. Or, some are things I’ve looked at online that I know my 1-year-old would adore. The list includes toys, books, and other extra-special presents at many different price points, too. No matter the occasion or your budget, you’re sure to find the perfect gifts for any 1-year-old girl or boy in your life with this roundup!
How We Chose These Gifts
There are moms with kids of all ages on The Everymom team. They’ve conquered the baby phase, changed all the diapers, and celebrated first birthdays. On top of that, our team is always on the hunt for the best products for kids, moms, and families. That includes safe and engaging toys that promote imaginative play. If there’s a new must-have, must-try, or must-see item in the kids or parenting space, we’re on it. We combine real-life experience with knowing the current trends. That allows us to put together a well-rounded list of the best gifts for 1-year-olds.
What to Look For in a Gift for a 1-Year-Old
Gifts for 1-year-olds should be engaging, developmentally-appropriate, and, most importantly, safe for little ones. From introducing letters and colors to working on those fine and gross motor skills—and some that are just plain cute—this list includes presents sure to delight any little one you’re looking to spoil. Plus, we’ve rounded up plenty of handmade and personalized options sure to be cherished keepsakes by the whole family.
Creating a dedicated play space for imaginative and independent play is also essential for a child’s cognitive and social development. Because they’re still so little, 1-year-olds don’t know the difference between big-ticket items and smaller presents. Going smaller doesn’t mean compromising on fun, functionality, or personality. And then splurging on them every now and then is a treat! That’s why we’ve selected both budget-friendly finds under $50 as well as some investment options. Keep reading for 36 of the best gifts for 1-year-olds in 2026!
Featured Gift Picks
Celebrate your baby turning 1 with a reminder of just how special they are with this sweet personalized fabric crown. The photos of them wearing this will be cherished keepsakes! Then, use this accessory for dress-up and imaginative play after their first birthday.
many colors available
Tonies are a super popular gift for kids of all ages. So why not start their collection with this adorable ‘My First’ farm animals set?! Engage your little in adorably fun (and screen-free) interactive play with barnyard sounds and songs. Looking for more info? Read our full review of the Tonieox 2 here!
3 colors available
The Lovevery Play Kits are some of my 1-year-old daughter’s very favorite toys. Created to be developmentally appropriate for specific ages, this ‘Thinker’ kit includes seven toys perfect for kids at age 1 who are learning hand-eye coordination, object permanence, problem-solving, and more skills.
I can attest that the PBK My First Anywhere Chair is a gift that stands the test of time. A personalized gift showcasing your little’s name is always special, and you’ll love taking photos of your kiddo in this chair as they grow.
3 colors available
At age 1, my daughter isn’t quite walking yet—but, boy, does she love to practice with this push toy! Its big, rubber wheels, grippy handle, and heavy metal wagon base make it a sturdy walker that’s easy for 1-year-olds to use both inside and outdoors. They will love this—trust me!
many colors available
Manhattan Toy’s Love, Stella doll is a beloved classic for a reason. Give a little one their first “baby” at this age and watch as they grow and foster emotional growth.
My daughter was gifted this board book as a first birthday gift and we have adored reading it ever since. Follow along with baby versions of the Cat in the Hat, Thing One, and Thing Two as they prepare for your kiddo’s big day. Your little will love the lift-a-flaps on each page as you read!
I bought this squishy blocks set for my child’s first birthday after it came highly recommended by a mom friend. My crawling 1-year-old loves climbing all over these blocks, and it’s so fun to configure them in many different ways. If you’re looking for balls to fill the ball pit part, I recommend these.
Gifts for 1-Year-Olds Under $50
A reader and editor-favorite gift, this personalized puzzle helps little ones learn their name and can be a fun photo prop or nursery decor. The quality is really great and there are tons of colorways and design add-ons to choose from.
Like a push walker, a baby balance bike is a great gift for a 1-year-old—and this one came highly recommended to me from several mom friends and Everymom editors. Its big, rubber wheels and sturdy frame ensure your little won’t tip over as they learn to balance and ride.
many colors available
With a 1-year-old, my family is firmly in our Ms. Rachel era—and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. My daughter would be absolutely delighted by this huggable Rachel doll that plays 16+ signature phrases and four catchy songs from her hit show.
One-year-olds love musical toys and this cute Sardine-themed xylophone will help them learn hand-eye coordination, auditory skills, and rhythm.
