Choosing a first birthday gift is a big moment, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or family friend. One-year-olds are curious, wobbly explorers just beginning to make sense of the world through touch, movement, and play. The best birthday gifts for one-year-olds are ones that spark joy, nurture development, and grow with them through their toddler years.
This guide breaks down 4 types of meaningful gifts—toys, books, consumables, and experiences—and includes helpful tips on what to look for when shopping for a one-year-old.
In this post:
- What to Look for in Gifts for One-Year-Olds
- Best Gifts for One-Year-Olds – Toys
- Best Books as Gifts for One-Year-Olds
- Best Consumable Gifts for One-Year-Olds
- Best Experience Gifts for One-Year-Olds
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What to Look for in Gifts for One-Year-Olds
Before diving into gift ideas, it helps to understand what makes a gift developmentally appropriate and genuinely useful at this stage.
At age one, most children are:
- Learning to walk or already toddling
- Exploring everything with their hands and mouths
- Developing fine motor skills like grabbing and placing
- Beginning pretend play and cause-and-effect understanding
- Absorbing language and starting to babble or say a few words
Here are some key features to look for in gifts:
✔️ Safe and durable
Safety is the number one priority. Avoid toys with small parts that could pose a choking hazard. Choose materials that are BPA-free, non-toxic, and easy to clean.
Wooden toys with smooth finishes and high-quality silicone products are excellent choices.
✔️ Engaging, but simple
Toddlers thrive on repetition and mastering new skills.
Simple toys that allow children to explore cause-and-effect (like pushing a button and seeing a pop-up) are far more beneficial than overly complex ones with flashing lights and loud sounds.
✔️ Open-Ended
Open-ended toys are those that can be used in more than one way. They don’t dictate how to play, which encourages creativity. Think blocks, stacking rings, and dolls over battery-powered gadgets.
✔️ Developmentally Aligned
Choose gifts that align with where toddlers are at developmentally. Push toys encourage walking, stacking toys help with fine motor development, and musical toys foster sensory growth.
✔️ Parental Appreciation
It doesn’t hurt to consider how a gift will fit into a family’s routine. Is it easy to clean? Does it add clutter? Will it be used often, or end up in a donation pile?
Best Gifts for One-Year-Olds – Toys
Toys are a classic first birthday gift, and for good reason. The best toys for one-year-olds encourage exploration, movement, and early problem-solving.
They should be safe, developmentally appropriate, and fun enough to capture short attention spans while simple enough to allow for lots of creativity.
Here is my favorite balance bike designed for 12 to 24-month-olds! It’s super stable, great for indoor and outdoor use, and holds up well to lots of zooming around.
The bike comes in 8 color options, so you’re bound to find one that’s just right for your one-year-old.
- Check out all my favorite wooden balance bikes for when your child is ready for the next step up!
Here is an indoor climbing set that is perfectly sized for little ones! It encourages lots of movement, which helps toddler develop coordination, muscles, motor planning skills, and get their energy out.
I love that the set has both the Pikler triangle and the climbing arch.
- Check out more great Pikler triangles that get little ones moving!
Every kiddo NEEDS a set of Magnatiles! They are the best of the best when it comes to durable magnetic tiles that inspire years of play. Seriously, this is one of the most-used toys in my house!
Young kids can begin by stacking the tiles and connecting them in rows, then slowly learning to build with them.
- Check out all my favorite sets of blocks for kids!
Play silks are a classic open-ended toy that can be used for so many things – a cape, a blanket, a table cloth, a dancing scarf, something to wrap things in, or anything else your child feels like!
I am particularly fond of Sarah’s Silks for their high quality, various sizes, and color options. My scarves have held up to many years of use in preschool settings.
- Check out all the best open-ended toys for one-year-olds!
Toy animals are an excellent way to encourage language development and imaginative play! Kids can learn the names of animals and the sounds they make while using them to act out stories.
Opt for high-quality, realistic-looking sets with large pieces to avoid choking hazards.
Add a set of tree blocks to extend the play further!
- Check out all my favorite toy animals for kids! (Psst, not all are created equal.)
Musical instruments are an excellent way for one-year-olds to explore sound, rhythm, and music! I love this simple set for introducing kids to various sounds!
Don’t feel like you have to put out all the instruments at once! In fact, that often gets much too loud. You might find that your nerves can better tolerate some of the louder instruments outside.
- Check out some fun music and movement activities you can do with your kiddo!
These wooden stacking rods are perfect for little hands since they’re stable and don’t require the use of bilateral coordination (i.e., the child doesn’t have to hold both the rod and the beads and coordinate getting them together)!
As toddlers build their skills, they can start stringing beads on laces.
- Check out all my favorite manipulatives for toddlers that help build fine motor skills!
I absolutely love this sand and water table from KiwiCo! It’s simple, comes with fun accessories for water play, and has adjustable legs so it can grow with your kids.
For one-year-olds, simply start off by adding water to the table. This avoids any choking hazard and makes clean up (relatively) simple. If you find that your kiddo is a big splasher or dumper, you might want to take the table outside.
- Check out 19 of my favorite simple sensory bin fillers!
This simple set of dolls is wonderful for helping kids develop empathy and is perfect for acting out caretaking scenarios related to their lives.
I love that the dolls are small, cuddly, and diverse.
Magic cloth is an absolute art necessity!
Marks show up as kids paint with water on the paper and then disappear as the paper dries. Mess-free and reusable? Yes please!
Best Books as Gifts for One-Year-Olds
Books make amazing first birthday gifts!
Look for options with simple text, bright, uncluttered illustrations, and sturdy board book pages!
