Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Our Favorite Toys for 1-Year-Olds (Tested by My Toddler)
13
items These are the toys my 1 year-old actually plays with on a daily basis. I only add things we use, love, & keep in rotation.. not the stuff that just looks cute on a shelf. This list focuses on toys that build real skills like movement, problem-sol...
Sections
4
🏃 Active Play & Movement
🧠 Building & Motor Skills
🎨 Sensory & Exploration
📚 Calm & Learning Play
🏃 Active Play & Movement
Best for: Imaginative play, confidence & gross motor skills
The Cozy Coupe is one of those toys that never goes out of style for a reason. My 1 year-old loves climbing in & out, steering, & cruising around. It encourages movement, balanc...
Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Car
Best for: Balance, confidence, & gross motor skills
This was one of the first “big kid” toys my 1-year-old truly connected with. The balance bike helps toddlers learn how to steer and move with their feet without worrying about pedals. It’s ligh...
Baby Balance Bike
Best for: Active play, gross motor development & safe indoor fun
These soft foam climbing pieces have been a game-changer for playtime at home. The 5-piece set creates a mini obstacle course that’s perfect for crawling, climbing, balancing, &...
Play22 Soft Climbing Toys for Toddlers - 5 PC
The HABA walker is more than just a walker! It’s a little adventure wagon & it’s the reason my son is walking. My son LOVES pushing it around while learning to balance and explore. It’s extremely sturdy so he doesn’t tip easily, and the storage s...
Walker Wagon Push Toy
🧠 Building & Motor Skills
Best for: Creativity, problem-solving & open-ended play
These large wooden building blocks are a staple for any toddler’s toy stack. My 1-year-old loves stacking, knocking down (especially this), & sorting them. I love that they’re big enoug...
Migargle Large Wooden Building Blocks Set
Best for: Cause-and-effect learning, fine motor skills & focus
These pop-up toys are such a win for curious toddlers. Each button, switch, or lever makes a little character pop up, which teaches cause-and-effect in the best way. My 1 year-old st...
Battat Cause and Effect Developmental Toy
Best for: Independent play, coordination & cause-and-effect
These little press-and-go cars are perfect for tiny hands. My 1 year-old loves pushing them down and watching them zoom across the floor. It’s simple, satisfying, & teaches cause-an...
Press and Go Car Toys
🎨 Sensory & Exploration
Best for: Independent play & sensory learning
This activity center has been a lifesaver for busy moments. It keeps my 1-year-old engaged with buttons, textures, sounds, & spinning parts that help develop fine motor skills and curiosity.
It’...
TOOKYLAND 5 in 1 Activity Center, Wooden Large ...
Best for: Sensory exploration, fine motor skills & independent play
Busy boards are amazing for curious little hands. With zippers, switches, knobs, latches, & textures, they give toddlers something new to explore every time. My 1 year-old s...
Wooden Busy Board (Toddler Favorite)
Best for: Cause-and-effect, fine motor skills & independent play
This interactive steering wheel keeps toddlers engaged for minutes (or longer!) at a time. My 1-year-old loves turning the wheel, pressing the buttons, and listening to the songs a...
VTech Turn and Learn Driver
📚 Calm & Learning Play
Best for: Language development, curiosity & quiet time
These lift-the-flap books are perfect for curious little hands. My 1 year-old loves opening the flaps to see what’s underneath, & it naturally turns into naming objects, animals, & c...
Babies Love Learning Lift-a-Flap Books
Best for: Language development, early learning & calm interactive play
This VTech storytime toy is great for introducing animals, sounds, music, & simple stories in a fun, toddler-friendly way. My 1 year-old loves pressing the buttons to hea...
VTech Baby Animal Rhymes Storytime
Best for: Language development, bonding & calm storytime
This sweet little board book is one of my 1 year-old’s favorites for cuddle time. The simple text, bright illustrations, and sturdy pages make it perfect for little hands, while also intro...
You're My Little Cuddle Bug (Board Book)