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The best gifts for a 1 year old are simple ones. Think board books, a chunky puzzle, a few things to stack and knock over, and something soft to carry around the house. You really don't need to spend more than $25 to find something they'll come back to for months.
Below are a few quick picks, then a closer look at each idea and a short safety check to run before you wrap anything.
Quick picks
Top pick, for the baby who brings you every book in the house: See the First 100 board book box set on Amazon
For the little one who loves to take things out and put them back: See the Melissa & Doug First Shapes jumbo knob puzzle on Amazon
For the new walker who is always on the move: See the Infantino textured ball set on Amazon
What a 1-year-old is really into
Before you shop, it helps to picture what a typical day looks like at this age. The CDC's list of milestones by 15 months says most kids can stack at least two small objects, like blocks. They also try to use everyday things the right way, like a cup or a book, and they'll hug a stuffed animal or toy.
That same list says most children are taking a few steps on their own by then, and they'll look at a familiar object when you say its name. So the toys that fit best are the ones they can hold, stack, carry, drop and hear you talk about.
Pediatricians say pretty much the same thing. The American Academy of Pediatrics found that the best toys go back to the basics. A good toy doesn't have to light up or come with an app. The ones that get you and your baby playing together are the ones that matter most.
That's good news for your budget too.
Best gifts for a 1 year old under $25
Every pick below shows up on Babylist's guide to toys for one-year-olds, which was written by an editor who used to teach preschool. The last two are my own picks, and I'll tell you why.
1. First 100 Board Book Box Set
This is three sturdy board books in one box: first words, first animals, and numbers, colors and shapes. The pages are full of bright photos with simple labels, so it's easy to point and name things together.
Right now you'll do most of the naming. In a few months, they might start pointing for you.
See the First 100 box set on Amazon
2. See, Touch, Feel: ABC
Little hands want to touch everything, and this alphabet book gives them something to touch on every page. It has raised and textured bits to feel as you read.
Board books like this one hold up to chewing and dropping far better than paper pages, so it can stay in the diaper bag without much worry.
See See, Touch, Feel: ABC on Amazon
3. Melissa & Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob Puzzle
A first puzzle should be easy to grab, and this one has five big shapes with chunky knobs on top. Babies this age love pulling the pieces out, even if putting them back takes a while.
HealthyChildren.org lists blocks, shapes and puzzles among the classic toys that help with problem solving and fine motor skills. This is about as classic as it gets.
See the jumbo knob puzzle on Amazon
4. Sassy Sushi Sorter
Shape sorters are a first birthday staple for a reason. This one swaps the usual blocks for chunky pretend sushi pieces, which makes it a little more fun for the grown ups sitting on the floor too.
It also doubles as early pretend play. Once they're done sorting, the pieces turn into "lunch" for you, the dog and every stuffed animal in the room.
See the Sassy sushi sorter on Amazon
5. Pearhead Wooden Stacking Tower
Stacking is one of those skills you get to watch happen right in front of you. A wooden stacker gives them something to build up and, let's be real, mostly knock down.
Wood feels a little nicer to have around the living room, and it doesn't need batteries.
See the Pearhead wooden stacking tower on Amazon
6. Green Sprouts Stacking Cups
Stacking cups might be the most useful toy on this list. They stack, they nest, they scoop and pour in the bath, and they come along to the sandbox in spring.
If you're buying for a family that already has a lot of toys, this is a safe bet. They're small, they put away easily, and they get used in more than one room.
See the Green Sprouts stacking cups on Amazon
7. Infantino Textured Multi Ball Set
A set of soft balls with different bumps and textures is great for a baby who just started walking. They can roll them, chase them, squeeze them and hand them to you over and over.
The AAP's toy report lists balls and push and pull toys as good picks for physical play. For something this simple, it gets a lot of use.
See the Infantino ball set on Amazon
8. Itzy Ritzy Snuggleverse Plush
Lots of 1-year-olds start carrying a stuffed friend everywhere, so a small, soft plush makes a sweet gift.
When you pick out any stuffed toy, HealthyChildren.org suggests one that is well made and machine washable, with no loose ribbons. The same page reminds parents to keep soft toys out of the crib.
See the Itzy Ritzy plush on Amazon
9. Grip socks (a gift that isn't a toy)
New walkers and slippery floors are a tough combo, and a good pair of grip socks is one of those gifts parents really do appreciate. These are the ones I recommend.
Mom tip: "I own more baby and toddler socks than I'm proud of, and of all the ones I've tried, these are the best." The sticky grips don't lose their stickiness through multiple washes. They're comfortable and stretchy, so as their feet grow I can keep them in these longer than other socks. And they're thick enough to keep feet warm but not so thick they affect how shoes fit.
See the Simply Kids non-slip socks on Amazon
10. My First ABC Coloring Book
I made this one for my own kids, so I'll be upfront about that. It's a simple coloring book for ages 1 to 3, for kids who are just getting started, with no tracing required.
I love the cute designs, and it has kept my kids entertained on a long car ride. Pair it with a few chunky crayons and sit with them while they color.
See My First ABC Coloring Book on Amazon
What you can skip this year
Part of shopping on a budget is knowing what not to buy. A few things tend to cost more and get played with less at this age.
Toys sold as "educational." The AAP's toy guidance says to use caution when you see "educational" on the label, since most apps and gadgets marketed that way really aren't. The same page points out that no single toy is needed for a child to reach the next milestone. You are their best teacher.
Anything with a screen. The AAP recommends avoiding screen time for kids younger than 18 to 24 months. A tablet toy can wait.
The giant pile. A first birthday or a first Christmas can turn into a mountain of wrapping paper fast. If family asks what to bring, it's okay to suggest one book or one small toy each. You can also tuck a few gifts away and bring them out on a rainy weekend in February.
If someone wants to spend more, a few dollars toward a savings account or a family outing can be a sweet alternative. Nobody has to say a word about it at the party.
A quick safety check before you wrap
Babies this age still put almost everything in their mouths. The Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps a short list of holiday toy safety tips, and a few of them matter a lot for a 1-year-old.
Read the age label. Pick toys made for their age, and think about every kid in the house.
Skip small parts and small balls. The CPSC says to keep these away from children under 3.
Watch for magnets and button batteries. Keep both far away from little ones.
Leave the balloons off the gift. The CPSC says latex balloons are a choking hazard for kids under 8.
Your 1-year-old gift checklist
If you're standing in the toy aisle (or scrolling at 10 pm), run through these:
Can they hold it, stack it, carry it or drop it?
Does it work without batteries or a screen?
Is it labeled for their age, with no small parts?
Can you play it together?
Will it still be fun in six months?
Two or three yeses and you've found a good one.
Get the planner
Buying for a lot of little ones this season? A plan for the gift money helps more than you'd think. I made this one: the Christmas Budget Planner is a printable that helps you set a holiday budget and track every gift in one spot. You can grab the Christmas Budget Planner on its own, or get the Family Christmas Budget Kit with extra pages for the kids.
The short version
A 1-year-old doesn't need much. A good board book, something to stack and something to cuddle will get a lot of love, and none of it has to cost more than $25. If you're only buying one thing, I'd go with the First 100 board book box set. It's three books in one gift, and you'll probably read them together a hundred times.
Shopping for more than one kiddo this year? Here are our stocking stuffers for toddlers and kids that won't end up in the trash, our list of gifts under $25 that actually get used, and a simple way to make a Christmas budget and stick to it.
