The month of September is the month of birthdays in our house. First up is Seth, he will be six, followed by Andrew who is turning one this year, and then my husband, Ben, has his birthday a few days after Andrew. Because of the celebratory nature of this month at our house, I thought I would share some of my boys’ favorite toys and books with you all. These toys are high on their list because of the fun factor, they are high on my list because they are educational as well.
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5 Fun and Educational Toys for Your One Year Old
1. Petting Farm by Beth Bryan and Jill Ackerman
This book and DVD is at the top of the list for very good reason. We received this fun set as a gift for Seth’s first birthday. Petting Farm was one of the first books that he wanted read over and over and over. He loved it when we would make the different animal sounds together and feeling the different textures in the book delighted him.
As a young momma I love this book, not just because I love books but because of the DVD that comes with it. The DVD is a short educational film that takes your little one out to the farm and talks about different animals that may live there. There are many more animals in the movie than there are in the book, but the movie is kept short. With the live video of the animals doing animal things your little one will be captivated and you will have time to get a shower. 🙂
This book entertains your little one with bright reflections, swishing tails, and fold out pages. Your one year old will be introduced to exotic animals and different types of tails, including the largest tail of all.
My boys love this book still, and judging from the copy at our local library most other children will too.
3. My Very First: On the Move (My Very First Library) by Thomas Nelson
One thing I have realized as a boy momma is that if something moves and makes loud noises the boys will probably love it. One of the first sounds that my boys usually make is a vroom, vroom noise and with Grandpas who own tractors they are introduced to tractor rides and operations pretty quickly.
If you have littles, boys or girls, who like things that move than I’m pretty sure your little one will love this set of three books. One book covers different construction vehicles, another emergency and police vehicles and a third other types of large equipment. The covers to our books are missing, the edges chewed, and they are off the bookshelf frequently. Our one year old just discovered the joys of these books, his older brothers love to sit and listen to them as well. They are well worth it!
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Now, before I tell you about these next two toys I want to give a disclaimer, I don’t normally like noisy toys, I much prefer classic wooden toys or toys that encourage imagination a little more; these two made the list because my one year olds have loved them and they do offer education to my littles.
4. Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smilin’ Smart Phone
My middle one got this for his first birthday. He loved the music and would play it just to dance. After a few months he could “sing” the ABC’s and knew exactly how to get to the songs that he wanted. Numbers, letters, and colors are taught by this little phone, as well as classic children’s songs and rhymes.
5. Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Put ‘n Shake Eggs
Andrew absolutely loves this toy! He dances to the songs, shakes the eggs enthusiastically, and loves to put the tops back on them when they fall off.
Your little one will learn colors, numbers, and how to manipulate electronic things {haha} while playing with this fun toy.
If you are looking for fun and educational toys and books for your little ones I hope that this list gives you some inspiration!
Some of our other favorite toys and books here:
Picture Book Month: Pick a Perfect Pumpkin
Running is Totally for Me {Book Review}
Alphabet Fun With Melissa and Doug Magnetic Letters
What an awesome list! I would actually use this with my 3 yr old as well. Thanks so much for sharing this post.
Thanks! Your welcome! My 3 yr old loves most of these as well.
My daughter loved the eggs when she was younger. Thank you for sharing this list of fun toys. I will look into the Petting farm book. It looks like something my kids would enjoy reading and listening.
The petting farm book is the best! Our copy is falling apart and I will be ordering a new one for our youngest’s birthday. 🙂
We have that little phone toy and my boys have loved it. We also have another book called “Heads” by Mathew van Fleet, and it’s a hit! I love that it’s a hands-on book, but it’s sturdy enough to withstand the “gentle touch” of a toddler. Great ideas!
I’ll have to look HEADS up. Thanks for that suggestion!
These look so fun! My son would love the books! One of his first sounds was also a car and he still uses it when he plays with his trucks. It is the cutest!
Aww!! How old is your son now, Sheila? Little boys and trucks! 🙂
My kids are really into playing with different types of toys, but they’ve never played with these! They would love to try them out though.
What a great list!!! Anything fisher price is usually a hit!!
A great list. My one year old has similar items & loves them.
Bright Starts Giggling Gourmet Put ‘n Shake Eggs is one of the most gifted toys we give. I just LOVE IT. And the little ones seem to as well.
They are soooo fun!! Andrew got them as a Christmas present last year and it has entertained him ever since then!
This is such a great list! I have quite a few friends with little ones around this age! Thanks for the great gift ideas!
This is a great list. Everything on it is new to me. Thanks for the gift ideas!
You’re welcome!! Hopefully someone in your life benefits from these toys.