educational toy 2 year old boy

Mommy Maker Teacher

From Pregnancy To Toddlerhood

75+ Best Educational Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

As a certified K-12 teacher, I am all about educational toys! My core value as a teacher was to “sneak the learning in.” I wanted to make learning so much fun that my students didn’t realize they were learning in the process!  So, I wanted to do the same regarding my own kids.

Now that I’m a seasoned toddler (boy) mom, I have also picked up a few tips for choosing the best educational toys for two-year-olds, which I’ll share.

Feel free to browse the list visually–that’s how I find ideas for my own kids–or read the little blurbs with each toy to see how I use them for teaching. Stick around at the end for important developmental milestones to look for at this age and my recommendations to meet them! 

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through one of these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for the support!

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Always supervise your children when playing. Many of these toys contain small parts that could be choking hazards. Do not play with toys with small parts if your child still puts things in their mouth. Anything that fits through a toilet paper tube is considered a choking hazard. Many of these toys are rated for 3+ and while my child is developmentally ready for them, your child might not be. Always read the manufacturer warnings and labels to understand age requirements.

Tips For Choosing Educational Toys

Often, I go to friends’ houses and see their dolls and trucks scattered all over the house while the puzzles, flashcards, and books collect dust on the shelf. It’s so important to carefully choose your educational toys with these tips in mind so that they become the *most* used toys in the house!

• Toys you want to play with: You will spend the most time with these toys. If you think it’s awesome, your kid will too. 
• Multipurpose: Find toys that can be played with in many different ways (I’ll give examples). 
• Your child’s interests: My older son (4) has always loved blocks. Instead of changing his interests, we broadened his idea of what blocks are. We have Magnatiles, Duplo, Lego, Squigz, Tinkertoys, Melissa and Doug construction blocks and MegaBloks.
• Brand trustworthiness and durability: If you’ve got a toddler at home, I’m sure you’ve been burned by discount toys that have broken within a few uses. At this point in my career and parenting, I go with brands I trust (you’ll start to see a pattern with my recommendations!) and opt for the most durable option. Educational toys are an investment , so you want them to last. 
• Ignore gender stereotypes: Your little girl might love dolls, and your little boy might love trucks, or the opposite might be true. At this age, it’s all about creating a well-rounded human who feels confident as an independent problem-solver, leader, and caregiver as they age.
• Variety: You shouldn’t expect to hear Beatholven on a mini piano at two years old… But you should explore music , science, art, and literature with your little one to tap into their uncovered interests and talents. 

Pro Tip: Looking for toys and activities for babies and toddlers of other ages ??

Check Out My Other Toy and Activity Guides:

• Activities For A 4 Month-Old
• Toys And Gift Ideas For 9 To 12 Month Babies
• Activities For a 14-Month-Old Busy Toddler
• Educational Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
• Outdoor Toys for 2-Year-Olds
• Airplane Toys for Toddlers
• Music Players For Toddlers

Side Story: I recently got weird looks at my son’s birthday party when his gifts were about nurturing. I got him a baby carrier for his doll, a feeding set (you know, those “magic” bottles), some doll clothes, and diapers. Of course, his other presents included Hot Wheels, Spiderman, and a GIANT garbage truck. He barely looked at my toys while we were at the party. And everyone assumed that he would never play with dolls, even if I wanted him to… But guess what? As soon as everyone was gone, the *first* thing he did was find his baby, put him in the carrier, and feed him a bottle. These are the nurturing skills that I want to teach my children! Regardless of what everyone else thinks ?. 

Books 

You might think your two-year-old has no interest in books, probably because you haven’t found the right ones yet!

My two-year-old is obsessed with books … But it wasn’t until recently. He discovered one of my older son’s Pop-Up Peekaboo books, one of his favorite things to do since. Before that, he would try and tear the pages or chew on the spines!

These interactive books captivate little learners.

• Huge, detailed pop-up displays.
• Cute story lines.
• Themes for all interests (animals, vehicles, trucks, holidays, and more).

The pages are filled with pokable dots (they remind me of the push tabs on soda cups!).

At 2-years-old these books are great for engaging toddlers and developing hand-eye coordination.

As your child ages, Poke-a-Dot books have hidden games and challenges to do (like counting, Eye Spy, and more).

• Every page has a unique texture to feel.
• Children are eager to turn the pages.
• Teaches kids about their sense of touch.

I love these lift-a-flap books because your toddler can hold on to them themselves without worrying about ripping or tearing the page.

Each page has a hidden object to find that goes along with the storyline.

• Doubles as a search and find.
• Lets children learn authentic sounds of animals, automobiles, nature, and more.

Puzzle books are new to the scene and so much fun for little kids.

• Move the puzzle pieces to their slots throughout the book and become part of the story.
• Use the book as just as puzzle.

Pro Tip: Get your books from the library! Especially if you’re not sure what kind your child likes. Check out a few different types, see what they like, and invest in that series. 

Puzzles 

Recently, I’ve been loving puzzles that double as other things (like that Melissa & Doug puzzle book!).

Puzzles can teach pattern and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and problem-solving. Puzzles can also be a bit boring for toddlers . Look at these puzzles that teach your kid all the skills while maintaining an element of play. 

• Use the magnetic spoon to pick up scoops and toppings and place the scoops into the cones and bowls! The cone and bowl pieces have slots to stick ice cream.
• Give your child custom ice cream orders and watch them make it.
• In the end, solve the puzzle to clean up!

Note: I was disappointed that the entire puzzle isn't magnetic (that would make storing it so much easier!). Only the ice cream scoops and toppings are magnetic.

• Fish with the included magnetic fishing rod!
• Practice colors and name recognition with your toddler ("can you catch the blue one?" or "can you catch the turtle?").
• When you're ready to clean up, complete the puzzle to put it away.

You might not think of Velcro food as a puzzle, but it is! Recognizing the shapes and colors that go together and connecting the pieces is what puzzles are all about.

Teach your child fine motor skills associated with cutting and preparing food as well.

This is a quality set and another example of a hidden puzzle. The menu lets your child see pictures and recreate the cones. They can also see which pieces fit together and which don't.

Coding and STEM Toys 

Do you wish you knew Javascript and or HTML? Me too! (although I’ve had to learn a lot as a blogger over the years). Teach your child coding and immerse them in science and engineering with my favorite STEM toys .

• These little guys are the cutest (see their fox and lizard also!).
• Create paths using PUZZLE pieces.
• Coding Critter will follow your path.
• Teach engineering symbols like straight lines, loops, turns, and wavy lines.
• Open-ended play: Coding Critter will follow any black line. Grab your masking tape and create tracks all around your house!

• Things I love: It's super-simple (only goes forward and only turns left), never runs out of battery, and is virtually indestructible.
• Things I don't love: It's super simple (yes, this was also something I originally loved!). Once my son got a little older, he outgrew this toy. I prefer toys that last a little longer. The range is short. Stand too far away, and your car won't go.

Final Verdict: Although my son outgrew this in about a year, I would still purchase it again. The simplicity made it easy for him to learn the controls in one sitting. The speed was perfect, and it is heavy-duty but never scuffed my walls!

I have to admit, I might have a little too much fun with this toy as a 30 year old woman!

Take the car apart and build it back together with the functioning drill.

Teacher Take: This drill wins over some of the others on the market because it has a novice-level drill bit that makes it easy for even little hands to operate.

It also has a reverse function (for taking apart or fixing mistakes).

Finally, you can use the toy car for pretend and imaginative play.

The fun of tools, without the worry of small pieces for toddlers still putting things in their mouth.

Teach your child how to use different tools and the motions associated with them.

Each card has a theme with several learning modes and games.

• Teach your child about touch screens and buttons without screen time.
• Only offer one card at a time to make the toy seem new and exciting for each user.

Note: This is not a toy that I own or have used. I found it online while looking for another toy. I think it's really awesome and might become a birthday present in the near future!

Musical Instruments 

• Strum mode lets you strum the strings like an actual guitar.
• Turn off strum mode and "play" pre-made songs.
• The buttons on the guitar neck play musical notes.
• Select between acoustic, electric, and "barking" guitar sounds.

My kids have a blast with this guitar. They can make their own songs or play along to existing ones!

If you haven't yet bought this for your child, now is a great time!

Not only does this double as a musical instrument and pull toy, but you can also practice colors by having them hit the colors as you say them. Teach them songs this way!

My kids can't get enough of this music player ( one of many we own ).

They can sing pre-recorded Cocomelon classics or sing their songs through Bluetooth. It teaches kids about music and singing for joy.

All of the fun of a drumset without the noise!

• Play the drums by hitting the pads with the drumsticks.
• Several modes allow your child to play their own songs, stick to a beat, recall patterns, and more.

We have an actual piano at home that my two-year-old loves to play. We can play simple songs together.

I love this kid's piano: It has color-coded keys matching the included color-coded songbook. The color-coded notes are shown on a lined sheet of music and identified with a color and letter. Kids can learn music notes by color first, letter second, and finally on sheet music.

I can't say enough good things about the Tonie player. It's a top music player for children, and they've now introduced audiobooks!

We have a Toniebox and a Yoto player . I love them both, and so do my kids.

The Toniebox is great for younger children with shorter attention spans (shorter tracks) and who are more clumsy (it has soft sides that land with a soft bounce).

• Buy character song soundtracks and audiobooks.
• Listen through the speaker or connect headphones.
• Creating your own characters lets you upload custom playlists with infinite possibilities.
• Record your voice and "read" stories to your child.

I have the Yoto Mini , but I recommend the Original Yoto player for children under 3. It's bigger and can sit on a shelf, vs. the Mini, which could be easily dropped or lost. We also have a Toniebox player , which we love, but Yoto offers more variety and customizability for parents.

• Listen to endless free content (daily podcasts and radio stations are free!)
• Create your own Yoto Cards with up to 100 tracks.
• Control the Yoto player remotely from the parent app.
• Connect headphones with a wire or Bluetooth.
• Set daytime and evening parameters (including turning it off after bedtime).
• Use it as a white noise player.
• Built-in alarm clock.
• Built-in okay-to-wake clock (lets children know when it's time to be in bed and when to get up with different colored lights).

Arts and Crafts 

Arts and crafts can be messy, time-consuming (to prepare and to make), and elaborate. OR they can be simple to set up, mess-free, and require no parental help. We enjoy both types of arts and crafts in my house, so I’ll give you my favorites for each!

Practice colors, shapes, numbers, patterns, and stringing beads with this kit.

Teach sewing skills with this lacing toy.

The board is velcro-like (although dust and debris don't stick to it ?) and comes with colored cords of different sizes that stick to it.

Tracing cards come with it, or you can use the blank cards to create your own design.

I love that the cards and cords are stored within the board, making it easy to store.

Paint sticks are so much fun!

They go on buttery-smooth and have a paint-like feel, but they are half as messy as traditional paint.

Does your baby Hercules have a habit of snapping ordinary crayons in half?

Or wind up eating more than they are coloring?!

These twistables have hard plastic outer shells, so no more snapping!

Some two-year-olds aren't ready to hold pencils and crayons. These eggs fit right in their hands and make for a traditional coloring experience.

Designed just for toddlers, these easy-grip markers teach proper finger placement.

Are all kids in love with markers? Or is it just mine!?

If your little one has mastered holding markers and you're ready for the real deal, these are my top recommendations because they don't dry out!

• Chunkier than standard dot markers (perfect for tiny hands).
• Washable (from a trusted brand!).
• 30 activity pages included to practice numbers, letters, shapes, and pattern recognition.

Pro Tip: Stock your craft supply kit with foam shapes, stickers, tempura paint, paint brushes, glue, construction paper, and more from Dollar Tree. They have a great selection of kid-friendly supplies for $1.25 each!

I could go on and on about how much we love Water WOW products from Melissa & Doug!

• Fill pen with water.
• Color pages.
• Watch the picture appear.
• Watch it dry and fade back to white.

If you're tired of your toddler dumping over paint pots or your paints always drying out, switch to Pop & Paint. It has a self-moistening paintbrush, eight paint colors, a palette, and a cleaning disk.

It's not the same as traditional paint, but we love this set for quick craft sessions!

Parent-to-Parent: I love the Crayola Mess-Free system much more than my kids. There is a 1-2 second delay between using the colorless ink, and it appearing on the special paper. For my oldest, this was a deal-breaker. He never created with these. For my second, he’s more receptive to it but prefers traditional coloring and painting. They make great travel activities that you don’t have to worry about making a mess.

• Color, paint, stamp, and doodle with water
• Colors appear when wet and disappear when dry

Teacher Take: This mat stands out to me from others because of all of the extras that are included: pens, rollers, stamps, foam shapes, etc. It's also from a brand that I know and trust. 

Sorting and Stacking 

Teach hand-eye coordination, building, balance, and more with blocks galore.

I love this toy so much.

• Stack the cars on top of each other
• Recognize colors
• Count how high the cars go
• Lift the exit gate and pull the cars out by the little pegs
• Match the car colors to the levels
• Play with the cars all on their own

Sort, count, and stack all in one.

• Learn shape placement and recognition
• Fine motor skills to put the pieces in the peg
• Teach body parts

• Practice stacking

Play with the animals in their barns to encourage pretend and imaginative play.

Related Posts:

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43 STEM Toys for Toddlers

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Makeblock mTiny Coding Kit Review

Yoto Mini Review: a Must-Have Audio Player For Kids

Blocks 

Are they creative toys? Engineering? Fine motor? Gross motor? Blocks are everything ! We have so many blocks that I think my head might explode. If you’ve never branched out beyond traditional blocks, you’re in for a treat!

WARNING: Many of these block sets have small pieces that are choking hazards. Remove any pieces that fit through a toilet paper tube. They could be choked on.

I am a huge Lego Duplo advocate and was even featured in Parent's Magazine with tons of ideas for ways to play and teach your child with Duplo.

Everything you need (including a storage case) to start building with Duplo. Dozens of designs that are ready to make or create your own! Encourage pretend play and imagination with all of the characters included.

Are they expensive? Yes.

Are they worth it? Yes.

The name brand is worth it here. Knock-off brands don't have the magnetic power for building. If you stack too many together, the creation will collapse from the weight.

I love our particular set because you get the car base, some road pieces, functional cranes, and spinning bases. These can be used as pictured or re-configured into your designs.

Pro Tip: When looking for Magnatiles for 2-year-olds, look for sets with mostly square shapes . Triangles are tricky to build, while even young toddlers can grasp building with squares.

Full Disclosure: We don't own them, and I've never played with them, but I see them all the time and think they are so cool as a block-alternative for children who aren't interested in traditional blocks. 

Trains are blocks, too!

They encourage problem-solving, building, connecting, engineering, and more.

We have all BRIO trains and tracks. Just like Magnatiles, I feel the brand is important here. We experimented with several other train sets that crack, splinter, or don't fit well together.

Nurturing Toys 

Let’s normalize teaching our children to nurture. Some might be naturally nurturing souls, while others think that baby dolls should be used to squirt imaginary explosive poop all over everyone–not that I’m talking from experience ?.

I don't know why this is rated 5+ (let me know in the comments if you know why!) . The bottle doesn't seem like a choking hazard to me. The leash is longer than 6", so it could be a strangulation hazard and should be monitored closely. But you could certainly remove the leash.

We LOVE this lamb. It reacts to being petted, asks for attention when lonely, and drinks its bottle. My boys love feeding her (her name is Toot ?) and listening to her burp!

This is rated for ages 6+, and I would use extreme supervision with a toddler doing this activity. You don't want them to eat the dirt or seeds. This would have to be an activity done largely by the parent.

Why I like this set:

• Teaches patience
• Nurturing (watering)
• You can see the plants growing (so it helps our impatient growers!)
• Teaches life cycles
• Teaches about cultivating food for eating

Care for sick animals and nurse them back to health.

Pretend Play

Your fondest memories of playing as a child likely involved pretend play. It’s a chance for children to let their imagination take over and be whoever they want to be. This type of imaginative play should start in children around two years old, but it may take longer for some. 

This also falls under nurturing: preparing food for people.

• Have your child prepare pretend meals
• Pretend to clean dishes
• Take orders from friends and family

Pro Tip: I'll use uncooked pasta or rice (if I'm in the mood to vacuum ?) and let them "cook" with it.

Let their imagination (and carpentry skills) soar with this fun workbench!

The power tools actually work and make sounds.

Toddlers love creating their own little spaces. Use it as a barn, a reading nook, or a place to be silly!

Melissa & Doug have dress-up costumes for whatever your child could imagine. Their costumes are well-designed and sturdy and come with fun accessories to let their imagination run wild.

There are Little People sets for every interest your child could have. It's great to teach them about new interests, careers, skills, and vocabulary related to the different sets. I love that these sets are open-ended with infinite possibilities to play.

This barn playset also sparked some early independent and creative play with my toddler. We also enjoy singing farm-related songs and making animal noises. I teach him to nurture the animals by feeding them and petting them ?.

Independence Tasks 

I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that your two-year-old loves to do everything you do. This behavior is adorable and can be great for teaching your child to become independent and self-reliable. Use these toys and everyday objects to teach young children to care for themselves, their surroundings, and others.

This sink has running water but you don't have to fill the reservoir if you don't want to. The accessories that come with it are too cute. Give your toddler some dishes of their own to clean.

You'll be happy to know that these toys aren't just for show! The toys actually function so your little one can help with household tasks.

Yes, this vacuum will suck up dirt and debris but don't count on it for doing any major cleaning.

Disclaimer: Ours was a different color, and the motor eventually burned out after two years of extensive daily use. We then bought the actual "Dyson" toy vacuum, and that broke after only a few weeks of use, so this is still my recommendation.

We have smaller bathrooms, so I love these folding step stools. They can be tucked away when not in use and easily moved from the toilet to the sink.

We've tried a few potty training seats, and this one seems to have the snuggest fit for our toilets. It's a trial-and-error thing!

We use these command hooks to hang a hand towel and their bath towels at toddler height.

Make brushing their teeth a fun experience with their favorite characters and a spinning toothbrush!

Pro Tip: Kids think washing themselves is a blast, and it’s life-changing when they can dress themselves and brush their teeth! You don’t need anything fancy. A few bathroom additions will set them up for success.

Get your little ones involved in real food preparation. I love this set because it has two wooden knife options to teach kids to cut soft foods (think banana, avocado, etc.). This set has everything they need to cook alongside you in the kitchen and will grow with them as they get older.

Mamas, idk if it's just me, but I LOATHE high chairs. When my little one was in a high chair, I felt like I was constantly cleaning clunky trays that got water all over my kitchen. We decided to replace our high chair with this booster seat, and we never looked back. I am actually in love with this seat for all of these reasons:

• It's plastic: no mystery crust and goop in the cushion crevices.
• It grows with your child: there are three height positions.
• It fits at the dining table: you can slide this seat under most tables so it is out of sight.
• Convertible: start your little pushed up to the table with a tray (like a high chair) and eventually remove the tray.
• Additional trays: the additional trays are $6 each and are dishwasher safe. We bought 3 extras (one for each meal of the day plus a backup), which was life-changing!
• Portable: easily take this on and off of any chair. The backrest folds down to save space. The feet are retractable to save space. It even comes with a tray lid to use your tray as a storage container.

Make your tiny tot feel like everyone else in the family with utensils that look like grown-up ones.

Just like with plates, our toddlers drink from glasses at mealtime. It's important to find glasses that are their size. A shot glass makes a perfect training glass when you're just starting with open cups!

Pro Tip: A wise mom once told me, never fill your toddler's glass more than you're willing to clean up. It's the best advice I've gotten for baby-led drinking .

You might be surprised to learn that my two-year-old sits at the table with us and eats from a glass plate and drinks from a glass cup at mealtime!

• Glass plates teach responsibility
• Grab plates that are 6-8" for two-year-olds
• These triple-layer plates are shatter-resistant

As the mom of a toddler who threw his plastic plates and high chair trays, I was hesitant to introduce glass plates as a part of baby-led weaning ... But we've never had an issue with him trying to throw a glass plate. They understand that glass plates are a privilege, making them more responsible at the dinner table.

Tips for Teaching Success

If you aim to teach your child skills and concepts with educational toys, here are my recommendations to get the best results.

Avoid Screens, Plastic, and Noise as Much as Possible 

You’ve probably noticed that most of these toys don’t make noise, don’t have screens (in fact, none of them do), don’t have buttons that light up, and are wood as much as possible. 

Don’t get me wrong, if you go digging in our toy closet, you’ll find all those things! You’ll even see my 2-year-old watching his favorite TV shows after nap while he wakes up and has a snack. It’s not that I’m against these things in general; it’s just when it comes to educational toys. 

Open-Ended 

Educational toys are most beneficial when they are open-ended. I was famous in my school for giving my students problems to solve that I wasn’t even sure there was an answer to! You’d be AMAZED at the things that children come up with when they aren’t given specific instructions, directions, corrections, or looking for a particular outcome. 

Today, your broomstick is a rocket ship; tomorrow, your books are building blocks; and on the weekend, it’s all hands on deck in the “ER” as your child performs surgery with their hard and screwdriver. 

Developmental Milestones For 2-Year-Olds

Remember that 75% of kids can achieve these developmental milestones for two-year-olds  by a certain age . Don’t be discouraged if your little one takes longer to master these skills. 

• Social/Emotional Looks at your face to see how you react. | Notices when others are hurt or upset. | Recognizes familiar people. | Happy to see other children. | Wants to be independent. | Shows defiance. | Has episodes of separation anxiety.
• Language/Communication Points to objects you name. | Says at least two words together. | Knows at least two body parts. | Uses gestures beyond waving and pointing (like nodding, shaking, etc.). | Follows instructions.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Can use both hands at once. | Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons. | Plays with multiple toys at once. | Begins to stack and sort. | Make-believe play.
• Physical ( outdoor toys are perfect for this) Kicks a ball. | Runs. | Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs without help. | Eats with a spoon. | Climbs up and down furniture.

My best advice? Let your child play without rules . It can be hard sometimes, but they will learn more by experiencing their toys and learning what doesn’t work independently.

My four-year-old would now tell you that brooms are for sweeping, books are for reading, and tools are for building. He figured this out all independently from learning and exploring the world on his terms.

Don’t damper their imagination by only allowing certain toys to be played with the “right” way. 

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I am the founder of Mommy Maker Teacher and a mom of two toddlers. With a degree in education, 12+ years of experience as a K-12 teacher and curriculum developer, and courses in childhood psychology and language acquisition, I share research-backed parenting tips and advice. I provide helpful content for moms on all stages of motherhood—from trying to conceive and pregnancy to postpartum, breastfeeding, and parenting.

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• Gifts for babies and kids

The 35 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

By Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff

When you’re trying to keep up with the developing skills and interests of a 2-year-old, it can feel like you’re sprinting (sometimes literally) or playing a guessing game. “Play is how they start to understand the world,” said Heather Singh, director of educational programs at the Thinkery , a children’s museum in Austin, Texas, at the time of our interview.

The most engaging toys for 2-year-olds offer lots of different options for hands-on, manipulative play. Kids this age may be able to use their fine motor skills in more-precise ways, such as for stacking, fitting, and twisting smaller pieces. Some 2-year-olds are still engaging primarily in “parallel play.” And some are now interested in playing with others, so simple board games may help them to practice sharing and taking turns. Toys that let a 2-year-old slide, wiggle, scoot, bounce, or otherwise expend some of their boundless energy are also likely to be a hit.

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 kids who are 3 and up. Our testers have played with these toys outside of their official age-range recommendations, and they’ve found them to be appropriate for this guide.

If you’re looking for more gift ideas for kids, check out our guides to the best gifts for 1-year-olds , 3-year-olds , 4-year-olds , 5-year-olds , 6-year-olds , 7-year-olds , 8-year-olds , 9-year-olds , and 10-year-olds , as well as these wonderful stocking stuffers for kids. We also have guides to gifts for tweens and teens . (Just keep in mind that since kids develop at different rates, all age recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt.) And please share your own best ideas in the comments below.

