Comments on: Mommy SOS: Great Gifts for a One Year Old

By: Jaimie

Jaimie — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:39:52 +0000

Sounds like many kids this age are into similar things! My son just loves running around with various household items (he particularly loves my fluffy blush brush).

As Kimberly mentioned, he likes books with lift-the-flaps and textures. Wooden puzzles with knobs. He loves knocking over towers of nesting cups and blocks. He also likes one of those little workbench-type toys, where you hammer in wooden pegs with a little mallet.

He likes taking things in and out now. I bought him a tiny stuffed squirrel and we take turns hiding it inside a cup.

By: Kimberly

Kimberly — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:31:40 +0000

BALLS! He seriously loves them, loves to throw them, and play “fetch” with himself. And catch with anyone who will play.
Also, his bongo set and drumsticks (real ones, Daddy insisted on buying them for his birthday… they are a HIT!)
Wood puzzles, and Duplo blocks. Books, especially the touch&feel variety, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar that he can put his fingers in the little holes. And he loves to nest and stack bowls, cups, etc. that he helps himself to in my kitchen cabinet. :)

By: SarahD

SarahD — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:18:16 +0000

I too own that wooden drum for my boys and love it. Unfortunately the thrill in it died about 6 months later, but we sometimes bring it out for “jam” sessions along with the air guitars!
That Parents brand also has a really cute animal vet hospital toy that has little doors for each animal with a color coordinating key. Something that my kids love at that age…keys/latches etc.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:07:03 +0000

Oh gosh, lead. There’s something else to worry about. Thanks for checking.

By: ariana

ariana — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:53:06 +0000

Sheri,
Good question – I’ll ask Jeff (who happens to be a toy maker!)
My other huge concern is lead in things that are NOT toys that we let babies put their mouths on (like real keys.)

By: Dancing Phalanges

Dancing Phalanges — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:26:58 +0000

Thanks for the suggestions Ariana. My little guy will be turning 1 right around Christmas this year, so I’ll make sure to suggest these for Christmas AND Birthday gifts :)

Brillian suggestion on the parent’s toys, by the way. M’s favorite is my cell phone by far, and now that I’ve upgraded to a blackberry I’m not really cool with him munching on my phone, lol.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:33:20 +0000

Great ideas, Ariana! Thanks for the post.

I’m wondering if anyone out there thinks about PVC in toys. I’ve read a bit about how it’s pretty toxic, but it’s hard to figure out which toys have it. Some toy brands (iPlay, Viking) advertise that they specifically avoid it, but most don’t. I’m not sure if I should worry about it, or just let it go. I’ve been trying to get rid of things I know are made of vinyl (our blow-up baby pool, a beach ball, etc.). But I have a few garage sale toys that A LOVES, like an old Fisher Price parking garage, and I just don’t know about.

By: kari

kari — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:18:55 +0000

liam is really into these nesting boxes (doug and melissa)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GIL2DU

he stacks and nests and puts things in them etc.

but yes, like most of you – he loves the NON-toy… toys. his favorite right now – my flip flops (i need to be better at picking them up)… especially after that special recently aired on the dangers of flip flops and all the nasties that they pick up!

By: Shane

Shane — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:24:52 +0000

You can delete this after you read it — just easier than emailing right now.

I saw the balls at Costco too… but didn’t buy that day. Then they were gone! so i got the 2 pack at BRU at the same price as the Costco 5 pack :-(

And yes, I did just restack the blocks last night. it bugs me when they are all over the floor :-) but i did let them stay spread out all day — so i’m making progress :-)

By: chantal

chantal — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:46:35 +0000

Months ago I made Annora a bunch of shakers/rattles. I cleaned out the plastic jars that her fruit purees came in and put some dry rice in there, then stuck the caps back on. These are one of her favorite things to play with. They are exactly the right size for her hands, they make noise (but not enough to make me nuts), she can’t get the lids of which is great, and she can see the rice inside moving around which keeps her interested. The jars are also small enough to shove under the furniture, which is her new favorite thing to do, but they are big enough to be easily retrieved.

I know it’s not a “gift” so to speak, but these things are one of the best toys she’s got right now. I remember my husband thinking I was kinda weird when I made these and now we’re both thankful that I did.