30 of the Best Gifts For 2-Year-Olds

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As any parent of toddlers can tell you, 2-year-olds are tough customers. That's true when it comes to getting them to eat their vegetables, getting them to stay in bed at naptime, and even getting them gifts. Whether you're looking for great birthday gifts for a 2-year-old, cool toys for a 2-year-old, great holiday presents for a 2-year-old, or a thoughtful gift for the 2-year-old who has everything, the last thing you want is to spend hours deciding on a certain educational toy or practical gift, only to have it flop.

That's where we come in. These presents are sure to delight both the recipient and the adults in their life. The products are vetted by parents to make sure they can keep a little one engaged and entertained.

From soft, plush toys they'll want to cuddle all of the time to books they'll want to read on repeat and a few splurge-worthy items that will serve them for years to come, these gifts cater to a variety of different children's interests and at different price points. Check out the best toys and gifts for toddlers ahead.

Find the best gifts for the babies, toddlers, and kids in your life with our gift guides, including for infants, 1-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds, tweens, and teens.

— Additional reporting by Genevieve Farrell Roston, Alessia Santoro, and Macy Cate Williams

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves to Read
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves to Read

"The Color Monster" ($21)

"The Color Monster" illustrates common emotions like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and calmness. It gently encourages young children to express their feelings, which is always a good thing in our minds. Complete with bright illustrations and pop-ups, it will make any child excited to read and understand their emotions.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Pop-Up Books
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Pop-Up Books

"Fun With Pets: A Pop-Up Book" ($9)

Join Little Bunny as she tries to find her animal friends in a game of hide-and-seek. It is interactive and will make them smile every time they open it. The 3D pop-up characters are so fun, and this is a book they'll want to read over and over again.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Animals
walmart.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Animals

VTech Care For Me Learning Carrier Toy ($28)

Show little ones how to look after pets with this dog-carrier toy. It's got everything they need if they want to be a veterinarian or want their own little pet. Plus, the buttons help them learn numbers and colors.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old to Play Outdoors
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old to Play Outdoors

Step2 Game Time Sports Climber and Slide ($150)

This play center has everything. A basketball hoop, climbing station, and slide will ensure a very happy child. If the recipient has a backyard, they'll want to spend all their time on this toy.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old to Take to the Park
Walmart

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old to Take to the Park

Step2 Whisper Ride Cruiser Push Car ($78)

We haven't met a 2-year-old who hasn't fallen in love with this pushable car. They can pretend to be a race-car driver while the adults can still lend a helping hand. If they bring it to the park, it will be sure to be a hit among all the children.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Athlete
walmart.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Athlete

Easy Score Basketball Set ($35)

For a gift that packs a big punch without breaking the bank, this basketball set can't be beat. The hoop's height is adjustable, so those games of H-O-R-S-E, Knockout, or Around the World can become more challenging as they get older.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who's Ready to Ride
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who's Ready to Ride

Humble-Bee Toddler Tricycle ($40)

The Humble-Bee Balance Bike allows children to focus on balancing rather than pedaling. This four-wheeled bike helps toddlers develop their coordination and confidence, making the transition to a pedal bike much easier. Bonus: it only takes two to three minutes to assemble.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Music
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Music

Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set ($100)

The Toniebox is a portable, screen-free audio player that allows the child to play DJ. Songs can be swapped by replacing the magnetic Tonie character on top of the device. It will be enjoyed for years to come and was a POPSUGAR Family Award winner in 2021 as a best gift for 4- to 5-year-olds.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old With Big Feelings
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old With Big Feelings

Slumberkins Bigfoot Snuggler, Card, and Storybook Set ($52)

Slumberkins was created by two moms to help children discover a world of feelings. Designed to support self-esteem, Bigfoot helps toddlers learn self-confidence and reminds them they are kind and strong and the world is better with them in it. The story is sure to be a favorite of caregivers as well.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is on the Move
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is on the Move

Edxeducation Step a Trail ($70)

These stepping stones and logs can create obstacle courses for fun physical play and games that build children's gross motor skills, balance, and coordination. They can also be used practically around the house as a low stool. With more than 2,800 reviews and 4.8 stars on Amazon, the sensory toy has been vetted and loved by many toddlers.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is Already a Minimalist
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is Already a Minimalist

Kiko+ & gg* Drawing Wooden Doodle ($60, originally $70)

Kiko+ & gg* is a women-founded, minimalist-design toy brand from Osaka, Japan. This wooden board allows for unlimited drawing onto four colored backgrounds with no messy paints or crayons.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Practical Fashion
youngdays.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Practical Fashion

Young Days Venice Jacket ($35)

The Venice jacket is the perfect lightweight outerwear piece that is sure to become a wardrobe staple for the aspiring fashion fan. It also features plenty of pockets for tiny treasures. You'll be wishing they made it in your size as well.

