Image: MomJunction Design Team
If your baby boy’s first birthday is around the corner, and you want to gift him with the best toys for a 1-year-old boy, you’ve come to the right place. The thing about buying toys for little ones is that they tend to outgrow them quickly. So you need to entrust them with games and toys that can engage them and stimulate their senses.
At this age, your baby is developing their cognitive and coordination skills, which can be boosted with the right baby toys. We have listed a carefully selected collection of best-selling toys that are safe to play with and super engaging. So, take a look and pick something fun for your little one to test out.
Top Picks
13 Best Toys For Your 1-Year-Old Boy
1. Best For Easy Cleaning:Mega Bloks First Builder
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 48,382 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.
Building toys are great for babies as they constantly feel the urge to know more about what they are being handed. Though at this tender age, babies feel the need to chew anything they are given or throw things away; this toy still can be helpful. As the child grows, with the help of this builder he gets to familiarize with shapes. The color combination plays an important role in this game and lets the child notice the new colors. Blocks even improve the learning capacity of the baby. The benefit for parents is that the toy doesn’t occupy a lot of space & is easy to clean. The size of the blocks is quite large which evades the risk of swallowing.
Pros
- Encourages creative thinking
- Develops fine motor skills
- Offers hours of fun
- Can be combined with other building blocks
- Promotes imaginative play
Cons
- Some blocks may not snap well
- May contain tiny blocks that can cause choking
2. Best Travel-Friendly:VTech Turn and Learn Driver
Babies love to see new things and this toy can be a new simulation for boys who love toy cars. This wonderful little toy keeps the kids charmed with its music and movements. The color attracts kids and the honking sound will light up the baby boy’s imagination. If your child loves to see you driving, then he can totally imitate you while spinning the wheel. Though the toy instrument may be noisy for some, it will keep the child aware of the various sounds. The time-tested toy has the capacity to play 60+ songs and is travel-friendly. It will keep your little boy entertained, and he might never feel bored playing with it. If you want to know more about the benefits of this toy for kids, check out this quick review on YouTube.
Pros
- Encourages pretend play
- Three ways to play
- Strengthens fingers
- Interactive buttons
Cons
- Battery may exhaust fast
- May be quite lightweight
3. Best Entertaining:Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity Center
This is the ideal attachment to keep your child glued to a highchair or car seat without making any noise. This unique toy keeps your child entertained while eating or when you don’t want them to move. The color pattern is really cool and great for seeking a child’s attention. It has spins, flips and movable rings that enhance visual tracking. Since it is easy to wash, you can keep germs away from your child by washing it frequently. Carry it wherever you want because it is portable!
Pros
- Encourages tactile exploration
- Frustration-free play
- Develops hand-eye coordination
- Improves fine motor skills
- Doubles as bath time toy
Cons
- Suction cups may not cling to wet or sticky surfaces
- Some children may be able to yank it off
4. Best Fascinating:B. Toys One Two Squeeze Baby Blocks
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 12,877 buyers on Amazon have said the product lives up to the hype.
For parents looking for an interesting toy for their one-year-old, this is a good option. It has hand-sculpted, square-shaped blocks that your child can use for stacking. The most attractive thing about these skill-building blocks is that each block has fascinating pictures of animals, letters, numbers, etc for your kid to enjoy. One-year-old babies most probably enjoy this stacking toy, as it is easy to squeeze and chew. Plus the kids get to learn stuff while playing with these toys. The material used is BPA-free which means it can be chewed without any hazards, making it a safe teething toy for your child. Here’s an honest review of these toys for kids.
Pros
- Reusable bag with carry handle for easy storage
- Smooth edges
- Easy to clean
- Ideal for sensory learning
- Facilitates open-ended play
- Long-lasting
Cons
- May attract mold
- Colors may be slightly different
5. Best Surprising:Playskool Poppin’ Pals Pop-up Activity Toy
Want to see your baby’s eyes light up with excitement? Then this is the toy for him. This best-selling toy has a surprising element attached to it. There are five animal figures that pop up every time the child hits different shapes placed in front of them. Kids not only enjoy pulling the shapes but become happy when they see the animals pop out of their shells. This toy will engage your kid and will make your child aware of cause and effect, i.e. when you do something, there is something else happening in return. There is no sound or batteries involved. It is one of the best toys for 1 year old boys who love to play peek-a-boo!
