Best Toys and Gifts for 1 Year Old Boys – Buyer’s Guide

If your 1-year-old son is in need of some new gadgets to hold their attention, knowing everything about the toy will increase the chances of acquiring a product that doesn’t disinterest them. For this reason, its best to factor in a variety of toys that are different in shape and perform their own unique activities.

Take a look at five of the best toys/gifts for your toddler below, of which are preferable for boys. Giving a child suitable playing tools has many benefits to their development, so a comprehensive guide and comparison chart is included to assist in your final purchase.

Best Toys and Gifts for 1 Year Old Boys of 2018

Not all children like the same toy designs and some will peak their interest more than others. Below is a comparison chart for you to get a rundown on the best toys to aid in your child’s development.

1. Melissa & Doug Toolbox Fill and Spill Toddler – Best Tools Toys Set

If your little one has an interest in replicated building tools, Melissa & Doug’s Toolbox will definitely help them hone their carpentry skills. More specifically, it will introduce them to basic units of measurement. The toolbox has a ruler on the handle, gauged in inches, and numbers counting to 6 (although the ruler itself measures seven inches total).

Toy Saw, Hammer, and Nails

There’s also “wooden” blocks with holes in the center, in which toy nails can be hit into the slot with a soft hammer. Additionally, the blocks have Velcro on the sides, so the saw replica can slice the pieces into halves again. The saw also has a neat vibrating device inside to add more realism for your child. And the drill comes with a string at the bottom that shakes when pulled down.

Materials and Storage

If your son likes to handle their toys in a rough manner, be aware that some of the pieces can be broken easily, especially the drill string. When unboxing, there’s also a strong smell to the toy pieces, so wash them if the odor makes them avoid playing with the set. As for safety, all pieces are soft and sewn with corduroy, with the exception of the plastic sides of the toolbox. Although it won’t smother, make sure your toddler isn’t placing this over their head.

2. SmartMax My First Safari Animals – Best Magnetic Click Together Toys

Construction toys are high on the list of favorites for many kids, and it’s easy to see why. Additional parts can be purchased at a later time to tweak and scale up as the child gets older. The SmartMax My First Safari Animals is a good starter since the pieces are minimal but can attach to each other with magnets. If this becomes their favorite toy, then you’ll find it easier to get new gifts later down the line that are compatible with the original.

Introducing Your Child to Magnets

There are different animal shapes that break off at the center and are reattached with powerful magnets on the inside. Every animal can be separated and placed on another part that was originally used on a different piece. It’s a quiet toy and suggested for taking in public settings where silence is needed, such as on airplanes and road trips.

Scaling Up

However, some boys simply do not take interest in soundless toys. Try something different if you’re sure that your toddler will dislike. Doing so could save you from having more unused items added to your storage or a return from the seller. Or maybe you’ll have to acquire the additional toys sold by the manufacturer for it grab their attention. In any case, the SmartMax My First Safari Animals is a solid buy for most boys and serves as a way to introduce them to the basics of problem-solving.

3. Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy Wooden Pull Toy – Best Wooden Walker

Traditional looking toys have become popular again in recent times. Wooden cut-outs in the shape of animals are particularly loved by young children. The Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy exhibits every aspect of classic toys that were used by children of past generations.

Walking the Puppy

This toy has the shape of a puppy and is painted red throughout the body, outfitted with a tail in the back. A drawstring on the front is fastened to the dog while rubber-lined wheels push it forward, making the tail wag at the same time. When still, the legs also turn, moving the dog into a “sitting” position. As for improvements, the toy can only move in a straight line without falling over when the string is pulled. It’s also pretty short yet forgivable since that could pose as a choking hazard.

Mobility and Positions

While it might annoy them by how easy it falls when in motion, the sit/stand posture should keep them busy, especially if they’ve seen a real dog oblige to the same commands.

4. Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Hungry Pelican – Best Soft Toy

Plush toys are good for decoration and can double as entertainment for your toddler son, particularly when there are numerous smaller components included that are placed into the larger toy. The Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Hungry Pelican, shaped like the famed bird, has distinct attributes not commonly found on similar toys.

How to make it Stand Up

Miniature birds can be fed into the mouth, where they also are placed during storage. An opening in the front center makes it easy for your child to grab and play with the individual pieces if he so chooses. A small hook on the head will allow the bird to stand on its own; the legs are not stiff enough for the bird to appear upright, unlike most of the pictures displayed by the manufacturer.

Using the Sound Effects

While there is sound, it would have been more realistic if the audio played when the mouth is open. Instead, your child must squeeze the beak for squeaks to be heard. And the small birds can fall out of the center, which results in multiple attempts to make them stay inside unless it rests on a flat surface. The Hungry Pelican is still a great toy for your 1-year-old boy, especially if you’re concerned about the safety aspects of toys with hard pieces. It is machine-washable as well, helping to keep them from getting sick from germs.