Here are some of my favorite books for little ones:
- 11 Best Montessori Books for Toddlers
- Best Dragon Books for Kids
- 28 Fun Dinosaur Books for Toddlers
- 39 Best Winter Books
- 38 Festive Christmas Books
- Top 25 Bear Books
Best Consumable Gifts for One-Year-Olds
Consumable gifts are a parent’s best friend. These are practical, get-used-up items that support daily routines. They’re ideal for minimalist families or anyone short on space.
1. Art and Sensory Play Consumables
Art and sensory materials are excellent because they get used up with each activity. Art supplies are one of my top go-to gifts for young kids!
These gifts encourage creativity without adding long-term clutter.
Examples:
- Non-toxic finger paints
- Crayons
- Reusable sticker sheets, dot labels, or blue painters tape
- Taste safe play-dough
- Reusable water paper (magic cloth)
2. Bath & Body Goodies
I know that bath time essentials don’t seem that exciting, but they are still fun while being practical and give your one-year-old something to open!
Bath time is a big part of a toddler’s routine, so baby-safe bath and body products make great consumable gifts. Look for gentle formulas made for sensitive skin.
Examples:
- Tear-free bubble bath
- Natural baby lotion
- Gentle shampoo and body wash combo
- Diaper cream
- Soft washcloths or bath mitts
3. Snacks & Mealtime Treats
Toddlers are always snacking, and consumable food gifts are both fun and functional. Choose snacks that are easy to eat, low in sugar, and safe for one-year-olds.
Examples:
- Fruit and veggie puree pouches
- Teething biscuits or wafers
- Yogurt melts or snack puffs
- Toddler granola bars
- Soft dried fruit pieces
5. Daily Use Essentials (But Fun!)
Everyday items feel like special gifts when they’re colorful or themed. These are things parents will use daily, and they often need replacements anyway.
Examples:
- Cute toddler toothbrush and toothpaste
- Fun character band-aids or cold packs
- Reusable snack or wet bags
- Toddler silverware set in fun designs
- Soft-bristled hairbrush
6. DIY Gift Basket Ideas
Take consumables and turn them into a themed gift bundle!
These are great for creating something special without adding more toys.
Examples:
- “Bath Time” – bubble bath, lotion, bath mitt
- “Snack Sampler” – pouches, melts, crackers
- “Mini Artist” – finger paints, crayons, paper
- “Tooth Time” – toddler toothbrush, toothpaste, rinse cup
- “On-the-Go” – travel-size wipes, snacks, bib, reusable snack bag
Best Experience Gifts for One-Year-Olds
Gifting an experience can be meaningful for both the child and their caregiver. These gifts create memories, encourage connection, and often last longer than plastic toys.
Experience gifts are perfect for anyone looking to avoid getting more stuff!
- Check out a detailed list of all my favorite experience gifts for kids!
1. Memberships or Passes
A year-long membership means the gift keeps giving every weekend, and many places have toddler-friendly areas.
- Examples: Children’s museums, aquariums, nature centers, zoos.
- Why they’re great: Encourages exploration, sensory play, and family bonding.
- Buying tip: Ask the family what locations they visit or wish they could access more.
2. Parent-Child Classes
Enrichment classes promote learning and socialization while offering parents quality time with their child.
- Examples: Music Together, baby sign language, toddler gymnastics, mommy-and-me yoga.
- Why they’re great: Support cognitive, motor, and emotional development. They also give parents a chance to meet others.
- Buying tip: Offer to cover a few sessions or provide a gift card to let the parent choose the right schedule.
3. Outdoor Play Upgrades
The backyard can be a toddler’s paradise with the right gear.
- Examples: Water tables, toddler climbers, sandbox kits, outdoor splash pads. Check out all my favorite outdoor essentials for one-year-olds!
- Why they’re great: Promotes gross motor skills, imaginative play, and vitamin D exposure.
- Buying tip: Choose weather-resistant materials and compact sizes if space is limited.
4. A Family Photo Session
Capture the magic of the first year with a keepsake that lasts forever.
- Examples: Mini session with a local photographer, photo book gift certificate, milestone photo props.
- Why they’re great: Helps parents preserve memories from a fleeting season.
- Buying tip: Schedule in advance or offer flexibility with the timing. Include something small for the child, like a photo book or personalized frame.
5. Petting Zoo or Farm Visit
A day at a local petting zoo or farm lets little ones safely interact with animals in a hands-on way. Search your kiddo’s area to see if there are any local options!
- Examples: Petting zoos, u-pick farms with toddler-friendly activities, farm-themed parks
- Why They’re Great: Encourages curiosity and comfort around animals, and gives lots to talk about afterward
- Buying Tip: Look for spots that are open seasonally and don’t require too much walking for little legs
6. Tickets to a Toddler-Friendly Event
A special day out to a puppet show, baby concert, or toddler theater performance can be a fun memory-maker.
- Examples: Baby-friendly theater, children’s puppet shows, outdoor music events
- Why They’re Great: Offers novelty and stimulation in bite-sized doses for little attention spans.
- Buying Tip: Opt for events with short runtimes and low volume—many list age recommendations. Check with parents to ensure you pick dates that work for the family.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Birthday Gifts for One-Year-Olds
At the end of the day, the best birthday gifts for one-year-olds are the ones chosen with care and consideration.
Whether it’s a toy that encourages movement, a board book to snuggle up with, or an experience that builds memories, your gift has the power to enrich their first year of life in big ways.
Pro tip: Want to be the favorite gift-giver? Pair a small toy with a consumable or experience to give both instant joy and long-lasting value.
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