What are good practical gifts for a 1-year-old?

The most practical gift for a one-year-old is clothing they'll actually wear: a well-fitting basic in a fabric that survives daily life, sized for where they're heading rather than where they are right now, with nothing around the hood or neck that could catch on something. Skip the single "wow" toy that gets played with once, and give something that earns its place in the wardrobe every week instead.

buy for the size they're growing into, not the size they're in today

Toddlers don't grow in a steady line. Raising Children Network explains that growth in the first couple of years happens in bursts followed by quieter stretches, which is exactly why an outfit can fit comfortably for a few months and then suddenly look like a crop top. A gift bought to fit "right now" has a short shelf life.

The simple fix: size up by one, or choose a piece with a wide size range so there's runway built in. Our I Need a Holiday pullover runs from 12-18 months through to 6-7 years, so it's a genuinely useful "grows with them" gift rather than something outgrown by the next birthday.

pick fabric that survives daily wear, not just the unboxing photo

100% cotton is the practical default for toddler clothing. It breathes, softens with every wash, and shrugs off the food, dirt and general chaos that comes with being one. A simple, well-made cotton basic beats a novelty fabric piece that looks great for a day and gets retired soon after.

check the neckline and hood before you check the size tag

Before buying any clothing gift for a toddler, it's worth a quick safety check. ACCC Product Safety warns that drawstrings and cords around the hood, neck and upper chest are the highest-risk feature on children's clothing, since they can catch on play equipment, fences or car doors. Their advice is to avoid drawstrings in that area altogether and look for snaps, buttons or elastic instead. Waist drawstrings on shorts or trackpants are a separate, lower-risk category, but the hood and neck are the zone to check first. Pieces with a plain pullover neckline and an elastic waistband, like our trackies with a racing stripe, sidestep the issue entirely.

skip the single "wow" gift for something they'll wear weekly

A one-year-old won't remember the gift, but the parent will notice what actually gets used. Unisex basics are a safe bet if you're not across the family's exact style or whether they're set on pink or blue, and they're easier to hand down or pass along afterwards. If you'd rather not comb the full catalogue, our Gift Guide collection is a curated shortlist of the pieces that work well as gifts.

frequently asked questions

What size should I buy for a 1-year-old's birthday gift?

Buy their current size if you know it precisely, but when in doubt, size up rather than down. A slightly large gift still gets worn in a month or two; a slightly small one may never get worn at all.

Are clothes actually a thoughtful gift for a first birthday?

Yes, as long as they're well-fitting and practical rather than purely decorative. Parents of one-year-olds go through outfits constantly, so a good basic in the right size gets used far more than an outfit that's only ever worn for photos.

What should I avoid when buying clothing gifts for toddlers?

The main thing to check is drawstrings or cords around the hood and neck, which ACCC Product Safety flags as a strangulation risk. Look for snaps, buttons or elastic in that area instead.

How many outfits does a 1-year-old actually need as gifts?

One or two well-chosen, well-fitting pieces are more useful than a large set. Toddlers outgrow clothes quickly, so a smaller gift in a slightly bigger size tends to get more wear than a full wardrobe in their current size.

Is unisex clothing a safe choice if I don't know the parents' style?

Yes. Unisex basics avoid guessing on colour or style preferences, and they're easier for the family to pass down to a sibling or cousin afterwards.