30+ fantastic holiday gifts for 2-year-olds

This little tool set is ideal for budding builders! Equipped with rubber-lined wheels and tons of accessories, Fat Brain Toy’s My Fixer Upper Tool Bus is a mobile playset that is sure to get their gears turning. (Sorry, we had to.)  The nuts and bolts can be used to affix the wooden pieces, while the push cart itself provides plenty of storage for their tools.

Challenge their problem-solving skills with these two-piece animal puzzles! The oversize pieces are great for small hands and made from thick cardboard which stands up to rough play. (Though not so much to chomping on.)

Brand new from Melissa & Doug, we can’t say enough great things about Blockables. The innovative holed blocks allow kids to build in multiple ways. The youngest kiddos can stack, sort and knock over like traditional blocks, but as they grow, can get more sophisticated. With the addition of the easy to manipulate connectors, they can build three dimensional vehicles and animals or get creative by mixing and matching. There’s even two cute little farmers who can hitch a ride on the tractor! And as if that wasn’t enough, the box itself creates the perfect back drop and is roomy enough for them to put the pieces back themselves.

Age two is the perfect time to introduce a kid to Legos. Add in the Peppa Pig factor and we’re pretty sure this gift is a slam dunk. The supermarket themed set includes a drivable car and shopping cart, a checkout, freezer and food as well as Peppa, Mummy, Daddy and George.

Keep your toddler busy for hours with the 2-in-1 Ride & Play Camper from Radio Flyer. The sturdy construction makes it perfect for scooting around the house and when their legs get tired, it opens up for play time. Inside they’ll find an adorable camper scene complete with two cute animal friends ready for imaginative play! The pieces are chunky and easy for small hands to play with and when it’s time to clean up, just close it back up with the pieces neatly tucked in!

Melissa & Doug sound puzzles are always a hit, but when you add in the Magic of Ms. Rachel, it’s a total home run. Each of the easy-grab pieces play a different banger including The Wheels on the Bus, Can You Say Mama and Hop Like Bunnies and in the event you need a break (because even Ms. Rachel’s song stylings can get tiring after awhile) there’s an on/off switch at the back.

The super engaging Peek-a-Zoo Puzzle Box from KiwiCo is engaging from minute one. Each wooden cubby door features a “lock” that can be opened with one of four keys to find an animal inside. Of course that action alone will keep them playing for ages, but the open-endedness of the set allows for endless games of matching, memory, and imaginative play!

Winter days cooped up with busy toddlers can really put you to test. One seriously fun time killer? This super stylish ball pit. The durable design is made from squishy but sturdy memory foam and a washable cover to provide you energetic tot with a safe place to play or chill. (Ha!) Prices start at $199

Never met a mom & me matching moment we didn’t love! These leak-proof silicone toddler tumblers from Infantino are no exception. They come in a variety of fun colors, are easy to wash and they’re just too cute to resist. 

Toddlers love to help with whatever household chores you are doing. A mop, dust pan and broom just their size allows them to clean alongside you. (After all, chances are good it’s their mess you’re cleaning up.)

At this age, bath time and playtime are one and the same. Add in a little bit of learning as well with these colorful letter shaped animals from Alex! The soft foam sticks to the wall and tub when wet, then store them to dry in the included mesh bag.

With its soothing ocean sounds and underwater projections, the Cloud b Tranquil Turtle is more than just a stuffie. It’s a bedtime companion that’s beloved by parents and littles alike! The design is easy enough for them to operate on their own and the 23 minute auto-shut off is just long enough to help them transition to sleep. We also love the eco-friendlier rechargeable design!

You know that toddler who seems to be perpetually bouncing off the walls? (So, um, every toddler?) Rody is the perfect way to harness that energy in a fun and safe way. Not only does it promote balance and a fun workout for little wiggle worms, and bouncing is totally encouraged.

If mealtime feels like negotiating with a tiny tyrant, this may just be a gift for yourself. The divided plate ensures foods don’t touch (the horror!) while super fun construction vehicle utensils help encourage them to try at least a bite or two.

When you are learning to ride a bike, pedaling really is secondary to learning how to balance. Balance bikes are designed for pre-biking toddlers and will build their skills and confidence before they are ready to add pedals. There are tons of options on the market, but one of our top recommendations for 2-year-olds is the Strider Sport. Not only does it fit an impressively wide range of sizes (kids from 30-44 inches tall!), it’s also lightweight (6.7 pounds), easy to assemble and adjustable without tools. (I mean, they really do grow overnight, right?) No-flat tires are always ready to ride and toddler-sized grips make it easy for them to take control. Yes, it’s a bit more expensive than the Strider Classic, but with a post that can extend 3 inches longer and the addition of the handlebar pad, we think it’s worth the extra cost. And, since these high-quality rides can easily last through multiple kids, it’s really just pennies on the dollar.😉

Want more options? Check out The 5 best balance bikes for toddlers that make learning to ride a total breeze 

Paging Dr. Toddler! With this kit budding physicians can tend to the medical needs of their dolls and teddies with an arsenal of tools (all made from recycled plastic, btw), that all packs away into a toy ambulance they can zip from one house visit to the next.

