What are the Best Toys for a 1 Year Old?

So, just what ARE the best toys for a 1 year old? Kids this young love to play as much as any child, but how do you tell which kinds of playthings are most appropriate for someone that young? After all, a child of only one year of age can’t play with any toys that are too complex, yet you want something he’ll enjoy and that will be safe for him. His increased mobility means he’ll be getting into all kinds of things out of curiosity. You want to re-direct that curiosity into something more constructive for him by providing him with toys to attract his attention. But what do you get?

Some of the best toys for a 1 year old are those that gently move around. Rocking and pushing toys are great for this, such as rocking horses and balls. Not only will these entertain your child, they will help him hone his fine motor skills and develop his muscles. Plus, he’ll have a lot of fun with them.

Toys that involve some kind of manipulation are also excellent choices. Manipulation toys allow a child to develop creativity and problem solving skills. These help expand and stimulate the brain, which is always a good thing. Toys that your child can stack, nest, and fill are great for improving hand and eye coordination and dexterity, and shape sorters help your child learn his shapes well before he starts school. There are plenty of playthings like this out there, so you won’t have any trouble finding them.

Finally, stuffed animals are some of the best toys for a 1 year old. They’re simple, soft, and cute. Your child won’t get hurt playing with a stuffed animal, and can cuddle with one all day and night. In fact, some children become very attached to their stuffed animals and take them everywhere with them. These types of toys help children learn important emotional skills such as empathy, compassion, and love. These are some of the best lessons of all for your child to learn, as they will help them in life more than anything else you could imagine.