Becoming a new parent is a shock. You have a new human on board, and caring for that life takes a lot of attention. Entertaining your 1-year-old will help you make a bit of space for yourself amid the chaos. And finding the right toys might help. So, how do you go about finding the best toys for a 1-year-old? Is there a way to determine if they are safe for a small child? What can you do to ensure that your child is both entertained and out of harm’s way while you’re trying to clean the dishes?

The following selections were made with both safety and quality in mind. By evaluating market standards, we were able to choose the top 10 toys for a 1-year-old, ensuring that your child will receive the best toys on the market. We did the research so you can put your worries to rest and focus all of your energy on being a parent.

If you’re looking to introduce music into your child’s life at a very young age, it might be worth taking a second look at the Hape Pound & Tap Bench. This interactive toy includes a xylophone. When you hit the balls with a hammer, they’ll fall through on top of the xylophone. And this will create an array of musical tones. Since it involves so many different elements, your child will begin to explore fine motor skills, color, sound and even music.

This beautiful toy will promote audio recognition, manipulation, coordination and many other feats of exploration. You can even slide the xylophone out to use it as it’s very own instrument. There have been several cases when a customer received a xylophone which was out of tune, which can offer a frustrating challenge. But the benefits remain clear; pair motor function with sound and you have the Hape Pound & Tap Bench.

Since the beginning of it’s birth, this toy has received five awards across the world. It has been recognized as a quality product in India, the UK, Germany, and the US. And the quality control is unmatched.

This product is particularly durable, so you’ll be able to love it for many years to come. And it comes with rounded surfaces, so you won’t have to worry that your child may injure themselves while playing. On top of all of it’s other features, this toy involves matching, critical thinking and the exploration of cause and effect. Ultimately, it’s safe to use and is sure to keep your child mesmerized for years.

Key Features
  • Multi-use educational tool
  • Includes a xylophone
  • Winner of the 2018 Cribsie Award for favorite first musical toy
  • Includes a hammer and balls
  • Features durable, water based paints
Specifications
  • Batteries Required: Not available
  • Assembly Required: Not available
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: 5
Pros
  • Music-oriented toy
  • Sturdy
  • Simple
  • Colorful
Cons
  • The balls can fit into the mouth of a 15 month old
  • Might be out of tune when you receive it

One of the struggles of being a parent is finding a way to get everything done. When you have young children in the house, you need to entertain them as well as perform tasks like cleaning. Fat Brain’s Dimpl Baby Toy offers a great solution for particularly small children (aged 10 months or older). By engaging your child’s senses with these silicone bubbles, you might have a shot at making some space for yourself. This toy is soft to the touch. It engages the fine motor skills and cause and effect learning.

The frame is made out of ABS plastic, which might see a bit of warping after extended use. And the bubbles are made out of silicone, so they’re malleable and have been known to come apart from the ABS at times. But the materials have been tested by professionals and are BPA free. Plus, they’re made with food-grade materials, so you don’t have to worry about your toddler putting this in their mouth.

The manufacturer recommends this toy for children of 10 months and up. Due to the simplicity of this product, it’s most optimal for particularly small humans. It’ll give you a way to engage their senses without overwhelming them with too many pieces or possibilities. This toy is rated #1 in Amazon’s Baby Activity Play Centers, #27 in Pre-Kindergarten Toys, and #52 in Toys & Games, vouching for its versatility and quality. By purchasing a product like the Dimpl Baby Toy, you’ll invest in a product that’s both safe and easy to use for kids of all ages.

Key Features
  • Silicone product
  • Engages the senses
  • Great for toddlers
  • BPA Free
  • Uses food-grade silicone
Specifications
  • For Ages: 10+ months
  • Batteries Required: No
  • Assembly Required: No
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: 1
Pros
  • Safe for children of all ages
  • Made of non-toxic materials
  • Made with bright colors
  • Engages senses
Cons
  • Fat Brain has questionable customer service
  • Less durable than competitive products

The First Years Stack Up Cups offer a colorful, fun vibe to counting and problem solving. Designed to be stacked in a particular order, these will encourage your child to explore spatially oriented challenges. The holes in the bottom of the cups make using them in water or sand interesting.

Reviewed by over 4000+ customers, these stack up cups are incredibly popular. The number of holes in the bottom of the cups correspond to numbers to introduce your child to counting. And the shape of the holes is different in each cup, so you can use them to introduce your child to triangles, squares, stars and other shapes. They can be used to build towers, to teach color or to explore hand-eye coordination in children. Plus, the motor control that’s required to stack these cups is substantial.

