What Do You Get a 1 Year Old for There Birthday?

Updated on June 24, 2008
C.M. asks from Olathe, KS
36 answers

My daughter is about to be one. I really don't know what to get her for her birthday. My husband wants to get her some type of bike but I told him is isn't quit old enough to figure it out. Suggestions?

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D.M.

answers from Kansas City on

my grandson is one today, I bought him the
Fisher-Price® Rock, Roll 'n Ride Trike™ at ToysRUs for 39.99, but he loves to play with any type of ball, and anything to crawl on or thru or climb on, but each child is different

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T.B.

answers from St. Louis on

My son is 11 months old today so I've been in birthday gear for a few weeks. My husband is going to try to be Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor and build a toy box (specs from Lowes)! We also wanted to get him a nice wagon so my father-in-law is going to get that for him. We are going to go with the Radio Flyer plastic type with rubber tires. This will be useful for many years!! Push toys are good for this age too as they are just starting to walk.

Enjoy the party! I can't believe how fast a year goes by!

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L.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I got my niece a walk/ride on toy from playschool (or I think that is where it was from) she loved it because she is not quiet walking on her own so she pushes it all over the place, My sister in law says it is the best one so far because it is the one toy she got that she plays with about every day. The other idea that I can give you is any ride on toy. My son loves the ones that I had for my daughter he is 20 months old and has been riding on them as long as he could get on them (around the time he was 11 months). One of the other things that my daughter loved and now my son loves it as well is a doll stroller. They both have pushed it all over the house. My mom only paid like $5 or $10 and it has lasted 4 years so far, which is a lot longer than I would have ever thought it would last. Also any of the Laugh and Learn items from Fisher Price are good. My kids both loved them My son still plays with the house it is the older model that does not have the kitchen. It plays music and he loves anything that plays music. We also got him a Leap Frog that has farm animal magnets on it and when you put them together in it, it makes the animal sounds and if you put a sheep with a pig it will say which one you put infront and which one you put in back and the color of them and the sound each one makes so it is quiet funny when you mix them up. All the Leap Frog toys are great.

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P.D.

answers from St. Louis on

Pushing and riding toys can help her explore the world around her. Look for sturdy push toys with handles at her waist height. Novice walkers use push toys for extra support and skilled walkers love to run and push.

Avoid riding toys with pedals since a one year old usually is not ready for them; instead, choose ride-ons that she can learn to move just by moving her feet and steering the handles or wheel. Some riding toys have handles on the back so she can either push her favorite dolls or stuffed toys around.

Toys that have parts that can be put inside, then removed or simple shape sorting toys encourage fine motor skills. Toys with buttons are attractive to one year olds.

Stacking and nesting toys are also a good choice.

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A.V.

answers from Kansas City on

When my daughter turned 1, we got her the Fischer Price 3-in-1 bike in pink and purple. She is now going to turn 5 soon, and still uses it. It starts out able to be used as a rocker, so she can use it inside, stable enough to climb on and off herself. Then you can change it to a pushable ride-on. It has a high handle for a parent to push while the kiddo rides, even with a foot rest so the kid doesn't have to keep their feet on the pedals as they are pushed. here is a picture of it on the fisher price web site. My daughter now rides it as a big wheel type bike, but I still have the handle on the back so i can help her get over the big curbs in the neighborhood without bending (great, since I am pregnant again!).
http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=outdoorfu...

We also got her a tunnel that folds down to the size of a hula hoop. Very fun for her to crawl through, make forts with, etc. Still uses it now, too. Useful to throw in the car and take to grandma's, hotels, etc. small enough to travel, but lots of energy expended in playing. Here is a picture of one similar.
http://www.amazon.com/PlayHut-23135-Playhut-Disney-Prince...

She also got Little People sets, loved them all. Especially Noah's Ark.
Hope this helps! She will love whatever she gets!

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A.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I think books are great for any age, especially during this age... There are so many great colorful, interactive, pop up books that a 1 yr old can just get lost in... Leap Frog also makes a Little Leaps, which is a pad where you connect a book and cartridge... You have several different settings which makes the product grow w/ your child... I am a mother of 2 yr old Ava, we have spent many hours enjoying the Little Leap Pad...

