Top 5 Birthday Gifts
Looking for the perfect gift for a first birthday? Or maybe you’re on the hunt for some fun and educational toys for your one-year-old? Look no further! Here’s a roundup of the most popular and developmentally beneficial toys that will keep your little one entertained and learning.
Choosing the Right Toy
When selecting a gift for a toddler under 3, consider their developmental stage and future growth. Some toddlers are walking by 9 months, while others are babbling and signing at the same age. Choosing a toy that’s slightly more advanced can provide a challenge that keeps them engaged for longer. This can be a lifesaver for parents – a toy that keeps your child entertained for 15-20 minutes can mean a much-needed break!
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, if you make a purchase through this link, I will get a tiny commission at no cost to you. The products that I have listed are the ones I truly believe in and have tested them personally.
1. Blocks:
Building blocks are are a classic toy that will never go out of style. They help with motor skills, problem solving, creativity and can engage the child for a long time. Look for larger blocks like LEGO Duplo or MEGA BLOKS, that are perfect for little hands, allowing them to build towers, cars, and anything their imagination can dream up. You can also consider themed sets like alphabet or number train to add an educational aspect to it.
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2. Learning Vocabulary Toys
There are variety of learning electronic toys like books with sounds/songs and a little laptop that can convert to tablet. These are great to introduce letters, numbers, shapes, colors, music and even basic vocabulary to the child in a fun and engaging way.
I particularly like the Leapfrog laptop/tablet convertible toy – it is a great way for toddlers to learn new words and sounds. My son started with just hitting the paw button to listen to music and slowly he could recognize the letters on our T-shirts and say ‘Mama – A says ‘uh’ for Alligator!’ He still likes his little laptop at two and a half.
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3. Shape Sorter
Shape sorters are another fun developmental kind of toy that can help your child develop a variety of important skills. They help refine fine motor skills as toddlers grasp, lift, twist and push the shapes in corresponding slots. They are a great help with hand-eye coordination development and they also teach colors and shapes. Look for one that comes in bright, cheerful colors and a variety of basic shapes like circles, triangles, squares, stars.
As toddlers play with shape sorters, they begin to develop object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not in sight. When they successfully push a shape into the correct slot, they are rewarded with satisfying sound that helps motivate them to continue the play.
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4. Ride-On Toys
Ride-on toys (Bike/Car) are a great way to encourage the cold to develop balance and coordination. Look for the one that is made for toddlers and is adjustable for height.
I like the Busy Buggy by Radio Flyer – this has a lot of sensory elements, can be used as a push walker in addition to ride-on as they learn to walk. This helps build confidence and balance.
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5. Board Books
Board books are a great way to introduce the child to the world of reading and develop a love for books early on. Look for books with bright, colorful illustrations that will capture your child’s attention. Simple, rhyming stories are a good choice for toddlers, as they are easy to understand and follow along with. Books with touch-and-feel elements can also be a lot of fun for toddlers. They allow them to explore different textures and can help to develop their sensory skills.
My absolute favorite book is ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ – This book is a classic lift the flap book that toddlers love with a catchy repetitive phrase. It features colorful illustrations of different animals and encourages children to learn about colors.
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