critical thinking toys for 2 year olds

Learning Through Playtime: Top 10 Critical Thinking Toys

Looking to incorporate some critical thinking toys into your kids’ playtime routine? I’ve found some great options to share with you today.

(Post contains affiliate links; see disclosure for details.)

Why choose critical thinking toys? Critical thinking skills help with real-life problem solving, making connections between ideas, logic, and reasoning. Those skills make a difference in everyday life for all of us, so why not incorporate critical thinking toys into your kids’ playtime?

Here are ten great critical thinking toys to get your kids thinking through playtime.

Top 10 Critical Thinking Toys

1. magnetic building tiles.

My kids have loved these Magnetic Building Tiles  ever since they received them for Christmas last year. Our local library has a  similar, more expensive set of them and both of my kids love experimenting with them each time we go.

This 64-piece set is a little different from the ones we enjoy at the library, but they’re affordable and I know they’re great critical thinking toys all the same.

2. Classic Jenga

Without any bells and whistles, this classic Jenga game promotes strategic thinking and building skills. It’s also tons of fun and a great match for family game night.

No matter how you stack them, these Jenga blocks make great critical thinking toys. Pun intended.

3. Pattern Play

Pattern Play  is another great choice of toys that promote critical thinking skills.This set includes 40 pattern blocks, 40 challenge cards, and promotes pattern recognition, strategy, and spatial skills.

Incorporate critical thinking into your art projects with IDO3D Vertical Pens . The ability to draw into the air with these pens is super cool, but it definitely takes some consideration and planning.  If you’ve got older tweens or teens, the Atmosflare 3D Pen would also be worth considering. It was the first 3D pen we tried and it’s still our favorite.  Either way, these STEAM tools both encourage critical thinking for kids who love to create.

Want to learn more about these 3D pens? Check out my reviews on Atmosflare 3D and IDO3D Vertical .

This List Is On Amazon!

Want to see images while you shop? You’ll find these critical thinking toys — along with some others — waiting for you on Amazon.

5. Brain Teasers

My husband keeps Brain teasers  on his office desk and my kids grab them every time we drop by to see him. These puzzles are fun, but also promote problem solving and creative thinking.

Another great thing about these Brain Teasers is that they make great stocking stuffers and small gifts.

6. Snap Circuits

How cool is it that we live in an age where learning about electronics can be fun? A Snap Circuits  gives kids the chance to get hands on with electronics and understand them like never before.

7. Marble Run

Get your kids thinking outside the box with a Marble Run  kit! This kit promotes critical thinking in several ways because problem solving, geometry, and science skills are all needed to create a successful build. Aside from the critical thinking aspects, this Marble Run would be great to keep around for rainy days and cold winter months when kids are stuck inside.

8. Zoob Builderz STEM Challenge

The 40 building challenges included with this Zoob BuilderZ STEM Challenge  make this one of our favorite critical thinking toys.

9. Suspend Game

Balance is the name of  Melissa and Doug’s Suspend Game . This critical thinking game can be played alone or with friends and family.

10. Mental Blox

Have your kiddos experienced Mental Blox  yet? I can’t wait to check this game with my kids. It can be played a couple of ways: giving verbal instructions while the kids recreate a building challenge or by building the structures on the challenge cards.

The game comes with 20 challenge cards and 20 plastic blocks of assorted shapes and colors.

Looking for more gift inspiration? Check out our favorite drawing gifts , Pokemon-inspired gifts , and gifts for creative kids .

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Mommy Maker Teacher

From Pregnancy To Toddlerhood

75+ Best Educational Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

As a certified K-12 teacher, I am all about educational toys! My core value as a teacher was to “sneak the learning in.” I wanted to make learning so much fun that my students didn’t realize they were learning in the process!  So, I wanted to do the same regarding my own kids.

Now that I’m a seasoned toddler (boy) mom, I have also picked up a few tips for choosing the best educational toys for two-year-olds, which I’ll share.

Feel free to browse the list visually–that’s how I find ideas for my own kids–or read the little blurbs with each toy to see how I use them for teaching. Stick around at the end for important developmental milestones to look for at this age and my recommendations to meet them! 

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through one of these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for the support!

⚠️ SAFETY WARNING: Always supervise your children when playing. Many of these toys contain small parts that could be choking hazards. Do not play with toys with small parts if your child still puts things in their mouth. Anything that fits through a toilet paper tube is considered a choking hazard. Many of these toys are rated for 3+ and while my child is developmentally ready for them, your child might not be. Always read the manufacturer warnings and labels to understand age requirements.

Tips For Choosing Educational Toys

Often, I go to friends’ houses and see their dolls and trucks scattered all over the house while the puzzles, flashcards, and books collect dust on the shelf. It’s so important to carefully choose your educational toys with these tips in mind so that they become the *most* used toys in the house!

• Toys you want to play with: You will spend the most time with these toys. If you think it’s awesome, your kid will too. 
• Multipurpose: Find toys that can be played with in many different ways (I’ll give examples). 
• Your child’s interests: My older son (4) has always loved blocks. Instead of changing his interests, we broadened his idea of what blocks are. We have Magnatiles, Duplo, Lego, Squigz, Tinkertoys, Melissa and Doug construction blocks and MegaBloks.
• Brand trustworthiness and durability: If you’ve got a toddler at home, I’m sure you’ve been burned by discount toys that have broken within a few uses. At this point in my career and parenting, I go with brands I trust (you’ll start to see a pattern with my recommendations!) and opt for the most durable option. Educational toys are an investment , so you want them to last. 
• Ignore gender stereotypes: Your little girl might love dolls, and your little boy might love trucks, or the opposite might be true. At this age, it’s all about creating a well-rounded human who feels confident as an independent problem-solver, leader, and caregiver as they age.
• Variety: You shouldn’t expect to hear Beatholven on a mini piano at two years old… But you should explore music , science, art, and literature with your little one to tap into their uncovered interests and talents. 

Pro Tip: Looking for toys and activities for babies and toddlers of other ages ??

Check Out My Other Toy and Activity Guides:

• Activities For A 4 Month-Old
• Toys And Gift Ideas For 9 To 12 Month Babies
• Activities For a 14-Month-Old Busy Toddler
• Educational Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
• Outdoor Toys for 2-Year-Olds
• Airplane Toys for Toddlers
• Music Players For Toddlers

Side Story: I recently got weird looks at my son’s birthday party when his gifts were about nurturing. I got him a baby carrier for his doll, a feeding set (you know, those “magic” bottles), some doll clothes, and diapers. Of course, his other presents included Hot Wheels, Spiderman, and a GIANT garbage truck. He barely looked at my toys while we were at the party. And everyone assumed that he would never play with dolls, even if I wanted him to… But guess what? As soon as everyone was gone, the *first* thing he did was find his baby, put him in the carrier, and feed him a bottle. These are the nurturing skills that I want to teach my children! Regardless of what everyone else thinks ?. 

Books 

You might think your two-year-old has no interest in books, probably because you haven’t found the right ones yet!

My two-year-old is obsessed with books … But it wasn’t until recently. He discovered one of my older son’s Pop-Up Peekaboo books, one of his favorite things to do since. Before that, he would try and tear the pages or chew on the spines!

These interactive books captivate little learners.

• Huge, detailed pop-up displays.
• Cute story lines.
• Themes for all interests (animals, vehicles, trucks, holidays, and more).

The pages are filled with pokable dots (they remind me of the push tabs on soda cups!).

At 2-years-old these books are great for engaging toddlers and developing hand-eye coordination.

As your child ages, Poke-a-Dot books have hidden games and challenges to do (like counting, Eye Spy, and more).

• Every page has a unique texture to feel.
• Children are eager to turn the pages.
• Teaches kids about their sense of touch.

I love these lift-a-flap books because your toddler can hold on to them themselves without worrying about ripping or tearing the page.

Each page has a hidden object to find that goes along with the storyline.

• Doubles as a search and find.
• Lets children learn authentic sounds of animals, automobiles, nature, and more.

Puzzle books are new to the scene and so much fun for little kids.

• Move the puzzle pieces to their slots throughout the book and become part of the story.
• Use the book as just as puzzle.

Pro Tip: Get your books from the library! Especially if you’re not sure what kind your child likes. Check out a few different types, see what they like, and invest in that series. 

Puzzles 

Recently, I’ve been loving puzzles that double as other things (like that Melissa & Doug puzzle book!).

Puzzles can teach pattern and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and problem-solving. Puzzles can also be a bit boring for toddlers . Look at these puzzles that teach your kid all the skills while maintaining an element of play. 

• Use the magnetic spoon to pick up scoops and toppings and place the scoops into the cones and bowls! The cone and bowl pieces have slots to stick ice cream.
• Give your child custom ice cream orders and watch them make it.
• In the end, solve the puzzle to clean up!

Note: I was disappointed that the entire puzzle isn't magnetic (that would make storing it so much easier!). Only the ice cream scoops and toppings are magnetic.

• Fish with the included magnetic fishing rod!
• Practice colors and name recognition with your toddler ("can you catch the blue one?" or "can you catch the turtle?").
• When you're ready to clean up, complete the puzzle to put it away.

You might not think of Velcro food as a puzzle, but it is! Recognizing the shapes and colors that go together and connecting the pieces is what puzzles are all about.

Teach your child fine motor skills associated with cutting and preparing food as well.

This is a quality set and another example of a hidden puzzle. The menu lets your child see pictures and recreate the cones. They can also see which pieces fit together and which don't.

Coding and STEM Toys 

Do you wish you knew Javascript and or HTML? Me too! (although I’ve had to learn a lot as a blogger over the years). Teach your child coding and immerse them in science and engineering with my favorite STEM toys .

• These little guys are the cutest (see their fox and lizard also!).
• Create paths using PUZZLE pieces.
• Coding Critter will follow your path.
• Teach engineering symbols like straight lines, loops, turns, and wavy lines.
• Open-ended play: Coding Critter will follow any black line. Grab your masking tape and create tracks all around your house!

• Things I love: It's super-simple (only goes forward and only turns left), never runs out of battery, and is virtually indestructible.
• Things I don't love: It's super simple (yes, this was also something I originally loved!). Once my son got a little older, he outgrew this toy. I prefer toys that last a little longer. The range is short. Stand too far away, and your car won't go.

Final Verdict: Although my son outgrew this in about a year, I would still purchase it again. The simplicity made it easy for him to learn the controls in one sitting. The speed was perfect, and it is heavy-duty but never scuffed my walls!

I have to admit, I might have a little too much fun with this toy as a 30 year old woman!

Take the car apart and build it back together with the functioning drill.

Teacher Take: This drill wins over some of the others on the market because it has a novice-level drill bit that makes it easy for even little hands to operate.

It also has a reverse function (for taking apart or fixing mistakes).

Finally, you can use the toy car for pretend and imaginative play.

The fun of tools, without the worry of small pieces for toddlers still putting things in their mouth.

Teach your child how to use different tools and the motions associated with them.

Each card has a theme with several learning modes and games.

