Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds: What Actually Gets Played With
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The first birthday tends to bring a flood of toys, and a surprising number end up at the bottom of the basket. At this age, the toys that get used again and again are usually the simplest ones: things to push, stack, bang, fill, empty and chew.
Between about 12 and 24 months, many children are learning to stand, cruise and walk, and they are fascinated by cause and effect. They drop things to see what happens, put objects in and out of containers, and start to copy what they see you do. Good toys for this stage support that natural curiosity rather than trying to do the playing for them.
Below, we have grouped our suggestions by the kind of play they encourage. We recommend toy types rather than particular products, so you can choose what suits your home, budget and child.
What toys are good for a 1-year-old who is learning to walk?
Toddlers who are pulling up and cruising along furniture often enjoy something sturdy to push. Look for a wide, stable base and a handle at a comfortable height. Ride-ons that sit low to the ground let children scoot along with their feet once they are steady.
- See options on Amazon
Push-along walker with activity panel
Gives new walkers something steady to hold while they practise, and the panel keeps them busy when they sit down.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Low ride-on toy
Encourages balance and leg strength as toddlers learn to scoot and steer.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Pull-along toy on a short string
Toddlers love looking back to see it follow them, which adds a little motivation to every walk around the lounge room.
Age 18m+ - See options on Amazon
Soft play blocks or climbing shapes
Low foam shapes give safe practice at climbing, crawling over and balancing.
Age 12m+
Best stacking and sorting toys for 12 to 18 months
Stacking, nesting and posting are favourite activities at this age. Early on, your child may simply knock towers over or take everything out, which is completely normal and still valuable play. Over the months you will see more careful placing and matching.
- See options on Amazon
Stacking cups
Cheap, versatile and useful in the bath or sandpit too; they build hand-eye coordination and an early sense of size.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Chunky shape sorter
Simple shapes like circles and squares help toddlers practise turning and fitting objects.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Ring stacker
A classic for fine motor skills, and easy to talk about colours and sizes together.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Ball drop or ball run
Toddlers see a clear cause and effect: pop the ball in, watch it roll out.
Age 12m+
Musical and sound toys one-year-olds enjoy
One-year-olds are often keen to make noise, and simple instruments let them do that on purpose. Singing familiar nursery rhymes while your child shakes or taps along is an easy way to share music together, and our sing-along videos can give you a few new songs to try.
- See options on Amazon
Baby percussion set
Shakers, a small drum and bells let toddlers experiment with rhythm and loud and soft sounds.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Xylophone with rounded mallets
Tapping the bars builds coordination and introduces the idea of different notes.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Egg shakers
Small enough to grip, and handy for joining in with action songs.
Age 12m+
Board books and early language toys
Reading together is one of the simplest ways to share words with your child. Sturdy books with bright pictures, textures and flaps hold attention at this age, even if you only get through a page or two at a time.
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Lift-the-flap board books
Flaps add a peekaboo surprise that toddlers want to repeat, which means lots of repeated words.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Touch-and-feel books
Different textures invite toddlers to explore and give you plenty to talk about.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Toy phone
Encourages pretend conversations and copying the way adults talk.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
First words picture cards
Large, simple pictures of everyday things are good for pointing and naming together.
Age 12m+
Simple pretend play toys for young toddlers
Around the middle of the second year, many children start copying everyday routines: feeding a teddy, stirring a pot, wiping a table. A few basic props are enough to support this.
- See options on Amazon
Soft baby doll
Lets toddlers practise caring actions like cuddling, feeding and putting to bed.
Age 12m+ - See options on Amazon
Toddler kitchen set with pots and utensils
Stirring and pouring copy the grown-up activities toddlers see every day.
Age 18m+ - See options on Amazon
Chunky toy cars
Easy to grip and push, and a natural first vehicle toy for little hands.
Age 12m+
Safety checklist
Choose toys labelled for children under 3 and check that no part can fit fully inside a small parts tester or a toilet roll tube. Australia has a mandatory safety standard for toys intended for children up to 36 months that covers small parts, so buy from reputable sellers and be cautious with toys from older siblings.
Keep anything with button or coin batteries well out of reach unless the battery compartment is secured with a screw. These batteries can cause serious injury if swallowed, and Australian mandatory standards require secure compartments and warnings. Avoid pull strings longer than about 30 cm, check wooden toys for splinters and loose paint, and remove packaging and ribbons straight away.
Questions parents ask
How many toys does a 1-year-old need?
Fewer than most of us expect. A small selection of open-ended toys, rotated every week or two, often keeps toddlers more engaged than a crowded toy box.
Are electronic toys bad for 1-year-olds?
They are not harmful in moderation, but toys that do less tend to invite more exploration and conversation. A mix of simple toys with the occasional light-and-sound toy works well for many families.
What can I give a 1-year-old instead of toys?
Books, a swimming or music class, a sandpit, or a contribution to a bigger item like a ride-on are all good options. Everyday household items such as wooden spoons and plastic containers are also popular at this age.
When can a toddler start using a shape sorter?
Many children start exploring shape sorters around 12 months, mostly by taking pieces out. Fitting shapes in usually comes later, often towards the second half of the second year.
Should I rotate toys for my 1-year-old?
Many parents find rotation helpful. Putting some toys away and bringing them back a couple of weeks later can make them feel new again, and it keeps the play space tidier.
