First Birthday Gift Guide

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one year old toys

As your baby hits that monumental one-year mark, it fills you with a mix of emotions – pride in their growth, nostalgia for the tiny bundle they once were, and excitement for the adventures yet to come. Celebrating their first birthday is not just about marking a milestone; it’s about cherishing the journey and showering them with love.

Choosing birthday gifts for your littles can be difficult sometimes, and even more difficult for your loved ones!

So here are some thoughtful gift ideas for your one-year-old that they’ll love exploring and that will contribute to their development.


Interactive Books

one year old toys

Stimulate their curiosity and love for reading with interactive books designed for their age. Look for books with textures, flaps to lift, or sound effects that will engage their senses and foster a love for storytelling.

My First Library: Boxset of 10 Board Books for Kids Board – A book set covering the ABCs, animals, shapes, and colors just to name a few, they will get a lot of use out of these!

Melissa & Doug Poke-A-Dot Old MacDonald’s Farm – These poke-a-dot books are always a hit with kids, making reading fun and engaging.

The Emotions Book: A Little Story About Big Emotions – This is an amazing book to get as your kiddo enters toddlerhood. This teaches them how to navigate different emotions which is definitely helpful for times ahead!

See, Touch, Feel: A First Sensory Book – This is a great book to help engage your child with reading. With mirrors to peak in, finger trails to follow, and even a drum to tap, this is a fun book for all.

Turn, Crank, Zoom! A STEM Gear Sound Book – Featuring different types of vehicles, this book encourages learning through play. Your kiddo will have fun cranking the gears and will learn all about different vehicles along the way!

Educational Toys

one year old toys

At one year old, toddlers are curious explorers, eager to learn about the world around them. Consider toys that encourage problem-solving, such as shape sorters, nesting cups, or building blocks. These toys not only entertain but also promote cognitive and fine motor skills.

Consider a Toddler Busy Board Book that is a great, quiet toy and is perfect for travel. There are a multitude of different skills that your kiddo can work on with a busy board book!

Melissa & Doug Wooden Sorting Barn Toy is a wonderful tool to practice shape sorting as well as learning different types of barn animals.

LeapFrog 100 Words Book is an interactive book that helps your tot learn 100 different words just by the touch of a finger! This is a great gift that kids and parents love alike.

These Talking Flash Cards are perfect for helping your toddler learn words. Many of the cards also feature sounds and your toddler will love putting the cards in and seeing what each one has to offer.

You can never go wrong with a Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle. Kids will love completing the puzzle while also learning their name!

Musical Instruments

one year old toys

Nurture their love for music with age-appropriate musical instruments like shakers, drums, or xylophones. Not only are they fun to play with, but they also help develop a sense of rhythm and auditory skills.

The Piano Mat is a fun, sweet toy that is sure to get your tot moving and grooving!

Create a little band by getting the Tiger Rock Guitar, Drum Set, and Learn & Groove Shakin’ Colors Maracas!

You can’t go wrong with this cute LeapFrog Let’s Record Music Player that records up to 30 minutes and plays music as well!

Outdoor Gear

one year old toys

Encourage outdoor play by gifting them age-appropriate outdoor gear such as a swing, sandbox, or push-along toy. These gifts promote physical activity and provide opportunities for sensory exploration in the great outdoors.

The Bubble Lawn Mower is always a hit and is so cute to watch them push around the yard!

A Water Table is something that will give your kiddo years of fun and enjoyment while you sit down and watch them play.

The Little Tikes Slide is perfect to get all of their energy out as they climb it again and again.

Get a Splash Pad that hooks up to your hose and provides a constant stream of water for your little one to jump through all day long!

 Puzzle Toys

one year old toys

Introduce them to the world of puzzles with chunky wooden puzzles featuring familiar objects or animals. Puzzles help develop hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills while providing hours of entertainment.

The Melissa & Doug Farm Animals Sound Puzzle is a chunky puzzle, perfect for little hands but also has sound that accompanies each animal.

This Wooden Shape & Color Learning Puzzle is great for helping your little one to match the correct shape while helping them to learn colors along the way.

Get a whole stack of 6 Wooden Peg Puzzles to provide some variety with a different theme for each puzzle!

 Personalized Keepsakes

one year old toys

Commemorate their first birthday with a personalized keepsake such as a custom-made storybook featuring their name and photos, or a handprint/footprint kit to capture their tiny prints forever.

Get this adorable Personalized Doll for the toddler in your life – it’ll be something they cherish forever.

Opt for a Personalized Birthday Children’s Story that your toddler will love to hear their very own name in. Write a heartfelt note in it as well to make it even more personal.

Or this fabulous Personalized Wooden Name Train that will provide limitless fun and help them learn to spell their name as well!

Subscription Boxes

one year old toys

Consider gifting a subscription box tailored to their age and interests. Subscription services offering age-appropriate books, toys, and activities delivered monthly can provide ongoing excitement and learning opportunities.

Lovevery is an awesome company that provides subscriptions but you can also buy toys directly from their site as well! Sign up for the subscription and never have to think about buying another toy again! The toys are age-appropriate, Montessori, and educational. This is something you can’t go wrong with!


Remember, the best gifts are not always the most extravagant but rather those that are chosen with love and consideration for your little one’s developmental stage and interests. As they unwrap each present with wide-eyed wonder, know that your thoughtful selection will contribute to their growth and happiness in the coming year.

Happy gifting, and here’s to many more milestones and magical moments with our precious little one!

If you’re looking for gifts for two-year-old’s, find them here!

XOXO,

Katie

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