• Teach your child about touch screens and buttons without screen time.
• Only offer one card at a time to make the toy seem new and exciting for each user.

Note: This is not a toy that I own or have used. I found it online while looking for another toy. I think it's really awesome and might become a birthday present in the near future!

Musical Instruments 

• Strum mode lets you strum the strings like an actual guitar.
• Turn off strum mode and "play" pre-made songs.
• The buttons on the guitar neck play musical notes.
• Select between acoustic, electric, and "barking" guitar sounds.

My kids have a blast with this guitar. They can make their own songs or play along to existing ones!

If you haven't yet bought this for your child, now is a great time!

Not only does this double as a musical instrument and pull toy, but you can also practice colors by having them hit the colors as you say them. Teach them songs this way!

My kids can't get enough of this music player ( one of many we own ).

They can sing pre-recorded Cocomelon classics or sing their songs through Bluetooth. It teaches kids about music and singing for joy.

All of the fun of a drumset without the noise!

• Play the drums by hitting the pads with the drumsticks.
• Several modes allow your child to play their own songs, stick to a beat, recall patterns, and more.

We have an actual piano at home that my two-year-old loves to play. We can play simple songs together.

I love this kid's piano: It has color-coded keys matching the included color-coded songbook. The color-coded notes are shown on a lined sheet of music and identified with a color and letter. Kids can learn music notes by color first, letter second, and finally on sheet music.

I can't say enough good things about the Tonie player. It's a top music player for children, and they've now introduced audiobooks!

We have a Toniebox and a Yoto player . I love them both, and so do my kids.

The Toniebox is great for younger children with shorter attention spans (shorter tracks) and who are more clumsy (it has soft sides that land with a soft bounce).

• Buy character song soundtracks and audiobooks.
• Listen through the speaker or connect headphones.
• Creating your own characters lets you upload custom playlists with infinite possibilities.
• Record your voice and "read" stories to your child.

I have the Yoto Mini , but I recommend the Original Yoto player for children under 3. It's bigger and can sit on a shelf, vs. the Mini, which could be easily dropped or lost. We also have a Toniebox player , which we love, but Yoto offers more variety and customizability for parents.

• Listen to endless free content (daily podcasts and radio stations are free!)
• Create your own Yoto Cards with up to 100 tracks.
• Control the Yoto player remotely from the parent app.
• Connect headphones with a wire or Bluetooth.
• Set daytime and evening parameters (including turning it off after bedtime).
• Use it as a white noise player.
• Built-in alarm clock.
• Built-in okay-to-wake clock (lets children know when it's time to be in bed and when to get up with different colored lights).

Arts and Crafts 

Arts and crafts can be messy, time-consuming (to prepare and to make), and elaborate. OR they can be simple to set up, mess-free, and require no parental help. We enjoy both types of arts and crafts in my house, so I’ll give you my favorites for each!

Practice colors, shapes, numbers, patterns, and stringing beads with this kit.

Teach sewing skills with this lacing toy.

The board is velcro-like (although dust and debris don't stick to it ?) and comes with colored cords of different sizes that stick to it.

Tracing cards come with it, or you can use the blank cards to create your own design.

I love that the cards and cords are stored within the board, making it easy to store.

Paint sticks are so much fun!

They go on buttery-smooth and have a paint-like feel, but they are half as messy as traditional paint.

Does your baby Hercules have a habit of snapping ordinary crayons in half?

Or wind up eating more than they are coloring?!

These twistables have hard plastic outer shells, so no more snapping!

Some two-year-olds aren't ready to hold pencils and crayons. These eggs fit right in their hands and make for a traditional coloring experience.

Designed just for toddlers, these easy-grip markers teach proper finger placement.

Are all kids in love with markers? Or is it just mine!?

If your little one has mastered holding markers and you're ready for the real deal, these are my top recommendations because they don't dry out!

• Chunkier than standard dot markers (perfect for tiny hands).
• Washable (from a trusted brand!).
• 30 activity pages included to practice numbers, letters, shapes, and pattern recognition.

Pro Tip: Stock your craft supply kit with foam shapes, stickers, tempura paint, paint brushes, glue, construction paper, and more from Dollar Tree. They have a great selection of kid-friendly supplies for $1.25 each!

I could go on and on about how much we love Water WOW products from Melissa & Doug!

• Fill pen with water.
• Color pages.
• Watch the picture appear.
• Watch it dry and fade back to white.

If you're tired of your toddler dumping over paint pots or your paints always drying out, switch to Pop & Paint. It has a self-moistening paintbrush, eight paint colors, a palette, and a cleaning disk.

It's not the same as traditional paint, but we love this set for quick craft sessions!

Parent-to-Parent: I love the Crayola Mess-Free system much more than my kids. There is a 1-2 second delay between using the colorless ink, and it appearing on the special paper. For my oldest, this was a deal-breaker. He never created with these. For my second, he’s more receptive to it but prefers traditional coloring and painting. They make great travel activities that you don’t have to worry about making a mess.

• Color, paint, stamp, and doodle with water
• Colors appear when wet and disappear when dry

Teacher Take: This mat stands out to me from others because of all of the extras that are included: pens, rollers, stamps, foam shapes, etc. It's also from a brand that I know and trust. 

Sorting and Stacking 

Teach hand-eye coordination, building, balance, and more with blocks galore.

I love this toy so much.

• Stack the cars on top of each other
• Recognize colors
• Count how high the cars go
• Lift the exit gate and pull the cars out by the little pegs
• Match the car colors to the levels
• Play with the cars all on their own

Sort, count, and stack all in one.

• Learn shape placement and recognition
• Fine motor skills to put the pieces in the peg
• Teach body parts

• Practice stacking

Play with the animals in their barns to encourage pretend and imaginative play.

Related Posts:

The Best Screen Free Music Players For Toddlers

The Best Baby Toys And Gift Ideas For 9 To 12 Month Babies For Learning And Development

43 STEM Toys for Toddlers

The #1 Best DIY Homemade Playdough Recipe [Secret Kool-Aid Hack!]

Makeblock mTiny Coding Kit Review

Yoto Mini Review: a Must-Have Audio Player For Kids

Blocks 

Are they creative toys? Engineering? Fine motor? Gross motor? Blocks are everything ! We have so many blocks that I think my head might explode. If you’ve never branched out beyond traditional blocks, you’re in for a treat!

WARNING: Many of these block sets have small pieces that are choking hazards. Remove any pieces that fit through a toilet paper tube. They could be choked on.

I am a huge Lego Duplo advocate and was even featured in Parent's Magazine with tons of ideas for ways to play and teach your child with Duplo.

Everything you need (including a storage case) to start building with Duplo. Dozens of designs that are ready to make or create your own! Encourage pretend play and imagination with all of the characters included.

Are they expensive? Yes.

Are they worth it? Yes.

The name brand is worth it here. Knock-off brands don't have the magnetic power for building. If you stack too many together, the creation will collapse from the weight.

I love our particular set because you get the car base, some road pieces, functional cranes, and spinning bases. These can be used as pictured or re-configured into your designs.

Pro Tip: When looking for Magnatiles for 2-year-olds, look for sets with mostly square shapes . Triangles are tricky to build, while even young toddlers can grasp building with squares.

Full Disclosure: We don't own them, and I've never played with them, but I see them all the time and think they are so cool as a block-alternative for children who aren't interested in traditional blocks. 

Trains are blocks, too!

They encourage problem-solving, building, connecting, engineering, and more.

We have all BRIO trains and tracks. Just like Magnatiles, I feel the brand is important here. We experimented with several other train sets that crack, splinter, or don't fit well together.

Nurturing Toys 

Let’s normalize teaching our children to nurture. Some might be naturally nurturing souls, while others think that baby dolls should be used to squirt imaginary explosive poop all over everyone–not that I’m talking from experience ?.

I don't know why this is rated 5+ (let me know in the comments if you know why!) . The bottle doesn't seem like a choking hazard to me. The leash is longer than 6", so it could be a strangulation hazard and should be monitored closely. But you could certainly remove the leash.

We LOVE this lamb. It reacts to being petted, asks for attention when lonely, and drinks its bottle. My boys love feeding her (her name is Toot ?) and listening to her burp!

This is rated for ages 6+, and I would use extreme supervision with a toddler doing this activity. You don't want them to eat the dirt or seeds. This would have to be an activity done largely by the parent.

Why I like this set:

• Teaches patience
• Nurturing (watering)
• You can see the plants growing (so it helps our impatient growers!)
• Teaches life cycles
• Teaches about cultivating food for eating

Care for sick animals and nurse them back to health.

Pretend Play

Your fondest memories of playing as a child likely involved pretend play. It’s a chance for children to let their imagination take over and be whoever they want to be. This type of imaginative play should start in children around two years old, but it may take longer for some. 

This also falls under nurturing: preparing food for people.

• Have your child prepare pretend meals
• Pretend to clean dishes
• Take orders from friends and family

Pro Tip: I'll use uncooked pasta or rice (if I'm in the mood to vacuum ?) and let them "cook" with it.

Let their imagination (and carpentry skills) soar with this fun workbench!

The power tools actually work and make sounds.

Toddlers love creating their own little spaces. Use it as a barn, a reading nook, or a place to be silly!

Melissa & Doug have dress-up costumes for whatever your child could imagine. Their costumes are well-designed and sturdy and come with fun accessories to let their imagination run wild.

There are Little People sets for every interest your child could have. It's great to teach them about new interests, careers, skills, and vocabulary related to the different sets. I love that these sets are open-ended with infinite possibilities to play.

This barn playset also sparked some early independent and creative play with my toddler. We also enjoy singing farm-related songs and making animal noises. I teach him to nurture the animals by feeding them and petting them ?.

Independence Tasks 

I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that your two-year-old loves to do everything you do. This behavior is adorable and can be great for teaching your child to become independent and self-reliable. Use these toys and everyday objects to teach young children to care for themselves, their surroundings, and others.

This sink has running water but you don't have to fill the reservoir if you don't want to. The accessories that come with it are too cute. Give your toddler some dishes of their own to clean.

You'll be happy to know that these toys aren't just for show! The toys actually function so your little one can help with household tasks.

Yes, this vacuum will suck up dirt and debris but don't count on it for doing any major cleaning.

Disclaimer: Ours was a different color, and the motor eventually burned out after two years of extensive daily use. We then bought the actual "Dyson" toy vacuum, and that broke after only a few weeks of use, so this is still my recommendation.

We have smaller bathrooms, so I love these folding step stools. They can be tucked away when not in use and easily moved from the toilet to the sink.

We've tried a few potty training seats, and this one seems to have the snuggest fit for our toilets. It's a trial-and-error thing!

We use these command hooks to hang a hand towel and their bath towels at toddler height.

Make brushing their teeth a fun experience with their favorite characters and a spinning toothbrush!

Pro Tip: Kids think washing themselves is a blast, and it’s life-changing when they can dress themselves and brush their teeth! You don’t need anything fancy. A few bathroom additions will set them up for success.

