Best Toys for 2 Years Old

TOY GUIDES

The Bonding Mama

7/1/202519 min read

Best Toys for 2 Year Old Who Can't Sit Still
  1. Cozy Coupe Dinosaur: You cannot go wrong with this one! Honestly, it’s been a hit in almost every toddler home I know. It’s perfect for zooming around the garden or even inside the house if you’ve got the space.

  2. Stepping Stones: These are so fun. You can set them up in all kinds of ways, like a little obstacle course, or “only walk on green!” days. Great for balance and coordination, but also just really good silly fun.

  3. Pikler Triangle Set: We have this, and it’s a 10/10! If your little one loves climbing (as all toddlers do), this is a must-have. I love that it grows with them, and indoors, year-round, this gets used a lot.

  4. Basket Ball Set; I didn’t expect this to be such a win, but wow, it keeps them busy. You’ll have lots of giggles pretending to be “team mama” vs “team toddler.” Great for getting those jumps in and burning off energy!

  5. Game Time Sports Climber: This is like a mini playground in your backyard! Climbing, sliding, tossing, all in one. It’s such a fun setup for active play, especially when they need a good physical outlet.

  6. Brown Hopping Horse: I’ll be honest, this one is just pure joy. The bouncing, the squeals, the wobbling, it’s fun and so good for balance. Plus, it doesn’t take up too much space.

  7. Sit ‘n Spin: Total throwback! It’s one of those toys that looks so simple but keeps them busy for ages. Plus, it works their little arms and core without them even realizing it.

  8. Toddler Bike with Push Handle: My son loves this! We started off using the parent handle to guide him around and now he wants to ride “all by himself.” It’s great for building confidence as it has 5 different modes to use!

  9. Balance Beam: This is one of those “quiet” toys that actually works so many muscles. Do animal walks on it, or sometimes just practice slow, careful steps. Excellent for building focus and concentration too!

  10. Trampoline: An indoor lifesaver. Before it’s time to bed, and you’ve got a toddler with energy to burn, this comes to the rescue. The handlebar is great for safety and maybe they’ll love pretending it’s a “rocket launch pad.”

Best Fine Motor Toys for 2 Years Old
  1. Wooden Knife Set: If your toddler loves copying you in the kitchen, this one is a must. The pieces are wooden and easy to grip! Great for pretend play and practicing that careful hand control.

  2. Drill and Learn Toolbox: Okay, this one is just plain fun! Buttons, lights, little screws to “fix”, perfect if your toddler is into tools. Fantastic for building little hand muscles while they feel like they’re doing real work.

  3. Magnetic Fishing Game: You’d think a simple game like this wouldn’t keep them hooked (pun intended), but it really does! It’s amazing for hand-to-eye coordination and focus. Sneak in colors and counting too as you play!

  4. Busy Board: You need one of these in your diaper bag or car. Zippers, laces, clips, it keeps their hands busy and minds working, especially on the go. Use it a lot on long drives or during those endless waiting room minutes.

  5. Squigz Set: These are the weirdest-looking little suction things, but wow, they’re fun. Stick them to windows, tables, each other… Awesome for hand strengthening, and actually satisfying even when I play with them (if that makes sense)!

  6. Clamp Bee to Hive: This is one of those Montessori-style gems. Tiny bees + color sorting + a little tweezer? Perfect combination! Use it for quiet time, and build those fine motor muscles.

  7. Jumbo Pop Tubes: So simple, but SO loud (fair warning!). Your toddler will love pulling and pushing these, great for hands and also a fun way to work on cause and effect. Plus, you can turn them into wearable “snakes.”

  8. Woodpecker Feeding Game: A cute little game that gets them using a tweezer-like grip (which is great for pre-writing skills!). And they love “feeding” the baby bird, it’s a winner in our house.

  9. Spike the Fine Motor HedgeHog: This one’s a classic for a reason. My son loves sticking the spikes in and pulling them out again. Easy to set up, easy to store, and great for color matching too.

  10. Reusable Sticker Pads: I have bought five of these pads over three years. They’re mess-free, no peeling-off-the-wall drama, and they actually hold up well. Great for creativity andpractising peeling and sticking!

