The First Year Milestone creeps up so fast that many parents find themselves rushing to find the perfect first birthday gift for the baby in their life. To make things easier for yourself as well as your guests, I highly recommend setting up an amazon gift registry. You may be familiar with it if you had it set up for your bridal or baby shower. Kids have so many toys these days that having a registry just makes things so much easier for everyone. No one knows your child better than you so you can choose the gifts that pertain to their interests.

I always try to steer clear of devices as much as possible so a new app on the iPad just doesn't cut it. Raising three kids, I have always tried to find toys that aid in their development both physically and psychologically. I put together a list of gift ideas that I feel are best for first and second birthday milestones. Scroll down for my recommendations for gift ideas for outdoor play, creative play and pretend play. If you are looking for a more meaningful gift, give a gift of memories with a Magical Portraiture Birthday Photoshoot.
 

Gifts For Outdoor Play: 

• Scooter - a great gift to last for a few years and perfect for outdoor play. We love our Razor Jr. Scooter. We got it many years ago and  it still rides like new. Lascoota 2-in-1 Kick Scooter currently has one of the highest ratings on amazon.

• Tricycle - Another great outdoor gift for a toddler in your life that will last for a few years. Radio Flyer Red Rider Trike and Schwinn Roadster Kids Tricycle make excellent choices. If you prefer to have a steer bar which may make it easier to drive your child around then you may want to explore the following two tricycles that have a push handle: Stroll 'N Trike Toddler Tricycle and Radio Flyer Classic Tricycle with Push Handle.

• Balance Bike - another fun bike idea is to get a balance bike. The recommended age for the balance bike is 18m-5y. Strider Sport Balance Bike is adjustable, durable and comes in fun colors making it the perfect gift for your toddler.

• Water Table - Hours of fun in the sun! Step 2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table will keep your little one busy for hours! Other water play table ideas: Step 2 Pump & Splash Discovery Pond Water Table,Step 2 Spill & Splash Seaway Water Table for Kids,Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall for Kids, Double-Sided Sand and Water Table

• Outdoor Toddler Table - a must for all outdoor snacks and crafts. Comes with an umbrella so the fun doesn't stop rain or shine. 

        Little Tikes Fold 'n Store Picnic Table with Umbrella 

     Step2 Naturally Playful Kids Picnic Table With Umbrella

Gifts For Creative Play:

• Double Sided Art Easel - unleash your child's creativity with this Step2 Kids Easel for Two – Dry Erase Magnetic Easel on One side, Chalkboard on the Other. This art easel features two sides - magnetic white board and a chalkboard. Comes with foam alphabet and numbers to help your little one master their numbers and letters. Other easel ideas for your little artist:

 Award Winning Hape All-in-One Wooden Kid's Art Easel with  Paper Roll and Accessories

Delta Children MySize Easel

TOP BRIGHT Wooden Art Easel for Kids

• Play Dough Table - Play-Doh Play 'n Store Table comes with everything your child needs for hours of play time that is not only fun but helps in their development. Check out my blog post Top Five Benefits of Early Introduction of Play Dough to see what makes this table an excellent gift idea.

• Art Desk - I love the Step2 Great Creations Art Center Art Desk! It is a perfect creative space for your toddler!

• Magnatic Tiles - let your little one explore their inner architect with a set of magnetic tiles like Magna Tiles. They are easy to stack and help develop their imagination.

• Kinetic Sand - play, build and explore with this fun play sand that flows through your hands without sticking to them. National Geographic Play Sand Combo comes in many different colors for hours of creative fun.

Gifts For Pretend Play:

• Play Kitchen - Pretend play is a crucial aid in baby/toddler development which makes the Play Kitchen a great gift idea that is sure to last through years of play. Buy a bundle and save with Step2 Lifestyle Dream Kitchen Set for Kids. It lasted for 13 years and still looks like new! If you have the space, then you may want to check out Step 2 Elegant Edge Kitchen The built in refrigerator and other additions are guaranteed to provide fun for your toddler and keep them engaged for months. Buy a bundle a save here: Step2 Elegant Edge Kitchen & Workbench Set for Kids. If you prefer a more realistic looking kitchen, in white/gray KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen and in brown: KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen are absolutely beautiful and equally fun! Another beautiful and modern option: Teamson Kids Little Chef Atlanta Large Modular Wooden Play Kitchen

• Baby Stroller, Baby & Accessories - Girls and boys love to play with babies. They love taking care of their baby - feeding, playing and putting them to sleep. We love Adora Dolls, Bitty Baby by American Girl Doll and Gotz Dolls.  Here is a great stroller for those baby dolls: Doll Pram for Dolls up to 18"

​​​​​​​A small commission may be earned from qualifying Amazon purchases.

These gifts are great for birthdays and make great holiday gifts as well. For more toddler gift ideas, head over to my holiday gift ideas blog. Check out my new blog post at the following link: Toddler Approved Educational toys and activities. 

Follow Magical Portraiture on Instagram to be informed when the new blog posts come out. 

Today's Baby Related Tips

Brought to You By

Magical Portraiture

New Jersey Photographer

Specializing in Newborn and Children Photography and Fine Art

SEE MAGICAL PORTRAITURE'S WORK HERE

FOLLOW MAGICAL PORTRAITURE ON FACEBOOK TO SEE ARTICLES AND PROMOTIONS

FIND MAGICAL PORTRAITURE ON INSTAGRAM FOR BEHIND THE SCENES AND OTHER PROJECTS