The gift guide: Toys for a one year old

A baby’s first year is filled with milestone moments the whole family will remember forever. The time passes so quickly and before you know it you’re fast approaching their first birthday and the toddler years. It’s this crucial time of their life that brings with it big changes in terms of their development and new-found skills. Here, we take a look at some great first birthday presents to keep playtime fun but most importantly encourage their interests and abilities. Whether you’re buying toys for a one-year-old girl or boy, take a look at our best picks.

Your little one is like a sponge at this age – observing, learning, taking everything in and committing it to memory. Introduce them to Triumphant (£24.99), who’ll be the perfect best friend for them to grow with. This cuddly toy features more than 200 songs, sounds and phrases and teaches the alphabet and counting. What’s more, it won’t break the bank and could make the perfect treat from grandparents or friends.

Whether your little one is well on their way to running a marathon or you’ve yet to witness those all-important first steps, a push toy will help them feel steady on their feet. The Light ‘n Go 3-in-1 Activity Walker (£39.99) is suitable for boys and girls from nine months to three years in age and thanks to its developmental benefits and features to inspire your baby to get moving, it’s up there with the best first birthday present ideas. With 70 activities, your little explorer will be kept busy for hours.

Our Fantastic Firsts range has been specifically designed to help bring on all those milestone moments and Sleepy Stacker (£9.99) combines classic play patterns. With its three cute characters, babies from six months old will love mixing and matching them – and stack them high and they open their eyes!

This age is a lovely one for us to watch their growing curiosity and need to explore everything – and that’s why activity tables are among the best toys for one-year-old boys and girls. The 3-in-1 Switcharoo Table (£29.99) has so much going on they’ll never tire of investigating every area! They can choose between two scenes – a school setting or a zoo – and it’ll grow with them as a sit-and-play toy, a stand-up activity table or an on-the go-toy.

Celebrate their birthday with their first see-saw. The Whale Teeter Totter (£39.99) brings lots of giggling, rocking fun for up to three children. That means as well as helping develop their motor skills, you’ll also be giving their social skills a nudge in the right direction. With easy grip handles and wide comfortable foot rests, it’s perfect for toddlers who are just finding their feet and will see them right up to five years old.

For the slightly bigger budget and an exciting gift that’ll take them right through their younger years, the Cozy Coupe® (£59.99) provides hours of fun. Now celebrating almost 40 years in production, this Little Tikes classic opens up a whole new world of adventure and imagination with their first car. With a working horn and a contained storage area, this stylish car allows little ones to mimic mummy and daddy while exploring their own independence and developing core motor skills.

Gifts that help them develop a passion for sport can make great presents for a one year old. Our 3-in-1 Sports Zone (£60.00) lets little ones practice their football, basketball and bowling skills. There’s endless fun to be had as they shoot and score, while parents can be confident they’re strengthening their muscles and building valuable coordination skills.