26 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds That’ll Provide Hours of Play

Easy to store and fun to use, the Mega Bloks First Builders Big Building Bagis perfect for small hands. The bag comes with 80 colorful blocks of varying sizes and shapes, giving them plenty of blocks to build with and stack. Plus, the AAP notes that blocks are a “traditional favorite” that can help your little one work on their problem-solving and fine motor skills, as well as language and brain development. 

Mega Bloks are a favorite of both What to Expect staff members and community members. “My daughter received a bag of Mega Bloks for her first birthday. It was a hit back then, and is still a go-to toy now that she's 4,” says Christine Mattheis, What’s to Expect’s VP of Content. “She loves being creative, building ‘castles’ and ‘houses’ for her dolls. And it's been really fun to see her skills and creativity with the blocks grow as she gets older.”

Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director of Brand Solutions with What to Expect, used Mega Bloks with both of her kids, saying she found them easier to put together and pull apart than Lego Duplos, making them ideal for this age group. “We got these for my son, who is now 5, and he still plays with them sometimes making the tallest tower he can — and my 1 year old loves them, too!” she says. “They are built to last. I also love that they're easy to clean (and dry) so a fun toy to play with in the bath or a water table.”

I also used Mega Bloks with my toddlers and the only downside I found is that once you start buying Mega Bloks, it’s hard to stop — we amassed a huge collection, and I’m still finding stray blocks behind furniture years later. That being said, they were clearly a hit with my sons!

A book is always a great choice for a gift, especially for growing toddlers. This classic tale by Eric Carle has been delighting generations of babies and toddlers for years and is especially great for teaching days of the week and counting to your little one as you read. Filled with beautiful illustrations, it’s easy for caregivers to read the story expressively to their little ones, which is a recommended part of story time per Kids Health From Nemours. This edition is a board book, so the pages are thick enough for your toddler to turn on their own.

You can tell a toy is well designed when generations of kids remember happily playing with it. A key example: the Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone. Little ones will love tapping at the brightly-colored keys to create their own special brand of music, and the music-maker doubles as a pull toy, rolling along on red wheels with a gently chiming song. The curved design makes it easier for your toddler to pull the xylophone into her lap and keep it there. 

“We had the Fisher-Price Classic Xylophone. It was a hand me down, so it was probably 5 years old when we got it and still in great shape,” says Melissa Bykofsky, Executive Editor of Strategy & Growth at What to Expect, who says her son used it as a baby during tummy time, all the way through toddlerhood. “He grew into playing it and ultimately dragging it around the apartment.” 

Like other parents, Melissa notes that the string was short, but found that overall it worked fine.

Though some parents say the keys sound out of tune, What to Expect contributor Ashley Jones shares that she personally preferred the tune of this xylophone over other noisy toys her toddlers previously played with. The sound is strong enough but not overly loud, she adds.

This is a beloved toddler toy for a reason: It’s great for problem-solving, hand-eye coordination and endless hours of creative play. These tiles are a staple in our household and are used almost daily to build castles and bridges for mini dinosaurs to roam under.

 “We love MAGNA-TILES. They are by far one of our most used toys and truly spark so much creativity and fun for the whole family,” Dr. Rickerd says. The only downside is that the tiles can be a bit pricey, and you may find that one set isn’t enough for big builds. 

Make learning the alphabet more fun with this Elmo-themed suitcase set. There aren’t any magnets on the letter pieces which is a good thing, as magnets can break off and pose a choking hazard and other dangers, according to the AAP. Instead, the pieces fit snugly into their places inside the suitcase. Under each is a picture of a character or item for the corresponding letter, so kids can use their matching skills to put the pieces back where they belong (like B for “Burt” or P for “pumpkin”). There’s also an empty space at the base of the suitcase for spelling out short words with your toddler, like “cat” or “dog.” 

Shelley also used this Elmo letter set with both of her kids. “I remember doing color sorting with them when my 5-year-old was younger and learning colors,” she says. She also notes the sturdiness and versatility of this toy: “You can put them in the bath, or play with them outside, because they are easy to clean.”

