Best Buys for 1 year olds

One of my favourite elements to running a toy shop is helping parents and gift givers to decide which toys to buy for a little one. In the 12-24 month age group, my default is always: something that moves, something to aid communication and something to help them explore physics (connecting together, balancing, dropping, cause and effect) and something for sensory play either indoors or outdoors.

Here are my best-buys from Timeless Toys within this age group that fulfil these key elements and make the ideal gift and toy box essential.

1. Lanka Kade Farm Animals.

Bag of 6 Farm animals

Sold as a set of 6 or they can be individually bought. These are suitable from 10mths old. Sets available are World Animals, Countryside, Sealife, Farm and Dinosaurs.

By encouraging children to copy animal sounds we are enabling them to practice their communication skills. These animals are great paired up with favourite books and songs and places they visit. At this age they are beginning to understand that the things they see have names and are different to each other.

BUY HERE

2. Gears & Cogs Busy Bee Set

A bright & beautifully illustrated 7-gear set suitable from 12mths.

This toy is great for developing those fine motor skills, and children enjoy the cause and effect element of this toy. This puzzle is not as tricky as stacking toys with long poles, as the cogs all fit onto little pegs so this is perfect for practicing this skill. They can practice their colour matching. Children will love learning to make the cogs connect together to make them spin. BUY HERE

3. Push Along Vehicles

Vroom, Vroom! Encourage movement and navigation around the home with push-along vehicles. Chunky push along vehicles are the perfect size and design for small hands to grasp and push.

Vehicles are also great for encouraging communication skills as children make the motor noises as they play. BUY HERE

4. Pound and Tap Bench

Children at this age like to engage in repetitive play, making sense of the world and how it works, especially 'cause and effect' toys. Simply hammer or push the balls through the holes and watch and listen to them roll down the xylophone. All the pieces can be played with separately or together. It is an ideal gift for those aged 1-3 years and is one of our bestselling first birthday presents.

BUY HERE

5. Pepe Pull Along Dog

As a nation of animal lovers, with dogs the most owned pet in the UK, it's not surprising that Pepe with his wobbly wagging tail is incredibly popular. With this age wanting to be on the move, they are attracted to toys that move too, so pull and push along toys with a string or a stick are ideal as gifts. BUY HERE

6. Silicone Buckets, Spades and Watering Cans

Roll them, fold them, scrunch them, pop them in your backpack, squish them under the pram. Made from 100% silicone which is derived from sand, they are super strong and you no longer have to abandon your beach items on your holidays. They will last a whole childhood and make a great present for family beach days, holidays, play park sandpits and the bath. They are simply so practical for family life, they will be appreciated as a gift all year round regardless of season or weather! BUY HERE

7. A ball

At 12mths babies are on the move, even if not walking yet, and therefore love toys with movement. Balls are a great way to get the whole body moving, from reaching, stretching, grasping, pushing, throwing and supporting their hand-eye co-ordination development. balls that are easy to pick up, light and sensory are a great first ball.