1st Birthday Gift Ideas
Unique 1st birthday gift ideas: When choosing a first birthday present for a boy or girl, it's important to select something safe, age-appropriate, and beneficial for their development.
Celebrate this special milestone with the perfect gift. A baby’s first birthday - and their very first party - is a memorable event for both the little one and the parents. Find a thoughtful and fun present to make the day even more unforgettable.
What to know first: 1st Birthday Milestones
A baby's first year is filled with incredible milestones. By their first birthday, most little ones can sit up, take steps with support or even walk on their own. They develop an interest in books and pictures, love to push, pull and explore, and enjoy opening and closing cabinet doors. Many babies start "dancing" to music, taking objects in and out of containers, and even recognizing themselves in the mirror. Around 12 months, they also begin refining their hand-eye coordination and eagerly exploring their surroundings.
Make this exciting milestone even more special with the perfect 1st birthday gift. I’ve curated a selection of thoughtful and age-appropriate 1st birthday gift ideas. Whether you're a parent, relative, godparent, or friend, you're sure to find something wonderful for the birthday baby here.
First Birthday Gift Ideas
Green Toys Vehicles: Fire Truck, Recycling Truck, Dump Truck
Eco-friendly and safe: All Green Toys vehicles are proudly made in the USA from 100% recycled plastic milk containers, helping to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These durable, high-quality toys are completely safe, free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, or external coatings. Designed to withstand endless play, they’re loved by kids and parents alike.
Perfect for little ones aged 12 months & up, Green Toys vehicles are an amazing gift for a 1st birthday boy.
Looking for something just as awesome for a 1-year-old girl? Check out the Pink Dump Truck or the Yellow School Bus from Green Toys.
Big Bobby Car Or Other Ride On Toys
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The BIG Bobby Car is a beloved 1st birthday gift across Europe. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use, this durable ride-on promises years of fun. So it's great for siblings to enjoy, too. For even more adventure, a separate trailer is available, making it easy for little drivers to transport their favorite cuddly toy and a drink on the go. With a wide range of ride-ons to choose from, including pink versions for little girls, you’re sure to find the perfect one. Check out (#ad) amazon to explore the full selection. |
1st Birthday Diaper Cake
Even at one year old, babies go through plenty of diapers, making a diaper cake a thoughtful and useful gift - not just for newborns, but also for a first birthday. Instead of newborn essentials like baby lotion and powder, fill it with fun and educational toys and items. For this version, I used a 1st birthday candle, a baby stroller book and a roaring lion toy. I arranged everything in a box with stacked diapers. Before you start your project, it's best to check the baby's diaper size. Learn how to make your own diaper cake and create a unique, practical 1st birthday gift.
Shape Sorting Toys
Around their first birthday, little ones begin developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while also learning to recognize basic shapes and colors. A shape sorter is a wonderful toy for children aged 12 months to 3 years, providing both entertainment and valuable learning opportunities.
Shape sorters come in a variety of designs and materials, including soft fabric, wood, and plastic. They can take the form of houses, cubes, egg boxes, balls, or pull-along toys, with or without sound effects for added fun. A fantastic gift that grows with the child.
Here's a little birthday poem for a first birthday girl or boy. Customize with the name.
One little candle, placed on the cake
- one first birthday wish to make!
Baby's First Phone
Baby's 1st smart phone is a practical 1st birthday gift idea since it helps you to keep your own phone safe and sound!
Around the age of one, baby's can pretty much reflect what grown-ups do: being on the phone and chatting away for hours... ;-) Now, they want to participate and imitate. If you want to give them your own, expensive smart phone, then do. But chances that they break it, are high! Therefore you better get them some nice little toy phone so they can press buttons, make it ring, play with icons, talk and interact without you having to worry. As with most baby toys of that kind, there are many models from various manufacturers on offer.
Little People Toys By Fisher Price
Meet the Little People friends and have hours of fun with their Wheelies, Places to Explore, Things that Go and Things to Build. These toys will entertain kids over a long period of time, even my 4 year old still likes to play with them on a regular basis and my two older kids will join her frequently, too! A Little People toy is a great 1st birthday gift idea, discover the world of Little People by Fisher Price here.
More 1st Birthday Gift Ideas
Little People Books / Fisher Price Books / Book Gift Basket
A baby book makes a wonderful 1st birthday gift, as little ones around this age start to enjoy looking at pictures, pointing at objects, opening flaps, and turning pages. It's the perfect time to introduce fun stories, like those featuring the Little People and their adventures.
For example, join Little People Michael on a trip to the dentist and explore the story by lifting interactive flaps. Or dive into the world of (#ad) Fisher Price Books, specially designed for babies and toddlers from newborn to age 3.
Make it even extra special with a baby book gift basket! Another adorable idea is creating a book gift basket for a 1-year-old. Similar to a baby book gift set, but with more age-appropriate books, this thoughtful gift can also include a soft pillow or a cuddly plush toy, really perfect for making storytime extra cozy.
