When's a Good Time to Research the Best Toys for a One Year Old?

Can y'all believe we're already talking about Baby M's first birthday party? She's going to be 8 months old in a couple of weeks. I have no idea how this happened. I swear she was just born a week ago.

There is a FB group I joined last year that I have been enjoying quite a lot. The group is for moms but I like being a member so I can keep up with all the fun things to do with little ones around town. Many things have changed since the lovelies were coming along and, if I'm going to be the cool grandma, I need to stay on top of current events on the baby/toddler level and the moms don't seem to mind a grandma being a part of it all. Plus, checking out toys is so much fun! And this little face deserves the best, yes?

Some of you know that I do like to do my research before buying products for Baby M. I come at everything from an early childhood developmental standpoint coupled with a huge concern for safety. Of course, fun is a major factor and then there's the whole book fanatic part...

Baby M listening to Aunt Maggie read, THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES. FABULOUS book, BTW.
An absolute MUST HAVE.

Anyway, I have begun the search for toys the hip parents are buying for their littles in the 21st century. I'm not jumping on any bandwagons here. What they're buying has to fit into my developmental specialist realm but I like seeing the new ideas and technology that manufacturers produce to improve the fun playtime for our little precious ones. So, what are the best toys for a one year old? In other words, which toys are going to keep this little nugget occupied and smiling?

I loved reading Parents magazine when the lovelies were growing up. I found an abundance of fun, creative activities to do with them on rainy days, snow days, whatever days and kept up with the latest thoughts/ideas/current kid events so, I turned to them this time as well. It seems not much has changed other than the style and colors and, in some cases, the materials used to manufacture the toys. Seems we've had it right for some time now. Go figure. Ha! We're still sorting shapes, nesting, stacking, pushing, bapping, banging, playing music, and splashing in the tub. Of course, they do list a toy smartphone but that's just not happening at Grandma's house.

I hopped over to NYMag.com to read what they had to say about toys for one-year-olds and the list was similar. What I appreciated about their list, however, was the reminder that the wonder, fun, and importance of some toys do not change. Board books, a jack-in-the-box, wooden push toys, wooden pull toys, all favorites of mine. Especially when the 'Jack' that pops up is not a creepy clown face. Just sayin'. Did they even have choices when we were little? Cause I only remember the creepy clowns. Anyway...



Even Business Insider offered their thoughts on the subject which were more of the same: blocks, push toys, musical toys, shape sorters, cardboard books, and that stupid smartphone. Shame. They were doing so well until that popped up. I realize we're living in the digital age but, seriously, if we don't teach kids the basics with critical thinking skills, how in the world will they be able to be productive members of any society? I'm of the school that believes there is such a thing as too much technology when it comes to little kids and when it comes to teaching kids. Not that they shouldn't learn as much as possible about technology but that's not all there is to life. And that's all the soapboxing for today. You're welcome.

Between the 'experts' and that FB moms group, I think this little sweetie is going to be covered on her first birthday. Which is coming up way too quickly.

I wonder if any experts have figured out a way to slow down time...

What's your favorite toy for a little one?


This post is a partnership with Nakturnal.