Get your little ones involved in real food preparation. I love this set because it has two wooden knife options to teach kids to cut soft foods (think banana, avocado, etc.). This set has everything they need to cook alongside you in the kitchen and will grow with them as they get older.

Mamas, idk if it's just me, but I LOATHE high chairs. When my little one was in a high chair, I felt like I was constantly cleaning clunky trays that got water all over my kitchen. We decided to replace our high chair with this booster seat, and we never looked back. I am actually in love with this seat for all of these reasons:

• It's plastic: no mystery crust and goop in the cushion crevices.
• It grows with your child: there are three height positions.
• It fits at the dining table: you can slide this seat under most tables so it is out of sight.
• Convertible: start your little pushed up to the table with a tray (like a high chair) and eventually remove the tray.
• Additional trays: the additional trays are $6 each and are dishwasher safe. We bought 3 extras (one for each meal of the day plus a backup), which was life-changing!
• Portable: easily take this on and off of any chair. The backrest folds down to save space. The feet are retractable to save space. It even comes with a tray lid to use your tray as a storage container.

Make your tiny tot feel like everyone else in the family with utensils that look like grown-up ones.

Just like with plates, our toddlers drink from glasses at mealtime. It's important to find glasses that are their size. A shot glass makes a perfect training glass when you're just starting with open cups!

Pro Tip: A wise mom once told me, never fill your toddler's glass more than you're willing to clean up. It's the best advice I've gotten for baby-led drinking .

You might be surprised to learn that my two-year-old sits at the table with us and eats from a glass plate and drinks from a glass cup at mealtime!

• Glass plates teach responsibility
• Grab plates that are 6-8" for two-year-olds
• These triple-layer plates are shatter-resistant

As the mom of a toddler who threw his plastic plates and high chair trays, I was hesitant to introduce glass plates as a part of baby-led weaning ... But we've never had an issue with him trying to throw a glass plate. They understand that glass plates are a privilege, making them more responsible at the dinner table.

Tips for Teaching Success

If you aim to teach your child skills and concepts with educational toys, here are my recommendations to get the best results.

Avoid Screens, Plastic, and Noise as Much as Possible 

You’ve probably noticed that most of these toys don’t make noise, don’t have screens (in fact, none of them do), don’t have buttons that light up, and are wood as much as possible. 

Don’t get me wrong, if you go digging in our toy closet, you’ll find all those things! You’ll even see my 2-year-old watching his favorite TV shows after nap while he wakes up and has a snack. It’s not that I’m against these things in general; it’s just when it comes to educational toys. 

Open-Ended 

Educational toys are most beneficial when they are open-ended. I was famous in my school for giving my students problems to solve that I wasn’t even sure there was an answer to! You’d be AMAZED at the things that children come up with when they aren’t given specific instructions, directions, corrections, or looking for a particular outcome. 

Today, your broomstick is a rocket ship; tomorrow, your books are building blocks; and on the weekend, it’s all hands on deck in the “ER” as your child performs surgery with their hard and screwdriver. 

Developmental Milestones For 2-Year-Olds

Remember that 75% of kids can achieve these developmental milestones for two-year-olds  by a certain age . Don’t be discouraged if your little one takes longer to master these skills. 

• Social/Emotional Looks at your face to see how you react. | Notices when others are hurt or upset. | Recognizes familiar people. | Happy to see other children. | Wants to be independent. | Shows defiance. | Has episodes of separation anxiety.
• Language/Communication Points to objects you name. | Says at least two words together. | Knows at least two body parts. | Uses gestures beyond waving and pointing (like nodding, shaking, etc.). | Follows instructions.
• Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving) Can use both hands at once. | Tries to use switches, knobs, or buttons. | Plays with multiple toys at once. | Begins to stack and sort. | Make-believe play.
• Physical ( outdoor toys are perfect for this) Kicks a ball. | Runs. | Walks (not climbs) up a few stairs without help. | Eats with a spoon. | Climbs up and down furniture.

My best advice? Let your child play without rules . It can be hard sometimes, but they will learn more by experiencing their toys and learning what doesn’t work independently.

My four-year-old would now tell you that brooms are for sweeping, books are for reading, and tools are for building. He figured this out all independently from learning and exploring the world on his terms.

Don’t damper their imagination by only allowing certain toys to be played with the “right” way. 

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I am the founder of Mommy Maker Teacher and a mom of two toddlers. With a degree in education, 12+ years of experience as a K-12 teacher and curriculum developer, and courses in childhood psychology and language acquisition, I share research-backed parenting tips and advice. I provide helpful content for moms on all stages of motherhood—from trying to conceive and pregnancy to postpartum, breastfeeding, and parenting.

Creation Crate Blog

Unpack Your Potential

5 Awesome Toys That Can Help Develop Children’s Critical Thinking

Every parent wants to give his or her children every advantage starting out in life.

Experts agree that children benefit most from creative play with math and science in their earliest formative years.

Providing your kids with toys, such as those found inside a Creation Crate, help promote critical thinking skills that are essential to helping them get a head start on their education and their future.

Here are five toys specially designed to help your children develop critical thinking skills.

Magna Tiles (The Valtech Company)

http://www.magnatiles.com/

While these are a bit on the pricey side, Magna Tiles are worth every penny.

These magnetic locking tiles let your kids build towers, bridges, tunnels and every other structure their imagination can dream up.

They also integrate wonderfully with other building toy sets, such as Legos, giving them even more possibilities for creation.

Your kids will construct the next Eiffel Tower in no time!

SnapCircuits (Elenco)

http://www.snapcircuits.net/

A brilliantly simple way of letting your kids discover how circuitry and electrical currents work, SnapCircuits come in sets in much the same way you got a chemistry set when you were a youngster.

SnapCircuits are a fun and easy method for teaching the basics of conductors, switches, resistors, capacitors and other simple functions of electrical circuitry.

They are also very reasonably priced and expandable with multiple kits and modules to help your kids continue to pursue learning about circuits if this kit sparks their interest.

Before you know it, your kids might figure out how to rewire the doorbell so it controls the television.

Qwirkle (Mindware)

http://www.mindware.orientaltrading.com/qwirkle-a2-32016.fltr

A combination of dominoes and Scrabble, Qwirkle is a fast-paced and exciting board game that teaches pattern recognition and develops spatial skills.

Better still, it encourages discovery learning in a highly social way by allowing your kids to develop multiple skillsets at the same time.

The idea of the game is to score a Qwirkle, which means your create a line of six tiles in a row either of the same color or the same shape in six different colors.

You don’t have to yell “Qwirkle” when that happens, although that does make the game more fun.

Tot-Tube Playset (Inspiration Play)

https://www.amazon.com/Tot-Tube-Playset-Tunnel-Track/dp/B00PFB0JTQ

If your kid loves to play with toy cars while building race tracks and obstacle course for them, Tot-Tube Playset is one of the simplest and best toys to encourage critical thinking skills.

Essentially, this is a long durable tube for launching cars at an incline, shooting them out of the lower end at top speed.

If your toddler loves cars and making “vroooom vroooom” noises, this toy is your next birthday present idea.

Castle Logix (SmartGames)

http://www.smartgames.eu/en/smartgames/castle-logix

Who doesn’t love castles?

This creative puzzle game allows your kids to build numerous different 3-D castles with large colorful blocks.

The included booklet has dozens of building challenges that will hold the interest of learners young and old for hours on end as they try to engineer structures according to images and puzzle challenges.

Better yet, have your child dress up as a hungry dragon, dashing knight or queenly regent to oversee the castle’s operations.

The possibilities for imagination are endless!

What is more impactful on a child’s critical thinking then building robotics?

Take a look at these six projects that you can have shipped right to your door! Creation Crate comes with components and instructions all in one crate. Best part, each month the crate gets more difficult and teaches a new lesson.  Take a sneak peak at what projects you complete the first six months! 

creationcrate

Related posts.

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Chalk Academy

10 Best Open-Ended Toys That Promote Creativity and Learning

As a pediatrician and mom of two, my selective list of best open-ended toys encourages communication , exploration, creativity, visual discrimination, and problem-solving skills for a wide age range .

This gift guide has been curated by what has entertained my children (ages 7 and 10) and their friends, my teenage nephews, and even myself. I wrote the first version of this post several years ago, and the recommendations have remained constant.

Therefore, I call these “ forever toys ” – toys that will grow with your toddlers, preschools, and elementary school-aged children!

Chalk Academy is reader-supported. Some of the links are affiliate links. When you buy something through an affiliate link, we may earn a very small commission at no cost to you. Details here .

Minimalist’s guide to shopping for open-ended toys

Less is more: the benefit of few toys.

Clutter is the ultimate distraction, scarcity encourages creativity, and oceans are filled with plastic .

Over the years, I have decluttered and donated most toys …and we still have a lot!  But I strongly believe few toys are better than multiple mediocre ones.

As I wrote the first draft of this article, my kids were playing in an impressive chair and blanket fort. They’re still all about their DIY cardboard box house , too. And nothing beats going outside to the park and beach!

When loved ones insist on gifts

I have been trying to institute a “no gift” rule in our home for years. However, most friends and family still insist they need to gift something.

I can’t seem to change their minds, but at least some ask for recommendations. (Wink, wink – this article is the wish list!) It’s a win-win : they feel happy to give, while we are more likely to receive useful, quality, open-ended toys.

We now get fewer breakable plastic toys that would end up in the trash – whew!

What makes the ideal toy for kids?

My personal checklist for deciding whether to purchase toys reflects the  American Academy of Pediatric (AAP) guidelines  and includes the following:

[ ] Open-ended

Kids can play independently without instructions or guidance from parents. 

The same toy can be used in multiple ways, and their purpose can change as they grow.

These toys are gender-neutral, timeless, and free of commercial branding.

In addition, an open-ended toy should encourage critical thinking and questions such as:

• I wonder how this looks if I put it here?
• Does this fit together or not?
• Will it roll or stay in place?

[ ] NO Batteries

The big downside of battery-operated, cause-and-effect toys is that they often interrupt focus and limit imagination.

On the other hand, toys without electricity allow your kid to make up their own sounds! 

Open-ended toys also encourage kids to feel and move different parts independently.

As stated by the AAP:

Electronic and digital add-ons increasingly found even in physical toys may actually hinder caregiver-child interactions. The harmful effects of screen time also are an important consideration, especially for young children.

BONUS: no digital toys means no annoying sounds to bother Mom and Dad!

[ ] Environmentally-friendly

My children have seen photos and videos of the consequences of plastic, which motivate our preference for natural materials like wood.

That being said, there are a few circumstances where we use plastic, but I will include alternative materials when available.

10 Best Open-Ended Toys That Kids Will Love For Years!

Send this list of the best open-ended toys to relatives and friends who insist on getting  something  for your kids!

You can also find many open-ended toys conveniently listed on our  Amazon Shop .

