Best Gift for 1 Year Old

Can you ask his parents? I personally prefer not getting toys for my daughter, and told everybody that we love books and music (which she does) - she still enjoys those, whereas she has outgrown much of her baby toys.

-- so much depends on this 1 year olds' life--- does he stay at home?? - Does his Dad work with tools? - Does the little guy walk?? -- If NOT ( if he's not walking yet - or is unsteady on his feet) -- a toy he can push along or ride on would be SUPER -- if Dad works with tools- a miniature free standing tool set up - or if the little one has siblings who love sports - small-size ball set ups are fun- Even a toy kitchen would be adored by little boys who spend a lot of time watching grown ups cook- this age loves to imagine and copy behaviours and feel '''big'' --SO fun.

Blessings,
J.
aka- old Mom

My kids loved bath toys (we have the ABC's, a house building set, some floating fishies, bath paints, tablets that change the color of the water, etc). They are 6 and 3 now and still play with most of them in the bath.

Just a couple suggestions:
a ride on toy (chicco makes nice ones)
fisher price bouncing zebra
toys to pull
a play kitchen or tool bench (if walking)
cars (parents makes a great set of 4 that pull and go)
ball pit balls (they come in a set of 100 or so)
a small inflatable pool or something similar for the balls
puppets (at least the size of both your fists put together)
chunky puzzles
duplo lego type blocks (are big enough not to choke on)
wedgits (wee-wedgits are softer and might be good to start)
bubbles (gymboree ones are the best!)
crayons and a coloring book maybe, depends on the kid
musical toys (parents makes a great set! bee bop drum I think)
a toy stroller (yes, boys like them too!)
a special doll or stuffed animal
books, books, books!!!!

Depending how well you know the parents, a gift certificate for them to go out to dinner together without their active little one! :) You can also just ask the mom or dad what the boy is interested in or what he might need. Contributing to an education fund is always appreciated with the parents I know.

i'd say give mum topics and ask...like

"Between: art, books, music, nerf, & bathtoys...which would your son like best for his birthday?"

That way she's not scrambling to come up with something, or denies a gift out of politeness/"we have too much stuff! syndrome"

Little Tikes coupe (little red and yellow car) by far my son's favorite toy from his first birthday (he is now almost 4 and still plays with it)...we have it inside (small house, but wanted it to be inside for the winters)- not sure of your price range, but it is great. Also, the basketball hoop is popular, manipulatives like lego. A toy kitchen is good at that age.

Usually one year olds are fairly new walkers and toys that they can pull along, like a wooden dog or duck are a fun gift. Push toys are good too. I especially recommend a wooden simple push toy that can become lots of different things as he pretends and grows (lawnmower, vacuum, motorcycle...).

The leapfrog learning ABC magnets, They are awsome play music and teaching ABC every time they play with it. My son by 18 months can sing abc from that toy. He dances, jumps and puts letter and it says letter and sound and if you push abc button it sings the abc song. Really NEat!

Okay, there is this toy that kids love (especially rambunctious kids) and there are many different versions of it in different brands but the basic idea is that there is a structure with 4 ball-sized holes in it and 4 balls that sit on top of the holes and a hammer with which you hammer the balls to make them pop through the hole and roll down to the bottom of the structure. Is this making sense? The balls roll out, the kid sticks them back on the holes and them hammers them all over again. Repeat. Repeat. They love it and can focus on it for a long time. I kind of like it, even. There's something satisfying about hammering them through :)

Books, no question. Check in with a local children's book store if you need/want suggestions - there are some wonderful and beautiful very-appropriate-for-the-first-birthday books out there.

My son is VERY active. We gave him a little "bike" (really a push bike) and those giant toddler legos. He really liked both. But he mostly liked the ribbons I put up for decorations and the stickers I made. I think art supplies are fun for that age too. Crayola makes a great line of washable markers, crayons, and stamps. Crayons and a couple of pads of paper might be really good. They help my active toddler focus and settle down at times.

Good luck!

A toy Tonka dump truck that he can ride. It will last forever.

My son got this set of 4 cars and he just loves them. So do all the little ones that come over to play. My husband even wants a set for himself, they are adorable.
http://www.childtrek.com/infant-baby-learning-toys/wooden...

BALLS=safe, like spongy/nerf or larger/softball size to throw, roll or even rolling up a pair of socks for a sock ball.

WALKER/BIKE=those toys they can hold on to and push to walk and then transform into a trike/bike to sit on.

PLAY GYM=those huge climbing blocks that are big cushions/mats like they have at a gym. expensive, but great to help climb/slide. OR even an extra or old crib mattress (covered in a waterproof & childproof liner) to climb/bounce/roll on/off.

We also get a mylar balloon every year, tie to a safe/soft but heavier toy and cut the length of the string so that it is at a safe tummy height and then they can chase it or pull it at their level.

-j

I've seen this topic come up before and I just had to post a few of our favorite things. I thought I would just add my last post. I hope you find that perfect gift. Of course, it depends on the child...but these are the things that have been favorite and lasted in our home:

Some of our favorites that we still use at almost 3 years old (and even our 10 year old) and have given as gifts:

Soft Play Climbers (our son still is absolutely thrilled with our set but you do need space to set up). This is a hit with every kid that comes over.

Round seesaw with handles (jumps on this from the time he was 1…loves it and has been a huge help in balance and coordination skills). They can't stay off it.

Plasma car (rides around our dining table….we have wood floors. Does not work on carpet. Our daughter has one too and even the adults participate in plasma car races…a great investment). Everyone loves these toys when they come over!

Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center (by Step2…this item is something we use indoors and outdoors and fill with a variety of items throughout the years).

Naturally Playful Woodland Climber (currently inside, downstairs…a great addition to active play).

We found these items online through craigslist and sensoryedge.com. There are many items on my wishlist but the above items have helped with those busy days or days we can’t be outside. Good luck!!!