Best Toys for 2 Years Old Who Loves Being in the Kitchen
  1. Food Groups: Such a fun way to explore fruits, veggies, dairy, grains, and proteins, without the actual mealtime mess. It’s kind of like their own mini grocery store, and it’s a great way to talk about food groups while they “cook.”

  2. Wooden Tea Set: You’ll have so many pretend tea parties with this set. I love that it’s wooden (so sturdy!) and includes sugar cubes, a little lemon wedge, and even pretend tea bags. Toddlers feel so fancy serving you a “hot cup of nothing.”

  3. Farmer's Market Set: This one’s a total fave to build your toddler’s interest in sorting or pretend shopping. Everything’s color-coded into little baskets, super helpful for learning colors and imaginary play.

  4. Toaster Set: It pops! Like a real toaster. Comes with wooden toast, butter, and even a pretend knife for “spreading.” Such a cute addition to any pretend kitchen. Mine goes “butter toast readyyy” at least ten times a day.

  5. Baker’s Mixing Set: The little stand mixer actually spins. Perfect for the toddlers who want to “make a cake like mama.” Makes a great gift for birthday or use during pretend birthdays; it’s so sweet and really detailed.

  6. Pots & Pans and Cooking Utensils: These look so real; it’s wild. Keep these out all the time in your pretend kitchen.Spatula, spoon, whisk; all toddler-sized and perfect for that ‘little chef’ feeling.

  7. Pizza Party Set: One of the most loved pretend sets in our home! Velcro toppings = endless pizza combos. And my son loves cutting and “serving” it to us. Honestly, it’s a pretend play classic.

  8. Cookies Play Set: These are such a win. You "slice" the cookie dough, place them on the tray, bake them (in the air apparently), and then decorate. It’s fun, mess-free baking, and great for practicing turn-taking and sharing too.

  9. Chef Costume: The hat. The apron. The oven mitt! It’s too cute. Adds so much excitement to pretend play, and really makes them feel like they’re the real deal in the kitchen.

  10. Play Sink with Cooking Stove: This one actually has running water. We use it several times DAILY next to the real kitchen sink when I’m in there. Little one never gets tired of washing his little dishes and stays busy foreverrrr!

Best Pretend Play Toys for 2 Years Old
  1. Shopping Cart: This is as real as it gets. It’s sturdy, has a little seat for their doll or bear, and rolls super smoothly. Use it during pretend grocery runs and even for pushing around random blocks.

  2. Cleaning Caddy: Tiny spray bottle, sponge, cloth; it’s basically a toddler version of cleaning stash. Mine loves “cleaning the windows” and wiping tables just like mama. It actually keeps them busy while you do the real thing!

  3. Doctor’s Kit: This is such a good one for everyday pretend play and for helping ease any doctor-related fears. Check heartbeat, give pretend shots, and pratise feeling “All better now!”.

  4. House Cleaning Set: Honestly, this one sees daily action in our house. The broom, mop, and duster are all toddler-sized and perfect for pretend household chores (which sometimes turn into real ones).

  5. Doll Stroller: If your little one loves babies or soft toys, this stroller is the thing. It folds like a real stroller. Take it everywhere; from room to room to park walks and grocery trips.

  6. Laundry Basket with Iron: Such a fun little pretend setup! The clothes are adorable and the iron even clicks! Great for role play and copying what they see at home, plus, it’s so easy to store.

  7. Teaching Telephone: This one brings all the pretend convos. So many buttons, and they love calling grandma, the pizza man, or just “work.” It’s also great for introducing numbers and turn-taking.

  8. Dentist Smile Kit: I didn’t expect this to be such a hit, but it’s been so loved. It comes with pretend teeth, tools, and even a little mask. We’ve had some hilarious checkups and giggles over “tooth brushing lessons.”

  9. Mailbox with Postcards: So simple but so sweet. Mine is obsessed with receiving parcels that arrive at home, so this was an instant hit! Draw with crayons, post letters, and pretend to deliver the mail around the house.

  10. Makeup Set: A super cute set for little ones who love mimicking makeup time. It’s all pretend, of course, but they feel so proud doing it “just like mama.” Comes in a little case and is perfect for role play or travel.

