What was the best present your child got for their first birthday?

[TinySleepThief]

So there is a small person in the family turning 1 very soon and I need your help with awesome present ideas.

I ideally want a gift which will last a while rather than be a 5 minute novelty. They don't have much outdoor space so nothing like a playhouse would work.

Child doesn't really have any interests and the present could be open ended and wooden or plastic as there is no real preference, they have and play with both types of toys. Budget is not an issue.

What super awesome gifts did your 1 year old get that made a lasting impression? Ideas would be super appreciated, thanks in advance.

If money really is no object a triclimb and miri slide attachment - a pikler triangle and slide basically but very well and safely made. This is what we bought DS for his first birthday. He’s played with it everyday since.

Other presents he received which were big hits include:
Leapfrog picnic hamper shape sorter
Mega blocks and duplo
Lanka kade woodland animals set
Grimms stacking cups
Play food set - just a cheapy one from B&M
Squeaky eggs
Books - Go, Go, Pirate Boat; anything by Rachel Bright and we got him a special personalised book from papier titled “all the things I wish for you”.

DS1 got a cuddly donkey with a zip, button, toggle, laces etc to learn how to do different fastenings. Hes almost 16 and Donkey still sleeps next to his pillow

Actually can't remember what else he got!

An old fashioned dog on wheels called Bertie Woofter.

Happy Birthday! Easy - climbing triangle with a slide (best bit - flips into a ramp). I gave my son a Pikler for his 1st birthday - it has been used every day (he's now 2 and a half) and just loves it. Climbs, jumps, makes dens, slides cars/balls/teddies down the ramp. It folds up behind any sofa, we have ours in 2 bed flat but I also take it outside to the communal grassy area when sunny. Am expecting him to love it until he's about 5 - as my niece is now 6 and she still comes and plays with it (in the old days LOL!) This was the one we got - shoppompom.com/products/colourful-climbing-triangle-climbing-frame?_pos=2&_sid=8c4cf30df&_ss=r

Thanks for all the great suggestions. There were some I has thought of but loads of new ideas to consider. It's also been lovely to hear about the toys still used by your older children and even teens, I'm hoping what ever I choose will be as well loved as some of these toys were.

My little boy loves his cozy coupe!

Bottle of wine for the parents :)
Honestly, a baby has no idea at that age, the parents would be much more appreciative!
For the baby, anything that make a noise will be loved!

As I said above. My DDs loved their baby books. I would have thought someone a bit odd if they had given me wine. Babies and toddlers learn more from age 0-3 than at any other time in their lives so a bottle of wine is a bit not getting the idea behind the thread. It was ideas for lasting toys. Something to make a noise might be a bit useless down the line as well as maddening for the parents.

couple of classic books- hungry caterpiler/peepo - thats not my .... (monster was fave) this site has a fab list - some not so well known - all relaly good www.lovemybooks.co.uk/0-3-years

a really large pearlised balloon - was probably the fave on the day

a push truck with blocks - not walking freely by then but loved it...make sure you get one they can tighten the wheels so it doesn't run too fast

click clack car track - thinks that what they are called its like a zig zag..

maracas/jingle bells hand held - thanks mum !

I would get a good single function thing rather than a multifunction toy

outside we had a hideous plastic little tikes cube- great hit but v ugly am envious of the lovely looking wooden thing!

bottle of champagne and dinner for the parents....

Dc1 doll's tea set in a suitcase. Suitcase is still very much in use to store hair bobbles etc, at 13. I use the cups for measuring out laundry powder. They are still occasionally retrieved to play with by DC2 (9).

DC2 a ride on trike, very well loved, and passed down to cousins who love it too.

A friend got dd a child size ceramic mug. It seems an odd present for a 1 year old (and we didn’t use it to start as she was just learning to drink from an open cup). But she’s 7 now and I’m pretty sure it’s the only first birthday gift we even still have!

We kept the books! I forgot Peepo! Great book. You do find lots of toys don’t last long at all but sometimes a house full of toys is overwhelming. A mug for later is a great idea.

A playpen

Scuttlebug, IKEA kitchen, fisher price piggy bank, fisher price singing teapot and tea set, outdoor mud kitchen, bubble machine, brio pull along wooden dog, fisher price dog and frog house, fisher price lunchbox, Tomy hide and squeak eggs. These are all things my littles were given with when small and are still played with 5 years later! Plenty of other toys and come and gone, but these ones never make the charity pile as they're still so well used. Playmobil is always a good investment and can be added to as they grow, but watch out for the tiny weeny parts, the 1,2,3 stuff is good for younger kids, otherwise you end up confiscating the majority of pieces until they're much older.

@BubblesBuddy I guess my point was that I think it doesn't really matters at that age. Best to spend the thought and money when they are older in my opinion. I think it's hard to know what is appreciated at that age.

A personalized lullaby www.auraskymusic.com/product/babblesong/#anglais

My ds really liked the happyland train set. The train moves round by itself when the driver is in it. It was played with constantly from 1-2.5 years and he still plays with it occasionally at 3. He also really liked the happyland robin hood castle- that is still played with daily.

We got our now 9 year old a circus style pop up tent from Ikea for his first birthday - we still have it and our 4 year old plays with/in it all the time!

Bicycle seat (for my bike) and helmet. Years of fun.

Ladybug92. I think it does matter in two counts: firstly to not waste money on tat and secondly to choose something lasting. Children learn most from age 0-3. So anything that assists that is better than a bottle of wine.

@BubblesBuddy they do learn mostly through that age but they do not need expensive gifts to learn. Their parents' attention and care is the most important. I found it's hard to know what children will like at that age.

You can have your opinion without dissing others' opinions. The OP didn't request you discuss the validity of other posters choices. I have children of my own in that age group and am allowed to comment based on my own experience.

@Rockbird we had a little trike like that too (minus the trailer) when my don now 17 was 1. Its served many children and is now on number 7. Absolutely the most popular toy. They all still play with it even the bigger ones. It's in perfect condition too.
A play teepee from aldi is quite good as you can fold it up in the corner or put it outside or on the patio on a warm day.
A small IKEA table and chairs and toy food is good, you can gry velcro bits to cut up and plates to serve it on...I always get given a toy wine glass!

Best - Indoor tent and ball pit balls - still plays with them age 4.

Worst - Wooden walker with wooden blocks, very dangerous for our ankles! Sold it at a nearly new sale (and bought a thomas train and peppa pig keyboard both of which are still around)

www.argos.co.uk/product/4125606?istCompanyId=a74d8886-5df9-4baa-b776-166b3bf9111c&istFeedId=c290d9a9-b5d6-423c-841d-2a559621874c&istItemId=ixitixxpt&istBid=t&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157%7cacid:629-618-1342%7ccid:9560115721%7cagid:101739071687%7ctid:pla-888233213256%7ccrid:422913086556%7cnw:g%7crnd:14540068718885043353%7cdvc:m%7cadp:%7cmt:%7cloc:9046942&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=9560115721&utm_term=&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=101739071687&utm_custom2=629-618-1342&gclid=Cj0KCQjws_r0BRCwARIsAMxfDRih6ROfhYr4N5B0hAEbermTeqOqvijYh5jZmnhAiRfyaM_mbBe1ajAaAnm8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is an excellent toy. My DD got it for her 1st and still plays with it now she's nearly 5.