The best toy specifically for your little one will depend on the star in the bunch that hones in on their specific interests. We considered childhood development experts’ insights, engagement, and skill-building when reviewing the best toys for 12 month olds. Here are the most entertaining and developmentally appropriate toys for your 12-month-old. This toy pleases everyone: Mother Earth, parents, and infants. Made in the USA from food-safe, 100% recycled plastic (HDPE #2) milk jugs, this shape sorter is a fun, age-appropriate toy that has longevity but also comforting concern about your little one’s health. (Little humans greet everything via the mouth. Big human customs haven’t yet kicked in.) Safe for kids 6 months old and up, younger kids will enjoy grasping the lightweight shapes while older babies can practice fine motor skills and color matching by sorting the shapes and placing corresponding shapes into the sorter. And both age groups will highly welcome the visually engaging colors and various tactile pieces. Lastly, perfect for indoor or outdoor play, moms and dads appreciate that the pieces can be stored inside the sorter and the whole set is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. (That means quicker diving to a naptime after putting your tyke down for the nap, parents.) Price at time of publication: $20 Price at time of publication: $25 Price at time of publication: $35 Price at time of publication: $57 Price at time of publication: $71 Price at time of publication: $9 Price at time of publication: $35 Price at time of publication: $60 Price at time of publication: $50 While they are growing more and more independent, one-year-olds usually still need an adult to play with them. It’s great to find interactive toys that caregivers can play with their child. These interactions will not only be fun for the little one but will also present opportunities to help their development. Occupational therapist Meredith Soucie tells Verywell Family that to help babies learn, adults should “encourage repetition of sounds, use gestures like waving and pointing, imitate animal sounds, talk about everyday experiences and use books to look at pictures and encourage language.”
Milestones
Caregivers are usually well aware of the importance of development for babies. Even though the pace of growth slows down a bit after the first birthday, 12-month-olds still need lots of support to continue to meet their milestones. A good way for adults to do this is by intentionally choosing toys that are age-appropriate and offer opportunities for learning.
Entertainment
A 1-year-old’s attention span is pretty short even when they are entertained, so if you get them a toy that isn’t entertaining at all, they’re going to lose interest very quickly. To avoid this, look for toys that will grab their attention and keep them engaged. Some engaging features to look for include sensory play, music, and toys with containers that they can put things in and out of. According to Soucie, toys that “encourage mobility by providing a wide array of safe objects to climb on, under, or through” are also really good options because they are both fun and support development.
Why Trust Verywell Family?
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, a 7-year-old son, and a 3-year old daughter. Her best gifts for 12-month-olds are toys that have longevity (and avoid loud noises). Anything that can be used for years to come is good in her book! Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler. Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer, mom to a 1- and a 4-year-old, and has personal experience in researching and using infant carriers, strollers, and travel systems. Key considerations she focused on when selecting these products include personal experience, safety features, ease of use, and user reviews.
More Toys and Gifts for Kids
When it comes to toys and gifts for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top gift and toy picks for every age and stage here:
The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids The Best Newborn Baby Gifts The Best Unique Baby Gifts The Best Baby Gifts The Best Gifts for Baby Girls The Best Baby Boy Gifts The Best Infant Toys The Best Gifts for 2-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Month Olds The Best Toys for 4-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 6-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 8-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 9-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 10-Month-Olds The Best Gifts for 1-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 15-Month-Olds The Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds The Best Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 3-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 3-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 3-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 4-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 4-Year-Old Boys The Best Educational Toys for 4-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 5-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 5-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 6-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 6-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 7-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 7-Year-Old Girls The Best Toys for 7-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 8-Year-Olds The Best Gifts for 8-Year-Old Boys The Best Toys for 9-Year-Olds The Best Toys for 10-year-Olds The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Girls The Best Gifts for 10-Year-Old Boys The Best Gifts for 12-year-old Boys The Best Gifts for Teens The Best Gifts for 14-Year-Old Boys The Black-Owned Gift Guide