Best Board Games for Toddlers
  1. Get Up For Pup: This one is so fun for getting toddlers moving. They don’t just sit and play, they’re up, jumping, spinning, and wiggling. It’s a great way to burn energy indoors, and easy enough for two-year-olds to follow along.

  2. Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game: An absolute classic. Kids use a little squirrel tweezer to pick up acorns and match colors, it’s secretly an awesome fine motor workout.

  3. Monkey Around: If you want a game that feels more like play than “rules,” this is it. It’s full of silly movement cards, like balancing a banana beanbag on your head or giving hugs. You’ll always end up in giggles with this one.

  4. Nibble Munch Crunch: Super cute game for teaching healthy eating and turn-taking. You feed animals their favorite foods, and the chunky pieces are perfect for toddler hands.

  5. My First Orchard: A gentle intro to board games. Simple rules, beautiful wooden pieces, and a cooperative style, so you all win together. It’s calming and lovely for slower-paced play.

  6. Where’s Bear?: Part stacking game, part hide-and-seek. You hide the little bear under boxes and toddlers love guessing where he is. Short, sweet, and just right for quick attention spans.

  7. Seek-a-Boo: Like a giant memory game but with big, sturdy cards. You lay them out across the floor and go searching. Great for burning energy while also practicing vocabulary and memory.

  8. Duck Duck Dance: Full of music, silly moves, and adorable duck characters. It’s a great way to introduce game-taking turns while getting everyone up and moving.

  9. Suuuper Size Memory Game: The big cards are perfect for little hands, and it’s simple enough that they actually get the concept of matching. Start with just a few pairs and add more as they get better.

  10. Acorn Soup:Total cozy vibes. You “cook” with pretend ingredients like flower petals and pinecones by following a recipe card. It's calm, sensory, and just the sweetest little game for quiet afternoons.

Best Puzzles for 2 Years Old
  1. Musical Instruments: This one’s always a hit! Each time they put in the right piece, it plays that instrument’s tune. Great for matching and music-loving toddlers.

  2. Wooden Animals: So simple and so beautiful. The animal shapes are chunky and easy to grab, and the minimal design really helps them focus.

  3. Water Creatures: Ocean lovers, this one’s for you! The pieces are all water animals and it’s great for introducing names like “stingray” and “jellyfish.” P§air with books and underwater pretend play too.

  4. Magnetic Puzzles Bug & Fish: The magnet wand makes it so fun. Fish out and match the little pieces, it’s a great fine motor challenge and surprisingly engaging!

  5. Wooden Bear Family: Dress-up and puzzles in one! You get to mix and match bear faces and outfits. We’ve had entire conversations about why baby bear is “sad” or “sleepy”; great for emotions and storytelling.

  6. Around the House: Everyday items like toothbrushes, keys, and spoons; this one sparks so many “we have that too!” moments.

  7. Wheels on the Bus: If your toddler loves the song (and let’s be honest, all of them do), this one is a no-brainer. Super fun to do together, and each piece tells a part of the story.

  8. Head and Tails: Super cute for matching animal tops and bottoms, like “cow head, cow tail.” It’s silly, fun, and actually really good for visual discrimination and language.

  9. Shape Sorting Clock: It’s a puzzle, a shape sorter, and a clock all in one. We’re not telling time yet, but it’s great for color matching, number recognition, and just moving the hands around.

  10. Complex Shape Sorting: A lovely little combo of shapes and colors that keeps them busy. It’s great for learning shape names and practicing that pincer grip.

Best Toys for 2 Year Old Who Loves Animals
  1. Forest Stacker: It’s one of those toys you actually don’t mind leaving out on the shelf. Perfect for stacking, pretending, or just chatting about “who lives in the forest.”

  2. Hand Puppets: These are so much fun. Use them for little shows, silly voices at bedtime, or even just to say “hi” in the morning. Great for imagination and storytelling, and encouraging language too.

  3. Zoo Animal Play Set: You get a whole zoo in one box! They’re realistic, sturdy, and perfect for open-ended play. Pop into sensory bins, bath time, or even grocery bags.

  4. MagnaTiles Safari Animals: If you already have Magna-Tiles, this adds such a fun twist. You get little animals and scenery pieces, and the endless pretend play.

