Table of Content
- Learn more about the Detailed Specifications
- A family membership to a children’s museum
- Personalized Name Books
- Coogam Matching Eggs Color & Shape Sorter Puzzle
- Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds to Take Playtime to the Next Level
- A doll that delights
- Princess Purse — $
- A sweatshirt that doubles as a stuffed animal
We spoke with Singh and other child-development experts—along with parents and other caregivers on our staff—to identify memorable and engaging gifts for 2-year-olds. Some of the toys on this list are officially recommended for children ages 3 and up. Our testers have played with these toys outside their official age-range recommendations and found them to be appropriate for this guide. The straw constructor set comes with three hundred pieces that she can use to construct anything in her imagination. The construction set will promote hand-eye coordination and will help her learn a variety of colors.

Shivji recommends tables and other furniture that are the right size for 2-year-olds. Whether it's to eat a meal, do a craft, or just play, this table gives toddlers their own space. In addition to traditional shapes and holes, this shape sorter includes gears, flaps, blue and magenta figurines, and even a flip puzzle. Two-year-olds who enjoy watching Josh and Blue's adventures will be inspired to play pretend with this house, too. Their brains are primed to soak up every bit of language and information in their environment. All of these traits make buying toys and gifts for 2-year-olds pretty simple if you know what to look for.
Learn more about the Detailed Specifications
This picture book explores the history of fry bread while simultaneously introducing children to a modern Native American family. It has won numerous awards from the likes of Publishers Weekly, NPR, and the National Council of Teachers of English. The breathtaking illustrations feature diversity among the characters. The book even has a recipe for fry bread at the end, providing an opportunity to extend learning into a hands-on activity. Customize this tricycle to your liking by adding accessories like a UV blocking canopy or a classic bell.
The VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk is a great gift for a smart and savvy two year old. The vibrant pink and purple desk comes with a stool that is just the right size for a little child. The interactive desk has activity pages, an alphabet pad and four modules with all kinds of buttons and graphics to delight and inspire young minds.
A family membership to a children’s museum
Having a daughter, I’ve always felt it’s essential for every girl to have her own jewelry box. Available in thirteen different designs, you can pick from a variety of designs for your jewelry box to come in. She can store her earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets in a safe place. Ella would make a fantastic companion for your toddler that will help her create memories for a lifetime. Ella has white fur, a velvety touch, a pink flowing dress, and a massive unicorn tail.
Shivji recommends gifts that support appreciation of art and music. The best toys and gifts for 2-year-olds are ones that are both fun and educational. From educational puzzles to kitchen tools, these expert-approved ideas will help toddlers develop skills while having fun. A rocker is a classic gift for a 2-year-old—and with good reason.
Personalized Name Books
Toys and games that promote grasping and manipulating small objects (as long as they're not so small as to be choking hazards) prepare little ones' hands for future learning. Instead, choose toys that can be played with alone or with others. That way, caregivers can respect the child's needs by letting them decide to play by themselves when they want to, but also keep the door open for collaboration.
It’s expensive, but it will last through many winters—or even generations. Keeping up with the developing skills and interests of a 2-year-old can feel like a sprint or a guessing game. “Play is how they start to understand the world,” said Heather Singh, who was until recently the director of educational programs at the Thinkery, a children’s museum in Austin, Texas. Molly Barlett has a background in research, journalism, and childhood education.
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. Durable and safe, this stylish helmet comes in two sizes and is made just for kids ages three years old and up. Use the size chart to find the right fit, and pick from eight cool designs for a helmet your kiddo will love to wear. Fun for years to come, this play cash register and money set is inspiring for any young entrepreneur.
This toy is worth a look if you need ideas for budget-friendly, educational toys for 2-year-olds. If you’re stuck inside and searching for an activity that’s sure to see daily use, look no further than a ball pit. We love the soft organic fabric and neutral color scheme of this one; you can choose the ball colors, so it won’t be an eyesore in your living room.
When standing, sitting or sliding on the board, toddlers will improve their balance and strength too, making this one of the best toys for 2-year-olds to work on gross motor skills. To prevent tumbles always supervise your child while using the wobble board. She may only be two, but it’s still not too early to begin sight words. As she begins to create sentences, she’ll need to know specific terms.
This set is also excellent for practicing colors and learning about patterns. This has been a popular toy for years and is one of my favorite gifts for two year old girls. The LeapFrog Alphapup is an adorable white dog with black ears and a bright black nose. The floppy ears are adorned with a sweet pink and purple felt flower. The dog is on wheels and can be pulled along with a large, bone-shaped handle that has an easy-grasp side for little hands. Little ones will love pressing each alphabet button and learning from the songs and sounds that each button makes.
They are also developing cognitively, and by age three, many children can complete simple puzzles or build towers from blocks. This set of baby dolls includes six plush babies stored together in a basket. Because these babies are so soft, they encourage 2-year-olds to love and nurture them. MacLaughlin recommends baby dolls for 2-year-olds to play pretend. They set the stage for many pretend play and role-playing scenarios. Kiwico crates make excellent gifts because they're subscription boxes that arrive every month.

The baby doll is wearing a soft, terry-cloth onesie outfit and a sock hat. At 15 inches, this is just the right size to feel like a baby to a little girl. The doll comes with an extra outfit and soft shoes as well as eating accessories, a teether and a pacifier. Plenty of pretend play is in store with this new favorite baby doll toy.
Princess Purse — $
This set can build an elephant with a banana that slides down its trunk, a giraffe with a springy neck, a lion with a flipping face and a crocodile with a chomping mouth. All four animals can be set on wheels and linked together to create a fun train. This set will literally give hours of fun as you can pretend, imagine and create together. A buildable bird is also possible as the pieces are reconfigured to extend your play even more. This edition comes with a sturdy handle and colorful, plastic body. The bubble mower has a bubble right on the front, to blow an impressive amount of bubbles as it is rolled along.