What a treasure! Originally written in 1823 for the author’s own children, this edition of the Night Before Christmas poem is personalized with your family’s names to make it extra special.

Sometimes bigger is better: That’s the case with this super-sized twist on the classic game of memory. The big cards boasting illustrations of cartoon critters are ideal for tiny toddler hands. Not to mention, the rules are easy enough to follow for game newbies, and littles will hone cognitive skills while they play the game.

Climbing, hiding and playing pretend top the list of 2-year-old interests–and the Radio Flyer Play & Fold Away Fire Station checks all three boxes! The sturdy play space is designed for indoors and out with fun features including a built-in slide, climbing ladder, telescope, and rotating steering wheel along with a secret hideout underneath. Best of all, when play time is over, it folds flat for easy storage.

There’s a reason you can’t go a single New York City block without a kid whizzing past you on a Micro Kickboard Scooter. They’re not only super well made and easy to ride, they’re also far easier to carry than a tricycle when your two-year-old craps out halfway around the block. The low-to-the-ground and lean-to-steer design make for a smooth ride inside and out, while an adjustable handlebar gives kids room to grow, keeping this one in use up to around age 5.

Pikler triangles are a staple in Montessori classrooms and have subsequently gained popularity at home as well. Developed as a tool to help improve motor development skills, to forge independent activity, and to allow freedom of movement, they’re endlessly entertaining for toddlers and bigger kids alike. This foldable version comes with detachable ramp that features a rock wall to climb on one side and a flat surface for sliding on the other.

Our kiddos love the sneakers from Ten Little almost as much as we do. They’re designed with input from pediatricians and podiatrists with developing feet in mind, so they’ve got plenty of flex and a wide toe box for plenty of wiggle room. They’re easy to put on (with insoles that help guide which foot each shoe belongs to!) which is perfect for fostering toddler independence. But the par they’ll like best? They come with stickers to decorate and make each pair truly unique.

Listen. They’re not always a personal fave but there really is no easier shoe for toddlers than Crocs. (Let’s just leave them to their feet, ok?) They’re SO easy to slip on and off and there’s nary a complaint about them ever being squeezy or pokey. And there’s no need to give them up when the temperatures drop, because the fleece-lined version will keep tiny toes toasty and comfortable. Here’s to Crocs all year round!

If your tot is getting restless in the stroller, it may be time to swap for a more versatile stroller wagon. With the Veer, there’s nowhere you can’t go with this hybrid style that combines the ease and maneuverability of a stroller with the classic fun of a wagon. We tested this one on myriad surfaces and especially love the smooth ride (thanks to those big ol’ wheels) and the cup holders. What’s more, they’ve got an entire eco-system of awesome add-ons to make it the ultimate here-to-there contraption. From travel system adapters for the tiniest riders to cold weather kits to keep little ones warm, it’s a splurge that pays for itself in no time.

Want more options? Check out Adventuring with kids? Yes, you need a stroller wagon.

Two is the perfect age for gifting them a place to read a book, create an artful masterpiece, play with some play-dough or work on a puzzle. Minimalist baby gear brand Lalo offers one of the most stylish and versatile table and chairs sets on the market. Useful, fun and easy to sit on for tiny humans, the sets come in a variety of great colors and pairs perfectly with their giant coloring sheets which are designed to completely cover the table surface.

We just love this innovative play set and puzzle in one from Melissa & Doug. Using the magnetic scoop, they can put together a wide array of ice cream cones and sundaes, then test their matching skills to put it all back together. It’s a fun and engaging way to hone fine motor and problem solving skills while also playing pretend!

Whether on its own or part of the ultimate fort set up, a play tunnel is endless amounts of fun. When they’re tiny it’s a super engaging way to play round after round of peek-a-boo. As they get older they’ll find tons of different ways to play. From wearing it as a costume to making the spring leap up in the air, it’s always a delight. This particular option from KiwiCo is uniquely made up of three independent pieces which can configured in multiple ways to extend the fun.

Sensory play is one of our favorite ways to keep toddlers busy. A water table is a great investment at this age and can even be used indoors with rice or bird seed. (Or water of course with plenty of towels on hand!) At under $50, the Little Tikes Fish n’ Splash Water Table is hard to beat in the dollars to fun ratio. It’s easy to assemble and drain when they’re done and entertains kiddos from 12 months on up. Fun features like a tipping fish bowl, launcher and spinning lily pad give them plenty of play options while the included fishing pole, scoops and floating critters help them work their fine motor skills. We appreciate that it comes with just enough toys to keep them busy without overwhelming!

Looking for more options? Check out The best water tables for toddlers and kids

Sandboxes are another great tool for sensory play. This best-selling option from Step2 is one of our top picks for 2-year-olds because of its just-right size and height, allowing them to stand and play without getting sand in every crevice. (Well, mostly.) It also comes with a lid that doubles as a racetrack for zooming toy cars and and a five-piece sand toy set that’s perfect for both regular and kinetic sand. (You can also opt for beans, rice or even soil!)