The Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds, Recommended by Parents
As parents of young children we can both attest to how fun it is to watch 2-year-olds come into themselves. They suddenly have opinions — strong ones — and those opinions and preferences show in the toys they choose to play with. That’s how we came up with this gift guide; these are the toys we’ve seen our kids gravitate toward at two years old … and they’re still being enjoyed at four years old.
What to Look for in Toys for 2-Year-Olds
Despite the moniker “the terrible twos,” two-year-olds are such fun people. They’re so curious about the world, and they’re learning how to be a human. As such, they enjoy toys that mimic real life. The National Association for the Education of Young Children recommends toys for two-year-olds like puzzles, blocks, toy furniture, dolls, construction sets, water play sets, and toddler art supplies.
Most two-year-olds are now jumping, running, and talking up a storm. So our list includes toys that help develop language, gross motor skills, and fine motor skills. Many two-year-olds still put toys in their mouths, so stay away from anything labeled 3+ to prevent choking.
Our Top Pick
Two years old is the ideal age to introduce a big box of DUPLOs. It might be a challenge right as they turn two, but as they grow over the year, this 65-piece set will give them all they need to begin building and creating structures all on their own. If they’ve already got DUPLOs, then we’d go for a Miniland baby doll. They are so realistic-looking, and every kid needs a baby doll!