Toys: 1 year old

We got invited to a First Birthday Party the other night, and I really struggled when it came time to find the perfect gift for the cute little 1-year-old. I searched and searched for the most popular toys online, but didn't find much. I did come across Gifts for 1-year-olds a great article about what kinds of toys are best for a 1-year-old. But, when it comes to narrowing down actual toys I found nothing. So with Linley turning 1 in just less than a month I decided to put together a little list of my own. Who knows if any of these are even good, but here goes:

Sesame Fly with Elmo Ride-On: We went to the Salt Lake Parade of Homes over the weekend, and at one of the homes their was a playroom with toys. Linley loved this one. I think it's actually recommended for 3 years and older, but she loved it.

Playskool Busy Gears: This is the toy I ended up buying for that party. The lady at Toys R Us highly recommended it. It lights up and moves. Darin's mom has a toy like this at her house, and it was a hit. Not sure it's the same, but it lights up and moves so it looks fun.

Bouncy Balls: The cheaper the better. Linley went crazy over the balls Lola got at her birthday party the other night. They were from the Dollar Store. Isn't it funny how the silly things end up being their favorite?

Melissa & Doug Deluxe Alphabet Nesting and Stacking Blocks: I love the classic look of Melissa & Doug toys, especially the wood ones, but these stacking blocks fit into a little box for easy pick up.

Parents Magazine Bee Bop Band: My sister-in-law says this toy is the greatest. It looks so fun and interactive.

What else can I add to the list?

Leave a comment and let me know, what 1-year-old toys are your favorite ...