Any ideas for a 1st birthday gift from the grandparents?
An ibond or 529 fund for educational expenses? It will help a lot in the future and this is a college forum. Maybe a favorite picture book to go with it.
4 Likes
We gave our GD a small toy, a book and a 529 contribution.
2 Likes
Ditto here: a toy, a book, and a check to the parents so they could use it whichever way they want.
1 Like
We generously funded the 529 shortly after birth.
Books are always good, their house is small so I don’t want to bring in more toys. They have a big backyard so I’m thinking maybe something for the yard like a water table.
6 Likes
If the baby is turning a year, that means that last summer he/she was just a non-mobile person - THIS spring/summer will be different! Depending on if they have a yard or a nearby park, I think it’s fun to get outside things to use. Bubbles to pop, an outside push toy, a blow up SMALL baby pool with a couple of water toys.
4 Likes
Ask the parents, and if you know the other grands - can maybe coordinate.
GD absolutely loves her water table! She started playing with it last spring, when she was 15 months. We bought one to have at our house, too! Now a year later, she still plays with it all the time.
5 Likes
A small pool was a great hit with my GD last summer. She was turned 2, a few days after Christmas.
Little pools can provide many hours of entertainment, but I’d double check with parents if i buy anything other than a book or small clothing type item.
1 Like
I agree. Some parents are very particular about country of origin, what the toys are made of, gender stereotypes, etc.
As for water play, that’s been a huge favorite. We bought a Step2 pool for GD1 to play in at our home and she loved it. When we moved we gave it to D for their home since we now have a pool. Playmobil 123 makes some great water play toys, too.
1 Like
Water play toys are great! This is the age when kids begin to enjoy splashing in bathtub or kiddie pool.
1 Like
I got 4-year-old GD a Toni box for her birthday last Monday. According to my son, her dad, she’s used it for four-plus hours every day, brought it to her other grandmother’s twice this week, and once to the playground. I think she likes it!!!
8 Likes
I like to give things with wheels. We have gifted the Cozy Coupe, the V-Tech sit-to-stand, the Radio Flyer tricycle, Little Tikes push lawn mower, scooters, a balance bike, bicycles, more scooters, and more bicycles. D thinks that in ten years we should gift GS his first car. 
The water table was a hit and used often. We’ve been splashing in a 6’ x 10’ blow up pool that is lots of fun. 
3 Likes
Maybe Mommy/Daddy and me swim lessons? My daughter took several a week as soon as she could walk because she had no fear of the pool and would walk right in. We were lucky that there was a warm therapy pool at National Jewish hospital and D could swim there because otherwise she’d lose too much body heat after about 10 minutes. Some kids I was a nanny to took lessons at a private pool because mom wasn’t a good swimmer and wanted the kids to be water safe asap.
1 Like
I started my kids in swim lessons when they were 2 years old because we live on an island and also my folks and 2 sibs have swimming pools.
1 Like
My granddaughters LOVE their water table. Also their play kitchen gets a lot of use. Also Target sells a little play Target cart which is adorable.
2 Likes
Water table. BIG hit.
2 Likes
We got GD a tea set for her 2nd birthday. I saw a little table with two chairs at our local children’s resale shop & I asked D if it was okay to get it so GD would have a place to have tea parties. She said sure. I figured it would go in the basement play area. When GD saw it, she was over the moon. The table and chairs have a place of honor in a corner of the kitchen eating area. GD eats her snacks there, and she always has her tea set at the ready. Any time I come in the house, the first thing she says is, “Tea?” I have to sit in a tiny chair, and she pretends to pour tea for me. I always sip with my pinky extended, and she loves it. I had no idea what a hit it would be!
9 Likes
We recently surprised 3 yr old GD with a Green Toys doctor kit. She was over the moon. I started reading Nicky Goes to the Doctor to her when she was due for her 18 month check up and we still read it regularly at her request. These days she’s also a big fan of the Doc McStuffins show on Disney and the Doc McStuffins books. H and I, and her baby doll, were all given thorough exams several times. As soon as H took her home, she insisted on examining her mom and baby doll. I’m waiting to hear if she tries to examine baby sister, too.
Green Toys says the doctor set is for ages 2 - 8. Their toys are all made in the US from recycled plastic. I especially like their tide pool set that’s sold with and without a tote.
5 Likes