Toy recommendations for 1st birthday

waterfaerie

It's a bit early but I'm starting to think about what to get my 8 month old for her birthday. I'm looking for ideas because I'm hoping to buy in the January sales. Her birthday is in March.

I don't intend to ever have lots and lots of stuff for her. I'm keen to build a collection of a few really good toys rather than lots of plastic rubbish. I'm really looking for something that she will love and get lots of use out of and that is also beneficial in an educational or developmental way.

We already have soft toys, nesting and stacking things, lots of books, bath toys, wooden puzzles, building blocks and musical instruments.

I'm kind of thinking of things she would need to manipulate in some way or things to encourage movement but I'm open to other ideas.

I'd appreciate any suggestions or recommendations!

endacl

Ball.

waterfaerie

endacl wrote: »

Ball.

I forgot to include that. She has a ball and absolutely loves it.

mirrorwall14

Garden toy? A little young for a slide yet without assistance but invaluable next summer

waterfaerie

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

Garden toy? A little young for a slide yet without assistance but invaluable next summer

At what age would they start using a slide?

mirrorwall14

waterfaerie wrote: »

At what age would they start using a slide?

Depends on when they start walking actually-we had a relatively early walker. Our lad is an end of January birthday and had a slide at 1 1/2. However you could also go for (in order of his garden play preferences at that age)
1. Sand and play table/pit
2. Playhouse
3. Little tykes car

We actually did all of those second hand from adverts. My sisters lad was your age this summer and the ride ons were his favourite

drunkmonkey

This Mickey mouse plane, kids love it, a baby can stick their hand in the propellers when it's turning and it won't hurt them, loads of noises, lights etc. There's a cheaper version without the safety srat and rocking base which i don't think are necessary..will do from 0-5 at least....don't bother waiting for a birthday there a bit young to get birthdays for a while.
https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/outdoor/ride-ons/4-in-1-mickey-plane-activity-ride-on/p/135408

nikpmup

My little man LOVED the vtech phonics bus, still plays with it now 3 years later http://m.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_171100252599_-1?CMP=SSH&tmcampid=28&tmad=c&sku=8555458&cmp=KNC__683763090_35257717425__&mkwid=s%7cpcrid%7c155432257087%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7c%7cpdv%7cm%7cprd%7c8555458&gclid=CjwKCAiAxuTQBRBmEiwAAkFF1v5d4wERL5e68Fgd79_64lnVJJf3J_tnqLHhtfhn8507VH5jiDB2exoCBwwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&m-referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ie%2F
It's on sale in debenhams atm.

waterfaerie

Yeah, I was thinking she might enjoy some sort of ride on or rocking horse. Is there a good one suitable for a 12 month old but that would also last her a few years?

I do think she'll be an early walker as she's always on her feet. She's showing no signs of crawling but she's cruising already.

A sand table is a great idea as well. Are they ok to play with sand when they're still at the stage of everything going straight into the mouth? Or is there a table / toy set we could use for water play and then change to sand when she's older? She's crazy about the bath.

waterfaerie

drunkmonkey wrote: »

This Mickey mouse plane, kids love it, a baby can stick their hand in the propellers when it's turning and it won't hurt them, loads of noises, lights etc. There's a cheaper version without the safety srat and rocking base which i don't think are necessary..will do from 0-5 at least....don't bother waiting for a birthday there a bit young to get birthdays for a while.
https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/outdoor/ride-ons/4-in-1-mickey-plane-activity-ride-on/p/135408

Something like that but not Disney would be great.

whiskeyman

Were in the same boat, and are 'toying' at the idea of a trike / little tyke as mentioned above
I hope this will come in handy during walks when we can ditch the buggy the odd time!

drunkmonkey

waterfaerie wrote: »

Something like that but not Disney would be great.

What's wrong with Disney, she'll have no idea what Disney is anyway, we've one since about 6mts and there still playing with it 3yrs later they started walking behind it...think there's different themes not just Disney..
No to sand, kids will eat it..no to anything that can possibly choke on, I've been scared senseless too many times very conscious of it now.

