37 best gifts for one-year-olds, approved by Glamour mums and aunts
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As an aunt of five (gorgeous) nieces and nephews, it's a struggle I'm familiar with: tracking down the best gifts for one-year-olds. Because what do you buy the child that likely already has a trillion wooden toys, books and nursery trinkets?
Of course, they likely won't remember which aunt or uncle bought them which Jellycat, stacking toy or trike — but that doesn't give you an excuse to not take it seriously. This single digit marks the start of a major developmental milestone, and so you'll need a toddler toy that's fun, aesthetically pleasing, plus helps develop their dexterity or gross motor skills.
But rather than strolling the virtual aisles aimlessly, I headed straight to the experts and asked GLAMOUR mums and aunts for the answer. Cue, a carefully curated list of the best newborn gifts, as well as the best gifts for baby girls and gifts for baby boys, most coming in at under £100.
What to expect? Think ride-on automobiles, Montessori sensory toys, baby walkers and board book bundles, as well as personalised gifts, soft toys and sentimental gift ideas that will double as keepsakes they'll treasure forever. Yep, not a gift card in sight.
Shopping for a baby is overwhelming, but here are our editors' top picks.
Ahead, the best gifts for one-year-olds, approved by GLAMOUR's shopping editors:
One of the simple joys in life when you're one? Being surprised, hence why they love a pop-up toy so much. But this one, themed after the beloved children's book, The Gruffalo, will help develop their dexterity and hand-eye coordination too.
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The White Company Vilac Ride On Car Toy
You might associate The White Company with deliciously scented diffusers and (GLAMOUR-approved) candles, but the brand also excels in the children's department. This ride-on car is the perfect gift for their transport-obsessed offspring, plus it is a great tool to use when encouraging their little one to walk and/or crawl. The only issue? Settling on a name for their new wheels. May we suggest Flash?
This lovable cotton doll, finished with a fluffy tutu and glitter crown, makes for the perfect first birthday companion. Choose from one of the various skin and hair colour options before having your dancer's name embossed on her polka dot skirt, too.
Personalised Kids Concept Grey Pop Up Play Tunnel
Peek-a-boo is a staple in your toddler repertoire by now. Take things one step further with a play tunnel, which not only helps with crawling but also encourages independence too. This collapsible one is great for throwing in the car when you’re visiting the grandparents, heading for a picnic, going on a camping holiday…
Courtesy of brandBest personalised gift for one-year-olds
A step up from the traditional name puzzle, this personalised sensory board has other engaging elements to aid their development, including spinnable flowers and a movable unicorn to help them work on their motor skills. Choose the colour, theme, and even add an engraved message to make this extra special.
The Little Green Sheep Kids Teepee Play Tent
Every kids' nursery needs a play tent that, thanks to the powers of their imagination, also doubles as a castle, supermarket, and four-bedroom house. This one is beautifully crafted from 100% cotton canvas to please minimalist parents, while the five-pole design offers extra stability and space.
Pink Wooden Baby Walker with Colourful Blocks
As a child, I was obsessed with whizzing my dolls around in my walker. This wooden roller is primed for helping your little one work on their physical and cognitive skills. But it also comes with colourful blocks that they can slide and spin to their heart's content.
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It's a struggle most parents can relate to — trying to get their mini-me to wear a coat. Thankfully, this (reversible) jacket offers warmth without the bulk and comes finished with cute bear-style ears on the hood.
Musical toys are great developmental gifts for toddlers, and this one is a regular on ‘best toys’ lists. With a mini xylophone, clacking saddles, and a detachable maraca, this little llama will make a standout first birthday gift.
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Who didn’t have a Little Tikes Cosy Coupe growing up in the ‘90s? With its recognisable red and yellow design, beepable horn, sunroof and googly eye headlights, it’s a childhood icon that'll prompt fond memories for both parents and toddlers. Just be sure to let your one-year-old have a go now and then…
Save when you shop the best gifts for one-year-olds with these Argos discount codes.
Best Jellycat gift for one-year-olds
Jellycat Natural Bashful Bunny Toy
Like Beanie Babies were to millennials, Jellycat is the ultimate collectable for Gen Alpha. We particularly love the fact that our favourite fruits, hobbies and classic cuddlies — bears and bunnies — all come finished with a sweet but not-too-enthusiastic smile. We're sure this faux fur rabbit will be their new obsession.
That's not my... Box Set 4 Books Collection
Children of this age often love reading — not only because it helps them to learn more about the world, but also to develop their language skills. This four-set of board books offers your child different textures and colourful scenarios to explore.
Clever Composer Activity Table
Let the music maestro go wild, with the surface of this top-rated table decorated with all kinds of musical decals, including 22 instrument buttons and 3 modes of play. Though the little one may start with it on the floor — yep, those legs are detachable — it can grow with them. Cue a cacophony of sound!
There have been countless iterations of the kids' stacker over the years. Our current favourite? This plush verison, designed to look like a host of jungle animals. And for those worrying this is a little too simple to be fun or useful, let us reassure you that they'll be able to work on their dexterity, motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as well as their colours, numbers, and words.
Fun toys that also help refine a baby's motor skills? A parent's dream. These chubby, nontoxic crayons are ideal if your toddler is still mouthing objects, since they’re made from pure New Zealand beeswax and food-grade colouring ingredients. They also don’t break like normal crayons, either, saving your bestie from finding little nubs all over their house.
If you're looking for a high-ticket item that's practical and will last for years to come, it has to be this high chair. The Tripp Trapp highchair sits right up at the table so your child is fully included at mealtimes, but is also designed to grow with them, with an adjustable seat and footplates.
