You haven’t experienced true rejection until you’ve watched a 2-year-old unwrap your present only to discard it within seconds. You might think shopping for a toddler is easy, but think again. Things they can sort? They love them. Overly complicated building materials? Save that for when your favorite kiddo hits 5. Too confused to know the difference? Bookmark these 21 toys and gifts for 2-year-olds that they’ll actually enjoy.
These items run the gamut from sensory development toys to early art supplies, motor skills-focused materials to exercise equipment. What they have in common is they’re all fantastic gifts for 2-year-olds, each designed to be age appropriate and attention-grabbing. Consider the indoor trampoline, for example. If you’ve ever watched the sheer joy of a tot bouncing on one of these tramps in a friend’s living room, then you know that the person who gifted this incredible item surely must be a lifelong hero in that kid’s eyes. You could be the same to a child you love.
And to make shopping even easier, we’ve divided this list of winning gift ideas into categories.
We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.
Best Gifts for Energetic 2-Year-Olds
Know a tiny busy body that just can’t stay still? Do their folks a favor and buy them one of these active toys that will help burn off some of their energy.
Play Tunnel from Melissa & Doug
If you want to hear hours upon hours of giggles, this tunnel is what you need. Ideal for hide and seek, pretend, afternoon naps (yours or your kid’s), this toy offers a wealth of playtime opportunities. But the real reason to love it is that, thanks to velcro straps, it can be folded up Slinky-style and easily stored away from sight.
Gymnic Roddy
Parents whose kids have this silly bouncy horse toy cannot say enough good things about it and that makes perfect sense. It’s soft, so as long as a child is bouncing in an open space, they can’t get injured. Plus, the size makes it easy for small kids to control.
Early Rider Balance Bike
It is never too early to start training a child on how to bike and the best way to prep them for life on two wheels is with a balance bike. We like this one’s wood design which can handle children up to 100 pounds so they can use it for a few years.
Teeter Popper
Incredibly amusing, the Teeter popper is like a mini rocking chair that suctions to the floor as a child sways back and forth. They’ll love it for the action and the noise and their parents will just be thrilled they’re distracted for a minute.
PlaSmart The Original PlasmaCar Scooter
Got a kid that likes to cruise? Then set them up for a joy ride with this swift vehicle they can power with their body weight. Perfect for cul de sac rolling, this bright device is also easy to spot.
Fisher-Price Bubble Mower
If the 2-year-old you know wants to be just like their parents, working in the yard every weekend, then this bubble mower is a sure winner. They can push their own little lawn management tool that will blow bubbles each step of the way.
A Modern Ball Pit That's Instagram-Worthy
It’s no McDonald’s playland ball pit, but it’s a micro version (and probably a heck of a lot cleaner). So what’s not to love? Tots can roll around in this thing for hours and clean up is easy. Just toss the balls back in when they’re done.
Water Table
A great gift for fast-approaching spring, a water table allows kids to splash and play with everything at their own height. Go ahead, let them get messy with this great gift.
Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds with Busy Hands
Talk to any early childhood development expert and they’ll tell you how important it is to help encourage a child’s fine motor skills. That means giving children toys that require the use of their hands to place shapes inside of varying holes or knock wood pegs into a board. These do just those things in all kinds of ways.
Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Piggy Bank
Give your kids a foundation in finance and shapes with this piggy bank that does both.
Dimpl Duo
The concept behind Dimpl Duo is so simple, but it’s truly a mesmerizing toy for any young child. They just pop rubber dimples that have the outlines of shapes on them. That’s it. Mind blowing.
Brio Railway
Brio train sets are great because while they require building, the wood tracks are simple enough that even young kids can manipulate them and play choo choo all afternoon long.
New Sprouts Fix It!, Fine Motor Tools for Toddlers
Knock on wood, this toy is going to win you big smiles. Filled with mini plastic tools, it lets 2-year-olds try their hands at building without sacrificing any fingers in the process.
Coogam Matching Eggs
This toy is just downright adorable, but that’s not even the real selling point. What looks like a pack of plastic eggs is actually a toddler-appropriate matching game that requires critical thinking and eye-hand coordination.
Building Bath Pipes
Water play meets engineering with these bath building pipes that come in fun shapes and colors and give kids a way to channel their energy instead of simply splashing.
Pretend Toys Perfect for 2-Year-Olds
Encouraging imaginative play has been shown time and again to be beneficial to children’s development. Help them build their pretend worlds with these great toys.
Play Kitchen
If you know a little one who loves to pretend to cook, then give them the ultimate gift of a mini kitchen playset. Complete with pots and pans, this kit has everything they need to go make you a three-course fantasy meal.
JOYIN White Rocket Spaceship Tent
This rocket makes a great gift, as parents will love it as much as their kids thanks to the fact that it’s made out of fabric and can be easily stored.
Melissa & Doug Vet Playset
Loving animals begins at an early age, for many so this Melissa & Doug vet kit makes a great gift for a buddy veterinarian.
Artsy Toys for 2-Year-Olds
Letting children get creative with art supplies can open whole new worlds within their imagination. Fortunately, companies like Crayola have figured out ways to encourage this behavior without making a mess.
Crayola® Easy-Clean Fingerpaint Set
Easy clean is the optimum phrase here. With this neat finger paint kit, little hands can go wild on the colors without parents having to worry their house will be destroyed.
Munchkin Bath Crayons
Equally easy to clean up are Munchkin bath crayons. Children can use the tube as their canvas, then watch their works of art wash away when it’s time to pull the plug.
No matter what you choose, you're bound to find something for the curious, creative, sometimes mischievous 2-year-old in your life.
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