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J.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I always give a rocking horse, fisher price has a hard plastic one that all the kids love. Being a part of a large Italian Family my husband and I spend most of our $ on the party "food" so we never really got them a gift on their 1st birthday they wouldn't know it if you did. We always have a large spread of food, cake etc..... so the party itself is our gift. If you don't want to get her a toy I would suggest a savings bond or starting up a college fund. My daughter is now 3 and she still can't peddle her bike I would suggest something low to the ground that she can scoot with her feet.
Good Luck------------J. C

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S.H.

answers from Kansas City on

When my older niece turned one, we got her one of those "cars on a stick" things - I think they're by Step 2 (similar to Little Tikes) and are cars w/ "floorboards" for them to put their feet, so they're not on pedals or on the ground - and then the "stick" makes it easy for mom & dad to push. ;)

For my younger niece's first birthday, we got her a bouncing/rocking horse. I think it was a Radio Flyer brand one. It's a soft horse & has a little surround basket thing to keep the really small ones on, but it's removable once they can hold themselves on well. It has rubber "springs" to bounce on instead of metal, and instead of legs for the whole thing to stand on, it has rockers at the bottom.

Both of these were huge hits!

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H.H.

answers from Kansas City on

ride on toys are always great at this age. They do have small 3 wheel ride on bike toys too. The large lego blocks are great too. They really start playing at this age especially closer to 15 months so you will start to see a real difference in the next few months. This is a really fun age as they learn so much so fast between age 1 and 2. It is also a great time to work on colors, letters, shapes, numbers, and read books to them. They pick up on it quicker than you think. My son started bringing us books to read at 9 months and he loved to have us read him books. He was writing half of his letters at age 2 and loved to do puzzles and was doing 100 piece puzzles by himself by age 3. He was reading 5th grade level in Kindergarten.

Don't push making your child sit down to learn stuff like that but as you are playing, tell her things like this block is red, green, etc., read a book everyday, Get a magna-doodle and write a letter or 2 everyday and tell her what it is. Just little simple things and it's amazing how quick they learn at that age and with your first one, you have more time to teach things to them.

He is 15 now and has always been a quick learner, still loves to read, going in 11th grade, took college level classes in 10th grade and plans to take more his next 2 years.

Our other 2 kids are quick learners as well but we didn't have as much time to spend with them as we did with the first one in teaching these skills at age 1. I had to spend more time getting them ready for Kindergarten though in the long run but all 3 of them make good grades and like to read.

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K.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Maybe you could get your little one a walker toy that converts into a bike that she can push with her feet later on. Maybe a Cozy Coupe by Little Tikes (it's a car that
you push with your feet but you can push them in it) there is also one, i am not sure if you can still buy them it is by Little Tikes or Stage 2 a car with a push handle they can sit in it, when they get older the bottom pops out and they can guide it themselves with their feet. A tricycle if you can find one low enough. I bought one in very good condition at a second hand store, Once Upon A Child. There is also this bouncy horse Rody It is like those rubber balls with handles you jump up and down and it bounces on the ground. I think it was from Imagination Toys, I will have to respond with that info. I know that the St. Louis Mills Mall has the store that you can get it from. Good luck with everything. Toys et cetera.com has them item # 40353 it is for ages 2-4 I babysit for a little one who just turned one and he loves his. It inflates to your size. It is lots of fun.

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B.K.

answers from St. Louis on

C.,

For my daughter's 1 year birthday, we bought her a little red wagon. She LOVES it!!! It is a plastic Radio Flyer "Ulitmate Family" Wagon. It is for children ages 1 1/2 and up, but there are seat belts in order for her to stay safe in the seat. Obviously, you will need to do some research, and make your own decision for the "right" gift for your daughter, but this one was awesome for my little girl. Hope this helps!!!

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J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

As the mother of 3 kids I can tell which toys have lasted for us--Lego Duplo Blocks! My 7 year old daughter still plays with them! I would also suggest one of those plastic playhouses, if you have room, as that gets use for a long time. If you want a toy to ride on, those Little Tykes cars are great--they are orange and yellow. Kids just use their feet to move them around. What about a baby doll and bed? My daughter got one for her 1st birthday and she used it alot when baby #2 was born. Hope she has a great birthday!

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H.B.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter loved musical things. Target has the parents brand of toys and they have an "MP3" player for kids. She carried it around everywhere and at almost 3 still enjoys singing along with it. There are also whole sets of musical instruments. She really liked pushing her doll in a little stroller too. It was fun to talk walks while she pushed her doll.

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E.M.

answers from Lawrence on

A baby doll and a carriage that she can push. Our girls didn't walk until they were 15 months, so the carriage acted like a walker. I like the wooden ones made by Haba. More expensive, but they make the best quality toys that last for a long time. My 5 year old is still playing with her carriage that she got when she was 1. They also sell grocery carts and play food. We got them a wooden play kitchen when my oldest was 2, and it was a great gift for both. They still play with that every day. Blocks are also good for a 1 yr old.

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N.R.

answers from St. Louis on

Hello and CONGRATS!!

