These Are the Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds
Toddlerhood must-haves for fun, learning, and inspiration
Your favorite toddler will love toys that encourage problem-solving and gross motor play. And of course, anything with wheels is bound to be a hit.
By Karell Roxas
Welcome to the terrific—or terrible—twos. To be fair, sometimes they’re both in the span of 15 minutes. “At 2 years old, a child’s play personality and preferences begin to form,” says Susie Allison, a former teacher and founder of Busy Toddler. This is a stage where children can begin to explore independent play. Toddlers want to be involved and have more control over their world, adds Courtney Peebles, founder of Solobo Toys, a Montessori-inspired toy company. “So I always like to look for toys that can encourage independence and also give a child confidence,” Peebles says.
“Help them find their style of play by having a few toys from each category . . . regardless of gender,” Allison says. These are the nine categories of toys for 2-year-olds that experts recommend starting with.
Puzzles
Our Pick
Mudpuppy ‘Jungle Can You Spot?’ Puzzle
The best puzzles for this age are simple, contain large pieces, and have a fun picture to discover once complete. This 12-piece puzzle offers all that and more: Once the puzzle is complete, there are five hidden images your toddler can hunt for. Bonus: The puzzle is made with recycled paper and soy-based inks.
Blocks
Our Pick
Hape Wooden Block Set
This set comes with 100 pieces, including rectangles, triangles, arches, and cylinders. The pieces can be used to build towns and towers (which are even more fun to knock down at the end), recreate fairy tales, and so much more. They’re painted with water-based paint and easily store inside the included container.
Vehicles or Trains
Our Pick
Brio Classic Train Set
This is a wonderful first train set that includes the train, tracks, a bridge, and even decorative trees to round out the environment. The set is easy to assemble, can be expanded with other Brio sets, and is durable and steady.
Pretend Play Sets
Our Pick (Small Set)
Hearth & Hand With Magnolia Toy Coffee & Cocoa Food Set
This twist on a classic tea set includes everything your toddler needs to serve you a cup of “coffee,” with mugs, spoons, and even a little tea kettle. The wooden set will hold up to hours of play, and the aesthetics aren’t bad either. There’s even a barista station to pair with the food set.
Our Pick (Large Set)
Battat Two n' One Kitchen Café
There are so many options for toy kitchens, it can make your head spin. This double-sided wooden play kitchen prioritizes space-saving design, open-ended play, and interactive features. It comes with all the accessories your toddler will need, including plates, utensils, mugs, pots, and pans. There’s even a chalkboard where they can draw their menu of the day.
Music Sets
Our Pick
B. Toys Make a Melody Music Starter Kit
This starter music set has enough instruments for your toddler and their gang of friends to start a band—a xylophone, a maraca (a fan favorite), castanets, egg shakers, and a harmonica. But we can’t guarantee that the sounds they’ll make will be music to your ears . . . grab some earplugs.
Art Supplies
Our Pick
Hape Crayon Coloring Art Set
This Montessori-inspired art set comes with ring-shaped crayons, stickers, and activity pages with an animal theme. Toddlers can practice their pincer grasp, work alongside you, or engage in parallel play with another toddler.
Toddler Towers
Our Pick
Guidecraft Contemporary Kitchen Helper Toddler Tower
This tower folds flat for storage, adjusts to two different heights, and is Greenguard Gold certified. It also passed CR’s safety tests for toddler towers.
Ride-On Toys
Our Pick
Radio Flyer Park & Play Camper
This ride-on is two toys in one. Your toddler can ride on top and drive the camper around the house honking the working horn (sorry), but once parked, the vehicle can open up, revealing a camping-themed playset. The set comes with two bear figurines and play furniture that can be stored inside the toy.
Books
Our Picks
‘Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes’ by Eric Litwin
‘Vegetables in Underwear’ by Jared Chapman
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