The best board games for kids to add to your next family night
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Need to refresh your selection for family game night? Check out our picks for fun children's board games that everyone can get into.
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The best gifts for one-year-olds: Top picks for 2024
Looking for the perfect gifts for a one-year-old? We've got you covered with our top picks for this year, featuring a range of toys and items that are both fun and educational.
A child’s first birthday is a memorable occasion for parents and their family. That said, when it comes to gifting, you’ll want to choose something that is not only age-suitable but a gift they would cherish as they grow older.
With so many toys and items to choose from, finding the perfect one can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve scoured the net for the best gifts for a one-year-old no matter what their interest might be.
From balance bikes for the active child to a musical toy for the music prodigy, you’ll find something from our list to suit a toddler.
Read more: Get the best Lego sets for kids of all ages
YGJT Baby Balance Bike Toys
Malabar Baby - Certified Organic Muslin Reversible Bath Robe
EQWLJWE 22 Keys Baby Piano Toy
Yerloa Toys for One-Year-Old Boy Birthday, Robot Baby
Pros & Cons
Eco-friendly EVA material
No batteries needed
Seat has no cushion
The YGJT Baby Balance Bike Toys will turn heads wherever your little one rides. Available in a variety of playful prints, from a cute dalmatian to a vibrant caterpillar, this bike is perfect for young, adventurous souls.
In addition to being an eye-catcher, the YGJT's unique widened-wheel design and robust material ensure stellar stability and durability. The adjustable seat and sturdy construction make this bike a safe and comfortable ride for children. Powered purely by legwork rather than batteries, this bike encourages physical activity while providing endless fun.
If you’re looking for a gift to aid your little one’s motor development, this is the one to get.
Pros & Cons
Made from 100% organic cotton
Reversible design
Only one design available
The Malabar Baby Certified Organic Muslin Reversible Bath Robe is a delightful addition to your child's bath or beach routine. Made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton muslin, it’s soft, absorbent, breathable and gentle on your child's skin.
The robe offers a unique reversible feature with two enchanting prints for your child to choose their style for the day.
What sets this robe apart is its commitment to eco-friendly practices. The dyes used are free from harmful substances and there are no harmful chemicals like flame retardants or antibacterial agents. Even the packaging is considered, with each robe arriving in a beautifully designed and easily recyclable gift box.
Pros & Cons
LED lights
Smooth corners for additional safety
Packaging not secure
Want to encourage musical creativity? The EQWLJWE 22 Keys Baby Piano Toy is the perfect early learning toy for your little maestro. With 22 well-crafted keys designed for tender hands, this piano will provide a comfortable playing experience, allowing your child to explore the world of music in a fun and engaging way.
This instrument also features LED lights that add a visually appealing aspect, stimulating your toddler's senses. With its soft, pleasant, and non-harsh sounds, your child's ears will be protected while they delight in the captivating music they create.
The piano's charming animal shape adds an extra level of appeal, making it hard for any child to resist. In addition, its well-rounded corners ensure a safe playing environment, as they are delicately smoothed to avoid scratching little hands.
Pros & Cons
BPA free
Supports motor skills development
Batteries not included
Looking for an engaging and educational toy for your little one? Moving parts and interactive features make the Yerloa Robot Baby Toy a delightful companion for children aged one to three. Creating a variety of fun and stimulating activities, this toy represents an entertaining method for young minds to explore while fostering a variety of essential development skills.
The robot, with its bright colors and flexible limbs, promotes fine motor skills and visual-auditory development. The robot’s design, featuring movable eyes, arms, and legs, allows your child to grasp, hold, twist, pinch, and press, encouraging active engagement and imaginary play. Your little one will get lost in the wonder of the robot with its eye-catching light, music, and sound effects.
If it's auditory and visual development you're looking to foster, pressing the button on the robot's chest activates lights and music, teaching cause and effect in an exciting way. The toy is made of non-toxic, phthalate-free ABS with smooth edges, so you know it’ll be safe.
