30+ fantastic holiday gifts for 2-year-olds

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

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.)

With a variety of ways to play, the Mickey’s & Minnie’s Cloud Home play set from Playmobil is designed for little hands and inquisitive minds. Stack the rainbow blocks to build an archway for Mickey and Minnie to slide on through, flip it over to make a seesaw, and even practice puzzle-solving skills with the removable raindrops. It’s a sweet set that will grow with them.

There are so many things to love about Cuddle + Kind! Their handmade, heirloom quality dolls are just about as cute as they can be. They’re snuggly and soft, and handmade by artisans in Peru who are paid fair wages to help break the cycle of poverty in their communities. What’s more, every purchase provides a meal for a child in need. One doll = 10 meals, and to date Cuddle + Kind has given over 28 million meals to children in need. Math may not be our strong suit, but those are some numbers we can definitely get behind.

Challenge their problem-solving skills with these two-piece dinosaur 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.)

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 Mudpuppy! The soft foam sticks to the wall and tub when wet, then store them to dry in the included mesh bag.

Speaking of bath time, treat your little one to a dreamy tot-spa experience with this gift set of goodies from Tubby Todd. Their gentle, clean-ingredient body care is designed for babies and toddlers, but we confess to stealing it for ourselves because it’s just that dreamy. The 5-piece set includes all the essentials, all of which are free from synthetic fragrance, and other nasties and suitable for even the most sensitive skin.

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.

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 

This block set offers endless possibilities when it comes to playtime. It teaches little ones about colors and shapes and allows their imagination to run wild by letting them create anything they want. The box itself even turns into a wagon that kids can pull around and bring anywhere. Recommended age is 18 months and up, so it’s a good investment that will keep them busy for a long time.

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.

This little tool set is ideal for toddlers, it invites role playing which is a huge part on learning how to do things. The truck comes with screws, wrenches, hammers and everything your kid will need to pretend to be working on building something. All the parts come inside a truck that can also be used as a toy itself, with its own little driver. All the parts are safe for two-year-olds and up and will keep them busy while you are doing things around the house, win-win!

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 Treetop Tower 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.

Speaking of play dough, this DIY mix 3-pack from The Dough Project is hours of toddler and parent fun. The kits come with all the ingredients (organic wheat flour, sea salt, cream of tartar and veggie oil) to make three batches of natural play dough. The natural dough kits get their color from beets, annatto seeds, turmeric, chlorophyll, spirulina, purple carrots and activated charcoal. So you don’t have to stress about the occasional (and almost inevitable) lick.

The original Dimpl has kept my son entertained for hours, in never ending road trips, long flights and when I need to take a quick shower and have no childcare. This bigger and better version will help children learn how to count up to 10 while learning even more colors.

Your little one can learn the sights and sounds of the kitchen in this gorgeous play kitchen from KidKraft. They can “grow” vegetables and draw on the chalkboard while cooking up a delicious dish! This is the perfect kind of toy that grows with them, too. (Or check out our round up of play kitchens for more favorites!)

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!

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!)