The best toys for one year olds to keep them entertained

Perfect for messy play, the Inspire My Play Tuff Tray has removable compartments and an airtight seal lid that also doubles up as a play tray. You can create all sorts of messy play activities with sand, water, foam or even food. Or, for less mess, use the compartments to create colour-sorting activities. Great for little collections of things like shells, small rocks, buttons or beads. It may be a little underwhelming to unwrap as a gift, but little fingers and little imaginations will soon find numerous ways to use and play with this.

As one reviewer says, "Bought this for our grandchildren. First to try was our little granddaughter, who is a year and a half. I filled it with rice, pasta, and lentils, and she was happy for hours. I love the versatility of this and how it might appeal to all different ages, it’s educational and fun. I'm really pleased with it. At first, I thought it was expensive, but now I have it. I think it will last for many years, and we will get real value for money."

As children grow, the tuff tray can be adapted to hold small crafting bits, cooking ingredients, and Lego. It's not cheap, but it's well-designed and well-made and should stand the test of time.

"If you want your little one to enjoy playing tunes and getting an ear for classical music, this is the toy!" High praise indeed from one reviewer amongst many happy ones.

With the option to connect to other Together in Tune Hape instruments, the Baby Einstein Hape Magic Touch Piano comes with three plastic music sheets (chew and drool-resistant!) that play six melodies in total. By matching the colours on the sheets with the coloured keys, children can learn to play classic nursery rhymes such as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Younger kids who haven’t yet mastered colour-matching will simply enjoy creating musical sounds.

"Sturdy, well made and attractive wooden first piano,” said another reviewer. “Great tone and easy-to-follow tune cards for playing well-known nursery rhymes. Recommend this unreservedly."

The touch keys are responsive to little fingers, and the piano has two volume settings. Make sure you buy batteries, as they aren’t included.

If you've never seen a balance or wobbleboard, you could be forgiven for being underwhelmed at first. The Starter Wobbel Board is ideally suited to little ones who are just beginning to explore and is one of the most simple yet wonderfully versatile toys you could get your one-year-old. It will encourage your child to develop their gross motor skills such as balance, core strength and coordination by rocking back and forth on it or flipping it over and balancing. Children will also engage their imaginations to make bridges, ramps, and slides.

"I absolutely love the concept of the Wobbel boards," said one reviewer. "Keeps my boy happy for hours! These days, toys are all plastic and don’t last two minutes, whereas the Wobbel board can take a beating, and I’m sure it’s going to be passed down to the next generation, too."

With a felt back to protect floors, you can be sure that whatever your child decides to do with this - and the options are many as they grow and develop - your home won't be damaged in the process; M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "It's an investment piece, for sure, but you won't regret buying this Wobbel board. It doesn't take up much space and can be easily tucked away and stored, but we've found it's out almost every day. It's great for my daughter to play with when she needs to get some energy out before dinner or bed. I'd recommend this to anyone, although perhaps ask family for it as a birthday gift."

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Puppy is the perfect snuggly and educational companion for one-year-olds. Its hands, feet, ears and heart all light up and will respond to your little one’s touch; and with more than 75 songs, sounds, and phrases the fun is endless.

Educationally speaking, it helps to teach children body parts, the alphabet, colours, and numbers. The difficulty setting can be adjusted as the child grows, adding to the lifespan of this cute pup. There are a huge number of very happy online reviews, but Mother&Baby put it to our own stringent parent testers to be sure; our mum tester, Stephanie, said: "My daughter was immediately drawn to this toy.  She has started to hug and kiss the puppy, which she hasn't done before with any other soft toy. I like the three different levels of learning, which correspond to different ages. It's easy to use and I like the various different songs."

It might not be the most modern-looking too, but the babies don't mind; one mum tester Louise said: "It's very interactive for my child to play with. He can press the body parts and follow the instructions allowing him to play alone. My eight-month-old also enjoyed watching but was too young to press the buttons."

The major drawback as a present for a one-year-old, according to parents, is that it can only be given a sponge-down and not thrown in the washing machine due to the electronics. Other parents also commented on one downside being how you alter the difficulty level; mum tester Clare said: "If I could change one thing about this product it would be the manner in which you change the difficulty level. You currently do this by squeezing a foot, so my 11-month-old tends to do this a lot, and then the settings are not age-appropriate."

