Last updated
Rally Takes the Train is our own picture book, so it sits at the top of every list. Some links to other gifts are affiliate links: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy.
#1 pick · Our own book
Rally Takes the Train
A 1 year old will not follow the plot yet, but they love the bounce of rhyme, big watercolor pictures, and pointing at Rally the corgi and the train. Rally Takes the Train is about a five-minute read, short enough for a toddler's attention span, and Amazon lists it for babies up to age 5, so it keeps getting read for years.
Read it with them on your lap and add the sounds: a 'woof' for Rally and a 'choo choo' for the train. Write the date and a short note inside the cover, and it becomes a keepsake from this Christmas.
Quick picks
A 1 year old at Christmas is often more interested in the box than the gift, and that is a useful clue. Between 12 and 23 months, children pull up, cruise along the couch, take first steps and spend a remarkable amount of time putting things into containers and taking them out again. The best gifts for this age feed exactly that: things to push, post, stack, pour and find.
This list is built for that stage. Every pick is graded for children under 3, none matches a 2026 safety recall we found, and several work without batteries. We favored toys that convert or grow, so a gift opened at 14 months still gets played with at 2. Prices are approximate and change quickly in December.
Shopping for a 1 year old boy or girl? Every gift here suits both. At this age the right choice depends on the child's stage, not a theme: a new walker wants something to push, a child who loves posting shapes wants a sorter, and a wheels fan wants a first train.
What 1 year olds love right now
By their first birthday, the CDC says most children put something in a container (like a block in a cup), look for a toy they watched you hide under a blanket, pull up to stand, walk while holding furniture, and pick things up between thumb and pointer finger. Over the next year they start walking on their own, and by 18 to 24 months many are climbing and scribbling with crayons.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends simple, hands-on toys played with a caregiver over screen-based 'educational' gadgets at this age, and avoiding screens before 18 to 24 months. In practice, that means the humble stacking cup often outlasts the flashiest toy under the tree.
- Putting things in and dumping them out (shape sorters, stacking cups, garden pots)
- Pushing something while they walk (push walkers and push mowers)
- Making something happen with one tap (pound benches, spinners and sliders)
- Big-knob puzzles for a newly precise pincer grasp
- Animals, animal sounds and the very first pretend play
- Anything with wheels, including a first train
Development notes based on 123 sources below.
The 13 best Christmas gifts for 1 year old
Rally Takes the Train is number one on our list (above). Here are the other twelve, chosen for this age from current gift lists and reviews.
PlayTab Essentials, Modular Sensory Activity Board
Fat Brain Toys · STEM
A 1 year old will happily spend minutes spinning one dial, flipping one flap and sliding one knob, and this board puts a set of those sensory tiles in one frame. It won the 2026 Toy of the Year award for Infant/Toddler. Because the tiles swap out, you can rotate a few at a time so it feels new for months as their fingers get more precise.45
Good to know: Keep some tiles out of sight and swap them every week or two. Rotation is what keeps it interesting through the whole second year, instead of buying another toy. A 2025 recall covered older Fat Brain Rollers tiles, not this set, so do not mix in hand-me-down Rollers tiles.
LEGO DUPLO Number Train, Learn to Count (10954)
LEGO · Train toy
This is the right first train for an older 1 year old: the cars roll across the floor with no track to fiddle with, and toddlers love pulling the chunky bricks off and pressing them back on, even if the stacking is wobbly for now. The numbered bricks give you an easy counting game later, and it works with every DUPLO set that comes after.6
Good to know: The box says 1.5+, so for a child just turning 1 it really gets going around 18 months. DUPLO bricks are too big to be a choking hazard, but keep regular LEGO from older siblings well out of reach.
Shape & Color Garden
Learning Resources · Puzzles
Toddlers pull 10 chunky flowers out of their pots and 'plant' them back in, which is the in-and-out container play the CDC lists as a first-birthday milestone. At first any flower in any pot counts; closer to 2 they start matching shapes, and later it becomes a colors and counting toy. It was a 2026 Toy of the Year Infant/Toddler finalist.781
Good to know: It is graded 18 months to 5 years, so a young 1 year old will mostly pull out and dump at first. That is still exactly the right kind of play.
Laugh & Learn 4-in-1 Activity Table & Easel
Fisher-Price · STEM
A child who is pulling up and cruising wants something sturdy at standing height with lots to press, and this activity table is exactly that. It then converts into an art easel for the 2s, so it stays in use long after walking is old news. It was a 2026 Toy of the Year Infant/Toddler finalist.79
Good to know: It has electronic lights and sounds, so it is not the pick for families who want quiet toys. The 2025 Fisher-Price recalls covered the SnugaPuppy and Brunch & Go toys, not this table.
