Good Birthday Gift for 1 Year Old Baby Girl

It's hard to find toys for 1-year-olds. Kids in this age group are no longer infants, but barely toddlers. They're starting to grow out of baby toys, which have to do little to impress but crinkle, rattle and offer a soft part to chew. "One-year-olds are at a period in their development when they are becoming increasingly powerful and competent — evidenced by the fact that they are starting to walk and talk," says Rebecca Parlakian, M.A., E.D., a parenting expert from Zero to Three, an organization that focuses on kid development during the early years. "They are also really interested in big questions like, 'How does this work?' 'What does it do?' And, 'What happens if I do this?'"

The best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds help them explore these questions and practice these new physical skills. "This includes simple items, like a ball to kick and chase, as well as things like push toys or toys that can be pulled on a string while walking," Parlakian says. "Toys can also pose fun challenges for 1-year-olds to figure out — think about a stacking ring, nesting cups, shape-sorters, a busy-box or simple wooden knob puzzles. And it's never too early for set of cube blocks, plus a basket or bucket to drop them in and dump them out of. And toys that make noise — like a xylophone, drum, or toy piano — are also a hit at this age.

We tapped veteran parents and toy testing experts lead by Chief Technologist, Rachel Rothman, at the Good Housekeeping Institute to weigh in with their favorite toys for 12-month-olds. The toys were evaluated for safety, durability and easy of use, then sent to toddler testers to make sure they're fun. These picks hold up to the less-than-gentle treatment they get from their charges, won't drive parents crazy and — most important of all — are new-toddler-approved. The Good Housekeeping Institute Little Lab repeated the process to find the best stocking stuffers for toddlers, toddler gifts and gifts for 2-year-olds. Also, don't forget to check out Good Housekeeping's gift guides for kids of all ages for more of the best kids' toys, including many Good Housekeeping 2021 Toy Award Winners.

These are the best toys and gifts for 1-year-olds in 2021:

Busy Buggy

Radio Flyer walmart.com

$34.97

Beep, beep! While your little one is working on his leg muscle strength, you can still push him around on this Toy Award Winner. Then, as he becomes a more confident walker, he can propel himself. There are also lots of little features that spin, click and otherwise make noise. Ages 1+

Go! Go! Smart Wheels Launch and Chase Police Tower

Another past Toy Award Winner, this play-set features a police car and a getaway car that race around on the colorful track. Less-than-gentle toddlers were entertained by the lights, noises and sounds the cars make as they travel along the sturdy tracks. Ages 1+

Chase n Go Ball Popper

Just press the button and colorful balls begin to pop out from the elephant's trunk, leaving your toddler free to run, chase the balls, and put them back in again. It includes four easy-grasp balls and also plays six fun songs. Ages 9 months+

RELATED: The Best Gifts for Babies to Delight Brand-New Parents

pipSquigz

Fat Brain Toys amazon.com

$21.95

Like fidget spinners for toddlers, these toys are oddly enticing — the suction cups stick to tables, counters and each other, and each one rattles, so there's a lot of stimulation going on. Even adults have been known to absentmindedly play with them. Ages 6 months+

RELATED: The Best STEM Toys for Kids

Mega Bloks

Mega Brands amazon.com

$14.90

Because of their bright colors and easy-to-hold shape, these classic large blocks are especially perfect for kids just past their first birthday. You can even get them to help clean up by making a game of putting the 80 blocks back into the zip-up storage bag. Ages 1+

Little People Golden Girls Collector Set

Okay, 1-year-olds might not get the reference, but they'll still enjoy paling around with Little People re-creations of Blanche Devereaux, Rose Nylund, Dorothy Zbornak and Sophia Petrillo. These figures, which are chunky enough for little hands, also come in a The Office collector set. Ages 1+

Dimpl Digits

Fat Brain Toys amazon.com

$19.99

There's something that's just so satisfying about this toy, even though it's so simple: There are different, colored bubbles, numbered from one to ten, that give a satisfying pop when you push them in. On one side, it has the numeral and the number word, and if you flip it over, it has the number in Spanish and a corresponding amount of raised dots. It's great for kids to practice colors, numbers and words. Ages 1+

Perfect Personalized Toy for 1-Year-Olds

Personalized Wood Name Puzzle

LastPieceOfThePuzzle etsy.com

$29.52

The only thing that can make a letter puzzle more fun is if it spells out your child's name — it's one of the first words they'll learn, after all. These colorful puzzle pieces are approximately 4" tall, making them great room decor when they're not in use. (Note: These puzzles did not come with a specific age recommendation.)

Best Sports Toy for 1-Year-Olds

Smart Shots Sports Center

Start your sporty toddler off with soccer and basketball with one toy. The set lights up and makes sounds while also keeping track of the baskets and goal on a light-up scoreboard. Ages 1+

Tinkle Crinkle Jumbo Caterpillar Plush

This little caterpillar not only looks cute, it offers tons of sensory experiences. Each segment is made from a different fabric with different textures, and when kids touch it, it'll make different noises like rattles, crinkles and squeaks. Ages 0+

Squeezmeez Whale

Manhattan Toy amazon.com

$10.00

This cute whale is actually full of memory foam. Little ones can give it a good squeeze, and then be mesmerized as it slowly returns to its original shape. (You might want it as a fidget toy for yourself.) You can also get Squeezmeez in the shape of a narwhal or jellyfish. Ages 0+

