When it comes to finding the best gifts for 2-year-olds, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, they’ll likely be drawn to anything that’s colorful and interactive. Second, they’re at an age where they’re starting to become more independent, so gifts that encourage exploration and creativity are ideal. Third, they’re still very much in the “I want what I want” phase, so gifts that are open-ended and offer lots of opportunities for play are likely to be the most popular (1).
This can include books, doctor kits, building toys, stacking toys, and other similar items. However, there are also several safety concerns that need to be taken into account when choosing the best gifts for 2-year-olds. They still lack the necessary motor coordination for some challenging toys and activities, and they are too young for toys with small pieces that might pose a choking risk.
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Gifts For 2-Year-Olds Picks
1. Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank
This delightful toy is perfect for teaching your 2-year-old numbers, colors, and even some Spanish words, all while entertaining them with fun music, silly sounds, and phrases. With so much to discover, including a put-and-take play door and 10 colorful coins to drop in, your little banker will be engaged for hours on end.
Your baby will giggle with glee as they insert and remove coins and press the pig’s snout for even more laughs. Plus, with two Smart Stages levels of play, this toy grows with your child and helps develop their fine motor skills and understanding of cause and effect.
2. Good Night, Gorilla
This must-have board book is perfect for those cozy bedtime moments or as a thoughtful gift. Join the animals at the zoo as they get ready to hit the hay – unless someone has other plans! Follow the mischievous little critter holding a key and see who has the last laugh in this hilarious adventure. Your 2-year-old will love snuggling up with you and this entertaining story.
3. Melissa & Doug Classic ABC Wooden Block
With 30 one-inch cube blocks made of solid wood, your 2-year-old will enjoy endless hours of playtime while developing essential skills such as recognition, matching, stacking, and sorting. These colorful blocks feature letters, numbers, and fun images to keep your little one engaged and entertained.
Not only is this block cart packed with educational benefits, but it’s also incredibly convenient. The wheeled cart comes with a pull-along cable, making it easy to move the blocks from room to room and store them away. Plus, its sturdy design ensures that it will withstand years of use and play.
4. Baby Shark’s Big Show!
This awesome gadget features not one, not two, but five engaging learning exercises to help your preschooler improve their memory and fine motor skills. They’ll dive deep into the underwater world and make new friends with various sea creatures and personalities, all while building their hand-eye coordination and having a blast!
Whether they’re learning their ABCs, 123s, vocabulary, spelling, or instruments, this tablet has got them covered. Plus, with volume control and a lightweight, portable design, it’s the perfect play-and-learn companion for your little one on the go. Suitable for boys and girls ages 2 and up, the Baby Shark’s Big Show tablet is a must-have for any budding learner.
5. LeapFrog Scout and Violet 100 Words Book
With the Scout and Violet 100 Words Book, your little one can explore the colorful pages and touch the images to hear interesting information, toddler-friendly phrases, and fun sound effects.
But wait, there’s more! Switch to the Spanish language mode and let your child enjoy a fun-filled multilingual experience. And don’t forget to try the Fun Sounds mode, where touching the images triggers hilarious sound effects. Plus, your child can sing along to two educational songs by simply pressing the glowing star button.
6. Boon BUNDLE Building Toddler Bath Tub Toy
The Boon Pipes are perfect for scooping and pouring and come in five different shapes that can be linked together to create a flow of watery fun. With eight aquatic creatures to play with, your 2-year-old will have endless options to explore.
These bath toys are not just fun, they also help your child develop fine motor skills as they interact with the different shapes and textures. The pipes spin when water is poured over them, and they can be suctioned to the wall to keep water in the tub where it belongs.
7. Fat Brain Toys Original Dimpl Brand Baby Toy
With five colorful silicone bubbles securely mounted on a durable plastic frame, this toy is both visually stimulating and tactilely satisfying.
But the best part? It’s surprisingly addictive! Push the bubbles all the way in and then pop them through to the other side for an oddly satisfying sensation. Your little one will love exploring the different sizes and colors, and it’s the perfect toy to bring on-the-go for a sensory experience that will keep them occupied and content.
