Shop The Story
Your 2-year-old is surprising you with how they’re growing every day! Toddlers this age are learning so many new ways to use their bodies and their minds. They can kick and throw a ball, run, climb, scribble and build with blocks (aka, throw them or topple over what you build). A child this age also not only enjoys looking at books and being read to but is starting to understand the story and how it relates to them. You may be noticing that your 2-year-old has also started to imitate you and is engaging in pretend play; they’re an astronaut, a baker, a swimmer, a worm, a drummer, a lion, a princess.
Best Gifts For 2-Year-Olds:
- Step2 Splash Scoop Bay Sand And Water Table
- Mega Blocks First Builders Big Building Bag
- VTech Touch And Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
- Radio Flyer 4-In-1 Stroll N Trike
- Manhattan Toy First Soft Babydoll
- Fat Brain Child
- Top Bright Wooden shape Sorter
- Iplay, ILearn Kids Bowling Play Set
- LeapFrog learning Friends 100 Words Book
- Fisher-Price Little People Take Turns Spiral Speedway
- Melissa & Doug 4490 Deluxe Pounding Bench Wooden Toy With Mallet
- Little Tikes First Slide
- Yookidoo Bath Toy Submarine Spray Station
- The Wonderful Thing You Will Be
- Little Tikes Rocking Horse
- VTech Care For Me Learning Carrier
- LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart
- Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set
- Melissa & Doug let
- B. Toys Beautifloor Alphabet Foam Tiles
- Kid O Moluk Bilibo Purple Toy
To help support a 2-year-old’s development in this exciting new world, we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for helping them continue to learn what they are capable of. From climbing toys to outdoor water play to the best books, games and puzzles, this comprehensive list includes classic toys and innovative new finds for tots alike. The good news is that whether your child is obsessed with pets, balls, cars, dolls or technology, there’s a gift perfectly suited for them.
The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing the best present for the peewee in your life (other than what they love to do), is, of course, safety. The toys here are made for 2-year-olds, but you’ll always want to think about how they’ll play with each product, as well as where, and supervise them at all times. Also, while these toys don’t pose a choking hazard, it’s always worth keeping in mind that before the age of 3, kids will still put pretty much anything they come in contact with in their mouths. Hey, at least they are starting to understand the meaning of the word “no.” Sort of.
Well, happy shopping!
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 21 Image Credits: Target
Step2 Splash Scoop Bay Sand and Water Table
For outdoor fun, a water table is a must! This highly rated option features a water and a sand side; each have covers so your tot can play with one or both. Comes with toys for digging and a waterfall tower. For use with supervision, but you might be tempted to play and watch!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This sand/water table is perfect for my 2.5 year old - she loves it! It is extremely durable and was easy to put together (no tools needed).
2 of 21 Image Credits: Target
Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bag
This top-rated preschool construction toy will carry your child from toddlerhood to their preschool years and maybe even beyond. The pieces are plastic, yet durable, and big enough for small hands to manipulate, so parents won’t have to worry about choking. The colorful 80-piece set includes a wheel base so tots can create any vehicle their imagination can design, and a zip-up storage case so cleanup is as easy as, um, prying blocks out of your kiddo’s hands at naptime.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My son who's now 4 got this set when he was almost 2 and still to this day he plays with them if not once or more a day, then every other day and LOVES them.
3 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
Two years old is the perfect age to introduce an activity table they can sit at in their own chair. This interactive version from VTech incorporates fun and learning with music, vocabulary and writing-focused interchangeable pages, and can also transform into an easel and chalkboard, so the ways to play are endless. You can even purchase separate expansion packs with more pages to extend the fun.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is a super cute, fun, interactive toy. Bought this for my 2 year old for Christmas and he loves sitting down to work on his ‘computer.’
4 of 21 Image Credits: Walmart
Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll N Trike
This my-first-bike converts to a big kid trike for a toy that will last longer than almost anything you can buy. Your child starts out sitting in the infant trike, then learns to steer, ride and, finally, is off zooming! Features a three-point safety harness and storage bucket for snacks and toys, a stroller-like push bar and a removable footrest.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I bought this for my 2 yr old granddaughter. She is able to actually peddle it herself. I love the fact that if she gets tired, her mother can wheel her the rest of the way.