Read our Fisher-Price Smart Stages Puppy review here.

Now instantly recognisable, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupes have become a staple in many homes, nurseries and preschool settings – and for good reason … kids love them!

One review summed it up nicely: "I bought this for my Granddaughter for Christmas; she is nearly one. She absolutely loves it. Thousands of hours of play time make it worth every penny. Strong and sturdy materials will last for years. Fabulous purchase; I would highly recommend."

With a removable floor and handle on the back for parents to push, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe really is a classic toy that your little one will grow into and soon start to push along themselves. This model includes special features, like an ignition switch and open-and-close gas cap and even a real working horn. They'll love toddling about in their very own car! 

Any less-than-glowing reviews tend to mark the product down for difficulty in construction and not having clear enough instructions. However, once it’s put together, you’ll have one happy kiddo. You can even buy compatible extras such as a petrol pump, so your little one can fill up when fuel is low!

Think of the QLKirin Montessori Toy as a fidget toy for older babies and toddlers. Chewable, durable and chunky for little hands, it’s designed to enrich child learning and develop hand flexibility and fine motor skills at an early age. Pull ribbed rubber cords, pop buttons, flip, squeeze, and get curious. Granted, it looks utterly bizarre, but it will keep your baby busy!

"This is great for any age, children or adults,” said one reviewer. “I find my partner playing with this more than my child sometimes. My little boy loves biting down on this, and it helps him with his teething. Highly recommend"

The great thing about this is that it’s BPA-free and easy to wash, so nice and safe for your little one to bite down on.

The Adjustable Play Table can be raised from 30cm to 50cm, making it ideal for growing with your little one. With dials to twist, little drums to bang, a boat to push along a track, and various things to twiddle, build, and press, this will keep your one-year-old busy. 

"It took me 15 mins to assemble, and I really liked that there were so many different sections to explore!” said one mum reviewer. “So much for them to get stuck into."

A sweet underwater theme makes this an attractive bit of kit to have about the house, and, as the review above mentioned, it doesn’t take long to set up from the box. Thoughtfully, it’s easily converted into a table once your child has outgrown it. So, as a toy that helps to develop fine motor skills and concentration, as well as being entertaining, it’s a good buy.

What’s better than a tent for good old-fashioned fun? Every kid loves a den, and this one is a great option because it’s affordable, has an attractive star print in either grey or pink and is easy to assemble/disassemble for storage.

Very little ones will love inviting you in for a snack or story time in their tent, but they’ll soon use the front tie-up entrance to keep their friends in and the badies (or parents) out!

"Lovely pale grey with stars fabric. I bought it for my grandson for his birthday. I'm sure he will love it,” said one reviewer. It packs away flat into a small bag with carry handles, so it's easy to take with you on your travels."

A bright, engaging, interactive book that's perfect for a first birthday gift. The LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book encourages your child to learn by pressing each picture to hear the corresponding word. Switch to French mode to hear the names of those same animals and objects in French. 

"The book is sturdy, clear, and gets the attention of my one-year-old," said one of many happy reviews. "My four- and six-year-olds enjoy looking through it, too!"

The book, which comes with batteries included, also offers fun songs and animal sounds to engage even the youngest of readers. However, some reviewers mentioned that the pictures are very sensitive, meaning that children can, at times, press multiple at once and hear a variety of words and sounds in quick succession.

It’s recommended for children aged one to three, and any concerns about its robustness and durability at the hands of a toddler can be assuaged by this review: “Our son is 14 months old and doesn't have total awareness of where his body parts are yet. He squats over this when he uses it and often stands on it. This hasn't affected the operation at all! It is totally up to the challenge of a heavy child treating it as a seat or stepping stone!”

With 150 classic coloured blocks in various shapes and colours, the Mega Blox First Builder Deluxe is every mini-builders dream. Your little one can create huge towers or block houses, then enjoy knocking them over once they're done. 

Compared with some other construction toys, these are affordably priced for a large number of blocks. You won’t be able to stop your baby chewing on them, but they don’t pose a choking hazard because of their large size.

"Because these are so big, I feel safe leaving them with my thirteen-month-old grandson,” said one reviewer. “He isn’t really able to build anything yet, but he enjoys breaking constructions apart and passing individual blocks to others."

This is a toy that will grow with your child as their imagination and dexterity develop, and you can add to the set with other Mega Bloks sets down the line.