8. Press Here
Pressing the yellow dot on the cover will take you on an incredible journey – just follow the instructions on each page. With each turn of the page, you’ll be asked to press the button, shake the book, or tilt it in a particular direction to see what happens.
As you follow the directions, you’ll be amazed at the way the dots grow, shift, and multiply right before your eyes. This unique touch book is sure to delight your 2-year-old, and it’s a fantastic way to encourage imagination and interaction.
9. Stick-O Basic 10 Piece Magnetic Building Set
Get ready for some hands-on fun with the Stick-O Basic 10-Piece Magnetic Set, perfect for little ones who learn best through touch and exploration. Each piece is equipped with rotating magnets that always keep your creations intact for an exciting playing experience.
With an array of colors to choose from, the possibilities are endless as you combine and create with 2 Sticks, 4 Spheres, 2 Curve Sticks, 1 Cone, and 1 Disc. This versatile set encourages critical thinking skills, and STEM education, and supports brain development in growing toddlers. Plus, it makes an excellent gift for any 2-year-old who loves to learn and play.
10. Roar! I’m a Dinosaur
Get ready to transform into mighty dinosaurs with this one-of-a-kind interactive board book! Put on the eyeholes and discover what it’s like to be a pterodactyl or a T. rex. The lively rhymes and engaging illustrations invite readers to join in on the prehistoric fun.
ROAR! I’m a Dinosaur is the ultimate read-aloud for young children and an exciting introduction to imaginative play. It’s also a fantastic gift for any dinosaur lover, thanks to the unique and creative eyeholes and vibrant artwork by Merrill Rainey.
11. VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
With five pages of activities, an interactive desktop, and engaging materials like letters, numbers, and music, this workstation is a must-have for any curious toddler.
But that’s not all – the real magic happens with the eight expansion packs that are available for purchase. Each pack focuses on a different curriculum area, such as nursery rhymes, reading skills, animals, and math. This means that your child will have access to a vast array of learning resources that will grow with them over time. And, as they explore, the LED display will show them how to create basic shapes and stroke letters and numbers correctly.
12. Slumberkins Snuggler & Board Book
This bedtime story is designed for 2-year-olds and uses progressive muscle relaxation techniques to help your child unwind and relax before drifting off to dreamland.
Written by a therapist and educator, Slumberkins tales incorporate therapeutic methods to help children develop their social and emotional skills. Each Snuggler is made with hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill and features the softest Minky fabric, making it the perfect cuddle buddy both at home and on the go.
13. Carrot Count Stacker Wooden Ring Set
With this toy, 2-year-olds can enhance their critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills as they try to arrange the rings in various orders – by size, color, and sequence.
Made from eco-friendly rubberwood, this toy is both safe and sustainable. It comes with a foundation, a cute little rabbit, four colorful carrot tops, and ten wooden number rings in different shades. This stacking toy provides endless opportunities for hands-on learning and is perfect for children who love to play and learn at the same time.
14. LEGO DUPLO My First Number Train
This toy is jam-packed with 10 numbered bricks that 2-year-olds can use to build and stack, along with adorable DUPLO figurines of a boy, a girl, and a playful pup.
Toddlers can use the train’s carts to load and unload the numbered bricks, and even arrange them in the correct sequence to build a number wall. The train also features rolling wheels, an opening roof, and friendly DUPLO characters to add to the imaginative fun.
15. MOLUK Plui Rain Cloud Tub Toy
This clever bath toy is not only entertaining, but it also provides a great opportunity for learning. Your little one will be amazed as they submerge the cloud and a light downpour starts when they pull it out. But wait, there’s more! If they cover the top hole with their finger, the rain magically stops!
This toy is perfect for stimulating your child’s senses, piquing their curiosity, and teaching them about cause and effect. The durable ABS construction ensures it will last through countless bath times. Plus, cleaning is a breeze with the secret release mechanism that allows for easy cleaning to prevent mold and mildew.