5 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Manhattan Toy First Soft Babydoll
At the age of 2, kids start mimicking the behaviors of adults. What better way for little mommies and daddies to play pretend caregiving than with a sweet, soft doll that comes in a variety of skin and hair colors so your child can pick a doll that best represents them. Every doll includes a magnetic pacifier, diaper and a cute outfit. Tons of super adorable accessories sold separately. P.S. This makes a great present for a soon-to-be big sister or brother.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Great doll! The toes, belly button, and bottom are sewn to look life-like. The doll has a weighted bottom. It also has a little fabric diaper on. Love the magnetic pacifier too.
6 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Fat Brain Child
This precious name puzzle is the perfect gift to combine fun and learning. The classic wooden toy can be personalized with up to nine letters, and it not only helps toddlers learn how to spell their name but also helps develop their fine motor skills and self-esteem as they play with their very own, made-just-for-them puzzle day after day.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I purchased this for son and he absolutely loves it!! It is a great size, the letters are raised enough for him to grasp them and they are completely cut out and colored all of the way around.
7 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Top Bright Wooden Shape Sorter
There are so many ways to play and learn with this cement mixer/dump truck shape sorter. Your 2-year-old will learn their shapes and colors, develop fine motor skills and even hone hand-eye coordination as they push and pull the truck, rotate the barrel and grow their little imaginations. Parents will love that the toy is made with non-toxic materials.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My little grandson loves this toy! It is easy to dump out the shapes once they have been placed into the ‘mixer.’ Very well made and no sharp edges.
8 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
iPlay, iLearn Kids Bowling Play Set
This gift brings the fun of the game of bowling home in a safe, age-appropriate way. Made of soft foam, the colorful set contains 2 balls and 10 pins, and helps develop gross motor skills, and hand-eye coordination. Strike!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Parents love this set. This is soft foam and doesn't make a lot of noise falling down. Kids love playing with them and putting them in number order. Great quality.
9 of 21 Image Credits: Target
LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book
Animals aid in language development with this fun, interactive toy that features pages toddlers can flip, fun songs and 12 categories of new vocabulary from outside to pets to food to colors to vehicles. There’s a Spanish mode, too, which makes this a great gift for bilingual children or to encourage any kiddo’s learning in a new language.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My niece loves it and so do I it is helping her to formulate more words and learn and see things she hasn’t before
when she opened it she was totally excited, she keeps it with her all the time saying words.
10 of 21 Image Credits: Target
Fisher-Price Little People Take Turns Spiral Speedway
Three feet of track and two little people wheelies equals hours of fun for your toddler. Exciting phrases encourage kids to race their vehicles over and over as they jump around and guess which car will win this time. The speedway even features a gas station for fueling up.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is a well made, fun toy for toddlers and preschoolers. My granddaughter is 2 and can already figure out how to send the racing cars down the track.
11 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Melissa & Doug 4490 Deluxe Pounding Bench Wooden Toy with Mallet
Parents and toddlers love this colorful, classic wooden toy that features pegs that go up and down but don’t come out, so they can’t get lost (rejoice!). The pounding bench helps children learn cause and effect, and hitting the peg with the mallet encourages hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill development. Plus, it’s fun for a 2-year-old to hit stuff, so there’s that.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My 2 yr old got this for X-mas, and he LOVES it.
12 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Little Tikes First Slide
For simple, age-appropriate outdoor fun, you can’t beat a slide, and this one is plastic and right-sized for your active 2-year-old. It’s also small enough to be used indoors in a playroom or rec room. Parents, you’ll love that assembly is tool-free and that it folds for easy storage.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
The plastic is nice and the slide itself is really stable. My 17 month old can climb the ladder and walk up the slide by herself. It has not tipped once and she has a tendency to be rough.
13 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Yookidoo Bath Toy Submarine Spray Station
Grown-ups may be tempted to get in on the fun with this colorful (battery-operated) submarine and spray station that makes bath time more like playtime. The shower head sprayer, which is continuously fed by the sub, is designed for small hands to grip, and the colorful cups, faces and gears will be welcome playmates any time your kiddo needs to wash off a day of being a kid.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I was a little worried about putting batteries in the tub but it is very secure and we haven't had any issues. This is a water saving dream toy.