Get Growing Tractor & Mower Ride-On
VTech · Ride-on
In walk-behind mode it is a push mower that steadies a brand-new walker, and once they are confident it converts into a sit-on tractor they scoot with their feet. Graded 12 to 36 months, it covers the whole second year and beyond. It was a 2026 Toy of the Year Infant/Toddler finalist.71011
Good to know: It takes 2 AA batteries. Put them in before wrapping so it works the moment it comes out of the paper.
On-the-Go Wooden Workbench & Baby Push Walker
Jasey's Toy Chest · Pretend play
It is a sturdy wooden push walker for wobbly first steps, with a pretend tool bench on top that a 1 year old can bang and turn while standing. Around 2 it shifts into pretend fixing play, so it earns its floor space longer than a plain walker. It won a Good Housekeeping 2026 Toy Award for ages 0 to 2.12
Good to know: It is one of the pricier walkers and takes up real floor space. If you are also considering the VTech mower, pick one: a toddler only needs one push toy.
Little People Caring Fun Animal Farm Playset
Fisher-Price · Pretend play
This is where 'what does the cow say?' starts. A 1 year old carries the chunky figures around, puts them in and out of the barn and tries the animal sounds, and by 2 it turns into simple little stories. Little People are made for small hands and survive chewing and throwing, and new figures and sets add on for years.5
Good to know: The figures travel, so expect to find a cow in the couch cushions. A small basket next to the barn makes cleanup a game.
First Shapes Jumbo Peg Puzzle
Melissa & Doug · Puzzles
Big knobs suit the pincer grasp that sharpens around the first birthday, and a few large shapes are the right challenge for a first puzzle. At 12 months most children lift the pieces out and chew on them; by 18 to 24 months they start fitting them back in, which is a lovely thing to watch.5
Good to know: Set expectations low at first: most 1 year olds take pieces out long before they can put them back. It is also small enough to tuck into a stocking.
Stack & Pour Buckets
Skip Hop · Building
Nesting and pouring cups are one of the most-used toys of the toddler year. A 1 year old stacks them (and knocks them down), nests them, and pours water from one to another in the bath, learning in and out, big and small, without anyone trying to teach it. All for under $10.5
Good to know: Because they live in the bath, tip them out and let them dry between uses.
Wooden Ice Cream Truck Shape Sorter
Fisher-Price · Puzzles
It is two toys in one: a 1 year old posts shapes through the holes (another container milestone) and then pushes the whole truck across the floor. The wooden build holds up to being dropped, and to younger siblings later, and the ice cream theme turns into pretend 'scoops' around 2.13
Good to know: The price swings a lot: it has been about $15 on sale against a list price near $24. Shapes tend to wander off, so count them at cleanup.
Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone
Hape · Music
Hit the ball, it drops and rings a note: that is the kind of cause and effect a 1 year old will happily repeat fifty times in a row. The xylophone slides out for music play on its own, and there are no batteries to replace.5
Good to know: It is loud by nature (it is a hammer and a xylophone), so it may live in the playroom rather than next to the nap spot.
Mini Rock & Go LED Toddler Scooter
Micro Kickboard · Ride-on
For a 1 year old it starts as a parent-assisted rocker, then converts in stages into a lean-to-steer scooter as balance improves. Graded 1 to 6 years, it is the rare splurge that can earn its price over about five years. It was a 2026 Toy of the Year Infant/Toddler finalist.714
Good to know: The light-up wheels need no batteries. At this age it is a with-a-grown-up toy, and add a helmet once it becomes a scooter.
Rally gifts to wrap with the book
Pair the book with something from the Rally shop for a gift that feels finished: hand-painted watercolor art from the same pages.
Christmas gifts for 1 year old by price
| Budget | Gifts | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Under $25 | LEGO DUPLO Number Train, Learn to Count (10954), Shape & Color Garden, First Shapes Jumbo Peg Puzzle, Stack & Pour Buckets, Wooden Ice Cream Truck Shape Sorter | Building, Puzzles, Train toy |
| $25 to $50 | PlayTab Essentials, Modular Sensory Activity Board, Get Growing Tractor & Mower Ride-On, Little People Caring Fun Animal Farm Playset, Pound & Tap Bench with Slide Out Xylophone | Music, Pretend play, Ride-on, STEM |
| $50 to $100 | Laugh & Learn 4-in-1 Activity Table & Easel, On-the-Go Wooden Workbench & Baby Push Walker | Pretend play, STEM |
| $100 and up | Mini Rock & Go LED Toddler Scooter | Ride-on |
Gift tips for 1 year old
Under-3 safety comes first
CPSC rules ban small parts in toys made for children under 3, so stick to toys graded for this age and keep older siblings' sets out of reach. Avoid anything with a reachable button battery or small magnets, and skip unbranded busy boards and 'Montessori' activity cubes, which made up a cluster of 2026 recalls. A quick check of the CPSC recall list before wrapping takes a minute.
