Here are our gift ideas for two year old toddlers based on typical development and the way children this age generally explore the world through play.
At two children are still very much into their own world and enjoying lots of solo play. They are full of personality and continue learning new skills just by looking and listening. You'll see them engage in more complex physical, sensory, and constructive play as they become more independent and confident in their abilities. Their language develops in leaps and bounds and their imaginations begin to soar. Pretend play is the new black and they love imitating what they see in real life.
Ways to Play: Breaking down the big categories of play by the types of activities children engage in
Here are our 2021 top toy picks for 2 year olds (not in any particular order). Scroll down for more on each recommendation and the associated developmental benefits:
[Please note that this post does contain affiliate links. This means, at zero cost to you, we may receive a small affiliate commission when you click through our links and make purchases. We try our best to be fair and only share products that we truly love and recommend.]
*Products mentioned on this page are meant for toddlers under adult supervision. (Manufacturer's age recommendations are noted when available)
Duplo
LEGO DUPLO Classic Brick Box. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
This open-ended build and play set has been a staple in our playroom. It's a toddler friendly introduction to Legos and comes with simple instructions and ideas. The colorful, chunky, easy-to-hold interlocking bricks invite little ones to explore hands-on creativity and imaginative play.
BENEFITS:
Hand-eye coordination
Spatial skills (where objects are in relation to each other)
Strengthens problem solving
Focus and concentration
Natures creativity
Develops physical strength; engaging fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Encourages communication and language development
Chunky Puzzles
Melissa & Doug Wooden Chunky Puzzle Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
This simple 8 piece puzzle with large and chunky pieces is the perfect next step for toddler puzzle fun. The colorful matching pictures underneath each piece offered great visual clues. We loved that the pieces were chunky enough to stand upright and encourage imaginative play. There are several versions of this same puzzle and totally worth having multiple sets.
BENEFITS:
Hand-eye coordination
Visual perception skills
Focus and concentration
Encourages communication and language development
Strengthens problem solving
Develops physical strength; engaging fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
1st Train Set
BRIO Classic Figure 8 Set Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
This wooden starter set is the perfect introduction to railway play. The simple Scandinavian design has no plastic parts, magnets hold the cars together, and the set can be easily expanded with all other BRIO trains and track. Our little one adores her classic set and plays with it regularly.
BENEFITS:
Hand-eye coordination
Focus and concentration
Develops physical strength; engaging fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Spatial skills (where objects are in relation to each other)
Strengthens problem solving
Natures creativity
Encourages communication and language development
1st Game
Think Fun Roll and Play Game. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
This is a great first game parents can play with their little ones. Kiddos toss a large colorful plush cube and act out whatever is on the card of the corresponding color rolled. Toddlers get to practice listening, following directions, and taking turns while bonding with their favorite grown-ups.
BENEFITS:
Develops physical strength; engaging gross motor (big muscles like arms, trunks, and legs) movements
Coordination and balancing skills
Learns colors
Builds confidence
Strengthens problem solving
Natures creativity
Encourages communication and language development
Blocks
Uncle Goose Classic ABC Blocks.. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
These classic blocks are a gorgeous addition to any playroom. Their open ended awesomeness make them perfect for stacking, sorting, matching, building, and knocking down. We love their size and heirloom quality.
BENEFITS:
Develops physical strength; engaging gross motor (big muscles like arms, trunks, and legs) and fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Coordination and balancing skills
Spatial skills (where objects are in relation to each other)
Hand-eye coordination
Learns colors, uppercase letters, numbers, animals, cause-and-effect
Strengthens problem solving
Focus and concentration
Natures creativity
Encourages communication and language development
Sort and Stack
Melissa & Doug Stack and Sort Board. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
This is a great introduction to shapes, colors, and numbers. Our little one started with just stacking the pieces then moved on to sorting and stacking by color. Eventually we used the pieces as counters and large beads for threading fun.
BENEFITS:
Strengthens problem solving
Visual perception skills
Hand-eye coordination
Focus and concentration
Learns shapes, colors, counting, numbers
Develops physical strength; engaging fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Encourages communication and language development
Sorting Loose Parts
PlanToys 5360 Sort & Count Cups. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
Playing with loose parts is a wonderful way to practice sorting and matching. The pieces are great for stacking, pouring, transfers and their open-ended-ness make them perfect for anything else your toddler can imagine.
BENEFITS:
Strengthens problem solving
Visual perception skills
Hand-eye coordination
Focus and concentration
Learns colors, counting
Develops physical strength; engaging fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Natures creativity
Encourages communication and language development
Chunky Vehicles
Melissa & Doug School Bus Play Set. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
My little one has loved this set from the moment she saw it. Its fantastic for building, sorting, matching, counting, and has been included in hours upon hours (and we're talking not the most gentle hours) of imaginative play! All the pieces are veeeeeeery well loved and our adorable little bus is just as sturdy and secure as ever!
BENEFITS:
Hand-eye coordination
Develops physical strength; engaging gross motor(big muscles like arms, trunks, and legs) and fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Coordination and balancing skills
Spatial skills (where objects are in relation to each other)
Natures creativity
Encourages communication and language development
Balance Bike
Strider - 12 Sport Balance Bike. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
This was a great first bike to learn balance and improve dexterity, cognitive ability, and spatial awareness. We started our little one around one year old with the 2-in-1 Rocking bike and today she continues to work on her two-wheeled balance, coordination, and confidence on the 12 Sport. We love the adjustable features and how it's grown with her.
BENEFITS:
Hand-eye coordination
Develops physical strength; engaging gross motor(big muscles like arms, trunks, and legs) and fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Coordination and balancing skills
Builds confidence
Spatial skills (where objects are in relation to each other)
Noise Makers
Ehome Toddler Musical Instruments. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
Toddlers learn a ton making their own music. A set with various instruments like this one exposes them to different sounds, tones, and volumes. Noise makers are a great hands-on way to introducing them to expressive play and spark a love of music.
BENEFITS:
Hand-eye coordination
Focus and concentration
Engages the senses: enhance auditory, tactile and visual sensory development
Develops physical strength; engaging gross motor (big muscles like arms, trunks, and legs) and fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Encourages communication and language development
Baby Doll
Miniland Educational Newborn Baby Doll. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
Baby dolls are a phenomenal open-ended toy that inspire creativity and imagination. Through caring for dolls, toddlers practice social interactions important for developing their sense of empathy and social-emotional skills.
BENEFITS:
Hand-eye coordination
Develops physical strength; engaging gross motor (big muscles like arms, trunks, and legs) and fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Natures creativity
Cultivates social skills
Encourages communication and language development
Ramp Racers
EverEarth Jr. Ramp Racer. Race Track. Click the photo to see the price on Amazon
We've played with this in many settings and it's always a hit. A fun variation on a ball run, little ones send colorful wooden cars zig-zagging over and under down the race track. We love that this is 100% kid powered and makes the most satisfying click-clack sounds as the cars zoom towards the finish line.
BENEFITS:
Strengthens problem solving
Visual perception skills
Hand-eye coordination
Focus and concentration
Engages the senses: enhance auditory, tactile and visual sensory development
Learns colors, counting, cause-and-effect
Develops physical strength; engaging gross motor (big muscles like arms, trunks, and legs) and fine motor (small muscles like fingers, and hands) movements
Encourages communication and language development