18 Best Affordable Gifts for a One Year Old 2023
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It happened to me just last week. I opened my mailbox to be welcomed by a colorful card with bright balloons and whimsical animals printed on the envelope. Inside was an invite to my friend’s child’s first birthday party next month. After checking my calendar to ensure I can go, I am immediately hit with two thoughts:
“Where did time go? She was a little newborn nugget, like, TWO seconds ago! How the heck is she already one year old?”
and
“What in the world am I going to get a one-year-old for her birthday? What does she even like?”
Next, I did what I usually do when I’m presented with a situation that I know nothing about. I panic researched to figure out the best gift to get her. I wanted to learn about developmental milestones for one-year-olds, industry leading toys one-year-olds love and any recalls for popular toys on the market.
In case you have ever been in a similar situation to me and found yourself empty with gift ideas, here is a list of birthday gift possibilities for a one-year-old. These are perfect for a one-year-old developmentally, in addition to being super fun to play with.
1. Playskool Chase 'n Go Ball Popper Active Toy
What’s not to love about a musical toy with colorful balls to run and chase? Press the big red button and shoot out from the elephant's trunk for the child to chase and put back. There are six fun songs that play while the four balls get collected and returned.
Currently ~$35 at this publication.
Sorting Shapes gives children an early introduction to puzzles and helps their minds develop. This tactile cube is perfect for a one-year-old as they continue to figure out the world around them. If you’re for a gift to strengthen fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving, look no further.
Currently ~$30 at this publication.
Kids are always going to love a fort-like structure to climb all over. This climbing triangle was designed to develop gross motor skills, physical strength, spatial awareness, agility & balance. It is made from sturdy wood to provide fun for the child for years to come!
Currently ~$90 at this publication.
With 17 sensory activities, the Busy Buggy is an awesome source of entertainment for a toddler. There are three modes of play: push walker, ride-on, and sensory play. These modes help toddlers gain confidence in walking and develop fine and gross motor skills.
Currently ~$37 at this publication.
Move over DJ Khaled, we have a new DJ in the house! This music toy is great for the aspiring musician. Between the tunes that come with it, the keyboard, and the 4 different instrument sounds, this will keep toddlers entertained for hours!
Currently $35 at this publication.
With over 40 songs, sounds, and learning phrases, this is no ordinary piggy bank. Drop one of the 10 coins into piggy’s back or press the nose for fun songs, sounds and phrases.
Currently $18 at this publication
Montessori-inspired toys seem to be the biggest hits these days. These fun stacking toys give toddlers a chance to create their own towers and sort their own little world. Designed to develop sensory skills and brain patterns, this is a great gift for a little one as they learn colors, animals, and numbers through play.
Currently ~$27 at this publication.
Winner of the Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award, this is a guaranteed winning toy choice. Between the various shapes to sort, the rolling walker, and the two puzzle boards, this toy also doubles as a developmental aid to help encourage fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving, color and shape recognition, sorting and sequencing, counting.
Currently $60 at this publication.
Not only will the toddler look adorable scooting around on this adorable wooden bike, but they will also work on their balance and coordination to help with walking. The wheels are rubberized, so they can use it indoors without damaging floors.
Currently ~$38 at this publication.
The little engineer is going to love having suction cup pipes to play with in their next bath time. The water fountains they create will delight them as they pour bath water through each different shape individually, or even craft them together!
Currently ~$17 at this publication.
This 2-in-1 sports toy is perfect for the future sports star. It comes equipped with over 50 songs, sounds and phrases while your toddler continues to perfect their coordination and goal scoring skills!
Currently $45 at this publication.
Nothing beats the gift of creativity. Toddlers can build any structure they want with these Mega Bloks. Awaken the future architect with these fun blocks (without the nightmare that is stepping on a lego at night. Owch!).
Currently $16 at this publication
Awaken a future artist with these “my first” style crayons! Shaped to be easy for a toddler to grasp, these washable crayons are perfect for a little one to start learning how to draw.
Currently $18 at this publication.
This ball enhances children's gross motor skills and encourages crawling & grasping while improving children's balance and coordination. This ball comes fully inflated and is so much fun to bounce with the little one with it’s interesting texture.
Currently $20 at this publication.
Enable the child’s creativity and early engineering skills with this linkable track to play with. This toy comes with phrases to help teach children letters and will be an instant hit with hours of entertainment!
Currently $35 at this publication.
These are addictive, even for adults to play with! These little toys stick to just about anything, and are a great fidget-spinner type gift for any toddler who needs hours of entertainment.
Currently $25 at this publication.
What’s better than mixing music with “Whack-A-Mole?” This Xylophone will help the future musician to hone their music skills while also having loads of fun! This is a great gift for promoting dexterity, hand eye coordination, manipulation, arm movement, cause and effect.
Currently $33 at this publication.
If all else fails, something personalized will always do the trick. These personal puzzles are fun and something the toddler can display in their room when they aren’t playing with it. A win-win!
Currently ~$27 at this publication.
