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Best Christmas gifts for one-year-olds 2026: the best books, games, toys and more
Looking for Christmas gifts for one-year-olds? We've got you covered. Find the best gifts for babies with our guide, from books to climbing frames and everything in between.
Drawing on nearly half a decade at Which?, Natalie helps readers cut through the noise with practical guidance on trending products, pest control, cleaning advice and money-saving tips during the sales.
Christmas is an extra magical time when you have a little one with you. Make it truly special with help from our gift guide.
We've brought together recommendations from the parents, godparents and aunties of Which?, who have shared the presents that brought plenty of smiles to the little ones in their lives.
From interactive toys to charming books, our hand-picked selection of the best Christmas gifts for one-year-olds will help keep them entertained while fostering their early growth and skills.
This vertical shape sorter features a lion, koala and crocodile for little ones to stack up. In my experience, kids find it really funny mixing up the bodies and heads!
Natalie TurnerContent producer
We like: Affordable
Watch out for: Make sure not to lose any parts
This Fisher-Price stacking block set that lets little ones sort and build three cute animals. It includes a stacking base and nine blocks, designed to encourage imaginative play while supporting fine motor and problem-solving skills.
It's made from FSC-certified wood and the manufacturer says it's decorated with non-toxic, water-based paints.
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I bought this for my daughter and as a gift on countless occasions. It's a timeless toy, great for building motor skills and can be enjoyed way beyond the age of one.
Anisha Mistry-JonesSenior internal comms manager
We like: Lots of colours and themes available
Watch out for: Comes in multiple parts – take care not to lose any pieces
Comprised of three carriage sections that slide together, the stackable blocks on this train mean you can build it as instructed, or little ones can get creative by moving the pieces around.
It's around 45cm long from tip to tail, with 12 wheels and a rope string at the front so it can be pulled around.
Mega Bloks Big Building Bag
An intro to Lego, Mega Bloks are brilliant for little hands to help them develop their gross motor skills by building blocks and shapes.
Sarah-Jane TeddEndorsements account manager
We like: Designed for younger children to easily grab and put together, portable bag included, affordable
Watch out for: 60 pieces in a set, so may take time to clear up after play
Whether your little one enjoys creating houses, cars and creatures, or seeing how tall a tower they can build before knocking it down, a bag of blocks is an inexpensive way to hone their creativity.
For the 60-piece set of Mega Bloks, the selection of blocks is multicoloured, while the bag itself is available in blue or red.
You can also get bigger sets of up to 300 blocks, as well as compatible additional toys such as:
Mega Bloks Build 'n' Learn Table - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50015663
Mega Bloks Build 'n' Tumble Table - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50015664
Mega Bloks ABC Learning Train - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50015665
For bigger kids, Lego might be a better suit. For the best Lego deals available now, head to our guide
A little more meaningful than a normal storybook, these personalised ones make a sweet keepsake. You can personalise everything from their name to how their character looks in the book, and little ones love seeing themselves in stories.
Natalie TurnerContent producer
We like: Personalised, lots of stories to choose from, colourful illustrations
Watch out for: May take a couple of days to dispatch, slightly pricier than a normal book
The Wonderbly Bedtime for You book puts your little one right in the middle of the story – literally! You can customise the name included on the front and throughout the book, then choose one of 12 illustrated characters that looks most like your child to up the realism.
The book cover is available in dark blue, red, green or yellow, and you can opt to add a dedication to make it a truly special keepsake.
Gift them a cuddly friend to snuggle up to: see our buying guides on Jellycats and Squishmallows
'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' Sound Book
We loved this version of Michael Rosen's classic 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', which includes buttons for little fingers to press and hear the swish, swish, swish of the grass and the splash, splash of the river.
Jenny HarbyEditor
We like: Interactive sound board
Watch out for: Slightly pricier than a normal book
Interactive books add a fun twist to story time, and can help kids to learn new noises and sounds.
You can get 'noisy' versions of many children's books, including classics like 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt', 'The Gruffalo' and 'Dear Zoo'.
LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
This is a great book with sound effects to teach little ones their first words - in both English and French. It has pictures to correlate with the words – baby can touch the picture and it gives the sound effect and then speaks the word.
Sarah-Jane TeddEndorsements account manager
We like: Two languages
Watch out for: Not a story book, slightly pricier than other books
LeapFrog has been making educational books for almost 30 years, and is still a popular choice among many parents for gifting.
These highly interactive books allow kids to touch almost any part of the page and hear words, sounds or music. In the case of the '100 Words' book, it essentially works as a fun and colourful dictionary, where little ones can hear and practise new words in English or French.
'Ten Little Dinosaurs' Board Book
My son loved these books when he was younger. The rhyming language is great for engaging small children, and there are lots of noises that they can join in with.
Steph KiplingScience team manager
We like: Board books tend to be more durable than paper or hardback, affordable
Watch out for: Rest of the series sold separately
'Ten Little Dinosaurs' is a simple rhyming book for young children, complete with colourful illustrations. It's available as a board book, but also paperback, Kindle and as an audiobook.
The 'Ten Little...' series is comprised of several books following different counting stories, featuring everything from elves to pirates.
A cheap and cheerful ebook reader might be a good option for older children - see our reviews before you buy
Crawling, walking and climbing gifts
Vtech Crawl and Learn Ball
Both of my nieces loved this – it makes noises and moves around the room. It encouraged them both to crawl and to spend more time on their tummies (which they didn't really like!)'
Alicia DayScientific adviser
We like: Colourful and interactive
Watch out for: Batteries not included
Designed to help encourage babies to crawl, the Vtech Crawl and Learn Ball is a battery-powered toy that spins and rolls around the room with flashing lights to attract babies' attention.
The ball also features several chunky buttons which, when pressed, play music and animal noises.
John Lewis Wooden Walker
We like: Made from FSC-certified wood
Watch out for: Relatively pricey compared to plastic walkers
This wooden walker is designed for young children who are learning to walk and explore independently.
It features a wooden frame with a handle, along with an activity panel on the front with interactive elements that encourage dexterity and hands-on play.
When little ones start walking and exploring, you might want to double-check your babyproofing arrangements. Check out our babyproofing guide to help you stop potential accidents
Pikler Triangle set
This was a favourite in my daughter's baby group as a first birthday present. We didn't get one, but definitely would have if we'd had the space.
Lisa GalliersPrincipal researcher
We like: Great for active children who love climbing
Watch out for: May be tricky to store
This playset is comprised of individual pieces, including a triangular frame, a semi-circular 'swing' and a double-sided board, each of which can be reassembled in multiple ways.
You can purchase the pieces as a complete set or individually, and they are designed to nurture creative play. For instance, the set can be used as a climbing frame, or the pieces can be turned on their sides or upside down to be used as bridges, tunnels or even pretend kitchen counters.
Fancy dress for one-year-olds
Find second-hand clothes online
Browse pre-loved clothes and baby products on sites like Vinted or eBay.
Most kids love playing dress-up, and you can get some really great second-hand fancy-dress costumes like Disney princess and superheroes on Vinted
Sarah-Jane TeddEndorsements account manager
We like: Cheaper than buying full-price, may find products that are out of stock from retailers
Watch out for: Buying second-hand online comes with risks
Roped into playing dress-up doctor or fairy princesses? You can get cheap fancy-dress items online, usually for a fraction of the price. And as these items are pre-loved, you'll be making a more sustainable buying choice as well as saving some pennies.
It's important to remember that online marketplaces aren’t legally responsible for products sold through their platforms, so they aren’t held to the same standards as high street or regular online retailers.
Make sure you're clued up on how to shop safely online before you buy, and check any clothes you purchase are washed thoroughly when they arrive.
Other kitchens are available, but this was the number one first-birthday gift in my daughter's baby group. In my experience, one-year-olds tend to start emptying cupboards at this age and love this sort of role-play toy.
