10 Best 1st Birthday Present Ideas They'll Love | Kidadl
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10 Best 1st Birthday Present Ideas They'll Love

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In the first twelve months of a child's life, many milestones occur but buying gifts for a first birthday can be a little bit daunting when you want to make sure it is something that will be appreciated.

The key to giving great first birthday gifts is finding something that they don't already have and that is practical enough that it will be used and enjoyed. We've undertaken the task of scouring the internet, from wooden toys to bath toys, to find some of the best baby gifts for a one-year-old that they are guaranteed to love.

All of the gifts on this list are suitable as presents for girls or presents for boys and have been chosen considering how engaging they are, how they contribute to learning and development, their safety and their price points.

Our Top Choice

Fisher-Price Dance And Move Beatbo‍

The Beatbo from Fisher-Price has been one of the firm favourite toys for 1-year-olds for several years now and it is easy to see why. It is a bright, colourful animatronic toy that features lights, music, phrases and colours which is great for sensory play. The toy dances and has three large buttons that when pressed, start the various actions that they Beatbo does. It is an incredibly fun gift that is also beneficial for developing fine and gross motor skills.

  • Price: £29.99
  • 3 modes
  • Introduces ABCs, colours and counting
  • Encourages movement
  • Records a voice or sound and plays it back
     

Best For Fine Motor Skills

Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog ‍

This cute and colourful hedgehog is a tactile toy that encourages a baby to grip, pull and push. In addition, the quills are great for basic pattern making, colour recognition, sorting and counting. As the removable components can be kept inside Spike himself, it is simple to store and is easy to grab when wanting a toy to take on the go, such as when visiting family or going on holiday.

  • Price: £15.76
  • Numbers on the back for counting
  • Quills store inside
  • Colourful, easy to hold parts
     

Best For Outdoors

Smoby Be Be Move Baby Trike‍

This push along trike is one of those birthday presents that can be enjoyed for several years as it adapts as a child grows. In this particular colour scheme, it is touted as one of the best gift ideas for boys but we think it makes just as great a gift for a girl too.

Its multi-functional design means that it starts as a push-along stroller that a baby can sit in and an adult can control that then transforms into a trike that a toddler can steer with guidance. Adapting again for later years, it then becomes a completely independent three-wheeled bike that improves a child's coordination and confidence.

 

  • Price: £59.99
  • Easy to assemble
  • Safe, sturdy design
  • Smooth and silent wheels
  • Handy bag storage bucket
  • Anti-slip pedals, adjustable seat, safety bar and seatbelt
  • Removable parent handle and steering lock

Best For Families On A Budget

TOMY Toomies Hide And Squeak Eggs‍

If you don't want to break the bank when buying a gift, then this cute carton of hide and squeak eggs is a great option when looking for first birthday ideas.  Simple but engaging, variations of this toy have been available for many, many years which clearly shows that children love it as a birthday gift. Each shell top has a matching chick in the same colour which makes them great for matching, learning colours and counting.

  • Price: £7.98
  • Adorable faces on each egg
  • Easy storage
  • Great for learning and recognition

Best For Messy Play

SES Creative My First Work Of Art‍

As 1st birthday gift ideas go, this one not only allows for lots of messy fun but the finished products also make special keepsakes that can be held on to for years to come. This gift is a great way for young children to get used to the sensory feeling of paint whilst creating their first masterpieces. Their hands and feet are painted before being pressed against the cards to complete a variety of animal designs, making it simple to do with not too much to clean up afterwards.

 

  • Price: £15.92
  • No small parts
  • Hypoallergenic paint
  • Contains 3 paint colours and 11 printed cards

Best For Colours And Shapes

LeapFrog Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket‍

This birthday gift is perfect for boys and girls and is fantastic for imaginative play. This colourful picnic basket contains shape sorting plates and a variety of foods to encourage young children to role play with others. What's more, it helps develop colour and shape recognition and how to listen to requests, as given by the picnic hamper!

  • Price: £17.97
  • 16 play pieces
  • Pieces store inside the basket
  • Basket delivers rewarding responses

Best For Words And Speech

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Baby Book ‍

If you are looking for first birthday gift ideas that are engaging but also foster learning then this item is a great find. This colourful, interactive book is a great way for children to get used to a range of early years vocabulary and learn some of their first words. They'll love to find different pictures in the book that they can press to hear the word along with exciting sound effects.  

 

  • Price: £17.99
  • 12 different word categories
  • Delivers words in English and French
  • Includes songs and sounds

Best For Bath Time

Gilobaby Bath Waterfall Water Station‍

Any child will love having this toy as an addition to their bath time. Parts can be filled with water to watch the cogs turn and the elephants get dripped on. There's a cute cactus that sprinkles water and a bear that can be wound up to swim around the tub. Durable and long-lasting, they'll add a touch of magic to bath time for years.

 

  • Price: £19.99
  • Variety of toys that do different, fun things
  • Suction cups to stick to the bath
  • Easy to remove
  • Made from non-toxic, environmentally friendly materials

Best For Dinner Times

Bamboo Elephant Suction Plate

This is one of those gift ideas that is as delightful as it is handy. Designed in an adorable elephant shape to appeal to young diners, this plate can be brought out at meal times to allow children to explore their food independently.

  • Price: £13.99
  • Easy clean
  • Suction cup to stop spills
  • Made from all-natural bamboo and food-grade silicone

Best For Including The Whole Family

Fun Family Experience Days Out‍

This is one of the more unique gifts for a one-year-old child that we have included on the list but we have done so considering the fun that will be had and the memories that will be cherished for years. Sometimes, giving an experience birthday gift is a breath of fresh air and with a day that can be enjoyed by the whole family, it is a gift that delights on the day as well as something that can be looked forward to. Kids experience gifts are sometimes tailored to older children but this particular one can be used at nearly 400 locations across the country, so the recipient is free to choose the attraction that is best suited to their entire family.

 

Kidadl Best Buys are curated from across the web-based on years of parent reviews and recommendations. If you are looking for more gift ideas for the whole family then why not take a look at our 12 Best Kids' Garden Toys or if you need toys that are easy to grab anytime, check out our 10 Best Baby Travel Toys To Take Everywhere.

  • Price: £29
  • 393 locations
  • Entry for 4 (2 adults, 2 children)
  • Valid for 10 months
     
Author
Written By
Jade Scott

Jade is a Londoner by birth but now lives in Lincolnshire and loves the beautiful countryside that is just a step outside her door. Jade has been a primary school teacher for several years, she has an extensive knowledge of the curriculum, toys, games, activities, and learning opportunities for children aged between 3 and 11. She is always seeking out and uncovering new outdoor adventures and educational attractions for when her two wonderful nephews come to stay and loves finding a great deal on an event or a new attraction they haven’t been to before. Jade has a keen interest in science and crafts and loves finding experiments and activities for fun, messy, and engaging things to keep her nephews entertained at home on rainy days.

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