I have money for 1 year old - please inspire me, what on earth can I buy?

[EdwardCullenCanHaveMySoul]

Dd had quite a bit of money for her 1st birthday, we're not sure what to get her as she has had most things handed down by her cousin e.g. walkers / clothes / big toys etc.

We know that she will get a fair bit for Christmas as well (most other relatives also seem stuck on what to get her!).

I reckon that come new year we'll have around £200 and not a clue on what to spend it.

So, has anyone got any ideas? I'd like to get her something large rather than squander it on little bits. I know I could just put it away and save it but she gets so little that's new, I'd like to splash out on her this once

Do you have any space? If I had space and money I'd buy my dd a little playhouse. There are some lovely wooden ones available, especially in garden centres. She adores pretend play, especially cooking and ironing and a little house would make her year.

I'd probably buy a nice kitchen. There are some lovely wooden ones, the Pintoy one isn't too large, or there are bigger ones if you've lots of room. Try GLTC or Letterbox or ELC.

Or an indoor playhouse- Win Green do some lovely (albeit expensive) ones in a smaller size and I also like the Dreamtown Rose Petal Cottage, it says 3-8 years but I can't see why. You can get it and all the stuff that goes with from the Early Learning Centre (plus loads of other places stock it).

have you got a wheely bug?

we had the same thing when dd was born, at first i did want to buy something but as she has every thing we have decided to wait a bit, add any money she gets this xmas to it and take her to euro disney with the money instead

What about a climbing frame if you have a garden? The TP ones are suitable from 12m on the toddler setting and will last until she is around 8 years. Good investment for 1st birthday money I think.

I second the original wheely bug, we got one as a gift for our DS when he was 1 month (!!!)(excited grandparents)and it has been the one toy above all others which has got most use. He flies around on it now (he is 3) and his little brother who is one pushes it around like a trolley. Just get the bigger size, not the little one. Or a heavy wooden trolley with a seat and space for bricks/things. They get great use out of that, and push each other around on it.

Put it all in a bank account which you can use when she needs anything big, like garden swings, bike etc.

Or better still, leave it there until she needs it for a new car!

There really is no point in spending money on tiny toddlers just for the sake of it.

I'd buy somethign really nice for now like a wheely bug and put the rest away until summer to get a climbing frame/swing/playhouse for the garden.

It seem wrong not to give them something, eh? But at 1 they don't understand the concept of presents, and nearly every one else will buy then something and you'll be drowning in stuff.
as others have said, you could save the money for a larger purchase later on, put it in a savings account, or how about an Annual pass to somewhere close by, zoo\farm/playcentre?

what about a beautiful wooden Noah's ark and the animals.

Can't rememeber who makes it, but I saw one at a friends house once and I wanted one for me, never mind the dc's!

Do you need to spend it? could'nt you put it in a account for when she is older?

If you realy want to spend it maybe, a wooden toy kitchen, dolls house, rocking horse, playhouse or some kind of climbing frame.

So sorry! Had a household disaster just after I posted the message!
Right, will read thread now...:

Ooo some excellent ideas! Thank you m'net
I love the wheelybug, they have those at the toddler group and she does love them.
Space is something we're not big on, either in the house or garden unfortunately. I do like the idea of getting her a garden toy that fits though.
Thanks again for all the ideas, lots of food for thought