Best Toys, Present, and Gift Ideas for a 1-Year-Old Baby Girl

Buying a gift for a 1-year-old baby girl can be challenging. It’s not like she can exactly tell you what she likes. And as a mother, I know the major importance of finding a toy that’s safe. The good news is, there are a plethora of wonderful gift ideas for the 1-year-old girl.

Most of these toys I have had personal experience with. I have either watched my own daughter enjoy the majority of these toys or have heard friends and family members rave about them. With this experience, I know that these toys are not only enjoyable for your girl but safe and educational, too.

What Should I Take into Consideration When Buying a Gift for a 1-Year-Old Girl?

There are a few things to keep in mind when purchasing the best toys or gifts for a 1-year-old girls in 2020. Here are some of our top criteria, which have been taken into consideration when choosing the top gifts.

#1. Safety

The most important thing to keep in mind when buying a toy for a 1-year-old is safety. As a mom, I know that everything will end up in a child’s mouth – they really can’t help themselves! But that’s why it’s so important to find toys that can be safely used by your child. They shouldn’t have any small parts or pieces. Other toys, such as walkers, should offer superior stability for the wobbly and oh-so-cute 1-year-old.

#2. Education

A little one’s mind is growing at a rapid pace. That is why it is so important to find toys that are not only fun and exciting, but educational, too. Now, this doesn’t mean that they can’t have a princess castle or a favorite doll. These are also important because they teach empathy, caring, and socialization. These are just as important as the building blocks, puzzle pieces, and other educational toys.

#3. Excitement

I don’t know about your child, but my 1-year-old baby girl lost interest fairly quickly – and that is perfectly normal. One-year-old children are not known for their long attention spans. That’s why it is important to find a toy that is exciting and engaging. And that doesn’t always have to mean bright, flashing lights. Sometimes the “basics” are far more intriguing than the over-the-top colorful toy that seems to go off at all hours of the night.

My Top Picks for Toys and Gift Ideas for a 1-Year-Old-Girl

When choosing the best gifts for a 1-year-old baby girl, I took into consideration the safety, educational level, and excitement of the toy. I picked a few that my daughter had and loved, as these are tried-and-true toys for toddler girls. I also considered how these toys compared to other, similar toys on the market. Lastly, I paid attention to reviews from real moms, dads, and grandmas to get a better understanding of why these are the best toys for a 1-year-old girl.

#1: VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker (Learning to Walk + Educational Activities)

A top-notch learning walker is an essential gift for any wobbly toddler. We chose the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker because it’s durable enough to handle shaky legs while also offering plenty of fun, interactive activities for baby. My child got this toy at her first birthday, and it quickly became one of her favorites, whether she was using it to help her walk or just enjoying all of the fun activities. For the price, it’s also a cost-effective purchase that’s worth every penny.

Reason #1 to Choose This Product – Durability

I can’t stress how important it is to find a learning walker with enough durability and stability to handle your baby. So many learning walkers on the market are flimsy and can fall over easily. I have experienced this, and let me tell you, it’s awful!

I recommend buying the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker because it’s guaranteed to be sturdy with no worries or weakness or flimsiness. This walker can be pulled on and walked around with easily, and you won’t feel worried about your precious baby falling down with the toy. Another popular choice is the CISAY Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker, but I still found the VTech walker to be far more enjoyable and reliable.

Reason #2 to Choose This Product – Interactive

Another reason to love the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker is that it combines activities with fun sounds and music that really engage a toddler. Again, my daughter got great use out of this toy. She loved all of the different engaging activities it had to offer. The best part is, the front “play” section is completely removable. So, when the baby gets too big for the walker, she can still play with the games.

What’s all included in the interactive learning walker?

  • Five Piano Keys for the music-loving child that wants to strike up her own tunes!
  • Two Colorful Spinning Rollers that she will love to hit and watch.
  • Three Shape Sorters to encourage fine motor skills and dexterity.
  • Three Light-Up Buttons to encourage and develop motor skills.
  • Pretend Telephone that is great for role-playing.
  • Over 70 Sing-Along Songs, Sound Effects, and Phrases that are fun and educational.

