First birthday gift ideas? Reader Q&A

Monday 15 August

First birthday gift ideas? Reader Q&A

It's time for first birthdays! I have two parties coming up; one boy and one girl. Then my own baby girl will celebrate her first this fall. So what are some gift recommendations for this new stage of development? -Elaine

Yay for first birthdays! Time for walking, talking, eating and basically getting into everything with even more vigor than a ten-month old. Here are some of my favorite gift ideas for that very special milestone. -Christina

Books are my #1 favorite gift for kids of any age, though I think they look especially adorable stacked up in P'Kolino's Book Buggee. Now toddlers can drag their favorite stories from room to room.

It's a seat, it's a storage bin, it's a step stool: The MultiBox is colorful, looks great just sitting in the corner of their room and it's even biodegradable.

We know a lot of one-year-olds who would get plenty of rocking time on Playsam's sleek, gorgeous rocking horse. Made from wood and paints from Germany, it's so cool looking, it'd look great in any room of the house. A splurge, for sure, but a very special gift for a big birthday.

You still have a little time before the wonders of LEGO explode across your floor, but get them started young with Green Toys' toddler-friendly building blocks.

A birthday crown is always great for photo ops - and trust us, the kiddo will only love it more as the years go on. Some of our favorite handmade fabric crowns come from Cakies (shown), Chloe in Style, Kate Landers, and Cozy Blue.

Want something a bit more sentimental? We love artist Ida Pearle's custom name prints which would make a lovely keepsake for a bedroom.

For even more birthday gift ideas, check out our archives.

Find More: Art+Decor (Sounds Fancy), Ask Cool Mom Picks, Toys and Other Playthings

4 Comments

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island girl | August 15, 2011 2:33 PM | Reply

The Land of Nod seat is a great gift for first year as well!! The book buggee is perfect.. Also, love a big pack of Haba blocks! So creative! Happy shopping!!

Jen | August 15, 2011 4:48 PM | Reply

My twin boys turned one in November and the toys they still enjoy all these months later are their ride-ons, Megabloks and a V-Tech school bus with numbers, colors and music. However, the very best gift they received was a season family pass for the zoo. We have used that thing like crazy and it never gets old. Plus there are not lots of pieces to keep track of (I am looking at you, Megabloks...) WIN WIN. Seriously, consider a zoo or a museum membership, perhaps even go in with others invited to the party. For sure for your own kid. We knew ours would get TONS of toys so we got them the zoo pass. We were right, every person came to the party with TWO toys under their arms.

bicyclist mama carie | August 21, 2011 11:46 PM | Reply

I second the membership(s)! We lobby hard for this at Christmas and birthdays- as our family grows the grandparents and godparents have seen/heard how fun it is!& they go with when they come to visit. I'm going to ask about gc to a rock wall,& trampoline place for my two older ones this time, while baby is in tow.
cheers for doing and moving.

American Bridal | August 26, 2011 7:38 AM | Reply

yeah, I second the membership(s)! We lobby hard for this at Christmas and birthdays- as our family grows the grandparents and godparents have seen/heard how fun it is!& they go with when they come to visit. I'm going to ask about gc to a rock wall,

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