Melissa & Doug Match & Build Blocks

On a superficial level, it shouldn’t be hard to buy toys for a 1-year-old boy. After all, these little tykes are hardly the most discriminating recipients, and they’re just as liable to play with the wrapping paper as they are with the gift.

On the other hand, that second year of life is full of developmental milestones. Everything a baby interacts with teaches him a little something different about the world. It’s hard enough to find a toy that keeps his attention, much less something that continues to teach him as he starts to walk and talk.

The first and foremost concern when buying a toy for any 1-year-old is safety. If any part of the toy is small enough to fit in his mouth, assume that it will go there. Kids this age also might try to hit a sibling or even themselves with their new toys, so while vintage wood or metal toys might be cute, there’s a reason they’re not recommended for kids in the pre-toddler stage.

The next thing to consider is longevity. Kids at this age outgrow toys even faster than they outgrow clothes, so it’s important to find something that has different features they can discover as their motor skills develop. One popular option is a walker or ride-along toy. The most common kind is a colorful little animal on wheels. These are great, but they are even better if you can find one with a handle on the back. This allows the child to pull himself up and push the toy like a lawn mower, building up strength and learning to walk as he goes. Once he’s got the hang of it, he can hop on board and scoot along with his legs.

For fine motor skills, nothing beats good old-fashioned blocks or toys that can stack. Dump trucks or other items with a receptacle are also great. The simple act of putting objects in and pulling them out can do wonders for a child’s development.

Just remember not to overthink things. For a number of reasons, toys that rely too heavily on batteries or technology don’t go over well for those in that first year. Savor the opportunity: This might be the only year your little man doesn’t ask you for some kind of expensive gadget as a gift.

It can be heard enough to keep track of a child’s toys, much less think about washing them. But for 1-year-olds, it’s definitely a good idea. At this age, children are more likely to be dragging objects all over the place and then chewing them, so it’s important to clean their toys about once every week.

Stuffed toys can usually be run through the wash, as long as you follow the directions on the tag. Hard plastic can be wiped with sanitizer on a damp cloth, and even electronic toys can stand a surface cleaning every once in a while.