The VTech Sit-To-Stand Ultimate Alphabet Train is another popular choice amongst learning walkers because it’s bigger, has a sitting feature, and has more parts and pieces. However, I purchased this VTech toy a little after my child’s first birthday, and I was not impressed. Sure, it has a lot of fun activities and letter blocks, but it was a complete pain. The train was almost impossible to move and the pieces got lost faster than I could keep up. That’s why I recommend the regular walker as opposed to the Train.

All in all, the VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker is an excellent toy, and I can’t think of any drawbacks to this gift. Apparently other parents have agreed, too, as this toy has thousands of positive reviews. If you want a learning walker that is fun, sturdy, and educational, this is an excellent choice and gift for a little one.

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#2: Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle (Encourages Gross Motor Skills)

Remember earlier when I said that all the bells and whistles aren’t necessary for your baby girl? I mean it. Sometimes it’s best to stick with the basics. Why? Because they can be the best toy options for encouraging important skills, such as gross motor and hand-eye coordination. One of the best toys for these skills is puzzles. And don’t think your one-year-old is too small to engage in a puzzle.

The Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Jumbo Knob Wooden Puzzle is an excellent starter puzzle for any little girl. Here are some of the few reasons why.

Reason #1 to Choose This Product – Jumbo Knobs to Promote Fine Motor Skills

The biggest problem with puzzles is that they are small. Unfortunately, a child that is only one year old will likely have a problem picking up these pieces and finding the correct spot. Well, that isn’t the case with this Melissa and Doug puzzle. The puzzle pieces are uniquely designed to be easy to grabwith the addition of jumbo knobs. The added thickness allows for smaller children to be able to pick them up with ease.

While these knobs are essential for easy pick-up, they also promote gross motor skills. This is crucial in the development of your child. The knobs will also ensure that little ones can easily find the “correct” spot for the puzzle piece, which encourages hand-eye coordination as well. This is a duo that will help them in their future greatly.

Reason #2 to Choose This Product – Fun and Educational

Just because this puzzle isn’t singing or flashing lights, doesn’t mean it isn’t tons of fun. The farm animals come in beautiful, bright colors and wonderful illustrations that will quickly intrigue your baby girl. Each puzzle piece comes with a full-color, matching picture underneath. This encourages the visual perception skills of your little ones while also being tons of fun.

With so many different animals on the puzzle – including a cow, sheep, pig, and more – it is a great opportunity to start teaching your little ones about animals and their sounds.

Now, the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Farm Animal Puzzle definitely comes as a close second to this Melissa & Doug farm puzzle. However, while the Fisher-Price model might have sounds, we found that it was a lot more challenging for my daughter to pick up and insert the puzzle pieces. There was something about the plastic that made it a bit clunkier and challenging. She preferred the larger knobs, and the lack of noise was no issue. We had way more fun saying “Moo” and “Baa”.

The only thing to consider with this toy is you need to watch your child with this toy. While the puzzle pieces themselves are sturdy, they can also come apart when wet. Of course, knowing that every baby girl loves to stick things in her mouth, it can ruin the puzzle over time. Make sure that the puzzle pieces don’t make contact with her mouth, and it will last.

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#3: Battat Discover Farm Animals Activity Center (Best Activity Cube)

If you were to ask me what one of the best gifts for a 1-year-old-girl are, it would definitely be an activity cube. Activity cubes can seemingly do it all. They can act as a lending hand for those little ones who are still struggling to pull themselves up to stand or walk, while also being filled with tons of engaging, educational activities on all sides. I have had a few different ones throughout my kid’s lives, but my favorite is the Battat Discover Farm Animals Activity Center. Here’s why.