Parents not only like the portable aspect of this toy for traveling, but they also say that it’s durable so you can pass it down to siblings.

Made from New Zealand beeswax and food-grade color pigments, Honeysticks crayons are safe for infants and toddlers to use. They’re also thicker than your usual crayons, which means they’re easy for small hands to hold — and hard for small hands to break. They can demonstrate their fine motor skills by grasping the crayon and using it to create art while letting their imaginations soar. Keep in mind that the beeswax makes it harder to get rich color out of these crayons, so your little one will have to press down to color.

Generations of kids have been playing with variations on this classic toy, and with good reason — it’s seriously fun. The Brio train set helps your toddler practice fine motor skills by slotting together the chunky wooden track pieces that are easy for their hands to grab. They can get imaginative and create their own route, whether in the figure eight design modeled on the box or another path. 

“We absolutely love the Brio train tracks and sets,” says Shelley. “We've spent countless hours with my son setting up new track shapes. He's 5 now and still plays with the tracks from time to time. They are really nice quality.”

Though some parents note that the track pieces don’t always stay together super well, most of that is usually due to the general roughness of a toddler playing with the set. Otherwise, many parents find that the wooden design actually holds up much better than plastic sets.

This interactive and realistic dollhouse will keep your little one engaged while learning your own family’s daily routine (and perhaps even helping out with a chore or two). It comes with 14 pieces of furniture and accessories that can be used with most dolls. The construction features real wood, pairing scalloped details and a pastel palette into a 4-foot-tall structure with four levels and a whopping six rooms. 

The set made Dr. Rickerd’s toy recommendation list for toddlers between 18 and 36 months and was mentioned as the go-to pick for 2-year-olds on What to Expect’s Community forums. The oversized dollhouse requires some storage space, but you can expect extended play thanks to the multiple rooms and furniture.

When these stones come out during playtime at our local toddler’s gym, it’s game-on for my little one! For sensory-seeking 2-year-olds, I guarantee they’ll get a kick out of running through their own obstacle course at home. The set includes three small and three large pieces, providing endless play opportunities for years to come (under parental supervision, of course). It creates a gym-like atmosphere to work on sensorimotor skills like coordination and balance, by hopping on and over the rocks, all within a confined space.

Cars, trucks, buses, trains, construction vehicles — if you’ve spent any time with a toddler, you know chances are high that they’re in love with all things that move. Give your toddler their own set of wheels with this adorable dump truck made from recycled plastic milk containers.

The truck plays well inside or outside, making it a great addition to playtime, no matter the weather. The working “dumper” can haul dirt, blocks, Legos or whatever else your toddler’s currently obsessed with. (Fear not: If your toddler decides to haul around sand or dirt, the toy is easy to clean — it’s even dishwasher friendly.) It’s even big enough to take a stuffed animal or doll along for the ride. Parents attest to the durability of this truck, saying that it’s built to last and can withstand play in just about any setting.

A combination sand and water table, the Step2 Dino Sand and Water Tablechecks off a whole lot of boxes for toddlers who love experimenting with cause and effect through water and sand play. Despite being on the pricier side, parents find that it’s worth the cost because of the table’s versatility. Toddlers can use it for sensory exploration as well as imaginative play by using the dinosaurs and volcano.

Although this table has tons of bells and whistles, like cups, tools, dino toys and multiple levels for water and sand to flow through, its best feature — at least for parents — might be the easy-to-open drain plug for releasing water when playtime is over. (You’d be surprised how many water tables lack this one simple, essential feature!) Some parents note that the crevices can be hard to keep clean when used with both sand and water, but a little bit of elbow grease goes a long way.

There’s nothing my toddler loves more than accomplishing something on her own. That’s why we love this magnetic fishing toy; a favorite since she received it at her second birthday party. The toy is easy to set up (and easy to store away – a win!) and play without my help. Using the magnet on the reel, this toy challenges hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills to “hook” the aquatic animals.

