A Guide to Toys for 1 to 2 Year Olds

October 23, 2025

The best toys for 1 to 2 year olds aren't always the flashiest ones. They're the simple, sturdy tools that meet them right where they are in their development. Think classic stacking blocks, chunky shape sorters, and those trusty push-along walkers – all brilliant for building core motor skills and those first little sparks of problem-solving.

The Power of Play for Developing Toddlers

A toddler playing with colourful wooden toys on the floor

That first year flies by in a blur, doesn't it? One minute they're tiny babies, and the next you have a curious, determined toddler exploring every corner of your home. Between 12 and 24 months, your child is making some of the biggest developmental leaps of their life, transforming from a wobbly infant into a little person with big ideas.

The right toys at this stage are so much more than just a way to keep them busy. They are the hands-on tools that fuel this incredible period of growth.

Think of play as your toddler's full-time job. It’s how they figure out the world around them, test their own growing abilities, and build the foundations for everything that comes next. Every time they pick up a toy, they're running a tiny experiment, learning a little more about how things work.

Building Brains Through Play

It’s amazing how simple play activities build the groundwork for more complex skills down the road. When your toddler concentrates on stacking rings or slots a puzzle piece into its home, they're not just killing time – they're physically building new pathways in their brain.

This kind of play supports every aspect of their development:

Cognitive Skills: It’s how they grasp big ideas like cause and effect (if I push this button, a light comes on!) and object permanence (the ball is still there even when I can't see it).
Motor Abilities: Grasping chunky puzzle pieces, carefully placing one block on another, and pushing a walker all help to refine both their fine and gross motor skills, building strength and coordination.
Language Development: Toys give you something to talk about! Describing colours and shapes while you play ("Let's find the blue block!") is a natural way to expand their vocabulary.
Social-Emotional Intelligence: Simply playing with you, taking turns with a toy, or copying your actions helps them understand social rules, empathy, and how to express their feelings.

A well-chosen toy acts like a key, unlocking a specific developmental door. It challenges a child just enough to encourage new skills without causing frustration, making learning feel like pure fun.

A Growing Focus on Educational Play

These days, parents are more clued-in than ever about just how important these early years are. This awareness has really changed the toy market, with a much bigger emphasis on things that actively support learning and development.

In the United Kingdom alone, the market for baby toys was valued at around USD 821.5 million and is expected to climb to USD 1,576 million by 2035. This isn't just a number; it shows a real shift in how we think about toys, with more and more parents actively seeking out educational options to support their child’s journey.

This focus on purposeful play is fantastic because it helps you make choices that genuinely matter. You can enrich their world even further by exploring things like these sensory play ideas for toddlers, giving them even more ways to learn and grow.

Understanding the Huge Leaps from 12 to 24 Months

The year between your child’s first and second birthdays is an absolute whirlwind of change. Their brain is developing at an incredible pace, and it feels like every single day brings a new skill to light. Getting a handle on these developmental leaps is the real secret to choosing the best toys for 1 to 2 year olds, because it helps you understand why certain kinds of play are so crucial right now.

Think of your toddler as a tiny scientist, engineer, and explorer all rolled into one. Every single thing they do is a little experiment, helping them figure out how the world works.

The Little Scientist: Cognitive Growth

Between 12 and 24 months, your toddler’s brain is busy trying to make sense of some really big ideas. One of the most important is cause and effect. When they bash a block and it makes a noise, they aren't just being loud; they're testing a theory.

This is that little spark of understanding that makes toys with simple actions and clear reactions so addictive for them. They’re learning that their actions can actually change their environment, which is a hugely empowering realisation for a little person.

They're also getting a much better grip on object permanence. They've known for a while that things still exist even when they can't see them, but now they can start to figure out more complex hiding games. This is exactly why toys with little doors to open or flaps to lift are endlessly fascinating at this age.

The Budding Engineer: Mastering Motor Skills

This whole year is basically defined by movement. From those first shaky steps to confident walking and even trying to climb the furniture, their gross motor skills are absolutely exploding. They’re figuring out balance, coordination, and building up strength in their arms and legs.

Things like push walkers, ride-on toys, and soft play climbers aren't just for tiring them out. They are vital tools that help your toddler's brain and body learn to work in sync, teaching them how to move around safely and effectively.

Just as an engineer builds a structure from the ground up, a toddler builds their physical confidence. Each successful step or climb is a foundational block for more complex movements later on.

At the same time, their fine motor skills are getting much more precise. That clumsy baby grasp is slowly being replaced by a more controlled pincer grip, which lets them pick up smaller items with their thumb and forefinger.

This is where stacking blocks, chunky puzzles, and shape sorters become so important. These kinds of toys challenge them to:

Coordinate their eyes and hands to place things precisely.
Manipulate objects by turning them and fitting them into the right spot.
Develop the small muscles in their hands, which are essential for skills they'll need later, like drawing and writing.

