It’s no coincidence that my one-year-old daughter, Isadora, likes to help sweep the kitchen floor and wipe the table, according to toy expert Rachael Simpson-Jones. Young pre-schoolers love to mimic what their parents do, which is why the best toys for one-year-olds are often toy dust pans and brushes and shopping baskets, along with play mobile phones and TV remotes.
“They want to do what they see their parents do,” explains Simpson-Jones, who is editor of Toyworld Magazine. “Often the most played with toys are simply miniature versions of household objects.”
This is why kids toys such as the Leapfrog toy iron and the Melissa and Doug cleaning set are so popular with under twos. Small, recognisable objects give them enormous pleasure. If they can carry it, ride it or push it, they’ll be developing motor skills while they play.
Isadora and I have spent the past couple of weeks testing out the latest toys, with input from her four older brothers). You can read my reviews below, along with answers to some frequently asked questions, but if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:
Which are the best toys for one-year-olds? At a glance
- Best overall - Jelly Cat Bashful Bunny
- Best value - Duck and Duckling
- Best for bedtime - Tonie Box
- Best for bathtime - Splash n Play Submarine Projector
- Best for dexterity - Peppa Pig Duplo Garden and Treehouse
What to look for in a toy for a one-year-old
Along with mini versions of household objects, toys that light up, make a noise or require sorting or stacking are popular with one-year-olds, says Nina Findley, director of toy buying at Argos. “Toys that spark curiosity and encourage early development are the best choice,” she says.
Bright colours, sensory materials and easy grip shapes appeal, as do recognisable characters. You can’t go wrong with a Peppa Pig toy such as V-Tech Peppa Pig Nursery Rhyme Book.
Wooden toys tend to be the most long lasting, but bear in mind they cause more damage than plastic toys when little ones throw them at each other. Safety wise, battery-operated toys should have battery cases secured with screws and fabric toys should be flame resistant or retardant. Avoid small toys such as marbles, which are a choking risk.
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How we tested the best toys for one-year-olds
The toys on this list were selected from a longlist supplied by the best-known toy retailers, along with toys my older children were hooked on when they were one. Isadora, 20 months, played with each of the toys over a two-week period and I noted her reaction and how long she was preoccupied with each of them and whether she returned to them later.
I also assessed the durability and build quality of each toy and how easy it was to store. I tried to be open minded about flashing lights, noise and plastic as I know from experience that the toys children play with are not necessarily an adult’s first choice.
Best toys for one-year-olds
1. Jellycat Bashful Bunny Toy
£25, The White Company
Best overall, 10/10
We like: they’re fluffy and cuddly and last a childhood
We don’t like: the sadness when they go missing
- Ages: from birth
- Made from: polyester
While other soft toys gather dust on the shelf, each of my five children chose a Jellycat as their teddy of all teddies. They were babies at the time, so it must have been something to do with the softness of the fur and the way they become more cuddly the more they’re cuddled.
I was interested to learn that soft toys develop sensory skills and encourage social and emotional growth. The choice of Jelly Cat creatures is endless – there are cats, dogs, elephants, rats, sloths and penguins – and the rarest fetch hundreds on Ebay. My suggestion would be to go for a mid-sized rabbit or tiger from the Bashful range, or a puppy.
They have long ears (or tails in the case of the tigers) and plenty of limbs for children to grab onto. They are also widely available, which means that if your child’s beloved teddy goes missing, it can be easily replaced.
2. Duck and Duckling
£9.99, Bigjig Toys
Best value, 9/10
We like: helps develop coordination, dexterity and mobility
We don’t like: the tantrums when it topples over
- Ages: from 1 year and up
- Made from: wood
This simple but sweet pull along toy instantly captured Isadora’s imagination – she loves babies and wanted to make sure that the duckling was being carried by its mother before pulling it around the kitchen. Simpson-Jones recommends pullalong toys and in particular a similar duck toy by Janod to get children moving.
It took Isadora a while to learn that she couldn’t toddle too fast with the duck or it would tip over and the duckling would fall out but now she’s quite the expert.
3. Tonie Box
£114.99 with three extra tonies, Tonies
Best for bedtime, 9/10
We like: audiobooks are proven to boost speech and reading skills
We don’t like: you need an internet connection to make the Tonies work initially
- Ages: Supposedly from three, although Isadora already enjoys listening to Peppa Pig on it
- Made of: leather and plastic
We really got into our Tonie box this summer; a screen free audio player for songs, stories and custom audio. Isadora is too young for many of the stories her older brothers listen to on it, but when we found a Peppa Pig bedtime stories Tonie she became obsessed.
She can now put her chosen Tonie (usually Peppa but sometimes Gruffalo or Encanto) on top of the machine to play a story, which gives her a rare feeling of autonomy. She also falls asleep to it when we’re staying somewhere unfamiliar. I can also highly recommend the Tonies Nightlight, a squishy sheep light that sits on top of our Tonie box and play lullabies. Other Tonies suitable for one year-olds include Blippi and CocoMelon.