Sometimes, you just have to embrace the tech, and, in this instance, Fisher-Price has come up with a super little educational product that mimics the look of a gaming controller. There are lots of buttons and knobs to twiddle, plus two types of sounds - numbers and music. Unlike some toys with sounds, this has two volumes, although we're sure you will stick to the quietest one.

"Great for little gamers to help them feel like they are participating in the PlayStation and Xbox action without missing out!” said one reviewer. “We have an older child that plays on Xbox, and this was a great buy to help the little one get involved without trying to snatch the other controller!"

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Game Controller will support learning in colours, shapes, numbers, and the alphabet as well as offering songs to sing along to. M&B Contributor Sophie Knight said: "My eldest had this when he was a baby, and then my youngest inherited it, and both loved to play with this. It makes plenty of sounds and music to keep them entertained - although you might grow a little weary of them - but for motor skills and dexterity, this is great."

It’s cheerful and affordable, and your one-year-old will love the moving joystick and buttons. Just be sure to supervise younger children who may like to chew the joystick, as it could potentially come apart from the toy.

Almost all parents will remember shape sorters being a part of their own childhoods, so this toy is both educational and holds some nostalgia.

Melissa & Doug are known for their high-quality, beautifully crafted children’s toys, and this one doesn’t disappoint. With a Jeep safari-style theme, children learn to fit its nine wooden animals through the correct openings. Although it doesn’t teach shapes in the traditional sense, this shape-sorter does help with lateral thinking and problem-solving.

"Ordered for a birthday present for an animal/zoo mad toddler, and it provided hours of fun, and he loves it,” said one happier reviewer. “Very sturdy and durable. I’ve ordered a few Melissa and Doug toys and have never had a problem with anything. Would recommend."

Another reviewer said, " I bought this for my daughter's first birthday. It is the main toy she actively seeks out and plays with daily. I definitely recommend it."

For those parents who still have the energy to be houseproud, this is one very wholesome and lovely-looking toy that you won’t mind having on display in your home rather than shoved into toy baskets and hidden away in bedrooms!

It’s rather mesmerising watching the cars roll down the ramps on this beautiful little wooden car roller. A stimulating and entertaining first race track, this doesn't take up much space in the house like traditional car tracks and will help your child develop fine motor skills. The ramp comes with four brightly coloured cars, which can flip and roll on both sides.

“Granddaughter (20 months) has spent endless time playing with this simple toy,” said one reviewer. “Quality is good, sturdy enough not to topple easily, and the four wooden cars are the perfect size for little hands. She seems to love sending all four cars down the ramps at the same time, watching them come out at the bottom one right after the other and scooting along the floor. Although I thought it was a bit expensive, it turns out to be good fun and, for me, money worth spending - smiles all around!”

The wheels are durable plastic and cannot be chewed off, the paint is non-toxic, and the whole construction is BPA-free, allaying any safety concerns. A parking lot on the top ramp can be removed or used as car storage once your little one has finished playing for the day; M&B Contributor Sophie Knight said: "Both my children have adored playing with this little car set. The cars whizz down easily and have kept them fascinated; it's good fun to set up alongside other car ramps to keep the fun going. The cars are little and easy to lose under the sofa, so keep an eye on where they fly off to."

Although advertised as a sand pit this can also be used as a paddling pool because it's moulded plastic and has a base, making it a versatile purchase for summer fun. A bright green turtle design that your little one will love – and won’t look garish in your garden – it comes with a turtle shell lid to keep out debris, cats and wildlife when not in use. 

“I bought this last month for my grandson; he loved it,” said one satisfied reviewer. It's really good size; he and my daughter could sit inside it! The lid keeps it clean and dry, although you will need a brick or other weight to keep it in place in the wind.”

There are two seats on the outside of the sandpit and it holds roughly 68kg of sand, ensuring plenty of play for your child and their siblings or friends. All you’ll need now is a bucket, a spade, and a little sun."

A simple toy, but one that can provide hours of entertainment. The Hape Beaded Rain Stick makes a calming rain-like sound when tilted, causing a steam of multi-coloured beads to trickle through obstacles. A great first instrument.

