At 12 months old, babies are full of curiosity and energy, eager to explore the world around them. Choosing the right toys for your little one can play a significant role in their development, enhancing their cognitive, motor, and sensory skills. From push and pull toys to personalized keepsakes, there is a wide array of options to stimulate their growing minds and bodies. In this guide, we'll explore ten must-have toys for 12-month-olds that are not only fun but also beneficial for their development.
1. Push and Pull Toys
Toys that your baby can push or pull while walking or crawling help develop gross motor skills, balance, and coordination. Look for sturdy toys with wheels that make fun noises as they move.
2. Shape Sorters and Stackers
Shape sorters and stackers encourage problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and cognitive development. Choose ones with large, colorful pieces that are easy for little hands to grasp and manipulate.
3. Interactive Playsets
Playsets with buttons, switches, and levers that produce lights, sounds, or music are highly engaging for 12-month-olds. These toys stimulate sensory exploration and promote cause-and-effect understanding.
4. Chunky Puzzles
Chunky puzzles with simple, brightly-colored pieces are perfect for little hands to practice matching and fitting into place. Puzzles help develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and shape recognition.
5. Outdoor Toys
Age-appropriate outdoor toys like a toddler swing, ride-on toy, or mini slide provide opportunities for active play and exploration in the fresh air. Outdoor play promotes physical development, balance, and coordination.
6. Nesting and Stacking Cups
Nesting cups and stacking blocks continue to be enjoyable toys for 12-month-olds. These toys promote spatial awareness, problem-solving skills, and creative play as your baby learns to stack and nest the pieces.
7. Pop-up Toys
Pop-up toys with buttons to push, levers to pull, or animals that pop out are exciting for little ones to discover. These toys help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and cause-and-effect understanding.
8. First Set of Building Blocks
Soft, lightweight building blocks or foam blocks are perfect for 12-month-olds to stack, knock down, and build with. Building blocks promote creativity, imagination, and spatial reasoning skills.
9. Activity Tables
Activity tables with interactive features like buttons to press, gears to turn, and balls to drop provide endless entertainment and learning opportunities for curious 12-month-olds. These tables stimulate sensory exploration and promote fine motor skills.
10. Personalized Keepsakes
Consider personalized gifts like a custom-made storybook, growth chart, or name puzzle with your baby's name and photo for a special and memorable keepsake.
As your baby reaches the 12-month milestone, providing them with toys that promote learning and development is key. From toys that enhance motor skills and coordination to those that stimulate cognitive abilities and creativity, the options are endless. By choosing toys that are safe, age-appropriate, and engaging, you can help nurture your little one's growth and create lasting memories along the way.
Tricia Meyer is a serial entrepreneur, business lawyer and mom of 6! Tricia is the Co-Founder at The Clever Baby. The Clever Baby recently launched its first product Jet - a patented, innovative teether and dispenser all-in-one, and is committed to developing clever products for parents and creating magical moments for babies and kids. Tricia has been featured in many publications including Inc., Crain’s, Chicago Tribune, NBC Chicago, American Express OPEN Forum, and more! Tricia has also received 30+ awards over the course of her career including being recognized by Crain’s Chicago as one of the most influential lawyers in Chicago and by Forbes on the Next1000 list! Learn more about The Clever Baby at www.thecleverbaby.com.