One caveat is that the colors in each shipment aren’t always consistent, so some packages end up including two cups of the same color rather than 9 different colors. And they don’t always stack easily, which can be frustrating. However, the plastic is very sturdy. And it offers a great tool to get your child invested in multiple themes. Although the plastic is sturdy, they’re also surprisingly lightweight. This means that they shouldn’t hurt anyone when they’re tossed around. Ultimately, the First Year Stack Up Cups offer a simple toy with many uses. This is a great product to introduce to children of 6 months or older due to its versatility and colorful design.

Key Features
  • Targets motor function
  • Holes in the bottom of the cups make for fun bath toys
  • Includes 8 cups
  • Includes links that are intended to attach the toys
  • There are large numbers on the bottom of the cups
Specifications
  • For Ages: 6 mo +
  • Batteries Required: No
  • Assembly Required: No
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: 8
Pros
  • Targets problem solving skills
  • They're very versatile
  • Can be used in water or sand
  • Safe for children of all ages
  • Introduce numbers and counting
Cons
  • They're smaller than expected

If you're hoping to find a toy that your children will use for an extended period of time, the Pounding Bench is sure to satisfy. Great for kids from age 1-3, this adorable little house is intended to facilitate learning of all kinds. Whether you want your child to focus on color recognition or matching, this toy will stimulate growth. Additionally, this is a great product for fine-tuning motor skills like dexterity.

Made with only the best materials, the manufacturer guarantees 100% satisfaction, so you don’t have to be nervous about your purchase. Rolimate toys are specifically designed to target brain development in children. The clock on the side of the house may help your child recognize numbers early in their development, while the hammer and balls will target muscle development and coordination. This highly interactive toy provides a number of different types of challenges like matching and color recognition. The versatility is unmatched by competitive products.

The manufacturer recommends this toy for children of ages 1+. The wood is made out of beech trees. And materials are 100% non toxic and lead free. And the edges are rounded to make this toy particularly safe for small children. Passing the highest ASTM in both the US and Europe, you can be sure that this toy is safe for your children.

Rather than providing your child with a toy that entertains but doesn’t target development, you can offer them the Pounding Bench. This toy is designed to help children grow and develop. By offering an outlet for safe exploration and creative thinking, you’ll engage your child in a new way.

Key Features
  • Great for both boys and girls
  • Developmental toy
  • Helps children learn how to match
  • 100% satisfaction guaranteed
  • A Toy that's focused on learning
Specifications
  • For Ages: 1-3
  • Batteries Required: No
  • Assembly Required: Not available
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: Not available
Pros
  • Guaranteed to keep your child(ren) entertained
  • Built to facilitate learning
  • The manufacturer guarantees satisfaction
  • Gender-neutral
  • Likely to entertain your children for years
Cons
  • Takes some persistence to pound the balls through
  • It can get pretty noisy

Becoming acquainted with money can take many years for people, making investments and financial decisions harder in life. But the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank helps introduce your child to themes like counting and coordination from as early as age one. The 10 colorful coins that are included can easily be inserted into the bank and removed from the side door to help explore dexterity. And the interactive songs and phrases help your child to tackle challenges like matching colors.

But, perhaps one of the most alluring features of this project is its ability to adjust to your child’s educational level. As a smart piggy, the technology adjusts challenges as your child grows. Level one is designed to assist with early language challenges, catering to curiosity. Level 2 implements a series of questions to encourage your child to follow directions. And Level 3 involves imagination and adopting a role. If the educational features of this piggy bank aren’t enough, it’s also incredibly durable, sturdy and makes a terrific gift.

The only caveat is that the volume isn’t very adjustable, so you’re likely to hear this little piggy working from anywhere in your home. And the replacement coins aren’t very affordable.

While this product is designed for ages one-plus, many children continue to express interest in this toy as old as 7 or 8. It’s versatile and captivating. Plus, the batteries last a long time. And it’s sure to have your children in stitches in no time!

Key Features
  • Includes 40+ sing along songs
  • Learning content advances as your child grows
  • Includes 10 coins
  • Features a side door for easy internal access
  • Challenges and develops toddler dexterity
Specifications
  • For Ages: 1+
  • Batteries Required: Yes
  • Assembly Required: No
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: 11
Pros
  • Offers an interactive way to explore education
  • It's a sturdy product
  • It can be easily cleaned
  • It includes Spanish options
  • Helps your child learn to count
Cons
  • There are no volume options

If you’re looking for an educational tool to entertain your kids for hours, you should check out this music mat. This toy is interactive, includes up to eight different instruments (piano, saxophone, violin, accordion, trumpet, harp, vibraphone and guitar), and is sure to occupy kids from age 1 to 8 all day long. Featuring 4 different functional modes (record, demo, play, one key note), it allows you to either listen to or to create music. And it includes 19 keys!

The colorful LED lights has the ability to play a number of songs on its own. Safe to use outside, this toy is unmatched in terms of versatility. The sounds and settings make it an impressive toy. And it even turns off automatically after idling for 2 minutes.

