Best Toys for Two-Year-Olds
Your toddler is on a mission to learn, grow and have fun. Encourage them with these fun skill-building toys.
By Amylia Ryan and Briana Engelbrecht
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Despite all the talk of the “terrible twos,” this age (and the awesome gear that comes with it) is a blast. Your toddler is ready to learn and explore through play, and toys like play kitchens, tool sets and building blocks help them imagine and grow into their world all while having tons of fun.
Their little hands will be busy building fine motor skills, dexterity and coordination. It’s all about giving them the freedom to be creative, whether that’s through role playing with a baby doll, steering a train down the hallway or “cooking” you green eggs and ham.
Here are some things to think about when searching for toys your toddler will love playing with (and learn a little along the way):
- Look for toys that can be shared with playmates or siblings. While sharing toys with siblings or friends may not always be a breeze, remember that it’s a work in progress and the right toys can help foster social skills and prepare them for their first friendships.
- Look for toys that can grow with your child. Toddlers seem to grow at the speed of light, so toys that work for a wide range of ages (think two to five years) will keep them entertained and you won’t have to keep buying new toys all the time.
- Encourage creativity and exploration through imagination. While art supplies technically aren’t “toys”, toddler arts and crafts encourage creativity and exploration. Foster responsibility and confidence. Toddlers tend to be captivated by everything they observe their parents doing. And pretend play is a great gateway to hours of independent play and learning. Pint-sized kitchens, tool sets and baby dolls let them safely pretend and follow adults’ examples as they cook, build and play house.
Here are some of the most-loved toys to help two-year-olds explore and learn.
Best Toys for Pretend Play
From pop-up playhouses to a perfectly sized cleaning set, let their imagination soar with these pretend play toys.
Manhattan Toy
Playdate Friends
Manhattan Toy
Baby Stella Beige with Brown Hair
Wonder & Wise
Smart Cleaning Cart
Wonder & Wise
Little Builder Workbench
West Elm Kids
Sydney Play Kitchen
West Elm Kids
Mini Grocery Basket Set - Fruit
Melissa & Doug
Wooden Food
Wonder & Wise
Pop Up Playhome Tent
cuddle+kind
Hand-Knit Doll
Melissa & Doug
Cutting Fruit Set
Best Educational (Yet Fun) Toys for Two-Year-Olds
From building spatial awareness to learning the alphabet, these are a few of our favorite puzzles, blocks and more.
Petit Collage
Farm Babies Beginner Puzzle
Best Art Supplies for Two-Year-Olds
Foster their inner creative with these arts and crafts favorites.
oekaki house
oekaki house - Magic drawing board
Melissa & Doug
Easel Accessory Set
Kinetic Sand
Beach Sand 3lb
Best Toys for Big Movement
These toys get them movin’ and groovin’ (and also encourage gross motor development).
Fat Brain Toys
Gonge Riverstones
Lily & River
Birch Wood Climber
Joovy
Tricycoo UL Trike
Gentle Monster
Wooden Wobble Balance Board
Best Books for Two-Year-Olds
Stories they’ll want to read over and over (and over!).
Looking for more toys?
Check out our Toy Shelf in the Babylist Shop!
Amylia Ryan
Associate Editor
Amylia Ryan is the Associate Editor at Babylist, specializing in the topics of health, wellness and lifestyle products. Combining a decade of experience in writing and editing with a deep passion for helping people, her number one goal in her work is to ensure new parents feel supported and understood. She herself is a parent to two young children, who are more than willing to help product test endless toys, books, clothes, toiletries and more.
Briana Engelbrecht
Assistant Editor
Briana Engelbrecht is Babylist’s Assistant Editor, where she brings her passion for early childhood development and the perinatal period, plus experience as a mom of two to Babylist articles and guides. She’s also a certified lactation counselor. A former preschool teacher, she loves children’s picture books, cats, plants and making things.
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