One-year-olds are famously more excited by the wrapping paper than the gift. Parents, on the other hand, remember which presents actually got used. The best first birthday gifts grow with a new toddler: things to hug, splash with, climb into and pull off a shelf all by themselves.
Here are our favorites, from small gifts to bigger ones worth going in on together.
Small gifts
A big, huggable friend
The Waddle animal plush is about 16 inches tall and fluffy, in a dinosaur, elephant or otter, with or without a little diaper. It's big enough to feel special and soft enough to carry everywhere. Plush toys stay out of the sleep space for babies under 12 months, so it's a nice one to give right at the first birthday.
A bath toy with no batteries
The Dino waterfall bath toy runs on poured water, with a waterfall, a sprinkle and spinning wheels, and sticks to the tub wall with three suction cups. It comes with a scoop, so bath time turns into pouring practice. For more ideas, see our best bath toys for toddlers.
A cozy knit set
For a winter birthday, the Bow knit hat and scarf set is a matching ribbed beanie and scarf with an embroidered bow, in five colors. Remove the scarf for car seats, naps and playgrounds.
Something a little bigger
A book rack at their height
Low, front-facing books are easier for small hands to choose. The Sunny book rack has a V-shaped cradle that tilts books back, not forward, and a small 12.6-inch footprint that fits on a low shelf or tabletop. Pair it with a couple of board books.
A cuddly companion for story time
The Capy breathing plush has a belly that gently rises and falls, a soft glow and music. It's a lovely story-time cuddle. Batteries aren't included, and an adult should fit them.
A play tent
Toddlers love a space that's just theirs. The Hideout play tent has a roomy 47 by 39 inch footprint, roll-up front curtains and windows, and it folds down when you need the floor back. It's for supervised play, not sleeping, and should be set up away from heaters, lamps and cords.
Bigger gifts (great to go in on together)
A toddler-height toy shelf
A low, open shelf lets a toddler see their toys and choose for themselves. The Juniper Montessori toy shelf is 23.6 inches tall, with five open compartments, and comes with anti-tip anchors and tools. Our Montessori shelf guide shows how to set it up.
A toy and book cart
The Cedar truck cart is a truck-shaped storage cart with a front book pocket and two open shelves. You can choose it with storage bins, 120 building blocks, or both. It's storage, not a ride-on, so little ones shouldn't climb it.
A table and chairs of their own
The Pebble kids table and chair set needs no assembly and wipes clean after snacks and crayons. Choose the table on its own or with one or two chairs, in lots of colors.
For the big brother or sister
Older siblings sometimes need a little something too. The Linden wooden house desk organizer is a house-shaped open shelf for pencils, tape and little treasures, in natural, blue or yellow, sold alone or as a set of three. It's desk storage, not a toy, so keep small supplies away from children under 3.
Gift tips from parents
- Ask about space. Big gifts are wonderful, but check that the family has room first.
- Think one size up for clothing, so it still fits next season.
- Skip noise and batteries unless you know the parents are fans.
Questions parents ask
What do one-year-olds like to play with?
Things they can fill and empty, push, pour, hug and look at. Simple toys with open-ended play last longest.
Is a plush toy OK for a one-year-old?
Soft toys are a classic first birthday gift. Keep them out of the sleep space for babies under 12 months, and check seams from time to time.
What's a good group gift for a first birthday?
Furniture that grows with them, like a toy shelf, a book cart or a table and chairs.
Shopping for an older toddler? See our gift ideas for 2-year-olds.
See more of our favorites in Signature Pieces.