• Magnetic tiles and blocks
• Building bricks (Lego, Eco-Brick)
• Plain wood blocks
• Realistic toy animals
• Mini vehicles
• Jumbo droppers
• Grimm’s Rainbow Stacker
• Wood peg dolls
• Runner up: 100 Board

1. Magnetic toys: Magnatiles, Tegu blocks

Most of our friends agree that colorful magnetic tiles are among the best toys for kids. We have the original Magnatiles; my kids continue discovering new ways to explore building possibilities. They love using magnetic tiles for color mixing and light reflection. While playing and creating, they are learning about geometry, too.

If you want to compare prices with knock-off brands or look for wooden alternatives, I’ve included a few other options below.

Where to buy:

• Magna-Tiles (also at Target )
• PicassoTiles
• Tegu wooden magnetic blocks: 24-piece ; 42-piece
• Wooden EarthTiles

2. Open-ended toys: LEGOs and Eco-Bricks

Whenever I ask parents of teenagers which toys were the last to be outgrown, they immediately reply, “LEGOs.” We used to gift our nephews a new set every Christmas, and they only recently outgrew them. Now, our children are busy building with the hand-me-downs. To promote creativity, consider open-ended creative brick boxes.

• LEGOS – medium creative brick box , large creative brick box
• Eco-Bricks Bamboo Blocks (if you prefer to minimize plastic)

Of course, building kits are a fun challenge, too! Check out our reviews of favorite Chinese LEGO sets for kids .

3. Play silks / Play scarves

My kids have played with play silks almost daily since they were babies! Back then, my kids squealed with delight using the transparent fabric for peek-a-boo.

These days, they use the play silks to create forts and blankets for their stuffed animals. We also use play scarves as an eco-friendly way to wrap presents.

• Polyester play scarves
• 100% silk play scarves

4. Open-ended toys: plain wood blocks

The staple of all open-ended toys is the humble, plain wood block! Natural colors let kids focus on size and weight discrimination while building.

My kids have noticed that triangle blocks can be combined together to make bigger triangles, squares, or rectangles, depending on the orientation and shape.

Where to buy: Melissa and Doug Wood Building Blocks

5. Realistic toy animals

I once debated between plastic toy animals versus wood toy animals, but the details of the plastic toys are impressive. Each animal looks so realistic. Even their footprints are different in play dough!

My children adore their toy animals, and my 7-year-old still makes roaring sounds with them on the weekends. (My 10-year-old is attached to her favorite animals, though playing less often.) We’ve also used them to learn geography, such as with our felt world map , animal atlas books , and animals of the world printables .

Although we’ve been collecting the Schleich brand, many parents have recommended the more affordable Safari LTD Toob animals. If you’re worried about plastic, keep an eye out for these toys secondhand in thrift shops.

• Schleich toy animals
• Safari LTD Toob animals

6. Mini toy vehicles

In our home, little vehicles and matchbox cars have been as popular as mini animals. My children have enjoyed sorting the cars by color and size, making engine sounds, and racing around the house. Whenever my son gets a new toy car, he gazes lovingly at the tiny details for hours, haha!

• Mini construction vehicles
• Mini helper vehicles and road signs

The easel is the centerpiece of our children’s play-and-learn area. We have had our Melissa and Doug Easel for nearly a decade!

It’s been amazing to see my children’s scribbles turn into decipherable doodles and messages over the years. I have also used the easel to teach my kids Chinese , and our former nanny used it to teach Korean .

Due to the adjustable height, the easel can grow with a child from toddlerhood to tweenhood. It’s currently at the highest position, just the right height for my big kids.

I’ll list other whiteboards that caught my eye so you can compare reviews to see which works best for your family.

• Melissa and Doug Easel (also at Target )
• Tabletop Easel
• Quartet Magnetic Whiteboard
• AmazonBasics – this set includes yellow

Recommended : Fun Ways to Learn Hangul with Korean Alphabet Toys

8. Open-ended toys: droppers and pipettes

Droppers and pipettes are affordable, and my kids have gotten so much use from them! Toddlers can practice simple transferring of water and will love squirting water out. Older kids can enjoy doing science experiments with droppers and pipettes.

Where to buy: Learning Resources jumbo eyedroppers

9. Open-ended toy: Grimm’s rainbow

Ahh, the iconic Grimm’s rainbow! Relatives have generously gifted us various Grimm’s toys. If I had to choose one, the rainbow stacker is the best. My kids get so creative with these toys. It even looks pretty on our shelf when they aren’t playing with it.

I previously purchased a cheap wood rainbow from Etsy, but the wood was rough, and the pieces did not stack well.

On the other hand, Grimm’s toys are of amazing quality. The surface has a subtle texture so the pieces can balance, but there are no rough edges. Recently, my husband accidentally dropped our Grimm’s rainbow semi-circles down a flight of wooden stairs, but they were all intact. Whew!

However, beware of the Grimm’s addiction! The more Grimm’s blocks you get, the more you can build. The natural version allows my children to focus on size discrimination, while the colorful Grimm’s rainbow brightens our otherwise neutral room.

• Grimm’s large 12-piece rainbow stacker – traditional colors versus knock-off brand with mostly good reviews
• Grimm’s large 12-piece rainbow stacker – natural
• Grimm’s semi-circles – traditional colors versus knock-off brand with mostly good reviews
• Grimm’s semi-circles – natural

10. Wood peg dolls

When we first got wood peg dolls, I immediately regretted them. They sat on the shelf untouched until my daughter gave them all names one day; the rest is history!

Now, my son adores them just as much as his big sister. He’s used them for color matching, and they both use the dolls for imaginative play, such as with our cardboard playground .

Because diversity is important in our children’s toys, we have light and dark wood peg dolls.

• Grapat – Dark Warm Nins and Dark Cool Nins
• Grimm’s Rainbow Friends
• Plain natural wood doll set

Runner-up: 100 Board

The Hundred Board is one of the best hands-on educational resources for kids between 3 and 9 years of age. It comes with colorful wool balls for color matching and pattern formation.

Toddlers past the mouthing (choking hazard) stage can improve fine motor skills and pincer grasp by putting the balls into different holes. Older kids can work on skip counting and other math exercises. My daughter also enjoys rolling playdough balls into the different slots. You can purchase number coins separately and pair the activities with our printable hundred chart .

Read our review of the Wooden Hundred Board for learning ideas and where to buy.

What are your favorite open-ended toys for children?

Which toys are your child’s favorite? What seems to capture their attention the longest? And which toys haven’t worked for your kids? Please share in the comments below. We’d love to learn from your experience.

More toy and gift guides for kids

What is your child curious about? Here are more educational gift guides for holiday and birthday shopping!

The Best Puzzles for Kids and Adults

Favorite Human Anatomy Toys | Science Gifts for Kids

The Ultimate Chinese Gift Guide for Kids

The Ultimate Korean Gift Guide for Kids

Dr. Betty Choi is a Harvard-trained pediatrician and mother on a mission to connect families through language and play. Chalk Academy was inspired by her trials and triumphs with relearning a heritage language and raising bilingual children in a monolingual community. Dr. Choi's advice has been featured in PBS, Parents, Healthline, The Atlantic, and VeryWell.

13 Comments

Hello! I love love your playmat! Where did you get it?

Grimms rainbow are a hit here too, we have the natural, pastel and they’re original.

Grapat are also a favorite of mine as well 😆

Hi Raisa! Thanks so much for reaching out. I think the mat in these pictures is currently not available, but here is a similar modern gray playmat that we have and love!

Hi again! I just noticed that the medium size of our playmat in the photos is back in stock on Amazon here.

Could you update the link for the knockoff Grimms semicircles?

Love this list and totally agree! Less clutter, less toys in the land-fill, more creative play! I would add play couches to this list as well as another fantastic option.

Cut pieces of yarn are great too. This was one of the best websites on the subject. Thanks

My kids love to play with legos. My son is constantly building the sets and then changing them up however he sees fit. My daughter loves to play dress up but is starting to get into the legos too! Building things and playing pretend seem to keep my kids attention the longest. So far I haven’t had much luck with board games, but they are still pretty young for that.

Hi, I have red a few of your posts which are all so inspiring! Are you able to write more about the early stages of your parenting and language learning, activities and toys you would recommend for under 3? My baby is now 14 months and I’d love to know where to start! Thank you

Hi Olivia! Thanks so much for reaching out! Yes, here are some posts that I wrote and hope they can help: 1. Raising a Bilingual Baby: 5 Things Parents Should Do 2. How I’m Learning Chinese as a Busy Parent: Speaking, Reading, Writing

As for toys, honestly my kids loved tupperware and the Swiffer a lot as young toddlers 🙂 I don’t think they need much at that age. Otherwise blocks can go a long way – my 7 year old still plays with them plus magnetic tiles. Let me know if I can help with anything else!

All of these toys seem really great for kids. Once my wife and I have our first, we’ll be looking to get some. Don’t know which ones yet, but probably at least one from this list.

Great ideas, we do have almost all of these and love them. We also love our mobilo here. My two boys (6yo and 3yo) play with it constantly and rarely pick up anything else. My daughter (1yo) carts the pieces everywhere and loves when her brothers build her something to play with too. It’s so incredibly open ended and is something we will keep collecting as our kids grow as I’m sure the possibilities will grow with them. Even I enjoy building with mobilo!

These are great ideas! Thank you! I especially love the rainbow.

Also, perhaps a strange question, but can you tell me what that flooring is? I’ve been on a quest to find it and I’d really appreciate your help if you know.

Hi Elizabeth! Sorry for the late reply. The floors are engineered wood, but I can’t remember the details. The slightly distressed look hides minor dents and scratches well, but the dark color is unforgiving for dust!

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The best educational toys for two-year-olds in 2022

• Amanda Stellisano

Banish boredom with our pick of the best educational toys for two-year-olds that entertain and help kids learn as they play

At two years old, toddlers are rapidly learning about the world around them. They’re becoming mobile, gaining context of their environment and developing through mental stimulation. Getting kids to engage with the best educational toys can help boost both physical and mental skills, all while having fun.

Educational toys help children learn colours, words, numbers and motor skills. They can improve a child’s hand-eye coordination and critical thinking skills. While your child is playing and having fun, they’re also working on brain development. Puzzles, role-playing and mechanical toys all help your child expand their horizons while they play. And the repetition of play with these toys help solidify a child’s newfound skills.

It may be tempting to opt for toys marketed as educational, and which often come bearing a high price tag. But the truth is, at the age of two, such toys aren’t always the right option. Toddlers are excellent mimics and some of the more advanced toys may simply be encouraging them to memorise, rather than learn. The best way for a toddler to learn is through engaging with simple toys, with parents interacting and playing alongside them.

With so many toys available to help children learn and grow, below you’ll find our pick of the best educational toys for two-year-olds. For those overwhelmed by the choice on offer, read our guide on how to choose the right toys for your toddler.