The Eager Apprentice: Language and Social Skills

While hearing their first words is a massive milestone, so much of their language development is actually happening without any words at all. Your toddler is a master of imitation, watching you like a hawk and copying your gestures, facial expressions, and actions. This is how they learn the basics of social interaction.

Toys that encourage this kind of mimicry, like a toy phone or some play food, are fantastic. They create a natural setting for you to model conversations and social routines, like "hello" on the phone or sharing a pretend cup of tea.

Their spoken vocabulary is also growing fast. By 24 months, many toddlers can say 50 or more words and are beginning to put two words together to make little sentences ("more juice," "daddy gone"). The best toys for 1 to 2 year olds give you endless chances to name objects, point out colours, and talk about what you're doing, which naturally supports their language journey.

Finally, their social and emotional world is just starting to blossom. They're beginning to see themselves as separate little people and might show early signs of empathy or engage in parallel play—playing next to another child, rather than directly with them. Toys like dolls or teddy bears can become their first "friends," giving them a chance to practise the gentle, nurturing behaviours they see from you every day.

Matching Toys to Your Toddler's Development

Knowing your toddler is hitting new milestones is one thing, but figuring out which toy will actually help them is another challenge entirely. The real goal is to find toys that are more than just fun – they need to be perfectly in tune with what your little one is currently trying to master.

Think of yourself as a personal trainer for their brain and body. You’re there to provide the right equipment at just the right time. The best toys for 1 to 2 year olds bridge the gap between what they can almost do and what they’ll soon be doing with confidence. A toy that’s too simple gets boring fast, but one that’s too tricky just leads to frustration. You're looking for that sweet spot: a satisfying challenge they can figure out with a bit of effort.

Toys That Build Fine Motor Skills

That clumsy, whole-hand grasp is quickly turning into a more delicate pincer grip, opening up a whole new world of play. Now’s the time to introduce toys that need more precise hand and finger movements. These are the building blocks for future skills, like holding a crayon or learning to zip up a coat.

Good choices for this stage include:

Chunky Puzzles: Simple puzzles with big, chunky knobs are a brilliant place to start. They teach shape recognition and hand-eye coordination as your toddler learns to twist and turn a piece until it clicks into place.
Stacking Rings and Blocks: You can't go wrong with the classics. Stacking toys are perfect for practising how to place objects with intention. The simple act of putting a ring on a post or one block on another builds concentration and a basic understanding of size and order.
Shape Sorters: A shape sorter is a fantastic first "problem" for your toddler to solve. It gets them thinking, matching the shape in their hand to the right hole, which sharpens both their mind and their motor skills at the same time.

Supporting Gross Motor Development

From wobbly first steps to surprisingly speedy toddles, this year is all about getting around. The right toys can support this explosion of energy, helping to build your toddler’s strength, balance, and physical confidence. It's all about getting those large muscle groups in their arms, legs, and core working.

Look for toys that encourage them to get moving:

Push-Along Toys: A sturdy push walker or even a classic corn popper toy offers a bit of stability for new walkers. It gives them the support they need to practise their steps while enjoying the simple thrill of pushing something forward.
Ride-On Toys: Low-to-the-ground ride-on toys they can push with their feet are fantastic for building leg strength and coordination. They're learning how to steer and propel themselves at the same time—a huge leap in body awareness.
Soft Balls: A simple, lightweight ball is amazingly versatile. Rolling it back and forth teaches the basics of turn-taking, while gentle throws and kicks help develop coordination and motor planning.

This infographic does a great job of showing how all these different areas of development connect during this crucial year.

Infographic about toys for 1 to 2 year olds

You can see how cognitive, motor, and language skills are all growing at once. The best toys often support more than one of these areas.

Encouraging Early Language and Pretend Play

At this age, your toddler is a master imitator. They watch everything you do and are desperate to copy your actions, which is the very beginning of pretend play and social learning. Toys that look like real-world objects give them the perfect props to let their imagination run wild.

A simple toy phone isn't just a piece of plastic; it's an invitation for your toddler to practise conversations, mimic your tone, and learn the social dance of "hello" and "goodbye."

Toys that inspire these little scenarios are a massive boost for their language skills. In fact, revenue for toys targeting this 1-to-2-year-old group in the United Kingdom was projected to hit around USD 1.42 billion, with parents keenly focused on developmental benefits. This growth highlights the demand for toys that nurture communication and social skills through imaginative play. You can explore more data about these market trends on Statista.

