Finding the perfect Christmas gifts for 1 year olds can be an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming task for parents, relatives, and friends. At this delightful age, babies are transitioning into toddlerhood, their curiosity is blooming, and they are rapidly developing new skills. Forget the notion that the wrapping paper is more captivating than the present itself – while boxes are indeed fun, the right gifts can truly engage, entertain, and contribute significantly to a 1-year-old’s growth and exploration, especially during the magical Christmas season.
As Tovah Klein, Director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development, aptly puts it, “It’s a very active time.” One-year-olds are all about movement, discovery, and hands-on interaction. They thrive on activities that involve pushing, pulling, stacking, sorting, and the simple joy of putting things in and taking them out of containers. Understanding these developmental milestones is key to selecting Christmas gifts that are not only fun but also genuinely beneficial for their burgeoning minds and bodies.
If you’re searching for Christmas gift ideas for 1 year olds that hit the perfect balance of fun and functionality, you’re in the right place. We’ve curated a selection of top-rated, engaging, and developmentally appropriate gifts perfect for under the Christmas tree. Let’s dive into the best Christmas gifts for 1 year olds that will encourage growth, exploration, and joyful development throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Best Christmas Gifts for 1 Year Olds Under $25
Back to Basics: Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks
Baby’s First Blocks – $10.99 at Target, $13.99 at Walmart
These classic Fisher-Price Baby’s First Blocks are a timeless Christmas gift for 1 year olds. Simple yet incredibly effective, these blocks are perfect for developing fine motor skills as little hands grasp, stack, and sort. The set doubles as a shape-sorter, introducing shapes and colors in a fun, interactive way. After playtime, the blocks neatly store in their bucket, making cleanup a breeze – a bonus for busy parents during the Christmas holidays.
It’s an Avocado! Learning Resources Learn-a-Lot Avocados
Learning Resources Learn-A-Lot Avocados
Learn-A-Lot Avocados – $10.99 (originally $17.99) at Amazon
For a unique and engaging Christmas gift for a 1 year old, consider the Learning Resources Learn-a-Lot Avocados. These adorable pull-apart avocados are designed to help toddlers develop fine motor skills, color recognition, and emotional understanding. By spinning the “pit,” little ones discover different faces and emotions, making it a fun way to introduce feelings. These avocados are a delightful and educational Christmas gift that’s sure to bring smiles.
Learn with a Sea Friend: VTech Touch and Teach Sea Turtle
Touch & Teach Sea TurtleTouch & Teach Sea Turtle – $14.85 (originally $19.99) at Walmart, $14.85 (originally $19.99) at Target
The VTech Touch & Teach Sea Turtle is a winning educational Christmas gift for 1 year olds, loved by parents and grandparents alike. This interactive toy introduces numbers and letters, captivating little ones with bright lights and catchy tunes. It’s a fantastic way to keep them engaged and learning fundamental concepts while having fun, making it a perfect Christmas present that combines education and entertainment.
For Small Hands: Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle
Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle
Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle – $16.99 (originally $24.99) at Amazon, $24.99 at QVC
Melissa & Doug’s Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle is an excellent Christmas gift for 1 year olds, specifically designed for little hands. The large knobs make it easy for toddlers to grasp and manipulate the pieces, enhancing their fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. Commerce vice president Jen Birkhofer notes that even her two and four-year-olds still enjoy this puzzle, highlighting its longevity. Singing “Old McDonald” while playing adds an extra layer of fun and learning to this charming Christmas gift.
Their New Bestie: Gund Toothpick Teddy Bear
Toothpick Teddy BearToothpick Teddy Bear – $17.99 (originally $19.99) at Amazon, $19.99 at Barnes & Noble
A cuddly companion is always a heartwarming Christmas gift for 1 year olds, and the Gund Toothpick Teddy Bear is an adorable choice. Available in soft corduroy for tactile exploration or jaunty stripes for visual stimulation, this teddy bear is perfectly sized for little arms and easy to take on Christmas outings in a stroller. For fans of Disney, consider Marie from “The Aristocats” or Patch from “101 Dalmatians” in the same cuddly Toothpick style, offering a range of lovable characters as Christmas gifts.