16. Learning Resources New Sprouts Fix It!
These kid-safe instruments are perfect for encouraging your little one’s creativity and imaginative play. With a saw, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, drill, and toolbox included in the set, your child can practice their fine motor skills while learning to imitate you.
The tools are made of sturdy, soft plastic, so you don’t have to worry about any accidents. The drill is even accurately detailed, adding to the realism of the experience. This is a great gift for any 2-year-old who loves to play with their hands and build things.
17. LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart Deluxe
Your little one can run their own ice cream stand, selling all kinds of creative and mouthwatering ice cream and popsicle combinations. With four types of ice cream and three toppings to choose from, the options are endless.
The magic scooper is the key to fulfilling customer orders – scoop up the ice cream, add toppings, and the cart will automatically recognize the flavors and colors. Along the way, your child will be introduced to colors, numbers, and other concepts through the cart’s witty phrases and silly sayings.
This ice cream cart is so cute and colorful, making it a perfect gift for any 2-year-old girl who loves to play pretend and explore the world of flavors!
18. TOP BRIGHT Toddler Fishing Game
Get ready for some educational fun with this fishing board game! It comes with 26 colorful and beautifully patterned wooden fish puzzles that feature the alphabet, numbers, and cute sea creatures, which will engage your 2-year-old in learning while improving their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Using magnetic rods, your little one can reel in their catch and develop their fishing skills while also learning the alphabet and numbers. Plus, this game is made from high-quality natural solid wood and painted with environmentally friendly water-based paint. With no sharp edges or dangerous surfaces, it’s a perfect toy for curious and active toddlers!
19. Step2 Ball Buddies Tunnel Tower
The Ball Buddies trucks are perfect for your little ones! They’ll have a great time guiding the trucks down the hill and through the tunnel. It’s like having their own little construction site!
But wait, there’s more! Your child can use the flippers below to launch play balls into the funnel, which helps to improve their coordination and fine motor skills. The Ball Buddies trucks also feature a fun cause-and-effect learning activity in the tunnel tower.
20. Melissa & Doug Nesting and Sorting Garages and Cars
The Melissa & Doug Nesting & Sorting Garages & Cars set is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to playtime. Kids can zoom around with the wooden cars, construct towers with the blocks, match each car to their respective garage, and so much more!
The seven garages come in different sizes and colors, making them perfect for stacking up into a tall tower or arranging into a vibrant town filled with colors. When playtime is over, the garages can be neatly nested for storage.
This versatile set is ideal for children aged 2 to 4 and is sure to provide hours of entertainment and education.
How To Choose The Right Gift For A 2-Year-Old?
- Safety: Make sure you keep in mind the child’s safety. Avoid gifts with small parts or sharp edges that could hurt the child (2). Choose a gift that the child will enjoy and that is safe for them to use.
- Value: 2-year-olds are learning at an incredible pace. Absorbing up knowledge and developing new abilities. A toy that fosters learning abilities, whether they be in walking, talking, singing, or critical thinking, will be both fun and informative.
- Recommended Age: When choosing toys for your child, always keep an eye on the recommended ages. This is because the recommended ages serve as a crucial barometer for both safety and stimulation.
- Durability: 2-year-olds are notoriously hard on toys. Look for something that is durable and will stand up to lots of wear and tear.
- Size: A 2-year-old may not be able to handle a large toy. Choose something that is a good size for the child to play with.
What Are Good Gifts For An Active 2-Year-Old?
When it comes to finding the perfect gifts for active toddlers, it’s all about finding items that will let them move around and expend all of their energy. Play activity gyms, ride-on toys, and building blocks are examples of great active toys (3). These kinds of presents will keep them occupied and content while also encouraging movement.
What Do 2-Year-Olds Like To Do For Fun?
2-year-olds are notorious for being full of energy and for loving to explore the world around them. So, it’s no surprise that one of their favorite things to do is play games that involve moving around. Games that involve singing and dancing are also popular, as are simple games that involve matching or sorting objects. 2-year-olds also enjoy engaging in make-believe play and spend time exploring their surroundings.