You can fold this keyboard to make it packable, so you can take it along for play dates easily. And music is known to be an irreplaceable tool to develop hearing in kids. Size 43.3” x 14.2”, you’ll definitely be able to entertain two kids at once. This music mat is sure to spark creativity and stimulate attention. IT offers a great platform for parents to work with their kids on an educational level. The material is soft and gentle to the touch, so you won’t have to worry about harming the skin. This mat can easily be cleaned with a cloth, and it’s an eco- friendly/non-woven material. Plus it’s toxin-free and tasteless.

This product takes three 1.5V AA batteries, and Batteries are not included.

Key Features
  • Includes playback mode
  • Adjustable Volume
  • Educational toy
  • Interactive games
  • Includes LED lights
Specifications
  • For Ages: 1-8
  • Batteries Required: Yes
  • Assembly Required: Not available
  • Interactive: yes
  • Number of Pieces: 1
Pros
  • Entertains multiple kids at once
  • Includes a variety of games to keep kids interested
  • Entertains kids between age 1 and 8
  • Easy to pack away
Cons
  • Batteries are not included

Taimasi’s focus on education and early learning is evident in the way they target kid’s toys. The Kid’s Musical Instruments (28PCS) was designed to help children develop hand-eye coordination, to explore coordination and rhythm and to develop auditory perception. But that’s not all. Music also targets memorization and creativity. With 18 different instruments to choose from, you can entertain an entire class with this set. Exposing your child to music and rhythm at a young age can have positive lasting impacts.

This instrument package includes 1 rainbow bell stick, 2 whistles, 1 trumpet, 1 face bell, 1 wood sounder, 4 shaker eggs, 1 xylophone, 1 rainbow column, 1 rabbit bell, 2 maracas, 2 handle sleigh bells, 1 triangle with striker, 2 wrist bells 2 finger casanets, and 1 tambourine. IF that’s not enough, it also comes with a backpack for carrying all of these epic instruments.

Taimasi prioritizes quality products and invest in certifications that other companies don’t meet. For instance, this musical set meets CPC & ATM Certification standards, they’re FDA approved, BPA Free and non-toxic. By investing in Taimasi, you can feel good about the products you’re backing up. And your child will be safe from any harmful chemicals or toxic materials.

Not only is this musical set a great solitary toy for children of ages 1+, it could also function as a great family activity. The bonding environment that music creates is unmatched by any other experience. And the Kid’s Musical Instruments can create that invigorating environment.

Key Features
  • Includes 28 pieces
  • BPA Free & Non-toxic
  • Combines many musical instruments into a kit
  • Easily cleaned and stored
Specifications
  • For Ages: 1+
  • Batteries Required: No
  • Assembly Required: No
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: 28
Pros
  • Satisfaction Guaranteed
  • Can be shared with other children
  • Made with high quality woods
  • Backpack Included
  • Can be used as an educational tool
Cons
  • Everything is individually wrapped, which creates lots of garbage

Gund’s “My First Teddy Bear” offers a classic take on a teddy bear. With beautiful embroidered letters and a nose, this teddy is both timeless and durable. It’s safe to machine-wash “My First Teddy Bear,” which is convenient if you have a particularly young child. And since it’s a classic, you’ll be able to wash it all throughout your child’s life.

One great feature is the sizing option – you can opt for a 10”, 15”, or even an 18” teddy. This huggable toy is certain to keep you 1 year old safe and cuddled for many years. And it’s designed to last, so it’ll make it through nap time and play time like a champion. Gund has a great reputation for building quality products that you can truly put to the test. And “My First Teddy Bear” is no exception to this rule.

Whether you’re looking for a cuddle companion or a teddy bear to join your child for playtime, this might be the one! The attention to detail is evident in stitching and material choice. The classic teddy is a very giftable option, taking a modern take in style and color. Some users noted that the pink color is brighter in the photos than it is in real life. But the softness and durability is worth the purchase. And others noted to be wary of the ribbon, since it’s possible to get a finger caught in the loop. The manufacturer ships quickly. And if the pink option isn’t right for you, this bear is also sold in tan and blue colors.

Key Features
  • 15 inches tall
  • Machine-washable
  • Extra large size
  • Embroidered features
Specifications
  • For Ages: 0+
  • Batteries Required: no
  • Assembly Required: no
  • Interactive: yes
  • Number of Pieces: 1
Pros
  • Great color
  • Classic style
  • Soft
  • Good for all ages
Cons
  • The color is lighter than in the photos

If you're looking for a safe way to engage your 1 year old child, look no further. AOLIGE's Wooodn Jigsaw Puzzles are sure to stimulate all kinds of cognitive growth and development! These colorful puzzles offer a bright, aesthetically pleasing toy. And they’re great for beginners. On top of being cute, these puzzles are also BPA Free, don’t contain toxins, and have a smooth edge. This makes them ideal for small children.