14 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
The Wonderful Things You Will Be
Emily Winfield Martin’s New York Times best-selling book is a must-have for every child’s library. Parents love its positive message about the wonderful, beautiful impact children can make on the world, and kids will be enchanted by the colorful, whimsical illustrations featuring children. Every family with a small child will cherish receiving this sweet book for a gift.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
There are a great many positive, self-affirming messages in this beautiful book for youngsters to soak in.
15 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Little Tikes Rocking Horse
You can’t go wrong with a classic rocking horse toy! Available in blue or pink, this plastic version is the perfect size for a toddler and features easy-grip handles and a seat designed for safety. Suitable for indoor or outdoor play.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This rocking horse is perfect for a child age 1 to 3. The seat is very low, so it’s easy for a little one to climb into.
16 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
VTech Care for Me Learning Carrier
Calling all peewee pet lovers! VTech’s interactive puppy and kennel set features dozens of songs and phrases to entertain tots while they care for their furry friend. The plush puppy’s carrier lights up and comes with toy food, a bottle, a comb and a ball for playing fetch. Available in pink and orange.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I bought for my daughter’s 2nd birthday. She loves this. It’s perfect size for her to carry around. She loves putting the puppy in and out of her crate. She then snuggles with the puppy at bed time.
17 of 21 Image Credits: Walmart
LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart
Toddlers will love making treats for friends and family. This colorful, movable cart includes an attached ice cream scooper that won’t wander off, ice cream scoops, cones and toppings. Voice prompts call out orders for kids to fill and work on memory skills and matching. Yum!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My toddler loves this. It’s one of the few toys that she plays with every single day and it keeps her entertained for a long time.
18 of 21 Image Credits: Amazon
Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set
Your 2-year-old can score big with this “my first basketball” set that adjusts from 2.5 to 4 feet in height. Help your tot practice layups and hand-eye-coordination, gross motor skills, sharing and taking turns. The mini b-ball set comes with three junior-size balls and is suitable for indoor or outdoor play. Weight with sand for added stability.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
We bought this for our 2 yr old and I have to admit, we probably play with it as much as our toddler does. It's height adjustable which is great for growing kids.
19 of 21 Image Credits: Target
Melissa & Doug Let
This highly rated, top-selling pretend cleaning set is a favorite for kids and parents. Because who wouldn’t love encouraging little ones to help out around the house? It comes with six pieces: a rope mop, broom, dustpan with small broom, a fluffy duster that’s so real, you may just use it for real cleaning, and a stand. The set is made for kids ages 3 and older, but plenty of parents say their 2-year-old is all about it. It doesn’t contain small pieces, so it’s safe for younger toddlers, as long as they can walk and won’t pull it over on themselves.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I purchased this set for my 1 year old grandson because when I take care of him, he watches me cleaning and wants to help out. He was so excited to have his own broom and duster especially. It's certainly sturdy and the price was right.
20 of 21 Image Credits: Target
B. toys Beautifloor Alphabet Foam Tiles
This toy will last for as long as your kids are, well, kids. The colorful, interlocking foam tiles with removable letters are perfect for creating a soft play space but also help teach letters, sequencing and spelling. Safe for 2-year-olds who aren’t chewing off pieces of non-food items.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Pretty color floor tiles, great for all ages, soft to crawl on, easy to wipe off, also a learning tool.
21 of 21 Image Credits:
Kid O Moluk Bilibo Purple Toy
It’s a bird, it’s a plane — well, no, it’s a durable, non-toxic, shell-shaped toy that may look like it doesn’t do anything, but according to parents, it inspires endless imagination and creativity among toddlers. Available in a variety of bright, fun colors, this award-winning toy helps little ones improve their balance and coordination, as they sit and stand in it, or stack it or stow things in it or hide under it or… It’s important to note that parents of children with special needs are raving about the many benefits of this seemingly simple toy for children of all ages.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
They're chairs, crazy masks, step stools, toy haulers, caves to adventure in, train tunnels, cleanup buckets, and more. Trust me, you and your kiddos will all end up using your Bilibos far more often than you would expect for far more things than you could ever predict.
