22 Gifts for 2-Year-Olds Guaranteed to Be (Lovingly) Thrown Across Rooms
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“Thanks, I hate it” is a reaction you’d never dream a sweet baby could be capable of producing—but have you met toddlers? The best gifts for 2-year-olds will help avoid a seemingly unprovoked fit, general apathy or, worse, more clutter for their parent to cram into a storage bin. But you can ease up on the pressure: “Any parent of a 2-year-old will tell you to keep it simple,” says pediatrician Charlotte McKnight, MD, at Pediatric Associates of Richmond in Virginia. “Many have heard the old adage that the box the gift comes in is the most exciting part for a toddler, and it really does ring true.”
If you are looking for something a bit more thoughtful than a moving box, McKnight says that early toddlerhood comes with exciting developmental changes. “Children start to shift to more imaginative play, which really opens the door to fun gift ideas.” Bouncy balls, stuffed animals, “little helper” play sets, and toys with wheels are all fair game.
What shouldn’t you gift? McKnight recommends passing up toys that are too high-tech, electronic, or digital. She also cautions that if the parents have expressed they aren’t ready to introduce screen time just yet, you probably shouldn’t take the opportunity to do it yourself.
And now, 22 gifts that’ll entertain even the most precocious toddler.
Our Top Picks
- Best Simple Toy: Uncle Goose Classic ABC Blocks, $42
- Best Stuffed Toy: Jellycat Bashful Beige Bunny Stuffed Animal, $25
- Best on Wheels: Green Toys Construction Trucks, $30
- Best Helper Toy: Manhattan Toy Spruce Cleaning Toy Set, $60
- Best Musical Instrument: Hape Toy Guitar Wooden Ukulele Instrument, $35
- Best Personalized Gift: Personalized Puzzle Busy Board, $23
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2/22Green Toys Construction Trucks
If the local construction site is the coolest thing their little one has ever seen, these trucks—made entirely out of recycled milk jugs—would make a great gift. Roll them around the living room floor or (even better) dub them outdoor toys since they’re extremely durable.
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4/22Jellycat Bashful Beige Bunny Stuffed Animal
At this age, a doll or stuffed toy can help promote empathy in the little human. McKnight says that 2-year-olds may begin interacting by “pretending to feed the doll, talk to the stuffed animal, and even help put them to bed by snuggling them up with a blanket.” Jellycat makes some of the most popular ones out there, and this particular floppy-eared bunny has over 5,500 five-star reviews on Amazon.
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5/22Manhattan Toy Spruce Cleaning Toy Set
Around this age, McKnight says, children become more interested in helping around the house. Get them toy versions of household tools, and “it can keep them busy while parents are getting some cleaning done—and they will thank you for it!” This set includes a soft-bristled broom that won’t scratch sensitive skin, an even softer duster, play cleaning spray, and of course, a miniature dustpan.
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7/22The Play Kitchen
Of course, if you want to wow the whole family, you can get the little tyke a kitchen of their very own. It’s an investment, but the pretend-play stage lasts years (hint: this makes a great 3-year-old gift too)—and comes with the added bonus of no burners or knives lurking about.
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9/22Personalized Puzzle Busy Board
This busy board was the most popular present in our guide to the best gifts for 1-year-olds, and it’s still developmentally appropriate for 2-year-olds, who are working on advancing those fine motor skills.
10/22Lovevery The Play Kits Subscription
Whether the parents are interested in Montessori methods or not, Lovevery makes “play with a purpose” as easy as possible. With a Play Kits subscription, a box of developmentally appropriate activities will be sent to the little one every three months, complete with easy-to-follow instructions for the parents or caretakers.
11/22Manhattan Toy Deep Sea Adventure
If the trip to the aquarium left them speechless, they’ll be floored by this underwater adventure in their very own home. And if you had any reservations: It’s a best seller and one of Maisonette’s most-wished-for items.
12/22Hape Toy Guitar Wooden Ukulele Instrument
Simple toddler-size instruments can help develop fine and gross motor skills, among a host of other important child developments.
13/22Lego Duplo Animal Train Set
McKnight reminds that though a 2-year-old seems like a tiny adult, they can still make bad decisions, like putting small objects into their mouth. She recommends you “keep all toys on the larger size and durable enough that small parts cannot be dislodged.” These Lego Duplo toys are part of a line specifically engineered for kids as young as 1.5 years old.
18/22Louise Misha Jasmina Organic Cotton Fur-Lined Coat
The limit of precious pics with Mom does not exist.
19/227AM Enfant Unisex Toddler Snowsuit
This may well be their babe’s first time playing in snow, so make sure they’re geared up for the occasion.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for 2-year-olds with these Nordstrom promo codes.
22/22Crinkle Bells Board Book
A board book that will prime their little hands for all of the wrapping paper tearing to come over the holidays.
Save when you shop for the best gifts for 2-year-olds with these Target promo codes.
