best buys
The best gifts for a baby's first birthday
This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
A baby's first birthday is an exciting time, so finding the perfect gift is essential, whether it's your own baby or a friend’s who is celebrating the milestone.
At this age, babies will be learning new things every day, and could even be ready to start taking their first steps!
They are full of curiosity about the world around them, and love exploring and discovering new things, so a colourful and stimulating toy is a great idea.
Or, you might prefer to buy a more traditional keepsake to help mark the occasion.
These gift ideas will keep both baby and mum happy, and there's something for every budget, too.
1. Munchkin Bath Bobbers Bath Toy
*Set includes one polar bear and one penguin bobber for bath-time fun
*Help little ones to develop motor skills and imaginative play
*Chunky shape is easy for small hands to play with
This pair of bobbing toys will make time in the bath so much more fun for little ones! They're lightweight and float on the water, distracting and delighting baby while you wash them. They're also great fun for bonding time, as you can play along with your little one and make them laugh by bobbing the bear and penguin under the water.
The toys are designed to avoid mould and be safe for little ones over six months to play with.
2. Fisher-Price Princess Stroller
*Sturdy pretend stroller steadies baby's first steps
*Music and lights activate as the stroller is pushed to stimulate the senses and make the baby laugh
*Stroller has room to fit a Princess Chime Doll or other similar size toy doll (sold separately)
This stroller for babies is such a great first birthday gift! Not only will it help their motor and coordination skills, the music and flashing lights will help to encourage them to walk while stimulating their senses.
The pram is 40 x 43 x 47 cm, and is ideal for pushing teddy bears, dolls and other toys around.
Suitable for nine months +
3. Musical Piano Mat
*Mat for babies to walk or crawl on where each 'key' plays a different sound
*Eight instrument sounds to choose from, and 10 function keys
*Suitable for older toddlers too, so it's a good buy for a first birthday as it will last them a while
This fun piano mat lets babies and toddlers crawl, walk on and press different keys to play various instruments, including piano, violin, accordion, trumpet, vibraphone oboe, guitar and flute.
The soft fabric is gentle on little hands and feet, and it's a great toy for encouraging creativity from a young age.
Suitable for 12 months +
4. TOMY Toomies Octopals
*Colourful floating island with lots of bath toys in one, including a mummy octopus and eight babies
*Each funny-faced baby features a different number that corresponds to a space on the island
*Ideal for teaching little ones to number match
This fun bath toy features a mummy octopus who can be turned upside down for water pouring fun, and eight mini babies who have funny faces and suction cups.
Your baby will love matching the little ones to their spaces on the island, as well as sticking them to the wall with their suction cups.
Suitable for 12 months +
5. Personalised Baby Onesie - Grey Fleece, £32
*Personalised fleece onesie that will look so adorable, and it's great for snuggling up on cool winter evenings
*Comes embroidered with your little one's name on the front
*Has fluffy bear ears on hood for added cuteness
Aww! This adorable fleece is such a cute present for a little one's birthday, and it comes personalised, too! The soft fleece will keep them warm and cosy at night, and you can have the fleece personalised for free.
The onesie is also available in pink or white with a unicorn horn, so there's truly something to suit every baby boy or girl.
6. Hide and Squeak Eggs
*Crack open the shells to discover six unique eggs
*Press gently on their heads to hear them chirp
*Little ones have to match the right faces and shells
This box of eggs is so much fun! From matching the correct egg to uncovering silly faces that make chirping noises, there's plenty of shape-sorting fun to be had.
The egg box doubles as a handy carry case for all the parts, so parents don't have to worry about the mess. Best of all, it doesn't need batteries!
Suitable for six months+
7. KidActive Kids Ball Pit with Balls
*Exciting and stimulating ball pit which is suitable for babies from six months old
*30 colourful balls included for little ones to play with
*Also includes fun sensory jingle, crinkle and squeak bean bags
This brilliant ball pit will be loved by babies and toddlers, so there's no need to go to your local soft play for sensory fun!
It's a safe and comfortable place for your little one to hang out in, with fun features including 30 brightly coloured balls and sensory bean bags.
There also holes so your baby can 'post' balls in and out of the pit.
Suitable from six months old.
8. Personalised Name Keepsake Book
*Beautiful Illustrations and rhyming stories based on letters of the child's name
*Perfect keepsake book that children will enjoy as they become old enough to read and understand
*Book teaches positive lessons throughout and teaches little ones to read
This book is the perfect keepsake to give to your own baby or a friend's on their first birthday. Each book has a different personalised story based on the letters in the little one's name, as well as gorgeous illustrations throughout the luxurious book.
It's a present that will be cherished for years to come, as well as coming in handy when the baby is older and beginning to learn to read.
9. 1st To 18th Birthday Memory Book, £29.99
See more at Not on the High Street
*Book which has space to fill with eighteen years of memories, perfect for reflecting back on
*Thick front cover and sturdy case means this book will easily last for decades to come
*Will make a truly special present when your baby one day turns 18 and can reflect back on their life
This beautiful book makes a truly unique gift, whether it's for your own baby or a friend's. Each year you (and your child, as they get older!) can fill in a brief description of the gifts they received that year, and the day itself as well as a photo.
Just make sure to keep it safe, and it will certainly make for sentimental reading when your little one is all grown up!
Read on:
- Budget-friendly kids' party essentials
- How to plan your child's first birthday party
- How to bulk buy birthday presents for your child's friends