Baby Clothing

36 Best Gifts and Toys for 2-Year-Olds 2024

36 Best Gifts and Toys for 2-Year-Olds 2024

Musical Toy

Hape Melody Mansion Ball Run

Melody Mansion Ball Run

Musical Toy

Hape Melody Mansion Ball Run

Credit: Hape

Toddlers will delight in balancing the ball on the “mansion’s” chiminey and then using the hammer to bop it into the ball run. Then, they can watch it zoom around the house as it travels down the ramp (which is good for eye-tracking), until the final surprise: When the ball rolls over the xylophone, it strikes the notes! Kids can also play the xylophone with the hammer directly.

Toy They Probably Don’t Have Already

Bilibo by MOLUK

Best Seller

Bilibo by MOLUK

Toy They Probably Don’t Have Already

Bilibo by MOLUK

Credit: MOLUK

What’s a Bilibo? What isn’t it? It can be a seat that they wobble around. Flip it over, and it’s a tunnel or a shell. They can wear it on their heads like a helmet or use it as a landscape for their figures. The open-endedness means that kids can really be creative when they play with it. It also comes in several colors or in a set of six mini versions. Ages 2+

Active Toy

Little Tikes TotSports Easy Hit Golf Set

TotSports Easy Hit Golf Set

Active Toy

Little Tikes TotSports Easy Hit Golf Set

Credit: Little Tikes

They’ll have to practice their focus and aim — or just get their sillies out hitting the ball in wild arcs — with this toddler-sized golf set. It comes with its own goal-like putting hole, three balls and two clubs, plus a rolling cart that’ll also help them roleplay the part of master golfer. It’s part of Little Tikes’s sports line, which also includes tot-sized basketball, T-ball and soccer sets. Ages 1+

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Active Toy

Bouncy Pals Fox

On Sale

Bouncy Pals Fox

Active Toy

Bouncy Pals Fox

Now 15% Off

Credit: iPlay, iLearn

If they ever wanted to ride their stuffies around the room like a trusty steed, now they can. This comes with a plush cover that you can take off for washing, and as kids hop around they learn about balance and coordination. It comes in a lot of animal forms, too. Ages 18 months+

Great First Family Game

‘Where’s Bear?’ Game

'Where's Bear?' Game

Great First Family Game

‘Where’s Bear?’ Game

Credit: Peaceable Kingdom

Take the idea of stacking and nesting boxes to the next level with this early board game for kids. To play, parents and kids take turns hiding the bear under the different boxes, and guessing where it is. It promotes turn-taking and patience, and Good Housekeeping Institute testers reported that their kids wanted to play it again and again. Ages 2+

Fun Learning Toy for 2-Year-Olds

LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart

Best Seller

Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart

Fun Learning Toy for 2-Year-Olds

LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart

Now 11% Off

Credit: LeapFrog

This full-service cart was a Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner in 2018, and we still think it’s awesome. The scooper picks up the ice cream, and also recognizes colors and flavors. It comes with six different order cards and instructions, so your 2-year-old child can learn how to follow directions and boost their memory and sequencing skills. They can also practice counting with play money, or by using the syrup pump. Plus, the cart can actually be pushed around, so kids can play and move at the same time. It also comes in pink. Ages 2+

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Cool Cars

Wood City Wooden Car Race Track Ramp

On Sale

Wooden Car Race Track Ramp

Cool Cars

Wood City Wooden Car Race Track Ramp

Now 10% Off

Credit: Wood City

They’ll get a lesson in cause-and-effect when they see these cars zip down the slanted ramps. It feels like a cool stunt each time the cars reverse direction. It comes with seven cars in different colors of the rainbow. Ages 18 months+

For Kids Who Love Tools

John Deere Build-a-Buddy Johnny Tractor Toy

Amazon’s Choice

John Deere Build-a-Buddy Johnny Tractor Toy

For Kids Who Love Tools

John Deere Build-a-Buddy Johnny Tractor Toy

Credit: TOMY

John Deere fans with instantly recognize the green and yellow color scheme on this tractor, which toddlers can use alongside their favorite vehicles. But this one has a twist: It comes with a battery-operated toy drill that kids can use to take the tractor apart and put it together again, turning it into an early STEM toy. Ages 18 months+

Challenging Wooden Puzzle

Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle

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Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle

Challenging Wooden Puzzle

Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle

Now 20% Off

Credit: BeginAgain

This puzzle will definitely give their brains a workout: Because it’s not square or rectangular in shape, it gives more of a challenge than a regular jigsaw puzzle. But practicing the alphabet will give them a hint, since the animals connect in alphabetical order. When they’re separated, the wooden pieces are chunky enough to use for imaginative play. Ages 2+

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Best First Ride-On

Radio Flyer Scoot About Sport Ride-On Toy

Scoot About Sport Ride-On Toy

Best First Ride-On

Radio Flyer Scoot About Sport Ride-On Toy

Credit: Radio Flyer

Your toddlers can ride anywhere on this sporty ride-on. It features wide-set front wheels that help with stability, while the handlebars help them steer. There’s even a storage compartment under the seat. It holds up to 42 pounds, so they can ride around starting at age 1 and until they’re about 3 years old. Ages 1+

