Gifts for One-Year-Olds

Choosing gifts for one-year-olds can be a daunting task. After all, one cannot rely on past personal experience. Who remembers what they wanted when they were one year old? Still, it is not difficult to pick out a present for a little one when you take their activities into consideration.

Babies are developing tremendously fast at this age. Most have just learned or will soon learn to walk, and they are exploring their world --- honing gross and fine motor skills, and building a vocabulary. Here is a look at some of the best gifts for one-year-old children, whether you are their parent, other family, or friend.

From the time babies learn to stand on their own and pull themselves up to furniture, they begin to work on balance. Because babies carry more weight up top than below, it is easy for them to fall over.

Stand and Play Toys

Toys that encourage baby to stand while exploring textures, shapes, and responses are great for helping a child gain their balance while using their hands to explore.

Activity Walkers

Activity walkers are two toys in one. Not only can baby push the toy, there are fun activities to enjoy. An activity walker that allows a child to walk behind and hold on for balance is a good choice for a child who is not sure of his footing. However, it is important to make sure the toy is well-balanced to avoid unwanted accidents. To be safe, make sure the handle is the appropriate length and there is a good distance between the wheels on the front and back, so that when baby leans on it, it will not flip up. This type of toy helps to build balance, strength, and self-esteem by allowing the child to control the movement.

Babies love music in just about any form. From carry-around baby radios to drums, there are hundreds of toys to stimulate auditory learning and rhythm. If you are buying for someone else's child, jst remember that parents are going to have to listen to the toy. A good rule of thumb is to ask parents before buying a one-year-old a drum or xylophone as a gift.

By the time a baby is one, he or she usually knows how to grab and hold on to toys and other objects. What comes next is learning to use those adorable little fingers as tools. By this age, babies are also able to recognize when something they do has an effect. This is the time that children learn to walk, talk, and solve problems.

This is an exciting time for babies. If you have ever had the pleasure of watching a little face light up when something he does causes a reaction, you realize just how much babies enjoy learning and interacting.

Soft, cuddly blankets and stuffed toys make a nice gift for a one year old. Many children even adopt a favorite blanket doll, or stuffed animal. These comfort a baby when they do not feel well, soothe them to sleep, and help them feel more secure in a new environment.

At one year of age, your child will not remember what you gave her for her birthday, but when you give a gift that will keep on giving, you can help ensure her future or provide an heirloom to be passed down to her own children and grandchildren.

Financial Security

If you have not started a college fund, your child's first birthday is a good time to do so. College costs increase every year and it is never too early to get a good start on the funding. If your child decides not to pursue a degree, the money can be used to support training, a business, or to make a deposit on a home.

Personalized Family Heirloom Gifts for Your One-Year-Old

The Family Portrait

Commission an artist to paint a portrait of your family. You can have the artist place the date of his birthday just below the signature. If this is your first child and you plan to have more, do the same on their first birthdays, and each child will have a permanent image of your family when he or she was one year old. A less expensive option is to have a photograph taken and take the necessary steps to be sure it is well-preserved.

The Family Video

Your child's first birthday is a good time to start a family video collection. Aside from filming your baby's first cake, each of you may wish to film a personal message to your son or daughter. Talk about milestones, glimpses of personality, and wishes for the future. You can even add a slideshow of of photos of him or her from birth to one year old. A personalized video can be a thoughtful and lasting gift on its own, though you can also develop a family tradition by adding to it each birthday.

Two more ideas for yearly additions:

1. Start a scrapbook.
2. Start a quilt that is sized for a one-year-old, and add to it every year. You can personalize it with icons of milestones, quotes, loving messages, or even screenprints that mark important times in his life.

Toys are much safer than they used to be, but sometimes manufacturers use harmful ingredients in paints, or do not test the toys for safety. For some good tips on choosing safe toys, see Shil's hub on safe toys for toddlers.