Do you need something extra quiet for play in the car or on a plane? Press toys are the toddler-friendly equivalent of fidget spinners, and this aesthetically pleasing imitation paint palette will keep their little hands — and brain — occupied, while also allowing them to practise their colours.
We can confirm that a rocking horse is a rite of passage, and we love that this super fluffy option comes with a few hidden surprises — AKA a bell in one year and a rattle in the other.
A subscription to Lovevery is the most perfect gift, with the recipient receiving an age-appropriate box with toys suited to their development every three months. This kit, designed by child development experts, offers new challenges in balance, object permanence, and spatial awareness, as well as an early introduction to physics (yes, really).
Ceramic LED Pink and White Toadstool Light
This is one of my daughter's most prized possessions, especially as we're going through an ‘I’m afraid of the dark' period. This fairytale-inspired night light is handcrafted from ceramic and offers a gentle glow when switched on at the base.
- Claire Clifton Coles
Best sentimental gift for one-year-olds
Looking for a unique way to keep all of your child's important firsts — shoes, hairbrush, school report, etc. — safe? This vintage suitcase-style memory box is just the ticket. While the leather-lined trunk offers plenty of storage space (even A4-sized books and canvases), the luggage tag can also be embossed with a special date, their initials or a sweet symbol, such as a star.
Globber Go Up Foldable Lights Scooter
Transforming from a pushchair to a sit-on scooter and later a walking bike, this scooter will grow with your niece or nephew. Plus, the patented steering lock button fixes the two front wheels so they can only move backwards and forwards, giving parents more control. Best of all, though, is the fact that the wheels light up. Yep, this one's fun for the entire family.
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Both parents and children will love this practical gift. Designed to be an aesthetic meeting point for all of her hair clips and bows, you can bid goodbye to the daily search down the back of the sofa or under the bed. But
Think of this as an Etch-A-Sketch for smaller, wobblier legs, as it allows for little ones to hold on to the side and practise their standing while also playing with penmanship. It’s also portable, with the legs detachable too, and so a great alternative to a screen during a meal out.
Learning Friends 100 Words Book
One of the most highly anticipated milestones happens around the time the baby turns one: they finally utter a few words. One of the best ways for little ones to learn language is through repetition, and while you might have to listen to the same words over and over again, babies will love pushing the buttons in this interactive book. Plus, with the option to switch to Spanish, why not make them bilingual?
Save when you shop the best gifts for one-year-olds with these Amazon discount codes.
Best bath toys for one-year-olds:
It's either the highlight or low point of their day — so why not steer it towards the former with a new bath toy? From fresh spins on the classics like stackable buckets and rubber ducks to sensory options with spinners and fountains, there are sure to elicit squeals of excitement at bath time.
Best practical gifts for one-year-olds:
Arguably the best kind of gift for babies and toddlers? One that helps their parent, either by keeping them distracted or also serving as something they need. From night lights to fun hooded towels and weaning sets, here are the low-key buys GLAMOUR mums rave about.
What are the best gifts for one-year-olds?
Sensory toys, puzzles, musical instruments, play tables, and walkers are all winners when it comes to the best gifts for one-year-olds. But the truth is, what you pick is less important than how you play with it.
Yep, decades of research suggest that the most important thing parents, aunts, uncles and carers can do is interact with their little ones by talking, reading, singing, and getting down on their level to play. A 2019 clinical report from the American Academy of Paediatrics explains: “The most educational toy fosters interactions between caregivers and children in supportive, unconditional play.” Therefore, the authors recommend choosing “toys that will grow with the child, foster interactions with caregivers, encourage exploration and problem-solving, and spark the child’s imagination.”
And while you really can’t go wrong with something eye-catching for your little one, we all know you’re also very much gifting the parents who are coping with early-stage toddlerhood. Essentially, opt for something they'll enjoy using with their toddler but also that doesn't turn their house into a migraine-inducing rainbow rave.
Sharing her advice, Parenting Expert at Kiddies Kingdom, Kirsty Douglas, says: “When children get to 12 months, they’re beginning to develop more social and communication skills. You can help your child reach these exciting milestones by introducing plenty of imaginative and creativity-based toys. Musical toys are brilliant for this as they help children understand cues and practice mimicking sounds.
She continues: “At around 12 months, your child will typically be eating weaning snacks such as vegetable sticks alongside meals. Using toys which require sorting, picking up and moving will allow your little one to build the fine motor skills needed to help them feed themselves independently. For this, toys such as ring towers and stackers are perfect, as they support fine motor development whilst keeping your child engaged and entertained. This type of toy can also be a terrific way to support cognitive thinking.”
How we choose the best gifts for one-year-olds:
Our Website Director, Bianca, is a mother of two. After extensive research, shopping for her (very active and inquisitive) daughter's first birthday present, as well as those of all her friends' children, she has become quite the expert. But, to ensure they suited, she has also tested these toys on her eldest daughter over a year-long period, only including the ones that she felt went the distance and kept her daughter engaged. She also grilled other GLAMOUR mums, her postnatal pals and parenting experts to get their recommendations too.
We've accounted for all budgets, from purse-friendly book bundles to play kitchens that make for a luxury treat. Our guide not only includes uniquely educational toys that are ideal for development, but also plenty of meaningful presents that aren’t toys, like personalised gifts, practical play mats, and sentimental gift ideas that both baby and parent will treasure forever.
Meet the expert:
| Kirsty Douglas | Parenting Expert at Kiddies Kingdom. |
