It’s no secret that kids love toys. But let’s face it, parents can only take so many trips to the toy store before they start to lose their minds.

If you’re shopping for a birthday or Christmas gift, chances are that special child already has too many toys and it’s time to stand out by giving them something different.

One-year-olds are notoriously hard to shop for. They’re at that age where they’re transitioning out of babyish things but aren’t quite ready for “big kid” items.

As a mom of two, I’m always on the lookout for the best gifts to give my little ones. But sometimes, it can be tough to find something that’s not a toy but is still practical and useful.

So what do you buy the 1 year old who already has everything?

This exhaustive list of the best and most practical non-toy gifts for 1 year old is sure to help! From clothes to books to personalized items, there’s something for every kiddo on this list.

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This post is all about the best non-toy gifts for 1 year old.

TOP NON-TOY GIFTS FOR 1 YEAR OLD

Best overall: Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker Balance Bike

“Bought this for my friend’s one-year old’s birthday. He is obsessed!!! It’s his favorite thing. He is learning to keep his balance on it, moving his legs, and figuring it out. The quality is perfection.”

Best under $20: Fisher-Price My First Books Set of 4 Baby Toddler Board Books

“These books are fantastic for older babies & toddlers. Makes a great Baby Shower or Birthday Gift. They are sturdy, durable & very colorful.”

Best value: Mustela Baby Bath Time Essentials Gift Set

“Been using this and we loved it. My kids have sensitive skin and we started using this and we just love it! Must buy if you want your kids’ skin to be soft and healthy “

Most popular: Radio Flyer 3-In-1 Foldable wagon

“The wagon was the best purchase I made. It was for my grandson’s first birthday. The wagon is easy to get in the car you just fold it up and easy to store.”

Most practical: Burt’s Bees 100% Organic Cotton Footed Pajamas

“Toddler pajama is fantastic. Good quality fabrication and great color saturation. A well quality made item”

Most unique: Personalized Step Stool 

“Gifts for all my grandchildren, they love it and use it daily!”

Best for girls: Newyoo Tricycle for Toddlers

“The design is super cute, and it feels very safe and stable, even for little beginners.My toddler absolutely loves riding it and it has quickly become a favorite activity.”

Best for boys: Step2 Play Ball Fun Climber With Slide

“This is hands down the best money I’ve spent on something to keep my kid entertained. He got it for his first birthday and it was love at first site. At first, just played with the ball drop but now at 21 months, he loves to climb and slide. “

Best non-toy gifts for 1 year old

Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker Balance Bike

This unique bike is designed to help toddlers develop the motor skills needed to walk and eventually ride. The Cricket is perfect for kids ages 12-24 months, and its design ensures that your child’s feet are always touching the ground. This way, they can stay in control of their speed, stopping, and movement. This unique gift will help your little one progress from taking their first steps to becoming a confident rider.

Personalized Puzzle Step Stool 

One of the best non-toy gifts for 1 year old is a custom wooden name stool. Not only is it practical, but it’s also fun! These custom kid’s stepping stools are each handcrafted and carefully sanded and smoothed down, making them totally kid-proof. A non-toxic finish is applied to protect the wood from stains and spills. Plus, the custom wooden name stool will help a 1 year old get to work learning how to spell and pronounce their own name!

Fisher-Price My First Books Set of 4 Baby Toddler Board Books

These set for 4 board books are not only educational, but they’re also incredibly fun for your little one to read. The ABC Book, Colors Book, Numbers Book, and Opposites Book each teach essential reading and counting skills. And, at only 4 x 4 inches, these small board books are easy for your toddler to carry around and hold. Plus, their durable construction means they’ll withstand plenty of wear and tear.

Easy to wear and lightweight shoes

One-year-olds are toddling all over the place, so they need a good pair of shoes to protect their little feet. Look for a pair of comfortable sneakers with a breathable mesh upper. The big openings make it easy for parents to put them on, and the mesh fabric will keep little feet cool and ventilated.

Little Partners® Explore n Store Learning Tower®

If you’re looking for a gift for a 1-year-old that’s not a toy, the Learning Tower is a great option. It brings children safely to counter height to encourage exploration, independence, and interaction with parents. Its compact profile includes a folding step that makes it a perfect fit under kitchen counters and islands, while its adjustable design grows with the little one helping them reach counter height. The solid wood tower is made of high-quality materials and is sturdy and durable, making it a gift that will last for years to come.

Burt’s Bees 100% Organic Cotton Footed Pajamas

Both of my kids grew up in Burt Bee’s pajamas. Not only are these made with 100% organic cotton, but the prints are also just too adorable that you’ll want to snuggle with your 1-year-old all the time! In fact, these jammies have hand-painted watercolor prints and yarn dye stripe designs. These footed pajamas are designed with safety in mind (nickel-free snaps, Non-slip ‘bee grip’ footies, zipper guard & snap-tab at the neck).

Radio Flyer 3-In-1 Foldable wagon

This 3-in-1 Foldable wagon is the perfect gift for any 1 year old! It features hauling, 2 rider seating, and bench seating, all in one convenient package. We have had this wagon since Baby # 1 was a year old and have since taken it everywhere we go, from the park to the aquarium, to Disneyland. The zippers on the side of the wagon make it easy to transform from hauling to bench seating, and the easy one-hand fold makes it portable and easy to store. This wagon is sure to be a hit with any 1 year old, and it makes a great addition to any family!