Playful pegs

Skoolzy Peg Board Set

These simple, rainbow-colored pegs encourage young kids to build tall towers or weave them together with string.

Buying Options

Soon after my oldest daughter started preschool, I asked her (then 2) what she liked to play with in the classroom, and she answered, “Pegs!” I bought Skoolzy’s Peg Board Set for our home, and I was fascinated to see how intently she and, subsequently, her younger siblings played with them on their own. The brightly colored, stackable pegs offer 2-year-olds just the right level of challenge and open-ended play: Kids can fit the pegs into holes on the included foam mat, stack them one on top of the other to see how high they can go, or string them on a shoelace. Despite the simplicity of these pegs, my kids would pull them out of the toy bin again and again.

—Courtney Schley

A first piggy bank

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank

This cheerful pink piggy bank makes a rewarding sound each time one of the 10 plastic coins is dropped through the slot.

When my daughter was a toddler, she received the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank as a gift, and as far as noise-making plastic toys go, this one is a winner. She liked being rewarded with the pig’s cheerful responses and songs when she pressed its snout or dropped the large coins through the slot. And I liked how mercifully brief—and not too loud or grating—the songs and noises were. The pig helps kids develop motor skills and also teaches colors, numbers (in Spanish, too), and other important stuff. I’m impressed by how well this bank held up through years of rough treatment (and that it used just two pairs of CC batteries in all that time).

—Winnie Yang

Music together

Welcome to the Symphony: A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5

Kids learn about classical music and hear the sounds of the clarinet, trumpet, and other instruments in this entertaining, interactive book.

Combine Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor with some charming mice narrators and— da-da-da-dum! —you’ve got Welcome to the Symphony: A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 . This accessible, interactive introduction to classical music is written by Carolyn Sloan, author of the similarly structured Welcome to Jazz (featured in our guide to the best gifts for 3-year-olds ). The book covers the orchestra, musical terms (such as dynamics , tempo , and harmony ), and groups of instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion). And while the excitement of pressing the 19 sound buttons may initially overshadow the rich text and lovely illustrations, kids can appreciate this book on deeper levels over time—think of it as an evolving performance. ( Welcome to the Symphony and Welcome to Jazz have both been favorites in my son’s reading rotation since he got them, at age 3. But we think many 2-year-olds would also be ready for them.) And grownups can’t help but feel proud when their kids are able to recognize Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 out in the world—even if it is while watching an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

— Barbara Kimberly Seigel

A soft photo album

Urban Kiddy Baby’s My First Family Album

This eight-page, double-sided cloth photo album holds 17 of your favorite 4-by-6 photos, and there’s a mirror at the end.

Filled with photos of the family we were leaving behind, Urban Kiddy Baby’s My First Family Album was a treasured gift from a relative when we moved across the country. Made with a soft, durable fabric, it holds 17 printed photos, and it’s cute enough to attract your average 2-year-old. For months after our move, my son loved flipping through the photos of “Grandma Mimi,” and he would study shots of himself with all of his cousins. And I loved that he could see family members’ faces without getting my phone involved.

— Kerry Davis

Acrobatic robots

Schylling Wooden Stacking Robots

With notched hands and feet, these nine wooden robots can be stacked and balanced in all sorts of acrobatic ways.

May be out of stock

When my son was a toddler, a friend gave him Schylling’s slightly sinister-looking Wooden Stacking Robots , and he still has them on display in his room at age 13. The tiny angles allow for all kinds of wacky creations, and the more robots you get (we later added a second pack), the bigger your robot trees can become. Creating a simple pyramid may make a 2-year-old feel triumphant, while older kids can construct some truly impressive designs. These blocks are the type of thing adults may find themselves leaving out on the coffee table—and even playing with themselves.

—Kalee Thompson

A toddler’s tape measure

Constructive Playthings Big Tape Measure for Kids

Made for small hands, this vinyl tape measure rolls out like a real one, with markings for inches and centimeters.

With Constructive Playthings’ Big Tape Measure for Kids , there are lots of possibilities for role-playing. This sturdy, oversize tape measure is a favorite among young kids at Toybrary Austin (a local toy-lending library in Texas), according to owner Liza Wilson. Two-year-olds enjoy pulling out and winding back the easy-rolling vinyl tape, which makes a satisfying clicking sound. Older kids love to measure and compare everything in the room using the toy’s real inch and centimeter markings; this is a great way for them to begin developing spatial awareness and concepts related to numbers, counting, and math. ( Note: This toy is recommended for kids ages 3 and up because the tape can be a choking hazard. )

—Caitlin Giddings

A fun intro to games

Educational Insights My First Game: Bears in Pairs

In this seek-and-find memory game, kids look for matching bears behind the doors of a two-story playhouse.

My daughter received Educational Insights’ My First Game: Bears in Pairs for Christmas when she was 21 months old. And she adores it—for reasons that have progressed with every passing month. At first, she simply liked to match each of the three sets of twin bears and open and shut all six compartments on their 3D plastic playhouse. Eventually she started to play the actual game, which involves flicking a spinner and trying to find the coordinating bear set. Bears in Pairs is a perfect introduction to memory matching games—without the need for reading or card shuffling.

For a more-colorful bath time

Crayola Bath Slime

Small tubs of this sweet-smelling, soapy goo add sensory fun to bath time.

For more than a year now, the only way I’ve been able to get my daughter into the bath is to promise the inclusion of this colorful, sensory goo. Less an actual slime than a fragrant jelly, Crayola Bath Slime comes in scents like Wacky Watermelon and Gallopin Grape. It provides all of the fun of its viscous namesake, with the welcome bonus of being easy to clean (since it’s contained in the tub and because it’s literally soap). My kiddo likes to squish it through her hands and swirl the little floating pieces around to the farthest reaches of the bath. Then we grab a couple of strainers and try to rescue and return all the squiggles back to the jar before it’s time to get out.

An indoor tunnel

IKEA Dvärgmås Play Tunnel

This simple play tunnel is fun to crawl through, and it cinches up for easy storage.

When my older son was 2 years old, I found a classic, collapsible IKEA Dvärgmås Play Tunnel at a secondhand store. Five years and another kid later, it was still in good enough shape to be handed down to a different family. The littlest kids can simply enjoy the challenge of learning to crawl from end to end. Later, the tunnel becomes a cozy spot to play with other toys or a fun addition to an elaborate living-room fort (which was my kids’ favorite use for it). IKEA’s colorful polyester Cirkustält Tent also offers long-lasting fun at a low price, and we recommend it in our guide to the best gifts for 3-year olds . Availability at IKEA stores varies by location. 

A Lego starter set

Lego Duplo Number Train

A wonderful introduction to Lego, this Duplo set comes with a little bit of everything: Duplo people, numbered bricks, connecting trains, and a cat.

With its delightfully chunky pieces, the Lego Duplo Number Train is excellent for introducing toddlers to the joys of building with Lego bricks. The train-themed set includes blocks that are numbered from 0 to 9, four wheeled bases, and two figures (plus a cat for good measure). Kids can arrange the pieces in all sorts of configurations, all while developing their fine motor skills and immersing themselves in imaginative play. When my son turned 2, he happily took over his older brother’s collection of Duplos (numbered blocks and numerous vehicle bases included), and he never looked back—no doubt all but guaranteeing himself a Lego-filled future.

—Ingrid Skjong

Bright, bold flash cards

Mudpuppy My ABCs Ring Flash Cards

These colorful alphabet flash cards are held together with a plastic ring, which can be opened and closed.

At age 2, my son thought identifying objects was the greatest form of entertainment. As we approached the, oh, 500th reading (who’s counting?) of his 10 favorite board books, I realized we needed something new. I also realized that we didn’t own flash cards. To remedy the situation, I bought the Mudpuppy My ABCs Ring Flash Cards . The letters and words are printed in a pleasing, sans serif–like font. The bold, colorful artwork spoke to my kid—and he spoke back. Our favorite? F: A frog playing a flute for a fly.

A puzzle with a sense of place

Mudpuppy Jumbo Puzzle Map of the U.S.A.

Once assembled, this 25-piece puzzle displays a map of the 50 states, along with what each one is known for, like Idaho potatoes.

It feels as if we now own every children’s puzzle that’s ever been stamped and laser-cut into cardboard. But the Mudpuppy Jumbo Puzzle Map of the U.S.A. remains the one I pull out the most. For starters, this 25-piece puzzle is suitably challenging for my preschooler, who can confidently wield the thick, oversized pieces and eventually match together the colors and shapes of the United States. This one also serves as a stellar geography lesson and conversational jump-off for the two of us. We discuss all of the states we’ve been to, point out where our friends and family live, and plan future road trips by tracing our fingers from the image of cowboy boots (representing Texas) to the sunflowers or flamingos near her grandparents’ houses.

All creatures great and small

Schleich Farm World 4-Piece Set

Schleich’s small animal figurines are beautifully detailed and wonderful for imaginary play.

My 2-year-old is totally into cows (“moo moos”) and other farm animals, and introducing him to the realistic-looking figurines from Schleich has taken that fascination to new heights. The German company has been developing a growing following in the US . Each tiny replica in its collection has intricate, hand-painted details, and the plastic is molded to show features like tiny bits of hair and the texture of feathers. (If you’re curious, a New England toy company provides a wonderfully detailed primer on Schleich’s history and manufacturing process; Schleich also offers some background on how it designs its figurines.) The Schleich Farm World 4-Piece Set —which comes with a cow, a sheep, a rooster, and a donkey—is an excellent place to start your collection. But Schleich also makes a variety of dinosaurs , wild animals , and fantasy creatures , sold individually or in sets. Clutching a critter in each chubby hand, my toddler happily runs around our home and places his animals in toy tractor carts and dump trucks—and sometimes he just moves them around the sofa. Schleich figurines even show up in Wirecutter’s houseplant starter kit guide —when your kids aren’t looking, swipe a couple and nestle them next to your succulents, just for laughs.

—Kerry Davis

A tougher truck

Green Toys Dump Truck

Made with a rugged, long-lasting plastic, this dump truck includes a roomy, moveable truck bed.

When my kids were little, we accumulated a sizable pile of toy vehicles. The truck, plane, and boat from Green Toys are simpler (and quieter) than most. And I found that they aged better than similar toys from other companies, even when they were left for months outside in the beating Southern California sun. The Green Toys Dump Truck is a classic gift for a 2-year-old. We also had the popular Red Fire Truck and the Submarine , which carried a zoo’s worth of Duplo animals around the bathtub for several years. Everything from this company is made in the US from recycled plastic and is dishwasher-safe. (At Wirecutter, we’ve also found that the Green Toys Sand Play Set is far superior to disposable sets made of brittle plastic, and we recommend it in our guide to the best beach and pool toys .)

Powerful picture books

We Are Little Feminists Box Set

This boxed set includes five award-winning board books that showcase photographs of children and families from diverse backgrounds.

A picture is worth a thousand words. And the We Are Little Feminists Box Set , with five board books featuring photographs of real people, sends a message about the importance of respecting others and embracing our differences. Each book covers a distinct theme— Hair , Families , Celebrations , How We Eat , and On-the-Go —with an emphasis on representation and inclusivity. The photos—which feel intimate and joy-filled, as if you’ve been granted access to other families’ photo albums—depict kids and parents of many races, LGBTQ families (including a trans man who's pregnant, prompting curious questions from my 9-year-old), children with disabilities, and various ceremonies and faiths practiced throughout the world. The books are recommended for infants through 5-year-olds, and there are age-appropriate questions at the end to help encourage discussions about the material. It will likely be a while before my 2-year-old fully understands some of the bigger issues at play. But for now, I can confirm—with apologies to Sandra Boynton and company—that these books have surpassed my daughter’s other board books to become her new favorites.

— Ingela Ratledge Amundson

A chunky puzzle

BeginAgain Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle and Playset

This animal puzzle’s 26 wooden pieces are assembled in alphabetical order, and they fit into a decorative storage box.

My son received the clever BeginAgain Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle and Playset as a baby gift. The chunky wooden creatures nest together in a single block, and reassembling the menagerie may provide a slight challenge even for grownups (we assembled it together over the years, but my son was 5 or 6 before he could complete it on his own). Each animal is printed with the letter that corresponds to its name (A is for Alligator, U is for Unicorn) and guides a kid into puzzling out the proper placement. The completed oblong puzzle makes this one a bit novel, and it stands upright in its wooden box—a nice decoration for a nursery shelf. The same company also makes similar puzzles with city , farm , and outer space themes. But I think the classic animal parade makes the nicest decorative piece.

For the sandbox boss

Tomy John Deere Big Scoop Tractor

Tough and durable for outdoor play, this oversized tractor can scoop up large mounds of rocks and dirt.

For the kid who loves scooping sand and rocks, the Tomy John Deere Big Scoop Tractor (which has a sturdy steel-and-plastic frame) provides tons of outdoor fun. Indoors, this tractor is also fun to scoot around and scoop up toys with. My 2-year-old nephew—for whom trucks are less of a passing interest and more of a lifestyle—was equally excited that the 21-inch-long tractor is large enough to sit on. There is also a smaller, 15-inch model .

—Signe Brewster

A first subscription

Babybug Print Subscription

With colorful illustrations and short, simple stories, this magazine introduces young kids to the joy of reading.

When a friend’s kid turned 2, we gave them a Babybug Print Subscription as a birthday gift. And since then, they report that this magazine has been a constant source of delight. They appreciate the high quality of the illustrations and that the stories are short enough for a toddler’s attention span but still interesting. They also like that the magazine is made of “destruction-resistant paper,” with rounded corners and no staples. No, it won’t stand up to a truly dedicated attacker, but this magazine withstands the grabby hands of a toddler better than a standard print publication. Cricket Media (which publishes Ladybug and Spider magazines, among others, for older kids) also offers printable gift announcement cards . So you can give something on the day to let people know a new subscription is on the way. One caveat: After we purchased the subscription, it took about three months for it to actually start.

—Tim Barribeau

A cooperative board game

My Very First Games: First Orchard

In this toddler-friendly board game, players work together to gather fruits from the orchard before the hungry crow reaches them.

My Very First Games: First Orchard is a cooperative board game, so rather than competing, players work together. It’s designed to teach the youngest players the fundamentals of board games: how to set up a board, roll a die, make choices, and take turns. (This game is a favorite in our guide to the best board games for kids .) To play, you match different-colored apples, pears, and plums to their respective trees, and then roll a die to try to gather all of the fruits in a basket before a pesky crow reaches them. I started playing First Orchard with my daughters when they were 4 and 2, and I was always amused to see how the race to beat the crow created just the right amount of dramatic tension to hold their interest (and, at times, it provided an opportunity to navigate the disappointment of “losing”). And even if your 2-year-old doesn’t yet have the patience or interest for the game structure, they can simply play imaginatively with the brightly hued wooden fruits.

An in-tune music maker

Basic Beat 8-Note Resonator Bells with Case

Unlike many other models, this rainbow xylophone set has correct pitch and plays a full scale.

For banging and making noise, just about any kids’ xylophone will do. But many of these instruments (which are actually glockenspiels, since they have metal and not wooden bars) are out of tune and terrible for learning about music. Most are toys, not tuned instruments. Our toddler played the Basic Beat 8-Note Resonator Bells in a music class, and we got a set for home. They’re durable, sound good, and allow for all kinds of musical (and other) exploration. Kids can get a hands-on feel for the sequence of a diatonic octave by ordering the blocks by size or note (each bell is marked with its letter on the scale) or by grouping two or more blocks together to experiment with intervals or chords. The bells come in a sturdy carrying case and are made to last—the ones at the music school have taken a beating from tons of kids, and they’re all still in good shape.

Ball pit of fun

Kiddey Ball Pit Play Tent

This indoor/outdoor pop-up ball-pit tent offers a contained space for active play.

We purchased the Kiddey Ball Pit Play Tent a few years ago with the hope of giving my then-2½-year-old an outlet for his energy—and it came through. The tent has six sides (five of them mesh and the sixth a “door”) and an open top, so it doesn’t feel claustrophobic and is easy to clean (you can order the tent alone and buy balls separately, or choose an option that comes with balls). Warning: At some point, expect your kid to start diving in from the top. My son loved burying himself under the colorful balls, tossing them around, and “swimming” through them. As he’s gotten older and a little sister has joined in the fun, this tent has also become a receptacle for stuffies and a favorite location during hide-and-seek. It comfortably holds two kids (and an adult). When you want to put it away, the tent folds down and fits in an included storage bag (you’ll need a separate container to hold the balls).

—Amy Miller Kravetz

An endlessly versatile thingamajig

Bilibo by Moluk

This plastic, curiously shaped bowl can be a helmet, a turtle shell, a spinny seat, or whatever your child imagines.

It might not be immediately clear what a child is supposed to do with the Bilibo by Moluk , and that’s precisely the point: All ideas are valid when it comes to this sturdy, shell-shaped plastic object. Is it a helmet? Is it a seat? Is it a spinner? Yep, yep, and yep. Research shows that open-ended play fosters creativity and resilience in children, especially toddlers who are not yet accustomed to more-programmed activities with a “right” and “wrong” way. My daughter started occupational therapy when she was 15 months old. The Bilibo—which measures 15 inches across and comes in a range of bright colors—was hands-down her favorite prop. At the beginning of each session, the therapist plopped my daughter’s butt into the cupped seat and slowly twirled her around in circles (if a kid is younger than 2, they will likely need an adult’s help to keep from toppling). She’d giggle uncontrollably, all the while developing the core and neck strength needed to balance and sit up on her own. Now that my daughter is 4, we use the Bilibo as a container for sensory play materials—rice, dough, and foam. And for my 8 year-old son, it’s the perfect addition to a mini golf course … in our living room. The Bilibo also comes in a miniature (4.7-inch) size ( sold in a set of six ), and it’s perfect for shoveling, scooping, and serving tea to stuffed animals.

A first bike

Guardian Balance Bike

This top-notch bike is sturdy and easy to assemble, with air-filled tires, a steering limiter, and a handbrake that gets kids one step closer to riding a pedal bike.

A balance bike can help kids learn to steer, brake, and keep themselves upright on a two-wheeler from a very young age. Many families find that balance-bike riders graduate to pedal bikes earlier, skipping the training-wheels phase altogether. The Guardian Balance Bike (the upcoming new top pick in our guide to the best balance bikes ) offers easy-to-grip handlebars, a low stand-over height, air-filled tires, and a well-constructed handbrake; the brake slows both the front and back wheels and gets kids one step closer to riding a pedal bike, since they learn how to stop without dragging their feet on the ground. My son started riding a balance bike at age 2. The Guardian quickly became his favorite because it’s easy to ride, comfortable, flashy, and that handbrake felt powerful.

—Jenni Gritters

A doll that delights

American Girl Bitty Baby

This baby doll, from the popular American Girl doll brand, is available with various skin tones, hair colors, and eye colors.

First released in 1995 to help children acclimate before the arrival of a baby sibling, this American Girl classic has evolved over the years. Today’s American Girl Bitty Baby is available in different combinations of skin tone, hair color, eye color, and outfit color; you can even customize a set of Bitty Baby Twins . The doll is a hard-to-find hybrid: Its soft fabric torso and brushed-knit outfit offer some of the cuddliness of a plushie, while the molded face and operable eyelids provide the interactivity of a doll. We learned through our research into doll manufacturing that it takes great skill to design a face (including Bitty Baby’s) that’s realistic without being creepy—many cross the line . And although every Bitty Baby comes packaged in American Girl’s signature bright pink boxes, the dolls themselves aren’t assigned a gender or traditionally gendered names. Also, you can choose between pink, blue, and gray sleepers. (Note that for an additional $20, this doll comes with an optional board book and knit stuffed lamb .)

A desk of one’s own

ECR4Kids Bentwood Multipurpose Kids Wooden Table and Chair Set

These pint-sized wooden chairs and a table can be configured in multiple ways, including as a desk, a bench, or multiple stools.

Little ones who want a grownup space of their own will be eager to get to “work” with the ECR4Kids Bentwood Multipurpose Kids Wooden Table and Chair Set . The three-piece station—it comes with a table and two chairs—is compact and convertible. And it’s made of an attractive birch plywood. So it won’t scream “kids’ table” if you choose to keep it in one of the common areas of your home (this is something I have especially appreciated since I’ve spent a lot of time looking at it in our family’s New York City apartment). The table serves as a shallow desk with a wraparound backboard; when flipped over, it becomes a high-backed bench. The chairs can also be flipped for different seat heights as kids grow, and when the chairs are not in use, they can be tucked neatly under the table to save space. My now-4-year-old son has been using this set for almost three years, and it has survived plenty of messy art projects and snack times with minimal wear and tear. ECR4Kids also makes a “ premium ” edition, which, according to a company rep, is thicker and about 10 pounds heavier, due to added layers of wood. But otherwise it is the same (and the price is also similar). Neither set requires any assembly.

—Barbara Kimberly Seigel

To the moon and back

Lakeshore Play & Explore Rocket

This large plastic rocket opens up to reveal a homey space station.

I did not expect to love this rocket. It was a gift to my son, and at first I was like, “Okay … here’s a giant plastic thing.” But I should have had more faith. The Lakeshore Play & Explore Rocket is giant and plastic; the chunky, 16½-inch-tall behemoth stands at nearly half the height of my 2-year-old. It was also an immediate hit with our toddler playgroup. My son will do a countdown to blast-off, happily move the two peg-sized astronauts in and out of the four-wheel moon rover, and then steer them around for at least 20 minutes at a time. The red, white, and blue rocket has three pleasing levels—doors swing open to reveal the cockpit, a kitchen, a computer station, a shower area, sleeping quarters (with a fold-down bed), and a mechanic’s garage. When my son is done exploring for the day, the astronauts and moon rover can be conveniently tucked inside. (Note that this toy is recommended for ages 3 and up, though I was unable to identify any choking hazards.)

A classic hopper

Gymnic Rody

Young kids can climb onto this colorful vinyl horse, grab its ears, and bounce away.

The Gymnic Rody is a rounded, inflatable vinyl pony that’s perfect for a toddler who’s bouncing off the walls. My little kids loved to hop, scoot, and bump around the house on it. And because the Rody is soft and springy, I loved not having to worry about my children scuffing the floor or banging into walls. It’s hard not to smile at the pony’s cuddly shape, poppy colors, and cartoony cuteness (it kind of looks like a Jeff Koons sculpture). The Rody comes deflated, so you’ll need a bicycle or hand pump to start bouncing.

Slumber-party snuggles

Pottery Barn Kids Shaggy Head Bear Sleeping Bag

Great for indoor sleepovers, this sleeping bag features a snuggly bear-head pillow, as well as adorable little paws.

Over the years, my mom has given each of her grandkids one of these Pottery Barn Kids personalized sleeping bags as a crafty enticement to stay over at her house. More of a slumber-party sleeper than the kind of bag you’d take camping, the soft zip-up rolls easily and has two straps for carrying and storage. My daughter loves the Shaggy Head Bear Sleeping Bag ’s pillow and cotton shell—it’s ideal for cozying up on the floor to play games or to watch a movie. She also adores that her name is on the bag. But be warned: The monogram font is a bit cramped and hard to read compared with her cousins’ earlier editions. If you decide to personalize, I’d recommend one of the blockier fonts.

A ride for the snow

L.L.Bean Kids’ Pull Sled and Cushion Set

This high-quality, easy-gliding sled should last through multiple kids (or even generations).