This entertaining read is more than just a simple story. The first children’s book from Dan Brown (yes, that Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code) is a musical experience. Flip through the pages, and you’ll discover silly tales of animal friends who are learning important life lessons along the way. When you have the free app downloaded on your smartphone, storytime truly becomes a show with music composed by Brown set to accompany each page. My toddler asks to read this book daily and loves being in charge of tapping the arrow on the app to start the next melody. It’s also noted that Brown will be donating all US royalties due to him to support music education for children worldwide through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

Now that your 2-year-old is big, they’ll love caring for their own “baby.” Engaging in pretend play with things like dolls and action figures helps little ones learn how to use their words to process and imitate real-life events, according to the AAP.

French toymaker Corolle has been making huggable baby dolls since the ’70s with sweet, vanilla-scented vinyl with faces that hit the perfect balance between “expressive” and “not so lifelike they’re kinda creepy.” A soft body with supple vinyl hands and legs makes it easier for young children to change dolly’s clothing, and the eyes close when it’s time to sleep.

This specific doll can also join your little one in the bathtub or in the pool for extended play. It floats in the water and has a tab on the back so that the doll can be hung up to dry. Though pricier than other baby doll toys, the numerous features this one includes help make it worth it as a gift for 2-year-olds who will enjoy it for years to come.

A doll stroller was the hot gift for my daughter’s second birthday, with multiple people asking if she already had one. And this stroller has been a part of our daily lives ever since. Our toddler loves to get out some energy by doing laps around the kitchen while pushing her baby doll around (and yes, sometimes that includes chasing our dog). It’s also helped teach nurturing and daily routines.  

Though LEGO is an incredibly popular gift, traditional sets require more dexterity than a 2-year-old has. (Not to mention the pieces pose a chocking hazard.) ButLEGO Duplos are a great foray into the fun of building. These larger-sized blocks are easier to grip, plus this truck and excavator set includes fewer bricks, so the entire project feels a bit more manageable. Still, kids will get a taste of the satisfaction that comes with building their own structure — and caregivers will have a blast playing alongside their little ones. In addition to practicing their fine motor and problem solving skills, this set also allows for creative play. Parents say it keeps their kids occupied for a long time.

The Strider 12” Sport Balance Bike is a beloved choice for many reasons: It’s lightweight and made for little ones with its pedal-free designs. Jones notes that her kids used pedal-free bikes to help them learn how to ride a bike later by teaching balance and steering early on. Though the initial setup can be cumbersome, it’s very customizable to adapt to the needs of quickly growing tots once assembled — both the seat and the handlebars adjust without the need for tools. It also comes in a wide range of colors, so you’re sure to find the perfect thing to suit your little one’s personality.

Many What to Expect parents note that the quality on Strider bikes is so good that they recommend getting one secondhand because they’re quite pricey!

If you’re looking for one big holiday or birthday gift, this Step2 Playhouse Neat & Tidy Cottage is a great choice to consider. The potential for open-ended play for any 2-year-old is nearly limitless, thanks to the real house aesthetic. The plastic house is equipped with all of the essentials — a fireplace, mailbox, working doorbell, a pretend grill and more. It’s the type of toy that they’ll use for years, and can also use it with their siblings to play house.

An arts and crafts set is always a nice gift, especially for kids who already have a ton of toys. With this Alex Discover Tots Art Start kit, budding artists will hone their artistic sides by experimenting with basic art supplies. Think: easy grip crayons, tissue and fringe papers, doilies, stickers and fun activity paper shaped like a tree and giraffe. Altogether, your little one can make six easy art activities, like collage frames and scribble pictures. Plus, they can take advantage of their creativity and engage in lots of open-ended play with this set. View it as a gift to caregivers, too — it’s the perfect activity for a cold or rainy day inside.

The Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set is one of the most classic sports-themed gifts for toddlers, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s often the type of toy parents say gets the most use, providing years of play. The rim is oversized, making it easy for toddlers to make baskets. What’s more, the height is easily adjustable with six settings between 2.5 and 4 feet to suit your growing child for a number of years. 