READ NEXT: Best bath toys for babies and toddlers

Best educational toys for two-year-olds: At a glance

• Best overall educational toy: Kids Building Blocks | Buy now
• Best problem-solving toy: Little Dutch Little Goose Activity Cube | Buy now
• Best musical toy: Baby Einstein Hape Strum Along Songs Magic Touch Guitar | Buy now

How to choose the best educational toys for your two-year-old

What types of educational toys are best for two-year-olds.

If you’re looking to add some educational toys to your toddler’s collection, there are some things you might want to consider before making a decision.

Does it encourage motor skills? Toys such as balls, blocks and puzzles help children develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This helps them become more coordinated and independent as they grow.

Does it encourage problem solving? Puzzles, nesting cups and shape-matching toys help your child to work on their mental dexterity as well as physical skills. This helps them to better understand the world around them, particularly new experiences.

Does it encourage imagination? Toys that don’t have specific roles, such as blocks, can be anything your child wants them to be. They can build different structures and use their imagination to see the blocks as whatever item suits the game currently in their head.

Does it encourage new vocabulary? Children of this age have a limited grasp on language, so toys that encourage them to learn new words are always helpful. Puzzles and playsets can help children to learn the names and terms for the items with which they’re playing.

Does it encourage independent play? Or parent interaction? As mentioned earlier, toddlers learn well when parents directly interact with them, with educational toys a key tool in this regard. Helping them name items, colours or shapes will encourage interaction and learn more quickly. That said, children should also be learning independence, so a toy that they can also enjoy on their own is ideal.

Other considerations

It may feel like educating your toddler requires structure, but one of the best things you can do is let your child play pretend, with no set rules or expectations. Open-ended toys can foster your child’s creativity while encouraging communication and problem-solving skills. In reality, most toys will help your child learn and grow as they play. Just make sure they’re having fun and the learning will come!

READ NEXT: Best sensory toys for autism

The best educational toys for two-year-olds you can buy in 2022

1. kids building blocks: best overall educational toy for two-year-olds.

A classic favourite of children everywhere, wooden building blocks are a quintessential educational toy. These blocks come in a variety of shapes and bright colours, helping children to learn new words as they develop the ability to identify blocks by their appearance.

These blocks also allow your child to free play, using their imagination to build whatever comes to their mind. Children can work on their fine-motor skills, stacking blocks and keeping structures balanced. And once they have the sense of accomplishment that comes with building, they can have fun knocking the blocks down before building something new.

Blocks also allow for play with other toys, such as cars and dolls, bringing the fun of open play. Made with sustainable, FSC-approved wood, these blocks are environmentally friendly – and a timeless favourite that is sure to deliver hours of fun for your toddler.

Key details – Materials: Wood; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 1-3 years

Buy now from Jaques London

2. Little Dutch Little Goose Activity Cube: Best problem-solving educational toy for two-year-olds

Another classic childhood toy, activity cubes offer children multiple challenges. Each side has a different activity for them to discover, so there’s plenty here to keep children playing without getting bored. All these activities help toddlers to work on their fine motor skills and problem-solving capabilities.

The cube’s top features wire spirals with beads to push around and spin, with the other sides offering gears that turn, plus shape sorting, sliding puzzles and spinning puzzles. Each activity will engage a child in a different way, helping them to identify shapes, colours, animals and numbers, as well as practise hand-eye coordination as they play.

Made up with a palette of soft colours, the design here is a nice contrast to the often bright and brash colours of many kids’ toys, helping them learn different shades of similar colours. If hours of stimulation and entertainment is what you’re after, this is a great choice.

Key details – Materials: Iron wire, teawood, beech wood, non-toxic water-based paint; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 18+ months

Buy now from JoJo Maman Bébé

3. Top & Bake Pizza Counter Play Set: Best educational cooking toy for two-year-olds

For a unique twist on the typical play kitchen, let your toddler learn to make pizza! This play set has 34 pieces to help your child use their imagination and learn a variety of things in the process. Children can work on their fine motor skills when building and cutting pizzas, while expanding their capacity for storytelling as they work their own pizza parlour.

The set includes a wooden crust, felt cheese and sauce, wooden pepperoni, olives, mushrooms and peppers. The parts have self-stick tabs that help keep the pizza together as the child builds it. Also included is a parmesan cheese shaker, a counter with a built-in pretend oven, a pizza paddle and rolling cutter. There’s a reusable menu, delivery box and pretend money, too.

Children can learn to count and sort while playing independently or interacting with adults, while also working on critical thinking and dexterity.

Key details – Materials: Wood, felt; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 18+ months

Buy now from Toy Street

4. Baby Einstein Hape Strum Along Songs Magic Touch Guitar: Best educational musical toy for two-year-olds

The positive effects that music has on young children is well documented. As such, it makes sense to include musical items in their range of educational toys. Made of wood, this play guitar with Magic Touch technology will see your child interact easily to produce realistic acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass and banjo sounds in six different keys.

The guitar responds to your child’s strumming action, allowing them to make their own chord combinations. Children can also play along to pre-recorded songs, while the guitar’s whammy bar activates Silly mode, which produces a wide variety of weird and wonderful sound effects.

A toy guitar helps children to learn about rhythm and sound, helps their motor skills and also encourages self expression. Here, children will also learn about colours and animals, which feature on the frets.

Key details – Materials: Wood; Batteries needed: Yes; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 12+ months

Buy now from Smyths

5. 1-2-3 Build It Rocket Train Helicopter: Best educational engineering toy for two-year-olds

If your toddler has taken a particular liking to cars and other vehicles, this STEM-authenticated play kit may be just what they’re looking for. The 17-piece kit allows children to construct either a rocket, a train or a helicopter. But the fun doesn’t end there: children can use the pieces to build their own creations, too, encouraging imaginative play.

All of the pieces are colourful and easy for toddler hands to grasp. Even the wrench is adequately chunky, making it easy for small hands to use. Arriving with a reusable storage box, children can also learn about the important task of putting away their toys.

A superb toy for developing fine motor skills and their vocabulary, children will likely need parental help to follow the picture instructions and build the rocket, train or helicopter.

Key specs – Materials: Plastic; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 2+ years

Buy now from Bright Minds

6. Shape Sorting Cube: Best educational matching toy for two-year-olds

This is another classic educational toy – and with good reason; there’s so much a child can learn with this one little cube! As well as learning shapes and colours, children will develop problem-solving skills and be able to practise their hand-eye coordination through this one simple toy.

Including basic shapes such as the triangle, circle and square, this shape sorter also offers more challenging designs including a trapezoid, sector and hexagon. With shapes sporting different hues, children will even get the opportunity to learn colours.

Toddlers can play by matching the correct shapes to the correct slots on the cube to improve fine motor skills, or simply match by colour. A sliding lid keeps all the pieces contained within the cube for storage, and makes this toy conveniently portable, too.

Key details – Materials: Wood; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 12+ months

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

From educational puzzles to kitchen tools, these expert-approved ideas will help toddlers develop skills while having fun.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

"This is a huge jump in their thinking skills!" says Rebecca Parlakian , M.A., E.D., a parenting expert from Zero to Three , an organization that focuses on kid development during the early years. "As they are discovering that they, themselves, are individuals with their own thoughts and feelings, they are also learning that others have their own thoughts and feelings too. Pretend play gives children a chance to take on these different perspectives. Usually the first pretend play parents see is 'playing house,' since it’s what children know best, but really children act out any familiar scenario — like when my daughter picked up a toy phone and said, 'Shhh, I have a conference call.'"

Parlakian also says roleplaying items can encourage pretend play, including toy kitchen items, dolls and strollers or vehicles with chunky figures that can fit inside. In addition, she suggests looking for toys that encourage problem-solving like wooden blocks, building toys and puzzles. Toys and games that support open-ended play and can be used multiple ways are good, too.

With all this and in mind, when it comes time to find the best toys and gifts for 2-year-olds in 2024 , the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute see hundreds of toys each year, and call in the best ones to test them for safety, functionality and fun factor. They look for toys that build on these developmental skills, toys that are well constructed and playthings toddlers will return to again and again. Some of our recommendations are even current or previous Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners!

Hape Melody Mansion Ball Run

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.

Bilibo by 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+

Little Tikes TotSports Easy Hit Golf Set

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+

Bouncy Pals Fox

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+

'Where's Bear?' Game

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+

LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart

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+

Wood City Wooden Car Race Track Ramp

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+

John Deere Build-a-Buddy Johnny Tractor Toy

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+

Animal Parade A to Z Puzzle

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+

Radio Flyer Scoot About Sport Ride-On Toy

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+

Skoolzy Pegboard Set

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+

Pop2Play Indoor Slide

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+

Adora Soft Baby Doll

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+

LeapFrog Yum-2-3 Toaster

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+

LEGO DUPLO Mickey & Minnie Birthday Train

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+

Playmobil My Take Along Noah's Ark

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+

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

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+

Crayola Washable Palm-Grasp Crayons

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+

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

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

Melissa & Doug Disney Disney Wooden Peg Puzzles Set

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+

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.

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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• April 18, 2012

Developing Thinking Skills From 24 to 36 Months

While you often hear this stage called the “terrible two’s”, it is also an amazing time when your toddler’s skills and personality continue to deepen and grow. find strategies to support the development of your toddler’s thinking skills during this year..

In this third year, you will see a big jump in your child’s thinking skills. He will start to appreciate humor and jokes. She will be able to come up with solutions to more complex problems. Toddlers are also starting to be able to put themselves in another person’s shoes. They know that others have thoughts and feelings that are different from their own. For example, your child may give you a hug when you are sad. It is also an amazing time when your toddler’s skills and personality continue to deepen and grow.

What Can You Do to Support Your Toddler’s Thinking Skills?

Encourage pretend play. Let your child be the “director.” This helps her develop her own ideas. It also strengthens her thinking skills as she uses logic in her play: *The dog has to go back in his house because it’s raining.* You can help her develop her ideas by asking questions: *What is the doggy feeling? Why? What might happen next?*

Offer materials that help your child act out the stories he’s creating —hats, dress-up clothing, toy dishes, child-sized brooms, pads of paper, blocks, play food, and household objects like big cardboard boxes, blankets, pillows, etc.

Ask questions during your everyday play and routines. As you go through your day together, ask your child questions about what the two of you are seeing: *Why do you think the leaves fall from the trees? Where do you think the butterfly is going?* This gets your child’s mind working and lets her know that you are interested in her ideas.

Offer lots of chances to explore in creative ways. Take nature walks. Play with sand and water. Give your child objects he can take apart and investigate. By exploring objects during play, children figure out how things work and develop problem-solving skills.

Use everyday routines to notice patterns. Using language to explain these patterns helps your child become a logical thinker and increases her vocabulary *When the buzzer rings, the clothes are dry.* Or, *You wear mittens to keep your hands warm when it’s cold.*

Sort and categorize through the day. Your child can separate laundry into piles of socks, shirts, and pants. He can help set the table and organize the forks, plates, and spoons. At clean-up time, have him put the cars on one shelf and books on another.