Alphabet Letter Piggy Bank

One of the best things you can give a 1 year old is something that will help them learn and grow. This wooden piggy bank letter is a nice gift for boys and girls this age. Not only is it durable and practical, but it’s also educational. It helps teach them the concept of saving money, and it’s also a great decorative piece for their room. Plus, it’s sure to be a hit with their friends and family.

Step2 Play Ball Fun Climber With Slide

If you’re looking for a non-toy gift that will keep your 1 year old entertained for hours, look no further than the Play Ball Fun Climber With Slide. Toddlers will love climbing the stairs and zipping down the slide, and the ball drop is sure to keep them amused for hours on end. Our kids play with this climber and slide every day. You can add water or sand to the tray and make it an instant sensory bin. It’s the perfect addition to any backyard or indoor play gym, and I’m sure your toddler will love it too!

Munchkin Cool Cat Stainless Steel Straw Cup

Looking for the perfect non-toy gift for a 1-year-old girl? The Newyoo Tricycle is a stylish, multifunctional ride that grows with her from ages 1–3. With its chic pink design, she’ll be the coolest girl on the block! Featuring 4 riding modes, a parent steering handle, adjustable seat and pedals, and durable alloy steel frame, this trike is both fun and practical—making it a gift parents will love just as much as their little one.

Toddler Bike Helmet

As that special 1 year old begins to explore the world around them, it’s important to keep them safe. A helmet is an essential piece of safety gear for any child who is starting to ride wheels. And these toddler helmets are the best of the best. They’re comfortable, well-ventilated, and they have really cute designs for boys and girls. Plus, they’re adjustable so they can grow with your child. Any child who wears one of these helmets will be the coolest kid on the block!

Delta Children Cozee Personalized Chair

The Delta Children Cozee Chair for Kids is the perfect non-toy gift for your 1 year old! They will love having their very own comfortable chair to sit in. This chair is also great for cuddling up with a loved one. The best part about this gift is that it can be personalized with that special child’s name embroidered on it. This will make the tot feel like they have their very own sofa set, and they will be sure to love it.

Ultra Soft Bamboo Hooded Baby Towel

As any parent knows, bath time can be a daily challenge. But with the ultra soft bamboo hooded baby towel, baths will be a breeze! Made of 100% bamboo, these towels are absorbent, plush, and oh so soft. Not only are they incredibly practical, but it’s also unisex design makes it perfect for both boys and girls. Also, the cute ears make bath time fun for everyone! So ditch the boring, white towels and give your little one the gift of comfort with these bamboo hooded baby towels.

Mustela Baby Bath Time Essentials Gift Set

This set includes four essential skincare products to keep your baby clean and moisturized during and in-between bath time. The hypoallergenic, natural ingredients are gentle on delicate skin, and the set comes in a reusable drawstring bag for easy storage and transport. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a baby’s first Christmas or a birthday present, the Mustela Baby Bath Time Essentials Gift Set is sure to please.

Inglesina Award Winning Table Hook-On Chair

The award-winning Baby High Chair is the perfect gift for a 1 year old. It’s easy to use at home or while traveling, and the functional design includes a convenient storage pocket for wipes, toys, snacks and more. This hook-on chair is a total life changer! We bring it whenever we travel. My baby sits in it so well, we even use this chair at home!

Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin

The best non-toy gifts for 1 year olds are those that encourage imaginative play while also helping to develop fine motor skills and promote sensory development. Creativity For Kids sensory bins are a great option because they come with all of the fillers carefully selected and tested to provide the best at home play activities for toddlers. Plus, they’re durable and easy to clean up after – perfect for busy parents!

CECORC Hooded Light Puffer Jacket

CECORC Hooded Light Puffer Jacket is not your average one year old gift! This stylish and padded coat is perfect for keeping your little one warm, while the soft, breathable fabric and cushioned interior provide unbeatable comfort. Plus, the cute hood is sure to make this jacket a hit with any fashion-savvy tot.

Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Quilt Blanket

The Little Unicorn 100% Cotton Muslin Quilt Blanket is the perfect gift for any little one in your life! Made from super soft cotton muslin, this quilt is sure to become baby’s new favorite. The ample size also means that baby can “grow” into the blanket as they age. It is a delightful gift for a baby shower, birthday, or holiday. With so many enchanting designs and color choices, you’ll find just the right one to fit a nursery’s décor. The original artwork is created for boys and girls plus many are appropriate for both.

Mess Free Water Doodle Mat

Kids can draw on the mat with the pens, and the marks magically disappear after a few minutes. The mat is also foldable, so it’s perfect for travel. The best part is that it’s mess free – no more markers or crayons all over the floor!

Crayola My First Fingerpaint Washable Paint Kit

This Crayola Color Wonder Fingerprint Ink Painting Set lets kids explore finger painting—without the mess! With 5 magic ink colors that only appear on special Color Wonder paper, it keeps little hands, clothes, and walls clean. Safe, portable, and endlessly fun, it’s an ideal travel activity and a unique non-toy gift for 1-year-old.

Last thing you need to know about the best non-toy gifts for 1 year old

There are so many great gift options for 1-year-olds that go beyond toys. The next time you’re stuck on what to get the special little one in your life, consider one of these practical gifts that will make both parents and baby happy.

This post was all about the best non-toy gifts for 1 year old

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21 of the best non-toy gifts for 1 year old we found online

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