The best thing about them being 1 is they have no idea what they are getting. You could get her the best most expensive present and she would be just as happy with a cardboard box. Think about what it is she will use within the next year that you want to put in her baby book that you guys got her. A bike is what I got my son when he turned 1. It was one of those big wheel type ones that had the handle out the back for you to push and they "peddle". Another thing would be a car to ride inside of. You know those orange looking Flinstone things. Kids LOVE those and that is something she will be able to play with now and when she gets older. My 9 year old would play with one of those.
My oldest daughter when she turned 1 we got her a little kid table and chairs, she still has it and uses it to play school. She also got a little tikes basketball hoop and still plays with that now with her little brother.
Whatever you get her, bike, table or cardboard box she will have a wonderful time being the center of attention.
Have fun and take LOTS of pictures
N. =)

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A.B.

answers from St. Louis on

My husband and I started a savings account in their name when our kids turned one. Because they won't really understand their birthday party or gifts real well, the savings account is something they need anyway and will have for many, many years!

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T.M.

answers from St. Louis on

My son just turned one last week and we were hoping he would enjoy all the toys we got him. His favorites so far are the Duplo blocks (like large Legos). He can't put them together yet, but loves pulling them apart, dumping them out of their bin, and shaking the bin, which makes lots of noise! We also got him a popcorn popper (he has trouble keeping it straight in front of him while he walks but loves the popping!), a busy box (still trying to figure this one out), a train made of blocks (loves it! He can put on and take off the blocks from the pegs) and a book. Other ideas we talked about (and hope he may get from his aunts and uncles) are a shape sorter, musical instruments, one of those "work benches" where you hammer pegs, those large beads, etc. There were so many options for this age! It was hard to choose a few things and not go overboard! Good luck, and happy birthday to your daughter!

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L.B.

answers from St. Louis on

She's just in time for those little scooting toys. You sit and move your feet back and forth to move. My kids had a train that you push the horn and it made a train noise.

Or that little Orange and Yellow car. It's the same way but harder to help them get in and out.

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M.G.

answers from Kansas City on

C., I always buy for abilities to come, you don't want the toy to be discarded in 6 months. At 12 months she can probably sit on a trike pretty well, just that would make her happy for now. There are a lot of bikes that have long handles so mom or dad can push. There are also bikes that have "grow with me" options that change as your little one advances.

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J.S.

answers from Memphis on

What about one of those climbing toys for outside-the small kind, or a little swimming pool. Musical toys are always fun, or how about instead of a toy, you sign her up for a music or gym-type class you could all enjoy together.

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C.B.

answers from St. Louis on

When my son turned one, we bought him this Rock, Roll & Ride on bike. It starts out as a rocker (like a horse) and then can turn into a tricycle that you push & then go to a tricycle that they ride. He loved it & used it for a couple of years. Hope you find something you like & worth your money. I know that each year for the kids birthdays it gets harder because they always want more things & more expensive items. At age one, they don't have a say in their gifts so be glad. My kids are 7 & 9 now.

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price%C2%AE-Rock-Roll-Ride-T...

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter loves the Mega Lego blocks, they come in a big bag. She has fun building and sorting colors.

What about crayons? They have toddler crayons that are easier for them to hold, it might take her a bit to get the coordination to use them but she will still have fun.

We did a Build-A-Bear for our daughter's 1 year birthday. They have a bear there specifically for babies without the button eyes and nose, it's also completely washable. You might have to ask about it at the store if you can't find it.

Things to make bubbles are always a big hit. They have a bubble lawn mower, or you can just get regular bubbles. They love chasing and popping them.

Balls are fun too. Maybe a big bouncy one that she can chase around.

She also got the Laugh & Learn House from Fisher Price from her uncle. She loves it!

Another favorite is books.

Hopes this helps to get the juices flowing!

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H.L.

answers from St. Louis on

About that bike... We got our son a bike for his 1st bday, but it starts out as a rocker, then it has a handle so you can push them when they don't quite have the peddling down, then you can take the handle off. It's good up to age 5!! Good investment!!! I love those toys!!! If your husband really won't let up on the bike idea, this would be the way to go, because she can get use to climbing on, balancing, and then there's the rocking! It easily converts from bike to rocker too so dad can give her a ride when she wants one! :-) Good Luck!

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M.W.

answers from Kansas City on

When my son was little we went out and bought him toys that weren't his age and regretted it. (Mainly b/c Christmas came and we had a ton of toys for him to ride on from us, grandparents,etc.) So, when my first daughter turned one we got her a pair of diamond earrings-which are her birth stone. Granted she couldn't wear them yet and although she has her ears pierced now she still hasn't worn them, but I know they will mean a lot to her when she gets older. We did the same for my second daughter. I figured they get enough from everyone else, that they don't necessarily need things from us until they are old enough to realize. (another bonus for us was that I had some jewelry from previous boyfriends that I didn't wear so I traded them in and got the earrings at a great price!!) So after the first, we really didn't get them anything and figured the party was their present. Granted now my son is who is turning seven is all about what we will get him! Happy Birthday to your little one!