Here are a few brilliant choices for nurturing their budding imagination:

Toy Phones and Remote Controls: Toddlers want anything that looks like what the grown-ups are using. These toys let them safely mimic your daily routines.
Dolls or Stuffed Animals: A first doll or teddy can quickly become a treasured friend. It gives them a chance to practise nurturing behaviours like feeding, cuddling, and tucking their "baby" into bed.
Play Kitchen Items: A few pieces of play food and some simple pots and pans can open up a whole world of make-believe. They can "cook" right alongside you, learning words for food and actions like stirring and pouring. You can find more ideas in our detailed guide to the best developmental toys for toddlers.

Toy Categories and Their Developmental Benefits

To make things a bit clearer, here's a quick summary of how different types of toys support specific areas of your toddler's growth.

Toy Category	Primary Developmental Benefit	Examples
Puzzles & Shape Sorters	Fine Motor Skills & Problem Solving	Chunky wooden puzzles, shape sorting cubes
Stacking & Building Toys	Hand-Eye Coordination & Spatial Awareness	Stacking rings, large building blocks
Push & Ride-On Toys	Gross Motor Skills & Balance	Push walkers, sit-on ride-on cars
Balls & Active Toys	Coordination & Social Interaction	Soft fabric balls, small indoor slides
Pretend Play Items	Language Development & Imagination	Toy phones, dolls, play food, kitchen sets
Art & Sensory Supplies	Creativity & Fine Motor Control	Chunky crayons, finger paints, play-doh

This table can be a handy reference when you're trying to choose a toy that not only entertains but also actively helps your child learn and develop new abilities.

Essential Toy Safety Checks for Peace of Mind

As your little one gets more mobile, their curiosity explodes. They want to explore the world with their hands and, quite often, their mouths. This natural instinct makes toy safety an absolute top priority.

Choosing the right toys for 1 to 2 year olds is about more than just fun; it's about creating a safe space for them to play and learn. This isn't about scaring you, but about empowering you with a simple checklist for total peace of mind. A few quick checks can ensure playtime is always joyful and worry-free.

The Choking Hazard Test

A toddler's airway is surprisingly small, and almost everything they pick up goes straight into their mouth. This is why choking is the number one safety concern for this age group. Thankfully, there’s a really simple way to check if a toy or any of its parts is a potential risk.

You don't need any fancy gadgets. The "toilet roll tube test" is a brilliant, old-school rule of thumb that safety experts have recommended for years.

The Toilet Roll Tube Rule: If a toy, or any piece that can break off a toy, fits completely inside a standard toilet roll tube, it’s a choking hazard for a child under three.

Keep an empty tube in the playroom and test everything—small balls, building blocks, the wheels on a toy car. If it fits, it’s not safe for them to play with unsupervised.

Checking for Quality and Durability

Let's be honest, toddlers aren't known for being gentle. They will drop, throw, and bash their toys with an impressive amount of force. A well-made toy can withstand this enthusiastic play, but a flimsy one can break, creating sharp edges or dangerous small parts.

Before handing over a new toy (and every so often after), give it a quick once-over:

Feel for Sharp Edges: Run your fingers along all the seams and edges. Everything should feel smooth and finished, with no sharp points or splintered wood.
Tug on Small Parts: Give any little bits like wheels, plastic eyes, or buttons a firm pull. They should be securely attached and not feel loose at all.
Inspect for Cracks: Look closely for any hairline cracks in plastic or wood. A small crack can easily become a big break when dropped.

Understanding Safety Marks and Materials

When you're looking at toys in a shop or online, you'll see small symbols on the packaging. These aren't just for decoration—they're your assurance that the toy meets strict safety standards.

For toys sold in Great Britain, the most important one to look for is the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark. You might also still see the CE mark, which was the standard before Brexit. These marks mean the manufacturer has declared that the toy complies with all UK safety requirements.

This is especially crucial when it comes to the materials themselves. Since toys for this age group inevitably get chewed on, they must be made from non-toxic materials and paints. The UKCA/CE mark confirms the toy is free from harmful chemicals like lead or phthalates.

A final, hidden danger to watch out for is button batteries, which are often found in electronic toys. If swallowed, they can cause horrific internal injuries in just a couple of hours. Always check that the battery compartment on any toy is screwed shut securely and can't be opened by curious little fingers. If you’re searching for engaging toys without these risks, our guide on safe, interactive toys for babies has some fantastic ideas.

Beyond the Toy Box: Creative Play with Everyday Objects

A young toddler inside a large cardboard box, pretending it's a car.

The most fascinating toys for a one-year-old often don't come from a shop. In fact, some of the best opportunities for discovery and imaginative play are probably hiding in plain sight all around your home.

This is the core idea behind heuristic play – a fancy term for a child's natural instinct to explore and figure out what everyday objects do. Think of it as your toddler's first hands-on science experiment, driven by pure curiosity rather than a toy's instructions.

