Looking for gifts for 1 year olds that are not toys? Here’s my list of useful gift ideas that won’t add clutter to other’s homes.
We try to lead a simple, minimal lifestyle and gifting of toys at birthdays is hard to align with our personal convictions. Here are some items we give or would love to give in place of toys, that are useful, practical and meaningful!
A gift for the parents
One year olds don’t need much, and chances are, they already have more than they need. Why not gift something to the parents instead? Raising a child is not easy, and especially for first-time parents, the first birthday of a child is a huge milestone for the parents!
Urban Company gift card
Urban Company’s services include at-home massage, at-home manicure / pedicure, home cleaning and air-con servicing. A gift card would allow weary parents to book a service for self-care or to get some home help, at their convenience! Book using my link and you’ll get $16 off your next 2 services (and I’ll get the same).
Natureland gift voucher
I personally received one of these as a gift, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience! However, it took me many months to find time in my calendar to go down to an outlet. This might be a good gift for someone who you know will make the time to go down for a massage, otherwise, I’d still recommend Urban Company as a first choice! Purchase gift vouchers on their website here.
Useful gifts for the toddler
Peanut crayons
Peanut crayons are a great first crayon, and they encourage a good tripod grip due to their shape. Around this age, young toddlers may start mark making, which is holding a crayon and making marks on a surface.
Tambourine
Young children enjoy music and rhythm from birth! At one, they may be keen to start expressing themselves in music, and a non-pitched percussion instrument like a tambourine is a good place to start. I always recommend getting a “real” instrument instead of a “toy” one, like this tambourine that is basically a smaller-sized actual tambourine.
Side note: if you’re getting a pitched instrument such as a xylophone, please make sure it is in tune! You want to train your child’s ears toward what is good and melodic, not to become tolerant of something off-key.
Shoes for the aspiring walker
At around one year old, most children are at the cusp of starting to walk (or would have recently started walking). Getting a good pair of shoes that the child can use when walking in areas where their feet should be covered are essential. The soles of the shoes should be flexible and thin so that the child can feel the ground, and the toe box should be wide to accommodate chunky and developing toddler feet. These shoes are our top pick, and the great price tag is the cherry on top!
Toddler-sized backpack
As they develop into a toddler, children start to have a “I do it myself” mindset, and they desire to do all that they see the people around them doing. To encourage this in an age-appropriate way, you can give the child a small backpack to allow him or her to carry some small items around on their own. Apart from the size of the backpack, having easy to pull zips and a chest clip are also essential. This backpack is our top pick! We even use it while travelling, such as when we went to Kyushu, Japan and on our trip to the most child-friendly resort in Phuket, Thailand!
Gifts for the home
Learning tower
A learning tower enables a young child to stand at the same level as a parent and engage in activities in the kitchen (or anywhere else in the house). This learning tower is foldable yet sturdy, making it the perfect addition to any home with toddlers.
Cleaning tools
Kids at one are raring to help out around the house. A set of child-sized cleaning tools gives a child an opportunity to engage in practical life activities (and perhaps even help out for real).
Table and chair set
A child-sized table and chair set enable children to sit on their own to eat and play. We have this economical set from IKEA, which we sawed down the legs on, to make it suited to a young toddler’s height. If you’re up for a splurge, this homestead style set is lovely!
Books
The Biggest Story ABC is a toddler board book that tells the overarching story of the Bible in a very simple form using the alphabets A to Z. It’s a great way to introduce the gospel story to young children!
The Beginners Gospel Story Bible is a good first storybook Bible for very young children. It has simple pictures and short stories (52 in all) that would appeal to the youngest of readers.
Mother Goose, with illustrations by Gyo Fujikawa is a compilation of classic nursery rhymes with classic illustrations that all children are sure to enjoy.
A Child’s Book of Poems, also with illustrations by Gyo Fujikawa, is a keepsake book that will last many years in any home. Children of all ages enjoy poetry, and it is never too early to expose them to beautiful writing and expression.
