Toddlers, specifically 2-year-olds, are developing at a rapid pace and they’re known to bounce from one activity to the next at warp speed. Finding gifts that keep them engaged, nurture their curiosity, and spark excitement is like striking holiday gold. To help you out, we’ve curated a list of unique gifts for tots that are up for the task. From a Ms. Rachel doll that’s sure to become their obsession to games that get kids counting to a babydoll they can bring in the bath, here are the best toys for 2-year-olds this season. Got kids of other ages? Check out our top picks for gifts for 18-24 month-olds, teens and tweens, and babies!
RATATAM XL Inflatable Fabric Ball
Never thought we’d say this, but have you ever seen a more beautiful ball? We’re smitten! And don’t worry, all that style doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing substance—the circus-worthy fabric is wrapped around a rubber interior, perfect for play.
RATATAM XL Inflatable Fabric Ball ($26)—Buy Here!
Fisher-Price Jungle Gym Playset
Skip a trip to the park or the play space by transforming your basement or backyard into a fun-filled playground! The Fisher-Price Jungle Gym is super easy to assemble with the provided tool and gets kids moving, even when they're stuck at home. The squeaky steps that take them to the slide are sure to bring the giggles, while the bean bag toss game works that hand-eye coordination. Talk about endless fun!
Fisher-Price Jungle Gym Playset ($79.99)—Buy Here!
Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll
If you’re facing daily whining for more Ms. Rachel, here’s a screen-free way to deliver. Not only does this plush doll make a cuddly companion, but a push on any one of her buttons plays favorite songs and phrases to help with cognitive development and communication.
Ms. Rachel Speak & Sing Doll ($29.99)—Buy Here!
Fisher-Price Big Action Load and Go Ride-On
If vehicles like skid steers and backhoe payloaders are living in your brain rent free, you’ve got a construction enthusiast on your hands—and we promise this is the gift they want this holiday season! They’ll love the construction sounds and scooping up big loads all by themselves.
Fisher-Price Big Action Load and Go Ride-On ($59.99)—Buy Here!
Melissa & Doug Blockables Safari Snap
Imaginations run wild with these super-cute safari animal blocks. Toddlers can easily snap together the pieces to create animals as we know them—or giggle away while they create their own silly hybrids (I never thought I needed to see a crocodaffe, but I did!).
Melissa & Doug Blockables Safari Snap ($19.97)—Buy Here!
Tender Leaf Toys Stacking Coral Reef
Boost fine motor skills and early reasoning with this gorgeous coral reef stacker, a fun new activity that your tot can do alone or you can play as a family. The sweet little sea creatures are also perfect for some pretend play.
Tender Leaf Toys Stacking Coral Reef ($49.99)—Buy Here!
Learning Resources Pick ‘n’ Sort Food Groups
Whether you have a play kitchen or not, we’re big fans of this fake food set, which comes with 22 different foods and four bins so kiddos can sort them into food groups. Get ready to place your order because you’re going to be playing a lot of pretend restaurant.
Learning Resources Pick ‘n’ Sort Food Groups ($32.99)—Buy Here!
Infunsame Play Kitchen
But don’t worry, we also found the prettiest pretend kitchen you’ve ever seen! It’s got plenty of storage, an induction cooktop and light-up oven with sound effects, gold hardware, and a built-in coffee maker and ice maker that drops toy cubes. Dreams!
Infunsame Play Kitchen ($166.36)—Buy Here!
iPlay iLearn Dinosaur Trucks
For toddlers, the only thing better than dinosaurs or trucks is DINOSAUR TRUCKS! The best part? When your tot pushes down on the trucks they zoom off. Work those fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination with every dinotruck adventure.
iPlay, iLearn Dinosaur Trucks ($21.24)—Buy Here!
Plan Toys Castle Blocks
Budding architects will love this clever set, which includes a king, queen, knight, and horse to house in their very own castle. From gates and stairs to turrets and towers, there are endless possibilities to create, all while building spatial awareness and math skills.
Plan Toys Castle Blocks ($50)—Buy Here!
Eco-kids Finger Paint Pack of 4
No need to worry if your kid’s paint-covered fingers make their way to their mouth (they will!)—these all natural paints are made from organic vegetable extracts. Just mix water into the powder and watch your tot’s imagination run wild.
