Shopping for a first birthday gift can be surprisingly hard. One-year-olds are starting to outgrow the baby stage, but a lot of toddler toys are still a little too advanced.
After three kids, I've found that my favorite gifts for this age are the ones they can start enjoying around their first birthday but continue using well into toddlerhood.
These are the toys and gifts we've actually used and loved in our house—and the ones I'd buy again.
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Best Gifts for a 1-Year-Old: Things We Actually Use & Love
Written by Grace Zanolli, PA-C, CLC Physician Assistant & Mom of Three
At this age, I try not to get too caught up in the exact age printed on the box. Instead, I look for toys that meet them where they are now but still have room to grow with them.
A few things I tend to look for:
Toys that encourage movement and exploration
Open-ended toys that can be played with in different ways
Toys that will still be interesting at 18 months, 2 years, or even beyond
Books and quieter activities we can use together
A few bigger-ticket items that can become part of everyday play
I also don't think a one-year-old needs a mountain of toys. A handful of really good things that get used over and over is much more valuable to me than having a playroom full of toys they barely touch.
The Gifts That Have Lasted the Longest in Our House
A Water Table is truly the gift that keeps on giving. We got one for my oldest for her first birthday and nearly 5 years later she still plays with it. Keep it outside in the summer, bring it into your shower during the winter when you’re cooped up inside.
A Toddler Tower is another gift that my firstborn received around her first birthday and still uses on a daily basis. Not all babies are ready to use at 12 months, but most are ready between then and 18 months.
A Play Kitchen is a must for every toddler. Between 12 and 18 months you will notice your baby starts doing pretend play and they’ll cooking up a fancy meal for you in their kitchen.
A Baby Doll goes along with the pretend play. Around this age babies start to recognize that there are babies smaller than them and most of them LOVE other babies. Having their own baby doll and even their own stroller to push said baby doll is the ultimate gift.
The Lovevery Kits take the guessing game out of figuring out what presents to buy. I love that they are developmentally appropriate and without all the bells, whistles and bright lights of modern toys. Their bath and music sets are also great for this age!
Every new or soon-to-be walker needs their own Push Walker and this one is a two-for-one with a block set.
A Push Car is another hot present for one year olds. We actually don’t have one but you bet my daughter is always climbing into everyone else’s every time we’re at the park.
Shop the Full List
Those are a few of my standouts, but I've saved all of my favorite gifts for one-year-olds in one place below.
Whether you're shopping for a first birthday, Christmas, or just looking for something new for your one-year-old, these are the things I'd start with.
Shop My Favorite Gifts for a 1-Year-Old
Want to skip straight to the list? You can shop all of my favorite first birthday gifts below.