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17 Unique Non-Toy Gifts for One-Year-Olds

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Looking for the perfect non toy gift for a curious little one who just turned one? 🎁💫 You’re not alone. At this age, toddlers are discovering the world with wide eyes and sticky fingers – and yep, they already own a mountain of toys!

That’s exactly why non-toy gifts are such a smart and thoughtful choice. ❤️

non toy gifts

Instead of adding another noisy gadget to the mix, why not give something they’ll actually use (and love)? Whether it’s something to wear, read, or explore, these ideas are sweet, practical, and totally clutter-free.

Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because—you’ll find something here that feels a little more meaningful. And psst… wait until you see the last idea. It’s super personal, instantly ready, and totally free. No wrapping paper required 😉

Related: 25+ Unique Non-Toy Gift Ideas for Two-Year-Olds

Special Photo Albums for Toddlers

One of my favorite non-toy gift ideas is a special photo album! These personalized albums can be filled with pictures of family, friends, and all the fun moments from their first year.

Toddlers love looking at familiar faces and scenes, and a custom photo album can become their favorite book!

They’ll love flipping through it, recognizing faces, and maybe even trying to say some names.

For Christmas, consider making a holiday-themed photo album with pictures from previous celebrations.

ToddleBee Baby Photo Album - Soft Baby Book First Year Baby Photo Book | My First Book Of Photos With Woodland Animals - Baby Album Holds 4x6 Pictures For Memory Album Baby Shower

Family photo Album With Captions

Baby’s First Family Photo Album - Personalized Children's Story - I See Me!

Drawing and Activity Books

Simple but amazing non-toy gifts for toddlers are drawing and activity books. They can scribble away to their heart’s content.

Plus, these books are great for developing fine motor skills and sparking creativity. For Christmas, consider festive-themed activity books.

One year olds love this: Christmas Sensory Bottle DIY: Simple, Fun, and Calming

My First Coloring Book for Toddlers

My First Coloring Book for Toddlers: Lovingly Designed Coloring Pages for Kids 1-3 Years Old | Large Motifs for Coloring to Promote Creativity and Motor Skills

Honeysticks for 1 Year Plus

Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons (12 Pack) - Non Toxic Crayons, Safe for Babies and Toddlers, for 1 Year Plus, Handmade in New Zealand with Natural Beeswax, Food-Grade Colors, Eco-Friendly

Montessori Activity Book

deMoca Busy Book for Toddlers 1-3 - Airplane Toys for Toddlers 1-3, My Quiet Book Montessori Toys for 1 Year Old with Kids Plane Activities, Activity Busy Board, Gift for Boys & Girls

Reusable Sticker Book

Benresive Reusable Sticker Books for Kids 2-4, Sticker Books for Toddlers 1-3 2-4, Toddler Travel Toys Activities Crafts Gifts - Animals, Dinosaurs and Insect

developmental boxes

These boxes are fantastic non-toy gift ideas for one-year-olds.

These developmental boxes are filled with activities and tools that encourage cognitive and motor skill development.

Shapes, Colors, Letters & Numbers

Montessori Toys for 1+ Year Olds - Toddler Learning Activities | Educational Books, Flash Cards & Puzzles Toys | Birthday Gifts for 1, 2, 3 Year Old Boys Girls, by Pidoko Kids

First Words & Sounds

Pidoko Kids Developmental Baby Box - One Year Old Boy Birthday Gift - First Words, Sounds, Talk & Scribble for 1 + Boys Girls - Toddler Learning Activities Toys - Educational Board Books & Flashcards

Furniture

Another great idea is a toddler-sized chair or sofa.

Perfect for their little reading nook or for watching holiday TV, these cute small furniture pieces make them feel like they have their own special spot.

If your little one loves chilling as much as mine does, they will absolutely adore this mini sofa and chair!

Toddler Sofa

Welnow Kids Sofa, 2-in-1 Soft Sherpa Toddler Chair, Convertible Toddler Couch Lounger, Flip Out Kids Couch Chair with Side Pockets & Removable Cover for Girls and Boys, Beige

Toddler Chair

MOMCAYWEX Kids Snuggly-Soft Sherpa Chair, Cuddly Toddler Foam Chair for Boys and Girls, Dark Blue

Music Instruments

Okay, I know I said no toys, but hear me out! Musical toys like tambourines, maracas, or drums aren’t just toys – they help toddlers develop their auditory skills and sense of rhythm.

There are even music classes for toddlers! Plus, they’re just plain fun!!

But a little word of advice: don’t forget to buy some earplugs for yourself or the other parents!

Your little one’s musical journey might come with a few… let’s say, enthusiastic performances.

Montessori Drum Set

oathx Kids Drum Set All in One Montessori Musical Instruments Set Toddler Toys Natural Wooden Music Kit Baby Sensory Toys Months Birthday Gifts for Girls Boys

Wooden Musical Instruments

LOOIKOOS Toddler Musical Instruments Montessori Natural Wooden Percussion Instruments for Kids Preschool Educational Musical Toys Set for Boys and Girls with Storage Bag

Personalized Gifts

Nothing says special like a gift that’s been made just for them!

Personalized gifts such as custom storybooks where they are the star, or a wooden puzzle with their name on it is a fantastic keepsake!

It’s educational, helps with name recognition, and looks lovely in the nursery.

Personalized Nursery Rhymes Books

Personalized Baby Book of Nursery Rhymes and Poems for Girls & Boys - Handmade Custom Baby Book with Childs Name, Ages 0-4 Kids Keepsake Present for Baptism, Christening, Birthdays & Naming Days

Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle

Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle for Kids, Handmade in USA by Bloom Owl, Custom Baby Gifts for Boys and Girls Easter or First Birthday, Montessori Toys for Toddlers 1-3, Baby Puzzle

Clothing Toddlers Love

Let’s talk about clothes that your toddler will actually enjoy wearing!

Rainboots are perfect for those puddle-jumping adventures and splashing around outside, Or those cute and funny grip socks are going to make your little one happy also!

Cute Grip Socks

Tiny Captain Baby Toddler Girls Grip Socks Gripper Straps Ages 1-3 Year Old Anti Slip Animal Socks Age 1 Girls Gift Set (1-3T, Multicolor Rainbow/Animal 12 Pairs)

Rainboots

Tree Grandpa Toddler Rain Boots Size 5 for Boys Girls Kids Rain Shoes Boots Baby Rain Boots Waterproof and Lightweight With Easy-on

Free Seasonal Flashcards

Snag Our Fun Seasonal Flashcards

Let’s make learning fun! These 92 cute seasonal flashcards are perfect for little ones to explore the magic of each season. Just download, print, and watch them enjoy a new way to learn about the world around them!

Conclusion: Non Toy Gifts For a One Year Old

I hope you’ve found some great ideas for gifts for the little ones! Or maybe you even found the perfect present.

Finding the right non-toy gift for a one-year-old can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s definitely worth the effort.

From drawing and activity books to personalized gifts that make them feel special! there are plenty of unique and fun options out there.

And let’s not forget the fun of watching them enjoy their very own furniture or make music with their new instruments.

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non toy gifts for toddlers

This post was about non toy gifts

Last update on 2025-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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