Best Toys for 12 Month Olds

At around 12 months, babies are becoming increasingly independent, active, and curious about the world around them. Many are pulling to stand, cruising along furniture, taking their first steps, or confidently moving around in their own way. They are also becoming more intentional in their play, beginning to experiment with how things work and repeating actions to see what happens.

This stage is all about movement, problem-solving, and developing independence. Babies are learning through hands-on exploration — pushing, pulling, stacking, filling, emptying, and experimenting with cause and effect. Toys that allow them to practise these skills help build confidence while encouraging curiosity and creativity.

Common developmental changes at this stage include improved coordination, stronger fine motor skills, and a growing ability to concentrate on simple challenges. Babies are beginning to understand concepts like putting objects in and taking them out, fitting pieces together, and using familiar objects in pretend play.

The best toys for this stage tend to support active exploration and early problem-solving. Push and pull toys, stacking toys, shape sorters, simple puzzles, pretend play toys, and open-ended toys are great choices because they encourage babies to practise new skills while allowing them to play in their own way.

The best toys at this stage are usually simple, engaging, and able to grow with your child as their skills develop. If you’d like ideas, the 12 month Growlist includes a curated selection of toys that support these developmental skills.