First Birthday Gifts: Ideas for a One-Year-Old Girl or Boy

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A first birthday is more for the parents than the baby, yet the gift should still be useful and safe. At one, children learn to walk, explore objects with hands and mouth and start to talk, so the best gifts support that development. Here are gift ideas for a one-year-old — developmental, practical, keepsakes and for the parents — plus what to avoid. For newborns, see christening gift ideas. For older kids, see gifts for boys.

More on this topic: gift ideas for everyone, first birthday wishes, flowers for a child.

Developmental toys

• For first steps: a push walker with a handle, a ride-on or push car and big soft balls, which encourage walking and balance.
• For hands and logic: a shape sorter, stacking rings, soft blocks, a busy board, bath toys or sandpit moulds — all with large pieces and no small parts.
• For language: board books with big pictures, touch-and-feel books and musical toys with animal sounds.As the child grows, see gift ideas for 2- and 3-year-olds.

Practical gifts

• Clothes a size up (children grow fast), first shoes only if you know the size, bedding, suction-base tableware or a backpack for nursery later.
• Check big items such as a table and chair, a ball pit or a slide with the parents first to avoid duplicates and space problems.

Girl or boy at one: does it matter?

At one, children’s interests barely depend on gender: girls and boys alike love push-along toys, shape sorters, balls, musical toys and board books. The difference is mostly colour or design. People often choose a soft doll, a toy pram or soft textiles for a girl and a ride-on car, big blocks or a toy tool set for a boy. But it’s best to follow the child’s temperament: something that encourages movement for an active toddler, books and sensory toys for a calmer one.

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A first-birthday gift from godparents

Godparents often give something memorable and lasting for a first birthday: an engraved silver spoon or cup, a box for the first tooth and curl, a framed birth record, an illustrated children’s Bible or a first ride-on bike. A lovely tradition is to add a letter every year for the godchild to read when they’re older.

Keepsakes

• A ‘My First Year’ photo book, a hand and foot print kit, a personalised birth poster or a silver spoon are treasured for years.
• For warm words on the card, see first birthday wishes.For the party itself — traditions, food and decor — see first birthday party ideas.

Gifts for the parents

• The first year is a big milestone for the parents too. Give a family photo shoot voucher, help with the party, a cake, ‘1’ balloons or flowers for mum.
• See flowers for a child for bouquets for mum and the little one, and gifts to add to flowers for extras.

Safety and what to avoid

• Check the ‘12+ months’ label and safety certification, and avoid small parts, magnets, button batteries, toys with strong smells and long cords.
• Skip sweets, very loud toys and a tenth teddy bear. If unsure, ask the parents what they need, or give money in a nice envelope towards a bigger purchase.
• More ideas for children of all ages are in the ‘Children’ section of our gift ideas hub.

Party extras and gifts with delivery

We deliver helium balloons, a soft toy or a bouquet for mum across Kyiv and Ukraine in time for the party, with a card carrying your words.

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See balloons and soft toys.

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FAQ

What should I give a one-year-old?

A push walker or ride-on, a shape sorter, stacking rings, board books, bath toys or a ‘My First Year’ photo book.

What about a one-year-old girl?

A soft fabric doll, a musical toy, a push walker, touch-and-feel books or a pretty dress a size up.

And for a one-year-old boy?

A ride-on, a push car, a shape sorter, soft blocks, balls or a busy board.

What should I avoid?

Toys with small parts, magnets or button batteries, sweets and very loud toys.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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