The Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds That Will Keep Busy Bodies and Minds Engaged and Learning (2024)

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The Melissa and Doug Mine to Love Jenna Doll is a top pick among parents we surveyed, which is why it ranks high on our list. Parents love how the doll encourages pretend play and role play, whether kids give baby Jenna kisses or feed her a bottle. We appreciate the wipe-clean arms and legs and a removable smocked outfit that’s interchangeable with accessories or new outfits (sold separately).

Jenna’s eyes open and shut, and she can suck an included pacifier or her thumb to give kids a realistic playtime experience. In addition to Jenna, Melissa and Doug Mine to Love dolls come in various skin colors, a boy version, and twins. Plus, the company offers several accessory options.

Great for pretend play, this food truck stands just under 28 inches tall, has several interactive features, and comes with 20 food-serving accessories. It also offers three-stage play so that it can grow with your child as they continue to develop.

Finally, this toy is packed with different sounds, lights, and other fun features that will certainly keep toddlers occupied.

We love this affordable toy for its overall value. Great for ages 18 months and up, this toy teaches matching, color identification, and helps strengthen fine motor skills. The little egg carton comes with six eggs that come apart, can be put back together like little puzzles, and even squeak when they’re played with. They're made of durable plastic that's easy to wipe clean, and the carton stores all the pieces when you're done playing.

These chairs are designed to be just the right size for little kids to sit back and relax. There are several cover options, too, from solid colors to patterns with Disney characters, and many of them can be personalized with the child’s name or initials.

When it’s set up, the chair has a little handle at the top so that it’s easy for grown-ups to pick up and for toddlers to drag around when they want to move it to another room. The best feature, however, is that the cover can be removed and tossed into the washing machine whenever it needs to be cleaned.

This adorable book has a heartwarming message everyone can hear now and then, especially little kids. You Matter by Christian Robinson is a sweet book that is a perfect addition to bedtime routines, or anytime, really. It's filled with unique, colorful illustrations and a story that will warm your heart.

Why have a rocking horse when you can have a rocking llama, bee, dinosaur, unicorn, or giraffe instead? These rocking toys are great for kids between 2 and 4 years old and are made from quality materials that are soft and durable. Not to mention, they’re downright adorable.

They’ll be cruising the neighborhood in style in the sleek Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike. It’s a gift they truly won’t outgrow for years as it grows with the child. It starts as an infant trike (basically, a sporty-looking stroller), complete with a three-point harness for safety, as Mom and Dad do the work pushing. As little legs get bigger and stronger, the trike can transform into a steering trike and a learn-to-ride trike. Finally, it can be turned into a classic trike when they’re ready to pedal off on their own into the sunset (or at least to the end of the driveway).

The "First 100 Words" book is such a classic and is ideal for kids ages 1 to 3. It features 100 photos to accompany each word. Kids will expand their vocabulary all while enjoying the colorful pics. The book is made of durable material, and the cover is slightly padded, making it easy for kids to hold.

To say this gift will be a slam dunk would be an understatement (and a silly pun), but it’s true. Budding ballers can shoot and score over and over again with this sturdy basketball hoop designed just for them. Perfect for hoopsters 18 months to five years old, it's easily adjustable and can go from 2 feet up to 4 feet. It also has an oversized rim for maximum points. The best part: the set comes with not one, but three rubber balls, so if one rolls away to places unknown, the game doesn’t have to come to an end.

Your 2-year-old has some time before they actually start cooking, but this kitchen set is a fun start. The stove has cool sound effects like water boiling and a sizzling pan, while shelves and drawers provide plenty of storage space for the 20 accessories that are included.

Toddlers who love to stack blocks will really enjoy this set that comes with 68 interlocking pieces that are easier to put together and take apart than LEGO Duplo blocks. The blocks come in an assortment of muted colors and are made from non-toxic plastic that is durable, flexible, and great for sensory play.

The smallest doctor in your family now has their own kit to take care of any pretend bumps, bruises, or scrapes. The 11-piece set has colorful gear like a stethoscope, thermometer, tweezers, and a needle. Everything fits in the plastic case for easy storage.

If your 2-year-old is ready to play with you (not just nearyou) this cooperative game is a great gift. It comes with 20 double-sided cards that have your toddler looking for different objects around the house, like a button, a hat, and a book. It’s a fun way to engage with your child and play together.

By this age, little ones are really starting to get into imaginative play that mimics life. These wooden toy eating utensils are sure to lead to hours of playtime. The set comes with a salt shaker, pepper shaker, plates, forks, knives, cooking pot and lid, a skillet, and a spatula, all of which are made from various types of safe, durable wood.

If you’re buying a gift for a toddler with some outdoor space, then this map-style splash pad will surely be a hit. It’s 68 inches with several small holes along the edges so that when it’s connected to the hose, the water comes out of them like they’re little fountains.

Adults can control how much or how little water comes out simply by turning the hose up or down. This splash pad is made from high-quality materials and comes with a hose spigot tool to ensure a good, tight fit.

