One year olds will make anything a toy — like that tube of butt cream or disposable coffee cup you keep trying to throw away — but since those don’t make the best birthday presents, we have some ideas for you. Here are our favorite go-to best gifts for a one-year old:
If you want a gift for under $10, this Playskool shape sorter is my fave. I’ve purchased it about five times for my own kids and small friends after testing others.
Need somebody smaller to love? Toddlers of all genders love to cuddle up with dolls. This one’s a cutie and less than $20. You can find African-American, Hispanic, or Asian dolls from JC Toys in the same general price range.
My little guys love to push a baby in a stroller like this one. There are several models for about $20. Baby beds and other accessories are a good bet.
Speaking of WHEELS, boys and girls love vehicles. Green Toys makes their popular dump truck in two flavors to suit your preferences for about $25. The trucks are super durable and made from recycled milk jugs so I’m willing to pay a little more.
Whitney’s kids always had fun pushing around play food or anything at all in this adorable and durable shopping cart from Melissa & Doug (about $50).
Another big hit from Whitney’s family, this ball pounder from Melissa + Doug teaches cause and effect, fun with balls, and the joy of whacking things. Just keep it far from your glass coffee table, ok? It retails for less than $20. 
This Radio Flyer wagon is so well-loved at my son’s daycare that I wish we had it at home. Kids take turns riding and pushing. If you don’t have a friend to drive around, your teddy bear will also enjoy the ride (Or more likely, my left shoe and our remote control).
Related:
Clutter-free gifts for babies and toddlers
First birthday party ideas
Favorite ride-on toys for toddlers and wobblers
The remote and my left shoe! Love it, totally identify with that. My girls are now 3 and I would say these are all great suggestions. One of mine likes to organize (on her terms) and also loves to put an assortment of items in a basket/bag/box/whatever is available and strikes her fancy at that moment and carry it around, or wrap it up in a towel and present it to me as a birthday present. Anyway, I digress entirely, but great ideas.
Dang. Was hoping for some inspiration for my soon to be one year old. I can, however, second your list as his older sisters grocery cart, shape sorter, dollies, & ball pounder get lots of his attention. The Green Toys dump truck that he got at Christmas continues to be a hit as well. I would add board books that have flaps/slides or textures to touch and old/non-working cell phones (preferably the kind that flips open) to your list. And toilet paper tubes, forks, silicone bakewear….
A note about the shopping cart: If you take it shopping (as I took my daughter’s. I thought it’d be fun for her), or use it on hard wood/tile, it’s like a freaking sled. No good for new walkers. Either keep it on carpet or save it until the little one is steady on their feet.
Uh oh Becky, is there no inspiration because you have all these already? I guess we were trying to err on the side of classics. We have a few more ideas here on our amazon faves list: Q-ball, chunky puzzles, board books, Bee Bop band, ride-on toy, push/pull toy.
Ooh, @realmomofnj, great tip!
My almost-11-month-old just got a couple gifts from some experienced parents and they are a big hit with him! I would recommend them for gifts – and the first 2 are only $8.
The singamajig is oddly entrancing for both children and adults alike. My husband claims it’s the ONLY toy he likes. Must be seen and heard to be appreciated. http://www.toywiz.com/singamajigmintgreen.html
Baby Einstein Take-Along Tunes – songs are not too annoying, lights are engaging, and volume is not too loud. Easy to grasp and chew and push the button. He likes it. http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Einstein-Take-Along-Tunes/dp/B000YDDF6O/ref=pd_sim_ba_1
The fun-time tractor is a little pricier, but it has a horn, animal sounds, lights, a song, and it moves. Whoa. http://www.youngexplorers.com/itemdy00.aspx?T1=Y402033&srccode=NXCYC6&utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparison&utm_campaign=datafeed&gclid=CN-pj4mqlLUCFWaCQgodNnwAPw
Heather, it is a great list and our family can vouch for these classics (we have most of them). I’m just being lazy about shopping and coming up with a birthday present. Hard to buy for the second kid when you feel like there really isn’t anything more needed in the house for this particular stage!
Becky, for my second son, I asked his big brother to hand-me-down/re-gift some of his favorites. I figured that as long as the house was full of super fun stuff, the one year old would not notice. For baby boy three, he does not need a thing (but I bought a new shape sorter because we had already passed the other one down).
Karen, that singamajig is freaking me out with it’s blow-up-doll aesthetic. Can I say that on a family site?
We have a few other pieces from that funtime tractor collection; the combine harvester is super fun because the haybales drop out.