Repetitive Play Fun: Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube
Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube
Shape Sorting Cube – $18.99 at Amazon, $18.99 at Kohl’s
The classic Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube is a fantastic Christmas gift for 1 year olds, tapping into their love for putting things in and taking them out. This wooden shape-sorter provides hours of engaging, repetitive play, helping develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. The simple act of sorting shapes is not only educational but also mirrors the excitement of opening Christmas gifts, making it a seasonally appropriate and developmentally enriching present.
Hakuna Matata Melodies: Baby Einstein Magic Touch Ukulele
Baby Einstein Magic Touch Ukulele Wooden Musical Toy, Ages 12 months +
Magic Touch Ukulele – $19.98 at Amazon
Introduce the joy of music this Christmas with the Baby Einstein Magic Touch Ukulele, a delightful Christmas gift for 1 year olds. This 2-in-1 toy ukulele and banjo helps foster a love for music from an early age. It plays six popular melodies and features buttons for animal sounds, encouraging auditory development and exploration. It’s a fun and engaging way to spark musical interest during the festive Christmas season.
E-I-E-I-Oh Fun: Melissa & Doug Go Tots Barnyard Tumble
Go Tots Barnyard TumbleGo Tots Barnyard Tumble – $19.99 (originally $34.99) at Amazon, $34.99 at QVC
Melissa & Doug’s Go Tots Barnyard Tumble provides engaging and imaginative play, making it a wonderful Christmas gift for 1 year olds. These round figures are designed to roll through the play barnyard, offering a simplified version of games like Connect 4 for little ones. It’s compatible with other Go Tots play sets, expanding the play possibilities and making it a versatile Christmas present that encourages imaginative storytelling.
Explore the Ocean at Bath Time: Playmobil Junior Aqua Moana’s Boat
MoanaMoana’s Boat – $20.99 (originally $24.99) at Amazon
Turn bath time into an oceanic adventure with the Playmobil Junior Aqua Moana’s Boat, a fun and imaginative Christmas gift for 1 year olds. Featuring Moana and Heihei, this set includes individual boats and water-squirting flowers, perfect for interactive bath play. Associate editor Kamari Stewart gifted this set to her best friend’s son, who loves it so much bath time is never long enough! It’s a delightful way to make bath time enjoyable and spark imaginative play during the Christmas holidays.
Entertainment on the Go: Esjay Toddler Busy Board
Toddler Busy BoardToddler Busy Board – $26.99 (originally $29.99) at Amazon
For families planning Christmas travels, the Esjay Toddler Busy Board is a practical and engaging Christmas gift for 1 year olds. This Montessori-inspired busy board features eight pages of sensory activities that are both fun and educational, perfect for keeping toddlers entertained for hours on planes, trains, or car rides. As Amazon’s “No. 1 Most Gifted” in its category, this busy board is a travel-friendly Christmas present that provides both entertainment and developmental benefits.
Developmental Christmas Toys for 1 Year Olds
From the Ground Up: Mushie Stacking Cups
mushie Stacking Cups Toy | Made in Denmark (Original)
Stacking Cups Toy – $14.99 at Amazon
Mushie Stacking Cups are a beautifully simple and developmentally beneficial Christmas gift for 1 year olds. Stacking and unstacking is a favorite activity at this age, and these cups, available in a variety of stylish colors, allow babies to explore spatial relationships and develop fine motor skills. Made in Denmark, these stacking cups are not only aesthetically pleasing but also a valuable tool for early childhood development, making them a thoughtful Christmas present.