One or two gifts is plenty
A 1 year old will not notice how many presents there are, and a big pile often ends with everyone playing in the wrapping paper. One main gift plus a book is a calm, generous Christmas at this age. Open gifts slowly through the day so each one gets its turn.
Buy for the next six months
A child who is crawling in December may be running by spring, so convertible gifts go further: a push walker that becomes a tool bench, a rocker that becomes a scooter, a table that becomes an easel. Rotating a few toys at a time also beats buying more.
Batteries, volume and wrapping
Install batteries before wrapping (the VTech mower takes 2 AA) and test the volume, since some electronic toys are louder than you expect at 6 a.m. Use thin paper that tears easily and skip ribbons and bows, which a 1 year old will try to put in their mouth.
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Chicago? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Questions parents ask
What is the best Christmas gift for a 1 year old?
The best Christmas gift for a 1 year old matches what they are learning right now: pushing, posting, stacking and pouring. A sturdy push walker, a shape sorter or nesting cups will get far more use than a complicated electronic toy. Our favorites are a picture book to read together, the Fat Brain Toys PlayTab, which won the 2026 Toy of the Year for Infant/Toddler, and a set of stacking cups.
What to get a 1 year old for Christmas?
Get one main toy that supports walking or hand skills, plus a picture book. Good main gifts include a push walker or ride-on for new walkers, a shape sorter for posting games, or a first train like the LEGO DUPLO Number Train for children close to 18 months. Add a small stocking-size extra like a jumbo peg puzzle and you are done. Most 1 year olds are happy with very little.
What do you get a 1 year old who has everything?
Get them something that adds a new kind of play instead of another rattle or light-up toy. If the shelves are full of electronics, choose a wooden, battery-free toy like a pound bench. If they truly have plenty, try a book with a handwritten note, a zoo or children's museum membership, or one long-lasting splurge like a convertible scooter they will still ride at 5.
How many gifts should a 1 year old get for Christmas?
One to three gifts is plenty for a 1 year old. Children this age do not understand gift counts, and too many presents at once can overwhelm them until they wander off to play with a box. Many families choose one main toy, one book and one practical item like clothes. If relatives are also buying, save some gifts to rotate in during January.
What toys should a 1 year old have?
A 1 year old does well with a small set of simple toys: something to push while walking, something to put things into (a shape sorter or stacking cups), a chunky puzzle, a few sturdy books, a ball, and simple animals or figures for early pretend play. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends simple, hands-on toys used with a caregiver over screen-based gadgets at this age.
What toys do 1 year olds like to play with?
One year olds love toys that let them make something happen. They put blocks in cups, pull lids off, push things across the floor, bang anything that makes a sound and look for toys you hide under a blanket. That is why stacking cups, shape sorters, pound benches and push walkers top most lists. Wooden spoons and plastic bowls from the kitchen are just as popular.
What toys keep a 1 year old busy?
Open-ended toys with lots of in-and-out keep a 1 year old busy the longest. Nesting cups, a shape sorter, a farm with figures to move in and out of the barn, and a sensory board with spinners and sliders can each hold attention for a good stretch. Rotating toys helps more than buying new ones. Expect short bursts of solo play at this age, not long sessions.
What are good gifts for a 1 year old that are not toys?
Good non-toy gifts for a 1 year old include picture books, a sturdy toddler chair, warm winter clothes in the next size up, a hooded bath towel, a zoo or children's museum membership, and a deposit into a savings account. Books are the best of these, because reading together every day builds language, and a book with a note inside becomes a keepsake.
What gifts for a 1 year old grow with them?
Convertible toys grow the most. The VTech Get Growing Tractor & Mower starts as a push mower and becomes a sit-on tractor, the Micro Mini Rock & Go turns from a rocker into a scooter graded to age 6, and the Fisher-Price 4-in-1 table becomes an easel. LEGO DUPLO also grows, because every later set works with the first one.
Can a 1 year old open presents?
Yes, most 1 year olds can open presents with a little help, and many enjoy the paper more than the gift. Wrap loosely in thin paper, start a torn corner for them, and skip ribbons, bows and heavily taped boxes. Gift bags with tissue are easiest of all. Open one present at a time and let them play before the next, so the morning stays calm.
How much should I spend on a Christmas gift for a 1 year old?
