Lift-the-Flap Books for 1-Year-Olds
Why Lift-the-Flap Books for 1-Year-Olds Are a Brilliant First Choice
How Do You Keep a 1-Year-Old Engaged With a Book?
By the time your little one turns one, they’re on the move, curious about everything, and into absolutely everything else. At this stage, it’s totally normal for toddlers to flip between playing with a spoon one minute and chasing a shadow the next. So when it comes to reading time, it can feel like a big ask to sit still — even for a few seconds.
And yet, this age is a golden window for laying down the roots of early literacy. Experts in early childhood development (and us booksellers too!) agree that the best baby books aren’t just about reading — they’re about interacting, touching, lifting, giggling, and discovering. But finding age-appropriate books that are durable enough, simple enough, and interesting enough to hold their attention? That’s the real puzzle.
We hear this all the time from parents and caregivers:
- “My baby loves books, but just won’t sit still for them!”
- “He rips the pages!”
- “She turns them over before I’ve even read the first line!”
Why So Many Books for 12-Month-Old Babies Miss the Mark
At around 12 months, toddlers are developing rapidly — especially in the areas of motor skills, memory, and speech. They're starting to make connections, learning how their actions cause reactions. But traditional picture books often don’t quite meet them where they are.
Too many early books are either too wordy, too fragile, or just too still. Without something to do — to lift, poke, or explore — babies can get bored, distracted, or frustrated. You might find them chewing the corners, flinging it under the sofa, or losing interest halfway through.
And we get it — you want storytime to be a lovely bonding experience, not a battle of wills. You want books that spark joy and curiosity, and that make your little learner feel involved — like they’re part of the story. Especially for 1-year-olds, books that offer hands-on discovery (with safe, sturdy pages!) are absolute gold.
This is exactly why lift-the-flap books for 1-year-olds are such a hit — they do more than tell a story. They invite little ones to play, explore and learn at their own pace. And when books feel like play, your toddler is far more likely to stay engaged, even if only for a few magical minutes.
Lift-the-Flap Books That Invite Discovery, Spark Laughter & Build Skills
Think about it — what could be more satisfying than lifting a flap to find a surprise underneath? That simple action brings together all the things that matter at this stage: cause and effect, fine motor development, sensory play, and language learning. For your little one, it’s not just reading — it’s exploring.
The best interactive books for 12-month-old babies are more than just fun. They’re a gentle way to:
- Encourage concentration through playful discovery
- Boost memory and comprehension (What’s under there? What noise does it make?)
- Support speech development through repetition and rhyme
- Strengthen little fingers and hands with fine motor practice
- Foster a lifelong love for books and reading
And from a parent’s point of view? They’re a lovely, screen-free activity that can grow with your child. A good lift-the-flap board book doesn’t just last through teething and toddler years — it becomes part of your daily rhythm. A go-to in the changing bag. A calming bedtime ritual. A rainy-day distraction. A way to say, “Let’s explore this together.”
At BeoVERDE, we’re always on the lookout for baby’s first books that are made to last, made with care, and designed with real children in mind. Every one of our lift-the-flap books for 1-year-olds is chosen for its sturdiness, engaging visuals, and thoughtful design.
Whether it’s a peekaboo friend, a noisy farm animal, or a hidden surprise behind a tree, these books do more than entertain. They support early literacy, build confidence, and make reading time something your child genuinely looks forward to.
And the best part? You don’t need to teach anything — just sit beside them, ask questions, lift a flap, and laugh when a cheeky animal pops out. That’s learning, right there.
Perfect for 1-Year-Olds | Lift-the-Flap Fun for Little Explorers
Noisy Farm | A Lift-the-flap Board Book
Recommended age: 1 to 3 years
This cheerful farmyard adventure is full of fun flaps to lift and animal sounds to copy. Perfect for 1-year-olds who are learning about cause and effect, Noisy Farm encourages early speech and play with bold illustrations and durable pages that stand up to lots of enthusiastic handling. A firm favourite for sensory storytime!
Dear Zoo | Touch and Feel Board Book
Recommended age: 1 to 5 years
A classic for a reason, Dear Zoo brings the joy of discovery to little hands. This touch-and-feel edition of the bestselling preschool lift-the-flap book features textures — ideal for 1-year-olds developing fine motor skills and early vocabulary. Its gentle repetition make it a lovely first read-aloud experience.
Who's Happy? | A Lift-the-flap Board Book
Recommended age: 1 to 3 years
Exploring emotions through animal characters, Who's Happy? is a sweet introduction to feelings for little ones. Its lift-the-flap format invites toddlers to guess which animal is hiding — sparking curiosity and recognition. It’s a gentle way to begin talking about emotions at a stage when children are just starting to notice their own.
Who's Sleepy? | A Lift-the-flap Board Book
Recommended age: 1 to 3 years
This lovely bedtime book helps signal the end of the day in a calm and playful way. With its familiar animal characters and cosy theme, Who's Sleepy? uses flaps to gently reveal who’s ready for bed. A brilliant addition to your wind-down routine — soothing, sturdy, and just the right pace for a tired toddler.
Gruffalo, Where Are You? | A Lift-the-flap Board Book
Recommended age: 1 to 3 years
For tiny Gruffalo fans in the making, this peekaboo-style board book is packed with lift-the-flap fun. Bright colours, friendly woodland creatures, and a playful search for the Gruffalo make this one a giggle-filled favourite. Just the thing for early engagement with books — especially when read with silly voices!
Get Active | Beyond the Book
Lift-the-flap books are just the beginning! Here are a few easy ways to keep the magic going once storytime is over — all perfect for 1-year-olds who love to explore with their hands, eyes and ears:
📦 DIY Peekaboo Boxes: Cut flaps into a recycled cardboard box and hide soft toys inside. Let your little one lift each flap to discover what’s there — just like in their books!
🎵 Sing & Sign: Add simple actions to favourite nursery rhymes. “Old MacDonald” and “Sleeping Bunnies” are great for copying movements and building understanding.
🧺 Texture Treasure Hunt: Fill a basket with safe objects of different textures — a flannel, wooden spoon, feather, crinkly paper — and let your toddler explore with supervision.
🐮 Animal Sound Play: After reading a book like Noisy Farm, make the animal noises together. You’ll be amazed how quickly they try to join in!
🌿 Storytime in the Garden: On milder days, take a book outside. Point to real birds, trees or flowers that match what’s in the story — and let curiosity lead the way.
These playful moments help build early language, memory, and connection — and best of all, they make your toddler feel like reading isn’t something separate, but part of everyday life.