Reason #1 to Choose This Product – Solid Wood Construction

I know what you’re thinking – “Why would I care about the construction of my child’s toy?” It all comes back to sturdiness and durability. Remember, your little one is using everything as a little handy helper to pick herself up. If she pulls on the wrong thing, it will go falling over sideways with her. Unfortunately, I have had this experience with cheaper and smaller activity cubes.

That is why you should never go cheap with an activity cube and only buy solid wood construction, which is the case with the Battat Discover Farm Animals Activity Center. Not only is this toy a classic, but it’s safe, too. This is another toy that doesn’t come with an abundance of music or flashing lights, but it comes beautifully crafted with bright colors that baby girls love.

Parents will also enjoy the fact that this cube is made with rounded corners that are nice and smooth. This ensures that there are no unwanted or unnecessary “ouchies” during gameplay.

Reason #2 to Choose This Product – Activities on Every Side

The great thing about the Battat Discover Farm Animals Activity Center is that it is like 10 toys in one. There is so much to do with this toy and your baby girl will love it. Here are a few of the fun, yet educational activities you can find on every side of this activity cube.

  • Open the door to find animals. This is fun because every little girl loves to open doors. You can also use the animals hiding inside to teach about their names and sounds.
  • Drive the tractor around. This promotes dexterity for your child, and she will love to push it around the maze.
  • Bead maze on top. Bead mazes are classic toys that everyone has enjoyed in their lifetime. This activity cube sticks one on top so your child can enjoy the educational, fun magic of the bead maze.
  • Spinners. What little girl doesn’t love to spin, spin, and then spin some more?

To put it simply, the Battat Discover Farm Animals Activity Center comes with everything you need to engage and excite your toddlers.

Overall, this is the best selection for an educational activity cube. It comes with a combination of fun activities which saves space in the long run. It’s one of the pricier activity cubes but remember – you don’t want to go cheap. I and other parents agree that this is a wonderful choice. One reviewer says, “This is durable, made of wood and super fun for young and developing minds!”

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#4: Little Tikes 3-in-1 Sports Zone (Best Sports Toy)

In my experience, if you want anything to do with sports or outdoor play, then you should always go with Little Tikes. They make their toys so much fun with plenty of activities to enjoy, combined with bright, interesting colors that children instantly gravitate towards. If you want to encourage your toddler’s sporty side, I recommend purchasing the Little Tikes 3-in-1 Sports Zone. It’s fun, but it also gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

Reason #1 to Choose This Product – 3-in-1 Sports Activities

The best thing about this sports toy is that it combines three different sports in one, including basketball, soccer, and bowling. This gives your kids the opportunity to test out different activities and find the one they like the best. The basketball hoop is entirely adjustable, which is great for your growing kids. It also comes with a backboard that lights up whenever a shot is made, which is incredibly exciting for a little mind.

This toy is a lot bigger than other similar products on the market, such as the VTech Batter Up & Bowl Sports Arena But this sports toy is so small it is almost not enjoyable. The same is true for the Step2 Sports-Tastic Activity Center Playset. The activities, especially the slide, were so small that even my little girl could not enjoy it.

The good news is that you can fold the toy center up for easy storage, when necessary. It also comes with the soccer ball, basketball, and bowling ball, so you save money in the long-run.

Reason #2 to Choose This Product – Learn, Move, and Have Fun

Our lives are becoming increasingly sedentary, and that is reflecting on our children – even the young 1-year-old toddlers! That is why it is important to encourage activity whenever you can. And that is what the Little Tikes 3-in-1 Sports Zone is all about.

The Little Tikes 3-in-1 Sports Zone is designed with bright, intriguing colors and comes with over 75 different sounds and phrases that kids love. These lights and colors are designed to encourage movement. There are also three different “modes” on the backboard that will grow with your little ones. These modes can help teach your child an abundance of important things, including colors, numbers, and shapes.

Another great feature of the Little Tikes Sports Zone is that it comes with thrilling games. These games will ask your child to follow directions – and don’t worry, they are basic enough for a toddler to understand. While these games are super fun, they also help kids to listen and comprehend, which is something they will need all their lives.