Talk about feelings. Help your child develop a feelings vocabulary. Put words to what you think she might be feeling. *You are so mad that we have to leave the park.* This helps your child understand and cope with her emotions. Talk about what others might be feeling: *That little girl is jumping up and down and smiling. How do you think she feels?*

Encourage your child to test out different solutions to problems , rather than doing it for him: You might suggest he try the square block in another hole in his shape-sorter, or add some blocks to the bottom of his tower to keep it from collapsing.

Browse our full suite of resources on early childhood development.

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How to Teach Your Child to Be a Critical Thinker

Blue Planet Studio / iStockphoto

What Is Critical Thinking?

• Importance of Critical Thinking

Benefits of Critical Thinking Skills

• Teach Kids to Be Critical Thinkers

Every day kids are bombarded with messages, information, and images. Whether they are at school, online, or talking to their friends, they need to know how to evaluate what they are hearing and seeing in order to form their own opinions and beliefs. Critical thinking skills are the foundation of education as well as an important life skill. Without the ability to think critically, kids will struggle academically, especially as they get older.

In fact, no matter what your child plans to do professionally someday, they will need to know how to think critically, solve problems, and make decisions. As a parent, it's important that you ensure that your kids can think for themselves and have developed a healthy critical mindset before they leave the nest.

Doing so will help them succeed both academically and professionally as well as benefit their future relationships. Here is what you need to know about critical thinking, including how to teach your kids to be critical thinkers.

Critical thinking skills are the ability to imagine, analyze, and evaluate information in order to determine its integrity and validity, such as what is factual and what isn't. These skills help people form opinions and ideas as well as help them know who is being a good friend and who isn't.

"Critical thinking also can involve taking a complex problem and developing clear solutions," says Amy Morin, LCSW, a psychotherapist and author of the best-selling books "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" and "13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do."

In fact, critical thinking is an essential part of problem-solving, decision-making, and goal-setting . It also is the basis of education, especially when combined with reading comprehension . These two skills together allow kids to master information.

Why Critical Thinking Skills Are Important

According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which evaluated 15-year-old children in 44 different countries, more than one in six students in the United States are unable to solve critical thinking problems. What's more, research indicates that kids who lack critical thinking skills face a higher risk of behavioral problems.

If kids are not being critical thinkers, then they are not thinking carefully, says Amanda Pickerill, Ph.D. Pickerill is licensed with the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Board of Psychology and is in practice at the Ohio State School for the Blind in Columbus, Ohio.

"Not thinking carefully [and critically] can lead to information being misconstrued; [and] misconstrued information can lead to problems in school, work, and relationships," she says.

Critical thinking also allows kids to gain a deeper understanding of the world including how they see themselves in that world. Additionally, kids who learn to think critically tend to be observant and open-minded.

Amy Morin, LCSW

Critical thinking skills can help someone better understand themselves, other people, and the world around them. [They] can assist in everyday problem-solving, creativity, and productivity.

There are many ways critical thinking skills can benefit your child, Dr. Pickerill says. From being able to solve complex problems in school and determining how they feel about particular issues to building relationships and dealing with peer pressure, critical thinking skills equip your child to deal with life's challenges and obstacles.

"Critical thinking skills [are beneficial] in solving a math problem, in comparing and contrasting [things], and when forming an argument," Dr. Pickerill says. "As a psychologist, I find critical thinking skills also to be helpful in self-reflection. When an individual is struggling to reach a personal goal or to maintain a satisfactory relationship it is very helpful to apply critical thinking."

Critical thinking also fosters independence, enhances creativity, and encourages curiosity. Kids who are taught to use critical thinking skills ask a lot of questions and never just take things at face value—they want to know the "why" behind things.

"Good critical thinking skills also can lead to better relationships, reduced distress, and improved life satisfaction," says Morin. "Someone who can solve everyday problems is likely to feel more confident in their ability to handle whatever challenges life throws their way."

How to Teach Kids to Be Critical Thinkers

Teaching kids to think critically is an important part of parenting. In fact, when we teach kids to be critical thinkers, we are also teaching them to be independent . They learn to form their own opinions and come to their own conclusions without a lot of outside influence. Here are some ways that you can teach your kids to become critical thinkers.

Be a Good Role Model

Sometimes the best way to teach your kids an important life skill is to model it in your own life. After all, kids tend to copy the behaviors they see in their parents. Be sure you are modeling critical thinking in your own life by researching things that sound untrue and challenging statements that seem unethical or unfair.

"Parents, being the critical thinkers that they are, can begin modeling critical thinking from day one by verbalizing their thinking skills," Dr. Pickerill says. "It’s great for children to hear how parents critically think things through. This modeling of critical thinking allows children to observe their parents' thought processes and that modeling lends itself to the child imitating what [they have] observed."

Play With Them

Children are constantly learning by trial and error and play is a great trial and error activity, says Dr, Pickerill. In fact, regularly playing with your child at a very young age is setting the foundation for critical thinking and the depth of their critical thinking skills will advance as they develop, she says.

"You will find your child’s thinking will be more on a concrete level in the earlier years and as they advance in age it will become more abstract," Dr. Pickerill says. "Peer play is also helpful in developing critical thinking skills but parents need to be available to assist when conflicts arise or when bantering takes a turn for the worse."

As your kids get older, you can play board games together or simply spend time talking about something of interest to them. The key is that you are spending quality time together that allows you the opportunity to discuss things on a deeper level and to examine issues critically.

Teach Them to Solve Problems

Morin says one way to teach kids to think critically is to teach them how to solve problems. For instance, ask them to brainstorm at least five different ways to solve a particular problem, she says.

"You might challenge them to move an object from one side of the room to the other without using their hands," she says. "At first, they might think it’s impossible. But with a little support from you, they might see there are dozens of solutions (like using their feet or putting on gloves). Help them brainstorm a variety of solutions to the same problem and then pick one to see if it works."

Over time, you can help your kids see that there are many ways to view and solve the same problem, Morin says.

Encourage Them to Ask Questions

As exhausting as it can be at times to answer a constant barrage of questions, it's important that you encourage your child to question things. Asking questions is the basis of critical thinking and the time you invest in answering your child's questions—or finding the answers together— will pay off in the end.

Your child will learn not only learn how to articulate themselves, but they also will get better and better at identifying untrue or misleading information or statements from others. You also can model this type of questioning behavior by allowing your child to see you question things as well.

Practice Making Choices

Like everything in life, your child will often learn through trial and error. And, part of learning to be a critical thinker involves making decisions. One way that you can get your child thinking about and making choices is to give them a say in how they want to spend their time.

Allow them to say no thank-you to playdates or party invitations if they want. You also can give them an allowance and allow them to make some choices about what to do with the money. Either of these scenarios requires your child to think critically about their choices and the potential consequences before they make a decision.

As they get older, talk to them about how to deal with issues like bullying and peer pressure . And coach them on how to make healthy choices regarding social media use . All of these situations require critical thinking on your child's part.

Encourage Open-Mindedness

Although teaching open-mindedness can be a challenging concept to teach at times, it is an important one. Part of becoming a critical thinker is the ability to be objective and evaluate ideas without bias.

Teach your kids that in order to look at things with an open mind, they need leave their own judgments and assumptions aside. Some concepts you should be talking about that encourage open-mindedness include diversity , inclusiveness , and fairness.

A Word From Verywell

Developing a critical mindset is one of the most important life skills you can impart to your kids. In fact, in today's information-saturated world, they need these skills in order to thrive and survive. These skills will help them make better decisions, form healthy relationships, and determine what they value and believe.

Plus, when you teach your kids to critically examine the world around them, you are giving them an advantage that will serve them for years to come—one that will benefit them academically, professionally, and relationally. In the end, they will not only be able to think for themselves, but they also will become more capable adults someday.

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA): Results from PISA 2012 problem-solving .

Sun RC, Hui EK. Cognitive competence as a positive youth development construct: a conceptual review .  ScientificWorldJournal . 2012;2012:210953. doi:10.1100/2012/210953

Ghazivakili Z, Norouzi Nia R, Panahi F, Karimi M, Gholsorkhi H, Ahmadi Z. The role of critical thinking skills and learning styles of university students in their academic performance .  J Adv Med Educ Prof . 2014;2(3):95-102. PMID:25512928

Schmaltz RM, Jansen E, Wenckowski N. Redefining critical thinking: teaching students to think like scientists .  Front Psychol . 2017;8:459. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00459

By Sherri Gordon Sherri Gordon, CLC is a published author, certified professional life coach, and bullying prevention expert. 

Montessori Toys

Top 14 toys for boosting cognitive skills effectively.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Toys such as shape sorters, puzzle boards, building blocks, and memory games are effective in boosting problem-solving skills and cognitive development.
• Toys like shape sorters, building blocks, magnetic letters, and stacking rings can help improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Magnetic letters and alphabet puzzles are great toys for promoting early literacy development.
• Toys such as puzzle boards, building blocks, pattern blocks, and math cubes are beneficial for enhancing spatial awareness and critical thinking skills.

Shape Sorter

Puzzle Board

Building blocks.

• Building creativity: Building blocks allow children to use their imagination and create their own structures, fostering creativity and innovation.
• Spatial awareness: Manipulating blocks helps children understand spatial concepts like size, shape, and proportion, improving their spatial awareness skills.
• Problem-solving: Building blocks present challenges that require problem-solving skills, such as figuring out how to balance blocks or create stable structures.
• Fine motor skills: Handling and stacking blocks helps children develop their fine motor skills, enhancing their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

Magnetic Letters

Memory Game

Enhancing Memory Through Play

Cognitive Benefits of Memory Games

Stacking rings.

Counting Abacus

Pattern Blocks

• Encourages problem-solving: Pattern blocks provide children with the opportunity to experiment and find solutions to create different patterns and designs.
• Develops spatial awareness: Manipulating the blocks helps children understand spatial relationships and geometric concepts.
• Enhances critical thinking: Working with pattern blocks requires logical thinking and planning, which helps children develop their analytical skills.
• Fosters creativity: With pattern blocks, children can create their own unique designs, encouraging imagination and self-expression.

Alphabet Puzzle

Color Sorting Set

Benefits of color sorting.

Age-Appropriate Color Sorting

Engaging playtime with sorting.

• Enhances problem-solving skills : Sorting the colorful pieces requires us to think critically and find solutions.
• Improves hand-eye coordination : Manipulating the pieces and placing them in the correct slots helps us develop better hand-eye coordination.
• Promotes color recognition : Sorting the pieces by color helps us learn and differentiate between different shades.
• Encourages creativity and imagination : The Color Sorting Set allows us to create various patterns and designs, fostering our creativity and imagination.

Matching Game

Clock Puzzle

Time Concept Development

Problem-Solving Through Assembly

Lacing Cards

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a shape sorter help in developing cognitive skills, are there any specific benefits of using magnetic letters for cognitive development, what skills can be enhanced through playing with a memory game, how do building blocks contribute to cognitive skill development.

Can Pattern Blocks Be Used to Improve Problem-Solving Abilities?

