The best gifts for the first birthday: 13 gift ideas to give a 1-year-old boy

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If a one-year-old’s birthday is coming up on your calendar, you may be trying to decide what to buy him or her. With so many options to choose from, we reached out to several experts to get their take on what types of toys and accessories make the best first birthday gifts.

Prioritize security:

Any gift intended for a 1-year-old should be age-appropriate and not contain small parts that could pose a choking hazard, cautioned child expert Dr. Amanda Gummer, a child psychologist and founder of The good game guideand Dr. Erynne Bowers, pediatrician with Health Orlando. For toys, look for the manufacturer’s recommended age range. It often appears in the product description or on the packaging.

Opt for sensory toys:

Since 1-year-olds are just beginning to explore their environment, toys that can stimulate their senses are great gift ideas.

“I love toys with soft, furry, rough or smooth surfaces, like textured cloth books or sensory blocks. Musical toys that make sounds are also great options that will not only entertain little ones but also help them learn about cause and effect and what happens when they touch or press certain things,” Dr. Gummer said.

Consider toys that encourage developmental skills:

Toys that help encourage developmental skills also make great gifts, Dr. Bowers said. For example, books can help develop a 1-year-old’s budding communication skills, while puzzles, stacking blocks, and crayons can help toddlers work on their fine motor skills.

Don’t overlook physical development either. Around 12 months is when many toddlers begin to take their first steps, so consider gifts that help encourage them to stand or walk.

This Baby Einstein art and science activity table is the perfect toy to help inspire 1-year-olds to get up and move while playing. Features a variety of colorful hands-on devices for toddlers to explore and develop their fine motor skills. Plus, you can play songs and enter vocabulary words in three different languages.

If you’re looking for a high-quality, durable stuffed animal that can last for years, look no further than Jellycat, a brand known for its especially soft and cuddly plush toys. They come in a variety of designs, from lions to dinosaurs, bears, rabbits and dogs.

Any chunky puzzle can help a 1-year-old develop fine motor skills, but this personalized wooden one is an especially great gift, as it can be personalized with the child’s name and their animals, dinosaurs, vehicles or sports. favorites. Choose from over eight color themes and 100 puzzle characters to create a unique gift.

Available in baby and toddler sizes, these miniature Chuck Taylor sneakers are the perfect first shoe for beginning walkers. They feature grippy rubber soles and two Velcro straps to help 1-year-olds gain confidence in their walking skills.

Not only does this colorful set of books help teach a 1-year-old all about different types of animals, but its built-in tactile sensory experience allows toddlers to explore the books with their hands.

These jumbo-sized washable crayon eggs are designed for toddlers to grip easier than traditional crayons. The ergonomic egg-shaped design fits perfectly in the palm of your hands, allowing children as young as 12 months to create their first works of art while developing their hand strength.

This three-in-one dog-themed scooter can grow with your child, transforming from a toy that a 1-year-old can push or pull with their hands to a ride-on or stand-on scooter that an older child can propel. with her feet. Plus, the toy’s lighthouse has a button that toddlers can press to hear music and fun sound effects, like a horn.

Help a 1-year-old master stacking and sorting with these toys that teach colors, shapes, and sizes. Made from durable wood and plastic materials, this set includes two classic toddler toys, a shape sorter and a ring stacker, for the price of one.

From an astronaut to a zookeeper, this ABC-themed paperback explores the different types of careers a child could have when they grow up. Plus, it can be personalized with a 1-year-old’s name, state of residence, photo, and more, making it a truly personalized and special gift.

This tea party game will appeal to all of a child’s senses. It features a light-up teapot that can play seven songs and say over 50 phrases, including colors and numbers. The set also comes with six matching cake slices to encourage imaginative and pretend play.

This 18-piece set of balls, rings and soft toys offers a variety of textures, shapes and colors for a 1-year-old to explore. Plus, the durable silicone material allows you to play with the toys both inside and outside the bathtub.

1-year-olds can have lots of fun with this yellow school bus from Little People. They can play with the four included figures inside and outside the bus, or they can make the bus move by pulling it with the attached handle as they walk. They can also press the four buttons on the top of the bus to hear stimulating music and sounds.

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