Babies and toddlers don’t need to tear down hills at breakneck speeds to have a blast in the snow—they’re mostly content with being pulled around in a comfy, well-constructed sled like the L.L.Bean Kids’ Pull Sled and Cushion Set . I’ve had this classic wooden sled for nine years—through four kids—and it’s still in great shape (it’s a top pick in our guide to the best sleds ). This sled has smooth-gliding wooden runners that are reinforced with metal bars, for durability. Its supportive side rails keep tots from tumbling out; they also make this sled an accessible option for kids working on their trunk strength. So with its classic red cushion, this sled is like a snow stroller. It’s expensive, but it will last through many winters—or even generations.

—Doug Mahoney

A speedy slider

PlaSmart PlasmaCar

If, like me, you live much farther south—where snow is just a mythical ground cover kids see only in holiday books—the PlaSmart PlasmaCar is the ultimate toddler toy for gliding around. The brightly colored ride moves almost as quickly as a sled across flat surfaces, without any batteries, pedals, or gears. The wheels work much like in-line skates or cross-country skis, so when the handlebar is wiggled rapidly, the car moves forward through lateral friction force. Toddlers can achieve exhilarating speeds with just the occasional push and steady cranking of the handlebar. The PlasmaCar is sturdy enough to hold up to 220 pounds, so adults may be able to tear around the house a few times too—strictly to conduct safety checks, of course.

Clattering cars

The Wooden Wagon Cascade Tower

Small wooden cars go clickety-clack as they zip down this tower’s rainbow track.

Sometimes it seems like the simpler the toy, the more engrossing it is for babies and toddlers (a theory supported by my child’s love of playing with a bookmark above all else). Of all the toys in our pediatric audiologist’s waiting room, The Wooden Wagon Cascade Tower (made of beech and birch plywood) is the one that draws the biggest and most competitive crowd of little ones. Kids can place the three-part “millipede” car at the top and watch as it works its way down to the base of the wooden tower, making a satisfying clicking sound at every turn.

An indoor trampoline

The Original Toy Company Fold & Go Trampoline

Kids can jump, exercise, and release excess energy with this indoor trampoline.

Our pediatrician recommended a mini trampoline, like The Original Toy Company’s Fold & Go Trampoline , as a tool to combat toddler constipation. I can’t say definitively that it was effective for that purpose, but it worked great for bouncing out a lot of pent-up energy. And it was generally a big hit with our own kids as well as with any visiting friends. The trampoline obviously takes up some space, but our two kids used it just about every day from the ages of (roughly) 2 to 5.

—Dan Koeppel

A family membership to a children’s museum

Thinkery Gift Membership

Children’s museums provide a kid-friendly space where they can play, explore, experiment, and learn.

For me and my wife, the gift of annual membership to the Thinkery children’s museum in Austin, Texas, was an immense relief from cabin fever when the summer heat made it impossible to be outdoors. Suddenly we had a bright, educational fortress to escape to with our then-2-year-old daughter. Millie loves the water science room’s cascading series of water tables, the earth science exhibit’s hurricane and tornado simulators, and the Light Lab’s magnets and mini LEDs. Memberships to children’s museums like the Thinkery make excellent gifts. They offer educational play spaces and workshops for kids. And they have special events that include adults and families, such as Pride nights and parents’ night out.

A kid-size kitchen

IKEA Duktig Play Kitchen

Play kitchens inspire fun, imaginary play, from whipping up a tasty meal to washing the dishes.

The compact, white-and-birch-colored IKEA Duktig Play Kitchen is enduringly popular for good reason: It’s inexpensive, sleek, relatively durable, and neutral enough to blend seamlessly into nearly any decor, like a sneaky Scandinavian chameleon. If you’re more of a play-kitchen maximalist, KidKraft kitchens come in a variety of sizes and configurations, including ones with refrigerators with built-in ice makers. Whatever play kitchen you choose, your young chef is sure to stock it with all kinds of ingredients, edible and otherwise, soon enough (think stray socks, rotting strawberries, forgotten field-trip permission slips). You can add Learning Resources’ baskets of colorful fruits and veggies to that treasure trove. Or get your kid’s collection of cookware started early with Melissa & Doug’s Let’s Play House Stainless Steel Pots & Pans Playset , featured in our guide to the best gifts for 3-year-olds . Availability at IKEA stores varies by location. 

A chair (and then some)

Children's Factory Cube Chair

This sturdy chair can be flipped around and used in multiple ways: as a 6-inch seat or, when a child grows taller, as a 9-inch seat. Turned on its side, it can also become a table or stool.

My toddler needed a more-supportive (read: less flimsy) first chair. And as her parent, I needed the peace of mind from knowing she wouldn’t tip over while sitting in it. A physical therapist recently introduced us to the Children’s Factory Cube Chair , which is stable without being heavy. It’s made of a lightweight plastic that’s much easier to maneuver than the Montessori-style wooden furniture we’d tried before. But what makes this chair a true winner is the 6-inch seat height with cozy “walls” on three sides; when she grows out of the lower height, I can flip the chair over and have a higher, 9-inch seat with less enclosure. (Note: The manufacturer recommends this chair for ages 12 months and up, so use your judgment based on what’s best for your kid.) Available in bright primary colors as well as more-muted “woodland” tones, the Cube Chair can also double as a side table or stool, and this versatility helps take the edge off the price tag.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend .

Additional reporting by Julie Kim.

This article was edited by Ellen Lee and Kalee Thompson.

Meet your guides

Caitlin Giddings

Caitlin Giddings is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, Lonely Planet, Outside magazine, and more.

Wirecutter Staff

Mentioned above

• Houseplants add life, color, and improved air quality into our homes. Read to see which tools help us overcome our black thumbs to become doting plant parents. Houseplant Starter Kit  
• We spent more than 40 hours researching and testing pool noodles, water guns, snorkel sets, and more to find the best beach and pool toys for most people. The Best Beach and Pool Toys for Kids and Adults  
• We spent 20 hours researching nearly 50 board games for kids. Read on to find out our favorite games for preschoolers, elementary-school kids, and families. Board Games We Love for Kids and Families  
• We subjected a fleet of balance bikes to cadres of kids and found the best bikes for different budgets and ages. The Best Balance Bikes  
• Looking for a fast-flying snow tube? A plastic toboggan that’ll hold up for years? A minivan-like sled capable of holding the whole clan? We have suggestions. The Best Sleds  

Further reading

The 33 Best Gifts for 3-Year-Olds

by Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff

Open-ended toys that inspire role-playing and beginner board games that encourage cooperation make great gifts for 3-year-olds.

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The Best Educational Toys for Toddlers to Combine Fun and Learning

Inspire little minds with building, reading, matching, and more educational toys

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Verywell Family / Amelia Manley

Educational toys are great for toddlers because they help stimulate learning , whether it’s through stacking blocks or simply reading a book, as young children reach developmental milestones. Look for toys that will add educational value to your child’s playtime and hone in on any of their interests to keep it entertaining. 

To begin our research, we surveyed 875 parents about what toys their children love to play with, how they play with them, and why they love to continuously use them. We also spoke with a pediatrician and reviewed guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on how to buy safe toys and what to expect during the toddler years (ages 1 to 3). Moreover, we reviewed developmental milestones for toddlers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When reviewing products, we carefully considered age recommendations, toy safety, milestones, design, ease of use, and value . Lastly, a board-certified pediatrician from our Review Board reviewed this article for accuracy on how to evaluate safe and age-appropriate educational toys for toddlers.

• How We Selected and Tested
• What to Look For

Why Trust Verywell Family

More toys for kids, best overall, melissa & doug grocery cart push toy and puzzles.

Versatile (several activities in one design)

Wood material is durable and high quality

Push handle isn't adjustable

Why We Recommend It

Melissa & Doug is a well-loved brand among parents we surveyed because of the company’s high-quality materials and educational toys—and this toddler grocery cart is no different. One of our writers received a free sample of the company’s Wooden Shape Sorting Grocery Cart and says the toy is even cuter in person. The cart arrives nearly fully assembled, minus attaching the handle with a screwdriver, which is a piece of cake. 

This toddler grocery cart is all about learning; it features a built-in matching game , two puzzle boards, 12 shape-sorting pieces that double as puzzle pieces, and a play coffee cup with a lid for imaginative play. Whether littles—ages 1 and up—play with the puzzles or sort shapes, the Melissa & Doug grocery cart encourages fine and gross motor skills , color and shape recognition, counting, problem-solving, and more. 

While the handle doesn’t adjust, kids can push the grocery cart thanks to moving wheels that glide on carpet and tile. The beautiful and durable wood is just the cherry on top.

Best Building

Mega bloks 80-piece big building bag.

Budget-friendly

Practices problem-solving and fine motor skills

80 blocks included

Only blocks in storage bag

The Mega Bloks First Builders Bag is our top pick because this set of blocks provides endless playtime possibilities . Blocks provide an opportunity for you and your little one to practice problem-solving and fine motor skills , as well as a great base for non-stop pretend play. 

The top criteria for a good set of blocks are durability, a safe and fun size, and disinfecting ability. The Mega Bloks are a parent favorite because they come with 80 colorful building blocks , including special shapes for under $20. They click into each other nicely without too much pressure (good for little hands) and can be stored easily in the zip bag they come in.

Best Matching

Kidzlane egg toy for kids and toddlers.

Durable case included

Teaches color matching

Easy to grab for little hands

Some eggs don't stay together

May be hard to open for some toddlers

Whether it be with colors, shapes, or even animals, matching is a great skill to work on with toddlers. This affordable egg toy is designed to help your toddler learn to count, sort, and match . The set includes 12 plastic eggs, each of which has a different color and a number of small pegs that match up with another half with the same layout. 

Kids love to click and pull apart these eggs, and they are easy to grab for little hands . They come in a durable plastic egg carton, which also acts as a carrying and storage case. You can even use these eggs with pretend play for a fun learning experience in the play kitchen.

Best for Sensory Learning

Democa quiet book for toddlers.

Nine engaging activities

Machine-washable

Some pages not as engaging

Keeping a toddler busy and entertained is a full-time job. The deMoca Quiet Book makes things a lot easier with nine engaging activities built into a brightly colored fabric, machine-washable book. 

The activities include matching velcro-colored shapes, learning to tie shoes and button buttons, and a clock to tell time. The book is perfect for sensory development and encourages dexterity and spatial awareness . This travel-friendly activity book will keep your toddler busy, and there aren’t any pieces or parts to lose.

Best Flashcards

Learnworx flashcards for toddlers.

101 flash cards included

Large print

No shapes, colors, or numbers

Flashcards are a little bit of an old-school learning method but are much loved by parents, teachers, and toddlers because they’re easy, fun, and great for on the go. We love this flashcard set from Learnworx. The set comes with 101 large-print, extra-thick cards that feature cute and bright pictures of objects and scenes like animals, foods, and household items.

On the back of the cards, prompt questions encourage counting, spelling, and more, like “How many lions do you see?” The cards wipe clean and store easily in a toddler-friendly box.

Best Puzzle

Melissa & doug farm animals sound puzzle.

Realistic animal sounds

Puzzle pieces have peg for easy grasping

Wood is sturdy

Batteries not included

Another solid educational toy for toddlers is this Melissa & Doug Sound Puzzle. Parents we surveyed recommend this educational toddler toy because it promotes fine motor skills , and kids can play with it independently. Each puzzle piece includes an easy-to-grasp peg for little hands. Once children place the puzzle piece into the correct spot, they’ll hear realistic animal sounds . While we love the farm animals theme, it also comes in musical instruments, vehicles, pets, and zoo animals.

ToyVelt Dinosaur Take Apart Toys

Helps with hand-eye coordination

Not recommended for children under 3 years old

Even though the concept of STEM might seem a little advanced for your toddler, encouraging exploration and play that involves invention and problem-solving are all part of it. This colorful set includes three or six dinosaurs and tools .

The idea is for your toddler to take apart and reassemble the dinosaurs using kid-friendly tools. Although this toy may not be right for a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old child will love the process of taking apart and fixing the dinosaurs. They will work on their hand-eye coordination, creative problem-solving, and patience , all while having fun.

Best for Fine Motor Skills

Learning resources spike the fine motor hedgehog.

Quills fit into hedgehog for easy storage

Works on fine motor skills

Does not make sounds/noises

Want to know how to work on your toddler’s fine motor skills? Find a toy that keeps their attention! Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog gets rave reviews because kids love it just as much as parents and grandparents. The brightly colored peg-shaped pieces can be placed in and out of the friendly hedgehog and are easy for kids to grasp. 

With this cute toy, you can also work on color recognition, sorting, and counting skills, then simply store it away as one piece. Good for a young toddler and your budget, and your toddler will love this fun little hedgehog.

Best for Memory

Banana panda suuuper size memory game.

Practice matching, focus, and sorting

Easy to learn

Only animals or vehicles offered

Best for ages 2 and up, this giant Banana Panda memory game is a good way to practice matching, focus, and sorting . The game itself is easy to learn and fun to play. You can also use the cards as flashcards to introduce new words. 

The Banana Panda game has adorable colorful animal illustrations and the pieces are made of thick cardboard and are large enough for a toddler to see and grab. These easily store and are portable for travel or play on the go.

Best for Reading

Leapfrog learning friends 100 words book.

Introduces toddlers to 100 vocabulary words

English or Spanish offered

Batteries required

Touch can be sensitive

You can count on LeapFrog to make an interactive educational toy that both you and your toddler will love. With the Learning Friends Interactive book, your toddler will be introduced to 100 vocabulary words and be able to touch the words and pictures on each page. The book also has fun facts, music, and sounds and can be turned to Spanish for language learning. 

The word categories in the Learning Friends Book include pets, animals, food, mealtime, colors, activities, opposites, outside, and more . Take this book with you in the car or while you grocery shop, and your toddler will be happily entertained.

Best for Art

Betheaces aqua doodle magic drawing mat.

Six drawing templates

No toxic ingredients

Pens may leak

As any parent will tell you, any toddler art activity that doesn’t involve mess is a sure winner. With the Aqua Doodle Magic Drawing Mat, there is no mess, no toxic ingredients, and no ink . The magical pen transforms water into a mess-free color and disappears after a few minutes, so the fun doesn't have to end,

The Aqua Doodle also includes four drawing templates, four pens, and four shape stencils . The water drawing mat itself has a bright and colorful border and is large enough to be shared and played with outdoors (but it also folds up and is easy to take with you).

How We Selected and Tested Educational Toys for Toddlers

• Expert Input: We spoke with Whitney Casares, MD, MPH , pediatrician, author of “Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning, and Become the Mom and Person You’re Meant to Be” (releasing January 23, 2024), and founder of Modern Mommy Doc, to find out what to look for in educational toys for toddlers. We reviewed guidance from the AAP on how to buy safe toys and what parents and caregivers can expect during the toddler years, ages 1 to 3. Moreover, we reviewed CDC guidance on developmental milestones for toddlers.
• Parent Survey: We surveyed 875 parents to learn more about what toys their children play with, how they play with them, and why they love them. Additionally, we asked parents and caregivers about their favorite brands and what makes them well-loved among their families.
• Design and Features Research: After reviewing guidance and insights from our expert, the AAP and CDC, and parents, we studied the design and features of more than 30 educational toys for toddlers on the market.
• Safety and Convenience Assessment: We considered toy safety, age recommendations, ease of use, developmental milestones, and value when reviewing products.

What to Look for in Educational Toys for Toddlers

The good news with toddlers is that they are naturally curious, so they can find interest in just about any toy. Also, little ones this age just love to play in general, and since there are so many opportunities to learn through play, that leaves a huge selection of educational toys to choose from.

According to Dr. Casares, toys that facilitate problem-solving, like shape sorters, are a great option for toddlers because of their natural interest in exploring the world around them. Additionally, consider interactive toys and toys that teach natural associations, like a horse in a barn, or a fish in the ocean.

Development is still a major consideration when shopping for toys for toddlers because they’re still working on mastering many skills. Dr. Casares says play helps with every aspect of development, including gross motor, fine motor, social-emotional, and cognitive skills. In order to find the best toys for toddlers, it helps to keep some common milestones in mind when you’re shopping.

• Cognitive Development : The Kidzlane Color Matching Egg Set is an educational toy for 1- and 2-year-olds that encourages problem-solving. 
• Fine Motor Skills : Spike the Hedgehog helps toddlers strengthen their fine motor skills, like grasping.
• Language Development : Naming objects is a milestone for toddlers between 1 and 2 years old, and LearnWorx Flashcards are great for helping little ones learn and identify new objects and expand their vocabulary.

Entertainment Value

While toddlers have a wide range of interests, their attention spans are typically short, so looking for entertaining and engaging toys is essential. It’s important to provide a wide range of activities for toddlers, according to Dr. Casares, so a toy that can be played with in multiple ways is more likely to keep a toddler’s attention.

Additionally, she suggests looking for toys that offer some kind of sensory or imaginative play because they’re not only entertaining for toddlers but also really great for supporting their development.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! During the toddler years , children grow and change rapidly in the areas of cognitive, physical, and social development, and educational toys can help them learn and grow. Toys that encourage building, matching, and moving pieces around help kiddos improve their hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and problem-solving skills, while those that encourage creative or imaginative play will help them learn and identify new objects and build their language and social/emotional skills.

Children start to learn and refine many skills between 1 and 3 years old. These include cognitive skills like reasoning and thinking things through and social skills like asking for help, building independence, and playing appropriately with others. Language skills also take a big step forward during this phase, as kids go from using just a handful of words to connecting words with images, speaking in complete sentences and communicating more complex thoughts.

While it's smart to have a variety of toys that will encourage the development of different skills (such as blocks for motor skills and books for language skills), too many toys can actually lead to overwhelm—and research shows children who have fewer toys played with each longer and played more creatively.

To keep your playroom from getting overloaded , store or give away toys that your child has outgrown, put toys on display (and encourage little ones to put them away at the end of playtime), and make books and educational toys the most accessible.

Deanna McCormack is a freelance writer and creative consultant based in Scottsdale, Arizona. She enjoys working with start-ups and regularly covers product launches in the lifestyle, beauty, and motherhood space. A self-proclaimed expert at baby registries and gift ideas, Deanna has two kids and is the co-founder of Loonie Kid, a Canadian clothing company for kids and toddlers.

Additional reporting by  Ashley Ziegler and Katrina Cossey .

When it comes to toys for kids, our team has you covered. The Verywell Family team of editors (who are parents or have nieces and nephews of their own) have tested, gifted, and personally recommend every item we feature. Find more of our top toy picks for every developmental stage and personality phase here:

• The Best Christmas Gifts for Kids
• The Best Developmental Toys for Babies
• The Best Tummy Time Toys
• The Best Active Toys for Toddlers
• The Best Outdoor Toys for Toddlers
• The Best Toys for Toddlers
• The Best Phonics Toys for Preschoolers
• The Best Toys for Learning Letters and Numbers
• The Best Musical Toys for Children of All Ages
• The Best Montessori Toys to Encourage Thoughtful Play
• The Best Sesame Street Toys
• The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids of All Ages
• The Best Dinosaur Toys
• The Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development
• The Best Toys for Independent Play
• The Best Snow Toys for Kids
• The Best STEM Toys for Kids
• Best Laptop Toys for Kids
• The Best Social Emotional Learning Toys
• The Best Robot Toys
• The Best Ride-On Toys
• The Best Cleaning Toy Sets
• The Black-Owned Gift Guide

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Important milestones: Your child by 2 years .

American Academy of Pediatrics. How to buy safe toys.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Ages & stages.

Dauch C, Imwalle M, Ocasio B, Metz AE. The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play .  Infant Behav Dev . 2018;50:78-87.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

The 43 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds of 2024

Practice shapes, sorting, colors, numbers, and more with these engaging gifts

Julia is the Associate Commerce Editor at The Spruce, covering all things seasonal, which means gift guides and holiday decor in the winter and patio furniture and gardening essentials in the summer. She's on a constant hunt to find the perfect gift for everyone in your life, from new dads to 5-year-old girls, through extensive research and testing as a product reviewer.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

The Spruce / Lecia Landis

Buying the perfect gift for a 2-year-old can be difficult when you're trying to find something beneficial to their developmental health and growth but it is also engaging, fun, and unique.

Think about your child's interests, whether they love reading books, building with blocks, snuggling with stuffed animals, or dancing and singing to their favorite songs. Use these interests to guide you to the perfect gift for the toddler in your life .

We know that the options can be overwhelming, so we tested and researched the best gift and toy options on the market for 2-year-olds, considering the recommended age, safety, educational value, and longevity.

Sesame Street Learning Letters Bus

Looking for a fun way to teach your little ones the alphabet? Check out Elmo's interactive bus-shaped activity board! It's designed to play Sesame Street phrases and the "Alphabet Song" to help kids practice their ABCs and spelling. After playtime is over, simply store the letters back on the bus. It's a great way to make learning engaging.

John Deere Talking Toolbelt

It’s tot tool time thanks to this set from John Deere. It includes a belt and six tools, including a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer. All of the tools feature rubber handles that are easy for little hands to grip. What’s really awesome is that the belt makes tool sounds and even says two phrases.

b. Toys Toy Drum Set

Kids will be marching to their own beat with this fantastic music set that’s as cute as it is functional. Included are silly centipede drumsticks, jingle bell ants, a busy bee maraca and clacker, a caterpillar tambourine, and a shaker egg—plenty to make up a whole band. They all come packed in a bright drum with a handy carrying strap for some music on the go.

Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog

Perfect for tiny hands, Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog comes with pegs that perfectly fit into his body as spikes. Two-year-olds can practice their fine motor skills by placing the correct pegs in each spot, then practice counting and sorting with the different color "spikes" that come with this kit. The adorable critter is bound to keep kids entertained and engaged as they solve the mystery of his missing spikes.

Radio Flyer Bubble Buddy Walker Wagon

Radio Flyer

Radio Flyer reimagined its classic red wagon as a pull- and push-able bubble mower for toddlers. One 4-oz bottle of bubble solution is included; just pour it into the reservoir in the wagon and it will produce bubbles as the wheels turn. This is a great outdoor toy for little ones practicing walking and need a bit of motivation to get moving.

Gund Toast Bulldog Plush

Toast is ready to become the 2-year-old in your life's new best friend. The adorable plush from Gund has realistic bulldog features and a soft exterior that's ideal for cuddling and hugging. At 10 inches, this stuffed animal easily packs into a purse or backpack so you can take Toast with you on the go.

Lego Duplo Town Alphabet Truck

These oversized Lego Duplo blocks fit perfectly in a 2-year-old's hand as they build, destroy, and play. Each block has a different letter of the alphabet that encourages little ones to learn as they play. Practice the sounds of the letters, sort the blocks by color, or build them into a tower to foster fine motor skills. Once built on the truck, it actually drives around the room with just a push.

Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy

Bath time will become playtime with this fun bath toy. Kids use the lightweight, magnetic fishing pole to catch the three sea creatures. The pole even makes a clicking sound. Not only is this fun but it can also teach kids hand-eye coordination. 

Lovevery Play Kits

Loverey play kits consider your child's age and developmental stage to provide the best toys, lessons, and supplemental material to promote learning and growth. Kids complete different projects and activities, delivered in the mail every three months, to support your child's creativity, independence, problem-solving skills, and so much more. They also provide a great bonding opportunity for toddlers and parents to complete together.

Pottery Barn Kids Wooden Shopping Cart

Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn Kids makes beautiful wooden toys that double as nursery decor when not in use. This stunning shopping cart is the perfect toy for little ones practicing their walking and storing skills. Keep toys, clothes, or other items in the shopping cart for extra storage, or purchase some pretend food to go along with the cart. You can even bring it to the grocery store so your 2-year-old has a matching mini cart for cuteness overload.

GOODNIGHT ME

Mark & Graham

You can add a little fun to your toddler's bedtime routine with Goodnight Me . This book takes your little one on a magical journey filled with dancing dogs, leaping sheep, chirping crickets, and hooting owls. And the best part? You can personalize the book to feature their name on the cover, story, and illustrations, making them feel extra special every time you read it together.

LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

Kids can mix and match the flavors and toppings on their very own ice cream cart to create the perfect cone, all while learning and laughing. This set comes with recipe cards so toddlers can build their memory and sequencing abilities while also practicing their fine motor skills through giving and receiving money for the tasty treats.

Mr Potato Head Create Your Potato Head Family

A classic toy with a new twist, Mr.Potato Head is sure to give your little one hours of imaginative play—especially since this is a family set. The Create Your Potato Head Family toy includes 45 pieces to customize potato families, including 2 large potato adult bodies, 1 small potato baby body, and 42 accessories. The best part? When playtime is over, your 2-year-old and store the parts in the backs of the larger potato bodies, making clean up simple.

Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster Ride On

If your toddler is a thrill seeker, they will love this ride-on coaster with ten feet of tracks. With a seat that can hold up to 50 pounds, it also includes a high back, handrail, and footrests for a safe and secure ride. You'll be able to bring the amusement park straight to your home.

Pottery Barn Mackenzie Disney Princess Castle Water Bottles

Pottery Barn

Get your little one excited to stay hydrated with this adorable Disney bottle. Featuring some of their favorite Disney Princesses like Cinderella and Belle, this bottle is designed to keep their drinks hot or cold for up to six hours. Plus, the push button pop-up lid makes it super easy to open, and it even has a lock to prevent spills. The best part? You add their name for a special touch.

3 Bees & Me Dinosaur Toys

Courtesy by Amazon

This rolling herd of dinosaurs will provide a roaring good time for tiny toddlers. Four dinosaurs, come in this value-priced pack. Each dinosaur is modeled after a real prehistoric dino. There’s a brontosaurus, a stegosaurus, a triceratops, and of course, a T-Rex, all in bright primary colors, perched atop wheels.

Disney Mickey Mini Waffle Maker

Looking to make breakfast time more magical? Check out this Mickey Mouse waffle maker. It cooks waffles in the shape of everyone's favorite mouse and features a convenient light to let you know when they're ready to eat. While it's not meant for your toddler to use on their own just yet, it's the perfect activity for parents or guardians to enjoy with their kids.

Fun Little Toys Kids Play Tent

Bring the outdoors in with this toddler camping set by Fun Little Toys. The set comes with 17 accessories including a pretend-play battery-powered gas stove and oil lamp, a cooking pan, plates, a shovel, a pop-up tent, and more—practically everything you need for hours of imaginative play indoors.

Nuby Octopus Bath Toy

This brightly colored toy is sure to make your kid smile. It’s perfect for 18 months and older. The purple octopus floats in the tub and includes three rings so kids can place them on the tentacles. The material is BPA-free and because the toys are sealed (no holes), there’s no worry about mold. 

First 100 Words

This book is such a classic and is ideal for kids ages 1 to 3. It features 100 photos to accompany each word. Kids will expand their vocabulary all while enjoying the colorful pics. The book is made of durable material and the cover is slightly padded, making it easy for kids to hold.

Coogam Matching Eggs Sorter Puzzle

This carton of (fake) eggs is packed full of educational enrichment. The dozen eggs open to reveal six colors and 12 shapes, which kids have to match. The eggs are made of durable material and they’re the perfect size for smaller hands. 

Pottery Barn Kids Kids Anywhere Chair®

Give your 2-year-old a throne of their own with the well-known Anywhere Chair by Pottery Barn Kids. With a monogram option as well as slipcovers in multiple colors, this customizable gift will really make your 2-year-old feel special.

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set

To say this gift will be a slam dunk would be an understatement (and a silly pun), but it’s true. Budding ballers can shoot and score over and over again with this sturdy basketball hoop designed just for them. Perfect for hoopsters 18 months to five years old, it's easily adjustable and can go from 2 feet up to 4 feet. It also has an oversized rim for maximum points. The best part: the set comes with not one, but three, rubber balls, so if one rolls away to places unknown, the game doesn’t have to come to an end.

Pottery Barn Kids Giraffe Plush Nursery Rocker

Let your child embark on a wild adventure with this cute giraffe plush nursery rocker. Standing at 30 inches, toddlers can enjoy a smooth and gentle ride with precision-shaped runners and solid wood handles. Unlike other toys, this rocker is recommended for ages up to 5 and will last for years to come. Best of all, personalization is available to make this gift extra special.

Skillmatics Thick Flash Cards for Toddlers : First 100 Animals

Skillmatics

Perfect for road trips, plane rides, or sitting through siblings' sports games, Skillmatics' flash cards keep toddlers engaged and learning at the same time. The high-quality, non-bending flash cards feature realistic images and names of 100 animals. The box also comes with three learning games for 2-year-olds to sort, name, and learn more about fascinating animals from land to sea.

KayLe Spinning Top Sensory Toys for Toddlers

This suction cup spinner toy will create hours of enrichment for your 2-year-old's little mind. The suction cup feature allows this toy to stick to most surfaces, making this an easy toy to move from playtime to bath time. The soothing rattle sounds will get the interest of your little one and with three different designs included in the set, you can't go wrong.

Battat Deluxe Doctor Kit

The smallest doctor in your family now has their own kit to take care of any pretend bumps, bruises, or scrapes. The 11-piece set has colorful gear like a stethoscope, thermometer, tweezers, and a needle. Everything fits in the plastic case for easy storage. 

Britannica's Baby Encyclopedia

Britannica Publisher

Explore big ideas in a digestible way for toddlers with the Britannica baby encyclopedia. Learn about animals, food, art, numbers, science, and so much more for read-aloud, home-school sessions, and family bonding times. Everything was reviewed by early-years specialist Dr. Amanda Gummer and the book features beautiful and engaging illustrations by Hanako Clulow.

Step2 LifeStyle Custom Kitchen Playset

Your 2-year-old has some time before they actually start cooking, but this kitchen set is a fun start. The stove has cool sound effects like water boiling and a sizzling pan, while shelves and drawers provide plenty of storage space for the 20 included accessories.

Moonlite Mini Projector with 5 Mickey Mouse and Friends Stories

A new way to enjoy classic stories, Moonlite brings iconic tales and characters to life through a projector that attaches to your smartphone. This set comes with five Mickey Mouse and Friends stories you can find on the compatible app, then display with the included projector and your phone's flashlight. Nightly story times will never be the same.

Tender Leaf Toys Carrot Count Stacker

Tender Leaf Toys

Tender Leaf Toys makes charming, friendly wooden toys that foster important skills in your little one. Join the adorable bunny and learn to count to 10 with this wooden counting toy. Each carrot ring represents another number your 2-year-old can stack, sort, and count as they practice problem-solving and motor skills. Plus, everything is made from a renewable resource with water-based paint, so you can feel confident in what's going into your child's toys.

Melissa & Doug Nesting and Sorting Garages and Cars

Rev up the fun with this set of sorting cars and garages from Melissa & Doug. It comes complete with seven numbered wooden cars in graduated sizes. There are also seven garages included, each with a number and color that matches one of the cars for endless counting, sorting, and matching opportunities. All of the garages can be stacked on top of one another as well for stacking (and knocking down) and building.

Little Tikes Look & Learn Window

Little Tikes

With Little Tikes, your toddler gets their own mini window to explore weather, numbers, and other educational concepts all while staying inside. The two different sides represent day and night as you introduce temperature, greet the window by saying "good morning," listen to music and songs, and so much more.

Schwinn Roadster Tricycle

Introduce your toddler to their first bike with the Schwinn Roadster tricycle. It features a retro look, a low center of gravity for easy riding, and an adjustable seat to accommodate different-sized little ones. It comes in many colors sure to delight any 2-year-old, and tassels are attached to the handles.

Melissa & Doug Grocery Cart Push Toy and Puzzles

New from a leader in wooden toys, Melissa & Doug, comes a new educational and adorable grocery cart, perfect for 2-year-olds. Little ones explore shapes and colors while challenging their sorting and problem-solving skills with all of the moving elements. The 16-piece set also comes with chunky wooden puzzles that are stored right inside the cart. It also doubles as a stabilizing walking toy for toddlers just getting on their feet.

CoComelon Ultimate Learning Bus

Kids that love CoComelon will flip for this interactive learning-filled school bus. The learning bus uses sounds and lights to teach vital lessons for toddlers' development, including colors, numbers, letters, and more. It includes over 300 phrases and fun, recognizable songs, guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment for little ones.

My Hair, My Crown Board Book

It's never too early to teach kids to love every part of themselves. My Hair, My Crown celebrates the magic of Black hairstyles. Whether you're building confidence in your child or introducing them to diverse styles and appearances, the board book features a surprise mirror on the last page for little ones to admire their beautiful hair, no matter how it looks.

Learning Curve Vegetable Prep Board Playset

Learning Curve

One of the ways toddlers learn and grow is by mimicking what they see their parents do. Gift your 2-year-old their own cutting board and kid-safe knife for chopping vegetables while you prep dinner every night. The adorable set comes with four veggies that pull apart and attach with velcro that act as mini learning puzzles. Or use the included wooden knife to test their dexterity and fine motor skills.

Mega Bloks Green Town Build & Learn Eco House

Build, learn, and play with the Mega Bloks green town eco house play set. The buildable set features a greenhouse, solar panels, electric cars, bicycles, figures, and more, as a great introduction to important ecological efforts. Plus, all green town building sets are certified carbon neutral, so the products and the concepts are equally eco-conscious.

Play-Doh Play 'n Store Table

Courtesy of Walmart

This Play 'N Store table by Play-Doh is a parent's dream, providing all the Play-Doh your 2-year-old needs for hours of play and a place to conveniently and neatly store it away. This set comes with over 25 Play-Doh tools for hours of imaginative play. Little ones can make basic shapes, animals, Play-Doh ice cream, or even burgers—anything their little brains can imagine can be made with this set. With eight different colors to play with, this kit is sure to satisfy them.

Mega Bloks 80-Piece Big Building Bag

“Wow!” will be their reaction when they see this mega bag of Mega Bloks. It comes with 80 brightly colored blocks in a variety of shapes. They’re the perfect size for little hands and versatile enough for them to dream big with their creations. From castles to cars and so much more, there’s no limit to the things they may create. This is a perfect starter set, but it also works with all other Mega Bloks sets. During testing, we loved how the large size fit easily in little one's hands for hours of engaging play.

 The Spruce

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Toy

The fun and interactive pushable buttons on the Fat Brain Toys Dimpl toy may act as a stress reliever for a teenager or adult, but for little ones, they provide a fun, stimulating sensory experience that will keep them entertained for hours. Dimpl toys come in various shapes and sizes, but this basic model is ideal for 2-year-olds developing sensory and motor skills. The simple mechanism will capture your toddler's attention immediately. Once they pop all the bubbles on one side, flip it over and start again.

Peppa Pig Cruise Ship

Peppa Pig lovers' imaginations will sail away with this cruise ship set inspired by the show. With 3 levels, 13 accessories, and 3 posable figures, the playtime potential is limitless! The set even features a functional elevator that kids can push between the ship's first and second levels. This 17-piece set is a great gift for little fans of the show.

Other Great Gift Options

If you have a little one, you know how eager they are to learn and explore the world around them. Toddlers around the age of two are like sponges, ready to absorb new experiences and skills. While toys are great, giving experiential gifts can be even better for their growth and development.

For example, taking your toddler to the zoo is a fantastic idea that shouldn't be overlooked. Not only will it create unforgettable memories, but it can also start conversations about different animal facts, sounds, and colors. This kind of hands-on learning is incredibly helpful in their cognitive and social development, and it's a lot of fun too!

How We Picked the Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

We've been finding the best gifts for everyone on your list, including little ones, for years. To compile this list, we polled parents on our team to discover the toys their kids can't put down. We monitor new launches from notable brands we love, including Lego, Hasbro, VTech, and more to constantly keep this list fresh and updated.

We picked toys with an educational aspect or multiple ways to play to keep 2-year-olds entertained for hours (let's be honest, minutes) at a time. In an effort to provide a comprehensive selection, we try to target all interests a toddler might have from playing outdoors, being creative, or seeing characters from their favorite show or movie.

We're proud to include sustainable wooden toys, toys from BIPOC and women-founded brands, and small companies you may not see at your local big box store as well. As we continue to test toys, speak to more parents, and research new releases, this list will change to reflect that.

Tips on Choosing a Gift for a 2-Year-Old

When picking out toys for your little one, pay attention to the age recommendations. These suggestions are really important because they help ensure the toy is safe and a good fit for your child's developmental level. Kristin Morency Goldman , Senior Advisor of Strategic Communications for The Toy Association, says that this info is crucial. So, make sure you choose toys that are appropriate for your child's age range, so they can build skills and be challenged healthily.

You also want to avoid toys labeled 3+, says Morency Goldman, since these toys may contain small parts that pose a choking hazard, even to older toddlers. Also avoid toys that are too heavy, hard, or difficult to handle. Building blocks are a common example of this, but Mega Bloks are a great choice because they're the perfect size for little hands and don't pose a choking hazard.

When kids turn two, they're usually super curious and eager to learn new things. Toys that promote the development of fine motor skills, walking, talking, music or critical thinking can be both educational and entertaining. For instance, the Munchkin Fishin Magnetic Bath Toy encourages children to practice hand-eye coordination during bathtime.

It's also worth noting that two-year-olds love to explore the world around them! So, toys that let them move around and explore are usually a hit. Dr. Natasha Burgert , a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas, says that these kinds of toys can help kids build their physical skills too.

Young children grow at an astounding rate. Consider whether the gift you buy for a 2-year-old can grow with them—it might be much better to invest in something a child can use for a long time, as opposed to a toy they’ll grow out of in a few months. One gift we love: the Skillmatics Thick Flash Cards  are suitable for ages 18 months to 4 years old.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by  Julia Fields , an associate editor for The Spruce, covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. For this story, she aimed to create a comprehensive list of gift suggestions for every toddler, including active, educational, and creative options.

Other Experts:

• Kristin Morency Goldman , senior adviser of strategic communications for The Toy Association
• Dr. Natasha Burgert , a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas.
• Daniela Galvez , a senior editor for The Spruce
• Aliyah Rodriguez , an associate editor for The Spruce

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32 Top Learning Toys For 2 Year Old (Boost Development)

Is your 2-year-old walking or still crawling? Have you noticed they are still wobbly and unsure on their feet? Two-year-olds are clumsy and are all over the place. However, with the right guidance and the help of one of our suggested top learning toys for 2-year-olds, you can support their physical development and provide them with engaging opportunities to learn and grow.

They walk, crawl, run, climb, throw and drop things, and they make a ton of mess. Not their fault though. Their movements are awkward because they have not mastered their gross and fine motor skills yet. They can talk but not clearly, they keep falling, and need a lot of help.

What are the top learning toys for 2 year old? The best toys for 2 year old are those that help them learn important skills like gross and fine motor movements, spatial awareness, imaginative play, language, and vocabulary, and learn colors, numbers shapes, and other cognitive skills. Two-year-olds need a lot of help in gaining the confidence and independence to move freely. They need toys to help them build strong muscles for movement. Toys should be able to help them with literacy and pre-math skills to prepare them for preschool. Lastly, learning toys for 2 year old should be fun and provide a meaningful experience.

Learning Toys for 2 Year Old

Don’t you find it overwhelming when shopping for learning toys for 2 year old? There are just too many choices. Lucky for you, we have come up with a list of the best for your little one.

Building Blocks

Building blocks provide endless possibilities for fun. Your two-year-old can build, construct, and design anything they can imagine.

It helps to develop their language and expand their vocabulary. Building blocks teach early math skills. Two-year-olds will learn to plan and strategize by learning about positions, colors, shapes, and sizes.

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Playing with building blocks is so much fun your little one will learn about balance, gravity, and geometry without even knowing it!

Matching Toys

Matching may look simple and easy but that’s what makes it effective. Matching requires visual memory and discrimination, improving a young child’s cognitive skills.

It practices the child’s skill in identifying patterns, similarities, differences, and relationships of objects. These help children learn about representation and build their problem-solving skills.

Matching toys also help improve fine motor skills. Not to mention they are so much fun to do with family members and friends. So it improves language, vocabulary, and social interaction too!

Puzzles are a must-have for every child. They are fun and educational. It can be a topic specific if you have a specific goal or lesson to teach your child. For example, if your two-year-old is starting to learn ABCs or numbers, you can reinforce that by letting them play number or letter puzzles.

Puzzles help develop:

• Concentration
• Language and vocabulary
• Spatial awareness
• Shape, color, size, objects, letter, and number recognition
• Fine motor skills
• Hand-eye coordination
• Cognitive skills

Words, Letters, Colors, and Numbers

Two years old is a perfect age to start learning about basic words, letters, colors, and numbers. It is a good way to develop their language and support their growing vocabulary.

These can come in different forms like flashcards, board games, puzzles, wooden blocks, abacus, and many other toys.

Wooden Musical Instruments

Simple wooden musical instruments are great for introducing music, sounds, and noise while having different sensorial experiences.

Music stimulates a child’s brain and can make learning easy. It is calming and improves two-year-olds creativity and imagination. It facilitates brain development.

Think of simple musical instruments like maracas, tambourines, ukuleles, or a drum.

Outdoor Toys

Exploration, especially nature exploration , is important for young children. This is how they can learn to understand their physical world and develop a connection to nature – plants, and animals.

Learning toys for 2 year old for nature exploration like big catchers, gardening tools, catching nets, or a fishing rod is a good start.

Being exposed to nature keeps kids active. They learn compassion for animals and other living things. They are encouraged to move and be active, developing their fine and gross motor skills.

Toys for Physical Activities

Being active is important for your two-year-olds. They have so much energy they need an outlet to channel that. Learning toys for 2 year old that encourage physical activity can include training bikes, a wagon, a ball, a wooden balance board, a claiming triangle, and an outdoor gym.

Physical activities help build strong muscles to improve movement and sharpen their senses.

Toys that encourage physical activities to promote social interaction, language development, and develop good character traits.

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters help children learn about shapes, colors, and spatial awareness. They provide a hands-on experience in matching shapes to corresponding holes, enhancing fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

Picture Books

Picture books are excellent educational toys for 2-year-olds as they introduce them to new words, objects, and concepts. They stimulate language development, expand vocabulary, and enhance visual recognition skills.

Nesting Cups

Nesting cups come in different sizes and can be stacked or nested inside one another. These toys teach children about size relationships, coordination, and cause-and-effect. They also promote sensory exploration as kids can fill them with water, sand, or other materials.

Counting Toys

Counting toys, such as number puzzles or counting blocks, are perfect for introducing basic math concepts to 2-year-olds. These toys help children learn to recognize and associate numbers with quantities, promoting numeracy skills and early counting abilities.

Magnetic Letters and Numbers

Magnetic letters and numbers are great tools for introducing the alphabet and numerals to young learners. They can be stuck on the fridge or a magnetic board, allowing children to explore letter and number recognition, spelling, and basic math operations.

Art Supplies

Art supplies, such as washable markers, finger paints, and crayons, encourage creativity, self-expression, and fine motor skills. They provide a sensory experience and help children develop hand-eye coordination, color recognition, and early writing skills.

Pretend Play Sets

Pretend play sets, such as kitchen sets, doctor kits, or toolkits, foster imaginative play and social interaction. They allow children to mimic real-life scenarios, enhancing language skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of roles and responsibilities.#

STEM & Montessori-inspired Toys: Introducing Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Discover the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Montessori-inspired toys designed to engage and educate 2-year-olds. These educational toys for 2-year-olds offer hands-on learning experiences that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativit y. With a focus on child-led exploration and independence, these toys provide a foundation for early learning and development.

Lovevery The Block Set

– The Lovevery Block Set is a play kit that promotes language, independence, and social-emotional skills.

– It is made from sustainably-harvested wood and other child-safe materials, ensuring the safety of your child.

– This toy offers educational value by encouraging problem-solving, balancing skills, learning numbers, imaginative play, and real-life skills.

– It is recommended for children aged 34-36 months.

– The set includes a wooden counting box, a land and sky puzzle board, a wooden camper van, and more.

– It is certified by the FSC, guaranteeing its sustainable sourcing.

– So far, there have been no product recalls for this toy.

– The only downside is that it can be a bit pricey.

KiwiCo Koala Crate

– The KiwiCo Koala Crate is a box that contains various arts and crafts, toys for imaginative play, and science activities.

– It meets safety standards, ensuring that the materials used are safe for children.

– The materials in the crate are a mixture of paper, wood, and cloth.

– It offers educational value through imaginative play, fine motor skills development, STEM learning, memory improvement, and creativity.

– This crate is recommended for children aged 2-4 years old.

– Each crate contains a random assortment of different preschool materials for hands-on learning.

– There have been no product recalls for this toy.

– The only drawback is that you cannot choose which items are included in the crate.

Montessori Generation Busy Board

– The Montessori Generation Busy Board is a bag filled with various activity options, including buckles, snap pockets, laces, buttons, and zippers.

– It is made of high-quality, child-safe materials to ensure durability and safety.

– The materials used in this toy are cloth.

– It provides educational value by promoting creativity, coordination, attention, memory, and fine motor skills.

– The recommended age range for this toy is 1-4 years old.

Magformers Basic Set

– Brand: Magformers

– Best features: Magnetic building blocks for open-ended creative play

– Product safety: BPA-free and made with high-quality materials

– Materials: ABS plastic magnets and high-quality construction

– Educational value: STEM learning, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and creativity

– Age range: 3+ years old

– Extra features: Includes various shapes for endless building possibilities

– Certification: ASTM and CPSIA compliant

– Product recall: None

– Cons: Some customers find the magnets to be a bit weak.

Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set

– Brand: Learning Resources

– Best features: Coding and programming game set with a robot mouse

– Product safety: Made with child-safe materials

– Materials: Plastic and electronic components

– Educational value: Introduction to coding and programming logic, critical thinking, problem-solving, and sequencing

– Age range: 5-9 years old

– Extra features: Includes coding cards, tunnels, maze pieces, and more

– Cons: Younger children may require adult assistance to fully understand the coding concepts.

Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst Kit

– Brand: Tinkering Labs

– Best features: Kit for building and experimenting with electric circuits and motors

– Product safety: Made with high-quality, child-safe materials

– Materials: Wood, plastic, metal, and electronic components

– Educational value: Hands-on exploration of engineering, circuitry, problem-solving, and creativity

– Age range: 8+ years old

– Extra features: Includes a variety of building parts, electric motors, and tools

– Cons: Requires adult supervision and guidance for younger children.

Educational Building Sets & Blocks: Building a Foundation with Learning Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Spark your child’s imagination and cognitive skills with educational building sets and blocks designed for 2-year-olds. These engaging toys foster creativity, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities . With a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, these learning toys for 2-year-olds offer endless possibilities for construction and exploration.

– The Educational Building Sets & Blocks are a rainbow-shaped block set that comes with little people figures.

– These blocks are made of high-quality, child-safe materials, ensuring durability and safety.

– The materials used are wood with non-toxic paint.

– They offer educational value by promoting creativity, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, logic, and problem-solving skills.

– These blocks are suitable for children aged 1 year and above.

– The only downside is that they can be a bit pricey.

Melissa & Doug 100 Piece Wood Blocks Set

– The Melissa & Doug 100 Piece Wood Blocks Set includes 100 pieces of solid wood blocks in nine shapes and four colors.

– These blocks are free from lead and phthalates, ensuring the safety of your child.

– They are made from sustainably sourced wood.

– This toy provides educational value by teaching early math concepts, engineering skills, color and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and dexterity.

– It is suitable for children aged 2 years and above.

– The box that the blocks come in can be converted into a carrying case.

