Toddler toys
For one- to three-year-olds as they learn to walk, build and pretend. Chosen on what parents say still gets played with years later, and on independent tests.
14 items
For a first birthday
Presents for a one-year-old that last and grow with them, for relatives and friends choosing one. Based on what parents have said on forums and Reddit for years, on tests and on safety checks.
Prices from shops in Czechia.
Many good presents come into their own a few months later. Bricks, trains and ride-ons often catch on only around 18 months, and they’re the ones still played with at three.
To ride on
The car works right away. The scooter and the balance bike need a child of about 82 cm, so they usually wait until around 18 months.
- BIG Bobby Car Classic ride-on car, red
A low, sturdy car a one-year-old sits on with both feet flat and pushes along, indoors at first and outside for years after. It wears out the toes of shoes.
CZK 807 e-kulecniky.cz - Scoot & Ride Highwaykick 1 2-in-1 scooter and balance bike, lemon
A low three-wheeled ride-on with a seat that turns into a scooter in seconds, without tools, so it’s used from about 18 months to five. German testers rated it good.
CZK 2,684.95 scooter-globe.com - woom GO 1 balance bike 12", woom red
At about 3 kg it’s one of the lightest balance bikes, with a brake small hands can work. It fits from about 82 cm tall, so most children start at around 18 months.
CZK 5,839 drsport.cz
To build and bang on
- Hape Pound & Tap Bench with slide-out xylophone (E0305)
A one-year-old can knock a ball through and hear it roll down the xylophone, which slides out to be played on its own. Painted wood, often still in use at four.
CZK 672 agatinsvet.cz - Stapelstein Original Rainbow Classic balance stones, set of 6
Six stones of light, firm foam to carry, stack and step on, and later to make paths, towers and seats. Each holds an adult, and the maker says they’re free of plasticisers.
CZK 2,462 45% alza.cz - BRIO My First Railway Beginner Pack (33727)
Chunky wooden track in a figure of eight with a bridge, and a train that couples either way. German testers recommended it, and every later BRIO piece fits.
CZK 848 mironet.cz - LEGO DUPLO Classic 10914 Deluxe Brick Box, 85 pieces
Big bricks a toddler can press together and pull apart, in a box to keep them in. At one they mostly come apart; real building starts nearer two and goes on for years.
CZK 879 morekostek.cz
To read together
- Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? (board book)
The same question on every page and big painted animals, so even a one-year-old soon knows what comes next and joins in. It gets read over and over until about three.
CZK 197 nejlevnejsi-knihy.cz - Pan MacMillan Rod Campbell: Dear Zoo (lift-the-flap board book)
Under each flap is an animal the zoo sent that wasn’t quite right, until the last one. One-year-olds soon lift the flaps themselves, so expect a few torn ones.
CZK 108.83 amazon.com - Prestel Rotraut Susanne Berner: All Around Bustletown: Spring
Big pages of one small town with no words: at one it’s for pointing at the dog and the bus, at three for following each person’s story. It works in any language.
CZK 248 libristo.cz
For the bath and the sandpit
- Green Toys Submarine bath toy, blue handle
One solid piece with a wide opening and a cabin that opens for cleaning, so it doesn’t go mouldy inside. It’s made from recycled milk bottles and goes in the dishwasher.
CZK 247 eberry.cz - Green Toys Dump Truck, red/yellow
A big, plain tipper of recycled plastic with no metal axles to rust, so it goes from the sandpit to the bath to the dishwasher. Parents say it’s still played with years later.
CZK 594 mironet.cz - Dantoy Tiny Bio Bucket Set, 5 pieces
A first sand set sized for hands from ten months: bucket, a sieve that doubles as its lid, spade, rake and mould. Made in Denmark, mostly from sugarcane-based plastic.
CZK 289 nejhracka.cz
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