Oops still Disney there's a Minnie mouse version in pink

drunkmonkey

whiskeyman wrote: »

Were in the same boat, and are 'toying' at the idea of a trike / little tyke as mentioned above
I hope this will come in handy during walks when we can ditch the buggy the odd time!

I'll sell you one with less than 2km on it, they won't be able to pedal it...thought it was a great idea at the time..

whiskeyman

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I'll sell you one with less than 2km on it, they won't be able to pedal it...thought it was a great idea at the time..

The car?
I guess you're right. May need to declare it off the road for a couple of years until the legs grow!
The trikes look good as you can push them along though?

mirrorwall14

waterfaerie wrote: »

Yeah, I was thinking she might enjoy some sort of ride on or rocking horse. Is there a good one suitable for a 12 month old but that would also last her a few years?

I do think she'll be an early walker as she's always on her feet. She's showing no signs of crawling but she's cruising already.

A sand table is a great idea as well. Are they ok to play with sand when they're still at the stage of everything going straight into the mouth? Or is there a table / toy set we could use for water play and then change to sand when she's older? She's crazy about the bath.

Sand only with supervision. And by supervision I mean I literally held his hands to stop him eating it! Most of them you can just add water if you’d prefer it.

On the ride on inside I forgot we got the vtech alphabet train at his first birthday and he’s still using it daily two years on

waterfaerie

drunkmonkey wrote: »

What's wrong with Disney, she'll have no idea what Disney is anyway

Nothing really. I'm just not into big multinational franchises. I don't know what age brand awareness starts but I'm keen to delay it for as long as I can. There's also no need for it on a thing like that.

Wexy86

I would second the vtech alphabet train. Its getting great use as it has functions as a walker, ride along, musical buttons and has a slot to put bricks down through.

jlm29

My little boy will be two next week. Last Christmas we got a little tikes my first slide, and it’s been used from Christmas Day. He didn’t walk until Feb, but he loved being lifted to the top of the slide to slide down it. We kept it inside until the summer.
He loves the alphabet train too, it was his older brothers, but he uses it all the time. We also have one of those walker things, and he loves chasing people around with it. It’s noisy on tiles though- it lives in my mothers house, the racket is unreal when he’s running with it!
This summer I got a water table (I think it’s called fountain factory), and him and my now 6 yr old got great use out of it. I also picked up a second hand playhouse on adverts, and he adores it.

jlm29

I may have “lost” the bricks for the train though. I got sick of picking them up every night.

Toots

waterfaerie wrote: »

Yeah, I was thinking she might enjoy some sort of ride on or rocking horse. Is there a good one suitable for a 12 month old but that would also last her a few years?

I do think she'll be an early walker as she's always on her feet. She's showing no signs of crawling but she's cruising already.

A sand table is a great idea as well. Are they ok to play with sand when they're still at the stage of everything going straight into the mouth? Or is there a table / toy set we could use for water play and then change to sand when she's older? She's crazy about the bath.

Santa brought something very similar to this https://www.mamasandpapas.com/en-ie/rocking-horse-pom-pom/p/644900005/ for my little boy for Christmas when he was 1 and 2 months. He got great enjoyment out of it and I think he was 4 when we finally had to put it away (purely because he was starting to rock far more enthusiastically and trying to stand up on the saddle while rocking) It was a good height, because he was able to climb on to it himself without too much assistance and it didn't cost the earth.

Also +1 on the little tykes first slide - my parents got one for my little boy when he was about 10 months, he couldn't climb it yet but he liked being lifted to the top and sliding down. He's 6 now and still uses it, even though he's getting a bit tall for it now. He enjoys putting his teddies down it, although we did have to intervene when we saw him trying to maneuver a trike up to the top and ride down it.

angeldelight

whiskeyman wrote: »

Were in the same boat, and are 'toying' at the idea of a trike / little tyke as mentioned above
I hope this will come in handy during walks when we can ditch the buggy the odd time!

