Gift Ideas for a First Birthday

image: @hellomaypole

I’ve been all over the place trying to think of what to get Henry for his first birthday (holy cow… we have two weeks to get everything done… agh). We were originally thinking a play kitchen but we figured with summer coming and him being outside a lot more we’d get him something more summery and hold off and make the kitchen a Christmas gift.

If you’re looking for gift ideas for a first birthday, here are some of the items we considered:

 

Wooden BalanceBike – Convert from Tricycle to 1+

Most balance bikes are designed for 1.5-2, even 3-year-olds (if you have someone that age, I can’t recommend this ADORABLE balance bike enough…) but a reader recommend Kinderfeets and said her nephew was riding a bike at a super young age thanks to starting young on a balance bike. I love that you can adjust the seat height of this Trike turned Bike Balance Bike – this right now is the leading contender and likely what we’re getting him. We’ll hopefully get a lot of use out of this summer!

We may get this Wishbone one which has won awards for safety and design and the reviews are so incredible although it would be big splurge… :/ eh advice?! Anyone own either of these? I see the Kinderfeets has mixed reviews.

 

Little Climber Montessori Pikler Triangle

This was our number one gift idea for H, and I was actually ordering it for him when my dad was over and he saw and said he wanted to give it to him for his first bday which was very generous and unexpected. These climbers are really great gifts because it lasts them years – my 4-year-old niece was just over this past weekend and wouldn’t stop playing with it so I really love that this will last a while as opposed to a few months, as well!

 

Unicorn Outdoor Swing

So I think this will be the second item Henry gets for this bday in addition to the balance bike… we are going to hang it on our front porch which has a little terrace built out already. I got the idea from Katie Kett who put one in her basement for her boy and he loooves it.

 

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Hoop

Most one-year-olds love putting items in containers and Henry especially loves throwing balls into buckets and bowls. This Little Tikes hoop steps it up a notch and has adjustable height to grow as he does.

 

Radio Flyer Town & Country Wagon

A wagon is a great idea! I love the style of the country wagon – but this plastic one with seats and a canopy is definitely more practical!

 

Some Extra Special Clothes

There are so many cute clothing brands out there that make extra special gifts – Childhoods ClothingJuniper Baby, and our most favorite sleepwear Mori.

 

Play Kitchen

A lot of people DID recommend a play kitchen for first birthday even though we are going to wait. I know Henry would enjoy it now – he loves opening and closing cabinet drawers and playing with bowls and fake food… they pull themselves on it. My favorite budget-friendly one is the Magnolia Hearth and Hand kitchen (it’s beautiful and currently on clearance for $69!), and my favorite splurge kitchen is the Pottery Barn Kids Chelsea 3-in-1 kitchen! We’ll likely get this for H at Christmas – note it’s often 25% like right now! And this grey kitchen set is similar to the Chelsea but half the price!

Tent or Teepee

Henry already has one of these but this checkered option is darling. So fun to create a magical little space with their books, blankets, and animals in it! This white one is $42!

 

Baby Pool

Love love love this baby pool from Target – it will go with out rooftop decor perfectly! 🙂

 

I’ve heard from all my friends and siblings with kids that a water table is a great idea, as well, for the roof deck!

 

Stacking Blocks and Cups

Henry received these toddler stacking blocks and they immediately became e a daily favorite.

 

These colorful stacking cups are also great for a one-year-old! Only $2.99 at Ikea!

 

Toddler Beach Chair with Umbrella

I shared on Instagram a photo of Henry in his new beach chair w/ umbrella and had a ton of requests as to the source but I really don’t know where it’s from… I found the one above on Amazon but the reviews raen’t awesome but that looks exactly like what he got. He climbed right into it when we opened it up. Etsy also has a gagillion options and you can add the child’s name to them! Here’s another cute, affordable option from Walmart!

 

Night Sky Nightlight

Last but not least, Henry received a Twilight Buddies night sky nightlight that beams stars and a moon onto his ceiling. He. is. obsessed. We leave it on and he falls asleep looking up at it. He’s recently gotten into pointing out the moon and stars in his all of his books so this gift came at the perfect time.

 

Other great gifts IMO for one-year-olds are board books, cute summer clothes, and beach toys!

We LOVE Cuddle and Kind and Bla Bla dolls – they make great gifts!

 

Favorite Baby Board Books I Recommend:

Never Touch a… Monster, Dinosaur, etc. series

This flip a flap book series Henry is obsessed with – $18 for all four books! Definitely recommend.

Also looove this Hello, World! book series – we have Solar System, Backyard Bugs, Weather – but plan on collecting the whole set eventually! Highly recommend.

His new favorite book he received for his bday: Giraffe is Lost. Most one-year-olds love board books that have flaps for them to open and close and this one has exactly that!

 

What did you get your little one for their first birthday?

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