Elaine’s journey with Healthy Kid Play began with a simple yet profound observation: the unparalleled potential within every child. With her extensive experience in early childhood, Elaine saw the need for a space where learning and fun converge seamlessly.

13 Essential Tips for Maintaining Educational Toys

Top 15 Age-Appropriate Toys for 2-Year-Old Toddlers

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Top 5 quality producers of learning toys.

• Melissa & Doug, Hape, PlanToys, Learning Resources, and Manhattan Toy are top quality producers of learning toys.
• Each brand offers unique features and benefits, such as promoting imaginative play and creativity, improving fine motor skills, encouraging problem-solving skills and cognitive development, and incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly materials.
• Learning Resources toys focus on hands-on learning and incorporate technology for a comprehensive learning approach.
• Manhattan Toy is committed to sustainable design, offers a wide range of activity centers, interactive puzzles, and soft plush toys, and has received recognition for their educational value and enhancing learning and development.

Melissa & Doug

Learning Resources

Manhattan Toy

What Is the History and Background of Melissa & Doug as a Company?

Can you provide specific examples of the types of learning toys that hape produces, what are the main principles behind plantoys’ approach to creating learning toys, how does learning resources ensure the quality and safety of their learning toys.

Can You Give Some Examples of the Different Types of Learning Toys That Manhattan Toy Offers?

10 Best Strategies to Pick Educational Toys for Kids

• Age-appropriate toys cater to specific developmental needs
• Sensory play engages multiple senses, promoting hands-on learning
• Open-ended play materials encourage creativity and problem-solving skills
• Educational toys foster problem-solving skills in children

Age-Appropriate Toys

Multi-Sensory Learning Tools

Benefits of sensory play.

Choosing Appropriate Sensory Toys

Open-ended play materials.

Promote Fine Motor Skills Development

Encourage Problem-Solving Abilities

Foster Creativity and Imagination

Open-ended play benefits.

Importance of Imaginative Play

Support Cognitive Development

Enhance Social and Emotional Skills

Importance of empathy.

Building Friendships Through Play

Consider Safety and Durability

Value for Money and Longevity

How Can Educational Toys Enhance Social and Emotional Skills in Children?

What are some examples of open-ended play materials.

How Do Multi-Sensory Learning Tools Benefit a Child’s Development?

Can you provide some tips for ensuring safety and durability when selecting educational toys, what factors should be considered to determine the value for money and longevity of an educational toy.

10 Steps to Select Eco-Friendly Toy Materials

• Non-toxic and chemical-free toys reduce the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and promote a safe and healthy play environment.
• Sustainable and renewable resources should be prioritized for eco-friendly toy materials to promote responsible sourcing and reduce environmental impact.
• The use of recycled and upcycled materials in toy manufacturing has a positive environmental impact by reducing waste and conserving resources.
• Opting for water-based and non-VOC paints for eco-friendly toys helps minimize the release of harmful chemicals into the environment and ensures safer indoor air quality.

Research Montessori Toy Safety Standards

Consider Natural and Organic Materials

Benefits of Natural Materials

• Sustainability: Natural materials are often derived from renewable sources, reducing the strain on our planet’s resources.
• Biodegradability: Toys made from natural materials can decompose over time, minimizing their impact on landfills.
• Non-toxicity: Natural materials are less likely to contain harmful chemicals, ensuring the safety of children during play.

Avoiding Harmful Chemicals

Avoid plastics and synthetic materials.

Look for Non-Toxic and Chemical-Free Options

Natural materials only.

Safety for Children

Environmental Impact Reduction

Choose Sustainable and Renewable Resources

Prioritize Recycled and Upcycled Materials

Environmental Impact of Materials

Benefits of Recycling/Upcycling

Choosing Sustainable Alternatives

Opt for Water-based and Non-VOC Paints

Check for Safety Certifications and Labels

Consider Durability and Longevity

Support Ethical and Fair Trade Practices

Are there any specific safety certifications or labels that i should look for when selecting eco-friendly toy materials, can you provide some examples of sustainable and renewable resources that are commonly used in eco-friendly toys.

What Are Some Alternative Options to Plastic and Synthetic Materials That I Can Consider When Selecting Eco-Friendly Toys?

How can i ensure that the paints used on eco-friendly toys are water-based and free from volatile organic compounds (vocs), what are some factors to consider in terms of durability and longevity when selecting eco-friendly toy materials.

Affiliate disclaimer

As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Enhance Learning and Creativity With Magnetic Blocks

Constantly on the lookout for toys that ignite creativity and foster learning, I immerse myself deeply in the field of...

Enhance Learning and Development With Qizfun Busy Board and Melissa & Doug Shape Sorter

Enhance Skills and Creativity With Wooden Stacking Stones and Brain Flakes!

Engaging Stacking Blocks: Boost Creativity and Motor Skills

Empowering Kids for Success: Independence & Decision-Making

Empowering Children Through Personalized Learning: Fostering Independence, Confidence, and Success

Egocentrism: Understanding a Child’s Perspective

The Benefits of Dramatic Play in Child Development

The Importance of Socialization in Child Development

Sensory Play: Boosting Brain Development and Learning

Symbolic Thinking: A Key Milestone in Cognitive Development

The Power of Cooperative Play in Child Development

The Role of PIES in Toddler Development: Enhancing Growth and Skills

Building Blocks: Enhancing Cognitive Development and Problem-Solving Skills

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Good Toys for Young Children by Age and Stage

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In addition to being safe (see  Safety and children's toys  below), good toys for young children need to match their stages of development and emerging abilities. Many safe and appropriate play materials are free items typically found at home. Cardboard boxes, plastic bowls and lids, collections of plastic bottle caps, and other “treasures” can be used in more than one way by children of different ages. As you read the following lists of suggested toys for children of different ages, keep in mind that each child develops at an individual pace. Items on one list—as long as they are safe—can be good choices for children who are younger and older than the suggested age range.

Toys for young infants—birth through 6 months

Babies like to look at people—following them with their eyes. Typically, they prefer faces and bright colors. Babies can reach, be fascinated with what their hands and feet can do, lift their heads, turn their heads toward sounds, put things in their mouths, and much more!

Good toys for young infants:

• Things they can reach for, hold, suck on, shake, make noise with—rattles, large rings, squeeze toys, teething toys, soft dolls, textured balls, and vinyl and board books
• Things to listen to—books with nursery rhymes and poems, and recordings of lullabies and simple songs
• Things to look at—pictures of faces hung so baby can see them and unbreakable mirrors

Toys for older infants—7 to 12 months

Older babies are movers—typically they go from rolling over and sitting, to scooting, bouncing, creeping, pulling themselves up, and standing. They understand their own names and other common words, can identify body parts, find hidden objects, and put things in and out of containers.

Good toys for older infants:

• Things to play pretend with—baby dolls, puppets, plastic and wood vehicles with wheels, and water toys
• Things to drop and take out—plastic bowls, large beads, balls, and nesting toys
• Things to build with—large soft blocks and wooden cubes
• Things to use their large muscles with—large balls, push and pull toys, and low, soft things to crawl over

Toys for 1-year-olds

One-year-olds are on the go! Typically they can walk steadily and even climb stairs. They enjoy stories, say their first words, and can play next to other children (but not yet with!). They like to experiment—but need adults to keep them safe.

Good toys for 1-year-olds:

• Board books with simple illustrations or photographs of real objects
• Recordings with songs, rhymes, simple stories, and pictures
• Things to create with—wide non-toxic, washable markers, crayons, and large paper
• Things to pretend with—toy phones, dolls and doll beds, baby carriages and strollers, dress-up accessories (scarves, purses), puppets, stuffed toys, plastic animals, and plastic and wood “realistic” vehicles
• Things to build with—cardboard and wood blocks (can be smaller than those used by infants—2 to 4 inches)
• Things for using their large and small muscles—puzzles, large pegboards, toys with parts that do things (dials, switches, knobs, lids), and large and small balls

Toys for 2-year-olds (toddlers)

Toddlers are rapidly learning language and have some sense of danger. Nevertheless they do a lot of physical “testing”: jumping from heights, climbing, hanging by their arms, rolling, and rough-and-tumble play. They have good control of their hands and fingers and like to do things with small objects.

Good toys for 2-year-olds:

• Things for solving problems—wood puzzles (with 4 to 12 pieces), blocks that snap together, objects to sort (by size, shape, color, smell), and things with hooks, buttons, buckles, and snaps
• Things for pretending and building—blocks, smaller (and sturdy) transportation toys, construction sets, child-sized furniture (kitchen sets, chairs, play food), dress-up clothes, dolls with accessories, puppets, and sand and water play toys
• Things to create with—large non-toxic, washable crayons and markers, large paintbrushes and fingerpaint, large paper for drawing and painting, colored construction paper, toddler-sized scissors with blunt tips, chalkboard and large chalk, and rhythm instruments
• Picture books with more details than books for younger children
• CD and DVD players with a variety of music (of course, phonograph players and cassette recorders work too!)
• Things for using their large and small muscles—large and small balls for kicking and throwing, ride-on equipment (but probably not tricycles until children are 3), tunnels, low climbers with soft material underneath, and pounding and hammering toys

Toys for 3- to 6-year-olds (preschoolers and kindergarteners)

Preschoolers and kindergartners have longer attention spans than toddlers. Typically they talk a lot and ask a lot of questions. They like to experiment with things and with  their still-emerging physical skills. They like to play with friends—and don’t like to lose! They can take turns—and sharing one toy by two or more children is often possible  for older preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Good toys for 3- to 6-year-olds:

• Things for solving problems—puzzles (with 12 to 20+ pieces), blocks that snap together, collections and other smaller objects to sort by length, width, height,  shape, color, smell, quantity, and other features—collections of plastic bottle caps, plastic bowls and lids, keys, shells, counting bears, small colored blocks
• Things for pretending and building—many blocks for building complex structures, transportation toys, construction sets, child-sized furniture (“apartment” sets, play food), dress-up clothes, dolls with accessories, puppets and simple puppet theaters, and sand and water play toys
• Things to create with—large and small crayons and markers, large and small paintbrushes and fingerpaint, large and small paper for drawing and painting, colored construction paper, preschooler-sized scissors, chalkboard and large and small chalk, modeling clay and playdough, modeling tools, paste, paper and cloth  scraps for collage, and instruments—rhythm instruments and keyboards, xylophones, maracas, and tambourines
• Picture books with even more words and more detailed pictures than toddler books
• Things for using their large and small muscles—large and small balls for kicking and throwing/catching, ride-on equipment including tricycles, tunnels, taller  climbers with soft material underneath, wagons and wheelbarrows, plastic bats and balls, plastic bowling pins, targets and things to throw at them, and a  workbench with a vise, hammer, nails, and saw
• If a child has access to a computer: programs that are interactive (the child can do something) and that children can understand (the software uses graphics and  spoken instruction, not just print), children can control the software’s pace and path, and children have opportunities to explore a variety of concepts on several  levels

Safety and children's toys

Safe toys for young children are well-made (with no sharp parts or splinters and do not pinch); painted with nontoxic, lead-free paint; shatter-proof; and easily cleaned.