4. Splash and Play Submarine Projector
£10, Fun Learning
Best for bathtime, 10/10
We like: A fun bathtime distraction
We don’t like: Tantrums about getting out the bath
- Ages: 12 months plus
- Made from: plastic
Isadora was delighted to test drive this submarine projector given that her bath toys to date comprise a bunch of faded stacking cups and ducks that have seen better days. It was recommended to me by Simpson-Jones; the child presses the periscope, and a sea life scene is projected onto the bottom of the bathtub as it floats on the surface.
It’s quite plasticky, so I’m not sure how long it will last but for the time being it’s making bathtime much more exciting for two small children (and three larger ones).
5. Peppa Pig Garden and Tree House
£17.99, Lego
Best for dexterity, 9/10
We like: a great introduction to Duplo with Peppa and George Pig
We don’t like: it takes a lot of coordination to push the bricks together
- Ages: From 2 although my children have all enjoyed Duplo from 18 months
- Made from: plastic
As Isadora’s older siblings are into Lego, she was thrilled to receive her own set, albeit from the Duplo range which has larger pieces suitable for smaller hands. While I had to help her build the treehouse, she understands what it is and enjoys trying to put the sunflower together by herself.
On several occasions recently she’s demanded the two figures accompany her in the buggy, along with the watering can, which is stressful but shows how much she likes the set.
6. Melissa & Doug Dust, Sweep & Mop Wooden Cleaning Set
£42.99, John Lewis
Best for mimicking mum and dad, 8/10
We like: the storage rack to keep cleaning items tidy
We don’t like: it’s as expensive as the adult version
- Ages: From 3 years (Isadora, 20 months, is all over it)
- Made from: Wood and plastic
If only children kept up their fascination with sweeping, mopping and hoovering. My eight-year-old couldn’t be less interested, while at 20 months Isadora has hit peak cleaning age, even attempting to clean the loo if I take my eye off her.
Melissa & Doug, a brand which makes some of my favourite toys, has brought out this brilliant children’s cleaning set – there’s a fluffy orange feather duster and the dustpan and mop are better quality than my own. Plus it comes with an ingenious storage rack to hang them on after use, which means you don’t spend your life cleaning up after your cleaning toys.
Shush but John Lewis does a cheaper version for £12, although it doesn’t come with the rack so you might have to store it in the box.
7. Hape Wooden Noah’s Ark
£25.99, Amazon
Best for motor skills, 9/10
We like: attractive on the playroom shelf; good for story telling
We don’t like: can’t buy replacement pieces separately
- Ages: From 12 months
- Made from: wood
Isadora was mesmerised when she first played with this ark filled with wooden animals and repeatedly points to it on the shelf and asks to play it. Admittedly I haven’t yet seen her posting animals through their corresponding shapes but she enjoys taking them out and in again and towing the ark around the kitchen.
It’s an attractive, painted wooden toy – all finishes are non toxic – thus great as a newborn or Christening gift. I’m using it to help Isadora learn animal names and as props to tell the story of Noah’s ark to her and her four-year-old brother.
8. Daisy Chain Little Zipp Dolls Pushchair
£34.99, Amazon
Best for coordination, 8/10
We like: sturdy and realistic
We don’t like: needs a smooth surface
- Ages: 18 months to 3 years
- Made from: High Grade Tubular Steel
Isadora much prefers pushing her dolls buggy than being strapped into her own. We have a flimsier version of this that is very hard to collapse. This one is easy to fold and has a storage basket underneath for dolls’ accessories or toys.
It’s extremely realistic and not too girly, which means Isadora’s brother will happily play with it too, even though it’s a little small for him. In fact, I wish I’d had a buggy like this for my older boys; it’s really helped Isadora become a more confident walker.
9. Baby Einstein Magic Touch Piano
£29.99, John Lewis
Best for sensory development, 9/10
We like: encourages self expression
We don’t like: there’s nowhere to store the spare music sheets
- Ages: 1+
- Made from: wood
Now rather than bashing away at my piano, Isadora has her own miniature version (recommended by Simpson-Jones). The sound level is adjustable (phew) and can be switched off entirely and it seems well-made and sturdy.
Isadora enjoys playing the notes at random but when she’s a little older she can progress on to playing tunes using colour-coded music sheets. Or, with the press of a large blue button, the piano plays to her instead – cue dancing. I should point out that ours is hired from Whirli.
10. Melissa & Doug Scoop And Serve Ice Cream Counter
£49.99, John Lewis
Best for social interaction, 10/10
We like: it’s so imaginative, with coloured ice creams and mouth-watering toppings
We don’t like: it’s on the expensive side
- Ages: It says 3+ but my 20-month-old adores it
- Made from: wood and plastic
What one year-old doesn’t want to stuff their face with ice cream? The great thing is this is an imaginary ice cream stand with wooden cones and ice cream and plastic sprinkles and sauces.
I would go as far as to say this is my favourite toy ever. It is beautifully made: the ice cream flavours stack onto each other in the cone followed by the toppings; the stand has compartments for everything to be displayed tidily.
A one-year-old will be too young to use the scoop, menu cards or money but these can be squirreled away to be brought out when they are older. My four-year-old loves it as much as she does. Ours is hired from Whirli.