  5. Matching Dinosaurs: Toddlers + dinos = instant hit. These are chunky, colorful, and perfect for matching practice. We love naming them, roaring a little too loud, and lining them up by size or color.

  6. Jumbo Farm Animals: We have these for over a year now! Just classic, solid farm animals. Great size, really durable, and perfect for playing “Old MacDonald” or creating your own barnyard setup.

  7. Animal Magnets: Put these on your fridge. Your toddler will play while you cook. Talk about their names, sounds, colors or pretend scenes.

  8. Animal Rescue Shape-Sorting Set: Part puzzle, part pretend play. Rescue animals, match shapes, and load them into the truck.

  9. Horse Stable Playset: If you’ve got a little horse lover, this set is so sweet. The stable is easy for them to open, close, and carry around. Great for pretend grooming and barnyard play.

  10. Safari Animals Play Mat: You get a big batch of safari animals and a play mat; so it's basically a whole world in a box. Fantastic for open-ended play, especially to pull out when you need a quiet activity that still feels exciting.

Best Toys for 2 Year Old Who Loves Vehicles
  1. Wooden Train Set: A lovely little starter set if your toddler is train-obsessed. It’s simple, sturdy, and just the right size for little hands.

  2. Remote Control Tractor: If you’ve got a little one who loves buttons, this remote-control tractor is a huge win. It’s easy to steer, chunky enough for toddlers to handle, and surprisingly durable.

  3. Steering Wheel: Perfect for car rides, stroller walks, or even just pretend driving around the house. Lots of buttons, sounds, and lights; your toddler will think they’re actually navigating through traffic.

  4. Hot Wheels Cars and Trucks: Classic and always a hit. Keep a stash in the diaper bag and car. They zoom, they crash, they park in every shoe in the house. Great for open-ended play and easy to collect.

  5. Vehicles Set: You get everything; construction trucks, emergency vehicles, and more. They’re big, colorful, and super sturdy. Line them up, assign each a job, and make them talk to each other.

  6. Wooden Airplane Set: This one's great for little aviators. The set includes a plane plus people and even luggage; perfect for storytelling and pretend airport adventures.

  7. Dump Truck: Made from recycled plastic and built like a tank. It’s perfect for indoor or outdoor play. Take it to the park, beach, and backyard. Easy to clean and totally toddler-proof.

  8. Garbage Truck: You’ll be amazed how much joy toddlers get from pretend trash day. This one comes with little bins they can “dump” into the back. Pull it out every recycling day!

  9. Train Set: A step up from the smaller sets; this one comes with tracks, bridges, signs, and more. A great choice if your toddler is ready to build bigger scenes and create their own train world.

  10. Stacking Train: Part stacking toy, part pull-along train. Love it for combining fine motor skills with vehicle fun. They can build it, pull it, and take it all apart again, perfect for busy hands.

Best Art Supplies for 2 Year Old
  1. Washable Paints: These are a must when starting to explore painting. The colors are vibrant, the mess washes off easily (bless!), and it’s a great intro to messy play without the long clean-up regret.

  2. Washable Markers: These are basically our everyday go-to. Easy to grip, super smooth to use, and genuinely washable—even off the couch (don’t ask). I always keep a set in the art drawer.

  3. Do.A.Dot. Art Paint Markers: If you haven’t tried dot markers yet, prepare to be amazed. So toddler-friendly; no spilling, no brushes, just dab and go. We love using them for quick, no-prep art days.

  4. Scented Coloring Pad: It’s scratch-and-sniff meets coloring time. Think fruity, sweet smells that toddlers love, and thick pages that don’t tear easily. It’s a great little sensory add-on to coloring.

  5. Dinosaur Sticker Activity Pad: Dinosaurs + stickers + coloring = toddler bliss. It’s a great travel companion or something to pull out when you need a calm moment.

  6. Paint Brush Set: Chunky handles made for toddler hands. These are easy to grip, soft enough for gentle strokes, and durable for all the “let’s scrub the paper” moments. Perfect add-on to any paint set.

  7. Chalkboard and Whiteboard: Love this one for double-sided fun. One day we’re doing chalk art, the next we’re sticking magnets or practicing shapes with markers. It folds up nicely too.