This kind of open-ended play is incredibly powerful. When a toy has a single function, like a button that plays a song, the play has a clear endpoint. But an empty cardboard box? That can be a rocket ship, a secret hideout, a boat sailing on a bumpy sea, or a drum just waiting to be thumped.

Finding Treasure in Your Home

You really don't need to buy anything special to spark this kind of creativity. Your kitchen cupboards and recycling bin are likely full of potential treasures, ready for exploration under your watchful eye.

These simple household items can be transformed into fantastic learning tools.

Pots and Pans: A couple of saucepans and a wooden spoon become your toddler's first drum kit. It’s a brilliant way for them to explore rhythm and sound.
Cardboard Boxes: A large box gives them a private den to call their own, while smaller ones are perfect for posting, filling, and emptying—a classic toddler obsession.
Plastic Jugs and Bottles: Clean, empty containers are perfect for water play in the bath or garden, teaching early lessons about full and empty.
Fabric Scraps: A collection of different textures like silk, wool, or corduroy provides a rich sensory experience for their little hands to explore.

Heuristic play is all about the process, not the outcome. The goal isn't to build something specific but to simply enjoy the discovery: How does this feel? What sound does it make? What happens when I drop it?

The Magic of Open-Ended Play

The real beauty of using everyday objects is that they place zero expectations on your child. A set of plastic measuring cups doesn't demand to be used in a certain way; it invites your toddler to stack, scoop, bang, and sort them however they please. This nurtures resourcefulness and teaches them they can be creators, not just passive players.

This approach builds a powerful foundation for critical thinking. When your child works out that a wooden spoon makes a totally different sound on a metal pan than it does on a plastic bowl, they’re conducting a mini-physics experiment. They're learning about cause and effect in the most natural way imaginable.

Safety First, Always

Of course, safety is the number one priority when turning household items into playthings. You should always supervise this kind of play and make sure any object you offer is completely safe for your toddler.

Here are a few simple rules to stick to:

Use the Toilet Roll Test: Just as with shop-bought toys, if an object can fit entirely through a toilet roll tube, it's a potential choking hazard.
Check for Sharp Edges: Run your fingers over plastic containers and wooden spoons to check for any sharp points or splinters.
Remove Small Lids: Bottle caps and other small lids should always be removed and kept far out of reach.

By embracing the potential in everyday things, you show your child that the most memorable moments of play are often the simplest ones. You'll be fuelling their innate creativity and proving that fun can be found anywhere—not just inside the toy box.

Got Questions About Toys for 1 to 2 Year Olds? We've Got Answers

Stepping into the world of toddler toys can feel a bit overwhelming, and it's natural to have questions. Let's tackle some of the most common ones parents ask, giving you the practical advice you need to feel confident about what you bring into your playroom.

How Many Toys Does a 1-Year-Old Really Need?

When it comes to toys for 1 to 2 year olds, the golden rule is always quality over quantity. A mountain of toys can actually overwhelm a young child, whereas a smaller, carefully selected collection encourages them to play more deeply and creatively.

Think about covering the main developmental bases. A fantastic starting collection might look something like this:

For building: A simple set of chunky wooden blocks is perfect for stacking.
For fine motor skills: A shape sorter or a puzzle with big, easy-to-grab knobs.
For gross motor skills: A ride-on toy they can push with their feet or a soft ball to roll and chase.
For pretend play: A baby doll or a toy telephone to spark those first imaginative games.

A brilliant way to keep a small toy collection feeling new and exciting is to try toy rotation. Simply pack away a few toys for a couple of weeks, then swap them back in. You’ll be amazed how it reignites your toddler’s interest without you having to buy a single new thing.

Are Electronic Toys with All the Lights and Sounds a Good Idea?

It really comes down to finding a healthy balance. The most beneficial electronic toys are the ones that teach cause and effect—when your child pushes a button, a specific animal sound plays, for example. They respond directly to your child's actions.

The downside is that many electronic toys can be passive or just too much for a little one's senses. They often do all the "playing" for the child, which doesn't leave much room for imagination. Think of these toys as a fun little side dish, not the main meal. The real stars of the show should always be the traditional, open-ended toys that let your child's creativity and problem-solving skills shine.

Is It Safe to Buy Second-Hand Toys?

Absolutely! Buying pre-loved toys is a wonderful, eco-friendly option, but it does mean you need to be a little more careful. Items made from solid, simple materials—like wooden blocks, plastic ride-on cars, and sturdy board books—are fantastic choices because they're a doddle to inspect and clean properly.

Be a bit more wary of items where risks might be hiding. I'd generally steer clear of older painted toys (which might not meet modern non-toxic paint standards), anything with lots of small parts that could be a choking hazard, or electronics that might have old, corroded batteries. Always give any second-hand find a thorough once-over for cracks, sharp edges, or loose bits before handing it over to your child.

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