The “terrible twos” are perhaps the most dreaded of any age. From time immemorial, this has been a challenging time for parents. But while tantrums, emotional rollercoasters, and fierce, stubborn independence do kick into overdrive at this age, we’re here to tell you that it’s not all bad. It’s also the age of monumental intellectual development and fun — plus they become sillier and are lots of fun. Which automatically means that gifts for 2-year-olds are more fun, too.
We’ve rounded up toys that speak to the broad range of 2-year-olds interests (and you may find their interests becoming more exciting and varied). From toys that celebrate all the developmental milestones they’ve achieved in the past couple of years to toys that encourage them to develop further skills they still need to work on to toys that are just plain fun, we have you covered on the very best gifts for 2-year-olds. Because they may not always know what to ask for, but they know what they like.
Anyone who has ever held a flashlight within 100 yards of a toddler already knows that those little guys love flashlights. So before they steal yours, go ahead and let them enjoy this one, which comes with over 50 educational songs, music, sounds, and phrases, plus five different colors.
Your toddler will love spinning themselves on this Playskool. Appropriate for indoor or outdoor play, this toy is the perfect outlet for working out energy while staying in one place. It’s all in the name — just sit and spin!
This toddler-friendly toolbox is great not only for imaginative play but the various tools inside to encourage fine motor skills. And because the toolbox even sings songs about how everything works, less-than-handy caregivers may find they learn a thing or two as well.
All dolls are fun — they’re dolls! But this doll is even more fun because it comes with lots of activities for busy hands and growing brains. Zippers, buttons, buckles, and more enhance imaginative play and promote fine motor skills.
This fun and functional train takes sorting toys to the next level. Your 2-year-old will have fun placing the brightly colored blocks on the train (probably pretending they’re actually cargo because 2-year-olds see the world differently) and pulling it through the house.
Duplo sets are great for two reasons: They’re the perfect way to introduce your child to building toys and promote spatial intelligence, and they’re just tons of fun to play with. This set comes with everything you need to build a control tower and plane, plus a pilot, dad, and child figures.
Yeah, dogs are cool, but can they teach your 2-year-old colors, numbers, parts of the body, and play music? We didn’t think so. This adorable Dalmatian is the perfect pal for your toddler to pull along and play with, plus none of the mess of a real puppy!
Composed of 10 different activities, this playset will keep your busy toddler even busier. Wooden blocks, puzzles, and bead maze roller coasters encourage hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. And because it’s meant for children 36-60 months, it will last for years. (And the handy storage keeps your child’s play area organized and neat.)
One day, your 2-year-old will be a salty teenager who groans when you ask them to mow the lawn, but it is not this day. Today they will love playing grown up with their very own push lawnmower. The dials really click and the pull cord makes a realistic motor sound, too.
It’s okay to admit that ever since Beauty and the Beast, we’re all a little disappointed in non-singing teapots. Fortunately, this little set not only sings but teaches shapes, counting, colors, manners and encourages sharing and role play. Besides, who doesn’t love a good tea party?
Grocery shopping isn’t always super fun for adults, but for 2-year-olds, the grocery store is the hottest club in town. This charming wooden cart with a cotton basket will provide lots of fun as they pretend to be in their favorite place. Food is sold separately.
This eight-piece wooden puzzle features easy-to-grab safari animals that also just so happen to make pretty fun toys in and of themselves that can encourage imaginative play. Each piece fits neatly into the board, giving your toddler visual clues about where the animal goes, encouraging matching skills.
Most 2-year-olds probably have a cuddly bear, but do they have a cuddly zebra? Lovable and unique, this plush toy is the perfect friend to snuggle and play with.
Have fun pulling four Fisher-Price friends along in the school bus for imaginative play. Depending on your child’s game or developmental stage, the Smart Stage buttons on the bus can enhance play with bus sounds, songs, ABCs, counting, and more! or press the buttons on the bus to sing, learn ABCs, counting, or sing songs, and more.