  8. Chalk Set: These chunky sticks are perfect for tiny hands and come in the best colors. Use them on the board, on cardboard boxes, on the patio; you name it. They wash off so easily too.

  9. Stamp Set: A little stamp station can keep them busy for ages. This one comes with fun shapes and washable ink pads. It’s a great way to work those fine motor skills while making “stamp stories.”

  10. Doodle Mat:Mess-free magic! Just add water to the pen and let them go wild. The colors appear like magic, and then it dries clear to start all over again. Use this a ton during quiet time or before bed wind-downs.

Sensory Play for 2 Year Old
  1. Multi-Purpose Activity Table: This table is such a good investment for all types of sensory play. Two big bins with lids, and lots of space to scoop, pour, and mix whatever mess you throw in there; rice, water, sand, beans, you name it.

  2. Kinetic Sand: If you haven’t tried kinetic sand yet, you’re in for a treat. It sticks to itself. Great for scooping, shaping, and honestly, kind of relaxing to play with yourself too.

  3. Inspire My Play Tray With Lid: This one is such a dream to set up and store. I love that it has compartments so you can set up themed trays; colors, textures, seasonal bits, it makes it all feel organized even when things get chaotic.

  4. Sensory Scoops: These scoops make any bin instantly more fun. Toddlers love transferring, pouring, and “cooking” with them. Throw them into all sorts of bins, and they will always get used.

  5. Waterproof Playmat: A sensory play lifesaver as it has a waterproof plus absorbent layer. Use this under messy bins, paint, bubbles. It folds up small, washes easily, and saves your floors more times than I can count.

  6. Shape, Model and Mold Clay: A nice in-between of playdough and modeling clay. It’s soft, not sticky, and holds its shape really well. Great for little hands to work on strength and coordination.

  7. Play-Doh 12 Pack Cans: The classic. You can never go wrong with Play-Doh. This pack comes with tons of colors (which will eventually all turn brown, of course). Perfect for open-ended squish and smash fun.

  8. Play-Doh Set: I love that this one comes with a storage box. It keeps everything (sort of) contained and comes with fun cutters and rollers. A great set to keep in rotation during quiet playtime.

  9. Tweezers and Bin Toys: Add these to your sensory bin and watch the focus come out. The tweezers are perfect for working fine motor skills while they hunt for little toys or sort colors.

  10. Piano Mat:This one’s a different kind of sensory play; sound + movement. They can jump, tap, or crawl on it to make music. It’s fun, active, and so good for body awareness and rhythm.

Problem-Solving Play for 2 Year Old
  1. Dump Truck: This one combines two toddler favorites, trucks and puzzles. They match the shapes, pop them in, then dump them all out and start again. Perfect for keeping those little hands (and minds) busy.

  2. Keys and Cars Rescue Vehicle: It’s a car set and a lock-and-key puzzle! They figure out which key unlocks which garage, and there’s something so satisfying about that little click when they get it right.

  3. Buckle Pillow: This soft little pillow is packed with buckles, snaps, and zips. It’s one of those things they’ll sit and quietly fiddle with for ages, and you’ll wonder how it’s suddenly been 20 minutes.

  4. Dominoes: Use these for matching colors and animals; just laying them out and finding the right piece is a little brain workout. It’s also great for introducing turn-taking and early game skills.

  5. Farmyard Head & Tails: A gentle introduction to basic game play; memory building, matching, and making decisions. And it has animals, which is always a toddler win.

  6. Lacing Beads: These chunky beads are fun to thread and sort, and lacing is surprisingly tricky at first, so it’s great for building patience and coordination. Use these for color sorting too.

  7. Caterpillar Matching Game: Memory game but extra cute. The pieces are shaped like little caterpillars and are the perfect size for toddler hands. Easy to learn, and it’s great for attention and visual memory.

  8. Shape Sorting Cupcakes: These are just plain adorable. You match the top to the bottom by shape, then “bake” and “serve” them, pretend play + problem-solving all in one.

  9. Whack-a-Frog: This one’s like a mini arcade game for toddlers. You hit the frogs when they light up; sounds silly, but it builds focus, timing, and hand-eye coordination while feeling totally like play.