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old to Upgrade Their Play Area
meetlalo.com

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old to Upgrade Their Play Area

Lalo The Play Kit ($270, originally $330)

This award-winning, child-size table and pair of chairs is perfect for playing, meals, and socializing. They're easy to clean, and the minimalist design will blend into any room in their house.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves to Eat
littlespoon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves to Eat

Little Spoon Gift Card ($50 and up)

Little Spoon creates nutritious meals and snacks with hidden veggies and superfoods in every bite. These ready-to-eat foods are delivered right to your door and are "picky eater" approved. It's a delivery both you and your little ones will get excited about.

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old They'll Use Every Day
7amenfant.com

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old They'll Use Every Day

7am Dino Mini Backpack ($45)

Not only is the design adorable, but the 2-year-old in your life will also have a blast helping to pack their own bag for the park, school, or daycare.

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old the Whole Family Will Enjoy
nurtureand.com

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old the Whole Family Will Enjoy

Nurture & The Hideout ($349, originally $399)

The Hideout is a playroom mainstay that can be configured into a couch, fort, and even tiny house. It allows for endless hours of imaginative play and is a cozy spot for hanging out and reading. Bonus: it's the first luxury play couch made with vegan leather, which wicks away moisture so liquids can be wiped away with a towel.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Feminist
littlefeminist.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Feminist

Little Feminist Book Club Subscription ($23 per month)

A gift that keeps on giving is a book subscription like this one from Little Feminist. Each monthly box includes one picture book or two board books, ideas and tips for play-based learning, a discussion card with questions to help the toddler learn from the story, and a family letter explaining why the book(s) was chosen. The books are curated to include diversity and grow the little one's imagination.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is Always With Their Baby
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is Always With Their Baby

Ergobaby Doll Carrier ($25)

This child-size doll carrier can be used for front and back carry. It's a great gift for an older sibling so they can carry their "baby."

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Travels
beistravel.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Travels

Béis The Kids Roller in Berry ($168)

This bright-colored roller is a practical suitcase and provides endless entertainment for toddlers. It's comfortable for a kid to push, thanks to the adjustable trolley handle and cushioned grip. It also features a soft front pocket that fits an iPad.

Read more about Beis's kids' travel collection here.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Innovator
kiwico.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Innovator

Kiwico Koala Crate ($28-$68)

For a gift that keeps on giving, the Koala Crate is a monthly subscription for 2- to 4-year-olds. Each play kit includes active toys for hands-on learning and experiencing.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who's Ready For a Photo Shoot
ryleeandcru.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who's Ready For a Photo Shoot

Quincy Mae Woven Jumpsuit ($39)

This adorable jumpsuit in a timeless striped print will have the toddler ready for school or family photos.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Wants to Cruise
svoltaride.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Wants to Cruise

Svolta Ace "2-in-1" Sit and Stand Toddler Convertible Scooter ($108)

This premium scooter is perfect for toddlers who are starting to stand while scooting but don't have enough stamina to make their way around without a break to sit down. It has adjustable seat heights and is recommended for ages 1 to 5.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who's Eager to Learn
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who's Eager to Learn

Skillmatics Letters, Numbers, Shapes & Colors Flash Cards ($15)

These flashcards use realistic imagery to help children learn letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. If that doesn't sound like a gift a 2-year-old would love, skim through the nearly 1,500 reviews on Amazon, which rate the deck a 4.8-star winner.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Plays Music
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Plays Music

VTech KidiBeats Drum Set ($13, originally $22)

If you feel like you have a tiny musician on your hands, they'll love this drum set. The drum pads and cymbal each have their own unique sound for sensory development.

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old to Explore With Water
amazon.com

Best Gift For a 2-Year-Old to Explore With Water

Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Water Table ($45, originally $55)

Playtime just got much more fun with this water table. It's as cool as can be, and it will have them smiling all day long. This is an outdoor toy, but if you wanted to put it in the bathroom so the water is more manageable, that's an option, too.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Artist
walmart.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Artist

The Step2 Company's Flip and Doodle Desk With Stool Easel ($110)

This multipurpose center features an upright easel that can fold down into a desktop with a magnetic dry-erase board, trays for markers and pencils, and a cup holder. The set also comes with a matching stool and plenty of storage for books, art supplies, and more.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old For Playtime With a Purpose
lovevery.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old For Playtime With a Purpose

Lovevery The Helper Playkit ($120)

This play kit encourages the child's budding independence with Montessori practical life activities and tools to develop security in their routines.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is Learning to Get Dressed
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Is Learning to Get Dressed

Playskool's Dressy Kids Dolls ($23)

Learning how to do zippers, buttons, and buckles is essential to the preschool years, and this doll is a fun way to learn. Available in both boy and girl versions, the dolls help tots learn how to zip, button, buckle, fasten, and tie.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old That Is Under $15
walmart.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old That Is Under $15

VTech Drop and Go Dump Truck ($15)

This truck is intended to help children learn their numbers and is an educational toy they'll reach for over and over again. They'll have so much fun with it, they won't even know that it's made to help them learn.

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Trains
amazon.com

Best Gift For the 2-Year-Old Who Loves Trains

Lego Duplo My First Number Train Learning and Counting Train Set ($20)

Kids can build a train set and learn their numbers with this Lego Duplo My First Number Train Learning and Counting Train Set. It's educational and so much fun! It has train cars numbered 1 through 10 and little figurines they can play with, too.