Perfect Presents for a 1st Birthday.

1st Birthdays -- the beginning of the end of babyhood and the start of turning toddler! Whether it's for your own little one or one who you happen to think is extra special, here's John & I's tried and tested favourite gift ideas.

1. Vtech First Steps Baby Walker. Whether this gift is suitable or not will depend on if your 1 year old has taken those magical first steps. For John, we all assumed he'd be on his feet long before his birthday, however he proved us all wrong and didn't let go until closers to 14 months old. John was given his cousin Sophie's Vtech walker around the time of his birthday -- he already had one at his Granny's house so we new he was capable of running around like a mad-man with it. It didn't take long after having 24/7 access to his walker for him to have the confidence to walk unassisted. And even now he still loves to push his around the house.

2. Wooden Geometric Stacker. By a child's 1st birthday, they'll be well into working on those fine motor skills. Iain recently got John a similar stacker to this and boy, does he love it. He's forever bringing it to us to get involved in playing and to offer him praises when he gets the shapes back on. Plus he thinks it's hilarious when Iain puts the shapes into his mouth and pretends to eat them.

3. Little Tikes Mobile Push 'n' Ride Car. For John's 1st birthday, his Granny & Papa got him a Little Tikes Trike but after a shot on a Push'n' Ride Car, we're all in agreement that one of these is better suited for John's age group. He recently had a shot of one at a soft play and I can hand-on-heart say that he showed no interest in any other toy -- to the point he cried when we tried to take him off the car and show him what else was available. Getting him to leave the car and go home was not an easy task! We're now in the process of getting John his very own one to have at Granny & Papa's house.

4. ELC Chunky Keys Keyboard. John received one of these keyboards from his Uncle, Aunty & Cousin for Christmas and straight away, we knew he'd love it. We'd been meaning to get him something similar for a few months, after seeing how much he loved a similar toy at Iain's Aunties house. This keyboard is particularly good as you can control the volume (always a good thing!), plus the keys light up when the music plays or when a little touches them, making it even more exciting to play with.

5. 50 Piece Colourful Wooden Box Set. We bought John a similar set of building blocks to these for his first Christmas. I knew I wanted to get a toy that would last him a few years, with plenty of opportunity to use his imagination. Now his blocks get used for everything; stacking, building, throwing, sorting and even the guinea pig gets the occasional one popped into his cage. John's blocks are played with every single day and I know they'll be appreciated for years to come.

6. Ikea Busa Play Tunnel. My parents picked one of these up for John on a whim and it did take a good few months for him to warm to it. At first he didn't really understand the concept but now it's one of the first toys he heads for in morning. He has the most fun with his tunnel when Daddy's home as he'll enthusiastically follow John in and out the tunnel and drag him through the house whilst sat inside. And my favourite feature is the fact it flattens down on itself and is secured with Velcro, so easily stored out the way.

7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Board Book. Or any board book! When people asked me what to get John for his Christmas & birthday I always replied, "books." The thing is, books can be expensive but I still wanted John to have plenty of them to hand so they made the perfect gift, especially given how much choice their is out there.

8. Happy Hooperz. This was the kind of gift Iain & I had planned to get John for his 1st birthday after he showed an interest in the one at our local soft play. To our surprise, John's Granny also thought it'd make a great gift and got him one for Christmas! When he first received it, John was a bit too small and his feet didn't quite touch the ground but after he grew a little, he realised just how fun it can be. His bouncing is still stationary but I know it won't be long until he's jumping around the house on it. Plus it's pretty cute when you come through to find him sitting on it staring into space or just watching TV.

What are your little ones favourite toys?

Would they make a good gift?