Versatile Toy

Skoolzy Pegboard Set

On Sale

Pegboard Set

Versatile Toy

Skoolzy Pegboard Set

Now 37% Off

Credit: Skoolzy

If you’re interested in trying out Montessori-inspired toys for 2-year-olds this is a good place to get started. There are 33 pegs in different colors, sized for toddlers’ hands. The rest is open-ended: Kids can sort them by color, stack on the board as tall as they can, create patterns or find their own ways to play. Ages 2+

Active Indoor Toy

Pop2Play Indoor Slide

Pop2Play Indoor Slide

Active Indoor Toy

Pop2Play Indoor Slide

Credit: WowWee

Make an at-home playground on a budget with this indoor foldable slide. This one-time Parenting Award winner is available in a rainbow or sunny print is made with strong cardboard that holds up to 50 lbs. The best part—it won’t take up much space when not in use. Simply fold the slide flat when your child is done playing, and it is thin enough to fit into super tight spaces. Break it out on rainy days, and put it away when the sun comes out. Ages 2+

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Sturdy Baby Doll

Adora Soft Baby Doll

Soft Baby Doll

Sturdy Baby Doll

Adora Soft Baby Doll

Credit: Adora

Kids can practice nurturing and empathy during their imaginative play with this toddler-friendly baby doll. And, if they love too much, it can also go in the washing machine. It comes in several different outfits and skin tones, too. Ages 1+

Interactive Cooking Toy

LeapFrog Yum-2-3 Toaster

On Sale

Yum-2-3 Toaster

Interactive Cooking Toy

LeapFrog Yum-2-3 Toaster

Now 28% Off

Credit: LeapFrog

Complete with utensils, a plate and food, this interactive toaster lets kids pretend to cook just like their favorite adults do. It can help your 2-year-old get familiar with numbers, colors and opposites, too. Ages 2+

For LEGO and Disney Fans

LEGO DUPLO Mickey & Minnie Birthday Train

GH Seal

DUPLO Mickey & Minnie Birthday Train

For LEGO and Disney Fans

LEGO DUPLO Mickey & Minnie Birthday Train

Now 20% Off

Credit: LEGO

This Good Housekeeping Institute Seal-holding LEGO train set is just the right size for toddlers: only 22 pieces, with lots of fun accessories like gifts, a cupcake with a candle, balloons and a train to carry them all. There are even some numbered bricks so kids can practice counting and stacking. Ages 2+

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Popular Toy on Amazon for 2-Year-Olds

Playmobil My Take Along Noah’s Ark

On Sale

My Take Along Noah's Ark

Popular Toy on Amazon for 2-Year-Olds

Playmobil My Take Along Noah’s Ark

Now 22% Off

Credit: Playmobil

As expected, you get two of every animal (including giraffes and zebras) in this Noah’s Ark play set. When playtime is over, they all fit neatly into the inside of the boat, and the ark can actually float on water! Ages 18 months+

Over 30,000 5-Star Reviews on Amazon

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Amazon’s Choice

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Over 30,000 5-Star Reviews on Amazon

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Credit: Learning Resources

This cutie walked away with a Good Housekeeping Institute Toy Award a few years ago because the 12 pegs were easy for little hands to grasp. Parents will love how every piece stores neatly away inside the hedgehog’s body, making for easy storage (and on-the-go transportation). And if they become Spike fans, they can get even more toys, including a fidget toy, a rainbow stacker and more. Ages 18 months+

Best Art Toy for 2-Year-Olds

Crayola Washable Palm-Grasp Crayons

Washable Palm-Grasp Crayons

Best Art Toy for 2-Year-Olds

Crayola Washable Palm-Grasp Crayons

Credit: Crayola

These egg-shaped crayons are easier to grip, but they’ll still help them draw whatever creations they can dream up. And one of these crayons is equal to 14 regular-sized ones, so they’ll last a long time, too. Ages 1+

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Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ Book Award Winner

‘Look, it’s Woof Woof Dog’ Board Book

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'Look, it's Woof Woof Dog' Board Book

Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ Book Award Winner

‘Look, it’s Woof Woof Dog’ Board Book

Now 10% Off

Credit: Nosy Crow

Kids will be delighted to flip through the pages, looking at the collage-like illustrations of different animals, like the “Glub Glub Fish” or the “Quack Quack Duck.” In addition, sturdy felt flaps to lift offer more surprises. But Good Housekeeping Testers’ favorite feature was the mirror on the last page hat asks, “But what do YOU say?”Ages 0 – 3

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Kids’ Book Awards

Best Puzzles for 2-Year-Olds

Melissa & Doug Disney Disney Wooden Peg Puzzles Set

On Sale

Disney Disney Wooden Peg Puzzles Set

Best Puzzles for 2-Year-Olds

Melissa & Doug Disney Disney Wooden Peg Puzzles Set

Now 47% Off

Credit: Melissa & Doug

Kids will learn about matching, shapes, letters and numberswith these educational puzzles from Melissa & Doug. They’re easy to grasp for little hands, so they help develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. Plus, they’ll be able to recognize some of their favorite Disney friends among the pieces. Ages 2+

Headshot of Marisa LaScala

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Headshot of Rachel Rothman

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH’s research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

 

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