You do not need to spend much: several of the best 1 year old gifts cost under $25, including stacking cups at about $8 and a jumbo peg puzzle at about $10. Mid-range gifts like a push mower or a farm playset run about $45 to $50. Save bigger spending for something that lasts years, like a convertible scooter.
Are books a good Christmas gift for a 1 year old?
Yes, books are one of the best gifts for a 1 year old. At this age children love turning pages, pointing at pictures and hearing the rhythm of your voice, even before they understand the story. Choose short, sturdy books with bold pictures and rhyme. Write a note and the date inside the cover; years later it is often the gift a family remembers most.
Should I buy a tablet or screen toy for a 1 year old?
No, skip tablets and screen-based toys for a 1 year old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding screens before 18 to 24 months and says simple toys played with a caregiver do more for learning than electronic 'educational' gadgets. A shape sorter or a stack of picture books gives far more back at this age than any app.
Is a train set a good gift for a 1 year old?
A simple push-along train is a great gift for a 1 year old, but a track set is better saved for a bit later. Toddlers this age love rolling things across the floor, so a train with no track, like the LEGO DUPLO Number Train (the box says 1.5+), is a good first choice. Toddler wooden railways with chunky track work better from about 18 months to 2.
What toys are not safe for a 1 year old?
Avoid toys with small parts, reachable button batteries, small loose magnets, water beads and long pull strings. CPSC rules ban small parts in toys made for children under 3, so always check the age grade on the box. In 2026 several unbranded busy boards, activity cubes and magnet sets were recalled, so buy from known brands and check the CPSC recall list before wrapping.
What are good stocking stuffers for a 1 year old?
Good stocking stuffers for a 1 year old are cheap, chunky and safe to mouth: stacking cups, a jumbo peg puzzle, a picture book, a soft ball or warm socks with grips. Skip candy, small figurines and anything with a button battery. Check that every item is graded for under 3, because little stocking extras are an easy place for small parts to sneak in.
What should grandparents get a 1 year old for Christmas?
For a first Christmas, the best grandparent gifts are keepsakes that last: a beautiful picture book with a handwritten note, a wooden toy that can be passed down, or a bigger convertible gift the parents would not buy themselves. A story about visiting grandparents is a sweet fit. Check with the parents first, because 1 year olds often receive duplicates of the same popular toys.
What is a good last minute Christmas gift for a 1 year old?
A picture book is the easiest last minute gift for a 1 year old, along with stacking cups or a shape sorter, which most big stores carry. Brands on this list like Fisher-Price, Melissa & Doug and Skip Hop are widely sold in stores. If shipping is too late, wrap a printed photo of the gift or plan an outing together, like a holiday train ride.
What are good Christmas gifts for a 1 year old boy or girl?
The same gifts work for a 1 year old boy or girl, because at this age play is about skills, not themes. Push walkers, shape sorters, farm animals, stacking cups and trains suit both equally. Pick by the child's stage instead: a new walker wants something to push, a child who loves posting games wants a sorter, and a wheels fan wants a first train.
Are Montessori toys good for a 1 year old?
Yes, simple Montessori-style toys suit a 1 year old well: wooden peg puzzles, shape sorters, nesting cups and push toys each do one clear thing a child can master. Be careful with the label, though. Several unbranded 'Montessori' busy boards and activity cubes sold online were recalled in 2026 for detachable parts, so choose established brands and check the age grade.
Gift guides for every age
- The full 2026 Christmas gift guide for kids
- Christmas train rides by state
- Christmas events for kids near you
- Free Rally coloring pages
- A first birthday book gift
- A baby shower book instead of a card
- The story behind Rally Takes the Train
Sources
Picks and age notes were checked against the sources below.
- Milestones by 1 Year, CDC
- Milestones by Age Chart, Zero to Three
- Best Toys Go Back to the Basics, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- 2026 TOTY Winners Revealed, Mojo Nation
- Best Gifts for 1 Year Olds, The Bump
- LEGO DUPLO Number Train, Learn to Count (10954), Brickfact
- 2026 Toy of the Year Award Finalists Unveiled at Chicago Toy & Game Fair, People of Play
- Shape & Color Garden (LER3610) product information, Learning Resources
- Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Activity Table & Easel deal, Hip2Save
- Get Growing Tractor & Mower, VTech
- VTech Get Growing Tractor & Mower Interactive Ride-On Toy, Kohl's
- Shop Picks from Good Housekeeping's 2026 Toy Awards, Good Morning America
- Best Holiday Gifts for a One Year Old, Motherly
- Micro Kickboard Mini Rock & Go LED, Kidsland USA
- Toy Recalls (busy boards and activity cubes), Justia Recalls
- Toy Recalls (magnets, button batteries and water beads), Justia Recalls
