Best Toys for 1 Year Olds (That Grow With Your Child)

Becoming a toddler changes everything. When Daisy was a baby, she was happy shaking maracas, chewing sensory toys and watching me stack cups just so she could knock them over again. Now that she’s approaching her first birthday, play has become much more intentional.

She’s started cruising around the furniture, copying what we do around the house, transporting objects from one room to another and spending surprisingly long periods exploring how things fit together. It’s been fascinating to watch her curiosity grow almost overnight.

I’ve also realised something else: the toys that last aren’t necessarily the loudest or the most expensive. They’re the ones that leave room for imagination, encourage movement and can be played with in lots of different ways.

If you’re looking for toys for a younger baby, we’ve also shared our favourite 0–6 month toys and 6–12 month toys. These are the toys we’ve genuinely loved as Daisy has moved towards her first birthday.

Best Open-Ended Toys for 1 Year Olds

One thing I’ve become much more aware of over the past few months is open-ended play.

Unlike toys with a single purpose, open-ended toys allow children to decide how they want to play. One day they’re building towers, the next they’re sorting colours or pretending the same pieces are food or animals. They naturally grow alongside your child.

Rainbow Block Set

If I had to choose one toy that encourages creativity without overwhelming little ones, it would be these Rainbow Blocks.

The different colours, shapes and translucent pieces invite children to experiment in their own way. At first they’ll simply enjoy stacking and knocking them down, but over time they become building blocks, sorting activities and imaginative play props.

They’re beautifully made and feel like the sort of toy that will still be useful years from now.

Why we love them

• Encourages creativity
• Supports fine motor skills
• Great for colour recognition
• Suitable for open-ended play

Rainbow Architect Arches

These quickly became one of my favourite open-ended toys. The curved shapes immediately encourage children to experiment. They can become tunnels, bridges, towers, balance challenges or anything else little imaginations dream up.

I particularly like toys that don’t tell children exactly how they should be used, and these fit that perfectly.

Why we love them

• Endless ways to play
• Encourages problem solving
• Develops coordination
• Grows with your child

Best Wooden Toys for 1 Year Olds

Pink Wooden Baby Walker with Colourful Blocks

We’ve actually been using this long before Daisy was confident enough to walk.

For months, the colourful wooden blocks were the real attraction. She loved taking every single one out, banging them together, passing them between her hands and trying to stack them herself.

Now she’s becoming more confident on her feet, she’s started pushing the walker around the house too, meaning it’s grown with her rather than being used for only a few weeks.

It’s one of those toys that feels beautifully made and has genuinely earned its place in our living room.

Why we love it

• Two toys in one
• Encourages walking confidence
• Supports imaginative play
• Excellent quality wooden design

Wooden Pull Along Duck

As toddlers become more confident walkers, toys that move with them suddenly become much more exciting. This handcrafted wooden duck waddles behind as it’s pulled along, encouraging movement while adding a lovely element of imaginative play.

It’s coloured using natural plant-based dyes rather than traditional paint or varnish, making it feel every bit as thoughtful as it is beautiful. I can already imagine this becoming one of those toys Daisy enjoys taking from room to room as her confidence grows.

Why we love it

• Encourages walking
• Beautiful craftsmanship
• Open-ended play
• Traditional wooden toy

Best Sensory Toys for 1 Year Olds

Tracy the Fidget Triceratops

Sensory play doesn’t suddenly stop after babyhood. Although Tracy is recommended for older children, Daisy has enjoyed exploring the different textures and moving parts under close supervision.

She’s naturally curious about anything she can twist, squeeze and fiddle with, and Tracy encourages exactly that while supporting fine motor development. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended age guidance.

Infantino Sensory Activity Cube

This has been one of those toys that’s quietly stayed in our toy rotation for months. Every side offers something different, from buttons and textures to moving parts and sounds, giving Daisy plenty to explore independently.

As she’s grown, she’s interacted with it in completely different ways, making it another toy that’s grown alongside her.

Why we love it

• Encourages independent exploration
• Great variety of sensory activities
• Supports fine motor skills
• Keeps little hands busy

Best Toys That Encourage Movement

Douglas the Highland Cow Rocker

As toddlers become more active, it’s lovely to have toys that encourage movement indoors too.

Douglas isn’t just adorable; rocking toys help children develop balance, coordination and body awareness while providing plenty of opportunities for imaginative play.

I also love that it’s something that feels special enough to become part of a nursery rather than just another plastic toy.

The Toys We Still Reach For Every Week

Not every favourite toy needs to be expensive.

Some of Daisy’s most-played-with items are still the simplest.

• Stacking cups
• Board books
• Musical instruments
• Soft balls
• Kitchen utensils
• Cardboard boxes
• Empty wipes packets
• TV remote!

If becoming a mum has taught me anything, it’s that children rarely play with toys in the way we expect. The expensive toy might be ignored while the box becomes the highlight of the afternoon.

That’s why I now look for toys that leave room for imagination rather than telling children exactly how to play. They’re the ones that stay in our toy rotation long after the novelty wears off.