Best for kids – a guide to the best products for each age range to spark curiosity and fun

The Ultimate Guide

Choosing the perfect gift for a one-year-old can be a joyful but daunting task. At this age, little ones are exploring the world with boundless curiosity and developing crucial skills at lightning speed. That’s why we’ve curated this gift guide with a focus on open-ended toys that spark imagination, encourage learning, and provide hours of fun. Plus, we’ve kept your budget in mind with all these fantastic finds falling between £10 and £40!

Building Blocks of Fun:

• Stickle Bricks Fun Tub (£17.99): These brightly coloured, chunky bricks are a classic for a reason. Easy to connect and pull apart, Stickle Bricks help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and inspire creative construction. The handy tub keeps everything tidy too!

• Mega Bloks Build ‘n Learn Table (£22.99): Another fantastic option for budding builders, Mega Bloks are perfectly sized for small hands. This building table with blocks is the perfect height and provides endless opportunities for stacking, sorting, and imaginative play.

• LEGO DUPLO My First Number Train 10954 Learning and Educational Toy (£17.49): Introduce numbers and colours with this fun train set! DUPLO bricks are specifically designed for toddlers, and this set offers a playful way to learn while developing fine motor skills.

Learning Through Play:

• Learning Minds Jumbo Animal Figures (£13.99): Introduce your little one to the wonders of the animal kingdom with these realistic and chunky figures. Perfect for imaginative play, storytelling, and early vocabulary development. “Moo!”

• LeapFrog 609543 Animals Book (£12.99): This interactive book brings learning to life with playful songs, sounds, and colourful illustrations. It’s a great way to introduce animals, letters, numbers, and colors in a fun and engaging way.

• hahaland Educational Stacking Toy (£19.99): This colorful stacking toy is a multi-sensory delight! Little ones will love sorting the rings, stacking the tower, and learning about colours and sizes. It’s also a fantastic tool for developing fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

• Jaques of London Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers (£21.99): These beautifully crafted wooden puzzles are perfect for developing problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills. Plus, they’re made from eco-friendly materials!

Creative Exploration:

• Coodoo Magnetic Tiles (£39.99): Unlock a world of creativity with these colourful magnetic tiles. Build towers, castles, or whatever your little one can imagine! Magnetic tiles encourage spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and endless hours of open-ended play.

Get Moving!

• Fisher-Price Learn with Me Zebra Walker (£34.99): This zebra walker is more than just a walker; it’s a learning center on wheels! With interactive buttons, lights, and sounds, it encourages both physical and cognitive development.

Bonus Pick:

• Aullsaty Word and Picture Card Reader (£16.98): With a focus on tactile exploration, colour recognition, and fine motor skills, this set offers a variety of textures and activities to engage curious minds, whilst introducing words to your little one.

Why Open-Ended Toys?

Open-ended toys are the superheroes of the toy world! They have no fixed rules or single purpose, allowing children to direct their own play and let their imaginations soar. This type of play fosters creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. It also encourages language development, social interaction, and emotional expression.

Gift-Giving Tips:

• Consider the child’s interests: Observe what sparks their curiosity and choose toys that align with those interests.
• Prioritise quality over quantity: Invest in well-made, durable toys that will last.
• Think about developmental stages: Choose toys that are appropriate for the child’s age and abilities.

With this expanded gift guide, you’re sure to find the perfect present for the special one-year-old in your life. Happy shopping!