This little ride-on toy is fun in general, but its three-stage design is what lands it on this list. As your child develops, it can be set up as a push toy with a wagon, a ride-on toy, or as a scooter. Even better, it features an adjustable handlebar as well as a front light and a button that plays music and other sound effects.

With a fun story, amazing illustrations, and a panel of buttons that make all kinds of different sounds, this book has pretty much everything a 2-year-old could want in a book.

As you read through the pages with your child, little button pictures come up in the text, offering them an opportunity to find the button (animal) on the panel that matches the one on the page and hear an animal sound. It has everything from a snake hiss to a bear snuffle to a dolphin chatter. Your kiddo will love it.

This toy combines two things two-year-olds love: imaginative play and bubbles! They can push the little mower as if they’re cutting their own grass and, as they do it, watch bubbles pop up with every step. The bubble lawn mower features realistic sounds and, when it's powered on, will create bubbles whether your child is pushing it or not. When it’s not being played with, the mower folds down easily and compactly for storage.

Instead of rocking, this little horse (or unicorn) allows kids to climb on to bounce and hop. Simply inflate the toy using the air pump provided, zip the cover over it, and let your little one play away. It’s safe for kids as young as 18 months old and is made from high-quality materials so you don’t have to worry about it popping as your child bounces down the hall on its back.

Dimpl toys come in various shapes and sizes, but this basic model is ideal for 2-year-olds developing sensory and motor skills. The simple mechanism will capture your toddler's attention immediately. Once they pop all bubbles on one side, flip it over and start the process again.

Made of lightweight ABS plastic and food-grade silicone, you can trust that this toy is hazard-free. It's also easy to transport from room to room or on the go because there are no loose pieces. The silicone and plastic wipe down easily when you need to clean this toy, but the Dimpl isn't dishwasher safe.

Bath time will become play time with this fun toy. Kids use the lightweight, magnetic fishing pole to catch the three sea creatures. The pole even makes a clicking sound. Not only is this fun, but can also teach kids hand-eye coordination.

Perfect for tiny hands, Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog comes with pegs that perfect fit into his body as spikes. Two-year-olds can practice their fine motor skills by placing the correct pegs in each spot, then practice counting and sorting with the different color "spikes" that come with this kit. The adorable critter is bound to keep kids entertained and engaged as they solve the mystery of his missing spikes.

Kids can mix and match the flavors and toppings on their very own ice cream cart to create the perfect cone, all while learning and laughing. This set comes with recipe cards so toddlers can build their memory and sequencing abilities while also practicing their fine motor skills through giving and receiving money for the tasty treats.

This rolling herd of dinosaurs will provide a roaring good time for tiny toddlers. Four dinosaurs come in this value-priced pack. Each dinosaur is modeled after a real prehistoric dino. There’s a brontosaurus, a stegosaurus, a triceratops, and a T-Rex, all in bright primary colors, perched atop wheels.

This carton of (fake) eggs is packed full of educational enrichment. The dozen eggs open to reveal six colors and 12 shapes, which kids have to match up. The eggs are made of durable material, and they’re the perfect size for smaller hands.

“Wow!” will be their reaction when they see this mega bag of Mega Bloks. It comes with 80 brightly colored blocks in a variety of shapes. They’re the perfect size for little hands and versatile enough for them to dream big with their creations.

From castles to cars and so much more, there’s no limit to the things they may create. This is a perfect starter set, but it also works with all other Mega Bloks sets.

It’s tot tool time thanks to this set from John Deere. It includes a belt and six tools, including a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer. All of the tools feature rubber handles that are easy for little hands to grip. What’s really awesome is that the belt makes tool sounds and even says two phrases.

Rev up the fun with this set of sorting cars and garages from Melissa & Doug. It comes complete with seven numbered wooden cars in graduated sizes. There are also seven garages included, each with a number and color that matches one of the cars for endless counting, sorting, and matching opportunities.

All of the garages can be stacked on top of one another for stacking (and knocking down) and building.

Kids will be marching to their own beat with this fantastic music set that’s as cute as it is functional. Included are silly centipede drumsticks, jingle bell ants, a busy bee maraca and clacker, a caterpillar tambourine, and a shaker egg—plenty to make up a whole band. They all come packed in a bright drum with a handy carrying strap for some music on the go.

This brightly colored toy is sure to make your kid smile. It’s perfect for 18 months and older. The purple octopus floats in the tub and includes three rings so kids can place them on the tentacles. The material is BPA-free, and because the toys are sealed (no holes), there’s no worry about mold.

This classic set engages your child's mind and motor skills. What makes this one special are the wooden pieces—they're super durable, no matter what your child gets into. Plus, the pastels are lovely (and a nice break from the bold and bright colors on some other blocks). It's a toy you won't (totally) mind seeing all over the floor.

Your toddler can be just like their big siblings with their very own gaming chair. The swivel seat comes with a joystck, pretend headphones, and a WiFi-free tablet that focuses letters, numbers, animals, and music.