– The set is certified by FSC, as well as US and EU conformity certificates.

– Some parents have complained about the block pieces being smaller than expected.

LEGO Classic Creative Bricks Set

– Brand: LEGO

– Best features: Classic LEGO bricks for unlimited building possibilities

– Product safety: Made with high-quality, non-toxic materials

– Materials: Plastic

– Educational value: Creativity, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and imagination

– Age range: 4+ years old

– Extra features: Includes a wide range of LEGO bricks in various shapes and colors

– Cons: The set does not come with specific building instructions.

PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set

– Brand: PicassoTiles

– Best features: Magnetic building tiles with vibrant colors

– Product safety: BPA-free and made with child-safe materials

– Educational value: STEM learning, creativity, spatial awareness, and problem-solving

– Extra features: Includes squares, triangles, windows, and more for endless building possibilities

– Cons: The magnets can be a bit weak, resulting in less stable constructions.

K’NEX Education Intro to Simple Machines: Gears Set

– Brand: K’NEX

– Best features: Building set for exploring simple machines and gears

– Materials: Plastic and metal

– Educational value: Introduction to engineering, gears, mechanics, problem-solving, and critical thinking

– Extra features: Includes gears, connectors, and building instructions for different models

– Cons: Younger children may require assistance in understanding the mechanical concepts.

Words, ABCs, Numbers, & Colors:  Fun and Learning Combined in Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Introduce your 2-year-old to the exciting world of words, ABCs, numbers, and colors through educational toys. These toys engage young minds in early literacy and numeracy skills while making learning fun . From alphabet puzzles to color recognition games, these interactive toys enhance vocabulary, letter recognition, and color awareness in an enjoyable and age-appropriate way.

Melissa & Doug ABC-123 Abacus

– The Melissa & Doug ABC-123 Abacus consists of 36 pieces of abacus wood blocks with ABCs and numbers or figures.

– The abacus blocks are made from sustainably sourced wood, ensuring their safety and durability.

– This toy offers educational value by helping children learn their ABCs, math concepts, colors, patterns, and fine motor skills.

– The blocks feature different illustrations, including animals and common objects or food items.

– The toy is certified by FSC, as well as US and EU conformity certificates.

– Some parents have complained about their kids’ fingers getting stuck between the blocks while turning them.

Battat Wooden Activity Cube

– The Battat Wooden Activity Cube offers different activity options on each side.

– It is constructed with sturdy and smooth materials, ensuring its safety and durability.

– The toy is made of wood with water-based, non-toxic paint.

– It provides educational value by promoting cognitive and problem-solving skills.

– This cube is recommended for children aged 1 year and above.

– It is certified to meet EU, US, and Canadian safety standards.

– The only potential drawback is that having too many activities to do in one toy might overwhelm your child.

Shape Sorter Puzzle

– This shape sorter puzzle offers a unique feature that allows your child to mix and match the slots to change their shape.

– It meets US product safety requirements, ensuring its safety for children.

– The materials used are child-safe plastic.

– This toy provides educational value by promoting problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and learning shapes.

– It is recommended for children aged 2 years and above.

– Some customers think it may be too complicated for a two-year-old.

Fat Brain Toys Count & Sort Stacking Tower

– The Fat Brain Toys Count & Sort Stacking Tower is a color-coded stacking and sorting tower designed to teach children about numbers and colors.

– The materials used in this toy are child-safe and meet international, US, and European safety standards.

– It is made of wood.

– This toy offers educational value by promoting cognition, sequencing, memory, counting, number recognition, and fine motor skills.

– The tower comes with number tiles, a stacking peg, and 45 color-coded discs.

– It is certified by ASTM, CPSC, European Safety Standards Commission, and the International Council of Toy Industries.

– The only downside is that the brand does not offer spare parts, so you cannot get new rings if you misplace any.

Leapfrog Storytime Buddy

– The Leapfrog Storytime Buddy is a cute plushie with a light-up tag button that makes Buddy talk and sing.

– It is made of soft cloth plushie materials, ensuring a safe and comfortable play experience.

– The toy is made of soft cloth and certified RoHS-compliant plastic.

– It provides educational value by promoting early reading, role play, and cognitive skills.

– This toy is recommended for children aged 2-5 years old.

– It comes with five read-along books.

– The toy is certified by RoHS.

– Some complaints have been made about the toy’s sound breaking down after a few days.

LeapFrog Mr. Pencil’s Alphabet Backpack

– Brand: LeapFrog

– Best features: Interactive backpack toy with alphabet and writing activities

– Educational value: Letter recognition, letter sounds, writing skills, and vocabulary development

– Age range: 3-6 years old

– Extra features: Includes interactive games, drawing, and music

– Cons: The backpack may be a bit small for older children.

Melissa & Doug See & Spell Learning Toy

– Brand: Melissa & Doug

– Best features: Spelling and vocabulary learning toy with colorful letters

– Materials: Wood and non-toxic paint

– Educational value: Letter recognition, spelling, vocabulary development, and fine motor skills

– Age range: 4-6 years old

– Extra features: Includes double-sided spelling boards and storage case

– Cons: Some parents find the letter pieces to be a bit small.

Lakeshore Learning All About Me! Personalized Photo Book

– Brand: Lakeshore Learning

– Best features: Personalized photo book for early literacy and self-expression

– Materials: Cardstock and non-toxic ink

– Educational value: Letter recognition, name recognition, early literacy, self-expression, and family engagement

– Age range: 2-4 years old

– Extra features: Allows personalization with child’s photos and names

– Cons: Limited customization options for the book’s content.

Puzzles: Engaging and Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Unlock the cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills of your child with educational puzzles designed for 2-year-olds. These captivating toys provide a platform for your little one to explore and develop critical thinking, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness . From shape puzzles that foster early recognition to jigsaw puzzles that challenge their growing abilities, these learning toys offer endless opportunities for growth and development. With vibrant colors, engaging designs, and age-appropriate challenges, these puzzles empower 2-year-olds to unleash their potential while having fun.

Hape Farmyard Peg Puzzle

– The Hape Farmyard Peg Puzzle is a 3D puzzle featuring a farmyard scene

– It is made of non-toxic, child-safe materials, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The puzzle is made of sustainably harvested rubberwood with water-based stains.

– This toy provides educational value by promoting cognitive and problem-solving skills.

– The puzzle pieces are labeled with colors for easy identification.

– Some parents have complained that the puzzle pieces were smaller than expected.

Matching Toys: Building Connections with Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Help your 2-year-old develop memory skills and visual recognition through matching toys. These educational toys provide opportunities for children to match and pair objects, fostering concentration and cognitive development . Whether it’s matching shapes, colors, or pictures, these toys offer engaging challenges that promote learning and cognitive growth.

VTech Mix and Match-a-Saurus

– The VTech Mix and Match-a-Saurus is a cute dinosaur toy with puzzle spikes for matching.

– It is made of BPA-free materials, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The toy is made of ABS plastic.

– It offers educational value by promoting cognitive and fine motor skills.

– The dinosaur moves around and makes sounds (requires batteries).

– It is certified to meet US and European safety standards.

– Some complaints have been made about the dinosaur playing the same song even with different puzzle combinations.

Puzzle Playhouse

– The Puzzle Playhouse is a puzzle that features colorful illustrations and child-friendly designs.

– It is made of eco-friendly recycled paper, ensuring sustainability and safety.

– The puzzle pieces are made of cardboard.

– It is recommended for children aged 2-5 years old.

– The puzzle features child-friendly illustrations.

– Some customers have complained that the pieces don’t click or fit snugly together.

Ravensburger My First Memory Game

– Brand: Ravensburger

– Best features: Classic memory game for young children

– Materials: Cardboard

– Educational value: Memory skills, concentration, turn-taking, and visual recognition

– Age range: 2+ years old

– Extra features: Includes large, colorful cards with familiar images

– Cons: The cards may be a bit thin and prone to bending.

ThinkFun Zingo Bingo

– Brand: ThinkFun

– Best features: Fast-paced bingo game for early learners

– Materials: Cardboard and plastic

– Educational value: Picture-word matching, vocabulary development, concentration, and social skills

– Extra features: Includes a Zinger device for dispensing tiles

– Cons: The Zinger device may require adult assistance for younger children.

Peaceable Kingdom Monkey Around

– Brand: Peaceable Kingdom

– Best features: Cooperative game for color and pattern matching

– Materials: Cardstock

– Educational value: Color and pattern recognition, cooperation, social skills, and turn-taking

– Extra features: Includes large, sturdy cards with adorable monkey illustrations

– Cons: Some customers find the game too simple for older children.

Imaginative Play, Role Play, & Pull Toys: Igniting Creativity with Learning Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Encourage imaginative play and role-playing skills with a range of educational toys designed to captivate 2-year-olds. From pretend kitchen sets to pull-along toys, these playtime companions inspire creativity, social interaction, and fine motor skills . With these toys, your child can embark on imaginative adventures and explore the world through imaginative and educational play.

Lovevery The Realist Play Kit

– The Lovevery The Realist Play Kit is a science experiment kit that includes lessons for volume and liquid conservation.

– It is made from sustainably-harvested wood and other child-safe materials, ensuring safety and sustainability.

– This toy offers educational value by promoting problem-solving, creativity, cognition, memory, fine motor skills, and basic science and math concepts.

– The recommended age range for this toy is 31-33 months.

– The kit includes a match-and-tap hammer box, memory game, board book, and a countdown timer with color indicators.

– It is certified by the FSC.

Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table

– The Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table is a two-tier toddler water table designed for showering splashes and waterfalls.

– It is free from phthalates and heavy metals, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The materials used are polyethylene and/or polypropylene plastics.

– This toy offers educational value through pretend play, sensory exploration, social development, and STEM learning, such as cause and effect, gravity, water flow, and volume.

– It is recommended for children aged 1½ years old.

– The table can be easily cleaned using household cleaners or disinfectant wipes.

– It is certified to meet ASTM safety standards.

– The lack of pre-drilled holes for assembly may make it a bit difficult to assemble.

Little Tikes Go & Grow Dino Ride On Toy

– The Little Tikes Go & Grow Dino Ride On Toy is a dinosaur ride that can grow with your child.

– It is free from BPA,

latex, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and phthalates, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The toy is made of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

– It offers educational value through imaginative play and gross motor skills development.

– This toy is recommended for children aged 1-3 years old.

– It features oversized back wheels for stability.

– It is certified by CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act).

– Some customers have complained that it’s too small for their two-year-old.

WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppet

– The WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppet is a puppet that sings the popular “Baby Shark” song.

– It is made of soft plush fabric, providing a comfortable and safe play experience.

– This toy offers educational value through pretend play.

– Kids can control the tempo of the song by opening the shark’s mouth fast or slow.

– The only drawback is that the shark’s mouth has to be moved in a specific way for the song to play at normal speed.

Hape Roller Derby

– The Hape Roller Derby is a colorful ramp toy with toy cars.

– It is made of child-safe, BPA-free plastic.

– The materials used are ABS plastic and beechwood.

– It offers educational value by teaching children about colors, cause-and-effect, gravity, numbers, and colors.

– This toy is recommended for children aged 18 months and above.

– The cars can move forward or backward.

– Some customers have complained that the pieces don’t click or fit together snugly.

Green Toys Fire Truck

– Brand: Green Toys

– Best features: Sturdy fire truck toy made from recycled materials

– Product safety: BPA-free and made with 100% recycled plastic

– Materials: Recycled plastic

– Educational value: Imaginative play, storytelling, fine motor skills, and environmental awareness

– Age range: 1+ years old

– Extra features: Includes a working ladder and two removable firefighters

– Cons: The ladder may be a bit stiff to move for younger children.

KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen

– Brand: KidKraft

– Best features: Large play kitchen for imaginative cooking and role play

– Materials: Wood, plastic, and metal

– Educational value: Imaginative play, pretend cooking, social skills, and creativity

– Extra features: Includes a refrigerator, oven, microwave, and other interactive elements

– Cons: Assembly can be time-consuming.

Hape Wooden Pull-Along Snail Toy

– Brand: Hape

– Best features: Adorable pull-along toy with a friendly snail design

– Educational value: Gross motor skills, coordination, imaginative play, and cause-and-effect

– Extra features: The snail’s shell spins as it rolls

– Cons: The string for pulling may be a bit short for taller toddlers.

What are learning toys? Learning toys are also called educational toys. They are designed for learning a new skill(s), a lesson(s), achieving a new milestone(s), or improving existing ones. These toys are specifically crafted to engage and stimulate the minds of 2-year-olds, providing them with a hands-on and interactive learning experience. Whether it’s through puzzles, building sets, or language development tools, educational toys for 2-year-olds play a crucial role in their cognitive, physical, and emotional development. These toys foster creativity, problem-solving abilities, fine motor skills, and social interaction, laying a strong foundation for future learning. With age-appropriate challenges and engaging features, learning toys for 2-year-olds create an exciting and fun-filled environment for exploration, discovery, and growth.

Why do toddlers need learning toys? Learning toys for 2 year old are important to help them achieve their developmental milestones. Toddlers need learning toys to stimulate their innate desire to learn and do things on their own. These educational toys for 2-year-olds provide hands-on experiences that promote cognitive, motor, and social development. By engaging with age-appropriate learning toys, 2-year-olds can enhance their problem-solving skills, fine motor coordination, language development, and early literacy and numeracy abilities. These toys foster a love for learning and exploration, setting a strong foundation for their future educational journey. Whether it’s building blocks, puzzles, or imaginative play toys, the right learning toys for 2-year-olds can make a significant impact on their growth and overall development.

Are learning toys necessary? Learning toys are necessary to aid your child’s overall development and growth. Learning toys can come in different forms. You can buy manufactured toys, make DIY items, or use regular household objects for playtime. Educational toys for 2-year-olds provide age-appropriate challenges and activities that stimulate their cognitive, motor, and social skills. These toys foster creativity, problem-solving, and early learning concepts such as numbers, letters, and colors. They encourage exploration, curiosity, and a love for learning. Incorporating learning toys into your child’s playtime helps them develop essential skills while having fun and building a strong foundation for future learning.

Where can I buy learning toys for 2 year old? You can buy learning toys from your favorite local toy stores or buy them online. There are many available resources nowadays to shop for learning toys. Visit well-known retailers or browse through dedicated websites that specialize in educational toys for 2-year-olds . Online marketplaces also offer a wide selection of learning toys for 2-year-olds , allowing you to compare prices and read reviews before making a purchase. Additionally, consider checking out educational supply stores or visiting local children’s boutiques that prioritize learning and development. Don’t forget to explore second-hand options like consignment stores or online marketplaces, as you might find gently used educational toys for 2-year-olds at a more affordable price.

The best toys for 2 year old are those that help them learn important skills like gross and fine motor movements, spatial awareness, imaginative play, language, and vocabulary, and learn colors, numbers shapes, and other cognitive skills. Two-year-olds need a lot of help in gaining the confidence and independence to move freely. They need toys to help them build strong muscles for movement. Toys should be able to help them with literacy and pre-math skills to prepare them for preschool. Lastly, learning toys for 2 year old should be fun and provide a meaningful experience.

© Montessori Toddler 2023.

30 Best STEM Toys for Kids, According to Engineers

Learning science, technology, engineering and math has never been so fun.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Our top picks:

Best STEM Building Toy

32-piece magnetic construction set.

Best STEM Marble Run

Thinkfun gravity maze.

Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award Winner

Steam sensory beads.

Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog Poppin' Shapes Sorter

Best STEM Gift for Tweens

Snap circuits electronics exploration kit.

Best STEM Gift for 7-Year-Olds

Good housekeeping amazing science.

Best Fun Coding Toy for Preschoolers

Fisher-price code 'n learn kinderbot.

Pixicade Mobile Game Maker

Best Educational STEM Toy

Educational insights geosafari jr. talking microscope.

Best Screen-Free Coding for Elementary-Age Kids

Learning resources botley the coding robot.

When Good Housekeeping conducts its annual toy tests, STEM toys are always on the list of hot new toys and gifts for kids . They're available for all ages, from toddlers to teens. To find out which ones make the smartest purchases (a.k.a. the greatest gift ideas !), the Good Housekeeping Institute Parenting Lab puts its own scientists and engineers on the case, evaluating STEM toys for quality, ease of use and whether kids engage with the concepts behind them. Then, the most important testers — kids themselves — make sure our picks are fun, since no one's learning anything from a toy that sits in a closet.

You might also see toys marketed as STEAM toys — the extra "A" in there stands for art. There is an art element to much of science! For instance, one of our top picks for the best toys of 2023 has kids drawing out a video game and then having it come to life on a smartphone or tablet — you'll find it below listed as our STEM pick for 10-year-olds. We know it will have kids thinking artistically, too.

Looking for more great toys for kids? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:

The Best Educational Toys for Kids | The Best Sensory Toys for Kids | The Best Outdoor Toys for Kids

Kids can dream up their own creations with these magnetic tiles that make construction (and deconstruction) a breeze. They're a great introduction to educational topics including shapes, principles of magnets, symmetry and spacial reasoning.

If you're ready to teach your kid what makes an equilateral, right or isosceles triangle, here's your chance! (Feel free to Google it.) We love that this STEM toy is equally appropriate for a 3-year-old, a 5-year-old and for older kids. We've also named these our favorite magnetic toys . Ages 3+

Kids will have to flex their building, spatial reasoning and critical thinking muscles to solve the 60 challenges that come with this now classic marble run, which gets more than 25,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Or, they can just free play and build cool tracks for the three included marbles. Ages 8+

These flexible, multi-textured blocks can be used for building like regular blocks, but they also have holes so they can be threaded or held on a child's fingers, great for sensory-seekers and any kid working on motor coordination.

The beads also come with cards of different patterns that kids are challenged to replicate, which works their logic muscles and preps early coding skills. When we tested this winner for our annual Best Toy Awards testers said their preschoolers loved the colors and materials and kept coming back. Ages 3+

This toy award winner for the toddler set introduces the basics of math and engineering, namely shape and size . Can your tot recognize that the star-shaped hole is perfect for the star-shaped piece, and line it up to drop it in? Our experts love that the soft, flexible pieces double as fidget toys for antsy tots looking to explore shapes and colors in every way. Ages 18 months+

Tweens get hands-on experience with electricity and circuitry using this kit, which lets them build machines without a soldering iron (the pieces just snap together). This kit includes directions for more than 100 projects, including a a photo sensor and an adjustable-volume siren, but Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the UFO project the most by far. Ages 8+

Budding elementary-age scientists will thrill to the 83 hands-on experiments included here, which are led by the scientists from the Good Housekeeping Institute. The book goes from room to room through a home and explains the scientific concepts behind the phenomena you might find there, like why bathroom mirrors get foggy or what makes sweaty sneakers stink. Then, the experiments let kids dive deeper into the concepts. If they like it, they can move on to Good Housekeeping 1,001 Amazing Science Facts (for ages 8+), or younger ones ages 4+ can start off with Good Housekeeping The Little Lab: Fantastic Science for Kids . Ages 7+

Related: Best Gifts for 7-Year-Olds

Kids will have so much fun controlling their new friend’s movements with easy-to-press buttons that they’ll have no idea they’re practicing colors, letters and early math. There's even a "secret code" mode for older kids. The coding is very basic, but that's part of what we love about it. Ages 3 to 6

Our kid testers were amazed to see their drawings turn into app-enabled video games . Kids draw out levels using colored markers to stand in for goals (like coins), obstacles and hazards. Then they scan the design into a tablet and play! Guides walk them through the elements of a great game. We like this for kids ages 10 and up who are persistent; younger kids might get frustrated by the inevitable need to troubleshoot when a game element doesn't work and needs to be tweaked. Ages 10+

Featuring the voice of Bindi Irwin, this talking microscope comes with preloaded slides — so kids can't magnify a leaf that they find or anything. What they can do is slip in any of the 60 colorful preloaded slides to learn more than 100 facts about animals, plants and humans. It lets them feel like a scientist while they learn encyclopedia facts! There's a quiz mode, too. The microscope works in English, Spanish, French or German. Ages 4+

RELATED: The Best Educational Toys, According to Experts, Parents, and Real Kids

No phone or tablet is required to practice coding with Botley! In our testing, kids took to this coding robot immediately, without even realizing they were learning to code. Kids can program Botley to do a sequence of up to 80 steps to complete coding challenges, having him follow paths and avoid or reach obstacles. Ages 5+

hand2mind Numberblocks MathLink Cubes

The "M" in STEM often gets overlooked, but this activity kit brings math into the spotlight, and will delight any fan of Netflix's Numberblocks . Kids can use the linking counting cubes to recreate their favorite characters, and wipe-clean cards give them ideas for math-based puzzles and activities. Parent testers were amazed by how much math their kids absorbed while using this toy. If your kid is a fan of the series, we also recently gave a toy award to this Number Five Plush . Ages 3+

Crayola Paper Butterfly Science Kit

A set that's half-art, half-science, the Paper Butterfly Kit uses the power of capillary action to make 12 wicking-paper butterflies. Kids can also combine colors to make different designs. There's a separate kit that works the same with paper flowers . It's a great rainy day activity and also priced to be a nice birthday gift. Ages 7+

Learning Resources Gears! Gears! Gears!

This toy features building with a side of physics, as once kids set up gears both horizontally and vertically they can use one of the cranks to set them all spinning . It's compatible with other sets from the same line, and all the pieces fit back in the bucket for easy storage. Ages 3+

Abacus Brands Bill Nye's VR Science Kit

Young scientists don VR goggles for experiments in virtual and augmented reality. Each kit comes with step-by-step videos — starring STEM legend Bill Nye — along with IRL lab equipment such as beakers and brushes. It's the perfect mix of high-tech and hands-on. Ages 8 to 13

ThinkFun Roller Coaster Challenge

This game transforms kids into roller coaster engineers. Players design a 3D adventure ride with real loops and drops based on the challenge card they draw. Then, they send the car speeding down and hope for success. It comes with 40 challenge cards ranging from beginner to expert, and while it's meant to be a single player game, it can also be fun to work in teams to solve the challenges. Ages 6+

LEGO Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance

The Technic line, from LEGO, is full of models with movement, appropriate for tweens and teens interested in mechanics . Your kid builds this set out of more than 1000 pieces, then sends the rover rolling. It's even better when used with the LEGO AR app ( iOS , Android ) which teaches more about the NASA mission to Mars. 10+

PINXIES Marvelous Mermaid Ship

Kids are very into the cool designs on these paperboard panels, which connect with plastic links. The building takes a bit of time and requires some patience and perseverance but our tester kids were motivated to build the ship for the Pinxies figures, and to add in the stickers and accessories. This is a 160-piece set and the finished project is nearly 2 feet long and 18 inches high. Ages 6 to 10

LeapFrog 100 Animals Book

Kids learn animal names, sounds and fun facts through this book, which talks and plays songs in both English and Spanish. In our testing, parents appreciated the wildlife photos — and the break the electronic book gave them from having to make animal noises themselves! Seems like many others agree that it's a good purchase; there are more than 73,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Ages 2+

GeoSmart Mars Explorer

Budding engineers use magnetic pieces to build a one-of-a-kind exploring vehicle with this set, mastering engineering concepts as they learn the construction of each moving vehicle. It comes with how-tos for four designs, but kids in our testing preferred dreaming up their own creations. Ages 5+

Learning Resources Coding Critters

Kids as young as 4 can learn screen-free coding and get the critter to do things like fetch or play hide-and-seek. There's also an interactive mode where kids can just play and take care of their pets without coding. This comes in many animal shapes, including a dog, rabbit, cat and dinosaur — and, more recently, a dragon and a unicorn . Ages 4+

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

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The 50 Best Toys For 2-Year-Olds To Engage Their Natural Curiosity

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Shopping for 2-year-olds is especially fun because this toddler group is extra curious and eager to explore. The very best toys for 2-year-olds appeal to their natural inquisitiveness, high activity levels and big imaginations. These include playhouses like this kid tent from Little Dove and developmental toys like Melissa & Doug’s wooden block set and big movement gifts like this Strider balance bike .

