Your loved ones invited you to a child’s first birthday, but you’re out of gift ideas? Experts from the gift portal topchuk.com share what to give a boy for his 1st birthday so it’s useful for the child and pleasing to the parents.
A child’s first birthday is a celebration when parents don’t yet need to buy a gift for their little one, but guests feel awkward arriving empty-handed. At the same time, many don’t want to give mundane items like diapers or clothing. We’ve thought it over and compiled ideas for unusual gifts for a boy on his 1st birthday.
Top 5 Best Gift Ideas for a Boy on His 1st Birthday
- For engaging play
By the first birthday, most boys are already starting to stand and take their first steps. In a few more months, the child will begin running around uncontrollably, playing, and exploring the world. At this age, you can captivate a child with a large active toy that they can play with alone or with parents’ involvement.
1. Ride-on toy
This is a car with movable wheels. It’s set in motion by pushing with the feet. Or many models have a handle that parents can use to push it. There are very simple models that more closely resemble a cartoon car, and there are versions with detailed features, like a realistic steering wheel, sounds, instruments, and a dashboard.
- For development
In developmental psychology, the period from 1 to 2 years is called the sensorimotor intelligence stage. At this time, the child doesn’t yet know or understand specific operations but already remembers what actions lead to what results. The toddler tries to find new options and sees where they lead.
2. Interactive developmental toy
These aren’t just sets of blocks but inventions thoughtfully designed by child psychologists. There are models shaped like animals. You insert batteries, and they start giving simple tasks and interacting with the child. For example, inviting them to dance or teaching colors. Another popular type is activity tables. They’re usually more expensive but offer more ways to interact with the child.
- For peaceful sleep
The issue of children’s sleep will concern parents throughout all stages of the child’s growth. While he’s still an unaware toddler, you’ll have to rock him at night. As he grows, new problems arise. There’s an unusual sleep gift you can give a boy on his 1st birthday.
3. Comforter
They’re most often made in the shape of an animal outline. But the body is always in the form of a small blanket. Key requirements: durable fabric and no hard elements. These toys were invented by psychologists.
The idea is that during feeding, the mom places it nearby so it absorbs the smell of milk, which the child associates with safety. After that, the toy can be placed in the boy’s crib. The comforter is often pulled to the mouth, but that’s exactly why it was designed.
- For the nursery interior
A gift for a boy on his 1st birthday doesn’t have to be a toy. You can find a bright item that will enchant the child and delight the parents. That’s why we’ve selected an unusual present.
4. Night light
Today, such a device is inexpensive. Most run on batteries or built-in rechargeable batteries. Gift designs vary, so you can match any boy’s room interior. There are even models with a remote, which can become a small game for parents and the growing toddler.
- To create personal space
In the first years, it’s vitally important for a toddler to stay close to parents. So he may not need a large separate nursery.
But you can provide a space where he can play, hide, and occupy himself. Plus, our next gift is a kind of life hack to limit the play area so toys don’t spread throughout the house.
5. Children’s playhouse or tent
The first are usually made of plastic. More expensive models are wooden. There are options from thick cardboard that can be painted.
Tents are made from durable fabrics, both synthetic and natural. Sometimes they’re supplemented inside with a ball pit. Maybe at exactly 1 year old, the child won’t sit and play there long, but in a couple of months, their own little house will surely win their heart.
