Are you shopping for a special 2-year-old in your life? Maybe you are upgrading your child’s toys. It can be a challenge to find the right toys for a young child to play with. You want to make sure they will enjoy playing with the new toys. You also want to make sure that the toys are durable and well-made.
To make the search easier, take a look at these top toys for a 2-year-old.
Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set
The Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set is a great toy for any little athlete in your life. It’s a small basketball hoop that is ready for indoor or outdoor use. Its height adjusts from 2.5 feet to 4 feet so it can grow with the child.
What we love:
- Children learn how to play independently.
- Children play actively and get exercise. This is a fun and easy way for kids to get more exercise from a young age.
- It is easy to assemble and adjust the height. It’s quick for parents to adjust the height as needed so children of all ages can play basketball.
What we don’t love:
- If you leave it outside, the colors may fade and the net may show wear.
- It may tip over if you don’t add sand to the base.
- The net can fall off easily if not properly attached.
First Builders Big Building Bag
This is the perfect toy for any toddler who is interested in building towers, castles, and more. The pieces are large so they are great for small hands. This set includes 80 pieces, which is plenty to get a little one started on building.
What we love:
- The set is a great value. Your child gets tons of blocks to play with for a low price.
- It includes a storage bag for easy cleanup.
- Children can enjoy these for a few years. They can also be passed down from child to child. They are durable and should hold up to regular use.
What we don’t love:
- Some of the pieces are difficult to connect to each other. Children may need help as they are building.
- This set may not combine with other similar building sets.
- If your child has not yet learned how to pick up toys, the pieces may end up all over your house. With so many pieces, they can get lost easily.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank
The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank makes a great present for babies and toddlers. It introduces children to counting, colors, Spanish, and more.
What we love:
- This is an educational toy, but it’s fun for toddlers. They will not even realize they are learning.
- It can help with fine motor control as children attempt to put the coins through the piggy bank’s slot.
- It’s inexpensive and a great value with its educational features.
What we love:
- It will not grow with your child as other toys might. By age three, your child may be ready to move on to a new toy.
- It doesn’t give toddlers enough time to insert the coin before resetting the counting feature.
- In some cases, the door may stop latching after some use.
Vtech Smart Shots Sports Center
This 2-in-1 basketball and soccer set is a great option for 1 to 3 year olds. It’s fun, educational, and gets toddlers active.
What we love:
- Both soccer and basketball help to keep children entertained for longer.
- Plays over 50 songs, sounds, and phrases.
- It’s educational so children can learn how to count, learn their shapes, and more.
What we don’t love:
- As children grow, it can quickly become too small for them. There is a small time frame where the size is right for children.
- It’s not as sturdy as parents expect it to be. It may bend when it is used.
- The sounds can be difficult to understand so children may not know what is being said or sung.
Playskool Sit ‘n Spin Classic Spinning Activity Toy
This is a classic toy that parents may have had as children. Toddlers can begin using the Sit ‘n Spin and learning how to make it spin. It provides hours of indoor fun.
What we love:
- It can be used for years. When children are 18-24 months, they can begin learning how to use it. They can still enjoy it as they get older.
- It’s a great price for a sturdy, lasting toy.
- It’s small and lightweight so it’s easy to store.
What we don’t love:
- Some children may not know how to use it properly right away.
- It may be too small for some children to use.
It works best on non-carpeted flooring, which can be concerning to some parents in case their child falls off.
Magnetic Catching and Feeding Game
This is a fun little toy for children to work on their motor skills with. In the game, children learn how to catch the worms and then feed them to the baby bird. The pieces are magnetic so they are easy for children to use.
What we love:
- Children can use it from ages 2-4 so it can last for a couple of years.
- It’s well-made and durable.
- It’s great for hand-eye coordination and motor skills.
What we don’t love:
- The worms don’t click into the tree. If the tree tips, the worms all fall out.
- In some cases, the worms may get stuck in the tree.
- The magnet doesn’t always work and can be frustrating for children.
Vtech Care for Me Learning Carrier
The Vtech Care for Me Learning Carrier is the perfect gift for any little animal lover in your life. The set includes a plush puppy and an interactive carrier to play with. It plays 100+ songs, melodies, sounds, and phrases.
What we love:
- It’s educational and teaches kids about letters, shapes, numbers, colors, and pet care.
- It is easy to take on the go because everything fits in the carrier.
- It keeps kids entertained for a while so you know it’s getting enough use.
What we don’t love:
- The door of the carrier can be difficult for children to open and close.
- It’s not as durable as parents might expect it to be.
- In some cases, the sound may stop working.
Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Servin’ Up Fun Food Tru
This little food truck set is the perfect way to encourage pretend play. It has everything that toddlers need to run their own food truck. Children can play on either side of the food truck.
What we love:
- It’s a unique toy that children will be interested in playing with.
- The learning content grows with your child.
- It’s quick and easy to assemble.
What we don’t love:
- The price is a little bit higher than some parents may be willing to pay.
- Children older than 3 or 4 years old may get bored with it.
- It doesn’t have wheels so it cannot be pushed like some might expect it to.
Cabbage Patch Kids Official, Newborn Baby
Every little one needs a Cabbage Patch Kid to love. This is a “My First” doll so it’s perfect for toddlers one year and older.
What we love:
- Children can enjoy this doll from the time they are one year old. Even school-aged children enjoy playing with dolls.
- The doll’s body is soft so children can sleep with it.
- It’s just the right size for a toddler to carry and play with.
What we don’t love:
- Cabbage Patch dolls are scented, which may be an issue for some children.
- Some of the Cabbage Patch dolls did not include a birth certificate.
- Some children do not enjoy playing with dolls and may lose interest.
Vtech Drop & Go Dump Truck
Children can drop colorful rocks into the dump truck to learn how to count. Children can then dump them out, pull or push the dump truck, and drop the colorful rocks back in.
What we love:
- It’s a very affordable toy.
- Your child can pull or push other toys in the back of the dump truck for more play opportunities.
- The toy is durable and will last for years.
What we don’t love:
- Children may get bored of it by the time they are 3 or 4 years old.
- The rocks may get lost easily.
- The dumping mechanism doesn’t always work well. Young children may not know how to pick the dump truck back up.
Conclusion
Overall, there are lots of great toys for 2-year-olds to enjoy. Some of them are geared toward young children and others can grow with the child. Take a look at these options and find one that your child, niece, nephew, or grandchild might be interested in.