Pros & Cons
BPA-free
Supports hand-eye coordination
Some reviews state product doesn’t produce sound
The MiniFAIRY Activity Cube is a vibrant and engaging toy designed to keep your child entertained while fostering essential early development skills. This six-in-one toy features activities that aim to develop spatial skills, creativity, social skills, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and creative problem-solving.
What sets this toy apart is its musical component. As your toddler interacts with the cube, it produces relaxing music, promoting a calm atmosphere. This feature could also stir up your little one's interest in music.
This MiniFAIRY Activity Cube is a fantastic gift option for a one-year-old. It's a perfect balance of fun and learning - a toy that will keep them away from screens and fully engrossed in interactive play.
Pros & Cons
Supports STEM discovery
Curved edges for additional safety
Weather coins can get lost easily
Let your child's imagination run wild with the Magnetic Car Set from KiwiCo. Designed with early learning and hands-on play in mind, this Montessori-inspired train set is perfect for little explorers. This set comes with three colorful, linkable magnetic train cars that are just the right size for tiny hands to push, pull, and play with.
Each car has special features for your child to discover, including parts that spin, rattle and fold open, adding layers of fun and engagement to playtime. These interactive features serve to train your child's motor skills and hand-eye coordination in an enjoyable and playful manner.
Crafted with non-toxic, baby-safe materials, this product puts your child's safety first making it the perfect gift for your child
Pros & Cons
Made from phtalate-free plastic
Smart design prevents pieces from going missing
Might be too bulky for some
The Pop-Up Shape Sorter Puzzle is a fantastic toy designed to engage your little one in a fun-filled learning experience. This puzzle is a brilliant early exercise in spatial reasoning, with each of the five big blocks fitting into the shape-sorter base.
The real magic lies in the hidden rocker mechanism. When the people blocks are pushed down, they pop back up. It's like a harmless whack-a-mole game for your little ones!
What makes this product stand out is its smart design, ensuring the pop-up people blocks are attached to the rockers. This means your child will never lose them and they'll get continuous, uninterrupted play. Moreover, this puzzle is safe to play with as it's made from non-toxic, BPA, and phthalate-free plastic.
Pros & Cons
Easily folded for storage
Made from hypoallergenic material
Requires adult supervision
The Tiny Land Ball Pit Pool defines a new level of playtime perfection for kids. With its colorful design and the inclusion of 200 softballs, it serves as a personal playground right within the walls of your home. Setting it up is a breeze, too.
It offers a thrilling and safe environment where your young ones can freely bounce, dive, and explore their imagination. It can harness your child's creative energy while ensuring they stay active physically.
What's even more appealing is its portability. The Ball Pit folds easily and can be stowed away post-playtime, freeing up space in your home. It's crafted from non-toxic and hypoallergenic material, ensuring your peace of mind while your children plunge into a world of fun and enjoyment.
Pros & Cons
Easy to setup
Machine-washable
Higher price point
The Play Gym is a comprehensive play-and-learn system crafted by child development experts. With five development zones that you can reveal or conceal, your baby gets the right amount of stimulation, promoting growth in areas like focus, sound perception, tactility, hide-and-seek games and color distinction.
Moreover, the Play Gym comes with easily interchangeable Card Sets, including a mirror card set, a common objects card set and a faces card set. Not just limited to images, it also houses engaging activities like an easy-to-grasp Organic Cotton Montessori Ball, a wooden batting ring with bell and castanet sounds, a detachable Organic Cotton Teether and silicone teething rings — all designed to keep your baby entertained and helped in body coordination.
To assist parents in navigating this exciting first year, LOVEVERY includes an easy-to-scan Play Guide, with research-backed ideas for fun activities in line with child development. You can set it up in less than two minutes and no batteries are required, making it portable and convenient for busy parents.
Pros & Cons
Ultra-soft fabric
Easy for small hands to hold
Hand-wash only
The Mary Meyer Baby Rattle isn't just an ordinary teether toy.
