This is our guide to the toys for 1 year old UAE parents can order today, from first stackers to push-along walkers. The best toys for a 1 year old in the UAE are simple, chunky and hands-on: things to stack, push, pull, bang and post through a hole. Between 12 and 24 months, toddlers learn to walk, copy you and work out that their actions make things happen. Below are 15 picks from Toy Souk, grouped by skill, from AED 27.50 to AED 249.
All prices are the price at time of writing and are shown in AED.
What 1 year olds are learning (12 to 24 months)
The CDC’s milestone checklists show what most children can do at each step, and the right toy lets them practise it.
- At 12 months: the CDC’s 1-year milestones include putting something in a container, like a block in a cup, looking for a toy hidden under a blanket, pulling up to stand and walking while holding on to furniture.
- At 15 months: by the 15-month milestones, most children take a few steps on their own, stack at least two small objects like blocks, and try to use things the right way, like a phone, cup or book.
- At 18 months: the 18-month milestones include walking without holding on, copying you doing chores, playing with toys in a simple way like pushing a toy car, and looking at a few pages in a book with you.
Every child moves at their own pace, so use these as a guide rather than a test. If you have questions about your child’s development, speak to your paediatrician.
What to look for in a toy for a 1 year old
- Size and grip: large, chunky pieces that little hands can hold and carry. Always check the age on the product page and supervise play.
- Sturdiness: one year olds drop, throw and chew. Solid wood, thick cardboard and well-made plastic last longer.
- Simple cause and effect: press, pound or shake and something happens straight away. This is how toddlers learn that they can make things happen.
- Push and pull: once they start walking, a toy to push or pull gives them a reason to keep going.
- Stacking and sorting: rings, cubes and shape sorters build hand-eye coordination and early problem-solving.
- First books and puzzles: sturdy board books and puzzles with a few large pieces. At this age, naming the pictures together matters more than finishing.
Toys for 1 year old UAE: first birthday gift ideas
A first birthday in the UAE often means a family party, plenty of guests and a pile of presents. A few tips:
- For a “big” gift from parents or grandparents: a push-along or ride-on toy, like the Megacar 3-in-1 Mega Push Car (AED 249) or the PlanToys Walk N Roll (AED 138), will be used every day as walking takes off.
- For guests under AED 100: the Scratch Europe Puzzle Farm (AED 27.50), Jumbo Stacking Tower (AED 49.50), Metal Drum Jungle (AED 59.50), PlanToys First Stacking Ring (AED 63.25) and Jumping Gymnast (AED 90.85) are all easy wins.
- Think indoors: with hot summers, toys that work on a living room floor get far more use. A pop-up tunnel or push toy keeps active toddlers moving in the air conditioning.
- Plan ahead for busy seasons: if the birthday falls near Eid, National Day or the winter break, order early for delivery across the UAE.
Best stacking and nesting toys
Stacking is one of the clearest skills of the second year. At first your toddler will knock the tower down more than build it, and that is part of the fun.
PlanToys First Stacking Ring (AED 63.25)
The PlanToys First Stacking Ring is a classic wooden stacker that teaches size and order. It has a foldable centre rod, helps develop fine motor skills and is recommended from 1 year. It is made from sustainable rubberwood.
Scratch Europe Animals of the World Jumbo Stacking Tower (AED 49.50)
The Scratch Europe Jumbo Stacking Tower has 10 sturdy cardboard cubes in different sizes. Stack them, lay them side by side as a puzzle, or use the animals and numbers on five of the six sides to name and count together. Suitable from 1 year.
SmartMax My First Stacking Ring (AED 120)
The SmartMax My First Stacking Ring gives stacking a twist: the magnetic rings split in half and connect in quirky ways to make funny figures, and the dual-sided base wobbles for an extra challenge. It suits ages 1 to 5 and is compatible with all SmartMax sets.
Best cause and effect toys
“I do this, and that happens” is a big idea for a one year old. These toys reward a press, a pound or a tap straight away.
PlanToys Jumping Gymnast (AED 90.85)
Press the base and the PlanToys Jumping Gymnast springs up. It teaches cause and effect while building grasp and release, fine motor skills and visual tracking. It is made from sustainable rubberwood and recommended from 1 year.
PlanToys Punch & Drop Bin (AED 166.75)
With the PlanToys Punch & Drop Bin, toddlers pound the balls until they drop into the bentwood bin. The lid lifts off so they can get the balls back and start again, and the bin doubles as storage. Recommended from 1 year.
Scratch Europe Metal Drum Jungle (AED 59.50)
The Scratch Europe Metal Drum Jungle comes with two drumsticks and a carry strap, and two colourful balls inside jump up and down as you drum. It is recommended from 18 months, so it suits the second half of the year.
