Finding the perfect gift for a baby’s first birthday can be tricky because we don’t really know what babies like yet. This is when it’s great to give open-ended toys—these allow them to play in many different ways as they grow. Below is a list of all the toys I got for my two kids on their first birthdays, along with my recommendations of what worked best. This will give you an idea of what are some good gifts for a baby’s first birthday and what you might want to avoid. You can find this entire list on my Amazon Storefront.
1. Leapfrog Phonics Fun Animal Bus
Rating: 7/10
Initially, my son loved this toy for the music, especially since his favorite song was “Wheels on the Bus” at the time. However, it wasn’t very open-ended, so he eventually lost interest in it.
2. Fisher Price Classic Infant Trio
Rating: 10/10
This set is still being used by both my kids! It’s an open-ended toy, and my son enjoyed the shape sorter as intended, but we’ve since repurposed the shapes for painting and tracing on paper. The xylophone became part of our music set, adding more value to this versatile gift.
Rating: 100/10
Perfect for any little car enthusiast! My baby loved this as his first toy steering wheel. He still occasionally pretends to drive with it by placing it on the table or couch. A highly portable and entertaining toy.
4. Melissa & Doug Old MacDonald's Farm Sound Puzzle
Rating: 2/10
This might be better for older toddlers. My son didn’t like the sounds and wasn’t sure how to engage with the puzzle, although he did enjoy holding the farm animal pieces while learning their names.
Rating: 10/10
After removing any small parts, this tool set became my son’s favorite for imaginative play. He’d tell us he was going to “kam” (work) with his tools. As an open-ended toy, it lasted a long time before we rotated it out for new toys.
Rating: 1000/10
This was a major hit! I passed down my childhood pots and pans, and my son loved them. Around his first birthday, he went through a phase where he loved pretending to cook, and this set kept him engaged for hours.
7. Laugh & Learn 3-1 Smart Car
Rating: 100000/100
This was my son’s first car and his favorite. It’s been passed down to my daughter, and they both love it. This toy provides hours of fun, making it a must-have for any baby.
Rating: 0/10
Unfortunately, this didn’t capture my kids’ interest. They didn’t engage with the train set, and after a year of keeping it around, I ended up putting it into storage. It might be better for older toddlers or kids who are into trains.
Rating: 8/10
This interactive book was a great tool for my son as he started learning simple words. He enjoyed the pictures and sounds, though it wasn’t as engaging as some other toys. We still bring it out occasionally.
10. Wooden Play Food
A fantastic open-ended toy! My son played with it in multiple ways, from pretend cooking to creating different play scenarios. It’s been one of the longest-lasting toys in our home.
11. Busy Board Book
Rating: 10/10
We’ve taken this toy everywhere, and it’s kept both my kids busy. It’s a great travel companion, and its engaging, interactive design made it a staple in our toy collection.
Rating: 1/10
I had high hopes for this toy because I loved it as a child. Unfortunately, neither of my kids took to it. It was only briefly funny when my son’s grandpa talked to it, but otherwise, it didn’t get much playtime.
Rating: 10/10
This set is still in rotation! My kids play with these magnets on various surfaces around the house. They are open-ended and allow for imaginative play, making them a fantastic gift for a first birthday.
Rating: 8/10
This walker is engaging and offers support as babies learn to walk. I wish I’d gotten it for my firstborn, as it might have helped with walking earlier. Still, a great addition to any baby’s toy collection.
Choosing a first birthday gift can be difficult, but open-ended toys that allow children to explore in various ways are a great option. Based on my experience, these recommendations have been hits with my kids and could be a great starting point for finding the perfect gift for the little one in your life.
