30 of the best toys for one-year-olds to boost early development

Instantly recognisable, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe has become a staple in many homes, nurseries, and preschool settings and for good reason - kids love them! Our tester dad, Ed, can see some longevity with the toy, "My son will probably play with this for a few years as it's such a sturdy toy, I imagine we'll then be able to pass it down through the family or to friends," he said.

This model includes special features, like an ignition switch, open-and-close gas cap and even a real working horn. The only area which our dad tester felt let the car down was in the construction. "The Cozy Coupe is very difficult to assemble, it needs a lot of pressure and strength." However, the end result is a toy that brings immense joy to children. You can even buy compatible extras, such as a petrol pump, so your little one can fill up when fuel is low.

The Baby Einstein Hape Magic Touch Piano comes with three plastic music sheets (chew and drool-resistant) that play six melodies. Budding musicians can match the colours on the sheets with the coloured keys and learn to eventually play classic nursery rhymes like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or younger kids can just simply create their own melody.

Our M&B tester, Gabriella Challis used the toy with her 14-month old daughter who took to it immediately. "Sofia’s little face lit up smiling away and applauding her own musical talents when she figured out that each little touch of the magic piano made a sound. I was super impressed at how
sensitive the touch is, and the slightest little fingertip would result in the magic piano playing a
sound." Gabriella was equally impressed that she's noticed her daughter's finger dexterity has improved as her daughter has been using one finger to play with the piano. It's super easy to wipe clean and can easily be stored away.

However our tester did have some negative points saying that her daughter has started to chew the music cards as they are quite thin and they are also a little sharp. She also mentioned that the piano tips forward with very little weight, so it's worth leaving it on the floor during playtime.

The Prairie Activity Table stands at 36 cm, making it an ideal height for your little one. Featuring stacking animals, a maze, different gears, building blocks, as well as a fun xylophone to play, this will keep your one-year-old busy. 

Parents loved this activity table as much as their little ones. "There are so many separate things to play with, plus everything has its place, which means quick cleanup afterwards - bonus!"

A sweet farmyard theme makes this an attractive toy to have in the house. Although some found the legs tricky to attach, most reviewers found that it doesn’t take long to set up from the box. So, as a toy that helps to develop fine motor skills and concentration as well as being entertaining, it’s a good buy.

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 the second language mode to hear the names of those same animals and objects in French. 

Anne Lora Scagliusi, Senior Writer at M&B, was gifted the bilingual Italian/English version of this book when her son was one, and it's been really helpful since she's raising him to speak both languages. "It’s been a real winner for us. I love how easy it is to switch between languages with just the press of a button. The sound quality is clear, the volume settings work well for different situations, and it’s surprisingly sturdy, my son has thrown it around with no damage. The three modes keep him engaged, especially since he loves copying the animal and vehicle sounds, repeating words, and hearing facts. It’s helped him start saying a few words in both languages by age two, which is amazing to see."

The book comes with batteries and 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.

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.

It will help to teach children body parts, the alphabet, colours, and numbers, and the difficulty setting can be adjusted as the child grows, adding to the lifespan of this cute pup. M&B 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." Another 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."

While this toy offers much to love, parents did mention you can't put it in the washing machine due to the electronics. Some parents found the difficulty adjustment mechanism a bit fiddly because of its location. "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," said mum tester Clare. This means little ones can accidentally alter the settings, potentially making the experience less suitable for their age.

The Babbler Play Kit challenges your little one with new and different skills to learn. This play kit box will help develop their stacking skills, fine motor skills, understanding of object permanence and more. While the £120 price tag might seem a bit steep to some, it would certainly make a wonderful and generous gift.

This particular item is part of a subscription learning program for babies and toddlers, so a new age-appropriate play kit gets sent out every three months. They are designed for joint adult/child play rather than independent play.

"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. She also found it particularly helpful for first-time parents, who might feel less confident about how to engage in play. "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."

Read our Lovevery Play Kit review here.