5. VTech Musical Rhymes Book – Best Music and Rhymes Toy

Children’s books are very exciting for toddlers when they incorporate lights and sounds to go with the illustrations. The VTech Musical Rhymes Book is an almost guaranteed way to direct your child’s attention to a fun activity that will keep them happy to be learning the songs, of which are useful for aiding sensory development, reading comprehension, and gross motor skills.

Entertaining and Interactive Nursery Rhymes

Most of the songs are standard nursery rhymes familiar with most people such as Little Boy Blue and Old MacDonald Had a Farm. To turn on, a green switch in the middle is flipped and a new song plays whenever the page is moved. While your child attempts to learn the song, they can play melodies on the side panel by pressing one of the buttons that correspond to the image’s picture. Sounds include ukulele, drums, violin, maraca, and brass.

Speakers and When to Use

As for the noise, it gets loud enough to be heard clearly in a room. There is no volume controls to alter to decibel levels coming from the speakers. Since child toys with sound are very popular, think about the setting in which the toy will be used if taking with you to public areas. In some circumstances, the book cannot be recommended if the sound will cause a disturbance whenever your child plays with it.

Another issue with the sound is looping. If the book is dropped from a floor enough times, the same song could repeat over and over until the audio ceases to work at all. This can also happen over time with normal use but is an exception that won’t occur with everyone that purchases, especially if the device is handled with care. In the end, the Musical Rhymes Book will be your kid’s go-to toy for a long time and might even peak their interest in learning a real instrument later in their early childhood.

Best Toys and Gifts Ideas for 1 Year Old Boys – Buyer’s Guide

Since 1 year old boys have a wide array of toys available to them like never before, looking for something that is safe and entertaining is not always a simple task to find. That’s why you should know what works well for a wide range of children. The following tips should be considered to avoid getting a toy that your child won’t blink an eye at.

Safety First

The safety of your child’s toys is a top concern. While some toys may superficially appear harmless, they could pose a serious risk to their health. Most entertainment merchandise sold for 1-year-olds is free from having any choking hazards or harmful chemicals like lead incorporated into them during the manufacturing process.

However, you must still keep in mind that hardened plastics and wood with lead pieces could lead to injury if playing occurs without supervision. The best way to determine if a toy will be a problem is to use preventive maintenance to go over any potential risks.

Weighted interchangeable parts connected to other pieces might pinch their fingers. Other toys could have ropes, pointed areas, or paint that chips away over time. If there’s any doubt about the safety of any product you’re considering, trust your intuition and find something less worrisome for you and your toddler.

Sound

The sound is also a great way to help with sensory development. For example, if you purchase a toy piano that has a visual indicator and different noise for every button pressed, your toddler will become familiar with identifying noises as they are heard and not seen, then corresponding them to what they’re familiar with in the world around them.

Vibrating

Toys that vibrate can use up batteries quickly. Some models won’t always include them with the toy itself. Try to picture how easy it would be for your son to get hold of this on their own. Batteries are sometimes covered with only a thin layer of Velcro that could be quickly taken out by a curious child.

Shaking toys are most often seen on stuffed animals and construction-like children’s products. They are a good replacement for noisy alternatives since the movement will likely hold a toddler’s interest without causing them to use noise as a primary way to entertain themselves with their possessions. Similar to toys with audio, they might break over time but shouldn’t cause too much trouble since most brands that include this feature in their products can be played with regardless.

Material

The overall construction of the toy can often determine how long it will last. Most soft toys are made from corduroy or polyester and have cotton or toy stuffing on the inside. Products will usually display whether or not they are machine washable. In any case, try not to wash with hard water or spin on too many cycles, as the fabric will wear down quicker and make the material more susceptible to rips and tears. Don’t forget to remove the stuffing inside too.

Solid toys, while easier to clean, must be done at the same rate as products with fabric. This is due to cracks and crevices becoming dirty overtime, resulting in bacterial growth that could make your child sick if left alone. Take a damp rag or washcloth and carefully wipe away any areas that show signs of accumulating grime. It might be necessary to do this regularly, especially if multiple children are handling the toy prior to your toddler using it.

The safest plastic for toys will be free of lead and bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA, a compound found in some plastics linked to growth deficiencies and other adverse effects that could potentially impair a child’s development and they grow older. Toy companies will inform you on their descriptions if they are BPA free yet those that do contain the compound may not indicate this to you unless you ask directly.

Conclusion

Playtime is not only enjoyable for toddlers but can increase their cognitive abilities quickly through the interactive features provided in toys of today. With the products shown and information given, you can better decide on what will benefit and entertain your toddler son for the duration of their early childhood. The reviews on the items listed reveal toys that are provably safe and act as an introduction to important health benefits. Your child deserves only the best.