The best toys for 2-year-olds engage these toddlers in creative play and hold their attention.

“Play is such a great way for kids to understand how things work in the world,” says Dr. Robert Keder , a pediatrician who specializes in developmental behavior at Connecticut Children's Medical Center. He says that the best toys for 2-year-olds help them work on their fine motor and cognitive skills, like picking up puzzle pieces and trying to figure out how things stack to make certain shapes.

After speaking with Keder, researching top-rated toddler toys and gathering firsthand recommendations from other parents, I’ve curated this gifting list of the 50 best toys for 2-year-olds in several key categories. (And for more toys that encourage imaginary play, check out our stories on the best play kitchens and best playhouses .)

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The best hybrid bikes that are equipped to handle roads and trails, best toys for 2-year-olds: editor picks.

• Best Educational Toys For 2-Year-Olds: If I Were A Monkey , KiwiCo Panda Crate , Inno Pad Educational Tablet Toy , Guolely Busy Board
• Best Montessori Toys For 2-Year-Olds: Mushie Stacking Cups Toy , Tender Leaf Stacking Forest , Crayola Easy-Clean Fingerpaint Set , Avenlur Hazel 5-In-1 Indoor Climbing Gym
• Best Imaginary Play Toys For 2-Year-Olds: Lego Duplo Dream Playground , Step2 Little Helper’s Shopping Cart , American Girl Bitty Baby Doll With Care And Play Set , Brio My First Railway Beginner Pack
• Best Outdoor Toys For 2-Year-Olds: Green Toys Wagon , Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer And Stroll Ride-On Trike , ArtCreativity Playground Ball , Step2 Pump & Splash Discovery Pond

Best Educational Toys For 2-Year-Olds

A touch and feel board book, jellycat 'if i were a monkey' board book.

These sweet animal-themed board books from Jellycat engage curious tots with visuals and touch. Kids can feel the fuzzy (or sometimes scaly) animal faces and tails and trunks as you read. Whether you choose this adorable monkey or any other animal from a giraffe to a unicorn , your little one is sure to want to touch and feel it.

The 2024 Forbes Vetted Best Product Awards are here: Explore our 150 top-recommended items across categories after extensive research and testing.

A STEM Subscription Kit That’s Packed With Potential

Kiwico's panda crate subscription.

Engage all their senses with a gift baby subscription box to this STEM-focused company. The KiwiCo Panda Crate delivers an age-appropriate activity kit to their door every month based on the birthday you enter for the child. The contents change each time to match your child’s developmental stage, but each box encourages hands-on exploration and play for young kids. KiwiCo’s website has a detailed description of each box, so parents will know exactly what’s on the way. There are three subscription levels: Essentials ($50 per crate), Plus ($80 per crate) and Deluxe ($90 per crate). The Panda Crate, which is aimed at newborns through 36 months (it still arrives tailored to your child’s exact age) comes with a grown-up guide, too, offering suggested activities for parents and kids to maximize the fun.

This Puzzle Has A Finger Maze Too

Petit collage follow + spot puzzle around town.

There are just 10 large pieces in this lively Petit Collage puzzle, but there’s much to explore. Little fingers and hands can work to fit the pieces together and then to find all the suggested objects, letting them flex their hand-eye coordination, puzzle and fine motor skills. It’s all made on recycled paper with vegetable dyes.

This ‘Tablet’ Doesn’t Need A Wi-Fi Connection

Inno pad educational tablet toy.

Inno Pad is a really cool toy you can get a lot of mileage out of. The STEM media pad features themed sheets your child (or you) slides into the tablet. Kids quickly learn to insert the sheet and press the star button—it tells the tablet which sheet is in—before interacting with the lesson. The tablet teaches kids about different occupations, weather patterns, animals and more. It’s also compact enough to fit into a backpack for on-the-go fun or as a travel day distraction. This might be the best gift my kids have ever received—and they all love to pass it around the car on road trips.

This Busy Board Is Especially Handy On Road Trips

Guolely busy board.

Buckles, laces and buttons—little kids just have to play with everything, and this board is stacked with must-touch features to keep them busy. It entertained my toddler for a solid 20 minutes on a road trip, and she loves to go back and use it again and again. It also has learning opportunities, like a movable clock and animal-inspired letters. This kit folds up and has handles for easy carrying.

A Multipurpose Educational Toy With Wheels

Melissa & doug classic abc wooden block cart.

Learning your ABCs can be a chore, but this toy can make it fun. It features 30 1-inch wooden blocks neatly arranged in a rolling cart that your child can pull around. All sides of the blocks feature different drawings, letters and numbers your toddler can experiment with and arrange in order. And, of course, they can also simply use the blocks to build towers and other structures to knock down when the mood strikes. This is a durable toy, too: My now-10-year-old had this when he was little, and his toddler sister still enjoys playing with it.

This Book Plays Songs And Makes Noises

Leapfrog learning friends 100 words book.

This Amazon bestseller features characters Turtle, Tiger and Monkey, who help walk kids through 100 early words across a range of categories including animals, food and colors. Toddlers hear words spoken when they touch them, along with sound effects and fun facts. It’s perfect for car trips and when you’re not immediately available to read a story. A built-in handle makes it easy to tote around.

Work On Those Fine Motor Skills

Learning resources spike the fine motor hedgehog.

Help your little one work on their fine motor skills with this hedgehog toy. Each “quill” is contoured for an easy grip, so your child can pull it out and rearrange them to their liking. You can also use the toy to work on color recognition, counting and sorting skills, and the whole thing has rounded, toddler-friendly edges. A nice bonus: The quills go inside the hedgehog when playtime is over for easy storage.

A Bedtime Book That's Interactive

Find it bedtime: baby's first puzzle book.

Highlights is known for its fun hidden picture puzzles, and the brand has board books for the younger set, too. This option focuses on things kids see at bedtime and encourages them to point out objects like pajamas and the moon as you go along. Read it before bed or any time for a fun bonding experience.

A Puzzle Set Just For Tots

Mudpuppy ocean friends 4-in-a-box puzzle set.

This colorful set from Mudpuppy, a beloved children’s toy and puzzle brand, includes four puzzles in one. Each offers just four to 12 chunky pieces so as not to frustrate little puzzlers—and it’s all rated for ages 2 and up.

A Musical Farm Book

Ditty bird farm animals book.

The Ditty Bird series of books offer toddlers a button to press right in the book you’re reading to them—magic for little ones. They’ll hear animal sounds and farm-themed songs in this one, offering them an early lesson in animal names and plenty of language skills.

A Cool STEM Toy That Works With Small Fingers

Guidecraft grippies builders (20-piece set).

This STEM toy features magnets, so your little one can easily construct geometric shapes. Each brightly colored piece features a comfortable grip in a different pattern for tactile play. Your child will love creating new designs and admiring their work, before wrecking it and starting over again. Choose from 20-piece, 30-piece or different shape sets—they all feature pieces that are a nice size for little hands to hold. This toy is rated for 18-months and up.

This Wooden Band Set

Hape pound, tap & shake music set.

We love a good multipurpose toy, as well as any baby gear that can pull double or triple duty in this case. The Hape wooden pound bench set comes with a xylophone they can play and a tambourine to shake or tap, along with the ever-popular hammer and trio of balls.

Best Montessori Toys For 2-Year-Olds

An indoor playground for your active tot, avenlur hazel 5-in-1 indoor climbing gym.

A Montessori indoor playground offers toddlers a way to get out all that energy and practice some key skills like balance. This Avenlur set includes a Pikler Triangle, climbing arch and a reversible rock wall and slide. As they get older, they can express their creativity by trying out different formations with this modular playset.

A Classic Wooden Block Set

Melissa & doug solid wood building blocks (60 pieces).

These solid wood building blocks from Melissa & Doug encourage open-ended playtime, and they’re just the right size for toddlers’ hands. I’ve had these blocks in my house since my firstborn was 1—he’s now 10, and his three younger siblings have all continued to play with them. Younger kids enjoy stacking them, while older children can use them to make ramps and buildings for toy cars and dolls.

Perfect For Busy Climbers

Pottery Barn Kids

Foamnasium Gymnasium

Some toddlers just love to climb. Indulge that love with the massively popular Foamnasium Gymnasium. It features four foam pieces—a block, toddler steps and two wedges—that kids can use however they want. My younger kids like to climb up and down the stairs and wedges, while my older ones use the block and wedges for Nerf gun wars and car obstacle courses, giving us plenty of mileage out of this toy. Choose from multiple colors.

A Whimsical Toy With Plenty Of Spacial Learning Potential

Tender leaf toys stacking forest.

This stacking toy is so adorable, children don’t even realize they’re learning. It features 19 wood animals that can be stacked and rearranged to make cool scenes. Bonus: It doubles as décor when it’s left out, as we’ve discovered in my house.

A Mess-Free Way To Paint

Crayola easy-clean fingerpaint set.

Painting is so much fun for little ones, but it unfortunately usually ends in a mess. This genius kit from Crayola keeps everything contained under a snap-on lid. Just dab on your paint, close the lid and let your child go to work. They get the feel of finger painting without you having to do a massive cleanup afterward. Once they’re done, simply rinse off the toy and stow it away. It’s perfect for those moments when you need a quick and easy busy activity.

Magnetic Blocks For Hours Of Fun

42-piece tegu magnetic wooden block set.

I bought this block set for my kids on the recommendation of a friend, and it’s a toy that gets plenty of repeat use. The wooden blocks are magnetic, allowing little hands to build precarious structures without fear of them easily falling down. There are magnetic wheels that roll too. The pieces are large enough that you don’t have to worry about younger siblings accidentally swallowing them. All Tegu sets work together, so you can add to your child’s collection over time.

Smarter Toy Storage For Rotating Favorites

Lovevery montessori playshelf.

The wooden Lovevery Montessori Playshelf isn’t a toy exactly, but it does allow for easier access and organization of all their favorite playthings—which are likely starting to multiply at this age. This isn’t an inexpensive purchase, but what we especially love about it is the hidden storage compartment in the back. This makes it easier to stow toys away and rotate them in and out of playtime. It might just encourage independent cleanup time too. It doesn’t come with toys, but it does come with two storage trays and two bins.

Stackable Cups For The Bath Or Dry Land

Mushie 8-piece stacking cups toy.

Little cups come in handy during all types of children’s play and games. They can stack them, carry other toys with them, scoop water in the bathtub and more. This eight-piece set made in Denmark is also BPA, PVC and phthalate-free, and it comes in a range of colors. These versatile stacking cups tend to sell out, but they’re in stock at the moment at these retailers.

A Learning Tower To Bring Them Closer To The Activities

Little partners kids learning tower.

Two-year-olds always want to help, but as caregivers, we worry about them hurting themselves in every which way. This wooden Learning Tower with its safety rails, sturdy base, climbing steps and four adjustable heights lets little ones get up close to the action, including in the kitchen, but with smart supports to keep them from toppling over.

Best Imaginary Play Toys For 2-Year-Olds

Create their own private oasis, little dove play tent with mat: star light playhouse.

This indoor playhouse is large enough to accommodate a sibling, as well as all their playthings, from dolls to stuffed animals to tea or car sets. We expect plenty of exciting rainy and cold days to be passed in this play tent, which also comes with a coordinating banner and fun star lights. It’s rated for ages 24 months and up.

Work Off Extra Energy

Iplay ilearn bouncy pals zebra hopper.

The iPlay Zebra Hopper is a near-guaranteed jaw-dropping gift—and yet, it’s fairly affordable at less than $40. This toy inflates with the help of an included hand pump before kids can hop on top. Anti-slip feet and a low center of gravity lower the risk of accidental falls. It’s also covered in a removable and washable plush cloth cover that’s soft to the touch.

Instant Transformation With A Rainbow Cape

Great pretenders unicorn cape.

Tots will thrill to throw on this cozy and sparkly unicorn cape that makes dress-up a breeze with little ones. There’s just one Velcro clasp, no fussy ties or snaps and your child is transformed. We have found that this brand runs a little small, so you may want to size up to ensure it lasts. It’s also machine washable.

A Train Set For Little Hands

Brio my first railway beginner pack.

This Brio starter train set offers easily assembled tracks that can be rearranged however your toddler likes, along with a locomotive and caboose. The track pieces have rounded edges and the train is easy for smaller hands to grip. Bright colors make this set approachable and fun. Brio train sets are high-quality, my editor reports, and let fans expand their track setup with additional pieces and trains as they build a collection. “We’ve had my kids’ Brio train collection for nearly a decade, adding to it with each kid,” says Rose Gordon Sala, deputy editor at Forbes Vetted. “They’ve each taken a turn enjoying building and zooming their trains on it.”

This Play Kitchen Is Seriously Chic

Pottery barn kids' chelsea all-in-1 toddler play kitchen.

Many kids gravitate toward pretend kitchens, and it’s easy to see why—they’re imagination centers. The Pottery Barn Kids Chelsea All-In-1 Play Kitchen comes in a range of colors, so you can match it to your home’s décor. It also has cabinets and knobs that work like “real” ones, along with a level of craftsmanship you’ll both appreciate. This set looks so good, you won’t mind leaving it out.

A Duplo Playground With Plenty Of Interactive Elements

Lego duplo dream playground.

This action-packed Duplo set offers plenty for toddlers to check out. There’s a seesaw, a doggie to walk, a slide and swing and even a little skateboard. After the 75-piece chunky set is assembled (you might need to help), little ones can use their imaginations to create exciting scenes with the included figures. All Duplo blocks work together, so your child can build their collection.

A Sweet Doll With All The Right Accessories

American Girl

American Girl Bitty Baby Doll With Care And Play Set

Bitty Baby dolls are considered starter American Girl dolls and rated for ages 18 months and up. My daughters play with one that belonged to my now-17-year-old niece, so I can personally attest to their durability. My kids are especially fond of changing the fabric diaper for a “real” baby feel. Choose from a range of skin and hair colors to get the baby doll that appeals best to your child. This set comes with a few extra accessories, including a bottle, bib and changing accessories.

A Shopping Cart To Carry Must-Haves

Step2 little helper's shopping cart.

Kids love cruising around at home with this brightly-colored shopping cart. It’s roomy enough to hold essentials like pretend groceries, stuffed animals, books and more, while low enough to the ground for little ones to push around. The cart also comes in a pink scheme if that’s more your child’s speed.

A Barbie Dreamhouse For The Younger Crowd

Fisher Price

Fisher-Price Little People Barbie Toddler Playset

It’s no secret that Barbie is having a moment right now. Little ones can get into the action with this toddler-friendly version of the iconic Dreamhouse. It’s designed for Little People toys and features a working elevator, pool with slide, kitchen and bathroom with a toilet that makes flushing sounds. My 4-year-old can play pretend for long periods of time with this house, while my toddler just loves pressing all the buttons.

Their Own Stroller To Push

My first doll stroller.

Tots can push their special stuffies and baby dolls in this stroller—indoors or outdoors. I can confirm that it’s so much fun to watch your little one stroll their favorite pal down the sidewalk in their very own stroller.

A Ride-On Toy For The Great Indoors

Wheely bug ladybug.

Ride-on toys are always fun, but they’re often best for outdoors. The Wheely Bug is specially designed to be friendly to hard floors, with casters and rounded corners that make it safe for indoor use, including accidental bumps. Choose from this sweet ladybug, along with mouse and bee designs. Sala says her tots enjoyed this uncomplicated ride-on toy indoors for years and that it “rolls smoothly” and held up well.

This Plush Chair Is Perfect For Cuddling And Reading

My first anywhere chair, ivory sherpa bear.

A stuffed animal and chair in one, this cozy plush is perfect for cuddling up and having quiet time. My daughter has a similar one in her room, and it’s her go-to spot for “reading” and other leisurely activities. It also doubles as a pretend friend, taking part in occasional tea parties. The plush is incredibly soft to the touch but also durable, and the chair provides plenty of support for little ones to sit in. Plus, you can choose to monogram it with your tyke’s name.

This Farm Set Is Packed With Fun Features

Fisher-price little people caring for animals farm.

This Little People sweet set has a bunch of elements toddlers love, which is possibly why it sold out at a number of retailers over the holidays. The barn has room for a slew of animals to play, along with pretend carrots and hay they can snack on. The set comes with five figurines—four animals and a farmer—and offers fun electronic barn and animal sounds. It’s also compatible with other Little People toys and figurines, so kids can mix and match. Once playtime is over, just close the farm and carry it with the built-in handle.

A Doctor's Kit Designed For Younger Kids

Cocomelon official musical checkup case.

Many pretend doctor kits have a minimum age of 3 for the smaller pieces, but this Cocomelon kit is rated for ages 2 and up. The kit features the show’s musical checkup case, along with four play pieces—a stethoscope, thermometer, faux needle and hammer. Press the button on the outside for a fun song.

Take These Trucks Just About Anywhere

Green toys construction trucks.

These little trucks are ready to get to work in the sandbox, sidewalk and beyond. The Green Toys set comes with three fun trucks for their collection: a dump truck, a mixer and a front-loader. Its toys are made in the U.S. of 100% recycled plastic with no BPA, phthalates or PVC.

A Crime-Fighting Pup

Gund paw patrol: the mighty movie skye.

This new 9-inched stuffed animal from Gund is straight from the pups’ new movie— Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie —which heavily features Skye. If you have a little Paw Patrol fan on your hands, this is a great gift for them to snuggle with but also pretend play as they work the fearless Skye, Chase, Liberty or any of the new super-powered pups into their many fun scenarios.

Cups For The Bath, The Beach Or Wherever They Play

Skip hop zoo stack and pour buckets.

This versatile set of five animal-themed buckets are sized perfectly for little hands. They can use them in the bath and watch the water sprinkle out the holes in the bottom, dump them over or pour them out. I love that they’re PVC and phthalate-free with easy-to-grasp handles. We’ve taken this set to the beach and used for backyard fun (of course, then they’re a designated outdoor toy).

A Handmade Doll That's Extra Soft And Sweet

Cuddle + kind's eloise the elephant doll (13-inch).

The handmade animal dolls from Cuddle + Kind make an extra special, heirloom-quality gift for young kids. They’re knitted by hand in Peru and Nepal with OEKO-TEX certified cotton. For each doll sold, the company, which also employs local artisans, donates 10 meals to children in need, so you can feel good about this splurge. Available in two sizes—13 inches or 20 inches—kids are often attracted to the extra soft fabric, sweet details and friendly animal and doll faces.

Best Outdoor Toys For 2-Year-Olds

A tricycle that converts from pushing to pedaling, radio flyer deluxe steer and stroll ride on trike.

Many 2-year-olds aren’t quite ready to pedal, but this Radio Flyer tricycle has that all figured out. Little ones can practice their riding position while a caregiver pushes (and steers) them using the removable handle. This is a big hit with my daughter when we’re out for walks—it allows her to feel like she’s “biking,” even though she doesn’t quite have the endurance for longer distances. Once your child is ready to try it solo, remove the rear handle and kids can zoom along on their own. They’ll likely love ringing the little bell, as well as filling the rear trunk with their favorite possessions or new finds picked up during their ride.

This Bright Ball Is Easy For Tots To Use

Artcreativity rainbow playground ball.

This outdoor toy is incredibly simple, but that’s part of its charm. At this age, Keder says that kids are happy to kick and throw a ball around—and it helps work on their motor skills. The ArtCreativity playground ball is made of a sturdy PVC that can stand up to rough play, while a patterned exterior is easy for little hands to grip. My kids received this for Christmas a few years ago and still use it to play kickball, dodgeball and just toss around the yard. It’s soft enough for little ones, too.

A Wagon They Can Pull Themselves

Green toys wagon.

Light enough for a toddler to pull (it’s less than a pound), this Green Toys wagon can be used indoors or outdoors for all sorts of play. We love that it’s even dishwasher safe but also made in the U.S. and free of BPA, phthalates and PVC. Another perk: Unlike more traditional wagons, there’s no heavy handle that could crash down and injure little toes.

This Balance Bike Is Toddler Friendly

Strider 12 sport.

Balance bikes are now the preferred method for teaching kids how to ride, so if you have an extra active 2-year-old they might be ready for this Strider bike, which is great for beginners. Both the seat and the handlebars adjust up and down, allowing parents to get the perfect fit for their toddler. Choose from three bright colors.

A Toy Mower With A Hidden Storage Compartment

Melissa & doug sunny patch snappy turtle lawn mower.

That grass isn’t going to mow itself. Allow your child to pretend to aid in the lawn work with this cheery Melissa & Doug mower. The toy features a roomy storage compartment for toys, along with dials that turn and make noise, a pull-cord that makes a motor sound and even a plastic fuel can to pretend to fill up.

A Ride-On Toy That Grows With Its Owner

Skip hop kids' 3-in-1 ride on scooter and wagon toy.

Skip Hop is known for its adorable animal-themed gear, and this toy doesn’t disappoint. It features the face of the brand’s beloved dog cartoon on the front of a ride-on toy your little one can use for years. Stage one lets your child use it as a walking accessory, and stage two is a seated rider they can scoot around your living room or driveway, making it a great outdoor toy for 2-year-olds, too. For stage three, simply pop off the seat to turn the toy into a scooter. The handlebars easily adjust up and down with your child. This was gifted to my 4-year-old and then passed down to her little toddler sister. It’s incredibly easy to pop the seat on and off, allowing them to switch between the two stages.

A Flashlight That's Just Right For Small Hands

Melissa & doug sunny patch giddy buggy flashlight.

This flashlight has been such a hit in our family that we bought several. It has a large body and easy-grip handle that small hands can hold with no issues. The flashlight is also incredibly durable, withstanding multiple drops with ease. The light goes on and off with the touch of a button, making it simple to operate. It’s also adorable.

A Sturdy Sandbox That’s Incredibly Cute

Little tikes turtle sandbox.

This sweet sandbox has been a fixture in my backyard for several years. It easily withstood snowstorms, rain and even a hurricane. The shell-slash-lid goes on securely to keep out the elements (and critters) and extend the life of your sand. There’s also enough space between the sand and lid to keep some toys inside, so your child can start playing ASAP. This sandbox regularly sells out, but is in stock right now on Amazon.

This Water Table Is Packed With Features To Explore

Step2 pump & splash discovery pond.

Most kids love to splash around in the water, but this table from Step2 has multiple layers and interactive elements to keep them busy for a long time. Toddlers can get hands on with the hand pump, dump and splash section, waterfall and 10 small accessories that are just-right for little ones. It’s so fun and inviting, you might want to join in.

A Playhouse For All Their Games

Step2 neat and tidy cottage homestyle edition.

Step2 playhouses are known for their sturdy construction that can be passed down between kids. This adorable house has a swinging door, built-in faucet, ourdoor grills, doorbell and mail slot. There’s even a window box you can fill with real flowers. Another nice element: You can move it inside when cold weather hits.

A Durable Bounce House For The Younger Set

Little tikes jr. jump 'n slide bouncer.

