Here, your little one, your baby who was born yesterday will already be 1 year old tomorrow. It happened so quickly! To celebrate it as it should be, you have planned a small party, a cake, a nice decoration and a candle (which it will not be able to blow, under the tender gaze of the guests) …
… But on the gift side, you are not sure what is suitable for a one year old baby … and if grandparents, uncles and aunts ask you for ideas, that complicates matters further.
To simplify your life, we have selected gift ideas for the 1 year old baby. It's up to you to pick what will suit your little wolf.
Always remember to check the packaging for the recommended age of use. No need to aim too high and offer him a toy intended for more than three years. Besides risking being dangerous for his safety, there is a good chance that he is not interested in this game which is too difficult for him and that it only gives him frustration.
The concentration capacity of a 1 year old child is very short, so choose gifts that respect this. Also take into account your child's abilities and desires, after all, you know him best.
For the interior
The motor skills toy
Like the threading rod for example. A calm and intelligent activity that allows the child to concentrate and work on fine motor skills.
An activity table or abacus
Ideal for offering a small child of 1 year a multitude of activities in one place. He will be able to familiarize himself with colors, movements, embedding, even sounds, sometimes. Enough to keep him busy without getting bored too quickly.
Large pink activity cube, Verbaudet:
A subscription
And yes, we don't think about it often but subscriptions exist even for very young children. A nice gift that lasts all year and allows you to spend precious moments together reading stories, looking at pictures or humming nursery rhymes.
Our selection of magazines suitable for children aged 1 year: Papoum (on Fleurus), Popi (Bayard), Picoti (Milan)
A stuffed toy
Because it's cute, because you fell in love with it, because it represents the hero of the favorite story of your little one … A soft toy can reassure, accompany the tender moments and nights of the little ones. Ideally, wash it with Le Chat Bébé detergent with its formula without preservatives before giving it to your child. Lint hair contains chemicals that are best removed before the child brings the plush to his mouth (which will inevitably happen).
A doll
Because even little ones love to imitate what they see, giving them a baby toddler can be a great idea … and do not think that only little girls like to play with dolls, feed them, walk them, dress them up. Little boys love it too … as long as they are given the opportunity.
A book
At one year old, we like to discover, we like to explore, so don't hesitate to offer hardback books that the child can handle without risking damaging them.
The extra thing: Think of the picture books that will help him enrich his vocabulary by hearing you say words that he will be happy to repeat later.
A CD
If it is still a little small for the stories, a CD of nursery rhymes suitable for toddlers should appeal to a one year old child … who knows, maybe he will even start dancing while listening to the songs.
The extra thing: remember to bring the CD or copy it to a USB key for long car trips. Good atmosphere and guaranteed success!
Magnetic toys
Easy to handle, fun and impossible to miss, let yourself be tempted by the magnetic toys. The little chubby hands, still a little clumsy, will be grateful to you.
My first magnetic tractor, Smartmax:
A musical instrument
Which is not necessarily a good idea if you opt for poor quality instruments that make more noise than music can prove to be an excellent choice. Indeed buying an instrument that makes real musical notes awakens baby to music, rhythm and notes.
Sensory blocks
You may not know because sight or hearing are often preferred in activities offered to children 1 year old. However, there are also toys that will allow him to discover different textures and improve his sense of touch.
Puzzle 6 wooden sensory cubes, Janod:
Creative hobbies
Because even at 1 year old, we can start some creative hobbies: big pencils, paint (and a good apron) … and let's go!
A bath game
Children love to have fun in all situations, bath toys will allow them to play but also to integrate without realizing a few simple principles while taking their bath.
Sensory bath arch, Yookidoo:
A built-in puzzle
It’s sure, your baby isn’t that small anymore and at one year old he can start building in. Very simple with geometric shapes or a little more complex with animals. He will be so proud to be able to fit them all alone.
For the exterior
A carrier
The porter is ideal for walks in the neighborhood, on the terrace or the balcony. Small children love this feeling of freedom and relative "speed" when you let them move alone on their racing car.
A scalable tricycle or a balance bike
A good investment for a birthday gift for 1 year old baby can be a scalable tricycle. First of all, a tricycle that you push, as your child grows up it can then use it on a balance bike (bicycle without pedals powered by the child's legs) and then on a bicycle with pedals.
Evolutionary mini tricyle, Pinolino:
An outdoor toy
Do you have a garden? So why not offer a slide or a swing for the baby years?
A walking cart
If you are looking for a gift for a child who is not a walker, you can offer them a walking cart. This small cart will allow it to move by pushing it, so it will be more stable to start on its two feet. And more often than not, in the cart, he will be able to move his adored toys and stuffed animals… success guaranteed!
For decoration / storage
A hut
With it, we are sure not to be wrong. To play, imagine, dream, look at a book, listen to a story, hide or play with your brothers and sisters, nothing better than a cabin. In fabric, wood, cardboard, plastic, you choose. If the fashion is teepee know that even a large box will delight your offspring then, it is up to you.
Reversible Géronimo tipi, Verbaudet:
A small armchair
For your bedroom or living room, a small armchair is perfect for a quiet time with a toy or a leafing book
A rocking toy
Have you thought about the rocking toy for your little one's birthday? In wood, plush there are really adorable ones… and children love to swing on a horse, a reindeer or why not a unicorn.
Warning, for safety reasons, certain rocking toys are to be reserved for children over 3 years old.
A small table and a chair
In terms of decoration, a child will also love having a small table and chairs at their size. To draw, play a dinner, put down a book or have a snack. He will love doing like the grown-ups!
Wooden table and bench, Pinolino:
A toy chest
If the child already has everything, why not give him a toy box to store all his toys. A useful and lasting gift that will certainly be appreciated by parents … as well as by children.
Wooden toy chest, Kiddcraft:
Library
Nice and decorative, a great gift for a 1 year old child that we don't necessarily think of is a library. Ultra flat for small spaces, wheeled to move it with it, which rotates to store as much as possible, you will be spoiled for choice.
Bookcase on wheels, Verbaudet:
Bonus ideas
You did not find your happiness among the ideas proposed above. So here are two more bonus ideas:
A photo shoot : a photo session made by a photographer, of the child alone, with his siblings, his parents or his cuddly toy. What to prepare beautiful memories for the future.
Money on a booklet : last resort when you are lacking in inspiration, an envelope with a little money to pour on the booklet of Bibou … enough to build up a little nest egg that can be useful later.
Read also
Baby is 1 year old: evolution, walking, language … or is it?
1st age toys: which early learning games to choose?
The best wooden toys