Gift Guide for twin babies 1 and under + budget-friendly options

“What kind of gift does a 1 year old (or under) need anyway?!” I’m sure this thought has crossed your mind at least once when a birthday or holiday rolls around and you feel the pressure creeping up on you to figure out what to get your babies.

Now, I’m not saying that to make you feel bad. After all how many of us remember what we got as a gift when we were that age?  We can thank “infantile amnesia” for that.

According to experts, most memories in babies are only stored as short-term memories. The development of a child’s “first memory” doesn’t generally occur until about age 3.

But that is no excuse for letting the day or season pass without arranging for them to get some gifts that will aid in developing crucial skills and give you some free time to get things done.

Tip: Share this post with family members and friends who aren’t sure what to get your babies as gifts. Even better, Pin this post so you will always have it handy. This post will be updated year round to include seasonal or holiday-specific ideas as well as new or improved versions of items.

These items are chosen to provide inspiration for what to get your babies. You can swap out an item for a less expensive one that provides the same benefit, taking care to consider durability and pay attention to possible choking hazards that may occur with ‘cheap’ versions.

 

So let me jump right in!

Twin-related gift ideas

Books are a great idea for getting in more opportunities to develop language skills. Board or soft books are great for this age range. A few of these are books about twins that you will love!

This twin package of super soft and light blankets are a great idea during the early months and onward for comfort.

A fun play den designed for two

No more fights over the mirror with this play mat

 

Holiday/Seasonal ideas

Since Christmas gifts are usually just general toys (like the ones in the next section) I have added a few ideas to remember your babies’ first Christmas.

Start a new tradition and add your babies’ handprint ornament to your christmas tree.

Or personalize the ornament with the entire family or just the twins to commemorate their first Christmas

You can save this first Christmas onesie and make a blanket with it and other special outfits from your babies’ first year! The manufacturer offers a discount when buying 2 or more of the onesies.

General toys & games

The Melissa & Doug Deluxe Fill and Spill is ideal for dumping and filling activities, which helps in developing hand-eye co-ordination and problem solving skills. Plus the bugs are great for sensory play with varying textures and sounds

The Fisher-Price Rainforest Jumperoo enhances large motor skills from all the jumping & spinning and the colourful attachments and music will stimulate their senses.

 

The Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike is a great buy that is guaranteed to last for years. Your twins can start using this from 9 months (as a stroller) up to 5 years (converts from a stroller to a steering trike, learning-to-ride-trike, and finally a classic trike).

Your babies will have fun pushing each other around in the iconic Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon. This is ideal for building confidence and balance as they learn to walk.

Just look at this cute video of twins having fun with the wagon:

Activity based toys are perfect for imaginative play and developing intellectual skills. These ones are big enough for two to share:

The Cruise & Groove Ballapalooza is great for developing physical and cognitive skills of babies 6mths and up with multiple ways to keep them entertained.

 

You know how they love playing in water? The Step2 WaterWheel Activity Play Table is perfect to keep them entertained for long stretches of time.

 

The Little Tikes Activity Garden Baby Playset is a multifunctional play centre with numerous activities and ways to keep the little ones entertained. It folds out and expands so both can play at the same time.

 

The B. Zany Zoo Wooden Activity Cube is sure to keep your one year old twins entertained with activities. There are five sides to this box so they can both share the toy at the same time.

Budget-friendly Ideas

With twins it’s easy for the expenses to pile up and create a strain on your finances. However, that is no reason to forego gifts for your little ones. Here are a few ideas that won’t cost much (if any at all):

• Shop yard sales and consignment sales when possible and store away some items that can be gifted when the occasion comes around. Here is an article with tips for shopping local multiple consignment sales or you can join a facebook group for baby swap and sell items.

 

• You can also go the DIY route and come up with your own version of toys for sale. At a few months old it’s easy to get away with your toy not looking exactly like the one in stores:

These felt letters are soft and easy for little hands to grasp and explore the curves of the various letters. Plus this toy can still be used into toddlerhood, for learning the alphabet.

Tag blankets from scraps of fabric around the home are a fantastic way to introduce various textures for babies to explore. Add some crinkly paper inside and it gets even more exciting from them.

Bean Bags for tossing and exploring the feel and sound of the beans

Retro telephone soft toy for imaginative play

Sock rattle for making music together

 

So there you go, lots of ideas to inspire you when considering a gift for your 1 year olds or under. I will be updating this list regularly with seasonal updates and great recommendations from our online community so feel free to comment below with your gift ideas for this age range.

Pin this list so you will always have it handy.

‘Til Next Time