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T.B.

answers from Kansas City on

Happy birthday to your daughter. My son just turned one a couple of months ago and the best gifts that he plays with have been a rocking sherrif motorcycle (step 2 brand i beleive), blocks, a bulldozer that he can sit on or use as a walking toy and his red wagon. This toys may be more for a boy but similar items can be found that are more girly. I know that a gift we got him for x-mas is still used lots which is a car by step 2 that he sits in and it has a handle so I can push him around the house or the yard. My son alos has a recent love of bubbles so I am sure your daughter would like one of those bubble blowers like I got my son from little tikes, they are shaped in different animals such as a dog or dinasoaur and it blows bubbles out of its mouth. my son is too young to push the button to get it to work by himself but it is easy for me to do and much easier than blowing each bubble.

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L.Y.

answers from Springfield on

C.
I have just started going thru emails since we have been gone on vacation.
I am a Discovery Toys Educatinal consultant in Ozark. We are currently having a huge sale!! An item you might want to check out is the Ride2Roll Scooter. It's a ride on toy at first then you can pop it up to become a scooter! Lifetiem guarantee on our toys also!
Host a party to receive FREE toys.
www.discoverytoyslink.com/boyoachum
Bo Yoachum

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J.C.

answers from St. Louis on

There are many wonderful ideas from the moms on here. Here's just one more. What about a ball pit? Kids love those & they can play with them as long as they last.

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C.M.

answers from Kansas City on

You can get little bikes that do not have pedals that are great for this age. MY in-laws go my oldest one for her first birthday and she loved it. Her sister now rides it all the time too. Ours is a Little Tykes. Also, now a days everything is labeled with an appropriate age on the box. In our experience, the ages on the box are usually pretty good so go find some things that say 1+. And don't be afraid of things that might seem a little old for her now. They do a lot of growing and changing in the next coulpe of months and you will be amazed at how quickly she will start doing things. So get something that she can grow into as well as something that she can do right now.

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J.K.

answers from St. Louis on

This is wonderful!!! One is a great age. At one the love balls! A large ball that she can roll and then learn how to toss into some thing.
Also they love to dump things into something and dump the items back out. This is great for building muscles and hand eye cordination. Discovery Toys has a toy "Hide Inside" my children loves for this.
Have fun take lots of pictures and enjoy you daughter.

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V.C.

answers from St. Louis on

She will be ready for a ride on by about 18 m. So it might be a good idea to get it now.

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J.R.

answers from Kansas City on

We bought our daughter a Radio Flyer Wagon for her first birthday. She LOVES it and we use it daily now that the weather is nice outside.

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A.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Whatever you do, try to keep it low key. Making a huge production out of small milestones sets you up for having to out do each time. It also depends on your family. If they are going to give her a bunch of toys and stuff, don't get her anything like that. I bought my daughter a small heart shaped jewelry box with the date engraved on it as a keepsake. We had a big party planned, but because of the weather and it being so close to the holidays NO ONE came.

If you don't have family near by and would like to get her some play things, I would suggest some kind of summer toys, pails and shovels, pin wheels, bubbles, floaties, and since she is one, I suggest a parent/child swim class. Have some cake and ice cream with the family, take lots of pictures and be done.

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B.R.

answers from Kansas City on

For my daughter's first birthday we bought her a toy box for all those toys that started accumulating. My friend bought her daughter a book shelf and some new books. We always buy them something (one something) and put the rest of the money we have set aside for hte birthday (after the party of course) into a savings account for our kiddos. We do the same for Christmas. Not so many presents and the rest goes to the bank.

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J.W.

answers from Wichita on

When our daughter turned one we got her a wagon to pull her around the neighborhood and the zoo. She loves it! I would get the radio flyer with the canopy, they seem to be the best!

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T.N.

answers from Kansas City on

Grammy & Grampa gave our son a walk behind/ride on toy similar to this one (only like a fire truck) when he was 11 months. It was a BIG hit. (still at hit at age two!)

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2342270

There are a couple different styles - I'd recommend one where you don't have to make any changes to go from walking to riding. Some you can only do one function at a time... not as much fun.

Usually 2 is about the age they can start to understand pedals on a bike/trike... until then push cars are the most fun. A toy like above will promote walking too.

T.

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L.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi C., Get her a toddler play kitchen. My daughter loved hers!

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