Sensory Starter Pack: Melissa & Doug Peek-a-Boo Touch and Feel Puzzle
Peek-a-Boo Touch and Feel Puzzle
Peek-a-Boo Touch and Feel Puzzle – $14.99 (originally $19.99) at Amazon, $18.99 at QVC, $18.99 at Melissa & Doug
For a tactile and engaging Christmas gift for 1 year olds, the Melissa & Doug Peek-a-Boo Touch and Feel Puzzle is an excellent choice. This puzzle stimulates the sense of touch with various textures and helps develop fine motor skills as little hands fit pieces together. It’s a wonderful starter puzzle that encourages sensory exploration, making it a thoughtfully developmental Christmas present.
A Little Bit of Everything: LeapFrog Touch & Learn Wooden Activity Cube
Touch & Learn Wooden Activity Cube
Touch & Learn Wooden Activity Cube – $21.57 (originally $29.99) at Walmart
The LeapFrog Touch & Learn Wooden Activity Cube is a multi-faceted Christmas gift for 1 year olds, offering a variety of play and learning opportunities in one eco-friendly toy. Marissa Silva, editor-in-chief of The Toy Insider, highlighted its extensive play value and environmental consciousness, noting it as a toy that provides “so much play and learning built into all sides.” This activity cube, featured on The Toy Insider’s Hot 20 list, is a fantastic Christmas present that’s both educational and engaging without breaking the bank.
Feeling the Rhythm: Hape Baby Drum
Hape Baby DrumHape Baby Drum – $22.67 (originally $26.99) at Amazon, $26.99 at QVC
Introduce musical exploration with the Hape Baby Drum, a rhythm-filled Christmas gift for 1 year olds. Drums are excellent for developing fine motor skills and rhythm awareness. This drum not only encourages pounding and rhythm creation but also rolls around, emitting melodies and flashing lights for added sensory stimulation. It’s a dynamic and engaging Christmas present that fosters musicality and motor skill development.
A Classic Story in 3D: Eric Carle “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Train Set
Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Train Set – $25.99 at Amazon
Bring a beloved story to life with the Eric Carle “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” Train Set, a charming Christmas gift for 1 year olds. This train set, based on the classic book, is perfectly sized for little hands to push, pull apart, and reassemble, promoting fine motor skills and spatial reasoning. It also introduces colors and animals from the story, making it an educational and imaginative Christmas present that connects play with literature.
Whimsical Imagination: Gund Baby Play Soft My Woodland Friends
Baby Play Soft My Woodland Friends
Baby Play Soft My Woodland Friends – $26.66 (originally $29.00) at Amazon
Encourage imaginative play with the Gund Baby Play Soft My Woodland Friends set, a delightful Christmas gift for 1 year olds. This five-piece set includes plush woodland creatures with various sensory features like crinkles, rattles, and squeakers, all housed in a unique mushroom carrying case. It’s perfect for on-the-go play and fosters imaginative storytelling, making it a whimsical and portable Christmas present.
Encouraging Independent Play: Fat Brain Toys Innybin
InnybinInnybin – $27.95 at Fat Brain Toys
The Fat Brain Toys Innybin is designed to captivate and engage, making it a unique Christmas gift for 1 year olds. This toy features textured, chunky blocks that toddlers can push in and pull out of elastic bands, providing a mesmerizing sensory experience and promoting independent play. Rebecca Brown, Deals editor, shares that her 1-year-old son is “absolutely mesmerized” by the Innybin, enjoying the challenge of retrieving toys, making it a winning Christmas present for fostering independent exploration.
A Comforting Christmas Friend: Warmies Microwavable Plush Animal
Microwaveable Plush SlothMicrowaveable Plush Sloth – $29.99 at Warmies
Offer warmth and comfort this Christmas with a Warmies Microwavable Plush Animal, a soothing Christmas gift for 1 year olds. These plush toys, available in various animals, are scented with French lavender and can be microwaved to provide warmth and comfort, perfect for bedtime or travel. Previously featured as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things, Warmies are not only cuddly but also teach nurturing and caring for others, making them a comforting and thoughtful Christmas present.
