We just celebrated our baby’s 1st birthday, and it was a “reel” good time (theme: reeling in the big one)! Per usual, the gifts were top-notch from our family, so I thought I’d share my favorite gift ideas for a one-year-old in case you need inspiration, too. This list is not exhaustive…I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to gifts!
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1. Really Good Books!
We love getting really good classic books as gifts! They stand the test of time, can be used for years, and even passed down to future generations. Here are a few favorites:
Little Critters 5-Minute Stories
These 5-Minute collections are really nice. We often find them at Sam’s Club, too. We have several of this style of book, and the kids reach for them often.
Abrams Block Books
These books are so good! We have a couple of these, and they are a family favorite. Spaceblock is one we got for our little’s birthday. Farmblock (linked) is another great one!
123 Count with Me
There are a variety of these interactive learning books from Tiger Tales. I think they’ll also be a great learning resource as a SAHM!
Priddy Books – Slide and Find
These are fun! The quality is what stands out to me on these, and the kids love the flaps and sliders.
Recordable Storybooks
These are so special! This is a great way to add a personal touch to a gift. These are great for grandparents, parents, or aunts and uncles to give as gifts for the little ones in your life. I’d also imagine that they’d be very cool for families who are living long distance from loved ones! My Mom has done one of these for each of our kiddos and they love them!
I’d recommend ordering from Hallmark (linked here or above) or visiting one of their stores to purchase because the Amazon selection and pricing is not great. However, I did run across these cute recordable classic storybooks with good reviews on Amazon. They seem to be of good quality, and have a similar price point as the Hallmark ones. It might be worth looking into both to see which you’d prefer!
2. Kids Play Tunnel
Our little guy got this kids play tunnel as a gift this year, and it is awesome! This particular play tunnel has mesh sides which is great so that littles can see out and not get scared halfway through. It folds up well, and all three of our kiddos are loving it!
3. Balance Bike
We have gotten a ton of use out of this Velo Balance Bike! It has awesome reviews on Amazon. I actually got ours at Sam’s Club for about $20 cheaper, so look there, too!
If I were to gift this now, I’d definitely consider this new model from Velo – The Yvolution Y Velo Flippa 4-in-1Toddler Trike (find at Sam’s Club here)! This would be perfect for a newly mobile/walking one-year-old, while still having the handles for an adult to help control things a bit until they’re a bit older. It grows with the child, so lots of use over the years!
4. Great First-Walking Shoes
There are so many options for shoes out there. I think it’s important to get foot health off on the right track, and part of that is getting a great pair of first-walking shoes! Here are a couple of options:
Stride Rite Soft Motion Sneakers
I got a pair of these for our second after she started walking. Loved them! They hold up so well, and I also like that you can buy in wide widths.
Keen Sneaker
I am a big fan of Keen shoes. I have a pair that I love, and I always keep an eye out for Keen shoes for the kids. They are great quality and outlast other brands. You can also find great used options through Facebook Marketplace and the like.
BMCITYBM Soft Soles
These have over 6,600+ reviews, so I felt like I should include them here. I’m definitely adding this brand to my list!
5. Ride-On Toy
If you’re little one is anything like ours, they’re always climbing and getting a thrill out of riding something. This ride-on toy from B. toys is perfect for a one-year-old to learn the ropes of balance and rocking (you might also find at Target or TJ MAXX)! It’s soft and sits low to the ground, so it’s a perfect and you don’t lose your mind trying to keep them safe and not falling off constantly!
6. Personalized Name Puzzle
I gifted these personalized name puzzles to our niece and nephew, and my SIL got some for our youngest two, as well! These are great for learning letters, especially letters of their name. You can keep these simple, or add-on many features like knobs, engraving, etc. There are a ton of shops on Etsy that sell these, this particular one is a USA shop out of Texas!
7. TIME
Time the greatest gift, y’all. I’m a firm believer in finding time for those you love. If you don’t have a large budget for gifts, consider making a coupon for a quick trip to the park one day, or maybe out to ice cream! Especially for a one-year-old, you don’t have to do extraordinary things to show them how much you care and love them.
This is also an excellent gift for the parents! And I mean that sincerely. haha! Having even just an hour of kid-free time can make a big difference for busy parents. Enjoy your one-on-one time with the little love bug, and earn bonus cool-person points with the parents all in one shot!
8. Savings Funds
If you are more of a long-term thinker, you might also consider setting up a savings or college fund for the little one-year-old in your life. Time is such an asset when thinking about investing for the future. We’ve been incredibly blessed by family members who choose to do this for our children.
This may seem a bit boring to give as a gift, but I can assure you, when the child is old enough to understand, they will be immensely grateful for your support. And to be honest, a gift like this means one less item filling our home. 🙂
ONE – What a Great Age!
This age is one of my favorites! There is so much learning, growing, and curiosity at this time. Enjoy it!
I hope my list of favorite gift ideas for a one-year-old sparked some ideas for you. What’s been the most unique gift your one-year-old has received? Or one you’ve given? Share in the comments!
To the Chaos!
MG
Other Posts You May Like…
Simple Christmas Gifting Strategies for Kids
Awesome Open-Ended Gifts for Kids
The Gift of Time – Think Outside the Box this Holiday Season
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