The Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds

As a parent, it can be difficult sometimes to know how to keep your child stimulated and active in a way that promotes their growth and development. Choosing the appropriate toys isn’t just about finding a toy that stimulates them. It’s important for a 2-year-old to also have toys that can improve their cognitive development and fine motor skills, as well as teach them how to express themselves, developing their imagination and creativity. In this guide, we will focus on developmental toys for 2-year-olds that they will love, leaving you feeling assured that you’re helping your child’s growth and development.

How Do 2-Year-Olds Play?

By the time your child is two years old, their play has evolved to become more sensory-based. They interact more with objects around them and want to play with toys that interest and engage them. This sensory-based play can help them develop their cognitive, language and fine motor skills, as well as help with their creativity. They also love exploring the world around them so they will also be interested in toys that can help them see or explore other parts of their environment – such as the garden, for instance. As they learn to walk, they also develop the need for movement-based play, so they may also prefer toys that let them move while interacting with them.

What Should I Look for When Buying Toys for 2 Year Olds?

Finding the best toys for a two-year-old revolves around understanding the skills and attributes they need to develop at this age and acquiring toys that can provide natural improvement in these areas. Always try to understand how a toy can improve your child’s development before purchasing it. Ultimately, many different types of developmental toys can provide fun and entertainment for your child whilst also improving important skills that will see them develop and grow as they get older. Keeping this in mind will ensure you can relax knowing that your child is developing important and valuable skills to help them grow.

Toys That Help with Cognitive Development

At this age, toddlers are beginning to develop their ability to think. Cognitive development relates to someone’s ability to think, reason, understand, and solve problems. Toys like the ones below can help develop your child’s ability to process and interpret information.

Top Picks

Best Overall: LeapFrog LeapTop Touch 2-in-1 Learning Toy

Best Value: Happyland 4-in-1 Puzzles

Most Popular: Early Learning Centre Pop It In The Post Box Playset

Toys to Develop Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills relate to developing and coordinating muscle movement in the hands, fingers, and wrists. Developmental toys, like the ones below, can help two-year-olds better understand how to move and how they relate to the world around them.

Top Picks

Best Overall: VTech Pop & Drop Digger

Best Value: Little Lot Swirly Whirly Car Ramp Playset

Most Popular: Mega Bloks Pink First Builders Big Building Bag – 60 Pieces

Creative Toys

Creative toys help two-year-olds develop and expand their imagination. They can also help with emotional development as they begin to understand how to express themselves.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Early Learning Centre Extendable Double-Sided Easel

Best Value: Out of the Box Amazing Aqua Drawing Playmat

Most Popular: Happyland Magic Motion Train Playset

Toys for Bath Time

Bathtime is a fun avenue for children to play with unique and interesting toys. These toys can help them look forward to bathtime as they learn how to have fun and develop their skills in a different type of environment.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Tomy Toomies 3 In 1 Fishing Frenzy Bath Toy

Best Value: Early Learning Centre Scoop and Sprinkle Fish Bath Toy

Most Popular: Tomy Toomies Splash and Float Bingo Bath Toy

Outdoor Toys

Two-year-olds become more curious about the world around them, leading to their desire to adventure and play outside! Toys like the ones below can help them create their own outdoor adventures.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Dolu Sand and Water 3-in-1 Creativity Table

Best Value: Bestway Inflatable Play Paddling Pool 5ft

Most Popular: Early Learning Centre Water Play Table & Accessories (H58cm)

Toys for Bedtime

It can be challenging for two-year-olds to fall asleep, which can be stressful because they can’t always tell you what’s wrong! They can learn to relax and unwind using toys designed to help with bedtime, leading to a more peaceful sleep for everyone.

Top Picks

Best Overall: CoComelon – Musical Bedtime JJ Doll

Best Value: Bluey Sleepytime Bluey Interactive Soft Toy

Most Popular: Hug-A-Lumps Sydney the Sloth Weighted Soft Toy by ZURU

What Should I Do If a Toddler Doesn’t Play with a Toy?

If a toddler isn’t interested in playing with a toy, don’t panic – it’s completely normal! There are many reasons why a toddler may not be interested in a new toy at the time they are introduced to it. Showing them how to use the toy could make them want to play with it. When shown the toy, they may simply be overstimulated by the other toys they currently have. As such, make sure you’re rotating toys to ensure they are experimenting with different playstyles. This can help determine what their toy preference is. If they aren’t immediately engaging with a toy, reintroduce it later and show them how to play with it.

How Do I Know if a Toy is Beneficial for My 2-Year-Old?

To ensure that a toy is beneficial for your 2-year-old, make sure you’re reading the product description before buying a toy. The description should outline how it can help your child in their development. For example, educational toys for 2-year-olds should revolve around improving educational skills, such as learning numbers, spelling letters and teaching them about the world around them.

How Many Toys Should a 2-Year-Old Have?

With toys for 2-year-olds, we think that less is more! Rotating toys can help them remain engaged and develop important skills. Overloading them with different options can often lead to boredom or uninterest in various toys because they are overstimulated.

We recommend only providing them with several toys at any given time and frequently rotating them so they learn different developmental skills. You should also ensure that you have different toys that focus on developing different skills or interests. For example, you could have a specified outdoor toy, another toy that helps develop their fine motor skills and one they can play with when they want to be creative.

Choosing the best toys for your 2-year-old can be difficult, but if you focus on developing those essential skills, you can’t really go wrong! To learn more, check out our range of Toys for 2-year-olds for more great options!

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