Best push and pull toys for new walkers
A toy to push or pull turns walking practice into a game for new walkers.
PlanToys Walk N Roll (AED 138)
The PlanToys Walk N Roll is a colourful wooden push-along roller. Balls spin and bounce inside the cylinder, hitting coloured panels with a rattling sound as your toddler walks it around the house. It measures 57 x 19 x 10 cm, is made from sustainable rubberwood and is recommended from 1 year.
PlanToys Pull Along Snail (AED 109.25)
The PlanToys Pull Along Snail is a classic wooden pull toy whose body gyrates along the floor like a real snail. It can be used indoors and outside, encourages walking and is recommended from 1 year.
Megacar 3-in-1 Mega Push Car, Red (AED 249)
The Megacar 3-in-1 Mega Push Car works as a stroller car, a walker car and a riding car, so it grows with your child. It is non-battery powered and has storage under the seat. A popular “big gift” choice for a first birthday.
For more ways to keep busy toddlers moving, see our guide to toys for active toddlers.
Best shape sorters and first puzzles
Posting shapes and fitting pieces together builds on that 12-month skill of putting things into containers. Start with very few pieces and add more as your toddler gets the idea.
PlanToys Sorting Bus Orchard (AED 195.50)
The PlanToys Sorting Bus is a wooden shape sorter with 3 colourful shapes. Pull the tab on top of the bus and all the pieces slide out, ready to sort again. It develops shape recognition and fine motor skills and is recommended from 1 year.
Scratch Europe Puzzle Farm (AED 27.50)
The Scratch Europe Puzzle Farm is a cube puzzle with six farm animals across four cardboard blocks, each with an image on all six sides. Younger children can simply build with the blocks before they are ready to match the pictures. Recommended from 18 months.
PlanToys Dino Puzzle (AED 86.25)
The PlanToys Dino Puzzle is a wooden dinosaur puzzle whose figures also work for imaginative play and storytelling. It is made from sustainable rubberwood and recommended from 18 months.
About first books: by 18 months, the CDC notes that most children look at a few pages in a book with you. Choose sturdy board books with thick pages and big, clear pictures, and read a little every day. Point, name the picture and make the sound together.
Best first pretend play and active toys
Toddlers watch what you do with a phone or a cup, then try it themselves.
PlanToys My First Phone (AED 63.25)
The PlanToys My First Phone is a wooden toy phone with a magnifier screen and a colourful beaded dial pad. It invites toddler pretend play and develops dexterity. It is made from sustainable rubberwood and recommended from 1 year.
SmartMax My First Farm Animals (AED 115)
SmartMax My First Farm Animals is a 16-piece magnetic set for ages 1 to 5. Children build a cow, horse, pig, sheep and chickens, then mix and match the halves for silly combinations. The soft animals click onto the bars and it works with all SmartMax sets.
Fisher-Price Pop-Up Play Tunnel (AED 83.30)
The Fisher-Price Pop-Up Play Tunnel is designed for indoor play from 12 months and is easy to clean. Crawling through, peeking out and playing peekaboo at each end is ideal for long summer days when play moves inside.
Looking for something cuddly to go with these? Our guide to soft toys for babies has gentle options, and our toddler toys guide covers trends for ages 1 to 3.
Frequently asked questions
What toys are best for a 1 year old in the UAE?
Look for simple, chunky toys that match what they are learning: stacking rings, push-along toys, shape sorters and puzzles with a few large pieces. The PlanToys First Stacking Ring (AED 63.25) and the PlanToys Walk N Roll (AED 138) are good starting points.
What is a good first birthday gift?
A push-along or ride-on toy makes a lasting “big” gift as walking takes off, such as the Megacar 3-in-1 Mega Push Car (AED 249). For guests, a stacking tower, drum or first puzzle under AED 100 is easy to choose and gets plenty of use.
Are small pieces a concern for 1 year olds?
One year olds still explore by mouthing, so check the age on the product page and supervise play. Some toys in this guide are recommended from 18 months, so match the toy to your child’s age.
How many toys does a 1 year old need?
Not many. A handful of good toys covering different skills, such as stacking, cause and effect, push and pull, and a first puzzle or book, is plenty. Rotating them every week or two keeps interest high.
Are wooden toys good for toddlers?
Wooden toys are sturdy and simple, which suits this age well. Several picks here, including the PlanToys Pull Along Snail and Sorting Bus, are made from sustainable rubberwood.
For more ideas for babies and toddlers, browse our baby toys guide or the Baby & Toddler category, or ask Buddy the Bear, Toy Souk’s AI gift advisor, for picks by age and budget.
