1st birthday

[Timekeepspassing]

I’m looking for suggestions for toys for my Son who is turning 1 in October. (Little early but relatives are starting to ask now). I had planned to rely on seeing what he enjoyed playing with at groups and what others had. But lockdown scuppered that so anything your children loved please let me know.

He isn’t fully crawling yet (lots of dragging himself across the room) or really making moves to walk but I was thinking of a push along walker but all ears for suggestions.

Thanks

My mum got a push along thing that turns into a scooter so it will last a long time. DD loves that and also the slide my sister bought (she is a summer born though so weather for it).

www.johnlewis.com/skip-hop-zoo-3-in-1-ride-on-fox-toy/p4815473

www.argos.co.uk/product/1475407

It’s a bit early to know what stage your baby will be at so I’d go for stuff that they will grow into or at least enjoy for a while. We also got the usual gifts of books and clothes, which are always welcome. Ask for winter stuff (puddle suits etc.) in a generous size and keep gift receipts so you can exchange.

Our DD just turned one and some of the gifts she’s enjoying..

Activity table
Building blocks
Little sort and shape picnic basket toy
Winter jackets
Voucher for first shoes

I’m still toying with getting her a swing for the garden as she loves the one at the park!

I suppose there's a handful of toys that are good for kids to have:

-physical activity: ball, bicycle, garden play, skipping rope

-cuddly/caring toys: teddy, baby, pretend play (doctor, cooking...)

-stem: building blocks, cars, train set, puzzles

-art/music: (at this age, magnetic board is amazing!! Very versatile!)

I find that if I keep to this list and just increase "difficulty" with age appropriate toys, it reduces the excess and unnecessary purchases that aren't very educational. (Still have a lot of toys! But could be way worse!)

Thanks everyone. Really helpful. Just lots of family asking. He is the first grandchild on one side, has 4 great grandparents and a whole load of aunts and uncles on the other side (big family). We’ve mentioned books and clothes but some asked about toys specifically and as his current favourite are shakers I made with different fillings I needed the wisdom of others. I know each baby is individual but wanted to know what were hits.

I love the idea of a sand/water table but as it will be winter so my mum has said she wants to get it for him next spring and get him something small for his birthday so that is a bonus.

@Teacaketotty we ended up getting a small swing during lockdown for the garden and he loves it. Best money I spent
as my husband was working away a lot and my mum was no longer able to visit. It meant I could pop him in it and have a cup of tea. We only got a little one on feet as our garden isn’t suitable for a full sized swing but hopefully it will last him until he is two.

If the shakers are a hit, have a look at these building blocks, OP:

beamingbaby.co.uk/wooden-baby-toy-rainbow-sound-blocks-21501.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuILngNCY6wIVDOvtCh0nvgqZEAQYASABEgIJ4_D_BwE

There is a different amount/size of beads inside each block so you can make slightly different shaking sounds. It’s good for getting them to really listen. They are also easy to stack for my 13mo DD and she also enjoys trying to put them all back into the outer case. Her current favourite is looking through the blocks all around her room, a bit like she’s using tinted glasses, it’s very funny to watch.

This is also pretty popular with DD when we need her to play on her own for a bit:

www.kidly.co.uk/products/hape-toys/magic-touch-curiosity-tablet/9611?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4oGukdCY6wIVUe3tCh1JbAhqEAQYBCABEgK8b_D_BwE

Finally, you might want to think about age appropriate (i.e. without small pieces) cloth books or quiet books. We leave those in DD’s cot with her when we put her down for a nap and she spends ages looking at them. They are lighter and easier to handle than board books, especially from a lying down position.