6. Best Educational Toy:Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack & Baby’s First Blocks Bundle
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 20,688 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
As the name suggests these are two toys put together in a bundle and offered at the price of one. Rock-a-Stack lets babies stack rings while first blocks help kids stack their favorite shapes into the shape sorter. Both are bundled together to enhance your child’s creativity, coordination and recognition skills. Kids usually love the rings and are totally awed by the primary colors. This is a trusted educational toy for one-year-old boys. Bringing this toy to your home will serve the purpose of a simple educational cum entertainment activity for kids.
Pros
- Stimulate problem-solving skills
- Encourages motor skills
- Smooth edges
- Helps learn shapes
- Ideal baby gift for birthdays
Cons
- Lid may not sit tight
- Rings may be smaller than expected
7. Best For Observational Skills:Top Bright Wooden Race Track Car Ramp Racer With 4 Mini Cars
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has earned its stripes, with over 10,670 reviews on Amazon.
Boys who love cars will surely love this race set up. It has a colorful racetrack with four mini cars. It is a treat to watch your child enjoy the colorful toy vehicles go up and down on the racetrack. The material used is non-toxic and safe for kids. The only supervision needed is that your child does not choke on them as these mini cars can easily fit in a child’s mouth. As per reviews, this racetrack serves the role of an educational toy as kids can learn to time and improve observational skills. Such skills prove to be helpful when he learns to ride a bicycle.
Pros
- Smooth and sturdy movable wheels
- Ideal for cause-and-effect learning
- Vibrant colors stimulate baby’s visual senses
- ASTM and EN 71-tested and certified
- Helps develop communication skills
Cons
- Cars may seem smaller than expected
- Car numbers and ramp numbers may not match
Caution8. Best Fun-Filled:VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer
Bulldozer is a rare thing to find for kids. So when your child gets this toy, he will be ‘amazed at first sight’. It is a great toy that your child can drag with him while learning about colors and numbers. As the little one walks around with the bulldozer, colorful balls pop out of it and encourage your child to keep walking. The colorful buttons add a fun element to the toy. A variety of sounds play upon pushing the different buttons. Parents can store the balls inside it after the child is done playing. This prevents any loss of balls and keeps the fun going.
Pros
- Builds hand-eye coordination
- Lightweight
- Vibrant colors
- Batteries included
- Encourages roleplay
Cons
- Handle may be a tad flimsy
- May require adult supervision
9. Best Plush Toy:VTech Lil’ Critters Roll and Discover Ball
Do not mistake this ball for a regular ball; it has a lot more features than one expects. Kids who love to throw their toys will love this ball. The exciting part of this ball is that it plays music and other fun sounds when rolled over. A one-year-old who is still crawling, will love this toy as it can be pushed, thrown, rolled and kicked. Despite all these great features, the ball is soft and handy for the kid. Upon pushing the big star shaped button, it introduces numbers and animals. This developmental toy also serves the purpose of keeping your child active and smart, making it a trusted option. It requires two AAA batteries to play sounds and doesn’t bounce much which is great for your one-year-old.
Pros
- Supports gross motor development
- Helps with tactile development
- Bright colors and interactive sound effects
- Facilitates sensory learning
Cons
- May not be washable
- Volume may not be adjustable
10. Best Interactive Toy:Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Shop ‘n Cook Walker
Image: Kids2 This entertaining toy offers four modes of play for growing kids. The first mode allows the toddlers to sit and play with a removable cooktop. The second mode lets the child enjoy a walking activity table. It is a versatile toy for kids who can walk and those in the crawling phase alike. With this interactive toy, kids can explore all the four modes and learn to mimic the shopping experience of their parents. The bright colors, lights and sounds are some other key highlights of this toy.
Pros
- Smooth maneuvering wheels
- Easy-grip handle
- Detachable top activity
- Easy-to-operate battery compartment
Cons
- Paint may chip off
- May slide fast on smooth surfaces
11. Best Dog-Themed:Xiapia Baby Balance Bike
The pedal-free balance bike by Xiapia has four 12-inch slip-resistant wheels and a cute dog-themed body to make riding fun and wobble-free for children. Its soft handles are made of non-slip EVA foam to provide a comfortable grip when the child pushes the cycle with their feet. The ride-on toy also has a durable carbon steel frame and a 135-degree turning pyramid base that enhances balance and keeps the child from falling. Moreover, this lightweight cycle weighs only five pounds and can hold weights up to 55lb, making it ideal for toddlers aged one and above.
