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Whether you are celebrating the first birthday of your own child, a grandchild, or a friend’s child, finding something for a one-year-old can be a daunting task with all of the toys on the marketplace to choose from. It can be difficult to know what they will like, will it hold up, and what will stand out. Thank goodness you have us to narrow all those toys down to just 10! Below you will find a list of 10 terrific one-year-old birthday gifts at multiple price points!
While we do break this down into two categories, nothing on this list is over $50. You’ll find gifts for under $25, and gifts in the $25 to $50 price range, so we guarantee that out of these ten options, one is sure to fit the bill! For each toy, we considered the educational value, the entertainment value, and the “clean up value,” which we coin as the amount of clean up a parent will have to do once the child is done playing with each toy (and I’ll give you a hint – for most of these toys it is minimal!). We gave each toy a score in each category, with 1 being least of value and 10 being best of value.
Gifts Under $25
Montessori toys have become very popular, and for good reason! They help develop motor skills and problem solving, and foster creativity. This Multi Sensory Shape Toy is the perfect example of that! Children can try to push and pull the shapes through the bands, as well as begin to learn basic shapes. All of the edges are rounded, and the 6 included shapes are just the right size for a toddler to grab (and no where small enough to be a choking hazard).
Educational Value: 7
Entertainment Value: 7
“Clean Up Value”: 4
This Penguin does in fact have cool beats! It teaches the alphabet, opposites, counting and shapes with interactive music and lights, all while bobbing side to side and flapping its wings! It encourages movement in its songs, and even raps (yes, you read that right). This is a tried and true toddler toy, and with 4.8 stars on Amazon, we are not the only ones who think so!
Educational Value: 8
Entertainment Value: 9
“Clean Up Value”: 10
This set of 3 turtle bath toy is sure to provide on-going entertainment during bath time! Not only are they adorable, but each has a wind up gear that when initiated will shoot the turtle across the water at surprising speed! They have a small drain hole as well, so no water will get trapped inside.
Educational Value: 3
Entertainment Value: 7
“Clean Up Value”: 6
LeapFrog has been around since the 1990s, and continues to develop impressive learning products for children at an affordable price. This 100 Words Book is no exception to that! Pages with categories ranging from animals, food, colors, opposites include images that when touched, will play the word, sound effects and fun facts. Everything can be heard in either English or Spanish for a bilingual learning experience as well! Talk about bang for your buck!
Educational Value: 10
Entertainment Value: 6
“Clean Up Value”: 10
Books can be enjoyed at all ages, making this gift timeless. Happy Birthday to You! celebrates uniqueness at it’s finest, and can be read year after year on each birthday. All you need to include is a hand written note inside for your loved one, and you’ve got yourself the perfect low cost gift!
Educational Value: 6
Entertainment Value: 5
“Clean Up Value”: 10
Gifts $25 to $50
With four pages of activities that promote fine motor skills, this Montessori Busy Board is the perfect gift for a child on-the-go! It can be used in restaurants, in the car, or on flights to keep them entertained easily in one simple package, since it has handles and a clasp that secures it shut. With shoelaces, belt buckles, and a clock, this activity also teaches life-skills as they age.
Educational Value: 8
Entertainment Value: 7
“Clean Up Value”: 9
This Magnetic Drawing Board comes with an attached “pen”, four legs which can be removed if desired, and erases in seconds for hours of fun! This gift will introduce coloring without having to buy crayons that may just get broken, or worse, put in the mouth of a curious toddler. This can also be easily taken on-the-go for active families!
Educational Value: 4
Entertainment Value: 7
“Clean Up Value”: 10
With inspiration from our “Hole in One” first birthday theme, we included this Toddler Golf Set perfect for a little golfer! The golf bag can conveniently hold all of the accessories that it comes with, and has a handle, carrying strap, and wheels for easy transport. For less than $30, this gift could be the start of a little golfer’s career!
Educational Value: 5
Entertainment Value: 8
“Clean Up Value”: 3
The list of skills this Toddler Balance Bike can teach speak for itself – balance, coordination, steering, confidence. We could stop there, but it’s also worth mentioning it comes in eight different color options, and has many safety features integrated as well. This one is a no-brainer if you’re budget allows!
Educational Value: 9
Entertainment Value: 8
“Clean Up Value”: 10
Perfect for the sports fans, this 2-in-1 basketball goal and soccer net helps develop motor skills in a fun way! The sports center sits at toddler height, with 2 lightweight and toddler-sized balls to play with. With a scoreboard that can count to ten, and tons of songs, phrases, and sounds, this toy is sure to be a winner!
Educational Value: 7
Entertainment Value: 8
“Clean Up Value”: 7
We know that one, if not a few, of these gift ideas will be perfect for your child in mind, so cross this to-do off your list and give your gift with confidence!
Cheers!
Clink. Cheers. Celebrate.