A well-recognised item in any family home, this sturdy walker will encourage your little one's big movement milestones. A versatile toy designed to support their first steps, strengthen core muscles, and improve balance from just 6 months old. Its design features textured wheels for stability, an easy-grip handle for little hands, and a durable build perfect for play at home or on the go.

Senior Digital Writer, Keya Modessa found it super sturdy and engaging "My son took a while to walk, so this helped him build his confidence. He couldn't really pull himself up using it, so I'd sit near him and let him take a few steps while holding it. Seeing his little face light up as he used it to take a few steps was delightful."

The activity panel comes packed with 5 light-up buttons, a shape sorter, gears, animal buttons, and a role-play phone, can be removed for engaging sit-down play. "I love that it doubles up as an activity board too so when he wasn't using it to walk, he used it to play. It would keep him busy for hours although some may find it over stimulating." Keya said.

Get ready for some noise because this baby xylophone is nothing like ones you've seen before! This one comes with a hammer that your little one can strike the keys with, and hit the coloured balls with. It's a fun combination of cause-and-effect, vibrant colours, and satisfying sounds that most one-year-olds won't be able to put down. "I bought this for my baby brother's birthday, and he loves it,” said one reviewer. “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 reviewer 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."

Most people had a gripe with the fact that it was smaller than expected at 28cm long, but easier to hide when your ears need a rest? Just saying...

Dive into farmyard fun with this interactive farm playset! Toddlers can care for their five animal friends which come with the toy, all while exploring over 45 songs, sounds, and phrases.

Emily Gilbert, M&B's Features and Reviews Editor's little one loved it from the start. "My son received the Fisher‑Price Little People Farm for his first birthday and it's been a real winner in our house. He loves ringing the bell and closing the barn door to hear the fun noises."

The learning grows with your child across three levels, teaching counting, colours, animal sounds, and more through engaging play points like dropping figures through the hayloft or turning on the barn light. Emily says, "The Smart Stages introduces animal sounds, counting, and colours, which will really come into their own as he gets bigger and starts learning. The chunky figures and easy‑to‑use play set are perfect for his little hands, and it’s tough enough to survive enthusiastic toddler play." It's also small enough to move around the house and is a great way to spark imaginative storytelling and strengthen fine motor skills.

Guaranteed to be found in every child's toy box, this shape sorter toy is both fun and educational. Known for their high-quality, beautifully crafted children’s toys, Melissa & Doug's shape sorter doesn’t disappoint. Although it doesn't feature traditional shapes, children can learn to fit its nine wooden animals into the corresponding shapes, which helps 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."

If your little one doesn't have a cuddly Jellycat teddy yet, then this is the perfect excuse to get one! The toys have been a hit with my kids and it's not hard to see why. They're soft and simply adorable plus, cuddly toys help develop sensory skills so are very beneficial for your little one too.

Senior Digital Writer Keya Modessa agrees, saying, "Both my kids were gifted a bunny rabbit each when they were little. They would sleep with them and were even packed in our suitcase to take on holiday. Now older, my daughter still plays with it (my son not so much) and has adopted her brother's bunny too. I know she will treasure them for years." The rabbit is one of the many adorable ones on offer - their soft, long ears and limbs mean they are easy to grab and cuddle and are a real comfort for some kids.

We're big fans of this pop up tunnel - it's made from durable, flexible polyester with two ventilation mesh sides for peek-a-boo fun and easy supervision. Its clever steel-spring construction allows for effortless pop-up setup and compact folding into a portable carrying bag, making it perfect for indoor or outdoor adventures or to even pack for weekends away. An ideal gift, it enhances spatial awareness and chases away boredom, just remember to maintain a safe distance when it pops open

Senior Writer at M&B, Keya Modessa, says, "I bought one for my son to encourage him to crawl through it as he'd see my face on the other side. Once he did start crawling, we'd play peek a boo when he was inside and I'd use it as part of a make shift baby obstacle course at home.

