15 Unique Gift Ideas to Buy a Baby for their First Birthday in Australia 2024

This guide will hopefully help you find the perfect gift for the one year old in your life.

 

Deciding on a gift for the special people in your life can be tricky, particularly when the recipient is only a baby. However, a child's first birthday is a significant milestone for both the child and their parents. 


While some one-year-olds may already be walking, others may still be crawling or taking their first tentative steps. Most one-year-olds are still developing their language skills and are not yet able to speak in full sentences. However, they can typically understand some basic words and commands, and their own name.


At this age, children are also beginning to develop their fine motor skills, and can begin to play more with toys.

 

 

Shoes

Made from premium natural leather, a pair of shoes from Kit and Kate are the perfect gift for a one year old. A Perth-based brand, they offer soft sole shoes that are perfect for babies who are crawling or taking their first steps. 

kit and kate leather shoes

Kit and Kate natural leather shoes

Made with soft, flexible materials, these shoes are comfortable for little feet to wear all day long. They also feature slip-on designs, making them easy to put on and take off, which is especially convenient for busy parents. 

 

kit and kate shoes for a one year old gift

Minnie Maryjanes by Kit and Kate

These shoes make an ideal present as they can even be kept as a keepsake, serving as a tangible reminder of the early months and years of a child's life. Kit and Kate also offer personalisation options, such as monogramming, adding a personal touch to the gift.

 

Overalls for the Outdoors

As winter approaches, overalls are a practical and thoughtful gift for babies. These overalls can keep babies warm and dry while they play outside, allowing them to enjoy the great outdoors even in colder weather. 

bib n brace for a one year old


These overalls from Muddlarks are designed with waterproof materials and feature a lightweight fleece lining.

Not only do these overalls protect against the cold and wet weather, but they also allow the family to embrace outdoor play despite the seasonal changes, so they are the perfect gift for the outdoorsy family.

 

Toy Cars 

Toy cars are a popular choice for both baby boys and girls. As children approach their first birthday, they begin to explore and interact with their surroundings more, making a toy car a great gift option. 

toy car for a first babys birthday gift

Taco Van

Candylab Toys is a brand that offers a range of modern vintage toy trucks and cars that are not only stylish but also eco-friendly. These toys are made with sustainable materials, and are safe for babies to play with.

donut van for a childs first bday gift

Donut Van

Furthermore, Candylab Toys' products are easy to clean, ensuring that they can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. Overall, a toy car from Candylab Toys is a timeless gift that is sure to delight any one-year-old.

 

 

Play Mat 

A playmat is a wonderful gift option for a one-year-old, as it provides a comfortable and safe space for them to play and explore. 

playmat for a first birthday gift

Baby Driver Small Playmat

Playmats come in a variety of colours, prints, and sizes, making it easy to find one that suits the family's style and needs. 


Grace & Maggie offer a versatile double-sided mat that is both large and playful, providing a durable and functional surface for babies to crawl and play on. This mat is perfect for indoor use, with an easy-to-clean surface.

 

With its ample size and practical features, the Grace and Maggie playmat makes a fantastic gift for any one-year-old and their family.

 

Bath toys 

For some one-year-olds, bathtime can be a challenge, but having engaging bathtoys can make a big difference.

That's why bathtoys are an excellent gift option for a first birthday.

bath egg

Tiger Tribe Bath Egg

 

Bathtoys make bathtime more interactive and help to create a positive experience for babies. 

tiger tribe bath rocket

Tiger Tribe Bath Rocket

The Tiger Tribe bath rocket is a fantastic option that incorporates sensory play into bathtime. This toy is designed to ease children into the feeling of water on their heads,  helping to create a more enjoyable and stress-free bathtime routine.


Puzzles

As one-year-olds begin to develop cognitively, they enjoy exploring and discovering new things. Puzzles are a great gift option to combine education and fun.  

puzzles for a gift for a one year old

Heads and Tails by Buttonworks


As one-year-olds begin to develop cognitively, they enjoy exploring and discovering new things. Puzzles are a great gift option to combine education and fun.

australian animals puzzles

Pop Up Australian Animals Puzzle

Buttonworks is an Australian-owned company, based in the Morninton Peninsula that creates beautiful timber puzzles, featuring Australian birds. These puzzles are lightweight and easy for small hands to handle. 


Moreover, the puzzles are made from sustainable materials and are compostable, which is great for the environment when the baby has outgrown the toy. A Buttonworks puzzle is a fantastic gift that will provide hours of entertainment while also promoting cognitive development.


Arts and Crafts

Most children love to express their creativity through arts and crafts, and there are many gift options that encourage this.

Sticker books are an excellent choice, providing a mess-free and easy way for children to get creative. Stickers are not only fun, but they can also be educational, with books featuring letters, numbers, and shapes to help children learn while they play. 

crayons for a first birthday

Tinta Handmade Beeswax Crayons

Crayons are another way for kids to be creative and develop fine motor skills. They are easy to use and allow children to explore their imagination and express themselves through art.