We got the trike for a first birthday present.... while our little girl did really like it for walks only for a very short period as once she was up on her feet she didn’t want to be in anything. Also because they’re quite exposed in it they’re not great for a windy or wet or very cold day. And nowhere near as nice to push as a buggy

Anne_cordelia

I like educational or wooden toys and hate anything plastic / noisy / franchised.

I would suggest first doll (go for soft bodied one at that age), toy kitchen, scuttlebug (I’ll forgive the plastic), musical instruments, duplo, stacking blocks.

Anne_cordelia

I like educational or wooden toys and hate anything plastic / noisy / franchised.

I would suggest first doll (go for soft bodied one at that age), toy kitchen, scuttlebug (I’ll forgive the plastic), musical instruments, duplo, stacking blocks.

Psychologeeee

I picked up a few nice wooden musical instruments from this Irish website recently.


https://www.littleones.ie/toys.html

drunkmonkey

waterfaerie wrote: »

Nothing really. I'm just not into big multinational franchises. I don't know what age brand awareness starts but I'm keen to delay it for as long as I can. There's also no need for it on a thing like that.

I'm still giggling at this, once they go to crèche and you get tired of reading them poetry and allow some TV they'll be brand aware but not in a bad way, they'll be imitating characters which is all good imaginative play fun.
Our 2yr old is always to the rescue when we need him, he's also very concerned what norman price is up to. It's near impossible to avoid advertising and what there friends have in crèche, they all nearly have branded bags.
If you really want to get them a present a little brother or sister that's not much younger will give them the most playtime : )

Romantic Rose

Out of all the toys my daughter ever had, this has been her all time favourite. I got it again for Christmas for my son. Can't wait for him to play with it.

https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/toys/pre-school-and-electronic-learning/development-and-activity-toys/old-macdonald-farmhouse-and-tractor-set/p/101764

PLL

We got this for my now 14 month old when she turned 1.
Great for learning cause and effect. She spends ages playing with it. Very sweet to see them learning something so simple.

https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/toys/pre-school-and-electronic-learning/branford-toys/pop-up-pals/p/144141

waterfaerie

Anne_cordelia wrote: »

I like educational or wooden toys and hate anything plastic / noisy / franchised.

I would suggest first doll (go for soft bodied one at that age), toy kitchen, scuttlebug (I’ll forgive the plastic), musical instruments, duplo, stacking blocks.

I'm the same. I much prefer wooden toys to plastic and can't stand those noisy plastic things that pretend to be educational. The simpler the better. A lot of the plastic stuff recommended here is not for me but I appreciate the suggestions anyway.

Musical instruments, blocks and soft toys / dolls we have. I think she's too young for a kitchen because she wouldn't be into imaginative play yet.

waterfaerie

drunkmonkey wrote: »

I'm still giggling at this, once they go to crèche and you get tired of reading them poetry and allow some TV they'll be brand aware but not in a bad way, they'll be imitating characters which is all good imaginative play fun.
Our 2yr old is always to the rescue when we need him, he's also very concerned what norman price is up to. It's near impossible to avoid advertising and what there friends have in crèche, they all nearly have branded bags.
If you really want to get them a present a little brother or sister that's not much younger will give them the most playtime : )

She won't ever be going to creche and we don't have a tv so no worries there.

Edited to add, I don't even know who or what norman price is! And if they have branded bags at that age, it's because the parents are buying them, not that they would have a huge choice going by what I see around the shops. Nearly everything has some sort of character on it. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just not for us. Also, children were having imaginative play fun long before franchises took over the world. I used to make up my own characters.

appledrop

I wouldn't bother with a trike. They are really better off in a buggy or practising their walking. We did get a Thomas tank engine ride on for his birthday + he loves it. Santa is bringing a wooden kitchen as 18mths now + loves tidying up.

shesty

We got a push trike for our first at that age.It's had some use, not a huge amount though.Our second got a wooden trike with no handle, Aldi or Lidl had them again recently.Much more accessible for her, she likes it.

