Best Gifts for Grandbaby's First Year

Toys That Will Grow With Your Grandchild

What a great idea! All the fun of a playhouse without the space requirement. The front door side has a doorbell that chimes, a flower that grows and a mailbox. The back side has a light switch and a singing clock. And what grandbaby (or grandparent) could resist the drainpipe that plays "Itsy Bitsy Spider"? A window opens and closes, and baby can crawl through the door. It's a total package of fun.

This variation of the traditional stacking toy adds music and extra features that will appeal to little ones. Rattly balls can be dropped through the elephant's head to trigger music and lights. The set includes soft rings that can be stacked on the base or linked into a chain. The elephants ears even make a crackly sound that your grandbaby will enjoy.

I would have given a pretty penny for one of these cribside soothers when I was a young mom. This one by Fisher-Price is one of the best. You can choose movement, music and lights; choose music and lights; or choose music only. It plays longer in the music only mode--18 minutes. It offers classical music, lullabies or rainforest sounds, and features a three-level volume control. You'll really be thankful for this gadget when you are helping out with the baby.

Again, I wish these had been around when my kids were young. This combination of a stuffed animal and a security blanket pairs soft plush with a satin lining. Best of all, it is machine washable. If your baby adopts this as a "lovey," you won't have to worry about it getting grubby. This item comes in several variations, including a sheep, frog, duck and monkey, but who can resist a sweet puppy?

This toy is a combination ball, rattle and teether, and it's BPA ((Bisphenol-A) free, so you can be worry-free. The bright colors will attract Baby, and the tangly design makes it easy to grasp. Perfect for a baby's first year, Winkel may not charm a toddler, but it is durable enough to be handed down to other babies.

This innovative toy demonstrates how instruments create sounds that combine to form Mozart masterpieces. With the push of a button, the Magic Cube adds or takes away one of five different instruments. Pushing the orchestra button plays them all. The music is more melodic than that played by many toys, and the toy itself is sturdy enough to withstand being dropped. It's easy enough for a baby to operate, yet it may continue to fascinate for several years.

There are lots of activity centers for babies, but this one has a couple of features that set it apart. First, it can be used by babies flat on the floor, then transformed into a table for toddlers Second, it has a switch which changes the language from English to Spanish. Besides playing music, this toy also introduces the concepts of numbers and shapes. Babies really can learn and groove!

I never met a baby who didn't love to dance, and this toy is fun for baby and audience. With a microphone for singing and two dance platforms, the V-Tech Sit-to-Stand Dancing Tower becomes a stage for pint-sized performers. As the name suggests, it is designed for babies in several stages of development. Adjusted to its low height, this toy can be used by babies as soon as they are able to sit. Raise the height, and they will enjoy it for years to come.

This cute and colorful toy has the appeal of a stuffed animal and the entertainment value of an activity center. Stretch the Giraffe has attached teething rings and stretchy legs that make various intriguing sounds. It's washable and has a clip for attaching it to whatever piece of baby equipment baby happens to be occupying. Best of all, it requires no batteries!

A clever design allows this cute drum set to operate in two modes. In its conventional configuration, it can be banged on by your little bongo-player. Then the drums can be attached with their bottoms together to form a rolling toy. In both modes, the drums play music when hit or rolled about.

The Cloud B Twilight Turtle is a gift that makes a lovely nursery nightlight and becomes a learning tool for toddlers and children. When turned on, it projects the constellations on the ceiling in any one of three soothing colors. Babies will enjoy the light display, and older children can use the included Star Guide to recognize features of the night sky. Parents will appreciate the 45-minute sleep timer.

Pop-up toys have been a favorite of all of my grandchildren, and this model by Hasbro is sturdy and requires no batteries. In their first year, babies may not be able to operate the controls to make the animals pop up, but they'll enjoy seeing you do it, and occasionally they'll be able to do it on their own. As they grow in manual dexterity, they'll be able to play with it on their own, and I guarantee that even 4-year-olds won't walk by the toy without stopping to play!