At 1, a girl wants toys to grab, listen to and cuddle: a first soft doll, a musical rabbit for bedtime, a board picture book, a rattle she shakes herself, a roly-poly toy that always gets back up. The gifts that work answer her gesture straight away and can be washed.

What a 1-year-old loves

Between 12 and 24 months she goes from sitting to walking, and everything comes within reach. She empties and fills, bangs two objects together to hear the sound, points at what she wants. The first words arrive, often the name of an animal or a character. She already imitates: rocking, feeding, giving her doll the bottle. And she picks her comforter, the one that will stay with her for years. Toys must have no small parts, be washable and sturdy enough to be thrown from the high chair.

Our gift ideas

To rock and look after

The Baby Rose doll and the Alba doll are soft, with no hair to pull, made to be carried everywhere. The Anibabies Pinpin doll is a rabbit to dress from 10 months. All our dolls.

To fall asleep

The musical rabbit sleeping bag plays a lullaby when you pull the string, the Secret Garden music box is wound by hand. See our music section.

To grab, chew and watch

The Fanfan the fawn teething ring and the Clover teether soothe the gums, the rhino rattle shakes with one hand, the capybara roly-poly always gets back up, and the duck family water bubble holds the gaze. The giant play mat stays useful long after walking. All our baby toys.

To read with a finger

Where do you come from? is a lift-the-flap book from 18 months, Everyone to the beach a board picture book, Funny little nursery rhymes a sound book, and the cuddly bear book is read and squeezed. All our books.

To cuddle

The plush bouquet of flowers is a gift that makes parents smile, the little heart bear fits in a bag, Steiff's Pedro the raccoon dances, and the Maileg rabbit in bodysuit and tutu is the first character of a collection. All our soft toys and our Maileg world.

For the bedroom

The mushroom night light softly lights bedtime, and the lion cape waits for her first dressing-up, as soon as she walks well.

What budget?

Under 20 euros: the teething rings, the rattles, the little heart bear, the mini Bunny rabbit or a picture book. Between 20 and 50 euros: the dolls, the musical rabbit, the music box, the dachshund or the Maileg rabbit. Above 50 euros: the bouquet of flowers, the play mat, the baby fox or the mushroom night light, for a first birthday that leaves a mark.

Frequently asked questions

Which first doll at 1?

A soft, light doll, with no hair to pull out and no clothes to button, that goes in the washing machine. Dolls to dress and baby dolls with accessories come around 2 or 3.

Which toys to avoid at 1?

Anything with parts under 3 centimetres, long cords or accessible batteries. Every toy on this page is suitable from 12 months or earlier, except the lion cape, meant for confident walkers.

Can the gift be wrapped?

Yes, gift wrapping is free: tick the box on the product page before adding to cart. Delivery to a pick-up point is free from 80 euros in mainland France, and you can collect your order in our shop at 211 boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris.

See also

• Gifts for a 1-year-old boy
• Newborn gifts, 0 to 12 months
• Gifts for a 2-year-old girl
• All toys for ages 1 to 2
• All our gift ideas by age

Advice from the team at L'Oiseau de Paradis, a toy shop in Paris since 1932.