You can check out the rest of our 2017 holiday toy guides here.
A will be one year old a month prior to Christmas, and while I’m not expecting him to be all too into the concept of opening presents, I know that he’ll appreciate a few new things! We are trying to not overdo it with toys and stuff — I’ve spent too much of my time decluttering already — but here are a few ideas for some smaller gifts that would suit a one year old.
1) Kid O Activity Board – They call this ‘toddler tech’ and I love it! Each little button does something different, without making a lot of annoying noises.
2) Baby Sleigh – We purchased a wooden baby sleigh for M when she was a year old (ours has a padded seat though!). If you’re in a snowy area, this is a fun way to get around! Mac Daddy used it all the time during M’s first winter for short walks through the neighbourhood.
3) Mega Bloks — You can’t go wrong with classic Mega Bloks. While a one year old won’t be at the building stage yet, probably, they seem to love knocking down towers and smashing blocks together, and as they get older they can still use this toy. It’s also a great collaborative activity for the whole family!
4) Melissa and Doug Percussion Band in a Box – Of course, percussion instruments are pretty easy to use! A is always after the shakers, maracas, and hand drums we have in the house. And family band time is super fun, so you can keep these in the toy rotation for years to come.
5) Toy Wagon – I think this kid-sized wagon would be another fun toy for a toddler learning to walk. He or she could load up the wagon and tow it along, or just use it as a fun imaginative toy without having to pull it around.
6) Oball Rainstick Rattle – We love Oball in this house! A has this and it’s awesome. It’s large enough that we can roll it for him to chase, and he can also grasp it easily and get the to rainstick make noise, thanks to how grippable and light Oballs are. M plays with it too, so it’s another one that’ll last for a long time.
7) Munchkin Mozart Magic Cube – Babies love music, and this toy seems like it would be fun to play with without needing all of the manual dexterity required to play an actual instrument.
8) Walk Along Puppy – For the new walker! We have a little pull along caterpillar that is a big hit with A — there’s something about strings, and being able to bring a friend along with you, I think.
9) Boon Snug Sippy Lids – For the child who is learning how to drink out of real cups and containers! These are perfect for turning any vessel into a sippy.
10) Baby Doll – Babies seem to love other babies, and dolls are a fun way to give a one-year-old a new friend! A is getting a baby doll for his first birthday, and I think it would make a good holiday present, too.