Original Gift Ideas
- Children’s play tent
- Play ball
- Talking book
- Educational children’s tablet
- Set of toy dinosaurs
- Toy organizer
- Fairy tale theater
- Boy’s grooming kit
- Bean bag chair
- Children’s hooded blanket
- Soft mosaic
- Sandbox set: figures and shovels
- Table with chair
- Car seat
- Set of boy’s socks
- Rocking toy
- Developmental car arch
- Star sky projector
- Teether set
- Thermometer pacifier
- Bath toy
- Educational booties
- Insert frames
- Set for teaching tooth brushing
- Kite
- Baby monitor
- Magnetic fishing game
- Outdoor play complex
- Bicycle seat
- Photo canvas
- Metrics box
- Large kaleidoscope
- Animal hat
- Set of fabric markers
- Children’s bedding set
- Air ionizer
- Playpen for safe play
- Microphone
- Children’s train set
- Mini trampoline
- Toy steering wheel with bright buttons
- Metallophone
- Water gun
- Set of natural children’s cosmetics
- Dry ball pit
- Floor puzzles
- Electric swing
- Soothing sleep toy
- Musical spinning top
- Kigurumi
- Developmental table
- Animal-shaped rocker
- Warm stroller insert envelope
- Electronic water and air thermometer
- Handprint/footprint kit
- Gift silver spoon
- Scooter
- Swim ring
- Winter overall
- Balance bike
- Play tunnel
- High chair
- Bumper pillows
- Children’s photo album
- Ring toss
- Electric car
- Toy tool set
- Musical mat
- Sled
- Set of soap bubbles
- Children’s bowling
- Set of soft vegetables
- Magnetic drawing board
- Children’s phone
- Terry bathrobe
- Warming toy
- Bouncy ball with horns
- Diaper cake
- Children’s mattress
- Set of towels
- Stroller-sled
- Maze mat
- Personalized fairy tale
- Light-up sneakers
- Baby food
- Robotic fish for bath
- Squishy toy
- Knitted items
- Age-appropriate clothing
- Set to decorate a swing
- Photo poster
- Custom children’s cake
- Stacking cups
- Finger paints for toddlers
- Warm jacket
- Developmental and educational table
- Spill-proof sippy cup
- Warm socks
- Sports outfit
- Interactive book
- Puzzles with large pieces
- Inflatable pool
- Massage mat
- Fairy tale hero costume
- Children’s dish set
- Warming toy
- Personalized growth chart
- Coloring book
- Warm crib blanket
- Home planetarium
- Bouncy ball
- Set of colored chalk
- Finger puppet theater toys
- Colored play dough
- Xylophone
- Toy helicopter
- Shape sorter
- Suit with tie and vest
- Snow boots
- Pyramids of various formats
- Helmet hat
- Warming toy
- Water drawing mat
- Silver spoon
- Wind-up toys
- Orthopedic toddler pillow
- Cute sweater
- Children’s darts
- Poncho towel
- Children’s manicure set
- House slippers shaped like paws
- Rubber boots with print
- Photo pillows with the baby’s image
- Hanging swing
- Money envelope
- Gift box for first curl and tooth
- Sandbox
- Sports complex
- Wind-up robot
- Set of animal figures
- Books for toddlers
How to Choose a Gift for a Boy on His 1st Birthday
- Don’t give small toys or anything that scatters. For example, kinetic sand or play dough are bad choices. The child is more likely to try to eat them than create something. Creative flair in children emerges closer to the second birthday.
- You don’t have to rack your brain over what to choose as a gift for a boy on his 1st birthday. Call the friends or relatives who invited you to the celebration and ask directly: “What do you need?” If you don’t want to ask outright but communicate often, listen carefully to everything young parents say. Surely in conversation, they’ll mention an item the family would like for the baby.
- Don’t give rattles or trinkets, or small toys in general. By 1 year, the boy likely already has plenty. Children don’t play with such items for long anyway.
- Jewelry is a controversial gift. Some like to give silver spoons or chains made of precious metals for a birthday. Not all parents will appreciate such a gift. And it will definitely be indifferent to the child.
- You can always give parents a memorable rather than tangible gift for the boy’s 1st birthday. For example, pay for a photo session or compile a photo album. Many modern moms document every sigh of the baby on their Instagram. You can download photos and videos from there and turn it into a memorable video about the first year of life.
- There’s also a list of toys to avoid when choosing a gift for a boy’s first birthday: radio-controlled cars and other tech, soft toys, because they won’t hold the child’s interest for long.
- If you can’t decide on a gift at all and don’t want to spend time, simply give the parents a certificate to a children’s store. Fortunately, there are many today. As an option, present a universal card to a large shopping center that has a floor with children’s goods.
Author: S. Quill
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