First birthdays are a monumental milestone for parents. High five! You did it! You survived and thrived through the first year of your child’s life and such a milestone certainly calls for a celebration. Even after having three children in the past six years, I still find myself eager to celebrate each and every first birthday.
You’ve ordered the smash cake, and picked out the cutest theme, but now you are probably wondering what do you buy for a first birthday gift? Hitting age 1 is a tricky spot where you are teetering on the edges of babyhood and toddlerhood--all at the same time.
My favorite first birthday gifts to give and receive are those that will grow with the child. A few things that I look for in gifts are toys that are interactive, have educational elements and/or help my child burn off some energy. Here is a little gift guide to 5 of my very favorite VTech® toys for a baby’s first birthday that hit all of these criteria!
There is nothing a one-year-old loves more than balls! This toy is perfect---it is interactive with a scoreboard that counts and plays over 65 different songs. I love that this toy helps keep your little one active and using their muscles to kick the soccer ball into the goal or slam dunk a basketball! It’s geared for ages 1-3, but it is still a favorite with my almost 4-year-old!
The Stroll & Discover Activity Walker is what I credit for helping to teach my little ones how to walk. You can remove the front panel on it and use it on the floor as a standalone toy, or keep it attached to the front of the walker. I love that the wheels have two different speed settings, so a new walker can find their balance as they push the toy. The removable cell phone is also always a HUGE hit with my kids!
Books are one of my very favorite gifts to give. VTech’s interactive Touch & Teach Sea Turtle not only tells a story, but has buttons, lights and sounds to keep even the littlest one’s attention. It even has a carrying handle so that your little one can haul it around as he or she learns about sea creatures. We love using this on long car rides.
The Pop-a-Balls Push & Pop Bulldozer is a great way for little ones to start becoming familiar with numbers and have fun! It comes with little balls that pop up as you push it with the handle, making fun noises along the way. It also counts the balls as they pop and plays fun songs.
Ride-on toys are the ultimate first birthday gift. This galloping pony starts as a rocking horse for young ones when they are still learning to balance, then transforms into a ride-on pony! One of the coolest features of this toy is that it has motion sensors. It uses these to make noises and play sounds to interact with your child when he or she walks by.
First birthdays are such a special time! Soak in the celebration, enjoy watching your little one open their gifts and explore their new treasures, and pat yourself on the back for rocking the first 365 days. These precious early days of childhood sure go by too quickly!
Mandy Roberson is a certified childbirth educator, mom of 3 and founder of Momma Society--the community for modern moms. She loves holidays and making memories with her children. In her free time you will find her crafting and creating fun printables for Magic Playbook--a monthly digital subscription for moms.