  10. Double-Sided Pattern Blocks: Comes with pattern cards they can copy using shape pieces; it’s a fun way to build spatial reasoning without it feeling like a “lesson.”

Socio-Emotional Play for 2 Year Old
  1. Feelings in a Flash: These cards are such a simple way to start big feelings conversations. Each one shows a different emotion with a relatable situation; perfect for chatting about what happy, sad, or frustrated actually looks like.

  2. Who’s Feeling What? A matching game that helps toddlers learn to read facial expressions. It’s great for empathy-building; “How do you think he feels?” and “What might help her feel better?”

  3. Don’t Go Bananas: Think Uno, but with emotions. It’s simple enough for toddlers to follow and sneakily helps them learn to recognize and name what they’re feeling. Use this during wind-down time.

  4. Hands are not for Hitting: This one’s a must in every toddler bookshelf. Short, clear, and helpful for teaching that feelings are okay, but hands should stay kind. Read it anytime hitting shows up, and it really helps reset.

  5. Feelings Pineapple: A favorite in the playroom. You can mix and match faces to create different expressions; it opens up so many conversations about “What does mad look like?” and “Why do we feel that way sometimes?”

  6. Magnetic Maze: This one’s all about emotion sorting. Use the magnetic wand to guide feelings to the matching character. It’s calming and interactive, kind of like a feelings fidget toy.

  7. A Little Spot of Emotion: These soft little characters each represent an emotion and come with storybooks to match. Make them part of your routine, bring “calm” to storytime or “sad” to snuggle when having a tough moment.

  8. My Feelings Mirror: Simple but powerful. Use it to explore facial expressions, “Can you show me a surprised face?” It’s also fun during pretend play, and great for developing emotional awareness and identity.

  9. Feelings Dice: These are fun for quick prompts, roll a face and talk about a time you felt like that. Perfect to use as part of your bedtime routine to talk about your day.

  10. Feelings Puzzle Cards: Matching games with emotions and actions, “When do you feel proud?” or “What makes you feel shy?” They’re perfect for one-on-one time and help toddlers start making sense of their emotional world.

Best Books for 2 Year Old
  1. Stir Whisk Crack Bake: This walks you through a pretend baking recipe with actions you can copy; cracking, whisking, stirring. It’s interactive, sweet, and a fun way to mix reading with pretend play.

  2. Noisy Farm: A sound book that’s actually not annoying (win!). You press the buttons to hear each animal, and the illustrations are adorable. Great for animal sounds and making storytime a bit more lively.

  3. What’s in My House?: A lift-the-flap book full of everyday household objects; perfect for helping toddlers name things they see around them. The flaps are big and sturdy, and they love the guessing game each time.

  4. Feed the Animals: This one’s always a hit; your toddler gets to “feed” the animals with little cardboard food cutouts. So fun and interactive, and they love choosing who eats what. It’s silly in the best way.

  5. Laundry Day: I wasn’t sure how exciting a book about laundry could be, but it’s adorable. It shows a busy little character doing laundry from start to finish; and has little pieces of laundry you toddler can put around.

  6. Busy Day Vet: Part of a super cute series that shows toddlers doing grown-up jobs. This one follows a little vet and all the animals they care for. It’s a lovely mix of pretend play inspiration and real-world learning.

  7. Little Blue Truck Leads the Way: We love Little Blue in our house. This book brings the same gentle rhyming rhythm with a sweet message about teamwork and kindness; even in the big busy city.

  8. Around the Farm: A sound book with Eric Carle’s signature illustrations; it’s a win-win. Press to hear animal noises while spotting familiar farm scenes. It’s educational and really engaging for toddlers.

  9. Busy Safari: We’re big fans of the Busy Books series; push, pull, turn! This one takes you on a safari adventure with animals to spot and things to move on every page. So good for little hands.

  10. Tap the Magic Tree: A gentle, magical book that invites your toddler to interact; tap, shake, and watch the tree change through seasons. It’s simple, beautiful, and calming in the best way.

  11. Cookies Interactive Recipe Book:Your toddler turns the pages and “makes” cookies step-by-step. Mixing, scooping, baking; it’s so fun and hands-on without the flour explosion on your kitchen floor.