Playmobil 1-2-3 Toys
Playmobil is one of the best-known and most popular toy companies worldwide. Formerly, Playmobil manufactured great play sets for kids of 4 years and up only. But a few years ago they introduced their new line called Playmobil 123 for 18 months and up. These great toddler toys are basic play sets around various themes such as: playground, family house, race car, zoo, Noah's Ark, farm life, truck with garage, princess & knight, etc.
A one year old does not fully understand yet what's going on at its birthday. So baby won't mind having to wait 6 more months until being able to really play with these cute and educating sets. Moreover, under close supervision and together with mom or dad, a one year old can already handle most of these toys. Playmobil toys are made in Europe (Malta), they are color fast, easily washable, safe and fun to play with.
Even More 1st Birthday Gift Ideas
Rody Horse
The Rody horse is a real delight for all little hoppers! Of course baby can also just sit on it. You can bounce on Rody indoors as well as outdoors. This hopping horse is about 12 inches in height, it is inflatable and grows with the child as you just add more air. This cute toy is made from soft, super strong, latex-free and phthalate-free vinyl, and comes in 13 colors, so you will find a favorite for everyone! Rody strengthens the muscles of the back, abdomen and legs, because riding on Rody exercises a good posture, balance, body coordination and body control. Be assured, Rody will stay a 'a friend' and favorite toy over years, some mum even stated on amazon Rody to be the best toy bought so far!
Play Tents
Kids love role play, building dens, and playing games like peek-a-boo. Play tents are perfect for sparking imagination and pretend play, and they can be used both indoors and outdoors. Pop-up tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some designed specifically for girls, like fairy princess castles or Disney Princess tents, and others for boys, such as knight castles, pirate tents, or fire engine play tents.
But there are plenty of play tents suitable for both boys and girls, like ladybug tents, colorful play huts, or playhouse cottages. Some even include a tunnel, making it even more fun to crawl through. And the best part: These pop-up tents are quick to set up and just as easy to store, so they won’t take up too much space in the nursery.
Even if a one-year-old isn't yet engaging in role play, they’ll still have a blast sitting inside the tent and playing peek-a-boo with parents or siblings. A pop-up play hut is a wonderful gift for a 1-year-old that will provide endless fun and laughter for years to come.
Radio Flyer Car / Radio Flyer Wagon / Kids Wagon
Radio Flyer is a true American classic and is famous for its safe, quality toys that inspire active play and spark imagination. Their range comprises wagons, tricycles, scooters, and other ride-ons and you are bound to find the perfect "vehicle" for your little one(s). A Radio Flyer toy brings smiles to babies, toddlers, kids and the whole family and creates memories that last a whole lifetime. Indeed an awesome 1st birthday gift idea. Find and choose your perfect Radio Flyer car or horse here, and your Radio Flyer wagon here.
There's also vintage ride on toys - not real vintage but designed to look like vintage ride on cars - which are great fun and also a nice piece of decoration for a baby's nursery.
Rocking Horse / Rocking Toys
Who says it always has to be a classic rocking horse? While an antique rocking horse certainly has its charm, modern rocking animals like dinosaurs, puppies, and zebras offer just as much fun and excitement for babies.
Whether you prefer a wooden rocking toy, a plush rocking animal, a synthetic-material rocker or a Radio Flyer horse, there's a vast range of options to suit every taste and budget. Some even feature fun sounds! No matter which you choose, your little one will enjoy hours of rocking and riding for years to come.
Haba Soft Dolls
A HABA soft doll is another cute and educational 1st birthday gift idea! These colorful dolls have a soft, padded body, chenille hair, an embroidered face and great colorful clothes and are just perfect for hugging and cuddling! Since HABA sells boys characters of this line, too, these cute dolls are not for girls only! Have a look at the awesome Haba doll family. Our most loved is Paola, pictured above. Recommended for 18 months and up.
These also make a cute 1st birthday gift for twins! Depending on what kind of twins they are, get them identical dolls, two girl / two boy dolls or a boy and a girl doll.
Here's more to know on how to select soft dolls for babies and toddlers.
Little Tykes Cozy Cars
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This funny little car is perfect both for playing indoors as well as outdoors. It is recommended for 18 months and up but surely a child can already just sit in there and play around by the age of 1! The (#ad) Little Tykes Cozy Cars have a funny face and come as a coupe, a truck, a patrol, a cab, a fire truck, a ride and rescue, a roadster, etc. They have various features such as sound patterns, flashing lights, an ignition switch and so on. A trailer is available, too and the glitter coupe or the princess version are every little girl's dream. No doubt, these little cars are great fun and make a very cute present! |
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See some more great 1st birthday gift ideas here. Have a summer or winter birthday kid? Also ideas for seasonal 1st birthday gifts.
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