Best Gifts for An 2 Year Old

Choosing gifts for 2-year-olds is a delightful task as they are at a rapid development and exploration stage. Are you searching for the perfect gifts that cater to the needs and interests of a 2-year-old? Our guide offers a variety of engaging and age-appropriate options. Educational toys that focus on fundamental skill development, like shape sorters, simple puzzles, and building blocks, are great for their cognitive growth. Interactive books with textures and sounds or colourful picture books can stimulate their curiosity and language skills. Consider toys like push-and-pull, balls, or simple ride-on vehicles to foster fine and gross motor skills. Art supplies like non-toxic crayons and large drawing paper can encourage creativity. Soft plush toys and dolls can provide comfort and a sense of security. Musical toys, such as toddler-sized instruments or toys that play songs, can also be a hit. Explore our selection of the best gifts for 2-year-olds to find something entertaining and beneficial for their development. For further inspiration, check out our other Children’s Gift Guides.

Jump straight to the gifts ⇒

Talking Flash Cards

Talking Flash Cards Early Educational Toys for 3 4 5 6 Year Old Baby Boys Girls, Preschool Learning Reading Machine with 224 Words, Montessori Interactive Gift for Kids Toddlers

The Talking Flash Cards are the perfect early educational toy for toddlers and children aged 2 to 6. Designed to make learning fun and interactive, our flashcards combine traditional learning methods with modern technology to engage and captivate young minds.
Invest in your child’s early education with our Talking Flash Cards. They are a valuable tool for promoting language development, expanding vocabulary, and fostering a love for learning in young children.

Balance Bike/3 Wheel Tricycle with Removable Pedals

LOL-FUN Toddler Balance Bike for 1 2 Years Old, 4 in 1 Baby Bicycle for 1 to 4 Years Old Boys Girls Present, 3 Wheel Tricycle with Removable Pedal

The Toddler Balance Bike is the perfect companion for little ones aged 1 to 2 years old who are ready to explore the world on wheels. This versatile 4-in-1 baby bicycle grows with your child, offering a range of riding options and a seamless transition from tricycle to balance bike.
With the LOL-FUN Toddler Balance Bike, your little one can develop balance, coordination, and confidence while having endless fun. Watch as they master the art of riding and embark on their biking journey with joy and excitement.

TOMY Toomies Pic and Pop Push Along

TOMY Toomies Pic and Pop Push Along Baby Toy | Toddler Ball Popper With Ball Launcher And Collector | Suitable For 18 Months, 2 and 3 Year Old Boys and Girls

The TOMY Toomies Pic and Pop is a popular baby toy designed for toddlers between the ages of 18 months to 3 years. It features a ball popper, launcher, and collector, providing young children with an interactive and engaging play experience.

Toddler Splash Pad

Toddler Toys - Splash Pad, 68'/170cm Sprinkler & Splash Play Mat for Toddlers Dogs, Inflatable Outdoor Sprinkler Pad Wading Pool with 5 Patches for Kids Age 3+, Water Toys for Summer Garden Beach

Introducing our Toddler Toys – Splash Pad, Sprinkler & Splash Play Mat! Designed to provide endless fun and excitement for toddlers, this inflatable outdoor party sprinkler pad is perfect for hot summer days and outdoor playtime.

Hey Duggee Talking Soft Toy

Hey Duggee Talking Soft Toy, Brown

One of the key features of this toy is its interactive nature. When you press Duggee’s tummy, it plays a range of fun and recognizable phrases from the show. These phrases typically include Duggee’s encouraging and positive messages, aligning with the show’s teamwork, friendship, and learning themes.

Peppa Pig - Electronic Reader and 8 Book Library

Peppa Pig - Electronic Me Reader Jr and 8 Look and Find Sound Book Library - PI Kids

The Me Reader Jr is a handheld electronic device that allows children to interact with the books engagingly. It features a simple and easy-to-use design, with buttons corresponding to specific stories or activities in the books. When the child presses a button, the Me Reader Jr reads the text aloud, helping them develop their reading skills and promoting independent reading.

Wooden Puzzles Toys

DUDUFLY Puzzles Jigsaw for Baby Boys, Wooden Puzzles Toys for 1-3 Year Old Boys Girls Birthday Gift for 1-3 Year Old Toddlers Kids Education Toy Age 1 2 3 Baby Children

The puzzle set includes several wooden pieces that need to be assembled to complete a picture or scene. The pieces are designed with vibrant colours and child-friendly images that engage and captivate young children’s attention. The puzzles are designed to be age-appropriate, with larger and chunkier pieces that are easy for little hands to hold and manipulate.

Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker

Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker - Developmental Toy, Motor Skills, Problem Solving, 2+, Gift for Boy or Girl

The Geometric Stacker consists of a set of wooden rings, octagons, and rectangles in various sizes and colours. Children can stack the different shapes on a sturdy wooden base, create a tower or explore different combinations. The toy encourages hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and spatial awareness as children manipulate the pieces and figure out how to stack them properly.