It features satin loops to attract and keep your baby’s attention, which keeps them entertained while also boasting a calming effect. The soft, fuzzy texture of the rattle can gently massage your baby's gums, providing relief during the challenging teething stage. It's both a toy and a comforting companion for your little one, making it the perfect baby item to have handy.
Every detail of the Mary Meyer Baby Rattle has been carefully thought out to ensure it suits the needs and safety of your baby. The size is perfect for a baby's grasp, small enough to manipulate but big enough not to pose any risk of swallowing.
Pros & Cons
Removable xylophone keys
Too bulky to move around
Constructed from solid wood, The JANOD Pure Tap Xylophone offers durability that can handle even the most energetic of miniature maestros. Its water-based paint design adds a splash of soft and contemporary colors that kids love, too.
Crafted by Janod, a respected French brand known for its traditional wooden toys since 1970, this xylophone provides two interactive games. Little ones can use the bee-themed hammer to tap the three balls, each strike resulting in a charming chime from the xylophone's keys.
But the fun doesn't stop there! The xylophone itself is also removable, allowing your kiddo to play and create their own scores anywhere they wish.
The standout feature is its adaptability. As your child grows and learns, the JANOD Pure Tap Xylophone does too, moving from a fun cause-and-effect game for small toddlers to a creative tool for older children.
Pros & Cons
Machine-washable mat
Includes over 20 minutes of tunes
Might be too small for some toddlers
Prepare for a colorful journey of discovery with this play gym and ball pit. This versatile playset will grow with your baby, seamlessly transforming to suit each developmental stage.
With color wheels, high-contrast toys and vibrant patterns, this playspace is designed to stimulate a baby's developing visual perception. More than just a feast for the eyes, the Panda toy plays over 20 minutes of melodies, fostering an appreciation for music and promoting auditory development.
For those pivotal tummy-time workouts, a supportive prop pillow is included. As your child grows, the gym transitions into a stimulating ball pit, providing an opportunity to develop motor skills. Parents will also love the handy color wheel bag for easy storage of the balls and the fact that the mat itself is machine washable, making cleanups a breeze.
The Five-in-One Activity Play Gym & Ball Pit stands out for its blend of early education and physical activity, making it a splendid gift choice for newborns and their parents.
What to know when buying gifts for a one-year-old
Need to be sure you’re getting the right gift for a little one? Here are some of your burning questions answered.
What should I consider when buying a gift for a one-year-old?
When buying a birthday gift for a one-year-old, it's important to consider the child's developmental stage. Look for toys that promote motor skills, cognitive development, and sensory exploration. Also, consider the safety of the toy. Ensure it's made from non-toxic materials and doesn't have small parts that could pose a choking hazard.
Are educational toys good gifts for one-year-olds?
Absolutely! Educational toys are excellent first-birthday gift ideas. They not only provide entertainment but also stimulate learning and development. Look for toys that promote problem-solving, creativity and fine motor skills.
Which gifts for one-year-olds get our stamp of approval?
All the toys on our list are fun choices and make great gifts for one-year-olds. If you still need help in deciding what to get, two products stand out from the rest: the Freddo 3 Wheels Balance Bike and the Lovevery - The Play Gym.
The YGJT Baby Balance Bike is not only fun but also aids in balance development, making it one of the best toys for a one-year-old.
If you’re looking for toys that can adapt as your child grows, The Play Gym from Lovevery is a comprehensive play-and-learn system that grows with your child, making it a worthwhile first birthday gift idea.
Whether you're looking for a birthday gift for a one-year-old or just want to surprise your little one, these top picks are sure to impress.
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Prices updated on 01/04/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Afina Najib
A journalism graduate from Curtin University, Afina Najib specializes in writing tech, finance, automotive and wellness content. Now residing in Kuala Lumpur, Afina spends her weekends hitting the gym or watching Formula 1 races.
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