I got these for my daughter as a first birthday gift and they’ve been a total hit! These soft-sided and colorful vehicles rev up and go—plus, they reinforce sensory, fine motor, and gross motor skills. We play with them almost daily.
I have never hit *add to cart* faster than when I first saw this online. Introduce your kiddo to the original right American Girl historical dolls—Kaya, Felicity, Josefina, Kirsten, Addy, Samantha, Kit, and Molly—with this collectible Little People set they’ll love to hold and play with. It’s fun for both you and them!
If your little one is suddenly obsessed with your work-from-home setup (mine is!), gift them their own lap desk complete with a mirrored laptop, keyboard-like buttons, a sliding wooden mouse, and more.
This personalized sweater is one of those clothing items you’ll want to hold onto long after they outgrow it. Choose from tons of sweater colors and embroidery designs to create a keepsake gift that’s both practical and precious!
This 16-piece set helps babies explore shapes and colors and practice problem-solving skills during imaginative play. Both a push walker and a shape-sorting toy, I’ve given this as a first birthday gift several times and the recipiants always love it.
Another Ms. Rachel toy had to make this list! This one features Rachel with her friends on the farm and includes phrases, songs, sounds, and more for engaging pretend play.
As your 1-year-old baby starts walking, they’re going to get extra adventurous. Feed their excitement with a pull-along companion like this sweet crocodile.
Make crawling even more exciting with a lightweight and chic play tunnel that will provide all sorts of entertainment in any space in your home.
Make the special 1-year-old in your life the star of their own storybook. Wonderbly offers plenty of personalized story options, but this Goodnight You, Goodnight Everyone book is extra adorable.
4 styles available
Ever since she turned 1, my daughter suddenly acts like a “big kid” and doesn’t always want to be strapped into her stroller. Instead, she’d love to ride through our neighborhood in style on this kids push car!
2 colors available
My daughter always reaches for this shape-sorting toy during playtime. Now that she’s 1, it’s so fun watching her start to match the block shapes to their matching spots in the box! This is a classic toy for a reason.
This developmental toy helps littles learn cause and effect through play with lights, sounds, songs, and by watching the balls as they twirl down this cute jellyfish’s tentacles. Your little guy or gal will be captivated by this!
You can’t go wrong with a set of building blocks, especially at this age. This “first builders” pack encourages creative play, early math concepts, and motor skill development.
This boxed set includes three board books in the First 100 series: First 100 Animals, Numbers, Colors, Shapes, and First 100 Words. My 1-year-old loves pointing at the colorful pictures within the books and I love that she’s learning age-appropriate vocabulary words as we read together.
If you’re up for your little getting a little (OK, a lot) messy, this finger paints set is so perfect for those first craft projects. The “ez-squeeze” bottle caps help prevent spills and the paints easily wash away from clothes and skin.
I love a good bath toy set, and this cute option from editor-favorite brand Skip Hop will provide lots of sudsy bath time entertainment! Most importantly? The pieces are easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about mold and mildew ruining the fun.
One-year-olds have so much fun with toys that stack and spin—and this one does both! Plus, it encourages hand-eye coordination, cause-and-effect learning, and sorting and counting skills.
Is there anything more adorable than watching your toddler hug and cuddle with their favorite stuffie? Gift them this oh-so-sweet keepsake bunny that can be embroidered with their name—they’ll snuggle it for years to come!
Splurge-Worthy Gifts for a 1-Year-Old
As soon as my daughter could pull herself up to standing, she absolutely loved playing with this water table. The best part? This is a big-ticket gift they’ll play with for such a long time—some of our editors say their kiddos played with theirs well into the elementary-school years!
If your 1-year-old loves pulling up and standing as much as mine does, you know they’ll have so much fun playing with this activity center complete with shape gliders, spinners, bead runs, and more. Plus, it’s a toy they’ll continue playing with well into toddlerhood.
One of my closest mom friends bought her child the Doona Liki Trike and says it’s so amazing for family walks—so I’m adding it to my 1-year-old’s Christmas list this year. We love our Doona car seat and stroller, so I know the quality of this item will be well worth the higher price tag.
6 colors available
Another great walker for your kiddo at age 1, this wooden option comes with eight Montessori toys for them to play with, too. I especially like that it has anti-slip rubber wheels and the ability to adjust the wheels’ speed to avoid falls.