Piano Music Dance Mat

Toys for 1-6 Year old Girls Boys Toddlers Infant Kids, Gifts for 6-24 Month old Boys Girls Piano Music Mat with 19 Keys Piano Mat (110*36cm) (Blue)

The Toys for 1-6 Year Old, featuring a piano music dance mat, is a suitable gift for children between the ages of 1 and 6. It promotes motor skills, musical awareness, and creativity. Its durable construction and built-in speaker and recording function provide an engaging and educational musical experience for young boys and girls.

10 Pcs Cars Toddler Toys

hahaland 10-in-1 Toddler Toy Cars for 2 3 4 Year Old Boys Girls – Carrier Truck with Pull-Back & Friction-Powered Vehicles, Construction Toy Cars, Durable Playset with Light & Sound – Gift for Kids

The 10 Pcs Cars Toddler Toys is a set of toy vehicles specifically designed for 2 to 3-year-olds. The set includes a large carrier truck and various construction vehicles, providing an engaging play experience for young children.

LeapFrog Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket

LeapFrog 603603 Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket Baby Toy Educational and Interactive 16 Pieces for Creative and Learning Play For Boys & Girls 6 months, 1,2,3 Year Olds, Pink, One Size

The Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket features a colorful picnic basket filled with various shapes, food items, and utensils. The interactive elements of the toy engage young children in hands-on exploration and learning. The set encourages shape recognition, colour recognition, and sorting skills as children match the shapes and place them in the corresponding slots on the basket.

Scuttlebug 3-Wheel Foldable Ride-On Tricycle

Scuttlebug 3-Wheel Foldable Ride-On Tricycle for 1+ Year Old Boys and Girls, Bumblebee Trike, Antennae Handlebar, Develop Your Toddler’s Balance and Motor Skills, Fun with No Surface Scratches, Yellow

The Scuttlebug is designed to promote balance and motor skills development in toddlers. It has three wheels for stability, allowing children to hurry and move around easily. The low-to-the-ground design and sturdy construction provide young children with a safe and secure riding experience.

Unicorn Bouncy Inflatable Hopper

JOYIN Animal Hopper for Kids,Unicorn Bouncy Horse Hopper for Toddlers,Space Hopper with Hand Pump,Ride on Jumping Toys for Birthday Gift,Inflatable Hopper,Indoors Outdoors

This toy promotes physical activity and coordination as children hop and bounce on the unicorn. It helps develop balance and motor skills while providing an enjoyable and engaging playtime experience. The unicorn design adds a touch of imagination and magic to the play experience, making it visually appealing for children.

Wooden Noahs Ark Toy Playset

Jaques of London Noahs Ark Toy | Wooden Toys for 1 Year old | Christening Gifts for Girls & Boys | Montessori Baby Toys | Wooden Toys for 1 Year old Boy & Girl | Since 1795

The Wooden Noah’s Ark Toy Playset offers multiple play options and encourages imaginative play. Children can engage in pretend play scenarios, recreating the story of Noah’s Ark and caring for the animals. They can also practice their shape recognition skills by matching the animal figures to the corresponding holes on the ark.

LeapFrog Learning 100 Words Book

Leapfrog Learning Friends 100 Words Baby Book | Educational and Interactive Bilingual Playbook Toy |Toddler and Pre School Book for Boys & Girls 1, 2, 3, 4+ Year Olds, English Version

The book features colorful pages with various pictures and words that children can interact with. It introduces vocabulary words related to animals, food, colours, shapes, etc. As children press the buttons on the pages, they hear words, sounds, and music, providing an interactive and multisensory learning experience.

Wooden Fishing Game Toy

COOLJOY Wooden Fishing Game Toy | 4 In 1 Magnetic Montessori Toys for 2 Year Olds | Carrots Harvest Toy Shape Sorter | Toddler Educational Gift for 2 3 4 Year Olds Girls Boys

The Wooden Fishing Game Toy is an educational and versatile toy for 2-year-old boys and girls. Its multiple activities promote various skills, including hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, colour recognition, counting, and shape recognition. This toy provides an engaging and interactive learning experience, making it a suitable educational gift for toddlers.

LeapFrog Pick Up and Count Vacuum

LeapFrog Pick Up & Count Vacuum, Role Play Toy with Lights, Colours & Counting, Pick Up Counters in Three modes of play, Learning Toy Gift for ages 2, 3, 4+ Years, English Version,Green,58x21x11.8cm

The LeapFrog Pick Up and Count Vacuum is an educational role-play toy that combines imaginative play with learning activities. It promotes gross motor skills, coordination, counting, and colour recognition. Its lights, sounds, and interactive features provide an engaging and educational play experience for children aged two years.

TOMY Toomies Octopals Bath Toy

TOMY Toomies Octopals Number Sorting Baby Bath Toy Educational Water Toys For Toddlers Suitable For 1, 2 and 3 Years Old Boys and Girls

The toy promotes early learning skills, such as number recognition and colour identification. Children can sort and match the baby octopuses to their corresponding spots on the mother octopus, engaging in a simple number sorting activity. They can also explore and learn about different colours as they play with the octopuses in the water.