When it comes to a sports toy, this is certainly one of the best sports toys for girls age 1. They will be encouraged to move and play games while also learning fundamental skills like numbers and listening. Keep in mind that this toy isn’t likely to grow with your child, though. As your toddlers get older they will need to graduate to a larger toy. But this is an excellent “starter” that will easily last a year (or longer).

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#5: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Sweet Manners Tea Set (Best Shape Sorter Tea Set)

Every little one loves to have a tea party, and for tea time, I highly recommend the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Sweet Manners Tea Seat. This lovely little tea seat has great learning potential for toddlers and kids, and my daughter had a blast role-playing with her dolls and me. And don’t worry – even though the age recommendation says 18 to 36 months – my daughter had no problem enjoying this toy at 12 months. Here are a few reasons why the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Sweet Manners Tea Seat is such an excellent pick.

  • Music and Bright Lights. Here is a toy that engages using colors and songs! With this magical teapot, your toddlers will enjoy a spout that lights up and sings over 30 wonderful songs and tunes. It also has some witty and fun phrases you and your little one will enjoy.
  • Three Smart Stages. This toy is highly interactive and educational. There are three different smart stages to choose from, each with an advanced learning opportunity. With this toy, your kids can learn shapes, counting, colors, manners, sharing, role-play, and so much more.
  • Comes with 10 Fun Pieces. In this pack, you will find 10 loveable tea set pieces. This also includes 5 shaped treats that work as a shape sorter.

This is one of the best gifts for a one-year-old baby girl because it replaces the same old, boring shape sorters with something exciting, girly, and fun. It’s also cost-effective and comes with everything you need to have a wonderful tea party. We recommend it over other similar products because it comes with more pieces including educational pieces that are great for your one-year-old’s growth.

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#6: Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike (For the Outdoor Family)

Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike
View on Amazon | $69.99

If there is one outdoor activity that all of the kids enjoy, it’s riding bikes! But if your little one’s legs are on the short side like mine, they might have trouble reaching the pedals. Even if they can reach them, it can be hard for them to understand how to pedal. But that doesn’t mean they have to miss out on the fun. The Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike is a remarkable 2-in-1 trike that gets your little ones outside and excited to ride bikes!

Reason #1 to Choose This Product – 2-in-1 Design

I am always about getting the biggest bang for my buck, especially when it comes to kid’s toys. They grow out of everything so quickly, you can easily rack up a few hundred on your credit card. But that’s why I love the Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike. It comes with two bikes for the price of one.This means you spend less, but you also buy a product that grows with your toddlers. This is a toy they can get use out of for several years.

So what exactly is this trike all about? Well, it comes with two efficient ways to ride. You canlock the pedals to be used as footrests while your child is younger. When your kids are ready to ride the bike on their own, simply unlock the pedals and remove the push handle. It really is that simple, and your kids will be off riding into the sunset in no time.

Reason #2 to Choose This Product – Easy to Use

Another reason why I enjoyed this toy is that it was so easy to use. Transitioning from being a steer to a stroll trike was a cinch. Other models simply seemed too bulky and hard to deal with. There are far too many pieces and parts, and when my daughter was ready to pedal the trike on her own, I wanted a quick and easy design to work with.

This tricycle also comes with an easily adjusted seat. This is important as kids can suddenly grow like a weed, and you don’t want to end up buying another tricycle until they are ready for a “big girl” bike. With three different adjustable settings, you can rest assured this bike will grow with your little one.

As an added fun bonus to this tricycle, there is also a storage bin in the rear. This allows your little one to bring along her favorite toys – and trust me, she will want to. There is a fair amount of room in there, so it was easy to pack up her sippy cup and a few favorite toys on-the-go.

