Gift guides
26 first birthday gift ideas
Playful gifts for one-year-olds, from picture books to ride-ons.
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Showing 27 of 27
A first birthday calls for something fun to unwrap, that won't be forgotten by tea time. There is a great range of options for little ones here, from small books, plenty to pull apart or push around, things to get messy with and a few bigger presents people can chip in for.
Little presents and birthday keepsakes
1
£10–£25Physical giftA birthday crown
£12.95
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: The soft Little Dutch crown comes with interchangeable numbers, so its first outing need not be its last. A lovely party-day photograph without committing to an outfit that gets one wear.
2
Under £10Physical giftPersonalised name blocks
£9.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Spell out a name on a shelf now, then bring the chunky blocks down for play as the child grows. The total depends on the number of letters; keep them out of the cot.
3
£10–£25Physical giftA dinosaur birthday T-shirt
£12.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Party-hat dinosaurs make this one feel properly birthday-ish. Choose the size with a bit of room so it can survive more than the cake-smash photographs.
4
Under £10Physical giftWinnie-the-Pooh Pocket Library
£6.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Six small board books bring Pooh and friends into little hands. A first-birthday-friendly alternative to the longer complete-story collection on the original list.
5
£25–£50Physical giftA personalised cardigan
£35.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: A soft white cardigan with a name embroidered on it feels special without being reserved for special occasions. Check the chosen size rather than guessing from the birthday date alone.
6
£10–£25Physical giftA carrot-harvest puzzle
£18.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Pull out the little carrots, put them back, repeat. This is the playful, hands-on version of a first puzzle; the retailer labels it for age one.
7
£10–£25Physical giftA wooden safari stacker
£10.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Friendly animals, cheerful colour and the very satisfying business of making a tower and knocking it down. A compact gift that earns its place in the toy basket.
8
£10–£25Physical giftA personalised name plaque
£13.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: A colourful rainbow name plaque makes a sweet nursery keepsake. It's a decoration rather than a toy, so hang it securely out of reach.
9
£10–£25Physical giftA fabric room garland
£14.95
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: A little colour over a shelf or along a wall can make the room feel ready for a birthday. Keep garlands well away from the cot and curious fingers.
10
Under £10Physical giftEach Peach Pear Plum
£7.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: The rhymes are made for reading aloud, while the familiar nursery-rhyme characters give grown-ups plenty to point out. The board-book format is ready for repeat requests.
11
£10–£25Physical giftOh Dear, Look What I Got
£12.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: A Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury picture book for a grown-up to read aloud now, with more to notice in the pictures as the child gets older.
12
Under £10Physical giftA pull-along ladybird
£6.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: This smiling Hape ladybird can come along for early walking adventures. It's a cheerful little extra for a birthday bag, best used on the floor rather than near steps.
13
£10–£25Physical giftA first instrument set
£19.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: A maraca, shaker, clip-clap and bell make an instant kitchen-floor band. These are made for babies rather than being a miniature set intended for older children.
Make, sort and pretend
1
£25–£50Physical giftA personalised toy toolbox
£32.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: A tiny hammer, wrench and bolts give busy hands something to “fix”. The 12-month-plus age label makes this a better first-birthday choice than a toolkit aimed at preschoolers.
2
£25–£50Physical giftA wooden height chart
£38.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: The birthday itself is a good moment to start marking just how quickly everything changes. This is a wall decoration, not a plaything; fix it securely out of reach.
3
£25–£50Physical giftA first shape sorter
£29.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: The animals have their own holes in the ark, and plenty of stories can happen before they get sorted. A different sort of play from the simpler carrot game above.
4
£50–£100Physical giftA Lovevery mini kit
£60.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: The Walk & Talk kit brings several activities into one box for 12 months and up, including a ramp and soft ball. A useful option if you would rather add one thoughtfully assembled set than several separate toys.
5
£25–£50Physical giftA first doll
£39.95
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Little Dutch's soft Rosa doll comes with a carrycot, blanket and feeding accessories. Plenty of opportunities to tuck her in and start all over again.
6
£25–£50Physical giftA first painting kit
£25.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Finger paint and chunky baby markers make an age-appropriate starting point from 12 months. Put down some paper, stay close and expect the first masterpiece to be on a sleeve.
7
£10–£25Ages 3+Physical giftPaint Sticks
£13.99
Best for: Age 3+ later
Why parents might choose it: This tub has 20 twist-up paint sticks in classic, neon and metallic shades, just make sure you supervise your little one with these in case they thing they look like a tasty treat...!
8
£50–£100Physical giftAn activity table
£54.95
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: The Janod Sweet Cocoon table brings gears, a little train track, beads and shapes together at toddler height. A larger play gift that can stay set up in a corner rather than disappearing into a box.
Bigger gifts for little movers
1
£50–£100Physical giftA bumblebee ride-on
£75.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: The small Wheelybug is the right version for ages one to three. It rolls in every direction on a smooth, level floor, but wait until the child is walking unaided before using it as a ride-on, as the maker advises.
2
£50–£100Physical giftA fire-engine push-along walker
£79.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: There is room for favourite passengers in Vilac's wooden fire engine. Its maker labels this model 1+, with adjustable wheel braking; check the delivered box for age guidance, as another retailer gives a later starting age.
3
£100+Physical giftA soft toddler armchair
£134.99
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: A low foam chair makes a cosy reading spot with room for a name on the back. This is an age-appropriate seating alternative to the bear beanbag on the original list, which is labelled 3+.
4
£100+Physical giftA traditional rocking horse
£209.95
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Jasper and Blake has the classic wooden rockers and a padded saddle, with a 12-month-plus label. A lovely group present when a smaller keepsake would not quite do. Adult supervision and a flat floor are essential.
5
£100+Physical giftA four-in-one rocker and scooter
£144.95
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Start with the guided indoor rocker at 12 months. The independent rocker, seated ride-on and scooter stages come later, so this is a gift that changes shape as the child grows, not a standing scooter for a new one-year-old.
6
£100+Physical giftA first ride-on car
£145.00
Best for: First-birthday gift ideas
Why parents might choose it: Baghera's metal Speedster is a foot-powered car labelled for ages one to three, with a padded seat and rubber tyres. A brilliant group-gift candidate for a child who can sit steadily and reach the floor. It is not an electric car.