I am intrigued by stuff that we would have not got for our elder til later because we felt she would be 'too young' at 1 but that our younger has always loved (because when she came the stuff was in the house, there's a 21 mth age gap).So for what it's worth....

Small slide is a definite good one.No.2 took ages to walk but boy could she climb.She loves our slide.Even better when there's a ball pool at the bottom of it. ;-) A ball pool is an excellent first birthday present, it's hours and hours of harmless fun and they crawl in and out easily.You get sick of picking balls up but there are ways around that!

An indoor tepee or tent house or an outdoor playhouse.Invaluable.

Our first is not a doll child, but our second loves them.A small soft bodied doll, great if you can get a couple of accessories like a bottle with it.Smyths do a set of a cot/buggy/highchair for 30eur.They aren't the sturdiest but they get huge use here.There are wooden options there too.

We have a Happyland fairy treehouse from Mothercare that is constantly in use.I am not a major plastic fan but I would recommend this.It's the little people in it....they are chunky and good for 1year olds and they actually love them.It's only noise is a ringing doorbell that sounds like chimes, but I rarely hear it.

A push alongtruck, that they can sit on and scoot.You know the type with a high handle for the back, and they can lift the seat cover in it.Smyths have minnie mouse versions (not merchandise fan, but it's hard to get this with no branding).Again, constant use.

Bear in mind that what she might not use straight away at 1, she could be all over at 18 mths because so much change happens in that first year. We also have a small wooden work bench that gets pulled out a lot, a small table and chairs from Ikea....both love that....and an Ikea kitchen which our second has loved since she could pull herself up on the furniture.They do surprise you!

Musical instruments are nice but the noise kills me.And we already have a few full size ones in our house anyway. :-)

Roesy

if you haven’t seen them it might be worth taking a look at some of the Grimms wooden toys. We got a 12 piece rainbow for our one year old little boy for Christmas. I think his older sisters will get more use out of it for the time being but he’ll grow into it. We also got him the Toot Toot drivers as he is mad about anything that he can drive. We have a mix of toys in the house, wooden stuff, lots of puzzles and books, lots of art/craft stuff and then the plastic/noisy stuff too

We didn’t get a kitchen until our eldest was 2 because we assumed she wouldn’t get any use out of it before then. She’s 4 now but still loves it and so do our 2 and just turned 1 year old. He’s not walking yet but pulls himself up and cruises. He loves opening and closing the doors on it and turning the knobs. Our 2 year old has been bringing us ‘meals’ from it for months, definitely a good while before she turned 2.


You mentioned a doll, there are anatomically correct soft bodied ones called Rubens barn dolls. Similarly to another poster, my eldest has never really been into dolls whereas my 2 year old loved them from very early on. I don’t like the look of the Rubens barn stuff but I have friends whose kids love them.

What’s gotten the most play here over the years have been our wooden food, kitchen, scuttlebug, stacking cups and duplo. We had plenty of wooden blocks that never got the same love as the Duplo. Our tea set gets loads of use too.

Littleones.ie and babame would probably have some nice ideas for you.

Anne_cordelia

waterfaerie wrote: »

I'm the same. I much prefer wooden toys to plastic and can't stand those noisy plastic things that pretend to be educational. The simpler the better. A lot of the plastic stuff recommended here is not for me but I appreciate the suggestions anyway.

Musical instruments, blocks and soft toys / dolls we have. I think she's too young for a kitchen because she wouldn't be into imaginative play yet.

Our first got a kitchen when he was 11 months and it’s been used every day since. Most houses I know that have a kitchen for their oldest, end up with the younger ones playing with it from when they can stand (not even walk). Everything in my post was used either here or in friends houses from 1 year.

Anne_cordelia

waterfaerie wrote: »

She won't ever be going to creche and we don't have a tv so no worries there.