Eco-kids Finger Paint Pack of 4 ($14.99)—Buy Here!
Green Toys RV Camper Set
Hit the road for a pretend camping trip with this fun play set, made from colorful recycled plastic. Kiddos can hook the pick-up truck, camper, and boat together for two feet of fun or play with them separately before setting up camp with two characters, a picnic table and a mini stove.
Green Toys RV Camper Set ($25.43)—Buy Here!
Waddle Karaoke Toddler Ride-On
It’s the toddler equivalent of a party bus and we’re so here for it! Yes, it’s got a microphone and drum kit and lights and sounds, and sure, the recipient’s parents may not be thrilled—but on the plus side it can also be used as a walker and works both fine and gross motor skills.
Waddle Karaoke Toddler Ride-On ($44.99)—Buy Here!
LullaBaby Plush Bath Doll
When rubber duckies just aren’t doing it anymore, it’s time for a bath toy glowup. And don’t worry, LullaBaby’s adorable dolls come with rubber duckies of their own, plus a towel to dry off after her bath. Tots learn about nurturing and care—only this baby is machine washable!
LullaBaby Plush Bath Doll ($14.95)—Buy Here!
KiwiCo Peek-a-Zoo Puzzle Box
This toy is pure brilliance, giving toddlers exactly what they love—putting things in and out of other things, animals, and opening boxes—while working their brains in the process. There are so many ways to play, from color matching to shape sorting and, eventually, turning it into a memory game.
KiwiCo Peek-a-Zoo Puzzle Box ($59.95)—Buy Here!
Micro Mini2Grow LED Scooter
Your toddler has a solid four or five years of cruising ahead of them with this 4-in-1 scooter, which starts out with a seat and a push handle, transitions to a handle-free balance toy, then becomes a three-wheel scooter. The best part? Magic glowing handles and LED wheels. Score!
Micro Mini2Grow LED Scooter ($129.99)—Buy Here!
iPlay, iLearn Bouncy Pals Fox
Kids can hold on tight to this fluffy fox’s ears and get their hop on! With its plush coating, you don’t have tot worry about uncomfortable friction, and it inflates easily with the included pump (and deflates just as easily for storage). Pay inside or outside and get all those beans out.
iPlay, iLearn Bouncy Pals Fox ($39.99)—Buy Here!
LeapFrog Count & Swirl Ice Cream Maker
We thought we’d seen it all in the world of pretend ice cream and then this awesome toy came along. Kiddos can pull a lever to release a scoop of their favorite flavor into a bowl or cone, then top with sauces and serve to hungry playmates. Yum!
LeapFrog Count & Swirl Ice Cream Maker ($24.97)—Buy Here!
Fisher-Price Little People Learning Farm
Generations of tots have fallen for this learning farm and its friendly songs (they’ll be stuck in your head for years, but it’s worth all those hours of independent play!). From putting animals in and out of their stalls to popping open the barn door and spinning the grain silo, there’s so much to do and three stages of play.
Fisher-Price Little People Learning Farm ($38.69)—Buy Here!
HABA First Orchard Toddler Game
Start ‘em young! If you can’t wait to get family game night going, your littlest members can try their hands at First Orchard, which has near-perfect reviews from 3,000 parents. Try to get the fruit before the raven while learning teamwork, taking turns, and following directions.
HABA First Orchard Toddler Game ($29.99)—Buy Here!
CoCoMelon Transforming School Time Bus
This 2-in-1 school bus opens up to transform into a classroom for JJ, Cody, and friends. Of course, it plays “Wheels on the Bus” and a few other CoCoMelon bops, plus lights and sounds. The figurines of the kids can play in six different areas, including a swing and a garden.
CoCoMelon Transforming School Time Bus ($29.99)—Buy Here!
Playskool Sit ‘N Spin Toy
Another classic that’s been around since we were kids, the Sit ‘N Spin plays into that little kid love of getting dizzy (how do they do it!? Seriously!). It’s super easy to use and helps them get some energy out indoors whenever they feel like going for a spin.
Playskool Sit ‘N Spin Toy ($38.99)—Buy Here!
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
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