The 10 Best Toys and Gifts for 1-Year-Olds

Dear Zoo: A Lift-the-Flap Book ($5, originally $8)

While there's no shortage of interactive books to choose from, "Dear Zoo" is a tried-and-true favorite among 1-year-olds. Its lift-the-flap format, playful illustrations, and repetitive storyline make it one of the rare reads that actually holds their attention from start to finish (and then all over again and again).

What Reviewers Say: "Many children's toys and books can be overstimulating nowadays, but this book is truly a classic. Featuring simple, clear text/illustrations and lift a flap on every page, this book has quickly become one of my 12-month-old's favorites. The layout of the book supports language development, giving many prompts for your toddler to fill in the blank. It's one of the only books we have that keeps my daughter's interest until the very last page. It's a must-have for your collection if you have a 12-18 month old!"

Melissa & Doug First Bead Maze ($19)

This colorful bead maze features 18 multi-shaped wooden beads and three plastic rings to spin and slide. It keeps little ones busy (and mesmerized!) while building their sensory skills, fine motor coordination, and focus.

What Reviewers Say: "This small and compact bead maze is perfect for little ones' first experience with this type of toy. My 1-year-old grandson loves it and carries it around from room to room with him. When he is in his playpen, I put it in there with him, and he is very content playing with it. He loves the way the beads move up, down and all over."

Hape Pound & Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone ($28, originally $30)

This toy is a great way to introduce your toddler to music. It comes with a wooden mallet, three colorful balls, and a slide-out xylophone. Sure, they can pound the balls like drums or play the keys like a soloist, but they'll probably invent 15 more ways to play with it.

What Reviewers Say: "I bought this for my 10-month-old daughter for Christmas, and she's loved it! At first, she would just push the balls in with her hand, and now, at 12 months, she's learning to use the hammer, and she loves practicing with it! You can also take out the xylophone, so it's like two toys in one!"

MEGA BLOKS First Builders Toddler Blocks Toys Set ($30)

Few toys are as classic as building blocks, and this set is designed to be their very first. The pieces are oversized, so there's no choking hazard to worry about, and it comes with a whopping 150 blocks, meaning even if a few go missing, there's still plenty left to play with. Add in the convenient storage bag with a handle for easy cleanup, and it's no surprise this set has a low return rate among Amazon shoppers.

What Reviewers Say: "Keeps my toddler entertained all day! She has millions of toys, but these blocks are what she always comes back to play with. They're a good size, so I don't see it as a choking hazard. There are so many pieces that even if you lose some, it doesn't really make a difference. The quality of the blocks is good, too. They've been thrown around, jumped on etc., and they're still holding up."

Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart Push Toy and Puzzles ($37, originally $75)

This 16-piece wooden set is pretend-play perfection. Toddlers can fill the cart, sort colorful shapes through the sides, drop them into puzzle boards, spin the roller drum, or carry around the tiniest wooden coffee cup. It's a great pick if you're looking for one toy with lots of play possibilities.

What Reviewers Say: "I bought this item for my grandson as a safe and fun gift for his 1st birthday. It was a hit! He is still having fun with it a year later, and I am sure he will continue to play with it for some time. The first thing that's fun is pushing it around, and then, as he grows, the puzzles and shapes also become a fun activity."

Gund Baby Flappy The Elephant Musical Stuffed Animal ($40)

How adorable is this elephant-shaped stuffed animal? At first glance, it might look like your average plush toy, but it's secretly interactive. Press its right foot to hear a sweet song, or tap the left and it'll flap its ears for a game of peekaboo.

What Reviewers Say: "I've bought this for three babies now, and each of them is absolutely in love with it! One of them has been taken over by the baby's four-year-old sister. She can't get enough of it! If it's not apparent from the product details, the elephant flaps its ears to the song or while playing peekaboo. I would highly recommend this for the little ones in your life!"

Fisher-Price Little People Toddler Learning Toy Caring for Animals Farm Playset ($43)

This interactive barn is part of the brand's Smart Stages line, which means it's designed to grow with your toddler. From feeding the pig to swinging open the barn doors to grooving along to the music, there's always something new to explore, depending on where they're at in their development.

What Reviewers Say: ""We bought this for our daughter when she turned one, and a year later, she still plays with it almost every day. It was such a hit in our house that we gifted the same set to our friend for his birthday. Good quality. No signs of wear, even with a rough toddler playing with it daily."

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Around The Town Learning Table ($46)

This toy looks and feels like pure fun, but it's secretly packed with learning moments. It helps little ones explore the alphabet, opposites, numbers, colors, shapes, animals, greetings — even Spanish words! Like the barn toy above, it features Fisher-Price's Smart Stages technology, so it keeps up with your child as they grow.

What Reviewers Say: ""We bought this for our daughter when she turned one, and a year later, she still plays with it almost every day. It was such a hit in our house that we gifted the same set to our friend for his birthday. Good quality. No signs of wear, even with a rough toddler playing with it daily."

Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Toddler Water Table ($80, originally $90)

A water table is a must-have for summer, especially when you're trying to coax kids outside. This one features two tiers for extra splashing space as they grow, and while they might need a parent's help at first, the built-in waterfall and floating toys are basically guaranteed to bring on the smiles.

What Reviewers Say: "I had reviewed all water tables and decided on this one. I have no regrets about this purchase whatsoever! My toddler (20-month-old) absolutely loves it and stays entertained for a while, especially since we bought the water pump. I can't wait to see both my babies playing with it next summer."

Best Choice Products 5-Piece Kids Climb & Crawl Soft Foam Block Activity Play Structure ($100, originally $110)

If you're looking to level up your 1-year-old's play space, soft blocks they can climb, stack, and crawl over are a solid pick. There are tons out there, but this set stands out for being both budget-friendly and highly rated. It includes five blocks in different sizes — and if you really want to spark their imagination, there's even a version shaped and colored like sweet treats.

What Reviewers Say: "Absolutely love these! My daughter was gifted them around 12 months old; she wasn't walking yet, but she climbed all over them! We are still using them daily, and she is four! My four and three year old are currently using them to play the floor is lava, jumping from block to block; they use them to make obstacle courses all the time, use the wedge as a car track, lounge of the different pieces, stack them up, literally constantly playing with the same set for years now."

Marisa Petrarca (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has over seven years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. She was previously the senior beauty editor at Grazia USA and the style and beauty editor at Us Weekly. Now freelancing, her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, Marie Claire, and more.