Have you decided on a Christmas present for your child?
Many people want to give a gift that will make their little one happy, but are wondering, “What would be best?”
In this article, we’ve gathered Christmas gift ideas that are perfect for one-year-olds.
In addition to timeless, long-selling toys, we’ll introduce a variety of items such as educational toys that encourage language development and improve concentration, as well as things that can be used even after they turn one.
We hope you find a wonderful gift that suits your child!
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- A special feature of recommended picture books for Christmas that will captivate 2-year-olds!
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- Ideas for indoor play and physical activities recommended for 1-year-olds
- Let’s play at home with a one-year-old! Activity ideas using things you already have at home
- For babies under 1! A special selection of picture books that let infants enjoy Christmas with all five senses
Christmas gifts for 1-year-olds: Popular toys and presents they’ll love (1–10)
play kitchen
It might seem early for pretend play, but aren’t many one-year-olds fascinated by the kitchen? Opening and closing cupboards, pressing the stove buttons, peeking into the faucet—there’s so much in a kitchen to spark a child’s curiosity.
So how about giving a play kitchen for Christmas? It lets them explore safely while fully satisfying that curiosity.
By ages two to three, they can use it for pretend play, and it’s also great for practicing helping out and for early food education.
Piano/Keyboard
How about giving a toy keyboard or piano as a Christmas present? The features vary by product, but many are packed with fun functions for kids—like light-up keys, sounds that switch from piano to other instruments or voices, and the ability to sing along with nursery rhyme melodies.
A child who starts out just banging on the keys may gradually learn to play better as they grow, and you can really feel their development.
It’s great for fine motor skills, and it also helps build a sense of rhythm and pitch.
pull toy
Pull-along toys you can play with—pull toys.
There are lots of cute pull toys on the market featuring animals, vehicles, insects, and more.
Some make a clattering sound when you pull them, and others let kids enjoy stacking blocks or shape sorting.
Children around one year old will pull anything with a string, and when the toy follows them as they pull, they can’t get enough of the fun.
For babies, it can also help them practice tracking with their eyes.
They’re great as interior decor, too!
Ball drop
Simple yet surprisingly captivating for children: the ball drop toy.
Kids watch the balls spiral down with remarkable focus.
Many versions make sounds or light up when you drop the ball, and the variety means kids can enjoy them for relatively long stretches—another great point.
Playing with ball drop toys also helps develop fingertip control and hand-eye coordination.
When choosing one as a gift, pick a set with balls large enough for a one-year-old to hold.
Be careful to avoid small balls, as they pose a choking hazard.
tricycle
A tricycle that can be enjoyed both outdoors and indoors.
At age one, pedaling may still be difficult, but just scooting with their feet will keep them captivated! If you’ll use it outside, we recommend a tricycle with a steering handle so adults can control the direction when needed, and a framed design that lets even very small children ride safely.
There are many fun options to choose from—popular character designs, foldable models that are easy to carry, and 2-way types that can be used for a long time.
Give a tricycle as a gift and make winter days at the park even more fun!
indoor jungle gym
If indoor play just isn’t enough for your one-year-old, an indoor jungle gym is a great recommendation.
Some sets even come with slides and swings, making them perfect practice before their first trip to the park.
Since it’s used at home, you can take safety measures like placing a mat underneath, so your child can play safely and you can have peace of mind.
The downside is that some products can be quite large.
They may take up a big portion of the room, so it’s best to check in advance whether it can be set up before giving it as a gift.
wheelbarrow
Push walkers make great gifts for one-year-olds, an age when many children are just starting to walk.
During the wobbly, toddling stage, it’s natural to worry about falls and bumps.
With the support of a push walker, those concerns are reduced, and kids can enjoy walking more safely.
It can also serve as a helpful prompt for cautious children who are reluctant to start walking.
There are many types—ride-on styles, ones with educational features, and ones that double as toy storage—so try finding a push walker that best suits your child!