2 styles available
A kid-sized table and chairs set is a classic gift for a reason. I love the thoughtful design of this one from editor-favorite brand Lalo because it’s easy to assemble and easy to clean—a win-win!
6 colors available
This beautiful elephant rocker would look so pretty in a nursery and surely entertain your kiddo at age 1 and beyond. Personalize it with their name to make it an extra-special gift.
FAQs About Gifts for 1-Year-Olds
What are the best gifts for a 1-year-old?
The best gifts for 1-year-olds are items that are safe, encourage hands-on play, and support new skills like walking, stacking, and early language. Top picks from this list include push walkers, stacking and shape-sorting toys, board books, blocks, and sensory play items. Keepsake presents are also extra-special gifts for 1-year-olds, especially if they are personalized. Options like a custom name puzzle, personalized storybook, or the Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair will be cherished for years to come.
What is a good first birthday gift for a 1-year-old?
A good first birthday gift is something the child can use right away and also grow into. Board books, a soft baby doll, building blocks, and a balance bike or push toy are all great choices for 1-year-old birthday gifts. If you want something more sentimental, try a personalized sweater, a name puzzle, or an embroidered birthday crown!
What toys are best for a 1-year-old’s development?
Look for toys that build fine and gross motor skills and encourage early problem-solving. Stacking toys, shape sorters, and ball drop toys help hand-eye coordination and are perfect for play at this age. Push walkers, pull toys, and play tunnels support walking and crawling. Musical toys and board books encourage language and listening skills—all great for a 1-year-old’s development!
How much should I spend on a gift for a 1-year-old?
You don’t need to spend much, because 1-year-olds don’t know the difference between big-ticket items and less expensive presents. Plenty of great gifts on this list cost under $50, including blocks, books, figurine play sets, musical and ride-on toys, and cute personalized options. If you’d like to splurge, a water table, activity center, the Doona Liki Trike, or a table-and-chairs set offer more long-term play value.
What are good gifts for a 1-year-old girl or boy?
The best toys for this age aren’t gendered, so you can shop by interest and developmental stage instead. Dolls, blocks, vehicles, books, puzzles, and musical toys all work well for any 1-year-old. If your child loves a certain show or character (like my daughter’s favorite, Ms. Rachel!), themed toys are also a bit hit.
What are the best experience or keepsake gifts for a 1-year-old?
If you want to gift something that lasts beyond the toy box, consider a personalized storybook, a custom name puzzle, the Pottery Barn Kids Anywhere Chair, an embroidered sweater, or a subscription-style play kit. These gifts become keepsakes and often get saved long after other toys are outgrown. Experience gifts are also great for kids at this age. Consider a membership to a local zoo, children’s museum, or play place. Or offer to pay for something like swim lessons!
What gifts should I avoid for a 1-year-old?
When shopping for a present for a 1-year-old, choose items that are safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. Avoid anything with small, detachable parts, button batteries, long cords, or sharp edges, as well as toys labeled for older ages. It’s also smart to skip very loud toys and overly-complicated gadgets (believe me, their parents will thank you!). Simple, open-ended toys are usually better for this stage and will likely still be engaging as the child grows past age 1.
Why You Can Count on Us
The Everygirl Media Group has brought valuable content to our readers for 12+ years. In 2018, The Everymom set out to ensure that all moms know they’re not alone. If you find yourself seeking advice on how to style the latest fashion trend or searching for the best kid-friendly coffee table, we have the answers. And if you’re wondering what’s actually worth it from a sale or looking for a review of the hottest new kids’ product, we’ve got that covered too. From our annual Registry Awards and beloved holiday gift guides to the shopping round-ups you find on our site every day, The Everymom commerce team is well-versed in sifting through thousands of products to curate a digestible list for you. We combine our own experience with in-depth research to bring you a selection that meets our high standards for both fashion and function.
Julia Poulter, Senior Managing Editor
With more than 10 years of editorial experience, Julia is passionate about bringing motherhood stories to life and providing moms with interesting and informative parenting content. Prior to joining The Everygirl Media Group in 2019, she served as Executive Editor at Closer Weekly. As The Everymom’s Senior Managing Editor, Julia helps manage the brand’s editorial calendar and content strategy.