Fisher-Price has come up with a product that mimics the look of a gaming controller. There are lots of buttons and knobs to twiddle with, plus different sounds as well as numbers and music. Unlike some toys with sounds, this only has two volumes so feel free to stick to the quietest one until your little one figures out how to make it louder!

Our tester Sophie was a fan saying, "My eldest had this when he was a baby, and then my youngest inherited it and they both loved to play with it. 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 a great choice."

The A to Z Yak is a fun, sing-along toy that helps your little one learn the alphabet alongside bright and cheery songs and melodies. Little ones can interact with the Yak and press buttons to learn the alphabet, sing and dance along to the songs. Our tester Sophie said her little girl was a fan straight away. "My little girl loved it. It's engaging and fun plus it has a learning element. I liked the handle at the top which made it easy for her to grab and carry around."

For a small toy, this one holds more than 115 songs so it will keep your child singing and dancing for hours but be warned, you might tire of the tunes before they do. Worth mentioning that other 'Link Squad' toys are designed to sync up, allowing your little one to create a whole band of interactive toys!

If you ever needed an excuse to read more to your little one, this could be it! The soft felt flaps on every page of this bright and beautiful book make it easy for little ones to lift. The interactive element make this book not only engaging for small readers, but helps them to develop their fine motor skills. If that wasn't enough, it’s illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the bestselling illustrator of much-loved book, The Gruffalo. We guarantee you'll love these animal adventures, and there's plenty more in the collection to enjoy later too.

"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."

Sometimes it's the simplest toy that will keep them entertained for hours - case in point these colourful stacking cups. Keya Modessa, our Senior Digital Writer agrees. "My son absolutely loved these, he would spend hours stacking them in size or number order. As he got older, we'd hide a toy under one and move them around on the floor and he'd love finding it. We took them on holiday to Canada too as they're easy to pack and he loved having something familiar to play with. So much longevity for such a small cost oh, and they're also easy to clean - what's not to love?"

Think of this 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"

Another reason we love it is because it's BPA-free and easy to wash, so perfectly safe for your little one to bite down on.

It’s rather therapeutic watching the cars roll down the ramps of this beautiful little wooden car roller. A stimulating and entertaining first race track, this doesn't take up much space in the house 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.

M&B Contributor Sophie Knight's kids adored playing with it, saying, "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."

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.

Introduce your little one to the joy of two wheels with this baby balance bike, perfect for developing balance, steering, and coordination in little ones. Even though your baby may not be walking, they'll love riding on this bike. Designed with durability and safety in mind, it features a solid structure, four fully enclosed wheels suitable for both indoor and outdoor play, and a 135-degree steering limit to prevent sideways falls. This bike is incredibly easy to assemble and carry ,and you can can easily tuck it into your car boot for outdoor adventures. One reviewer said, "Great little bike! My nephew loves it, his 1st birthday gift from me!"

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. As they get older, they can use these pieces in their role play games with grown ups, siblings or on play dates. Although recommended for 18 months+, as a parent, I think a one year old could also safely play with it.

The vegetables come with a tote bag for shopping role play, as well as storage. M&B tester Sophie 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."

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 features animals, dinosaurs, letters and numbers. Made of environmentally-friendly wood, this animal 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. One review said "Brought this for my friends grandson for his 1st birthday, it is very educational and will help with his motor skills and eye coordination too. It is the right size for little fingers and the colours are good too."

With 60 classic coloured blocks in various shapes and colours, the Mega Bloks First Builder Classic is every mini-builders dream. Your little one can create huge towers or block houses, then enjoy knocking them down 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.

They were a hit for Keya Modessa's kids, Senior Digital Writer at M&B. "Think of these as Lego for really little ones. The building options are endless, but usually my kids just love to build a huge tower. When they play together, they use their imagination more, so it's really fun to see what they build together - and sometimes even my husband joins in."

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 down the line.

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. It's lightweight, relatively small and easy to take on the go as the pegs store neatly in the dinosaur’s back. 

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."