Must Have Toys for a One Year Old

Board books; toys with buttons he can push that light up and play music or make cool sounds; balls - small ones, big ones, sports related, or just plastic, kids love balls (also second the busy ball popper, my son loves that thing too); ride on toys; art supplies; play kitchen; puzzles; musical instuments - like a drum, maracas, xylophone, or keyboard

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Blocks!

Shape sorters and wooden puzzles with large pieces with knobs on them.

My DD also loved her Playskool Busy Ball Popper!

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shopping cart with play food, blocks for his age, Little People sets, one of those long tunnels that he could crawl through (some have a little tent attached)

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sounds like he would love things he can push stuff around in, a toy shopping cart, a toy wheelbarrow, that big toy tonka dumptruck is still a huge hit over here. blocks, balls, big legos,,, trains and cars, sit n spin

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My little guy LOVES his big brother's Cozy Coupe! He also loves his mini-basketball goal.

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My Mother bought my DD a play kitchen for her 1st birthday and she freakin loves this thing. The age range says its for 3 to 6 years but she bought it anyway and the only things that I had to take away until she is older was the play utensils as they posed a choking hazzard, otherwise she plays with that thing from morning til night (she is going on 15 months)
Good Luck and Happy Birthday to your little guy

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Wooden blocks in all kinds of shapes to mix and remix in patterns. Cars on a a rug on the floor that had streets and all sorts of traffic signs on it.

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Leapfrog table toy - it has four removable legs so it can be put directly on the floor, or on it's legs so your baby can stand at it and push all the buttons and levers. My kids LOVED this toy from the time they could pull up (about 7 months) until they were past 2 years old - has catchy tunes and fun songs to sing along with and lots of great manipulatives to work those fine motor skills!

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Definitely a play kitchen, my son played with it everyday! We only got rid of it during a big move -- he's 5 now and still likes to play with them at friends' houses. Also, a water table. Every time we get it out, all of the neighborhood kids come to play too. Both are toys that will get a lot of use and will be used for years to come :)

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blocks & large LEGOS

The things my 16 mo old son plays with the most are things he finds in the kitchen, his books, and his sister's toys. He'll play with his other toys if someone plays with him, but ordinary "found" objects are the most interesting and engaging for him.

I bought and received lots of toys that I thought would stimulate, educate and were made to manipulate. My boys ended up doing all that with my kitchen pots, pans, wooden spoons, jumping on the bed (trampoline), and going thru cupboards, etc.

You've gotten some great responses so far. My daughter loves her stepstool. If you don't have one, this would be a nice present.

Blocks, stacking toys, nesting toys, balls and chunky cars and a ride on toy....
:-)