Toys for a 1 year old baby in the UAE should match everything that happens around the first birthday: first steps, first words, and a huge jump in curiosity about how things work. At this age, the best toys invite babies to push, stack, sort, pretend and explore, turning everyday play into real brain development. At Play & Grow UAE, our 1 to 3 Years collection and Baby Toys 0 to 12 Months collection cover this stage with Tanny Kids, Fisher Price and LeapFrog toys, most priced under AED 80. This guide explains what toys a 1 year old should have, the best educational toys for 1 year olds, picks for boys and girls, and the best baby toys for 6 to 12 months.
Table of Contents
- What Toys Should a 1 Year Old Have?
- Which Toy Is Best for a 1 Year Old?
- Best Educational Toys for 1 Year Old Babies in the UAE
- Baby Toys for 6 to 12 Months
- Toys for 1 Year Old Baby Boy and Baby Girl
- Brain Development Toys for 1 Year Olds
- Tips for Choosing Toys for a 1 Year Old
- Related Collections and Guides
- FAQs
What Toys Should a 1 Year Old Have?
A 1 year old benefits from a small mix of toys that cover the main areas of development:
- A push toy for walking confidence, such as the Tanny Kids Push n Run Caterpillar.
- A shape sorter for problem solving, like the Tanny Kids Shape Sorting Cube.
- Stacking toys for hand eye coordination, such as the Tanny Kids Stacking Cups.
- A pretend play toy for early language, like the Tanny Kids Happy Phone.
- A ball or rolling toy for active play, such as the Tanny Kids Roll n Link Ball.
Five or six good toys in rotation is plenty. Our guide on how many toys a child really needs explains why fewer toys often lead to better play.
Which Toy Is Best for a 1 Year Old?
The best toy for a 1 year old is a shape sorter. It teaches shapes and colours, builds hand control and encourages patience as babies work out which piece fits where. It also grows with the child, since toddlers keep using it well into their second and third years. For babies who are just starting to walk, a push toy is a close second, because it turns every step into a game.
Best Educational Toys for 1 Year Old Babies in the UAE
1. Tanny Kids Shape Sorting Cube
The Tanny Kids Shape Sorting Cube at AED 75 is our top educational toy for 1 year olds. Matching each shape to the right hole builds problem solving, shape and colour recognition and fine motor skills. Browse more in our Problem Solving Skills collection.
2. Tanny Kids Push n Run Caterpillar
The Tanny Kids Push n Run Caterpillar at AED 36, down from AED 45, encourages walking, balance and coordination as babies chase it across the room. For more walking support, the LeapFrog Scout's Get Up and Go Walker at AED 353 adds music and learning games. See our Motor Skills collection.
3. Tanny Kids Happy Phone
The Tanny Kids Happy Phone at AED 52, down from AED 65, lets babies copy the adults around them, which is one of the most natural ways to build early language and communication. Find more in our Pretend Play Toys collection.
4. Tanny Kids Funny Elephant
The Tanny Kids Funny Elephant at AED 79 is a colourful, interactive toy that encourages imagination and sensory exploration. The Funny Hippo at the same price is a fun alternative. See our Animal Toys collection.
5. Tanny Kids Stacking Cups and Twist n Learn
The Tanny Kids Stacking Cups at AED 28 introduce sizes, counting and early problem solving, while the Tanny Kids Twist n Learn at AED 35 builds fine motor control through twisting actions. Both are great value picks from our Tanny Kids collection.
Baby Toys for 6 to 12 Months
Between 6 and 12 months, babies sit up, crawl, pull to stand and start exploring cause and effect. Great baby toys for 6 to 12 months in the UAE include:
- The Tanny Kids Roll n Link Ball at AED 39, which encourages crawling and reaching.
- The Tanny Kids Busy Wheeler at AED 35, packed with moving parts for little fingers.
- The Tanny Kids Rainbow Spinner at AED 39, for visual and sensory play.
- The Fisher Price Belling Ball Set at AED 42, which rewards rolling with gentle bell sounds.
For a month by month breakdown, read our complete guide to infant toys for the first year.
Toys for 1 Year Old Baby Boy and Baby Girl
At this age, boys and girls enjoy the same kinds of play, so the best toys are the ones that match your child's interests. Babies who love movement enjoy push toys and balls like the Fisher Price Baby Play Balls at AED 30. Babies who love quiet, focused play enjoy shape sorters, the Tanny Kids Puzzle Stacking toy at AED 52 and the Geometric Flower Puzzle at AED 39. Babies who love people enjoy pretend toys like the Happy Phone. For a first birthday gift, the Fisher Price Circular Ball Pit with 25 Balls at AED 103 is a showstopper.
Brain Development Toys for 1 Year Olds
Brain development toys for 1 year olds are toys that make babies think, try, fail and try again. Each type builds a different skill:
- Shape sorters and puzzles build problem solving and memory.
- Stacking toys build hand eye coordination and early maths ideas like size and order.
- Push toys build balance, confidence and gross motor skills.
- Pretend play toys build language, imagination and social skills.
- Musical toys build listening, rhythm and cause and effect understanding.
Explore more in our Early Learning collection and Musical Toys collection.
Tips for Choosing Toys for a 1 Year Old
- Choose sturdy toys with rounded edges and no small parts.
- Pick toys with a clear goal, such as fitting, stacking or pushing.
- Rotate toys every week or two to keep interest high.
- Play together, naming colours, shapes and animals to build vocabulary.
- Look for toys that will still be useful at 2 and 3 years old.
For more active play ideas, see our guide to the best activity toys for toddlers in the UAE. Play & Grow delivers across all seven Emirates, with same day delivery in Dubai for orders placed before 2:00 PM and next day delivery across the UAE for orders placed before 4:00 PM.
Related Collections and Guides
- 1 to 3 Years, for toddler toys
- Baby Toys 0 to 12 Months, for 6 to 12 month toys
- Baby and Toddler Toys, for everyday favourites
- Puzzle and Stacking Toys, for problem solving
- Motor Skills, for walking and movement
- Balls and Rolling Toys, for active play
- Tanny Kids and Fisher Price, for trusted baby brands
- Best Activity Toys for Toddlers in the UAE
FAQs
What toys should a 1 year old have?
A 1 year old should have a push toy, a shape sorter, stacking toys, a pretend play toy and a ball. Together they cover walking, problem solving, coordination, language and active play.
Which toy is best for a 1 year old?
A shape sorter like the Tanny Kids Shape Sorting Cube at AED 75 is one of the best toys for a 1 year old, building problem solving, shape recognition and fine motor skills.
What are the best educational toys for a 1 year old baby?
The best educational toys for a 1 year old include shape sorters, stacking cups, push toys, pretend phones and musical toys, all available in our 1 to 3 Years collection.
What are good toys for a 1 year old baby boy or girl?
Boys and girls enjoy the same toys at this age. Push toys, balls, shape sorters, stacking toys and pretend play toys all make great choices for either.