Whether you’re hoping to target hand and eye coordination or persistence, these puzzles will do the trick. And they’ll entertain your child for hours. These puzzles can be used to talk about body parts, bugs, and other shapes in addition to targeting cognitive skills like problem solving, and motor development. And they’re also great for abstract thinking. There are no loose pegs that could create choking hazards, so you won’t need to monitor your children closely while using these puzzles. It’s possible that, over time, the paint or wood will chip. But overall, they’re reliable in quality and durability.

The manufacturer recommends these puzzles for ages 1+. Puzzles come individually wrapped, and they come in a bag made of cloth. These puzzles will not break if stepped on. They’re 1.57” in thickness, and can handle a bit of ware. As opposed to some of their plastic counterparts, this product is safe for your children and better for the environment. The quality of this product is unmatched, and it’s exactly as described – durable and great for children of any skill level.

Key Features
  • Safe for one-, 2-, and 3-year-olds
  • Educational toy
  • Includes 8 jigsaw
  • Using this learning tool stimulated coordination
  • Each piece is 5.78 x 5.78 x 1.57 inches
Specifications
  • For Ages: 1+
  • Batteries Required: No
  • Assembly Required: No
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: 8
Pros
  • Stimulates cognitive growth
  • Stimulates fine motor development
  • Stimulates problem solving abilities
  • They're colorful
Cons
  • The bases are thin and can easily be chipped
  • The paint seems cheap

The CPSYUB Montessori Eggs offer a new take on timeless education. The egg set comes with 12 different eggs that can be used to target color and shape matching. This toy stimulates curiosity, creativity and concentration. The interior of each egg varies in shape and color. As you split them in half, you might find a square, circle, arrow or more. And the colors are as varied as the shapes.

The perk of investing in a toy like this is that it can also be used as an educational tool. Your child’s cognitive abilities will develop as they spend time trying to match the shapes and colors. The design of the Montessori Eggs accelerates early education. And ultimately this leads to and increase in reasoning and spatial recognition abilities.

The manufacturer only uses materials that are safe for human touch like child-safe ABS plastic that’s also BPA free. So you can rest easy, knowing that your 1 year old might put these pieces in their mouth. Additionally, there are no choking hazards included with the eggs, making it safe for all ages. And none of the pieces are flimsy or made out of questionable materials.

On top of being made out of quality materials, the eggs are also easily stuck together and pulled apart. This is an ideal product for little hands and developing brains. Depending on your order, you may receive an orange egg carton or a yellow one. But rest assured, CPSYUB will provide and outstanding learning tool for your child.

Key Features
  • Educational toy
  • BPA-free
  • Includes 12 eggs
  • Great for all genders
  • Ideal for 1-6 year olds
Specifications
  • For Ages: 1-6
  • Batteries Required: No
  • Assembly Required: No
  • Interactive: Yes
  • Number of Pieces: 25
Pros
  • Promotes creativity
  • Targets shape recognition skills
  • Great for 1-6 year olds
  • Stimulates curiosity
Cons
  • Sometimes glue is visible

While you're on the hunt for the best toys for a 1-year-old, you probably have questions about the safety of your selections. Are the toys that are available BPA free and made without toxins? Will I purchase something that will end up having small pieces that can become choking hazards? You might ask: How can I possibly find the best and safest toys when there are so many options? Since toddlers often put objects in their mouths, it's vital to make sure that the materials in your toys won't harm your child. But you're in luck. I've compiled a short list of toys that are both safe and captivating for your one-year-old.

Once you put your safety concerns to rest, you'll probably start to think about ways to engage and educate your 1-year-old. Many toys do a great job of captivating their audience. But they're not always targeting development. And your toddler is absorbing all kinds of information. Luckily, we were able to evaluate safety concerns and educational potential so you don't have to!

At age one, your child is playing simple games like peek-a-boo and beginning to tackle single words. Your toddler is becoming especially aware, so they can probably put objects into containers and take them out. And they might even be walking around. During this stage of your child's life, you can encourage additional development by targeting certain areas. He or she will probably be captivated by banging on objects or instruments, so toys that implement sound might spark great curiosity within them. And they'll begin to explore basic movements, so hand-eye coordination is a great place to target.

I have collected a list of toys that are both engaging and educational for your 1-year-old. It's probably best to keep playtime simple for now in order to ensure that your child will stay captivated. Experts say that stackable toys or toys that can be used in many ways will continue to engage your child. I made sure to include toys that can be used in a group setting, one-on-one setting, or by just your child to ensure that you can create the educational environment that you desire. And many of these toys can be used for years to come since they target development from ages 1 to 8. Ultimately, we've attempted to make shopping less of a headache so you can focus your efforts on spending time with your child rather than finding the best toys for your 1-year-old.

Resources— Fatherly, Busy Toddler

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