Many bounce houses are designed for kids who are at least 3 years old; This option from Little Tikes Jr. accommodates children as young as 2. It features mesh sides to keep kids safely contained while allowing you a full view of the action, along with a wide slide. The whole thing is lower profile when compared to big kid bounce houses. Anchors allow you to firmly secure it in place in your lawn, while the included blower ensures this house is always at the ready. My sister bought this for her now-teenagers years ago and recently passed it down to my kids—it still works well, despite years of bouncing.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

• Forbes Vetted’s team of parenting and kids gear editors has an extensive history of researching and compiling toy guides and gift guides for kids of all ages, from 1-year-olds to teens .
• Our editors prioritize safety in the baby and kids gear category , taking into consideration any recalls, federal health guidelines and potential hazards before considering an item.
• Our staff relied on firsthand experience as parents to inform our selection of the best toys for 2-year-olds. Korin Miller , author of this story and regular Vetted contributor—has tried a number of these toys with her four children, who are under the age of 10, and included relevant testing feedback. Deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala , who oversaw the editing of this piece, is also the parent to three children ages 11 and under. An industry veteran, she frequently attends industry events to review the latest toys and kids gear.
• We often speak to experts in the field for further guidance and recommendations around toddler toys. To choose the best toys for 2-year-olds, the author consulted with child development specialist Robert Keder , M.D., a pediatrician who specializes in developmental behavior at Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
• Our staff regularly reviews this article for freshness and accuracy under Sala’s oversight. It was most recently updated in May 2024 by Sala.

How We Chose The Best Toys For 2-Year-Olds

• We curated this list of the best toys for 2-year-olds based on a combination of firsthand experience, expert input and consumer reviews. I took note of any consistent positive or negative feedback and prioritized toys with an average rating of 4 stars or higher.
• We factored in each toy’s ease of use, durability and overall cost.
• We also considered age appropriateness in terms of safety, 2-year-old kids’ particular interests and their available skills as described by pediatrician Keder. All toys included here are deemed safe for children ages 2 and up.

What Toys Should My 2-Year-Old Be Playing With?

In general, Keder says that toddlers of this age are all about exploring things with their hands. Two-year-olds are still working on their fine motor skills, though, so you don’t want a toy that’s too complicated. Pretend phones, dress-up clothes and ride-on toys should all be considered. Blocks, magnetic toys and trucks are typical winners, especially if they’re in fun shapes or colors. Another surefire hit that’s also budget-friendly? A ball. Snap one up in your 2-year-old’s favorite color—we like this multihued one from ArtCreativity .

Which Toy Would Be Most Appropriate For A 2-Year-Old Child?

There are a few things to consider when picking out an appropriate toy for a 2-year-old—and safety is a big one. Toys shouldn’t have areas that could pinch little fingers or small parts that can become choking hazards. (Kids of this age usually start to segue out of mouthing things, but this can still be an issue.) Often, toys will have a recommended age range on the package; it’s a good idea to check if you’re unsure whether a particular product is a good fit for a 2-year-old.

What Do You Get A 2-Year-Old For Their Birthday?

The best way to figure out a great gift for your toddler is to see what they already play with. If your 2-year-old has a favorite car or ride-on toy, something similar should be a success. If your tot likes to build things, consider an expansive block set or stackable cups. Another way to find ideas? See what your child gravitates toward on play dates, since it’s a time they’re exposed to new toys. Depending on how verbal your 2-year-old is, you could also ask them what toy they’d like.

More Toy Stories To Shop

• Best Toys For 6-Month-Olds
• Best Toys For 18-Month-Olds
• Best Toys For 3-Year-Olds
• Best Toys For 5-Year-Olds
• Best Toys For 6-Year-Olds
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• Best Gifts For 8-Year-Olds
• Best Gifts For 9-Year-Olds
• Best Gifts For 10-Year-Olds

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• Learning Path

Best toys for 2-year-olds

• Reading & Writing
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Learning Stages

• Curious Twos

LeapFrog Math Expert

As the math development expert on LeapFrog’s Learning Team, Jody works on products across all platforms to teach math and science concepts in developmentally appropriate ways using research-based techniques. Before joining LeapFrog, she was a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, a researcher and instructor, and a math textbook author. She is a contributing author to The Encyclopedia on Early Childhood. She is also the proud mother of two LeapFrog-aged boys. She earned her doctorate in developmental science (specializing in mathematical and cognitive development) at the University of Alberta, in Canada.

Just like their slightly younger peers, 2-year-olds continue to be extremely curious about the world. In addition to improved motor skills allowing them to walk, crawl, run, jump and climb, many children at this age are equipped with blossoming language skills. They can now begin to ask questions, listen to stories and follow some very simple instructions.

With a more sophisticated mind, 2-year-olds are ready to explore some basic academic skills such as colors and shapes, as well as learn simple words and phrases. The best toys for 2 year olds will entertain and engage them while teaching basic skills, fun and educational.

Emotionally, toddlers are developing a sense of self and independence while still enjoying praise and encouragement from their parents. To support them, look for toys that allow them to master and show off new skills.

Shopping guide: Best learning toys for 2-year-olds

• Active Play Toys: Two-year-olds are constantly on-the-move, so the best toys are ones the can pull or tug behind them (bonus when they can give “rides” to their other toys!). As they become increasingly confident walkers, a whole new world of ball-based play patterns can emerge. Simple educational games that involve tossing or kicking a ball can provide hours of fun while building motor skills and coordination.
• Pretend play toys: Toddlers are learning words that will help them communicate about common experiences in their environment. Dolls or stuffed animals they can “talk” to as they go about their daily routines, or familiar objects like kitchen utensils, will help children incorporate these first words and phrases into their ever-growing vocabulary.
• Math toys: Shape sorters, colored blocks and count-along toys further enhance a toddler’s vocabulary as they lay the foundation for important math concepts.
• Social play toys: While play can be largely solitary at this age, you might see toddlers making small gestures or attempts to socialize with others. Children might begin to “share” by offering toys or objects to another child. Toys such as tea sets or train sets that allow multiple kids to play in parallel in a small group but do not require coordination and communication amongst them can provide room for early social experiences. When your child is ready, these same learning toys become materials to help foster more sophisticated and coordinated play among peers.
• Creative play toys: As they grow, pretend play toys that inspire more elaborate scenarios can foster children’s budding imaginations. They may use a plastic stethoscope to listen to their teddy bear’s heartbeat, pull out the tea set to plan a party for their stuffed animals or write their aunts and uncles emails from their toy laptop. Creativity can bloom as children use crayons, stamps, and colored paper to design birthday cards for loved ones or pieces of art to adorn the refrigerator.

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Simon Hill Gear Team

28 Smart STEM Toys for the Techie Kids in Your Life

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Colorful Construction Clixo Rainbow Pack Read more

Marble-Powered Computer Turing Tumble Read more

Coding Car QUBS Cody Block Read more

Lego Robots Lego Spike Prime Robot Read more

Anyone who has ever watched a toddler methodically take apart a Tupperware drawer should know that many children are natural-born engineers. Your only job as a parent is to nurture their creativity … and clean up the mess afterward. Between us—product reviewer Scott Gilbertson, editor Adrienne So, and I—we have seven kids. This, honestly, is the most fun part of my job—calling in STEM toys for my kids and I to test together and recommend to you. It hardly feels like work at all.

Wrap up a few of these STEM toys (also called STEAM toys; we love you too, Arts!) and books for your future scientist to blow up, burn up, or dismantle. Hopefully, they'll thank you for the early encouragement when they're older. Be sure to check out our many other buying guides , including Our Favorite Subscription Boxes for Kids and How to Build the Lego Collection of Your Dreams .

Updated November 2023: We added Clixo Kits and Kanoodle Pyramid, and updated prices throughout.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com , full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

Colorful Construction

Construction kits are compelling no matter your age, and my entire family found Clixo’s colorful, versatile, snap-together magnetic pieces irresistible. You can build three-dimensional shapes from these flexible pieces by connecting the magnetic ends and bending them the way you want (my youngest made a cat, my teen made a crown). These durable and washable pieces stack neatly to pack away. We love that you don’t need a flat surface to build because it means you can play with these kits anywhere. If you prefer a themed pack, we also liked the Mars Rover Pack ($45) and the Ocean Creatures Pack ($45) , and both sets feature glow-in-the-dark pieces. The kits are recommended for kids aged 4 and up. —Simon Hill

Marble-Powered Computer

Turing Tumble is a wonderful way to teach kids coding fundamentals. It combines the simple pleasure of marble runs with a beautifully illustrated sci-fi comic book packed with challenging puzzles. The board resembles a pachinko game, and you have to slot in different pieces to divert the blue and red balls and get the required pattern at the bottom. My 9-year-old spent hours working through the puzzles, reconfiguring this marble-powered computer. As the challenges grew tougher, the whole family joined in to find solutions. Well-designed, satisfying, and rewarding, this is a good pick for kids 8 and up. —Simon Hill

Teaching basic coding concepts to young kids is a challenge. To do it without a screen is even tougher. But QUBS has come up with an elegant solution. These beech wood blocks look like buildings, but each has a symbol relating to a command (turn left, turn right, U-turn, repeat the last command, stop, record path, play path). When kids put the magnetic top on the red car, it begins to drive. Using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, the car reads the commands on the blocks. There’s a lovely guidebook that includes stories and activities, but the best thing about this Montessori-inspired wooden toy is that kids can dive in and learn how it works through play. —Simon Hill

Lego Robots

Lego Education's Spike Prime building set is a complete DIY robot-building classroom in a box. Literally. Prior to the abrupt rise in distance learning several years ago, Lego marketed this primarily to schools. It comes with its own lesson plans, but don't let the seriousness fool you—my kids love this set and went from never having used it to programming their own robots (using the drag-and-drop Scratch programming language) in a couple of afternoons.

Lego keeps updating Spike Prime too. Recently it released a new series of plans for bots that track exercise and help kids learn about motion and energy transfer. —Scott Gilbertson

Adrienne So

David Nield

Boone Ashworth

Aarian Marshall

Make Music From Colors

Sphero acquired STEAM toy company LittleBits in 2019. Sphero's toys are always so cute, I want to eat them whole; I particularly liked the Sphero RVR ($279) . But for sheer aesthetic pleasure, it's hard to compete with the Specdrums.

These tiny, pocketable rings turn all the colored surfaces around you into a potential musical instrument, and turn anyone into an amateur DJ. Use the app to assign sounds to colors or vice versa. When you tap on different colors, you can hear the different tones. Anyone from toddlers on up can play with these and find them vastly entertaining. You can also buy a one-ring set for $25 . —Adrienne So

Coding Ball

The Sphero Edu app is packed with computer science lessons and activities for different age groups. Bolt has an 8 x 8 LED board on top, various sensors inside (compass, light sensor, gyroscope, accelerometer), and supports infrared communication. My wife is a teacher and uses this in the classroom to teach basic coding skills, giving students (9 year old and up) challenges like navigating a maze. She says many kids grasp the concepts much faster than they might with a book or screen, because they can see the Bolt moving in physical space. —Simon Hill

Endless Building Fun

The return on investment with Magna-Tiles staggers me. It's been years , and at 6 and 8 years old, my children can still occupy themselves with these for hours. Translucent Magna-Tiles click together to form both two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects. Younger kids can make a house with a backyard and fences, or ice cream cones. With an older kid, the sky is the limit—or, rather, your credit card is, since there are wheelbarrows full of expansion sets you can buy. My daughter can currently build a full village in an afternoon for her stuffed animals.

If these are too pricey, there are alternatives that work just as well, like Picasso Tiles, which are $20 for 60 pieces . —Adrienne So

Tacto uses physical pieces to turn your iPad, Android, or Fire tablet into a game board. Tacto Chess teaches the basics, from how the pieces move to strategies for victory. The animated app boasts friendly voice acting and stories to draw kids in. There are also chess puzzles to solve and a move predictor, and your child can play against AI or another person. Both my kids (9 and 12) have enjoyed some time with this, so it works well for different ages and abilities, but it was a little fiddly to get pieces to register on the iPad Mini, so a larger tablet is advisable. Other Tacto packs cover dinosaurs , classic board games , coding , lasers , and electronics . —Simon Hill

Underwater Vistas

Chronicle Books' gorgeous picture book tells the story of Ken Nedimyer, an environmental scientist, live rock farmer, and fish collector who founded the Coral Restoration Foundation .

The book weaves together details of Nedimyer's biography with facts about coral reefs—I did not know that corals spawn like fish do—and luminous underwater landscapes and depictions of scuba diving. It makes environmental preservation and following your passions look both doable and fun. —Adrienne So

Table Tiles

The Osmo tablet accessory and gaming platform for kids merges the physical and digital worlds in a way few toys manage. Your kids can tackle solving puzzles and playing word games with blocks and tiles you move around on the table in front of them. The Osmo hardware captures what they're doing and translates it into actions on the screen.

Osmo recently launched several new titles, including a math-related dragon game that's been a hit in our house. Give the hardware requirements a close look to be sure your iPad or Fire tablet is compatible. —Scott Gilbertson

Construction Capers

My entire household found this magnetic construction set irresistible, and there has been a new 3D structure on the coffee table every morning. The kit comprises glow-in-the-dark magnetic rods (crafted from recycled plastic), steel spheres, and plastic bases in different shapes. You also get storage boxes to put everything away in. There’s a guide in the box with a few suggested structures, but creating your own is a big part of the appeal. There are sets of various sizes suitable for kids 3 and up. —Simon Hill

Women in STEM

These beautifully illustrated cards depict legendary women who made significant contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There’s a focus on Black and Indigenous women of color, because they are woefully underrepresented in most STEM discussions. Stylized portraits are combined with interesting brief biographies that recount their journeys and highlight their achievements. There are also thoughtful questions to provoke conversation and debate, which makes the deck a useful teaching resource for teens. But it is on the pricey side.

The makers, the Represented Collective, also offer puzzles for younger kids. We tried Nakira’s World Nature Hike ($24) , a jigsaw with two pairs of decoder glasses and a puzzle book. Youngsters will enjoy examining the nature scene, and the booklet has links to culturally relevant reading and offers an introduction to Ojibwe vocabulary. —Simon Hill

Color Chemistry

Everyone who has come across a Crayola crayon has probably melted one, whether accidentally or on purpose. Crayola's Color Chemistry set includes enough brightly colored Crayola ingredients for 16 activities out of the box, and up to 50 with common household ingredients. Exploding volcanoes and colorful quicksand are just a few of the eye-catching experiments that you can look forward to trying. —Adrienne So

Remote-Controlled Robot

This super-cute robot looks like it rolled straight out of a Pixar movie. With a big, expressive eye atop three balls, it zips around with real personality, which helps it successfully combine play and learning in a way that every STEM toy aims for but many fall short of. Dash has lived with us for several years now. It’s a durable toy that works on a simple level like a remote-controlled car, but it also ties in with various apps to play games, solve puzzles, and create programs. Lego connectors for Dash’s head add to the creative possibilities. Wonder Workshop also offers some optional accessories. —Simon Hill

A Twist on a Classic

No one needs a Bluetooth-enabled Rubik's Cube, but once you get your hands on a GoCube you probably won't be able to put it down. Smart sensors inside the beautiful, glowing cube connect to a companion app on your phone and sense where each block is positioned. You can learn algorithms and strategies that will help you get your solve-time down. And if you give everyone you know a GoCube, you can also stage live competitions with friends and family! —Adrienne So

Sand Castles

My kids love this moldable sand and have happily spent countless hours over the years making tabletop structures. It behaves like wet sand and never dries out, so you can shape it with your hands or use tools and molds to make castles. It comes in many colors and clumps together easily but doesn’t stick to your hands or surfaces. While it’s generally easy to clean up, it’s a good idea to confine play to a tray or table and supervise your kids, or you may end up picking tiny bits of pink sand out of your carpet. —Simon Hill

Unlimited Books

No parent has ever complained that their child was reading too much. You might think that Amazon's Kindle Kids a regular Kindle Paperwhite , but it includes a year's subscription to Amazon Kids+ (formerly FreeTime Unlimited), a two-year replacement guarantee, and, yes, a cute cover.

Not only does Amazon Kids+ give your child access to more than a thousand kid-friendly books in both English and Spanish, as well as Audible titles, I found it easy to whitelist even more free titles (free books!) from my local library using Amazon's parent dashboard. You can also highlight or look up difficult words, or add them to a Vocabulary Builder tool. Testing this Kindle is the first time I've gotten my 5-year-old interested in longer chapter books, so I'd give it a ringing endorsement based on that alone. —Adrienne So

Real Coding

Many STEM toys dumb down programming tasks, and that can limit their usefulness. The kits from Let’s Start Coding reject that approach, offering hands-on time with electronic components and challenging kids to dive straight in and create programs in C++. The Ultimate Kit includes 23 separate parts, including an LCD screen, speaker, LED strip, various sensors, and more. There are more than 100 projects to embark on, with example code that kids can tweak and helpful, if somewhat dry, walkthrough videos.

My kids required some encouragement and supervision with this, and I think the suggested age of 8 years and up is low. Perhaps more important than age is a genuine interest in hardware and coding. But there’s satisfaction in successfully controlling hardware components. A Windows, Mac, or Chromebook desktop or laptop is required to use the free software. Younger kids may be better starting with a smaller, more focused kit like Code Rocket ($70) . —Simon Hill

Unlock the Rocks

The best toys are the ones that aren't toys at all. This year, my children became extremely interested in fossils and geology. We've been taking walks in the woods or at the beach, putting promising specimens in our pockets. We often keep the rock tumbler running for weeks (outside, because it's a little noisy), changing out the grit and watching as rough rubble eventually reveals itself as sparkly quartz or agate. If you're feeling ambitious, you can also throw in a rock guide and plan a rock-hunting trip. —Adrienne So

Colorful Clay

Part of exploring the world is feeling the world, digging in the dirt as it were, but if you don't have a yard or live near a park, you can bring some of that same spirit of exploration inside with polymer clay.

This is the mold-and-bake clay you might have used growing up. It just has a fancy new name. The things your kids create might not always hold up, but that too is a learning process—after her doll's table fell apart several times, my daughter asked if I could reinforce the legs with wire.

Other fun sculpting options include modeling clay ($10) and good old-fashioned Play-Doh ($21) . —Scott Gilbertson

Odds and Ends

Most kids love construction kits, and the OffBits combine special components with standard hardware bits you might have lying around the house, like nuts and screws. Each kit boasts a special assembly tool and a robot, creature, or vehicle to build. My daughter enjoyed putting the UnicornBit together, and kids are encouraged to get creative in their approach and adapt designs to suit them. The only roadblock we ran into was that some pieces were tough to connect, requiring some adult muscle, and others felt loose, but the end result was charming. OffBits offers various kits (mostly for kids ages 6 and up), but with small pieces and tricky assembly, we advise adult supervision. —Simon Hill

Fantastic Stickers

I know what you're thinking: Painting with stickers sounds kind of lame. But trust me, kids love these books. There's something about the balance of fun and meticulous concentration that draws children in. These are also a fun and mess-free activity for traveling with younger children. If your child isn't a dinosaur fan, there are plenty of other options, including unicorns , undersea animals , bugs , and more. —Adrienne So

Creative Cardboard

If you already have a Nintendo Switch, you must try Nintendo Labo ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ). These clever kits composed of corrugated cardboard sheets and stickers must be assembled so you can play related games with your creations on the Switch console. Beyond the challenges and mini-games, you can dip into the software and learn how each kit works. You can even set up your own rules, reprogramming your creations in the Toy-Con Garage by dragging and dropping blocks to create simple inputs and outputs. We like the Vehicle Kit best, but there are several alternatives. —Simon Hill

Yeasty Goodness

We've tested many gift subscription kits , but my 5-year-old declared this baking kit to be the most fun of all. We've talked about yeast, watched carbon dioxide fill up balloons ("We're eating fungi farts!"), talked about the different states of matter while making butter, kneaded dough, and finally, had cinnamon toast for a snack. It requires a lot of parental supervision over a lengthy period of time, but I also liked that she now has her own separate measuring cups and tools and can quit stealing mine. —Adrienne So

Tetris-Style Teaser

Can you fit these Tetris-pieces into a three-dimensional puzzle board? My 11-year-old loved this logic puzzle, though she found the 2D puzzles too easy. Luckily, there are 100 3D puzzles that require spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills to beat. They get tougher as you progress, but never too hard. This puzzle kit is recommended for kids aged 8 and up, but some younger kids could have fun with it, too. Kanoodle does also offer a bunch of other brain teasing puzzles specifically for younger kids. —Simon Hill

A Crayon Replacement

Tempera paint sticks are like oversized crayons, but instead of wax, your kids smear tempera paint around. Don't worry, it dries quickly (in about a minute and a half), and it's easy to clean off most surfaces. It's all the fun of painting, but there are no brushes or other mess to clean when your kids are done. There are sets of all sizes. We started with this 12-piece set but have since expanded to a 32-color set ($28) . —Scott Gilbertson

World of Learning

Budding adventurers can learn about countries around the world with this interactive globe. Using a companion app on a tablet, your child can scan the included globe and get augmented reality pop-ups that trigger fact files on famous monuments, animals, cuisines, and more. My 9-year-old had some fun with this but felt the goofy voices were more suitable for younger kids. (PlayShifu recommends it for ages 4 to 10.) The globe feels cheap, and the AR pop-ups tend to clip through it, but this is a novel way to learn more about the world. Shifu offers two alternative globes covering dinosaurs and the planet Mars . —Simon Hill

Coding Cutie

It’s amazing how bleeps and bloops, colored LEDs, and cute animations lend personality to a tiny robot. The Ozobot Evo is like a mini R2D2 your kids can control. There are a couple of ways to program the Ozobot Evo. It follows black lines drawn on paper and changes the color of its lights to match the colors drawn. Blocks of varied colors also act as codes to trigger animations, change speed, or perform another action (a workbook explains). Ozobot is an easy, screen-free introduction to coding principles for younger kids. Older kids can try Ozobot Blockly, a typical drag-and-drop coding language that lets them build simple programs quickly.

My 10-year-old enjoyed playing with this for a while, but I agree with  our original review that the Ozobot Evo would work best in the classroom. Ozobot offers handy teaching resources, and the Evo makes for an engaging problem-solving activity for small groups. —Simon Hill

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25 of the Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds

W hen it comes to selecting toys for 2-year-olds, you might find yourself wondering what will keep a kiddo who is in the prime of their toddlerhood engaged and interested. Narrowing down the best of the best toys for ever-curious, constantly-growing tiny humans can be daunting. Especially when those little humans tend to be interested in anything and everything. To simplify your search, we’re sharing 25 of our favorite toys for 2-year-olds. We think these are some of the best toddler toys out there.

5 Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Montessori toys are designed with open-ended, independent play in mind. They’re an excellent tool for encouraging 2-year-olds to build real-life skills while promoting creative thinking and problem-solving. Here are our favorite Montessori toys for 2-year-olds.

1. Lovevery Block Set

This beautiful, high-quality block set has everything your 2-year-old could need to build, sort, and thread, among other possibilities. Featuring a solid wood design and vibrant rainbow colors, it comes with 70 blocks plus additional tools, a storage bag and storage box, and an activity guide. Perfect for building spatial, language, and problem-solving skills .

2. Melissa & Doug Let’s Play House Dust! Sweep! Mop! Toy Cleaning Set

There’s no doubt that 2-year-olds love to help and be involved in important tasks. This realistic pretend play cleaning set includes a wooden broom, mop, and duster, as well as a dustpan, brush, and organizing stand. It’ll build toddlers’ confidence and sense of responsibility as they practice coordination, fine motor skills, and everyday chores .

3. Wobble/Balance Board

A wobble balance board is an irresistible, multipurpose toy for 2-year-olds. It stimulates the vestibular system, promotes balance and coordination, and can be used for wobbling, lounging, climbing, etc. This one is made from heirloom quality wood and supports up to 480 pounds, making it possible for everyone in the family to enjoy the fun.

4. Ramp Race Track

A car ramp racer allows kiddos to explore motion, direction, and cause and effect while practicing focusing and enjoying imaginative play . This ramp racer features five levels and comes with four wooden cars and two balls in primary colors. It’s made from durable, child-friendly wood, so it’s practical and aesthetically pleasing.

