LEAPFROG 4IN 1

They're not babies anymore — toddlers can move around on their own, understand the world around them better and, most of all, they love to play! While they might still reach for their old baby toys every now and again, the best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds are ones that will continue to help them along as their brains and bodies grow — something to keep in mind as you look for gifts for kids this age.

"One-year-olds are at a period in their development when they are becoming increasingly powerful and competent — evidenced by the fact that they are starting to walk and talk," says Rebecca Parlakian, M.A., E.D., a parenting expert from Zero to Three, an organization that focuses on kid development during the early years. "They are also really interested in big questions like, 'How does this work?' 'What does it do?' And, 'What happens if I do this?'” Our favorite toys help them explore and find the answers to these questions.

What do 1-year-olds like to play with?

The old cliché that toddlers can find joy playing with a cardboard box can be true, but there are other developmentally appropriate toys that might hold their attention too. "These include simple items, like a ball to kick and chase, as well as things like push toys or toys that can be pulled on a string while walking," Parlakian says. "Toys can also pose fun challenges for 1-year-olds to figure out — think about a stacking ring, nesting cups, shape-sorters, a busy-box or simple wooden knob puzzles. And it’s never too early for a set of cube blocks, plus a basket or bucket to drop them in and dump them out of. And toys that make noise — like a xylophone, drum, or toy piano — are also a hit at this age."

What to avoid? Toys with small parts that can be choking hazards, moving parts that can pinch small fingers or extra-long strings that can get tangled up. That's still a lot of options. To help sort through the choices, The Good Housekeeping Institute tests toys year-round to make sure they're safe and will withstand the love of a 1-year-old toddler. Then, the best toys are shipped off to actual 1-year-olds and put to the real test. When all was said and done, these emerged as the best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds in 2024, which include current and former Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners. No matter which you choose, the toddler in your life is a very lucky kid!