Every kid needs a big red fire truck – they’re just neat. And this chunky, friendly-looking truck is perfect for 2-year-old hands. It’s also made from 100% recycled materials and uses minimal packaging, so you can feel good about their future, too.
This tiny kitchen is the perfect place to inspire your little chef and will provide hours of culinary fun. Sturdy and adorable, this set comes with 25 accessories and places to put them all. Today, plastic pots and pans on a pretend stove ... tomorrow, Le Cordon Bleu.
17
Promotes Inclusion and Acceptance
‘ABCs of Equality’ by Chana Ginelle Ewing and Paulina Morgan
This first primer on inclusion, acceptance and social justice will teach your child that friends come from all walks of life, and it’s our differences that make us so special. Beautifully illustrated and printed on sturdy cardboard, this is a great addition to any child’s library.
You may find that your 2-year-old is really into climbing lately, which is a great developmental sign. Unfortunately, they always seem to want to climb on that very high, very wobbly piece of furniture. Encourage safe climbing with this fun slide, great for inside or outside.
Get your farmer-in-training their very first John Deere tractor in this sit and scoot design. It looks like the real thing but is safe for small riders. The wide wheelbase promotes stability, and because it can handle up to 60 pounds, your child can have fun tending their fields on this for years.
Whether you want to play see-saw with a friend or just climb and crawl, this toy is perfect: Just flip it over for two different kinds of play. Rounded edges, easy-to-grip handles, and wide contoured seats make this safe and fun. Appropriate for two children up to 50 pounds each.
Toddlers have this unfortunate habit of drawing on walls. It’s a great sign of creative development, but let’s be real — it’s not fun to clean up. Designate the bath as an OK place to scribble with these all-natural crayons. Let your small Banksy go wild on any nonporous bathtub surface, and then just wipe it away.
If your toddler were a puppy… Well, let’s be honest, probably not too much would change. Toddlers and puppies have a pretty similar adorable/chaotic vibe going. (Don’t worry: It’s normal.) This tactile board book not only encourages reading but engages your child with all kinds of fun textures and bright, simple illustrations.
Your 2-year-old will enjoy taking care of all the animals on their farm. The set comes with sheep, pigs, and a farmer cow, plus a pick-up truck and fences. All pieces fit inside the barn, which features a carry-handle for on-the-go play—made from recycled materials and soy inks.
This adorable puppy is impossibly soft and the perfect size for little arms to hug. Plastic pellet fill gives this toy good heft, so it can stand up against the most enthusiastic cuddling your 2-year-old can manage.
Known for their durable, super fun train sets, Brio has made this simple set perfect for first-time train owners. Magnets connect the different train cars as they ride around the simple wooden track. And when they’re ready for a bigger railway empire, it is compatible with other Brio products!
Diversity in children’s books can be hard to find, but with this monthly subscription box, your 2-year-old can read stories about kids from lots of diverse ethnicities, cultures, and walks of life. Boxes ship quarterly and contain one to three books, depending on the package you choose.
This wheeled cart comes with 10 flavors of “ice cream,” scoops, and even a cash register. Your kid will have fun serving customers and the kind of joy only ice cream (even pretend ice cream) can provide because. It even comes with a 1-year warranty.
There’s plenty of room for your toys and a special friend with this backpack. One of seven stuffed animals fits neatly on a special space, while the rest of the backpack can be kept free for whatever you need to bring with you on a day trip or to school.
Listen to Lilly chirp the tune of “Twinkle Twinkle” as you push her along through the house. Rubber-rimmed wheels are quiet and durable, and the stick is detachable for easy storage. This toy encourages music, musicality and teaches cause and effect.
Pretending to go to school often happens long before your child even steps foot in a classroom. Let them explore that idea with this set from Fisher-Price. The Little People Friendly School has a working teeter-totter, a spinning globe, a real bell, and much more!
Jamie KenneyJamie Kenney is a freelance writer for BestProducts.com; Her other work has appeared on Bustle, Parents, Playboy, McSweeny's Internet Tendency, the Takeout, and Romper, where she covers parenting, news, entertainment, and likes to help readers see the ridiculous (and hilarious) side of motherhood.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