Pound & Tap Bench With Slide-Out Xylophone

Roll over, Beethoven. With this classic toy, your child can experiment with different sounds by rolling the colorful balls down the xylophone slide or by hitting the keys with the mallet. Ages 1+

Adorable Counting Toy for 1-Year-Olds

Peekaboo Learning Farm

Learning Resources amazon.com

Five different farm-animal finger-puppets come in five different numbered barns. When they're little, they can have fun hiding and discovering the animals in the barns. As they get older, they can use it for counting, sorting and imaginative play. Ages 18 months+

Sweet Treats Musical Tea Set

LeapFrog amazon.com

$25.89

There are so many sweet things about this tea set: It teaches kids counting (six pieces of cake, four cupcakes, and so on), plays teatime songs, and the teapot even makes sloshing sounds as it pours, which is great for pretend play. Ages 1+

Shape Sorter

Made from 100% recycled plastic milk jugs, this lightweight shape shorter is great to help encourage little ones develop fine motor skills, color matching and shape recognition. The set includes eight shapes, two stars, two circles, two squares and two triangles. Ages 6 months+

Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzles

Melissa & Doug amazon.com

Teach them colors, shapes, and "moos" and "baas" with these brightly colored, wooden puzzle pieces. The large knobs on each piece make them easier for little hands to grab. Ages 1+

Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker

This busy walker for kids 9 months and up has tons of exciting features — music, lights, gears and more! — to engage with as your child develops those motor skills. With so many features, there's always something new to discover. Ages 9 months+

Musical Rhymes Book

There are six different nursery rhymes in this book to page through — and many different ways to experience them. The book plays music and sings songs, while the buttons on the side teach little ones about colors and instruments. Ages 6 months+

My First Soft Drum and Guitar

Forget egg shakers: This guitar and drum are soft like your kids' favorite stuffed animals, but they play music and light up to a rhythmic beat. Each instrument has to be purchased separately. Ages 0+

Chomp & Clack Alligator Push Toy

Melissa & Doug amazon.com

As your child pushes this wooden walker around, the alligators snap their jaws with a satisfying clacking sound. It's perfect for kids who are practicing their first steps. Ages 1+

My Pal Violet

LeapFrog amazon.com

$24.00

Available in purple or green, this snuggly pal can actually learn your child's name through an accompanying app. Once they become buddies, the pup can sing lullabies, count and teach colors. Ages 6 months+

Musical Lili Llama

Manhattan Toy walmart.com

$49.99

Not only does Lili Llama make a statement in a nursery, she's a bunch of instruments in one! Lili includes four noisy spinners, two gears, a maraca in her tail, a five-bar xylophone on her back, a set of notches for a washboard sound, two clacking saddle blankets and two mallets that store in her head. Ages 1+

Sesame Street People in Your Neighborhood Collection

It's all their Sesame Street friends, dressed as people they'll see in their community (which may be of particular interest to them with all the emphasis we've placed this year on appreciating essential workers). Elmo is dressed as a doctor or firefighter, Abby is also a doctor and Cookie Monster is a construction worker. Ages 1+

Basket of Babies

Creative Minds target.com

$46.95

Toddlers love taking after their parents and taking care of their own babies. With this set of six dolls, there's a lot here to love! Each snuggly soft babe comes with a removable outfit, so your toddlers can mix and match while practicing their fine motor skills when dressing and undressing their dolls. Ages 1+

Take-Along Shape Sorter

Melissa & Doug walmart.com

$27.00

There's plenty for kids to love about this classic shape sorter — the crinkly fabric, the textured shape blocks, the fun colors — but parents love that everything fits into a handled bag, so it can easily be brought to and from Grandma's house. Ages 9 months+

Sweet Smiles Doll

Madame Alexander amazon.com

$33.98

To encourage empathy and pretend play, these dolls come with Madame Alexander-quality molded faces and soft, huggable bodies. They come in a range of skin tones, and they're also weighted, so they feel more lifelike. Ages 1+

Edushape Small Sensory Balls

These bright balls are covered in little nubs that allow for tactile development. As baby grows he can grab, squish and chase after them. 6 months+

Kai Teddy Bear

The perfect first friend for your little one, there's something about Kai's extra-large head that makes him extra cute. He's also super soft and huggable. Kai comes in white, rainbow and tie dye. Ages 1+

Purrfect Counting Purse

LeapFrog amazon.com

$19.99

This handbag comes with everything you need to take along for the day: an ID tag, comb, phone, keys and change purse. But press the kitty's tiara, and the fun gets more interactive, as it can sing songs and teach kids about numbers, colors and counting. Ages 6 months+

The Thinker Play Kit

The Thinker Play Kit is meant to help encourage children to use their imagination while organizing information. Each set comes with information to help adults understand the benefits of each toy, and how to use them in developmentally appropriate ways when playing with children. This subscription kit includes seven toys that will help with problem solving, building hand eye coordination and more. Ages 11 months+

Marisa LaScala Parenting & Relationships Editor Marisa LaScala covers all things parenting, from the postpartum period through empty nests, for GoodHousekeeping.com; she previously wrote about motherhood for Parents and Working Mother.

Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping Institute Chief Technologist & Director of Engineering Rachel is the chief technologist and director of engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all labs.

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Good Birthday Gift for 1 Year Old Baby Girl

Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/childrens-products/toy-reviews/g5152/best-toys-for-one-year-olds/

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