Aquadoodle

Aquadoodle Classic Large Water Doodle Mat, Official Tomy No Mess Colouring and Drawing Game, Suitable for Toddlers and Children from 18 Months+

The Aquadoodle Classic Large Water Doodle Mat is a no-mess colouring and drawing game for toddlers and children 18 months and older. It provides a creative and engaging activity that promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and imagination. Its mess-free nature and reusable design offer young children a convenient and enjoyable play experience.

Sticklebricks

Stickle Bricks Little Builder Construction Set with 30 Pieces- Enhance Creativity and Problem-Solving Skills with Engaging and Durable STEM Toy, Suitable for Ages 18 Months+

The Stickle Bricks TCK08000 Hasbro Stick Little Builder Construction Set is a building toy that promotes creativity and fine motor skills in young children. Children can construct various structures and engage in imaginative play with its interlocking bricks. This versatile and durable construction set provides hours of entertainment and learning for children aged one year and older.

MEGA BLOKS Big Building Bag

MEGA BLOKS Big Building Bag building set with 60 big and colorful building blocks, and 1 storage bag, toy gift set for ages 1 and up, DCH55

The MEGA BLOKS Big Building Bag building set is a versatile and engaging toy gift set for children aged one year and up. With its colourful building blocks, it promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The set offers endless building possibilities and an excellent foundation for imaginative play and construction fun.

How to Choose the Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

Selecting gifts for 2-year-olds involves focusing on their developmental milestones. Children are exploring their environment, learning to speak, and developing motor skills at this age. Look for toys that stimulate their senses and encourage exploration, such as tactile toys, musical instruments, and simple puzzles. Toys that promote physical activity, like balls or ride-on toys, are excellent for developing gross motor skills. Interactive books with bright pictures and textures are great for language development. Ensure that all toys are safe, with no small parts or hazardous materials, and are durable enough to withstand frequent use.

Why Gifts for 2-Year-Olds Are Important

Gifts for 2-year-olds are essential as they can significantly contribute to their growth and learning. This is a crucial stage where children learn through play, and suitable toys can help develop their cognitive, language, and motor skills. Thoughtful gifts can also provide sensory experiences vital for their age, foster imagination, and encourage interactive play, which is essential for their social and emotional development.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

  1. Safety: Choose toys that are safe and free from choking hazards.
  2. Educational Value: Look for toys that encourage learning and development.
  3. Sensory Stimulation: Opt for toys that engage their senses.
  4. Durability: Select toys that are sturdy and can withstand rough play.
  5. Motor Skill Development: Choose toys that help develop fine and gross motor skills.
  6. Simplicity: Avoid overly complex toys; simple and engaging toys are best.
  7. Interactive Elements: Toys that respond to their actions are highly engaging.
  8. Size: Ensure toys are appropriately sized for small hands.
  9. Non-Toxic Materials: Always opt for non-toxic, child-safe materials.
  10. Encourage Imagination: Toys that stimulate creative and imaginative play.

How to Wrap Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

  1. Bright and Colorful Wrapping: Use vibrant colors and fun patterns.
  2. Large, Easy-to-Untie Bows: Big bows are more accessible for little hands to untie.
  3. Minimal Tape: Keep it easy to open with minimal use of tape.
  4. Kid-Friendly Themes: Use wrapping paper with animals, cartoons, or playful designs.
  5. Soft, Safe Ribbons: Avoid small parts; use soft, safe ribbons.
  6. Reusable Gift Bags: Easy-to-open gift bags can be practical and fun.
  7. Sturdy Gift Boxes: These can be reused for toy storage.
  8. Decorative Stickers: Add playful stickers that can be a visual treat.
  9. Personalized Tags: Include a simple, colourful tag with their name.
  10. Interactive Wrapping: Incorporate a small toy or a balloon in the wrapping.

Conclusion

When choosing gifts for 2-year-olds, it’s essential to consider their developmental needs and safety. By selecting fun, engaging, and educational toys, you can contribute positively to their growth. The best gifts for this age group are those that stimulate their imagination, provide sensory experiences, and encourage them to explore and learn.

FAQs

What are some safe and educational toys for 2-year-olds?

Safe and educational toys include chunky puzzles, large building blocks, simple musical instruments, and tactile books.

Are ride-on toys suitable for 2-year-olds?

Yes, ride-on toys are suitable and help in developing gross motor skills, but make sure they are stable and age-appropriate.

What types of books are best for 2-year-olds?

Books with large, colorful pictures, tactile elements, and simple, repetitive text are ideal for this age group.

Can I give art supplies to a 2-year-old?

Yes, you can give non-toxic, washable art supplies like large crayons and finger paints, which are great for creativity and fine motor development.

Are there any interactive toys recommended for 2-year-olds?

Interactive toys that respond to touch or simple actions, like pop-up toys, basic electronic toys with buttons, and talking dolls or animals, are great for engaging 2-year-olds.

Author

  • Francesca Kingsley

    I am a seasoned primary school teacher, a dedicated mother of two, and a passionate advocate for children's education. I am a keen gifter and I try to combine my passions to provide the best gifts I can find particularly for Parents, Children and Education.

    View all posts

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Fact Checked By: Editorial Team

Editorial Process: Our gifting experts check each product for every occasion. Read our complete editorial process here.

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