At 2 years old, kids tend to surprise us all with how much they’re growing every day. These little ones are meeting many toddler developmental milestones and learning new ways to use their bodies and their minds, leading to exciting new stages of play. The best gifts for 2-year-olds help foster these burgeoning skills through imaginative, active play.
With this age group, playtime can be used to teach important social and communication skills, according to Neal Petersen, LPCC, a registered play therapist (RPT). “For example, model sharing between two toys as you play with your child will help them retain the information and make those neuropathways in the brain nice and strong,” he says.
From outdoor and Montessori toys to books, room decor, and educational options, we've rounded up the best gifts we're sure 2-year-olds will love. To create this list, we considered each toy's age recommendations, features, quality, materials, durability, value, and engagement potential. We also reviewed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on milestones for 2-year-olds and toy safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). These are the best gifts for 2-year-olds to engage them during playtime.
Shop more of our editor-approved gifts and toys on Amazon.
Our Favorite Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
- KiwiCo Color Wheel Racers and Ramp
- Melissa & Doug Let's Play House! Dust, Sweep & Mop
- Melissa & Doug Blockables Town Snap and Play
- Press Here
- Radio Flyer Park and Play Camper Riding Toy
Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds
Toys that align with Montessori principles are generally straightforward and not over-stimulating. They typically consist of wooden toys that encourage independence and STEM learning and focus on just one skill at a time. Toys like brightly colored silks that are meant to boost creativity and imaginative play are a good example. A set of cleaning “toys” that actually clean can also be great for 2-year-olds who want to do exactly what their parents are doing.
Baby Dolls for 2-Year-Olds
Dolls are fun for imaginative play and can help toddlers reenact the things they see adults doing. My 2-year-old is obsessed with baby dolls and loves playing with them in real-life scenarios, like putting them down for a nap or pretending to change their diaper. A classic American Girl baby doll is always a good choice for a realistic option, or something more plush and soft can be great for cuddlers.
Pretend Play Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
Two-year-olds love imagining themselves in real-life scenarios and acting like mini-adults. This type of pretend play is fun, of course, but it’s also very beneficial to their development: It can boost creativity and encourage more independence. An ice cream cart that allowed them to make their own ice cream cones was a huge hit with both of my daughters, who played with it almost daily. And the Fisher-Price Little People sets are loved by almost every toddler I’ve ever encountered.
Blocks and Building Toys for 2-Year-Olds
All toddlers are different, but almost every single one of them will enjoy stacking toys (and knocking them down). “You can’t go wrong with building blocks,” says Petersen. “There is so much that can be done with them (building, counting, pairing), and there is very little risk with them.” We like Jelly Blox for their soft and flexible feel, while colorful plastic blocks can be great as a lightweight option for toddlers who throw things often.
Books for 2-Year-Olds
We all know it’s important to read to your little ones regularly, but why? Well, for starters, it can help encourage early literacy and has benefits that include expanding their vocabulary and helping them better understand phonemic awareness—two things that are essential for language development. Books with rhyming and books with whimsical illustrations are always good options for keeping your toddler engaged.
Puzzles and Board Games for 2-Year-Olds
Keeping tots busy without screen time can be a challenge. Luckily, age-appropriate puzzles are an excellent alternative. They can also aid in cognitive development milestones that 2-year-olds may be experiencing, like learning how to sort, as well as hand and finger motor skill milestones. A puzzle with large pieces that are easy to grab and maneuver is a great start for 2-year-olds.
Arts and Crafts for 2-Year-Olds
Whether it’s coloring, painting, or scribbling, arts and crafts can help foster creativity and keep toddlers entertained for a surprisingly long time. Coloring and drawing can also help improve the important hand and finger skills that toddlers are learning. We like options like easy-to-hold crayons since many toddlers this age are just figuring out how to hold writing tools, and mess-free paints for easy cleanup.
Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds
Toddlers are constantly learning, especially when they’re playing. You can help support your little one’s cognitive growth by feeding them plenty of brain-development foods, setting up toddler learning activities, and incorporating independent play with educational toys like our picks here. An interactive book that teaches common words and phrases is something they can flip through on their own, while more calming options like shape sorters help teach them how to identify patterns and increase spatial awareness.
Sports and Outdoor Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
Most 2-year-olds are constantly on the move, which means they’ll enjoy a toy that gets them dancing, running, or jumping—and caregivers will love that they help wear them out before naptime. Mini sports kits are a fun way to encourage exercise, while a toddler-sized slide is great for improving gross motor skills and inspiring outdoor play.
Clothes and More for 2-Year-Olds
Since 2-year-olds are notoriously messy and hard on their clothes, they could always use a new clothing item or accessory. We love a sturdy pair of rain boots that can withstand muddy playgrounds and puddle jumping, or a cozy pair of pajamas that get little ones ready for a calming bedtime routine.
Room Decor Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
For the 2-year-old who already seems to have more toys than they know what to do with, pieces of fun room decor can make a thoughtful gift. You want to opt for something parents would appreciate and toddlers would actually enjoy using. A comfortable chair makes a perfect reading spot, while a play tent can double as decor and a toy.
Our Review Process and Experts
To create this list of the best gifts for 2-year-olds, we researched shopping trends, reviewed CDC information regarding 2-year-olds' development, and read up on the AAP's toy safety recommendations. We assessed each product based on its features, quality, materials, value, safety, age-appropriateness, and engagement potential. To find out more about what to look for in toys for 2-year-olds and toy safety, we also interviewed the following experts:
- Neal Petersen, LPCC, a registered play therapist (RPT) and clinical operations director for Greater Minnesota at Ellie Mental Health.
- Katie McCann, a mom of two, breastfeeding counselor, and paramedic.
How to Choose the Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
- Developmental Milestones: At the age of 2, children are working on their fine motor skills, language development, and imaginative play abilities, so look for gifts that help them practice those skills. Petersen also recommends playing with your child to get a better idea of their developmental stage and play style so you know exactly what they’ll like and appreciate the most.
- Safety: Keep the item’s age recommendations in mind—toys targeted for older children may include small parts that can detach and pose a choking hazard, especially if the child still regularly puts things in their mouth. You should also consider the materials used in the product. Look for items that are BPA-free and made from nontoxic materials in case they end up in your child’s mouth. All painted toys should be labeled as not containing lead. This is especially important when purchasing toys made outside the U.S. and certain plastic toys, according to the CDC.
- The Child’s Interests: Consider the child’s interests, something you can learn by observing how they play. If that’s not possible, start by asking their parents or caregivers what they like. Ask questions about the child’s favorite colors, activities, animals, and characters.
- Noise, Batteries, etc.: Toys that are overly noisy, require extensive assembly, have tons of small parts, or require lots of batteries can all be frustrating for caregivers. Also note that many parents and caregivers try to avoid toys with button batteries, a type of small battery that can cause life-threatening injuries if accidentally ingested. Look for toys that don’t use them if possible, since so many 2-year-olds are still putting toys in their mouths.
Who We Are
Bridget Shirvell is a Connecticut-based writer for Parents. The mom of a 4-year-old, she's always on the lookout for interactive, functional, and sustainable children's products. Before purchasing anything, she always asks: "Is this good for us, the planet, and the people who made it?" When considering which items to include on this list, Bridget included many gifts her daughter was given, as well as recommendations from other parents and Parents editors.
Melissa Willets is a Parents writer with over a decade of experience writing parenting content.
Jessica Booth covers parenting and shopping for Parents. She considered the things her daughters loved the most at 2 years old when putting together this piece.