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What are practical non toy gifts for a 1 year old, and are non toy gifts a good option for this age group?
In a study[1] undertaken a few years ago, a group of researchers found that accustoming kids to things (such as toys) made them needy and increased the chances that they would become dependent on external stimuli to deal with difficult situations such as boredom or even anxiety.
The researchers found that limiting toys and encouraging kids to use what they already had in their environment was an easy and effective way to spark their creativity, independence, and critical thinking skills. Also, the fewer toys they had, the more they interacted with them.
While doing away with toys is not a decision that many of us are willing to take, limiting the number of gifts kids receive is an easy and more doable option if we want to reduce our kids’ dependence on toys.
That said, limiting toys is not the only way to make gift giving more meaningful for 1 year olds. Non toys gifts for a 1 year old are perfect if you want to offer a meaningful gift that will be remembered for years. Here are a few options if you’re looking for non toy gifts for a one-year-old
Non toy gifts for 1 year old that help in their development
1) A Play gym
A play gym is a great non toy gift for a 1 year old because it helps babies this age practice both their fine motor skills and their gross motor skills.
A good play gym encourages them to grasp things, experience different textures or get accustomed to different sounds. It also makes tummy time enjoyable, while helping them strengthen their muscles.
The award-winning Lovevery play gym focuses on children’s natural development to provide different resources that help in their development. Designed by child development experts, it teaches your child to explore, focus, develop their visual perception, familiarize themselves with the concept of object permanence, and much more.
Both you and your baby will be amazed by this play gym which proposes up to 24 Montessori-style activities and seven accessories.
2) A monthly book subscription box is a great non toy gift for a 1 year old
Wondering what non toy gift would be great for a 1 year old? Why not try a monthly book subscription box? Several studies have shown that the earlier babies are introduced to books and to reading, the easier it is to maintain a reading culture. In other words, beginning early is important.
Reading often to babies from as early as four months does wonders for the development of their language development skills. The more a one-year-old hears new words, the more they learn – makes perfect sense!
Research[2] says that there is a huge difference between children who are accustomed to books and reading, and those who are not. Other studies[3] suggest that reading to babies and young children makes the transition to school smoother.
But the thing is, knowing which books are the most appropriate for this age-group isn’t always easy. That’s why book subscription boxes are a great non toy gift for a 1 year old. Your child receives between two and four books per month, tailored to their age and to their development.
As they grow older, you can change the subscription to receive books that respond to their changing needs and interests.
The award-winning Bookroo Box proposes a curated book subscription designed with babies in mind. Each month, they receive three board books (sturdy pages so that your baby can fully enjoy their book for the longest time possible!) that are carefully selected to respond to their level of development.
The Baby bug box is designed to inspire even the youngest readers. Each month, your child receives a curated box with three books in line with their development (books with rhymes, short stories, etc.)
If you’d rather not go down that road, there are awesome books for kids that would make a great gift idea. Some of the must-read classics for one-year-olds include: Open the Barn Door, Is Your Mama a Llama? and Peek-a Who?
3) A kitchen tower
Kitchen towers have long been touted as an easy and very practical tool to help children gain autonomy. They allow kids to become more independent and to undertake activities such as wiping table tops, or helping in the kitchen with chores such as cutting soft fruit.
Your child will love this adjustable kitchen tower which is safe, secure and reliable. It is made of solid wood and has anti-slip pads to ensure that they stay safe!
Useful non toy gift for 1 year old
4) Pajamas
I still remember the pajamas our daughter received on her first birthday because they were so cool, I wanted to get a pair myself!
Pajamas are a great and useful non toy gift for a 1 year old that both parents and babies will appreciate. If you’re looking for cute and original designs, Leveret kids pajamas are the perfect non toy gift for your 1 year old.
5) Funky sheets.
No one ever thinks of sheets, but they are a perfect 1-year-old non toy gift. What’s more, there are so so many funky sheet designs that you’ll probably have a hard time choosing just one ! If you go for sheets, you’ll absolutely love these cute and colorful wrinkle-resistant sheets from Where the Polka Dots Roam!
Sheets aren’t the only great non toy gift idea for a 1 year old – anything bed-related such as a baby blanket or a quilt are great gift ideas.
6) Clothes
If you’re looking for the perfect non toy gift for a 1 year old, don’t forget that clothes are always a hit! And the clothes category is HUGE!
7) Toddler utensils
Although kids start mastering how to use cutlery (especially spoons) at around 15 months, by the time they turn one, they are already using several utensils such as cups, and many are showing an interest in experimenting with self-feeding.
Bright and beautiful cutlery can help motivate babies to become more independent when it comes to mealtimes.
Bumkins has everything you need for a great non toy gift for 1 year olds. All their products are practical, highly functional, made using food-safe material, and totally cool!
Practical non toy gifts for a 1 year old (for parents)
It is no secret that raising babies is costly. Parents will appreciate gifts that will reduce their financial burden, and it can be a win win situation if those gifts make their babies happy as well!
8) Cute diapers
Do you know how many diapers babies need per day? Too many! Diapers are a great non toy gift for a 1 year old that many parents will appreciate. I’m personally a huge fan of diaper cakes and if you’re the craftsy type, you can actually make these cakes yourself.
Reusable diapers are also a great gift idea if you think that they will be appreciated, and Norah’s Nursery Store has the cutest designs for both boys and girls (plus lots of unisex options).
Swim diapers are also a unique non gift idea for a 1 year old. Better still, get them cool and cute reusable swim diapers that they can use over and over again!
9) Baby products
Unsure of what non toy gift to get a 1 year old? Why not get them bath products to help them enjoy bath time? This gift guide has great ideas for baby showers or birthdays.
10) A photo album
A photo album is a great non toy gift idea for 1 year olds. Most parents take the most photos during that first year, so they will appreciate an album in which they can store all those photos.
A digital photo album is also an awesome gift idea if you have access to the pictures.
What are your favorite non toy gifts for a 1-year-old? Let us know in the comments section below!
[1] http://www.spielzeugfreierkindergarten.de/pdf/englisch.pdf
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30908424/
[3] https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/amerjpsyc.130.1.0063
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