I can hardly believe how quickly we’re coming up on Sprout’s first birthday! Recently my sister asked what Sprout wanted for her birthday, and I told her I’d come up with a quick list of items we were looking for. As a family, we’re very okay with being gifted second-hand items. So many kids items have so much life left in them.
Life hack that I was introduced to when pregnant and creating our baby registry – we paid $20 for Thankful registry. A bit pricey for a single use item that has perfectly useful free alternatives. BUT. It’s not a single use item. It can be changed and added to as many times as you want. You can add items from any website or online store, or you can set up cash funds for things like RESPs or bigger ticket items. Like any registry, people can also tick off what they’ve bought, so others aren’t buying the same things. I’ve revised our baby registry to reflect Sprout’s needs for her first birthday, and I’ll do the same for Christmas, and future birthdays.
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1. Kitchen Learning Tower
As a couple, Spencer and I generally love to cook. I’m so excited to start including Sprout in our time spent preparing and cooking food. We found a lovely learning tower on Marketplace. But if you can’t find what you’re looking for used, or would like to buy new – Amazon, Etsy, and Sprout Kids have some great options at multiple price points.
2. A Wheely Bug
Both Spencer and I enjoy spending time on our mountain bikes, and it’s a hobby we hope to pass on to Sprout someday. She doesn’t quite have the gross motor skills she’ll need for her Strider bike yet, but a Wheely Bug or similar ride on toy is a great first step before the Strider. Bonus is that they can be used indoors and outdoors. I do find them on the pricey side – but I regularly see them pop up on the Marketplace for about $30-45.
3. Wee Woollies
These are an essential PNW base layer for any kids spending time out of doors. Made from merino wool, we use them all year round. And a Canadian company to boot! We love them! I do find they tend to fit narrow – so maybe size up if you think it would be helpful. If you’re making a birthday list for loved ones, be sure to let them know what size your little one is looking for!
4. Bath Toys and Bubble Bath
If you haven’t already introduced toys to the tub – now would be a great time! Almost all stores have some great options. We also love the naturally derived bubble bath from Rocky Mountain Soap Company. It smells like Root Beer! So fun! We certainly don’t use it in every bath, but when we want to have a little extra fun we add it in.
I’ve seen several sets of these available on Marketplace. These are another great, open-ended, gross-motor toy that can be enjoyed for years to come!
6. A Posting Toy
We bought this one from IKEA for Sprout. Lovevery also has a similar concept in their 11-12 month playkits. Post and pegging toys help develop critical thinking and those fine motor skills.
7. Musical Instruments
Another great marketplace or thrift store find. If you’re in Canada – The Montessori Room has a beautiful set of wooden instruments. Friends of ours have them and I can attest to how lovely and well-made they are! I’ve gathered a collection of maracas, bells, and other small percussion instruments from thrift stores for Sprout to jam with.
8. Practical Life Items
Child-sized dishes, cutlery, a lunchbox for daycare, your favourite infant body care products (I’m looking at you Rocky Mountain Soap Company) – all great items to gift for a first birthday.
9. Books!
Always, always, always a fantastic gift option. Right now, Sprout’s favourites are anything with real life photographs and anything with sensory items. We’re still very much in the board book stage, paper pages just rip too easily. Our top choices are National Geographic (generally great for having photographs), the Melissa and Doug Poke-a-Dot books (several have photographs), and the Never Touch a... series (not photos, but cute rhymes and great touch and feel pages).r own best traveling hacks? Share them with us below!