The set, which includes the basketball hoop and ball, is ripe for both indoor and outdoor use and is great for encouraging active play. With 40 pounds of sand added to the base, it is difficult for little ones to move from place to place, but caregivers should have no problems moving it indoors or out and back again. 

When searching for a gift for a 2-year-old, a set with multiple different toys is always a good idea — and these colorful wooden puzzles won’t disappoint. They have small pegs that are easy to grab while still encouraging hand-eye coordination as your little one picks up and places the pieces. Solving the puzzles is a great way to enhance problem-solving skills, too, while communicating to your little one what all the pieces represent. And because each puzzle features the alphabet, numbers, shapes and animals, there’s even more learning potential. Though some parents were disappointed with how thin the wooden boards are and noted that the stickers may peel with time, the fact that this set of a half-dozen puzzles comes with a rack for storage makes it worth it.

Blowing, chasing and popping bubbles are among almost every toddler’s favorite pastimes — and these actions happen to be great ways to practice motor skills! This classic Fisher-Price bubble mower toy is both a push toy and bubble maker, so it will keep your tot’s interest while helping them practice their gross motor skills and coordination while walking and pushing. 

Shelley also found that this bubble mower was a huge hit when her son was 2. “My son got this as a birthday gift from his grandma when he turned 2 and boy did he love it!” she says. “Something he could push around and it makes bubbles? Pure magic for a toddler.”

It’s easy to fill and makes a fun whirring noise — and tons of bubbles — as it moves along on sturdy all-terrain wheels. Plus, your little one can pretend they’re copying you and mowing the grass while delighting in all the bubbles! “It lasted a while, but eventually the container to put the bubble solution in got clogged and didn't work as well,” Shelley notes. “But it was well worth the fun while it lasted!”

The extra-plush Squishmallows are a great gift idea for a 2-year-old – and it’s hard not to want one for yourself, too! The squeezable plushies range from 2 to 24 inches, with the smaller ones being great for on-the-go snuggling. My toddler loves jumping on and giving big hugs to the oversized 16-inch option (though it’s not my favorite for storing). The designs are imaginative — a watermelon octopus or chocolate banana toast, for example — and even come in your toddler’s favorite characters, such as Hello Kitty, Mickey Mouse, Moana and more.

Bath time for toddlers is about more than just getting clean — it’s the perfect opportunity to play and learn. In fact, the AAP says that having interactive bath toys can actually help your little one enjoy time in the tub. To help your tot not dread the bath, this bath toy set will be a huge help. It comes with 10 pieces in a variety of shapes, sizes and textures to mix, match and play. Parents love that the suction design can not only stick to the bathtub or shower wall but can also be used on the table or high chair to entertain toddlers at meal times, too. Plus, because these are designed for ages 6 months and up, 2-year-olds can share them with younger siblings in the bath. There are no holes for water to get inside, so you won’t have to worry about these bath toys molding, either.

For a toddler  gift, you can’t do much better than something that lights up and makes noise. The LeapFrog Yum 2-3 Toaster checks all of these boxes, while also teaching skills like counting, patience, and cause and effect. The toaster also sparks imaginative play and serves as a creative learning tool for toddlers with play food and an interactive toaster. It includes three food buttons, so they can explore numbers, counting and colors, too. Parents say that it entertains their kids for hours, especially with the multiple ways to play.

Perfect for the budding chef or an eager-to-help toddler, learning towers help make meal prep a fun family activity. There are lots of options for learning towers depending on your needs: capacity for one or two, foldable or not and safety nets versus an open area to climb up. This particular option from Guidecraft is adjustable to accommodate growth spurts and is durably constructed with solid hardwood and birch plywood to safely support up to 125 pounds. 

It goes without saying, but if you’re thinking of this for a toddler in your life, always check in with the parents first before adding this to their kitchen decor. It comes in white, gray, ivory and a natural wood finish.