7 Fun & Engaging Learning Toys for One-Year-Olds
Finding learning toys for one-year-olds that actually keep them entertained and help them learn can feel like a challenge. As a work-from-home mama, I know firsthand the struggle of juggling work, house tasks, and family life while also making sure my little one is happy and engaged. If you’re also navigating the work-from-home life, you’ll love my post on 5 Tips for Work-From-Home Moms.
Of course, playing and interacting with our babies is ideal—and I do that as much as I can—but sometimes we need toys that allow them to explore on their own. And if those toys also encourage early learning? That’s a huge win. If you’re interested in more playful ways to encourage learning at this age, check out my post on It’s Never Too Early: Simple and Fun Ways to Start Teaching Your One-Year-Old.
In this post, I’m sharing 7 fun and engaging learning toys for one-year-olds that my daughter and I have personally loved. These toys spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and keep little hands busy—whether you’re right there beside them or need a few minutes to focus on something else.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase through my links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full Affiliate Disclosure here. Thank you so much for supporting my blog—I truly appreciate it!
Why Learning Toys for One-Year-Olds Matter
At around one year old, babies are at an amazing stage of discovery. They’re learning about the world through sight, sound, touch, and movement—and the right toys can support that growth in fun and engaging ways. Learning toys for one-year-olds help:
Develop fine motor skills – Activities like stacking, pulling, or pressing buttons encourage hand-eye coordination.
Encourage problem-solving and exploration – Puzzles, shape sorters, and interactive toys stimulate curiosity and critical thinking.
Introduce colors, shapes, letters, and numbers – Early exposure helps build a foundation for language and cognitive skills.
Promote independent play – Toys that capture attention while allowing solo play give mamas a few extra minutes to focus on other tasks.
Spark creativity and imagination – Toys that light up, make sounds, or have multiple textures invite experimentation and creativity.
Investing in learning toys at this age isn’t just about keeping your little one busy—it’s about supporting healthy development while giving both you and your child opportunities for play, learning, and growth.
This toy is a total curiosity-satisfier for one-year-olds!
The baby tissue box toy comes with a soft, fabric “tissue box” and a mix of colorful cloth tissues—some crinkly, some silky, and some with letters, numbers, or animals printed on them. It’s perfect for:
- Developing fine motor skills (pulling tissues out and stuffing them back in).
- Early learning (colors, numbers, animals).
- Independent exploration.
✨ Mama tip: When you play together, say the colors, numbers, or animals out loud as you point to them. It makes the toy even more educational and fun.
This interactive book is one of our absolute favorites. It combines learning with play and is designed perfectly for little hands.
Features include:
- 100 first words in both English and Spanish.
- 8 interactive pages with touch-activated pictures.
- 3 learning modes (words, fun facts, and sounds).
- Volume control (a lifesaver for parents!).
✨ Mama hack: It makes an amazing road trip toy. My daughter loves turning the pages and tapping the pictures, and I love that it keeps her busy in the car seat.
If you’re looking for a toy that grows with your child, this one’s a winner. The Baby Einstein Curiosity Table is packed with gadgets, lights, and sounds designed around STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
It has:
- Multiple language settings (English, Spanish, French).
- Buttons, gears, and textures for hands-on discovery.
- Activities that encourage creativity and problem-solving.
This table is a mainstay during my daughter’s solo playtime. She’s constantly finding something new to explore!
This toy is as fun as it sounds! My daughter received this as a gift, and it quickly became a favorite.
Why it’s great:
- Teaches shapes, colors, and textures.
- Doubles as a puzzle—you can stack and reassemble the burger layers.
- Offers multiple play options, including a ring-toss style game.
✨ Mama hack: Another road trip MVP! Each piece of the burger keeps little hands busy for several minutes, which (let’s be real) is gold when you’re in the car.
Sometimes the simplest toys are the biggest winners. Baby’s First Blocks is a classic for a reason.
Benefits include:
- Shape and color recognition.
- Sorting, stacking, and problem-solving practice.
- Easy cleanup and storage (all the blocks fit right inside the bucket).
It’s affordable, durable, and one of those toys that will last through multiple stages of toddlerhood.
This mess-free drawing board is perfect for toddlers who are eager to scribble but not quite ready for crayons and markers.
Even though the recommended age is 3+, my one-year-old adores it. She loves sliding the pen across the board, and I love that it saves our books and walls from unwanted artwork.
✨ Mama hack:
- Perfect for road trips or plane rides—the pen is attached, so it won’t get lost.
- Since it’s silent, you don’t have to worry about disturbing others while traveling.
Music toys are always a hit, and this one is both adorable and engaging. The Battat Croco Pop Piano introduces little ones to music through lights, sounds, and eight baby crocs that pop up as you play.
It’s great for:
- Early musical exploration.
- Encouraging rhythm and creativity.
- Hours of interactive fun.
My daughter lights up every time she plays with this crocodile piano—it’s a gift that has truly kept giving.
Learning Toys for One-Year-Olds: Final Thoughts
There you have it—our 7 favorite fun and engaging learning toys for one-year-olds. These toys aren’t just entertaining; they also build a strong foundation for learning through colors, shapes, sounds, textures, and music.
Of course, many of these toys can grow with your child beyond age one, but one is such a magical time to introduce them to playful, hands-on learning.
👉 Tell me in the comments: What are your toddler’s favorite learning toys right now?
📌 And don’t forget to pin this post for later—these make great birthday gift ideas or additions to your at-home learning toolkit.
💡 Psst… if you’re also balancing motherhood and working from home, you’ll love my post on 5 Tips for Work-From-Home Moms. And if you’re looking for more ways to start early learning at home, don’t miss It’s Never Too Early: Simple and Fun Ways to Start Teaching Your One-Year-Old.
FAQ: Fun & Engaging Learning Toys for One-Year-Olds
Q: What are the best educational toys for a 1-year-old?
The best toys for one-year-olds are simple, interactive, and encourage exploration. Look for toys that promote motor skills, color and shape recognition, language development, and creativity—like stacking blocks, interactive books, musical toys, and pretend play sets.
Q: How do toys help one-year-olds learn?
At this age, babies learn best through play. Toys introduce concepts like cause and effect, problem-solving, and early language. They also strengthen hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and creativity—all while keeping playtime fun.
Q: Which toys keep a one-year-old busy the longest?
Toys that allow open-ended play (like blocks, tissue box toys, or drawing pads) usually keep one-year-olds engaged the longest. Interactive toys with lights, sounds, and multiple play modes—like the LeapFrog 100 Words Book—are also great for holding attention.
Q: Are electronic toys good for one-year-olds?
Electronic toys can be beneficial in moderation, especially those that encourage interaction (like music toys or word-learning books). Just be sure to balance them with hands-on toys that don’t require batteries, so your child gets a mix of sensory and motor development opportunities.
Q: What are some good gift ideas for a one-year-old?
Any of the toys listed in this post make excellent birthday or holiday gifts! Classics like shape sorters and musical instruments are always a hit, while travel-friendly options like the LeapFrog 100 Words Book or AstroDraw Drawing Pad are perfect for families on the go.
You May Also Like