Curated Christmas Playtime: Lalo Play Boxes
The Play BoxThe Play Box – $90.00 at Lalo
For a comprehensive and developmentally focused Christmas gift for 1 year olds, consider Lalo Play Boxes. These curated boxes contain age-appropriate, research-backed toys designed to stimulate development in each stage of infancy. Deals editor Rebecca Brown recommends Lalo Play Boxes as “so great for exhausted parents who are overwhelmed with making decisions and finding the ‘right’ toy.” Featured in Shop TODAY’s Gifts We Love list, these play boxes are a customizable and gorgeous Christmas present that takes the guesswork out of gifting.
Ignite the Senses this Christmas: Stapelstein Inside Rainbow
Inside RainbowInside Rainbow – $109.00 at Stapelstein
The Stapelstein Inside Rainbow set is a versatile and sensory-rich Christmas gift for 1 year olds, perfect for active play and development. These nesting stones can be used for climbing, building towers, drumming, and even bath time fun. Associate editor Kamari Stewart gifted these to a 1-year-old who is “obsessed” with them, especially for bath time. They are a dynamic Christmas present that encourages movement, creativity, and sensory exploration.
Christmas Fun for Everyone: Little Big Playroom Ball Pit
Ball PitBall Pit – $198.00 (originally $248.00) at Little Big Playroom
For a truly memorable Christmas gift for a 1 year old and the whole family, consider the Little Big Playroom Ball Pit. While an investment, Deals editor Rebecca Brown describes it as a “gift for everyone” in her house. Made with thick foam and including 200 balls, this ball pit provides a safe and fun space for toddlers to climb, play, and even interact with older siblings. It’s a Christmas present that promises hours of fun and active play for children of various ages.
Best Push, Pull and Ride-On Christmas Toys for 1 Year Olds
Through the Years of Play: VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer
VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer,Yellow
Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer – $24.97 at Walmart
The VTech Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer is an engaging push toy and a top Christmas gift for 1 year olds who are on the move. Designed for ages one to three, this bestseller pops balls out of the chimney and into the bucket as it’s pushed, providing visual and auditory stimulation. It encourages walking and gross motor skill development, making it a fun and active Christmas present for this age group.
Grocery Shopping Fun: Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape-Sorting Grocery Cart
Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart Toy
Shape Sorting Grocery Cart Push Toy – $37.63 at Walmart, $37.49 (originally $74.99) at Amazon, $74.99 at QVC
Combine walking practice with imaginative play with the Melissa & Doug Wooden Shape-Sorting Grocery Cart, a versatile Christmas gift for 1 year olds. This toy functions as a walker, shape sorter, and food play set all in one. It comes with puzzle boards and chunky pieces to enhance motor skills and sorting abilities. The included cup holder adds a touch of realism, letting toddlers mimic their parents, making grocery shopping both fun and developmentally enriching this Christmas.
Supporting First Steps this Christmas: VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker
VTech Sit-To-Stand Learning Walker (Frustration Free Packaging), Blue
Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker – $39.99 at Amazon
The VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker is an incredibly popular and practical Christmas gift for 1 year olds who are learning to walk. Featured on Amazon’s Toys We Love list, this walker provides support and stability for those first steps. Commerce vice president Jen Birkhofer notes its widespread popularity and versatility: “Pretty much every house I go into has this walker. It’s great for babies who are learning to walk. It also has a ton of fun buttons on the front and sings songs.” Even before walking, it functions as a busy board, making it a long-lasting and beneficial Christmas present.
Extra Storage on Wheels: Skip Hop 3-in-1 Scooter Wagon
3-in-1 Scooter Wagon3-in-1 Scooter Wagon – $45.50 (originally $65.00) at Amazon
The Skip Hop 3-in-1 Scooter Wagon is a Christmas gift for 1 year olds that grows with them, offering extended play value. Unlike typical walkers, this Skip Hop design transforms into a ride-on toy and scooter as the child develops. The seat also flips to become storage for toys, adding practicality. It’s a versatile and long-lasting Christmas present that adapts to different developmental stages.