“Such a quality piece!” said one dad reviewer. “My son loves this rattle! I gave it to him at nine months old and he is still discovering ways to play with it. At first, he learned to shake it to make the sound, but then he went through a phase of hitting it on objects to hear the sound it would make.
Now, at one year old, one of his favourite things to do with it is to hold it to his eyes and look through it at the room. It keeps him entertained!”

Indeed, babies and toddlers do tend to find this toy fascinating to watch and shake and it’s great at demonstrating cause-and-effect. Some reviewers had hoped it would be larger than its 20cm, but it is beautifully designed. A word to the wise: it’s not waterproof!

This hand-crafted Climbing Arch Set is the perfect multifunctional rocker. It can be used as a rocker, a goal, a climbing arch and even a desk! With the option to purchase a cushion, the rocker can also be used as a little reading nook for your little one, or somewhere cosy to nap.

"We are very happy with the Climbing Arch,” said one reviewer. The quality and attention to detail are exquisite. The arch was easy to build (even my boys had fun helping out). It looks sturdy and reliable. We ordered it with a cushion, which again did not disappoint. Just perfect. We are super impressed with the design, which will transition well from a rocking bed for a newborn and a climbing arch for a toddler to a desk when things settle. Love it and recommend."

This is an expensive piece of kit, but viewed as a quality investment that will stand the test of time, it’s worth it.

With everything your one-year-old needs to support their development, the Babbler Play Kit challenges your little one with new and different skills to learn. This subscription box will help develop their stacking skills, fine motor skills, understanding of object permanence and more, and each is accompanied by a play guide for parents.

A new play kit is sent out every three months and is designed for joint adult/child play rather than independent play. When you sign up, input your child's age and the box is sent out according to their age range. The next box you receive will then be designed with their age in mind, so the box always grows with your little one. The cost is £120 per box for the one-year-old range.

"The toy selection is beautifully curated to encourage curiosity and learning in older babies, and its design is inviting for both babies and adults alike," said our Mother&Baby tester Georgi. "I felt more inclined to sit with my baby to explore these particular toys, allowing us to spend some quality time together. I personally found the play guide very useful as a first-time parent, as I do sometimes feel a little lost about what I should be doing with my baby during playtime."

Although perhaps expensive as a present, The Babbler Play Kit will delight for a whole year and encourage exploration and learning. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "The Babbler box we tested came with a brilliant range of toys; there was a ball helter-skelter, a felt bag with little bunnies to push through a hole, a peg board with funny faces; a stacking pole with multi-coloured round discs; a box with interchangeable lids for posting wooden discs and carrots; plus a storybook, and a set of cards with inspirational ideas for parents of different ways to play. This is a great investment or a gift, particularly for new parents or parents for whom play doesn't come naturally - which affects a lot of us, including me, but is something we often don't talk about. Having ideas and prompts like this fills me with confidence."

Read our Lovevery Play Kit review here.

Bugsy the rocking horse is one of several beautifully designed rocking horses available from mamas&papas – each a different colour, material or size.
Made with a solid wooden base, the Rocking Horse Bugsy has brown faux fur that's so soft to touch. It's small enough for one year olds to climb onto, but big enough to provide years of fun! 
It has a bell in one ear, a rattle in the other and a saddle on which to safely sit.

One review said: "This was a gift for my new grandson. We love how soft this horse is and how beautiful it looks. My grandson is only a few months old but he already enjoys sitting on the horse and patting his ears to hear the bells there! A great gift!"

A rocking horse is a classic toy choice, and this one caters to smaller children wonderfully.

What an adorable little pup companion this is! The Pull-Along Roland Sausage Dog teaches helps children to learn cause and effect and encourages roleplay. The soft toy element can be detached from its lead and wheels so that your little one can snuggle up with it at bedtime having taken it for walks all day!

"Perfect present for a little girl very versatile as it can be cuddly bedtime toy and a pull along toy during the day - great idea," said one reviewer. Another said: "So cute and I love that the child can take it off the wheels to cuddle. So nicely made and will last many years."

The dog itself is super soft and machine washable.

When it comes to babies and music, the xylophone is probably one of the first instruments to come to mind. This one is a bit of an upgrade on the tinny sounds of xylophones we parents may have had as kids and is the kind of gift you might expect from a cool uncle or aunt.

For a start, you equip your baby with a hammer to strike the keys – lucky it’s so well made, eh? But the hammer also has a second function: to hit the three coloured balls down the holes at the back of the toy. This makes it a two-in-one toy and lots of fun. Brace yourself for the noise because, according to reviewers, little ones love this!

