William is one month away from his first birthday, and our relatives are beginning to ask what kinds of things he might want or need as gifts. Combine that with the fact that I also have some mama friends whose babes are just hitting the one year milestone, and I find myself wanting to Google “What’s the best gift for a one-year-old?” Instead, I thought I’d share some of the items for which I think William is ready, or just about ready, and then ask you all for your thoughts!
1) Something to push: My parents let me know they are grabbing this awesome wagon to help Will practice his walking AND cart around his books and toys. He seems to want to push anything he can, and finally has the balance to not fall immediately when doing so, so I can’t wait for him to practice with something actually designed for pushing by a baby!
2) Something to pull: This sweet puppy is perfect for kiddos practicing their walking, balance, and multi-tasking. Will’s first semi-word is ‘dog’ so I think this little guy will be just engaging enough to entice him to learn and have fun.
3) Something to sort: We have a shape sorter and Will’s favorite part is chewing on the shapes – ha! Pretty soon, though, I suspect his interest in sequence of events will lead him to see that certain objects fit into certain spaces – and I think this type of sorting activity would be fantastic.
4) Something to create sound: Will is very into making sound wherever he can – he loves to pound his hands on tables, blow raspberries, and especially is intrigued by items that create sounds different from the everyday – like the clanging of metal or glass. This toy has a pull out xylophone and a hammer (dear me!) to help him create sound in a blunt or more nuanced way.
5) Something to nurture: If you were a fly on our wall, you would hear the CONSTANT refrain of “be gentle!” in our house. William has a slightly, er, rough touch. It’s getting better (he now pats a few times before he pulls our pup’s fur), but our pediatrician recommended helping him learn good touches with a stuffed animal, or even a doll like this one. I think as he grows in his first year, this will be even more important – and could come in handy when baby number two makes an appearance someday in the future.
6) Something to encourage listening: There are so many options to help children learn to listen, but my favorite is the oldest in the book: literally, books! We love the Pout Pout Fish around here, and pretty much anything that rhymes so I think it may be time to bust out some of the classic Dr. Seuss’ titles.
7) Something useful: Of course, there are things William actually NEEDS heading into his second year on Earth. A larger sleep sack, for one. And his first pair of shoes! He took his first ‘step’ a few weeks ago and I can see that we’re THISCLOSE to actually walking, which means it’s time to help him learn to navigate on those little legs of his, in all sorts of terrain. We’ll likely go with a good, slightly large pair of StrideRite’s for his first pair, as they seem to be sturdy, but I’d love your opinions on this one, for sure!
8) Something to inspire imagination: One of William’s favorite parts of the day (or, so it seems, since the kid can’t speak yet and we have to use the level of fidgets/squirms to gauge interest) is watching Papa make dinner. Mr. Milk and I are planning to pick up a toy kitchen to encourage this interest, and help William learn the ever important play art of pretend. I look forward to eating many imaginary food items in the months to come!
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Did I miss anything? What is your ideal gift for a soon-to-be toddler?
guest
I LITERALLY just googled this yesterday! My guy will be one in August and people are starting to ask what he needs. Thanks for the tips!
clementine / 806 posts
Perfect timing – DS turns one in September and I know the questions will start coming soon!
grapefruit / 4291 posts
The best and most used toy in our house is definitely the play kitchen and associated toys (tea set, wooden food etc)!
coconut / 8472 posts
I have to tell you, we hated that radio flyer wagon. I was SO in love with it, but we ended up having to take it away from DS. The biggest problem with it is that the screws are exposed on the other side of the wheel at the same end as the handle. Once time he fell while he was pushing it and got a huge gouge from the exposed screw :(. We tried to cover them with electric tape but it would just come off. He scraped himself a second time and we took it away. I also hated that the wood sides came off (and they were almost unfinished) and that he could climb in and out of it. Or, tried to at least.
nectarine / 2180 posts
Hits from my first LO’s birthday: a water table, Little Tikes shopping cart, PBK anywhere chair, Melissa and Doug wooden knob puzzles, books. I have no clue what we’ll do for LO2’s birthday!
apricot / 343 posts
My twins got basic ride-on cars when they were 10 months old and still use them daily at 2.5 years. They *just* got into shape sorters and the play kitchen, so I would say save those for 2 years old. Books, clothes, CD’s of children’s music, xylophone and/or little play piano. The water table was great at that age and remains popular with them.
guest
That is a great list! My son is just shy of 16 months now and I remember the deer-in-the-headlights feeling when friends and family started asking what he would like for his first birthday; I was so unprepared at the time. In addition to what you already have listed, my son has really enjoyed a water table, basketball hoop, and books, oh so many books (his favorite at 1 year and counting is First 100 Words).
Also, we have the pull out xylophone and hammer toy. I was so excited for this toy and felt it had so much promise but it really fell short for us. I would describe my son as a bit more “rough,” too, and the mallet/hammer has actually not been a problem at all; it’s the wooden balls that come with the set! They are well-made and solid, but pack a mean punch (at walls, people, and our hardwood floors) when thrown. Also, they are substantially difficult to push through the holes with the palm of my hand, let alone by tapping with the mallet. Once through, you’re not rewarded with a nice clink on the xylophone but more of a “thud” sound at which point it gets stuck and doesn’t roll down the incline and out the hole. We ultimately decided to get rid of the balls (for safety) and the wooden stand part, keeping just the xylophone and mallet which is the part my son enjoyed the most anyway. And at the risk of sounding like a Debbie Downer, the xylophone is out of tune so the entire scale is off and a simple tune like “Three Blind Mice” or “Mary Had a Little Lamb” is barely apparent unless you’re the one playing it.
All in all, I highly recommend a xylophone, but perhaps just not this particular one. On a more positive note, egg shakers have also been really fun during music time along in addition to the xylophone.
Happy early 1st birthday!!
pear / 1622 posts
My LO is turning 1 next month too and I have a lot of similar items on my wish list for him. On etsy I saw wooden puzzles that you can have personalized to be the name of your LO – hoping the grandparents want to get that for my LO but I may get it for him. Also my LO doesn’t have any blocks yet so those are on the wishlist too.
blogger / apricot / 349 posts
My daughter loved that little puppy pull toy. She still uses it now and she’s two! Great list!
guest
StrideRite shoes are really great for beginning walking because they are super flexible and not as heavy as other toddler shoes. We could tell the difference immediately between our kid walking in StrideRite shoes and other shoes.