Are you having a tough time deciding what to get your one year old? I mean they can’t quite tell you what they want yet and they don’t necessarily have interests. Or maybe you’re like me and there are so many AWESOME options that make it so hard to choose. Well these 12-18 month old gift ideas are the best of the best. I picked toys, puzzles and helpful products that keep our kids engaged, having fun and (of course) learning and developing new skills at the same time!
My son was born five days after Christmas so we get the double whammy of buying Christmas and birthday gifts at the same time. I don’t want a lot of excess toys that end up just taking up space on the shelves in a couple months. My husband and I really want gifts that can be used in multiple ways even as he grows and keeps his little mind and body active. I feel that leads to a happier Roman at the end of every day.
So without further ado here are the top gifts for a 12-18 month old kiddo that parents (or the grandparents) will be picking from:
This post may contain some affiliate links. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. I only recommend products that I love and would purchase myself! Full disclaimer here.
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12-18 Month Old Stocking Stuffers and Small Gifts ($1-$10)
Don’t feel the need to go overboard on gifts for your little one! They will love pretty much anything you get them and, if we’re being honest, they may even like the packaging more! Here are a few small and simple gifts that would make great stocking stuffers for a 12-18 month old. I bet they still keep them entertained just as long as the big presents!
Pop It Fidget Toy
Are anyone else’s kids obsessed with these pop it fidget toys?? They may not understand trends yet but kids know a good toy when they see one. These small “popping” toys keep my son entertained for long periods of time. The best part is they are small and easy to travel with so they come with us on every car ride and flight.
Pop Tubes
These pop tubes are new to me but they look so fun and I definitely think they’ll be a big hit with Roman. You move the tubes around to form new shapes, connect them together and really just fidget with them. They are great for helping kids develop fine motor skills while also making unique sounds and a different feel than most toys.
With nearly 4,000 reviews and a 4.7 rating (at the time of this post). The reviews rave about the unique and creative uses kids have found for this simple, unassuming toy.
Water Coloring Book
These coloring books are virtually mess free but still so fun! All you do is fill the “pen” up with water, then as they draw the water causes the page to change color.
This is not a replacement for the creative outlet of regular coloring and learning the small movements required to color and write with real utensils but this can be a great way to keep kids entertained when it isn’t the right time or place for real craft supplies.
Small Toys: Cars, Figurines, Dolls
Grab a couple small toys that your little one will like. This could be toy cars, small figurines, a little doll or simple toys like teethers and rattles that they still find interesting.
Books
You can’t go wrong with books and a little variety makes it more fun for mom and dad! Everyone has heard about the cognitive benefits of reading to your child early on, so take this chance to pick up a few extra books.
We love board books for their interactive nature, the indestructible books for their durability and these books by Andy Frisella for the values they teach.
Water Bottle
A practical gift that will get used everyday is not a bad thing. These water bottles with a straw are my son’s favorites. Thanks to the weight at the end of the straw kids can drink from it no matter which way they hold it.
And I like it for its spill proof nature and because it is good for his mouth and jaw development.
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Affordable Gifts for 12-18 Month Old Kids
These are some of the best toys for 12-18 month old kids on the market today. They are fun, teach valuable skills and stretch kids either physically or mentally.
Broom and Dustpan Set
At this age kids just want to do whatever mom, dad and older siblings are doing. Plus they don’t know yet that chores are not fun haha. This adorable wooden broom and mop set is a great way to get them involved. Plus, it teaches kids the right way to clean using tools the right size for them.
Don’t worry, it is super fun for them and you’ll still get to mop and sweep yourself because, in the end, it’s just a toy.
Stacking Cups
Stacking cups are such a good versatile toy. They can be stacked, they can be knocked down, and they can be used to put stuff in. All things that little ones this age are going to love to do.
Roman loves to walk around with a cup in each hand hitting them together! There are a lot of options to choose from too. From mutted colors to bright primary colors you can’t go wrong.
Musical Toys
Music is really good for brain development and language learning. Plus I have never met a kid that doesnt like making loud noises. A musical instrument like a drum is easy to play and a great way to introduce musical instruments.
Tunnel
Make a fun obstacle course in your living room or backyard with a fun collapsible tunnel. This is great even for kids that can’t walk quite yet and is a great way to figure out how to move in new ways and become spatially aware of their surroundings to a certain extent.
Thanks to its collapsible nature this toy does not take up much space and is great for small living spaces and active play. That is a hard combo to find.
Ball Set
You may or may not be thinking about organized sports in a few years but either way this ball set is fun for the whole family to play with together.
Help your child learn how to throw, kick and catch on their terms as they explore a toy that moves in a new way. Plus you can gently introduce different kinds of sports that they may want to one day play.
Puzzles
Let your kiddo learn to problem solve as they try to put together these small, simple puzzles. Each little puzzle only has a couple of pieces and with help they can figure out how to place the pieces in the matching slot.
Crayons
Introduce coloring with washable crayons that won’t break as they try to color. The egg-like shape of these crayons allows small hands to hold them and draw but won’t break as they learn how much pressure to use.
Car Track
This toddler car track aids in the development of fine motor skills, spatial skills and hand-eye coordination! A kid will love watching the cars move themselves down the track and using the cars to push around.
Bath Pipes
These fun bath toys help kids learn about cause and effect as they pour water into them and watch the gears turn in different ways. And, who am I to say no to another fun bath toy!