Edited to add, I don't even know who or what norman price is! And if they have branded bags at that age, it's because the parents are buying them, not that they would have a huge choice going by what I see around the shops. Nearly everything has some sort of character on it. I'm not saying that's bad, it's just not for us. Also, children were having imaginative play fun long before franchises took over the world. I used to make up my own characters.

Completely agree. We are the exact same. I’ve never bought anything with a character on it and any presents were quickly dispatched to the charity shop

waterfaerie

Thanks everyone, there are some great ideas coming.

So far, I'm thinking about

• a rocking horse type thing
• a slide
• a table + toys for water play that can be used later for sand when she's able for it
• a push along or pull along toy to encourage her walking

Playhouses and kitchens seem to be popular. We'll probably build her an outdoor "house" with a kitchen in it and maybe a workbench. That will be a project for next summer.

I'm not really into dolls myself and never was. I might leave that one until if or when she asks for one when she's older. No bottle accessories needed. If she does want a doll she can breastfeed it.

Grimms toys are expensive but they are fabulous. I might look into their range a bit further.

Peatys

https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/toys/pre-school-and-electronic-learning/little-tikes/little-tikes-large-car-carrier/p/100033

waterfaerie

Does anyone have experience of something like this?

drunkmonkey

waterfaerie wrote: »

Does anyone have experience of something like this?

I got something very similar for my niece was a sheep not a unicorn though, looked very cool but never got a lot of use, got the kids a big rocking horse and they use it rarely as well. (I think it has to have wheels so the can push and walk with it)
To be honest that mickey or Minnie mouse plane I linked to will do all that and more for half the price. https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/outdoor/ride-ons/4-in-1-minnie-plane-ride-on/p/135409?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpq_H8Inc1wIVLbvtCh3JcQn4EAQYASABEgJ-o_D_BwE
The fact its branded doesn't matter especially if she's never allowed TV, it's just a girl mouse with some duck and dog on the side. Kids love playing with it and all kids that drop over. It's 3yrs old now and still works perfect, it's well able for throwing around.

The irony is strong in you linking to a JoJo Mama product and your trying to avoid your daughter being influenced by media : )

Anne_cordelia

waterfaerie wrote: »

Does anyone have experience of something like this?

Link not working for me

waterfaerie

drunkmonkey wrote: »

The irony is strong in you linking to a JoJo Mama product and your trying to avoid your daughter being influenced by media : )

Why? I just found it by browsing the web. I don't know much about Jojo Maman Bebe but I didn't think it was a major international franchise, is it? I don't think they even make that toy, they just sell it. It's also not a big plastic thing. I'd prefer a traditional wooden rocking horse but they seem to be not suitable for younger babies.

Peatys

Anne_cordelia wrote: »

Link not working for me

Cut out the first half of the link

waterfaerie

Anne_cordelia wrote: »

Link not working for me

Sorry, I don't know why that is. Anyway, it's a plush rocking unicorn.

drunkmonkey

waterfaerie wrote: »

Why? I just found it by browsing the web. I don't know much about Jojo Maman Bebe but I didn't think it was a major international franchise, is it? I don't think they even make that toy, they just sell it. It's also not a big plastic thing. I'd prefer a traditional wooden rocking horse but they seem to be not suitable for younger babies.

There way over priced as it's seen as a cool mammy brand, well made but you'd get her so much more things for the same money. If there were older kids around they'd be rocking in it and she could possibly get her hand squashed when rocking you'd be unlucky for it to happen. Still kids anythings possible.
That plane is well made, has storage for her toys, and plenty to interact with it'll help her climb and walk. I know it's plastic but it's light so won't hurt when she pulls it over on herself.
When she gets good at throwing, you'll be hoping she hits you with a plastic toy not a wooden one.

drunkmonkey

Anne_cordelia wrote: »

Link not working for me

Heres the link http://www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk/d9097.html

irish_stevo815

Would definitely recommend the My Pal teddy from Leap Frog. Got Scout for our little fella last Christmas, he was 4 months and still loves it today.