Another gift option that children will love is paint with water books. All they need is water, so these books are perfect for mess-free creativity and can help to develop children's hand-eye coordination and concentration skills. All these options are excellent gifts for a one year old.


Clothes

Clothing is always a practical and appreciated gift for a baby, especially during their first year when they are growing so quickly and going through many changes.

Aster & Oak Tutu

One brand that stands out in terms of quality and style is Aster and Oak. As an Australian brand, they offer beautiful clothing made from soft fabrics that are allergy-safe and ethically made.

Wilson + Frenchy

Another fantastic brand to consider for your gift is Wilson + Frenchy, which also focuses on high-quality, stylish clothing for babies. Their subtle colour palette and unisex collections make it easy to find something that suits your taste, and their commitment to ethical production ensures that your purchase supports responsible and sustainable practices.

 

Pickler Climbing Frame

For the adventurous one-year-old, a climbing frame can be an excellent gift that provides hours of entertainment.

Folding Pikler Triangle & Rock Climbing Slide set from The Sensory Specilaist

With a foldable design, the climbing frame can easily be packed away after playtime, making it a practical option for those who are short on space. The neutral design also means that it can blend in with the decor of any room.

Climbing frames can enhance a child's balance and strength as they navigate the different features and develop their motor skills.

As they grow, they can continue to challenge themselves with new ways of using the frame, making it a gift that can be enjoyed for years to come.


Spoon and Fork set

A spoon and fork set may not be the most exciting gift, but it's a practical one that can help the little one develop important skills.

Mum Made Yum Fork & Spoon Set

Mum Made Yum is an Aussie company that creates products to make meal times fun. These food-grade silicon cutlery sets are safe for your baby to use, and dishwasher safe.

The easy-to-grip handles are perfect for little hands learning to use cutlery and can help promote independence at mealtime.

Available in a range of colours, Mum Made Yum spoon and fork sets are a great gift which will be used on a daily basis.

Mum Made Yum Bento Lunchbox

Another great gift idea from Mum Made Yum, is the Bento Lunchbox. Making mealtimes fun.

 

Photobook 

If you are very close to the baby or their family, a photobook can make a wonderful and deeply personal gift that can be treasured for years to come.

A lovely idea for a gift mum or dad could give to baby as a keepsake.

A photobook filled with special moments and memories can be a thoughtful way to celebrate the baby's first year and mark the milestones and memories along the way.

With today's technology, creating a photobook is easy and affordable, and you can upload your favourite photos to a website and have them printed and bound into a beautiful keepsake.

This is a gift that is sure to be cherished by the whole family.


Hats

Hats are a practical and stylish gift that can be used year-round, but they are especially important for protecting little ones from the sun during the summer months.

Snapback Cap by Knoggins

Knogins hats is a brand that creates hats that come in a variety of colours and patterns, making it easy to find something. A great gift, that will likely be used almost everyday.

 

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are an essential accessory for any baby during the hot summer months.

Pink Ankle Biter frames by Ugly Fish Kids Eyewear

 


Not only do they look stylish, but they also offer important protection for delicate eyes against harmful UV rays. Ugly Fish Eyewear has a range of sunglasses designed specifically for kids, making them the perfect gift for a first birthday or any occasion.

These sunglasses are made to be sturdy and durable, so they can survive playtime and rough handling. Polarized lenses offer extra protection and clarity, and they come in a variety of colours and designs. Sunglasses are a practical and thoughtful gift.

 

The Totli Box

At one year old, babies are becoming more curious and playful, and it's the perfect time to introduce them to toys and activities that can stimulate their growing minds.

The Totli Box

The Totli box is a Montessori  toy that is designed to encourage imaginative play, object permanence, and other important cognitive skills. This versatile box can be used in a variety of ways, from peekaboo games to sensory exploration.

The Totli box also doubles as a storage container for the accessory items, making it easy to keep everything organised. The Totli box is a wonderful gift for a first birthday or any occasion, and it's sure to provide hours of learning and fun for the little one.


Play Cards

Idea cards for different types of play such as the ones from Play Card Co are a fantastic gift for parents who want to keep their little ones entertained and engaged.

These cards provide a variety of ideas for different types of play, from sensory activities to imaginative games, and they often incorporate household items that you already have on hand.

Whether you're looking for a gift for a first birthday or just want to add to your own collection of playtime ideas, idea cards for different types of play are a practical and thoughtful choice.

 

Written by Laura Agrimi, mother of 2 and owner of Grace & Maggie.

Grace & Maggie

Online store - Open 24 hours

orders@graceandmaggie.com.au

PO Box 2852, Cheltenham, VIC 3192

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

 

 

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