Bubbles
This is another fun classic toy that I think most kids will enjoy! Bubbles are kind of magical and mysterious. So grab bubble wands, bubble guns or even a bubble machine and let them go to town. These bubble toys are perfect (and easy) for mom or dad to blow for young kids that they can then play in!
If you live somewhere cold, just be mindful that the bubbles may freeze in the winter time!
Bibs
Another great practical gift are some silicone bibs. They are our favorite bibs in this house because they are so easy to wipe down for an easy clean up and they catch ALL the food that drops and dribbles out while eating. There are so many good colors to choose from nowadays too!
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Mid Range Gift Ideas for 12-18 Month Olds
Toy Vacuum
Just like the broom and mop set this vacuum is a great way to get your 12-18 month old involved in house work. Our kiddo is obsessed with our big vacuum so a little toy vacuum one his size would be so fun for him to push around!
The best part is that it makes noise, has a light amount of real suction and has a spot to empty out whatever it picks up. This means they can follow your example from start to finish with vacuuming. Plus they get to feel the sense of accomplishment that they are helping and finishing a job.
Activity Cube
We have had our activity cube since Roman was born and he started paying attention to it once he could sit up on his own. Now that he is older he still loves moving the beads around and spinning the gears ours has on one side. An activity cube is almost like multiple toys in one since it involves so many different moving parts!
Personalized Name Puzzle
If you are looking for a personalized gift for a 12-18 month old then look no further. These personalized name puzzles are super cute and functional at the same time.
The name puzzle is a great way to introduce a kid to their name, the letters that make up their name and matching shapes. The best part is even though this is a custom personalized gift for a young kid it isn’t overly expensive and they are really customizable.
Kitchen Helping Stool
Kids love to help out so this is a gift that keeps on giving. This kitchen helping stool allows kids to help you cook while keeping them safe from falling off the stool.
Water Play Station
These water play stations are a great investment if your child loves water! The water table lets them play and splash in the water without needing a big pool. Some water stations I saw online even said they are safe to play with in the snow, which would make this a great gift option even in the winter.
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Splurge Worthy Gifts for 12-18 Month Olds
Next up in the 12-18 month old gift ideas are the splurge worthy gifts. They may cost a little more but boy are they worth just about every penny.
Lovevery Subscription Box
The Lovevery play kits are subscription boxes that come every three months with age appropriate toys developed by professionals. The toys offer “stage-based play essentials for your child’s developing brain” (Lovevery). All the toys are made sustainably and are meant to last a lifetime, meaning they can be handed down for several generations.
I picked the The Thinker play kit for kids 11-12 months and I am so excited to watch Roman play and learn with the puzzles and toys. I could have also gone for the 13-15 month old box since he’ll be right in between the two but I don’t think either option is a bad one.
You can skip or cancel your subscription at any time so gifting one box or just a couple is a great option. Or you can give a whole year subscription to offer age specific toys all year long!
Lovevery Blocks
Lovevery has more than just subscription boxes though, they also sell montessori products and toys. Everything is made with quality materials that make heirloom quality products. I snagged the block set because it is the most versatile block set I’ve seen on the market!
Not only are there blocks to stack and knock down but there are also rods and string to thread the blocks onto, there are wheels to roll, the storage box can become a pull car or a shape matching puzzle, and there are small wood people for pretend play just to name a few of the possibilities!
I am always looking for toys that are versatile so that we can buy less toys overall and have less clutter! This toy was a no brainer on the 12-18 month old gift ideas list.
Pikler Triangle
IDK about your kids but Roman is a climber and it is terrifying! I love watching him learn to use his body in new ways and explore the world but I want him to be safe too. The pikler triangle and matching at home climbing toys are the perfect compromise. He can climb and play safely so we are both happy.
Balance Bike
I think kids are capable of far more than we give them credit for early on. These balance bikes allow kids to learn skills that will eventually turn into riding a regular bike.
The bikes are lightweight and easily adjustable so kids can start riding them (with a stationary base) as early as 6 months! Without the base it is recommended around 18 months of age. How cool is that?!
Local Attraction Membership
Another great gift idea for kids is to purchase a membership to a local attraction. This could be something like the zoo, an aquarium, the local children’s museum etc. Anything you see that they are interested in that they would love to go to over and over again.
Not only is this a great gift but it is also a great way to save money over the year because you have something you can go do together that doesn’t cost money each time you go to it. And most memberships include access to seasonal events. The Tampa Zoo has a halloween and a christmas event that are included in the membership cost!
Toy Kitchen
Last up on the 12-18 month old gift ideas is a toy kitchen set and the matching accessories which you could easily split into multiple gifts that they will open. The toy kitchen is technically a little advanced for a 12-18 month old but there is plenty they can do with it as they grow into it.
The play kitchen is great for pretend play and practicing (copying) skills that they learn by watching mom and dad in the kitchen.
12-18 Month Old Gift Ideas
There you have it! Super fun interactive toys that you won’t regret having in your house. Well, except maybe the musical instruments lol. These are 28 of the best toys for 12-18 month old kids. Any of these would be great for a first birthday or christmas!
Do you have any 12-18 month old gift ideas that your kids have loved or you’re planning on getting this year? Let me know in the comments along with what made you choose that gift. I am always looking for more great ideas.
And remember, you don’t need to (and really shouldn’t) get everything on this list. Sometimes less is more and if you get too many toys then your kid will actually play less and it leads to less creativity (psychologytoday).
So pick a couple and then save the rest for next year or the next kid!
