Great first birthday gifts from grandparents bring precious memories for the entire family, especially grandpa and grandma.
Your baby grandchild’s birthday is around the corner. How time flies! The once little crying baby is now crawling and walking about on his own. It’s both exciting and a bit overwhelming when you search for the BEST birthday gift for the little one.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the top first birthday gifts from grandparents that your grandchild will absolutely adore.
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1. First Birthday Gift Scooter
3-in-1 Unicorn Scooter
It’s no surprise that one-year-old babies love to push things around as they just gained the new skill of walking. This 3-in-1 scooter is built to grow with your grandkid as he hones his walking skills. It starts as a push walker to practice walking, then your little one can ride on to learn foot-to-foot motion, and eventually, it will convert into an adorable scooter.
In addition to encouraging balance and body coordination, this vibrant scooter features headlights and buttons for music. The hand bar is adjustable to accommodate your grand baby’s height change and makes the riding experience more comfortable. This versatile ride-on scooter will make a great birthday gift that brings endless fun for many years to come.
2. First Birthday Gift Custom Book
Personalized 1st Birthday Book
What is more special than a personalized book with your baby being the main character in the story? This book documents your love for your little one and will be a witness to his amazing first birthday.
This book will bring him to tears when he flips the page 18 years later and reads “Love, from grandma and grandpa.” It reminds him of all the affectionate memories with you while he was a little baby yet to comprehend the love from grandparents. He will also be proud to show his friends or even his future children what a loving and caring grandparent you are.
3. First Birthday Gift Sports Toy
My First Sports Bag Playset
You don’t have to be a sports buff to enjoy playing balls with your grandchild. All it takes is a sports playset and the spirit to have fun. Your little one will be thrilled to receive his first sports bag playset. Measuring 11.5 inches tall and 7 inches wide, this adorable bag is strictly designed for one-year-olds’ little hands to hold and carry. The bag can hold the basketball, soccer ball, baseball, and football that come with it.
Your little one will enjoy taking things out and putting them back in. What’s more, your bundle of joy will love playing a game of catch with grandpa.
4. First Birthday Gift Custom Light
Personalized Night Light
A picture is worth a thousand words. What can express your love to your little one better than an affectionate photo? This sweet night light can be personalized with any photo. You have the option to print the photo as a sketch or in full color.
The soothing music and warm light are perfect to prep your little one for a good night’s sleep, as he thinks about the fun time spent with you during the day.
5. First Birthday Gift Piggy Bank
Handmade Wood Piggy Bank
The first birthday is a great time to start teaching a child about the value of money. This handcrafted piggy bank is both functional and fun. Its body is made with genuine wood and its ears and tail are made with durable leather. Its smiley face brings joy and warmth to your heart.
Measuring 8.7 inches long and 5.5 inches tall, this piggy bank also sports a wide slot for inserting coins and bills. In addition to making a unique nursery decor and a fun birthday gift, this piggy bank teaches your little grandchild about the importance of saving at a young age.
6. First Birthday Gift Purse
Baby’s First Purse (Customizable)
With improved cognitive skills and a better awareness of the world around her, your one-year-old grandchild will love to have a taste of what it is like to be an adult. This gorgeously-designed purse playset will soon become her new favorite toy.
In addition to a cuddly purse, it also comes with a credit card, a mirror, keys, and a cellphone that makes sounds. They promote creativity and encourages imagination. We guarantee that they will keep your baby girl entertained for hours on end while she is busy exploring the new tools she received.
7. First Birthday Gift Tent
Pop-Up Play Tent
Who doesn’t love adventures? It is no secret that one-year-old babies are ambitious discoverers. This pop-up play tent is perfect for parties and group play. Made with high-grade and lightweight plastic, the tunnels and tents can be configured in any way you want and also be used separately.
No matter used indoors or outdoors, this tent encourages physical play and teaches group work and friendship. Easy to set up and stash away, this tent makes a great place of wonder and mystery for endless fun with family members and playmates.
Related: Toys that help toddlers burn energy
8. First Birthday Gift Busy Board
Latches and Doors Busy Board
Your soon-to-be one-year-old is at a stage where his language skills and cognitive skills are developing rapidly. A busy board is designed just for promoting these skills through discovery.
This busy board features latches, switches, and keys that invite your grandchild to use his hands. As he opens the windows and doors, it plays delightful music and songs to teach him about cause and effect, which help lay a good foundation for his language skills. While figuring out how to maneuver various parts, your grandchild hones his problem-solving skills and establishes healthy self-esteem.