The girl version is Violet https://www.smythstoys.com/ie/en-ie/toys/pre-school-and-electronic-learning/leapfrog-infant/leapfrog-my-pal-violet/p/103451?gclid=Cj0KCQiA6enQBRDUARIsAGs1YQgEI_FMZvEZH3RS-h2fN4vg23yakea3x4jEgRAQM9zpohLmruYaXYsaAqsPEALw_wcB

shesty

Oh she will breast feed it if she's into dolls.My elder breastfed hers when our no.2 came along and she saw me doing it.But you can get little bags of small cheap accessories like doll soothers or mats or doll nappies and bibs and they love those because they can relate to them as things in their lives.

We have an outdoor sand and water table.It's filled with sand, because doing one of each was too much mess for me to handle!! It's invaluable though.

One thing I'd suggest is if you are in houses with kids in them, watch what she picks up and plays with and has the most interest in.That should give you some ideas too.I never thought of little things like the treehouse with small people in it until I saw my eldest going for that stuff in friend's houses and loving it.

Scooters are a huge hit here too.

Bunnyslippers

My little 13mnth old is getting the little sheriff rocking horse from jojo's as it's on sale so we'll see what he thinks of it - we have a very very old rocking horse which is way too big for him, and he loves it, so we got the jojo one and are hoping he likes it!! - if you buy through jojo's then buy through the uk site as the price works out cheaper!!;)
The plastic old mcdonald tractor as someomne else mentioned is great, the noah's ark of the same make is also a great toy and played with everyday!
If you like wooden toys there is a big zoo activity toy cube at smyths which looks great, lidl and aldi also do wooden toys which my lo has loved too so worth keeping an eye out! TK Maxx often have wooden toys too so worth checking out!:)

I think it's hit and miss sometimes as the toys you'd think they'd go nuts for they don't play with and it's the ones you'd never think they'd love that they love!!:D

pwurple

Not that she needs anything... (because she sounds like she has everything a 9 month old needs!).. but maybe you want to front load?
But here are the things my girls got most use out of over the years.

Dolls house.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voila-Wooden-Eco-Dolls-House-Furniture/dp/B003QXMV0K

Play farm. We found playmobil very robust, and we like duplo, but I think voila do a wooden one too.

Doctor play set
Food set for playing shop or cafe

More duplo

And a set of play costumes. Police, doctor, chef etc.

For outdoors, a balance bike, or wellies and a little shovel and bucket.

wuffly

Agree with what a previous poster said regarding watch what they like to play with when they are out and about.
My son is 18 months and we've gotten him the Ikea kitchen for Christmas, he loves playing with kitchens when we are out and even the one at the dr's in the waiting area, he has done since about 1. Ikea do lovely wooden toys and generally very cheap, we have a good few bits from there. He's really interested in something with wheels as he keeps sitting on his little bus and tractors which are way too small and will make a bee line for any abandoned scooter/bike/car when we go to the park. Right now he loves his toy farm, stacking boxes and ball more than anything. I'm surprised how interested he is in the animals and putting them in their places. The imaginative play comes on pretty quickly! Although he is in nursery so he does a lot of imaginary and sensory play there. A rocking horse would be of no use to him as he wouldn't sit on it for more than a second but his buddy that's 2 months older would sit in one all day, so its a really individual thing. He still gets great use out of his walker even though he's been walking for 6 months, he loves to push it around and dance to the music. He only has 2 things that make noise/music and he enjoys them both and loves to dance to them, which is super cute! Personally I think the best option is to go by your child's cues and see from there.

waterfaerie

pwurple wrote: »

Dolls house.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voila-Wooden-Eco-Dolls-House-Furniture/dp/B003QXMV0K

That is super! I'll definitely get her an eco house when she's old enough for a dolls house. I love the solar panels and recycling bins! How cool.

waterfaerie

That advice from people about watching her and getting something that would suit her is so right. Every child is different.

I suppose that's what got me looking at rocking horses because she's crazy about bouncing and rocking on my knee.

Maybe when the time gets a bit closer, or when she's walking, I'll take her to some toy shops and see what she likes.