Lisa GalliersPrincipal researcher
We like: Adjustable height, detachable sink for cleaning, realistic glowing hob lights
Watch out for: Batteries are not included, toy kitchen utensils sold separately
This wooden play kitchen from Ikea is on the expensive side, but it has adjustable legs to grow as your child does, which means they can use it for years to come.
It comes in a white and birch wood colourway, but you can also get the slightly cheaper Silltrut set (£69), which comes in grey.
When baby is in the actual kitchen, it's important to take steps to prevent accidents – see our advice on baby safety in the kitchen
Playmobil
Playmobil Junior
This is a first-stage Playmobil set with no tiny parts that could be swallowed. It's great for encouraging imaginative play.
Ceri ThomasSenior editor
We like: Lots of sets available, kids can mix and match and build their collection
Watch out for: Bigger sets can be expensive
Playmobil says its Junior range is 'made for the youngest Playmobil fans'. This classic toy has been specially designed for small hands, and is intended for children aged one to four. It differs from regular Playmobil sets as it has no small parts. The pieces are also made from at least 90% plant-based materials, according to Playmobil.
While there are more standard sets available – including Airport Shuttle Bus and Merry Go-Round – there are also several featuring well-known Disney characters like Moana, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and Winnie the Pooh.
Some popular options include:
Playmobil Junior Airport Shuttle Bus - SQUIRREL_TEXT_50021933
Looking for more toys? Our experts have tested everything from board games to trampolines to find the best
Safety features to consider when buying for a one-year-old
We asked our baby and child experts at Which? about the important things you should think about when buying for a one-year-old.
Martha Roberts, Which? senior researcher, says:
'When buying a gift for a one-year-old, the most critical safety feature to consider is preventing choking hazards by ensuring no small parts or easily detachable pieces exist, as children this age explore everything with their mouths.
'And pull toys intended for use by children under 36 months should have cords with a maximum length under 22cm (8.6 inches) or feature a self-releasing safety breakaway mechanism to prevent strangulation.'
What to get for a one-year-old who has everything
A day out or experience Browse websites like Virgin Experience Days or WonderDays to find unique days out for little ones, such as farm, aquarium or zoo visits. Alternatively, you could book directly with their nearest attraction.
A contribution to savings It's not the most exciting gift for a child, but they're sure to thank you later on. See the best children's saving accounts to make their money go even further.
Personalised toys, clothes or keepsakes You can get one-of-a-kind engraved or personalised gifts from plenty of shops including Etsy, My 1st Years and Not On The High Street.
Can you buy second hand toys?
Most pre-loved toys are perfectly fine to give to little ones, but it's important to be vigilant. Before buying, carry out these checks:
Give the toy a once over. Check for sharp pieces or material that could shatter or splinter, potential choking hazards such as peeling stickers or loose eyes on a soft toy, and magnets and button batteries that could cause devastating damage if swallowed.
Look for proof of how safe it is. A CE and UKCA mark is a claim by the manufacturer that the toy meets regulatory requirements. If it doesn't include this it might not be safe to use as a toy. You may decide not to give toys that you suspect may be from before 1993, when the CE mark was first introduced, to your child.
Be wary of vintage toys. A family treasure or cool charity shop findmight be coated with lead paint or contain chemicals no longer deemed safe – for example, a 2018 study found that some Lego bricks (especially red, yellow and black ones) that appear to have been purchased in the 1970s contained traces of hazardous chemicals like cadmium and lead.
Check to see if they have been the subject of a recall. Search for the product online along with the word 'recall' to see if the toy in question has been recalled by the manufacturer or any retailers.
At Which?, we have experts across almost every product category you can think of. But our team also consists of mums and dads, aunts and uncles who bring real-life experience of life with little ones - and a good understanding of what children will genuinely love to receive as gifts.
While we don’t test every product featured here, every recommendation has been made by a real person who has had a genuinely positive experience with the product and believes it’s worth recommending.
Which? is completely independent. We don’t accept freebies or paid sponsorships from PR agencies or manufacturers, so you can trust that our recommendations are based on what we genuinely think is worth buying.