11. LeapFrog Learning Friends Educational and Interactive Bilingual Playbook
£18.80, Amazon
Best for developing speech, 8/10
We like: perfect toy for long car journeys
We don’t like: more pages would keep them interested for longer
- Ages: From 1
- Made from: plastic
We gave this to Isadora as her “ipad” for a road trip to Europe this summer; it made it seem less unfair that her older brothers were watching films on their tablets and smart watches and other devices. It’s an illustrated word book which starts singing to you when you open it; when the child touches a picture, the book says the word – in either French or English.
I can’t deny that from an adult’s perspective it makes for slightly repetitive listening, but it has undoubtedly helped Isadora learn the names of clothing, animals and food.
12. Fisher-Price Wooden Stack & Sort Animals 10 Piece Toy
£17, Argos
Best for problem solving, 8/10
We like: a timeless challenge for busy preschoolers
We don’t like: it’s more suited to 18-month plus
- Ages: from 1
- Made from: wood
This is part puzzle part shape sorter and it’s recommended by Findley to encourage motor skills and problem solving. Isadora has to use all the coordination she’s got to slide the pieces onto the wooden stem but once she’s created a lion with an alligator’s head and an upside-down koala she laughs and stamps her feet with glee. It’s easy to store on a shelf with the pieces on the stand and it’s made from FSC-certified wood and arrives in plastic free packaging.
13. Ravensburger 3-in-1 Stacking Cups: Bird’s Nest
£19.99, Ravensburger
Best for learning to count, 7/10
We like: the storage bag makes it a great travel toy
We don’t like: would be more fun with a couple more cups
- Ages: from six months
- Made from: Plastic
What preschooler doesn’t love building a tower – and knocking it over? Isadora giggles so hard when the whole thing comes crashing down. I’ve always gone for cardboard stacking cubes in the past such as these by Djeco; the more cubes there are, the taller the tower and the more dramatic the collapse.
Tots can start to learn counting as you stack them up biggest to smallest, whilst also developing spatial awareness. When I saw this new Birds Nest stacking toy I wondered if it was a little light on cups and jeopardy for a child of Isadora’s age but Findley recommends it.
“The whole range of 30 products has been designed with child development experts,” she says. “Each toy is really cleverly designed to offer additional features and benefits. For example, the fabric playmat that comes with the Stacking Cups is also a handy storage bag.” Isadora enjoys playing with it: balancing the bird on top adds a new element as does the leaf storage bag and it also doubles as a bath toy.
14. Moto Ride-on Molto Cross
£40.99, Amazon
Best ride-on toy, 10/10
We like: A great confidence builder
We don’t like: It could set a precedent
- Ages: from 2 (although my average sized 20 month-old rides it happily)
- Made from: Plastic
This is the only motorbike you’ll ever want your child to have. I panic bought ours in a toyshop in France at Christmas and never looked back; in fact a few days later we had to buy a second one as there was so much fighting.
So many ride-on toys have pedals, which are hopeless for children of this age or their design is such that little legs can only manage to move them backwards or sideways.
These bikes are surprisingly stable, so much so that Isadora is able to manoeuvre it around the garden without it ever tipping. Her older brother plays tricks on his. I should say I was torn between including this and the Little Tikes Cosy Coupe, which I believe all children should have (I was denied one as a child). There’s a new design out which is more like the classic version.
FAQs
What are the best toys for one-year-olds to help with development?
Toys with buttons that trigger lights and sounds teach the concept of cause and effect, says Toyworld magazine’s Rachael Simpson-Jones. Mirrors teach self-recognition. Contrasting colours aid visual development. Objects that can be pulled or placed, as well as shape-sorters, help develop hand eye coordination.
What safety features should I look for in toys for one-year-olds?
Wooden toys should be painted with non-toxic paints, while soft toys should be made of flame resistant fabrics, according to first aid experts from Daisyfirstaid.com. Parents should choose toys that are age appropriate and closely supervise their preschooler as they play, particularly if toys have strings, cords or ribbons (a pullalong toy for example).
Battery-operated toys must have battery cases that are screwed shut and parents should not let their one-year-olds play with toys that could prove a choking hazard such as marbles.
How can I ensure the materials used are safe for one-year-olds?
According to Daisyfirstaid.com, parents should look for the CE symbol on toys to prove they meet certain European safety regulations. They can also look for the voluntary British Toy and Hobby Association’s (BTHA) “Lion Mark”, which also shows that the toys meet statutory safety requirements.
Is it okay to buy second hand toys?
Yes, but you need to be extra vigilant about its condition as a toy that is broken or damaged can prove a hazard.
What are this year’s most popular toys for one-year-olds?
Parents can’t help but be drawn to characters that remind them of their own childhoods, says Simpson-Jones; Winnie the Pooh, for example, or Paddington Bear.
Lion King toys such as this Simba soft toy are currently a big hit with parents who grew up in the Nineties; the film first came out in cinemas in 1994 and is thus celebrating its 30th anniversary.
For similar reasons Harry Potter preschooler toys are catching on (the first book came out in 1997) despite the books and films being far too advanced for a one-year-old.
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