I’m a Big Kid Now Balance Bike: Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker
Retrospec Cricket Baby WalkerCricket Baby Walker – $45.99 (originally $49.99) at Amazon, $49.99 at Retrospec
The Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker is an innovative Christmas gift for 1 year olds, combining walking support with early balance bike skills. Featured on the second hour of TODAY, this beginner bike helps toddlers learn to walk and balance simultaneously. It’s a parent-favorite and a forward-thinking Christmas present that promotes coordination and prepares them for future bike riding adventures.
Friendliest Alligators: Melissa & Doug Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy
Melissa & Doug Chomp & Clack Alligator Push Toy
Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy – $54.48 (originally $74.99) at Amazon, $74.99 at Melissa & Doug, $74.99 at QVC
The Melissa & Doug Chomp and Clack Alligator Push Toy is a whimsical and engaging Christmas gift for 1 year olds learning to walk. This walker toy features adorable chomping alligators, fish on the wheels, and spinning beads, providing visual and tactile stimulation. As toddlers push it, it makes a satisfying click-clack sound, encouraging them to keep moving and exploring during the Christmas season.
Best Books for 1 Year Olds as Christmas Gifts
Fun for the Whole Christmas Family: “Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks,” by Bob Shea and Brian Won
Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks
“Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks” – $7.83 (originally $8.99) at Amazon, $8.36 (originally $8.99) at Bookshop.org, $8.99 at Barnes & Noble
Books are always enriching Christmas gifts for 1 year olds, and “Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks” is a delightful choice for the whole family. This board book series features charming pups with various jobs and enough humor to make repeated Christmas readings enjoyable for parents too. It’s a wonderful way to introduce language and create cozy Christmas reading moments.
Rhyme and Christmas Reason: “Little Star,” by Lisa Edwards and Kat Kalindi
Little Star“Little Star” – $7.99 at Amazon, $7.99 at Barnes & Noble
“Little Star” is a beautifully written and sensory-rich book, making it a perfect Christmas gift for 1 year olds. This rhyming book celebrates a little star and is filled with animals that toddlers can touch and feel, providing a fun tactile experience. It’s a soothing and engaging Christmas present that stimulates senses and language development.
Movin’ and Groovin’ Christmas: “Sunrise Dance,” by Serena Gingold Allen and Teagan White
Sunrise Dance“Sunrise Dance” – $12.08 (originally $12.48) at Amazon, $12.99 at Barnes & Noble
“Sunrise Dance” is an interactive and fun Christmas gift for 1 year olds who love books with flaps. This flap-filled book features animals starting their day with lively dances, encouraging movement and engagement. Toddlers can push and pull tabs to make the animals dance, adding an interactive element to Christmas story time and promoting motor skills and imaginative play.
Christmas Style at an Early Age: “Dressing Up: Pip’s Truly Fashionable Tale,” by Samantha Brown
Dressing Up: Pip’s Truly Fashionable Tale
“Dressing Up: Pip’s Truly Fashionable Tale” – $24.00 at Amazon
“Dressing Up: Pip’s Truly Fashionable Tale” is a unique and imaginative Christmas gift for 1 year olds, fostering creativity and self-expression. Written by a renowned stylist, this book celebrates the power of dressing up and imagination. The beautiful illustrations and story transport children to a magical New York City, encouraging self-confidence and imaginative play, making it a stylish and empowering Christmas present.
What Do 1 Year Olds Like to Play With at Christmas?
As 1 year olds transition from baby toys, they begin to practice speaking, recognize rhymes, and explore their world more actively, making Christmas a perfect time to introduce toys that support these developments. Marie Conti, Director of Regional Community Relations for the American Montessori Society, emphasizes the importance of varied textures in toys for this age, encouraging sensory exploration.
Development experts agree that open-ended toys are ideal Christmas gifts for 1 year olds. Look for presents that allow toddlers to explore and play in their own way, rather than toys with rigid instructions. This Christmas, choose gifts that spark curiosity, encourage movement, and support the incredible developmental leap that 1 year olds are experiencing.
Meet the Experts
Don’t forget to check out Shop TODAY’s other gift guides to find the perfect present for every kid on your list including babies, 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds.
