To ask for ideas for a 1 year olds birthday!

[Ihavealwaysknown]

Dd is shortly turning 1!

We have ordered her a teepee, but have a lot of family asking what to get her for her birthday. We got around her christening by asking for books, and she has a wardrobe full of clothes as she is a slow grower! So, I need help! Any suggestions on things we could direct people to for her birthday?

😊

Ball pool, tea set, sandpit, water table,

My LO has a ball pit! You could also ask for toys that she’ll grow into like building blocks or puzzles or animal figures.

Sounds like she doesn’t need anything? You could always tell people they don’t need to bring a present?

I should have said, we have tried the no present angle but that isn’t going down... she’s first grandchild 🙄

You could ask for classic toys that she'll grow into like blocks, Duplo, brio train set, but then you have the problem of storing it all and then...what do you ask for next year?

If they're close friends/family and wouldn't be offended, I'd open a savings account for her and tell them to make a little donation if they want to.

Otherwise maybe a terms worth of activity classes or an annual pass to a local attraction?

Set up a savings account in her name and ask for money instead of gifts? No point in filling your house with crap you don't need just because other people feel the need to buy stuff.

Ok then. Wooden building blocks. Schleich Animal figures last for ever. Duplo Lego, won’t build it much but yet but still fun. Vehicles. Wooden Ball run. Tea set/cooker. Shakers. You drum. Look up Montessori toys for 1 year olds - good ideas. Also myriad online has lovely things.

“Toy drum” not “you drum”

Baby rocking horse, first doll or push along pram, abacus, xylophone, musical instruments, Jack in a box. Or set her up a bank account, I think thats a good idea. We did. But I do appreciate people will want to give a toy.

Stacking cups!
Chalkboard and chalk (if you have space a big A frame one is great)

Oh and wooden fruit which Velcro’s together-surprisingly expensive! But much played with even at age 3.

Yes - Velcro fruit. Brilliant idea. Lots of use for quite a while too. I think our brand is Big Jigs?

@worsethingshappen
But I don’t want to drum. You drum! 🥁

Wooden train track. My DD was 11 and sad when she realised it had been donated to younger family members.

I would ask for clothes or vouchers for clothes as I have 6 children and the amount of toys they get is shocking 😂. Depends also on the amount of clothes or toys you already have.
Or just vouchers towards a new cot or bed maybe helpful

Tell the grandparents that DD would love to stay over at theirs for night as a birthday treat. Then sleep solidly for 12 hours when she's there.

Wooden building blocks were my DC's favourite at that age. You can't have too many.

Open her an ISA and pay her money in there and if any one would like to donate then great.

Grimms
My 1 yr old really liked the play kitchen at that age, even though they were technically too young, they loved opening the doors and drawers. We had so much use out of it.

You could ask them to buy a set of Doll's House furniture / figures etc. Each and build up a collection for when she's older?

Bedding

Pyjamas / night gown / dressing gown

Rug for the floor.

Night light.

Other room decoration.

Are all things I've requested if the onslaught of toys got too much and people were desperate to buy.

^ sorry, Grimms and play kitchen are separate things in the post above.

I meant Grimms wooden toys e.g. The rainbow.

We got our play kitchen from gltc and it's lasted 13 yrs.

Premium Bonds

At 1, my little one’s favourite presents were a doll, mini kitchen and a little tykes car. If you’ve got a garden then outdoor toys like a small slide or see saw would be good as you’ll get a lot of use over the summer.

What about a trip to the zoo, aquarium, city farm or soft play and they come with you....

Do you have a garden? It was my son’s first birthday a couple of weeks ago and I asked for money to buy outdoor toys (house is already full of toys!) so bought him a slide, swing and a sand & water table.

If you haven't got a play kitchen yet then they are a great investment. You can then limit the volume of toys by requesting wooden food and accessories, which cost more and will be self-contained within the kitchen (and are much nicer TBH). As recommended by PPs the velcro food you can 'cut' is still very popular here with my 2.5 and 4.5yo. We have the pizza instead of the velcro fruit/veg.
My DCs spend hours playing shop, taking it back to cook it, then a picnic with their teddies. We bought it when DC1 was 18mo, but DC2 was using it as soon as she was able to pull herself up and stand at it (9mo?). The kitchen has been the best value for money of any toy so far both in longevity and hours spent on it.

Schleich animals are also a good investment that last well and don't take up too much space (and are played with a lot here). The only issue with this is people thinking that any old brand will do and buying double the amount of cheap knock-offs.

Happy Land has been really good and used from 12mo.

Cozy coupe for the garden. Bulky, but not kept in the house.

Scuttle bug is great plus it folds up quite small when not in use.