A first birthday is a huge milestone – for children and parents alike – so it’s important to mark those first 12-months with a memorable gift. However, it often seems in a baby’s first year they’ve accumulated more than they could ever need, so what do you buy for the baby who appears to have everything?
From personalised gifts and developmental toys to iconic keepsakes and practical presents, there’s a world of choice out there to mark such a milestone age. And as they enter their second year of life, your one-year-old is developing every day.
One-year-olds are fascinated by toys but for parent points, we avoided anything too noisy or flashy and instead sought after toys that help young learners to develop skills while providing plenty of fun along the way.
We also wanted to showcase presents that would see them beyond their first birthday party, offering longevity and capturing their attention.
Covering all budgets from showstopping big-ticket presents, to smaller, carefully selected gifts, we found a selection of presents to suit different costs.
How we tested
To help you find the best gift for the one-year-old in your life we – with the help of our energetic 12-month-old – tried a range of different products that will guarantee a cheesy grin for their birthday snap, assessing each item on the fun it provides, its individual quality, price and practicality.
- The best gifts for one-year-olds 2022 are:
- Best overall – Plan Toys pull along snail: £25, Kidly.co.uk
- Best twin gift – Larisa & Pumpkin mint ball pit: £109.95, Scandiborn.co.uk
- Best practical gift – Cuddleroar bamboo soft hooded towel: £34.99, Cuddledry.com
- Best for longevity – Micro Scooters mini micro 3 in 1 deluxe push along: £109.95, Micro-scooters.co.uk
- Best personalised gift – Jellycat personalised saffron bashful bunny soft toy: £33.95, Thats-mine.co.uk
- Best educational toy – Smartmax my first dinosaurs: £19.99, Smarttoysandgames.com
- Best for confident walkers – Hape first bike ride balance bike: £49.99, Jojomamanbebe.co.uk
- Best keepsake gift – OYOY mini Moira tableware set crocodile Gustav, offwhite: £34.99, Oyoylivingdesign.co.uk
- Best for indoor play – Lilliputiens my first farm: £49.99, Johnlewis.com
- Best everyday essential – Baby Mori giraffe short sleeve pyjamas: £21.38, Babymori.com
- Best iconic fit – Liewood Selma classic phone golden caramel multi mix: £33.40, Liewood.com
- Best energy burner – Janod wooden ride-on panda: £70.50, Johnlewis.com
- Best plastic-free gift – Petilou abc wooden blocks: £29.95, Letoyvan.co.uk