9. First Birthday Gift Piano Pop
Pop! Pop! Piano
Does your little one love music? This Pop! Pop! Piano will make a wonderful first birthday gift. Beyond playing lovely sounds, this adorable piano magically pops out colorful balls when the keyboards are pressed. But that is not all! Its tunes also change from classic music to silly and wacky giggles. What a fun way to enjoy music and learn about cause and effect!
Your little one will be mesmerized as he tries to figure out where the flying balls are from. Besides the vibrant colors of the keyboards and tubes, the top of the baseboard is made of natural wood.
10. First Birthday Gift Ship
Little Tikes 2-in-1 Pirate Ship
The ocean is full of mystery. Babies and toddlers of all ages are fascinated with stories and tales about pirates and their treasure hunting adventures. This 2-in-1 pirate ship is more than just a pretend play toy set, it is also a ride-on vehicle for little sailors as the mast swiftly turns to steer the wheels.
Not only that, but the ship also makes a realistic cannon sound to make your baby’s trip more realistic. When your grandchild opens the hatch, he will be surprised to discover a pirate and a canon. This pirate ship is well-constructed and made with durable material. It is guaranteed to be adored by your grandchild and he will be proud to brag about it to all his friends.
11. First Birthday Gift Activity Center
Discover Farm Activity Center
The curious minds of one-year-old babies are like a sponge. They absorb an amazing amount of knowledge every day, especially during playtime.
This discovery farm activity center is packed with play options that are both fun and educational. It invites your little one to practice her fine motor skills such as turning, sliding, grasping, and spinning. This toy will keep her busy for hours on end as she explores each small element. Being a family-owned company for more than 100 years, the manufacturer is very considerate to use smooth rounded corners to ensure the safety of your little one. What a great gift for your little one’s first birthday!
12. First Birthday Gift Ride-On
Retro Rocket Ride-On
If you are like most grandparents who get nostalgic from time to time, you will love this retro-styling Ride-on Rocket. Featuring a space shuttle-shaped body, this vehicle is equipped with sturdy wheels that turn swiftly, perfect for a full day of adventure.
The flashlights on the dashboard and the realistic astronaut sound spark your grandchild’s imagination about the universe. While your baby is exploring the galaxy, this toy also brings back sweet memories to you.
13. First Birthday Gift Musical Toy
Musical Lili Llama
If you are looking for an award-winning toy that also has a stylish design, this Musical Lili Llama won’t let you down. Winning the Toy of The Year Awards Finalist, this musical instrument toy is packed with fun activities.
Though neat and simple, this toy is loaded with fun elements such as spinners, mallets, gears, a xylophone, and more. Its adorable and cute design inspires your little one to be bold and creative. It is so much fun that adults may even get a kick out of it, too. In addition, this toy meets the CPSIA safety standard.
14. First Birthday Gift Leaning Table
Laugh & Learn Learning Table
If your grandchild is a quick learner, chances are he gets bored with single-purpose toys easily. This Laugh & Learn Learning Table is loaded with tons of things to do and songs to listen to. It is the perfect toy to keep your one-year-old baby entertained and busy, as he will always be surprised to hear a new tune or find a new way to play with it.
This learning table features four vivid themes: a puppy house, a market, a zoo, and a farm. The keyboards, doors, and switches, as well as the 120 different songs and phrases, prompt your little one to discover more. Whether sitting down or cruising along with the table, this toy is guaranteed to be a huge hit for your one-year-old grandkid.
15. First Birthday Gift STEM Blocks
STEM Blox
As a grandparent, it is important that your little one enjoys himself as well as does well academically in the future. This STEM Blox toy set is to help jump start your little one’s learning in basic counting, calculation, and spelling. The different colors, shapes, and patterns are designed to inspire.
Made with non-toxic wood and paints, these blocks provide unlimited options for open-ended play. They are a perfect one-year birthday gift to help your little one build problem-solving skills and boost his confidence.
Related: Best wooden blocks for 1-year-olds
Final Words
The greatest first birthday gifts from grandparents bring excitement to your precious grandbabies. What’s more, it expresses your love and affection to the little one.
Even though one day your grandchild will outgrow the toys, the happiness you have brought to them will forever be preserved in their deepest memories.
Cecilia Yeung is a successful entrepreneur and product researcher. She has a background in psychology and children’s education. As a working mother of two, she loves to write about children’s education and development.