5. Hape Counting Stacker

This counting stacker allows children to practice counting to 10, basic color recognition, and fine motor development through stacking. It includes red, yellow, orange, blue, and green wooden stacking blocks and a stacking stand — all made from child-safe, non-toxic materials. An excellent activity for your 2-year-old’s playroom or the kitchen table.

4 Climbing Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Toddlers are busy people. They’re constantly on the go, exploring their surroundings and testing physical limits and boundaries. If you have a 2-year-old at home, you’ll want to invest in safe, toddler-approved climbing toys made to support gross motor development and foster independence . Here are some of our favorites.

1. Lily & River Little Climber XL

This top-rated Pikler Triangle is built for ages 2-8. It’s perfect for strengthening your little climber’s self-confidence, balance, gross motor skills, muscle growth, and creative /strategy play. This climber is made from natural birch and premium bamboo, durable enough for years. For added climbing fun, you can choose to add on a reversible ladder/slide or reversible rockwall/slide.

2. Lily & River Little Dome

Another beautifully-made toy from Lily & River, this climbing dome allows kiddos to climb, hang, and play to their heart’s desire. With a bit of imagination , it can become a mountain, cave, or monkey bar set. Choose from natural, white-sealed, rainbow-sealed, or other bold color finishes. For additional peace of mind, you can add on beautiful safety mat sets.

3. Avenlur Magnolia Indoor Playground

If you really want to take your playroom up a notch for your 2-year-old, an indoor playground is the way to go. Avenlur’s Magnolia Indoor Playground is a seven-in-one jungle gym featuring a slide, a climbing wall, a rope wall climber, monkey bars, a swing, and ladder climbers. It will provide hours of fun while seamlessly supporting gross motor development.

4. The Original Nugget Play Couch

A fan favorite for many reasons! The Nugget consists of four foam pieces (a base, a cushion, and two triangles) and can be set up in many configurations. The options for play, climbing, crashing, and lounging are endless here. It comes in various appealing colors and fabrics, including microsuede, double-brushed, and corduroy, and it is Greenguard Gold Certified to ensure all materials are child-safe. We think it’s worth the investment over competing play couches.

5 Outdoor Toys for 2-Year-Olds

What 2-year-old doesn’t love being outside ? When given the choice, we’re willing to bet most toddlers would gladly choose the outdoors over being cooped up inside. Sometimes, you just need a toddler-approved outdoor toy or two to make backyard playtime favorable for everyone in the family. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Step2 Rain Showers Splash Pond Water Table

A little bit of water play can reset almost any toddler’s day. That’s why a water table is a must for every 2-year-old. This one boasts 13 fun accessories, including maze-like spinners, ramps, and buckets, as well as a waterfall tray for a fun rainfall effect. Age-appropriate STEM play has never been easier to come by.

2. Little Tikes Easy Score Soccer Set

Group sports like soccer are an excellent way to build social skills , cooperation, and focus. Not to mention gross motor skills. Whether or not your tiny tot is on a team, this soccer set will quickly become a family favorite. It includes an easy-to-assemble kid-sized net, ball, and air pump.

3. Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set

Another must-have Little Tikes outdoor (or indoor) toy, this basketball set includes an adjustable basketball hoop and stand and three small soft basketballs. It features an oversized rim for simpler scoring (and increased confidence). Plus, you can choose from six heights — so it’ll grow with your kiddo.

4. Little Tikes First Slide

A go-to beginner’s slide! This one is suitable for use inside or out, folds up for easy storage, and doesn’t require any tools for setup. It promotes balance, fitness, and coordination — not to mention fun for your 2-year-old (or any child up to 60 pounds).

5. Step2 Naturally Playful Sand Table

Digging in sand (and dirt) is a rite of passage for toddlers, right? With a solid sand table, your kiddo can enjoy hours of structured sensory play — without all the mess. This one is raised to a height just right for standing and can hold up to 80 pounds of sand, soil, or any other sensory material. It comes with five accessories. It also features molded-in roadways on the lid, which can be used as a race track when covered.

3 Ride-On Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Being a toddler means constantly being on the move. In particular, 2-year-olds never seem to slow down. Because of this, ride-on toys are a must at this age. Here are some we think your child will love to take a spin on.

1. Step2 Up and Down Roller Coaster Toy for Kids

This kid’s roller coaster will bring the action into your home (or yard) with its 9-foot track and ATV-inspired car. It features a high back, a handrail, and footrests for maximum comfort and easily comes apart for convenient storage. While the included steps are helpful for the youngest riders, the coaster holds children up to 50 pounds.

2. Disney My First Minnie Plane

This ride-on plane is for toddlers 1-3 years old, so it’s just right for 2-year-olds. It features rotating propellers with alternating light-up patterns, 360-degree steering ability, realistic lift-off and landing sounds, and a steering wheel and honking horn. It doesn’t get much more adorable.

3. Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Ice Cream Truck

A reimagined take on the iconic Little Tikes Cozy Coupe! Mom or Dad can push this ice cream truck ride-on car, or your toddler can do it themselves with its detachable floorboard. It comes loaded with fun accessories and specs, including play ice cream cones, a credit card reader, and even an ice cream cone speaker that plays modern ice cream truck music.

5 Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Toddler toys come in all forms. When they’re intended to be equal parts fun and educational, you can’t lose. Check out our favorite learning-inspired toys for 2-year-olds.

1. Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting Set

This 30-piece color sorting set aims to develop color recognition and sorting skills. It offers realistic-looking red, orange, yellow, purple, and green fruits and vegetables, as well as five sorting baskets with labels and an activity guide. It’s an excellent toy for pretend play, language development , and vocabulary acquisition .

2. VTech Alphabet Apple

This learning toy introduces not only the alphabet but phonics, words, time concepts, music, and more — so it’ll easily grow with your child as they develop new skills. Apart from featuring the obvious (all 26 letters and sounds), it boasts 29 songs and melodies. We also love this pick’s carry handle.

3. Melissa & Doug Shapes Wooden Chunky Puzzle

Melissa & Doug offers a wide choice of wooden puzzles for toddlers. When it comes to learning shapes, this one is a must. With its eight chunky, easy-to-manipulate pieces (circle, square, diamond, rectangle, triangle, heart, star, and oval) and bright colors, your kiddo won’t even realize they’re learning.

4. Melissa & Doug Rainbow Caterpillar Gear Toy

Color recognition is an important skill for children to work toward in toddlerhood. This gear toy offers plenty of opportunities for color learning and reinforcement. It also promotes hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. It’s a simple pick to occupy and engage your 2-year-old.

5. Learning Resources Primary Science Sensory Tubes

These sensory tubes are highly versatile and made to encourage science exploration, curiosity, and development of the senses. The four durable tubes have dual openings with two solid lids for each, and you can fill and refill them with your choice of objects. The kit includes four vented lids for exploring smells.

3 Other Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Whether you’re shopping for toys for toddler boys or girls, we could go on and on with exceptional options for 2-year-olds. Here are a few more of our favorite picks for this age. You won’t want to miss out on any of them.

1. Turtle Balance Stepping Stones

Honing coordination and balance is an important everyday task for 2-year-olds. These bright-colored, non-slip stepping stones are an incredible tool for doing just that. They’re durable (supporting up to 265 pounds each), stackable for quick storage, and perfect for creating endless obstacle courses. Plus, your toddler can use them indoors or outside. These will be an instant hit for your kiddo.

2. Hape Play Kitchen

A play kitchen is a wonderful addition to any child’s room. This one will surely promote creative thinking , imagination , and real-life skills practice all at once. It features a realistic-looking sink, stove, oven, cabinet, and spice shelf, as well as clickable, turnable knobs.

3. Green Toys Construction Trucks

This set of three toddler-sized construction trucks is an excellent pick for any car-, truck-, or construction-loving 2-year-old. The trucks are made from 100% recycled plastic and meet all international safety standards. You can’t go wrong with anything from Green Toys, as these items are ideal for indoor or outdoor use and can help develop imagination, motor skills, pretend play, language, and cause-and-effect reasoning. They’re even dishwasher-safe.

Toddlers aren’t always picky with their toys, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be. If you’re not selective, toddler toys can end up taking up a lot of space and sitting idle. Quality and longevity are essential when shopping for toys for a 2-year-old. We think you’ll love the items we’ve recommended here!

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

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Educational toys for 2-3 year olds

Find the best toys and games to support your toddler's development.

From puzzles and scavenger hunts to ball games and water play, there’s lots of fun ways you can help develop key skills with simple, creative and engaging activities.

Toys for brain development

Expand their learning

Help them think about cause and effect through simple activities like water and sand play, turning the pages of a book, and pressing buttons. Build routines and introduce instructions - learning through play is the best way.

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Play with puzzles

Expand their curiosity with more complicated puzzles – think bigger pieces, different patterns and incorporate their favourite characters.

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Activity toys

Learn and play toys help development in lots of ways. From colour recognition, fine motor movement to figuring out how the different parts move and fit together.

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Building blocks

By using bricks, blocks and other shapes, your toddler can think about what they're building and how to achieve it. How high can they go?

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Toys for physical development

Fine & gross motor skills

From picking up small things with their fingers to running and jumping and using their whole body, developing motor skills through movement is super-important for healthy growth.

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Step up with sports

Any kind of sport is great for hand-eye coordination, space awareness and general movement. It’s also a great way for them to work as a team and discover new hobbies.

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Driving tracks

Wheeled toys are a great way to get your toddler moving. Build a track with junctions and roundabouts, and let them steer their cars around.

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Play some musical instruments

Drums, guitars, mini pianos and tambourines – let them work on their fine motor skills by hitting the right notes and build their bigger muscles with their dancing moves.

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Toys for social development

Communication & friendship

Their independence and curiosity is growing as they make new friends. Activities such as reading, singing and roleplay, will help your child understand the world around them – expanding their knowledge, language and imaginations too.

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Let them set up their own shop or become their own head chef. By recreating real life scenarios, it’ll help them understand the world around them.

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From farms and fire stations, to dolls houses and Playmobil  – let their imaginations run wild as they create characters and stories with their toys.

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Interactive toys

With age-approved designs, electronic toys allow children to learn and interact with everyday words, helping them develop their own vocabulary.

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New and popular toys for 2 to 3 year olds

Get them learning, moving and talking with the help of toys that encourage fun. Whether you're looking for everyday toys or the perfect gift, here are some of our favourite toddler toys.

Other key development

Potty training

Typically a child will begin to show signs that they are ready to begin potty training between 18 months - 3 years of age. Here are some signs to look out for to help you know when they're ready:

• They are aware when they have a wet or dirty nappy.
• They will tell you when they are going to the toilet.
• They know that they need to go and will say so in advance.
• They may fidget or hide when they need to go.
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Teach a toy

Have your little one teach their favourite toy how to use the potty. Children find learning through play much more stimulating and they are more likely to remember why and when they should use the potty by doing so.

Blowing bubbles

Using a potty is not a very comfortable process to begin with. Your little one may fidget about and not want to stay on it for long. Having them blow some bubbles while sat on the potty is a great distraction. There is also the added benefit of it working their abdominal muscles as they blow, which in turn will help them push when they have a poo.

Potty training chart

Print out a potty training chart with key potty training steps on it; such as, 'sat on the potty', 'did my business in the potty' and 'washed my hands'. Every time your little one completes one of these steps, let them put a sticker on their chart. It's a great way for them to learn all of the things they need to do when using the potty.

• Print colour-in potty training chart
• Print rainbow potty training chart

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Toys for 3 4 5 6 Year Old Boys Kids MP3 Music Player with Flip Camera, Games, Alarm Clock Toddler Phone Educational Toys Birthday Gifts for Boys Ages 3-6 with SD Card-Blue

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Gifts for 12-Year-Old Boys

With growing minds and creative imaginations, there is no limit to the number of fictional worlds and adventures that young boys can get excited about.

That’s why LEGO® caters to all the hobbies and interests they can imagine. Whether your 12-year-old boy enjoys reliving scenes from their favorite movies , exploring palaces and castles , or having creative fun, you’ll be sure to find a LEGO® set that was meant for them.

LEGO® Jurassic World™ Visitor Center: T. rex & Raptor Attack

There’s chaos in the classic Jurassic Park Visitor Center!

This toy for 12-year-old boys allows them to recreate scenes from the blockbuster trilogy. The set features the lab where it all started, complete with a buildable microscope and dinosaur incubator. From the kitchen area to the display skeleton in the entrance hall, the visitor center set features plenty of spaces to unravel all the dinosaur action.

Dr. Ellie Sattler and Dr. Alan Grant are just 2 of the 6 minifigure characters that will help to recreate the thrilling Jurassic Park sequences. They’ll be joined by the T. rex and Velociraptor toy figures, ready to chase the characters or fight over their fresh meals.

LEGO® Friends Botanical Garden

Build and display a world of natural beauty with a botanical garden like no other.

The set features breathtaking elements, including a variety of indoor plants, a lily pond and even a blossoming sakura tree. This is the perfect toy for 12-year-old boys who love all things horticulture.

The greenhouse will allow them to gaze at the variety of leaves and petals, as they use the turning function to spin the butterflies under the transparent dome. The set captures real-life elements, from exotic plants to the essential accessories that keep a botanical garden flourishing.

LEGO® Monkie Kid™ Dragon of the East Palace

Dive into the underwater Dragon of the East Palace and help the Monkey King find his legendary golden staff.

This toy for 12-year-old boys lets them build and display a majestic palace, packed with detailed rooms and 8 minifigures for endless roleplay. They can have all the fun-filled action with the iconic characters from the animated television series, including Monkie Kid, Money King and the Dragon of the East.

The set features a rotating dragon statue, the Monkey Kid’s Golden staff and more details from the Monkey King legend. The stone in front of the palace splits open, offering more rooms to carry out their Monkie Kid™ adventures.

Check out our other amazing Monkie Kid™ sets for more action!

LEGO® Friends Beach Amusement Park

Enjoy the summer vibes all year long with a beach-inspired playset!

Boys aged 12 and over can enjoy all the fun of the seafront with the LEGO® Friends Beach Amusement Park. While the LEGO Technic™ elements make this a challenging build, they’ll be rewarded with the set’s many realistic movements and features.

Skilled builders will have no trouble diving into a world of fun with the dual-rotation carousel, shooting gallery, and wave machine elements. They’ll also have the help of the 4 LEGO Friends characters to fuel their creative roleplay.

LEGO® Technic™ John Deere 948L-II Skidder

Forestry and engineering come together with one of John Deere’s biggest machines.

The realistic and detailed features of the set make this John Deere skidder a fascinating toy for 12-year-old boys. The LEGO® Technic™ set is designed to challenge kids as they explore the vehicle’s different mechanisms.

With the skidder’s pneumatic features, they will learn how the claw works and operate it themselves with 3 different actions. They’ll be all set for their very own logging operations thanks to the model’s working engine and steering capabilities.

LEGO® BrickHeadz™ Aragorn™ & Arwen™

Relive the momentous moment from The Lord of the Rings trilogy!

As seen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Aragorn™ adorns his royal garments and crown, with Arwen™ wearing her wedding green dress and tiara. This toy for 12-year-old boys will let them display the two BrickHeadz™ figures side by side and treasure the cinematic scene forever.

This set is a wonderful treat for fans who just can’t get enough of the adventures in Middle-earth™.

LEGO® Avatar Toruk Makto & Tree of Souls

Relive the breathtaking moments from James Cameron’s unforgettable Avatar film.

This toy for 12-year-old boys will immerse them into the mesmerizing scenery of Pandora. They can build the Tree of Souls with glow-in-the-dark elements, making it beautiful to display day or night. The set comes packed with 4 minifigures to help reimagine the film’s key scenes, including Neytiri and Mo’at.

Boys can connect Tsu’Tey Na’vi to the Direhorse or take to the skies with Jake Sully on Toruk’s back. The legend of Toruk Makto will be theirs to recreate. Fans can also capture the action of the film scene and display the Toruk figure hovering over the Tree of Souls.

LEGO® Architecture New York City

Part of the LEGO® Architecture Skyline Collection, this model features the iconic buildings that make New York the recognizable cityscape that it is today. Accurate representations of the Flatiron Building, Chrysler Building™, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and the One World Trade Center all feature in this detailed model of the Big Apple’s skyline.

Travel and architecture lovers will appreciate the true-to-life color depiction, along with the work undertaken to scale the buildings to comparative sizes. With a decorative “New York City” nameplate, this display will look truly incredible in any room.

LEGO® Creative Brick Box Sets

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and start building with these LEGO® Creative Brick Box Sets.

These 2 sets are fantastic for 12-year-old boys who love all things LEGO® brick-built. With 33 different colors and a variety of pieces, they will have everything they need to let their imagination run wild and craft unique designs.

The LEGO Medium Creative Brick Box comes packed with 484 LEGO pieces. If that’s not enough to meet their creative needs, why not try the LEGO large Brick Box, with 790 pieces? The sets will give them bricks, baseplates, windows, wheels and more to inspire endless creative fun. Plus, each brick box doubles as a fun storage container for your child’s brick collection.

LEGO® Large Creative Brick Box

Lego® medium creative brick box, creative pastel fun, creative neon fun, creative transparent bricks, looking for even more lego® sets.

Are you looking for someone who is passionate about all things brick-built? We have a wide variety of products that will bring joy to any LEGO lover. Browse through the LEGO merchandise and find the perfect accessory , Brick backpack or beloved character plush toy .

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Water Doodle Mat - Kids Painting Writing Color Doodle Drawing Mat Toy Bring Magic Pens Educational Toys for Age 2 3 4 5 6 7 Year Old Girls Boys Age Toddler Gift

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About this item.

• Water Drawing Mat:Large size.Ocean pattern.Be easy to use.Can be folded into the compact size.Portable for indoor outdoor and travel.A great learning toy for toddlers.A good interaction toy for boys and girls.
• Doodle Drawing Mat Size: 40 x 28 inch. Package included: Mat x 1 + Pens x 6 + Drawing mold x 8 + Drawing template x 4 + Drawing booklet x 1- For age 3 years old +
• Water Doodle Mat Kids Toys - Reusable - Fill the pen with clean water and draw on the mat,after 3-10 minutes,it magically disappears(depending on temperature and airflow),and children can paint on the drawing mat again and again.
• Educational Toys:No Ink,No Paint,Non-Toxic,Non-Polluting,Never make a mess.The back of the mat is water-resistant nylon material,clean and safety for kids. The traces will never be chaotic, satisfying the imagination and creativity of the kids' infinite painting.
• Perfect Gift:Color packing box.This magical water painting pad allows your child to paint with friends on the table or floor,exercise hand-eye coordination and color perception,develop painting and creative skills.The best choice for kids birthday gift or christmas gift.

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Product description.

Toyk Ocean - Water Drawing Mat

Never make a mess, just add water, no ink, no paint, non-toxic, non-chemical.

Save trouble for you and safe toy for your kid. Automatically disappear. High quality durable

Great educational toy.

Keep your child busy-Stimulate your children's imagination.

Draw with their friends-Learn to share-Learn to cooperate.

A good interaction toy-Cultivate a more intimate parent-child relationship.

Development of color and shape cognitive skills-Painting and creative skills

Videos for this product

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MUST WATCH - quick and HONEST review!!!

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What's in the box

• Mat x 1 + Pens x 6 + Drawing mold x 8 + Drawing template x 4 + Drawing booklet x 1 + Jigsaw x 1

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Product information, technical details, additional information, warranty & support, customer reviews.

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the fun, ease of use, educational value, and accuracy of the writing board. For example, they mention it's great for entertaining toddlers, keeps them occupied, and encourages artistic imaginations. That said, opinions are mixed on value and quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the messiness of the writing board. For example, they mention it's easy to use and clean, saves tons of messy clean up, and entertains for hours. Some say it'll dry by itself.

"...Best part - very little clean up . The water evaporates and leaves them with a clean canvas again." Read more

"...As he is learning to color write. Not messy . Just add water. When you let it dry it drys quick and is reusable." Read more

"...Really cute and mess free craft ." Read more

" No mess . No worries. Great for toddlers." Read more

Customers find the writing board to be fun for most ages. They say it provides hours of entertainment and helps with a fun way of teaching letters. Customers also say it's great for entertaining toddlers and keeps them busy and engaged.

"...This is perfect for ages 2+ toddlers. Hours of enjoyment . This exceeded my expectations as I was expecting cheap quality but it is exceptional quality" Read more

"...He absolutely loves it! Fun , easy to use and inspire creativity. Get them off electronics and use their imagination." Read more

"They absolutely love it and it keeps them happy ." Read more

"My kid loves this and spends so much time on this mat. It keeps the kids busy for hours . So many options." Read more

Customers find the writing board accurate and great for kids and parents. They say it's perfect for any age child, and a cute gift for kids. Some mention that it'll teach them how to write or color.

" 100% approved for toddlers daily activity . No need to worry about the mess when your kids learning how to paint...." Read more

"...Way better than the Melissa and Doug books. This is perfect for ages 2+ toddlers . Hours of enjoyment...." Read more

"I would buy this again! It’s perfect for any age child and no worried about getting ink on anything." Read more

"I love that the kids can play and draw on this . They absolutely love it. It keeps them from marking on other things. Love that." Read more

Customers find the writing board easy to use. They mention it's simple, convenient, and easy to refill. They also appreciate the different sizes and brushes.

"...He absolutely loves it! Fun, easy to use and inspire creativity. Get them off electronics and use their imagination." Read more

" Easy , very clean, simple to use, entertains for hours" Read more

" Very easy to use ...." Read more

"Bought this for my kiddos for Christmas and they absolutely love it! Easy to use for the 2 year old and keeps the 9 year old entertained for a long..." Read more

Customers find the writing board very educational, and say it keeps their children occupied. They also say it's a great toy for encouraging artistic imaginations, and it inspires creativity.

"...He absolutely loves it! Fun, easy to use and inspire creativity . Get them off electronics and use their imagination." Read more

"...It’s very educational . It’s fun for toddler and quite the learning experience.. I would recommend this to any toddler" Read more

"My kids love this and it works on strengthen my oldest son ’s cute muscles bc he lays on his stomach and raises up to draw...." Read more

"... It's truly wonderful ! I was having such a good time, I didn't want to stop playing with it, and I'm 70 years old!!!..." Read more

Customers like the color of the writing board. They mention it looks great, the colors pop better, and the coloring surface is white until it's wet, then it turns rainbow-colored. They also say it'd help their kids learn their colors and draw their ABCs and 123s.

"Was really cute but not worth the price. Thought it would be a little bit nicer for the price. The marker are really cheap." Read more

"...There’s no mess or worry about colors and markings on your furniture or your child!..." Read more

"Everything about this is perfect and adorable ! My 3 year old and 2 year old LOVE it !" Read more

"This is a cute and fun product to keep your toddlers busy with. My toddler loves it the only downside was that it did take a while for it to dry...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the value of the writing board. Some say it's worth the buy, affordable, and a nice item. However, others say it wasn't worth buying, the quality is a little on the cheap side, and the fabric backing is cheap.

"...It also comes with many extra pieces to help with their writing and shapes!" Read more

"Was really cute but not worth the price . Thought it would be a little bit nicer for the price. The marker are really cheap." Read more

"This is incredible product . It is awesome that it washes away after a few minutes of not using it...." Read more

"...this thinking it would save making a big mess but really did not entertain my kids at all and comes with so many pieces that aren’t necessary...." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the quality of the writing board. Some say that the size is great, the water pens are good quality, and the material itself is nice. However, others say that it's cheaply made and some of the markers didn't work at all.

"...my expectations as I was expecting cheap quality but it is exceptional quality " Read more

"...It’s perfect for any age child and no worried about getting ink on anything ." Read more

"...Thought it would be a little bit nicer for the price. The marker are really cheap ." Read more

"Everything about this is perfect and adorable! My 3 year old and 2 year old LOVE it !" Read more

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