We enjoyed the Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike and so have another 1,000+ positive reviewers on Amazon. Just keep in mind that there are no safety straps on this trike. It wasn’t an issue for my little one, but other 1-year-olds might have a harder time with it. It’s really up to the parent whether or not they feel a strap is necessary.

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#7: New York Doll Collection 11 inch Soft Body Doll (Best Baby Doll)

New York Doll Collection 11 inch Soft Body Doll
View on Amazon | $12.99

There are so many baby dolls on the market. It was a real challenge to find the best one! I took into consideration a lot of different aspects, including how the dolls look, how they feel, and how they can be interacted with by 1-year-olds. I settled on the New York Doll Collection 11-Inch Soft Body Doll – and for good reason, too. Here are some of the reasons why she ranks number one.

Reason #1 to Choose This Product – Easy Imagination Play

Encouraging imagination is so important, especially when your kids are young. I wanted to find a baby doll that would allow for the absolute best imaginary play, and this doll was the best choice. Why? Because it is only 11 inches long, which means it is incredibly easy for smaller kids to hold, carry, and play with. Your little one can easily pretend that she’s just like mommy!

Every doll also comes with a pacifier, adorable onesie, and matching hat. Her loveable face is full of personality, which makes it even easier for your little kids to engage in imaginary play and have a blast.

Parents will love that this doll is also easy to wash. So, even if your little one takes the doll out for some playtime in the yard, you can wipe it down in a flash. You can even toss the onesie into the washing machine so it looks brand new and ready for anything.

Another major advantage of this particular baby doll is that she is not too soft to play with. While an overly soft doll makes a great cuddle-buddy, she can’t be placed in high chairs or strollers like the New York Doll Collection 11-inch Soft Body Doll can. This makes her a more realistic doll. She isn’t overly bulky, either, so she will be able to fit in a variety of accessories.

The New York Doll Collection 11-Inch Soft Body Doll also isn’t overly strict and sturdy, either. Some dolls, such as the Baby Alive Baby Lil Sounds: Interactive Brown Hair Baby Doll, were too rigid for my little one. It was challenging for her to work with this doll because she was difficult to maneuver. This made imaginary playtime a bit of a struggle, and we found it to be more frustrating than fun.

Reason #2 to Choose This Product – Several Ethnicities to Choose From

Being inclusive is critical. The good news is, kids can easily find a doll that matches their ethnicity. Choose among Caucasian, African American, Asian, and Hispanic beauties.

All in all, this is an excellent starter baby doll for any little one and is one of the best gift ideas for a one-year-old baby girl. It comes with almost only positive reviews, making it a purchase you can trust.


#8: VTech Musical Rhymes Book (For Musical Kids)

VTech Musical Rhymes Book
View on Amazon | $18.78

Books are a great way to encourage kids to learn. While you might consider a music-free book at bedtime, during the day there is nothing better than a vibrant, interactive, and musical book for little girls. This is why the VTech Musical Rhymes Book is notably one of the best gift ideas for 1-year-old baby girl. It’s cheap, intriguing, and comes with plenty of advantages, including these.

  • Pages that are easy to turn
  • Engaging and fun nursery rhymes as well as bright, cheery colors and pictures
  • Fun play pieces that encourage learning and cause and effect
  • Different modes that introduce age-appropriate learning of vocabulary and instrument sounds
  • Five fun and colorful piano buttons that play music

This was undoubtedly one of my daughter’s favorite toys. She loved all of the different nursery rhymes and colors. We would take this book in the car, and she would play with it the entire time. We liked it better than the popular Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Storybook Rhymes Book simply because it was more interactive and had better sound quality.

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Final Thoughts

Finding toys for a 1-year-old baby girl doesn’t have to be a struggle. Anyone of these 1-year-old toys is sure to be a great gift for your daughter or your friend’s kids. Remember that when looking for a toy for a 1-year-old, consider the safety and durability of the product. Keep in mind that not all of the products for 1-year-old toys need to be lit up and flashy. Sometimes it’s best to stick to the basics and opt for solid wood, educational, deluxe toy.

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