"I bought this for my baby brother's birthday, and he loves it,” said one. “He is constantly using the xylophone feature and gets hours of fun out of it. I would recommend to those who are thinking of buying this for a child."

Another review said: "Had this for over a year now and my daughter still loves playing with it. Very sturdy and, despite her best efforts, it is still in one piece."

Less-than-positive reviews tend to state that the toy is smaller than expected so do be aware it's 28cm long. At least it's easily hidden when your ears need a rest.

It’s hard not to be enchanted by this cheerful Ankylosaurus, and being a Montessori toy, you can be assured that it’s educational as well as fun. 

The different coloured and numbered spikes help children learn these advanced skills at a later date, but littler ones can simply enjoy the challenge of putting the spikes in and out of the holes and making the dinosaur’s mouth open. This action helps develop hand-eye coordination and hand strength. 

In essence, this is a toy that will last children through a few key developmental stages – but you’ll need to supervise smaller children to ensure they don’t put the spikes in their mouths.

"This is good, very simple,” one reviewer said. “My one-year-old was impressed with the colours and the noise, my three-year-old was impressed that his little sister liked a dinosaur ... so yeah, 10/10."

Lightweight, relatively small and easy to take on the go, the pegs store neatly in the dinosaur’s back.

If your little one loves pretend play, then they will love this cute toy vegetable set. Made of soft plastic, it will encourage their vocabulary as well as promote healthy eating. The pieces in the set look realistic and are a great size and weight for small hands. 

"We absolutely love this set of play food,” said one happy reviewer. “It’s a sturdy, rubbery plastic that is slightly bendable. Absolutely excellent quality. The only part that is drawn on is the edges of the cucumber, so the colours stay as they are, vibrant and deliciously looking. It looks very realistic and has a nice feel. Our three-year-old daughter loves mixing the salad pieces together. She uses them in different play activities such as in her role play, sorting and counting."

The vegetables come with a tote bag for shopping role play as well as storage. Ideal for toddlers, so perhaps wait until your little one is closer to two before investing. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "This was an instant hit with my daughter, Matilda, who took it off 'to the shops' and got her toy till to play with alongside. The texture of the toys is different to normal plastic veg and more tactile. It's not the cheapest set of fruit and veg you can get, but it feels like it will last a long time."

Reading with your child from a very early age is known to have many benefits with regard to literacy, speech and improved emotional connection. This one is a lovely choice for a first interactive book.

Soft felt flaps on every page that are easy for babies to lift make this book not only engaging for small readers but helps them to develop their fine motor skills. To top it off, it’s illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the bestselling illustrator of The Gruffalo. A perfect gift to share together, especially on chilly winter days or when snuggled up for bed.

"Really nice book with the lift up flaps being felt which makes them easier to lift and less likely to rip,” said one reviewer. “Well-illustrated, colourful and appealing. Great quality and good size, larger than I expected. Good value."

If you like this story, great news: there are others in the collection to buy and enjoy.

A jigsaw puzzle is a great activity to do with your little one, and this colourful wooden peg puzzle is one of many in a range that covers animals to dinosaurs, letters and numbers. Made of environmentally friendly wood, the puzzle board has colourful pictures under each piece to encourage your little one's interest in animals, help them place it in the correct spot and improve their hand-eye coordination. 

This simple review sums it up: "Lovely jigsaw, good quality and great for learning. Good handles on each to pick up."

The wooden pegs on each piece make it easy for your little one to grasp the pieces, but do not easily come off. The wood is thin, and there are higher quality wooden jigsaws on the market, but this one is good for a budget price.

The A to Z Yak is a fun, sing-along toy that helps your little one learn the ABC alongside bright and cheery songs and tunes. The yak is a DJ, and your one-year-old can press the buttons to learn the alphabet, sing and bop along to the songs, and pretend to remix on the DJ deck. M&B tester and Contributor Sophie Knight said: "My little girl loved this straight away. It's engaging and fun, with a learning element too; plus, the handle at the top means she can grab and carry it around."

With more than 115 songs, this will keep your child entertained for ages; however, you might tire of the tunes before they do.

Other 'Link Squad' toys are available to buy that will sync up with each other, if you'd like to start a band full of your little one's interactive toys.