Pros
- BPA-and lead-free
- Easy-to-assemble
- Easy-to-maneuver
- ASTM F96, CE, EN 71-tested
- Has a soft seat
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- May not be suitable for uneven floors
- Non-adjustable seat
"I thought my kid would be apprehensive about using this cycle, but the Dalmatian print quickly captivated him. Its assembly is a bit tricky, but the wheels keep it stable, and the adjustable design assures me that it will grow well with my child."
Point to consider12. Best Colorful:WeofferwhatYouwant Educational Ball Drop Toy
The education ball drop is ideally for two kids. In fact, you can even play with your kid and enjoy some gaming time. The game begins with stacking of all the pieces to set up the ramp sets. It comes with two ramp sets and six balls. Once it is done, you can drop the ball and let it come down on its own. It is a great surprise for the kids and they love to see the process of the ball coming down the stack. The toy is colorful and made of soft plastic. It is among the best toys for one-year-old boys as it challenges their organizational skills and lets them enjoy it at the same time.
Pros
- Introduces early math – counting
- Develops hand-eye coordination
- Encourages analytical skills
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Some parts may look flimsy
- May not stay together
"Though assembling required adult help, it instantly captured my little one’s attention. The balls are also perfectly sized for his little hands, and the structure is pretty durable. Its vibrant colors have also been excellent for improving his color recognition skills."
13. Best With Cognitive Abilities:Top Bright Wooden Puzzles Alphabet Education Toys
Puzzles are some of the best educational toys as they enhance your child’s ability to grasp ideas and simple concepts. This age-appropriate puzzle is made of wood and the bright-colored letters fit into their respective shapes. Each letter is big enough to avoid the risk of being swallowed. The colors too, are attractive and help develop your child’s cognitive abilities.
Pros
- Great for learning
- Introduces children to the English alphabet
- Encourages recognition skills
- Strengthens fine motor skills
- Supports language development
- Develops logical and mathematical skills
Cons
- Some pieces may be smaller than the cutouts on the board
- May not have knobs to help children handle the alphabet or numbers
"My kids love the bright colors, and they have been a decent tool for starting their journey of learning the ABCs and numbers. I found the letter pieces to be a tad too small for my younger child. However, its educational benefits outweigh this minor issue."
How To Choose The Right Toy For A 1-Year-Old Boy?
Whenever you buy a new toy for your baby boy chances are he will always be happy with the new toy. But it is your responsibility to give him toys that he can enjoy and learn from. Generally we see toys as just random play things but these things might play an important role in developing basic learning skills in your child. While you are getting new toys keep the following points in mind.
- Look for what your child loves the most.
- Find out the toys that in any way shall not harm your child.
- Choose the toys that keep your child active.
- Try and give them things that could be replicas of real life things like remote, etc.
- Children, especially boys, love to play with toys emitting light and sounds. Make use of such toys to improve learning in your child.
- Always opt for toys that could be healthy for your child’s creativity like building blocks or painting stuff.
- It is really important to look for toys that grow with your baby boy. Let him unfold the features smartly with his growing age.
- Consider buying toys that allow open-ended play, i.e., which can be used in a number of ways.
- Do not give too many toys at a time. Open up his options slowly so that he gets enough time to explore every toy.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Priti Bose specializes in reviewing toys and games. She has conducted extensive research to shortlist the best toys for 1-year-old boys. While curating the product list, she has considered the material quality, safety rating, and user reviews. To help you pick the perfect gift for your baby, she has added detailed information about each product and included a few essential pointers that talk about how to choose the right toys for 1-year-olds. The products in this list are engaging and meet the safety standards.
The Bottom Line
It’s an exciting day when your little Rockstar turns one, and you need just the right gift to commemorate this special event. You can choose from our list of the best toys for 1-year-old boys that include skill-building toys and ones that are purely recreational. Regardless of which toy you choose for the little wonder, ensure they appeal to their interest. Our top choices include the Fisher-Price Rock-a-Stack & Baby’s First Blocks Bundle, which helps develop motor and cognitive skills, the Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Shop ‘n Cook Walker, which has attractive lights and sounds to engage your child, and the B. Toys One Two Squeeze Baby Blocks, which is a safe choice as it has no sharp edges or tiny parts that may pose a choking hazard.
Infographic: Helpful Guide For Choosing Safe Toys For One-Year Olds
Toys for babies are more than just for play and keeping them engaged. It can also help in their development and growth. Therefore, it is essential to choose appropriate toys for their age. Read through the infographic below for some valuable tips for choosing toys for one-year-olds.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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