Children learn to love toys from a very young age. In fact, as soon as they’re born, they are showered with stuffed animals, teethers, and other little trinkets. While toys keep little ones entertained; some toys are much more educational than others. If you want to shop for teaching toys for a one-year-old, that target multiple developmental domains, read on to check out 8 top recommendations!
1. Vtech Chomp and Count Dinosaur, Kids R Us
Developmental Domain-Thinking Abilities and General Knowledge, Physical, Social
Vtech’s Chomp and Count Dinosaur makes a great toy for oone-year-olds Not only does it reinforce colors, counting, shapes, and identifying objects; it helps children follow directions and answer questions. Your child can feed it various foods independently or after the dino makes its request. Your child can also push a button to be quizzed when they are ready.
Why We Recommend:
- Brightly colored, lights up
- 2 modes-meal or counting
- Produces positive praise
- String attached for walking, pulling, and imagining
- Plays melodies and other phrases and sound effects
- Dr. Toy 100 Best Award “Best Picks”
2. Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Crawl Around Learning Center, Walmart
Developmental Domain: Physical, Social, Approaches to Learning, Thinking Abilities and General Knowledge, Communication and Language
Fisher Price’s Laugh and Learn Crawl Around Learning Center is designed with three levels, so it will grow with a child. It can be used from sit to stand, and it has four panels to keep a child engaged and interested. It boasts a crawl through arch, light-up piano keys, a toggle light switch, and pretend phone. The toy targets all areas of development.
Why We Recommend:
- 20 activities
- 150 sounds and songs
- Promotes sorting and shapes
- Customizable options
- Peek-a-boo window
- Can be used by more than one child at a time
3. Leap Frog Sing and Play Farm, Target
Developmental Domain-Physical; Language, Communication, and Literacy
Leap Frog’s Sing and Play Farm is playful, engaging, and informative. It boasts animal names and sounds, colors, and songs. Babies are able to push buttons, turn keys, flip switches to develop their motor skills.
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Why We Recommend:
- Teaches first songs, like Old MacDonald and the Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Portable and compact
- Boosts vocabulary and teaches animal sounds
- Promotes curiosity about how things work
- Can be played with on a floor or table
- Light enough to be carried by child
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4. Melissa and Doug Rainbow Stacker Toy
Developmental Domain-Physical/Fine Motor, Language, and Communication
Melissa and Doug’s Rainbow Stacker toy is a classic item for babies who are just turning one. The wooden, colorful toy teaches them about colors and size order. It boosts visual-spatial relationships and helps strengthen little fingers. It assists with eye and hand coordination and because it does not make sounds or light up, conversation is a main focus of the toy.
Some additional features of the toy include:
- Small, but not a choking hazard
- Composed of solid wood
- Rocking base
- Portable-fits in a diaper bag
- Promotes problem-solving skills
5. Melissa and Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob Puzzle, Melissa and Doug
Developmental Domain-Physical, General Knowledge and Thinking Abilities, Language and Communication
Melissa and Doug’s First Shapes Jumbo Knob Puzzle is designed for small but curious hands. The puzzle consists of 5 common, easy to grasp knob puzzle shapes that are colorful and large to manipulate. The cottage background can encourage lots of conversation, boost vocabulary, and other social interaction.
Why We Recommend:
- Full color, matching pictures underneath each piece
- Encourages hand-eye coordination
- Boots visual-spatial skills
- Teaches basic geometry vocabulary
- Extra-large wooden pieces
- Portable and durable
6. Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Stroller Walker, Toys R Us
Developmental Domains-Social and Emotional, Language and Communication, Physical
Fisher Price’s Brilliant Basics Stroller Walker is an ideal toy to foster language, compassion, and care for others. A child will be able to role play as a caregiver and will be able to stand and push a stroller around, which helps strengthen legs and coordination overall. It boasts a wide base and easy-grip handles so safety is a virtue. It even plays music and boasts other activities that include spinners, a flip book, and a roller bar.
Why We Recommend:
- Improves posture and walking
- Builds social confidence
- Strengthens imagination and communicative play
- Any kind of doll or stuff animal can be placed in the stroller
7. B. Toys Zany Zoo, Target
Developmental Domains-Physical, Social, Communication, Thinking Abilities and General Knowledge
B. Toys Zany Zoo promotes hours of fun for little ones, and also years of use. The large, sturdy, wooden block boasts lots of exciting and colorful visuals. It’s filled with activities that intrigue curious minds and wandering hands. Its “please touch” model will help build fine motor skills and will also enhance visual-spatial relationships, hand-eye coordination, and will encourage imagination and creativity.
Why We Recommend:
- No small parts
- Tracking and beads
- Animal identification
- Basic sight words
- Alphabet chart
- Mazes
- Small, opening doors
8. Baby Einstein Discovering Music Activity Table, Target
Developmental Domains-Social, Movement, Communication, Physical, Approaches to Learning, General Knowledge and Thinking Abilities
Baby Einstein’s Discovering Music Activity Table encourages music appreciation, intrigues little ones with how things work, is bright and colorful, and boasts several activities around a stationary table.
Why We Recommend:
- Working piano
- Flip book
- Classical melodies
- Introduction to instruments like the drum, guitar and French horn
- 3 language modes (English, Spanish, French)
- Can be used without legs for floor play
- Features rattles and spinners
The right toys make all the difference in regard to your baby’s developmental domains. These eight toys are ideal for a playful and curious one-year-old, and they will grow with your baby as they do!
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