Finding the perfect gift for a 1 year old

There are so many great gifts for kids, it can be tough to know which to choose. If you’re struggling to come up with ideas of what to gift a one year old, a gift card could be the answer you’re looking for. From toys to tech, stuffed animals to sketchpads, downloads to days out, a gift card gives mom and dad the freedom to choose the gift they know child will love.

1. Educational toys

Your budget: $10-$200
Little brains are always soaking up what’s going on around them and at one, they’re really starting to explore with their senses. Educational toys help them develop language, reasoning and fine motor skills, plus they’ll keep them occupied for hours. Mom and dad will be pleased!

Buy Buy Baby – Baby superstore Buy Buy Baby is bursting with gift ideas for little ones, and they do a great line of educational toys. With big name brands like Leap Frog, Vtech and Pinkfong, there are all kinds of light-up, push button learning toys to start them on the road to math and their ABCs. From baby smartphones for around $10 all the way up to a virtual pre-school program for $200, you can load a gift card for as much or as little as you like.

TJMaxx – When you want to get more for your money, TJMaxx should be your go-to store when you’re buying a gift card. Stocking all kinds of toys from all the biggest brands, you never know what you’re going to find. From wooden puzzles for $10 to $50 activity centers with all the bells and whistles, it’s the ideal choice when you can’t decide what to gift a one year old.

2. Days out

Your budget: $15-$200
One of the best ways for little ones to learn is to get out in the world and experience everything it has to offer. From zoos to aquariums, fun fairs to museums, there are gift cards to introduce them to some of the wonders of the world. Guaranteed to put a big smile on their face!

Detroit Zoo – What little kid doesn’t love animals? And with a gift card from Detroit Zoo, they can get to know 2,500 of them, from anteaters to zebra and everything in between. Detroit Zoo is the perfect place to encourage a love of nature and there’ll be hours of fun from a single visit. Kids under two go free, but they can use their credit in the gift shop – because, let’s face it, that’s usually their favorite part anyway.

Disney - Are they fanatical about Frozen or mad about Mickey? Buy them a Disney gift card and they could soon be spending time with their Magic Kingdom heroes. Valid to spend in store, or at any Disneyland or DisneyWorld resort, you could treat mom and dad to credit towards their ticket or load the card with credit for the little one to spend on toys. From $15 to $500, it’s up to you.

3. Creative ideas

Your budget: $10-$25

Cutting, sticking, painting – it’s a toddler’s dream. Plus crafting helps them explore colors, shapes and textures and express their artistic side. From crafting kits to large pack of paint, gift cards let mom stock up on supplies.

Barnes & Noble – Best known for books, Barnes & Noble also has a great line of stationery and craft goods, so a gift card is a great gift for the budding Picasso in your life. From color by shapes and numbers coloring books at just over $5 to paint your own tea party sets for around $20, there are plenty of creative choices for parents and toddlers to enjoy together.

Staples – OK, so junior may be a little young for his first planner, but the office supply store, Staples, has plenty of stuff to get creative with. From pens and paper to stickers and bubble wrap or making fun printed paintings, there are lots of ways to get creative. From a pack of Crayola wax crayons to a giant sketch pad, a $25 gift card could get them a huge pile of supplies to nurture their artist talents. Bet you didn’t think of this one when you were deciding what to gift a one year old!

4. Cuddly toys

Your budget: $10-$50

What kid doesn’t love a cuddly toy? Most toddlers have already collected a ton of them by the time they’re one, but there’s always room for more. Whether they love a classic bear or want a stuffed animal with all the accessories, a gift card that lets them choose their new best friend is always a good choice.

Giving Good Make-A-Wish swap – Not only does a Giving Good Gift Card give the little one in your life the chance to create their perfect toy at Build-A-Bear Workshop, it helps kids in need too. Make-A-Wish®, the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, gets a 3% donation with every gift card purchase, so you can feel good knowing your purchase has made not one but two kids happy.

eBay – It may seem like an odd choice for a one year old but hear us out. Online marketplace eBay is a great place to find new and nearly new toys and collectibles. From classic Steiff bears that could be a new family heirloom to limited edition favorites you just can’t find in store. An eBay gift card gives mom and dad the freedom to pick something truly special.

5. Tech

Your budget: $30+

Kids turning one are more attuned to technology than ever before - they probably already know it better than your parents do! They’ll be using tech from daycare right through to college, so you might as well get them off to a flying start with a gift card that educates and entertains.

Apple – A little screen time can be really valuable for toddlers and there are loads of great games and apps in the Apple store to keep them engaged. From nursery rhyme apps they can sing along to in the car to simple games to get them started with their ABCs, you can get them dozens of great apps and games for less than $20.

Audible – Audible do loads of great audiobooks to help expand little minds. Junior is probably too young to read to themselves but it’s a great way to start a love of books. Whatever they’re into, you’re sure to find something that will help them flourish and develop interests of their own!

You don’t have to struggle to find ideas for what to gift a one year old baby boy or girl. With the Kroger Family of Stores, you can browse a wide range of gift cards to let mom and dad choose the perfect gift for their little one. Browse our full gift card range online today!