Electric toys should be "UL Approved." Be sure to check the label, which should indicate that the toy has been approved by the Underwriters Laboratories. In addition, when choosing toys for children under age 3, make sure there are no small parts or pieces that could become lodged in a child’s throat and cause suffocation.

It is important to remember that typical wear and tear can result in a once safe toy becoming hazardous. Adults should check toys frequently to make sure they are in good repair. For a list of toys that have been recalled by manufacturers, visit the  Consumer Product Safety Commission  website.

Learning Toys for 2 Year-Olds

We have the top learning toys for 2-year-olds on Amazon. One of the best sellers on Amazon is the:

The Best Learning Toys for 2 year-olds on Amazon

Carson dellosa first words flash cards..

Finding the right toys for toddlers is hard sometimes, but not for long. In order to help with toddler’s development, we need the right tools and toys count for this too. Educational toys are always parent’s top choice, but kids love fun and learning isn’t in their equation, but it will be from now on when you get your child.

Large AquaDoodle Drawing Mat for Kids-Fly

• Water Drawing Mat: Large Size, Playground pattern.Easy to use. It can be folded into a compact size. Portable for indoor, outdoor and travel.Suitable for children to learn toys. A good interactive toy for boys and girls
• Drawing Mat Board: Playground design packing. Package included: Doodle mat x 1 + Magic pens x 2 + Drawing mold x 8,drawing template x 4
• Magic Drawing Mat: Reusable – Fill the magic pen with clean water and draw on the magic drawing mat. The doodle needs 3-10 minutes to disappear automatically (depending on the temperature and airflow), kids can draw on doodle board mat again and again

The artist in your child cannot wait for this to arrive at the house. Amazon’s top choice in toddler toys and its easy to set up and easy to learn. Plus express yourself too. It is a magic board to draw and color whatever your child wants. You’ll never have a big mess to clean up either. Fine motor skills are developing more with this mat as well.

Another educational type of toy is the:

I spy book for 2-4-year-olds

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The 43 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds of 2024

Practice shapes, sorting, colors, numbers, and more with these engaging gifts

Julia is the Associate Commerce Editor at The Spruce, covering all things seasonal, which means gift guides and holiday decor in the winter and patio furniture and gardening essentials in the summer. She's on a constant hunt to find the perfect gift for everyone in your life, from new dads to 5-year-old girls, through extensive research and testing as a product reviewer.

Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.

The Spruce / Lecia Landis

Buying the perfect gift for a 2-year-old can be difficult when you're trying to find something beneficial to their developmental health and growth but it is also engaging, fun, and unique.

Think about your child's interests, whether they love reading books, building with blocks, snuggling with stuffed animals, or dancing and singing to their favorite songs. Use these interests to guide you to the perfect gift for the toddler in your life .

We know that the options can be overwhelming, so we tested and researched the best gift and toy options on the market for 2-year-olds, considering the recommended age, safety, educational value, and longevity.

Sesame Street Learning Letters Bus

Looking for a fun way to teach your little ones the alphabet? Check out Elmo's interactive bus-shaped activity board! It's designed to play Sesame Street phrases and the "Alphabet Song" to help kids practice their ABCs and spelling. After playtime is over, simply store the letters back on the bus. It's a great way to make learning engaging.

John Deere Talking Toolbelt

It’s tot tool time thanks to this set from John Deere. It includes a belt and six tools, including a screwdriver, wrench, and hammer. All of the tools feature rubber handles that are easy for little hands to grip. What’s really awesome is that the belt makes tool sounds and even says two phrases.

b. Toys Toy Drum Set

Kids will be marching to their own beat with this fantastic music set that’s as cute as it is functional. Included are silly centipede drumsticks, jingle bell ants, a busy bee maraca and clacker, a caterpillar tambourine, and a shaker egg—plenty to make up a whole band. They all come packed in a bright drum with a handy carrying strap for some music on the go.

Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog

Perfect for tiny hands, Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog comes with pegs that perfectly fit into his body as spikes. Two-year-olds can practice their fine motor skills by placing the correct pegs in each spot, then practice counting and sorting with the different color "spikes" that come with this kit. The adorable critter is bound to keep kids entertained and engaged as they solve the mystery of his missing spikes.

Radio Flyer Bubble Buddy Walker Wagon

Radio Flyer

Radio Flyer reimagined its classic red wagon as a pull- and push-able bubble mower for toddlers. One 4-oz bottle of bubble solution is included; just pour it into the reservoir in the wagon and it will produce bubbles as the wheels turn. This is a great outdoor toy for little ones practicing walking and need a bit of motivation to get moving.

Gund Toast Bulldog Plush

Toast is ready to become the 2-year-old in your life's new best friend. The adorable plush from Gund has realistic bulldog features and a soft exterior that's ideal for cuddling and hugging. At 10 inches, this stuffed animal easily packs into a purse or backpack so you can take Toast with you on the go.

Lego Duplo Town Alphabet Truck

These oversized Lego Duplo blocks fit perfectly in a 2-year-old's hand as they build, destroy, and play. Each block has a different letter of the alphabet that encourages little ones to learn as they play. Practice the sounds of the letters, sort the blocks by color, or build them into a tower to foster fine motor skills. Once built on the truck, it actually drives around the room with just a push.

Munchkin Fishin' Bath Toy

Bath time will become playtime with this fun bath toy. Kids use the lightweight, magnetic fishing pole to catch the three sea creatures. The pole even makes a clicking sound. Not only is this fun but it can also teach kids hand-eye coordination. 

Lovevery Play Kits

Loverey play kits consider your child's age and developmental stage to provide the best toys, lessons, and supplemental material to promote learning and growth. Kids complete different projects and activities, delivered in the mail every three months, to support your child's creativity, independence, problem-solving skills, and so much more. They also provide a great bonding opportunity for toddlers and parents to complete together.

Pottery Barn Kids Wooden Shopping Cart

Pottery Barn Kids

Pottery Barn Kids makes beautiful wooden toys that double as nursery decor when not in use. This stunning shopping cart is the perfect toy for little ones practicing their walking and storing skills. Keep toys, clothes, or other items in the shopping cart for extra storage, or purchase some pretend food to go along with the cart. You can even bring it to the grocery store so your 2-year-old has a matching mini cart for cuteness overload.

GOODNIGHT ME

Mark & Graham

You can add a little fun to your toddler's bedtime routine with Goodnight Me . This book takes your little one on a magical journey filled with dancing dogs, leaping sheep, chirping crickets, and hooting owls. And the best part? You can personalize the book to feature their name on the cover, story, and illustrations, making them feel extra special every time you read it together.

LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

Kids can mix and match the flavors and toppings on their very own ice cream cart to create the perfect cone, all while learning and laughing. This set comes with recipe cards so toddlers can build their memory and sequencing abilities while also practicing their fine motor skills through giving and receiving money for the tasty treats.

Mr Potato Head Create Your Potato Head Family

A classic toy with a new twist, Mr.Potato Head is sure to give your little one hours of imaginative play—especially since this is a family set. The Create Your Potato Head Family toy includes 45 pieces to customize potato families, including 2 large potato adult bodies, 1 small potato baby body, and 42 accessories. The best part? When playtime is over, your 2-year-old and store the parts in the backs of the larger potato bodies, making clean up simple.

Step2 Up & Down Roller Coaster Ride On

If your toddler is a thrill seeker, they will love this ride-on coaster with ten feet of tracks. With a seat that can hold up to 50 pounds, it also includes a high back, handrail, and footrests for a safe and secure ride. You'll be able to bring the amusement park straight to your home.

Pottery Barn Mackenzie Disney Princess Castle Water Bottles

Pottery Barn

Get your little one excited to stay hydrated with this adorable Disney bottle. Featuring some of their favorite Disney Princesses like Cinderella and Belle, this bottle is designed to keep their drinks hot or cold for up to six hours. Plus, the push button pop-up lid makes it super easy to open, and it even has a lock to prevent spills. The best part? You add their name for a special touch.

3 Bees & Me Dinosaur Toys

Courtesy by Amazon

This rolling herd of dinosaurs will provide a roaring good time for tiny toddlers. Four dinosaurs, come in this value-priced pack. Each dinosaur is modeled after a real prehistoric dino. There’s a brontosaurus, a stegosaurus, a triceratops, and of course, a T-Rex, all in bright primary colors, perched atop wheels.

Disney Mickey Mini Waffle Maker

Looking to make breakfast time more magical? Check out this Mickey Mouse waffle maker. It cooks waffles in the shape of everyone's favorite mouse and features a convenient light to let you know when they're ready to eat. While it's not meant for your toddler to use on their own just yet, it's the perfect activity for parents or guardians to enjoy with their kids.

Fun Little Toys Kids Play Tent

Bring the outdoors in with this toddler camping set by Fun Little Toys. The set comes with 17 accessories including a pretend-play battery-powered gas stove and oil lamp, a cooking pan, plates, a shovel, a pop-up tent, and more—practically everything you need for hours of imaginative play indoors.

Nuby Octopus Bath Toy

This brightly colored toy is sure to make your kid smile. It’s perfect for 18 months and older. The purple octopus floats in the tub and includes three rings so kids can place them on the tentacles. The material is BPA-free and because the toys are sealed (no holes), there’s no worry about mold. 

First 100 Words

This book is such a classic and is ideal for kids ages 1 to 3. It features 100 photos to accompany each word. Kids will expand their vocabulary all while enjoying the colorful pics. The book is made of durable material and the cover is slightly padded, making it easy for kids to hold.

Coogam Matching Eggs Sorter Puzzle

This carton of (fake) eggs is packed full of educational enrichment. The dozen eggs open to reveal six colors and 12 shapes, which kids have to match. The eggs are made of durable material and they’re the perfect size for smaller hands. 

Pottery Barn Kids Kids Anywhere Chair®

Give your 2-year-old a throne of their own with the well-known Anywhere Chair by Pottery Barn Kids. With a monogram option as well as slipcovers in multiple colors, this customizable gift will really make your 2-year-old feel special.

Little Tikes EasyScore Basketball Set

To say this gift will be a slam dunk would be an understatement (and a silly pun), but it’s true. Budding ballers can shoot and score over and over again with this sturdy basketball hoop designed just for them. Perfect for hoopsters 18 months to five years old, it's easily adjustable and can go from 2 feet up to 4 feet. It also has an oversized rim for maximum points. The best part: the set comes with not one, but three, rubber balls, so if one rolls away to places unknown, the game doesn’t have to come to an end.

Pottery Barn Kids Giraffe Plush Nursery Rocker

Let your child embark on a wild adventure with this cute giraffe plush nursery rocker. Standing at 30 inches, toddlers can enjoy a smooth and gentle ride with precision-shaped runners and solid wood handles. Unlike other toys, this rocker is recommended for ages up to 5 and will last for years to come. Best of all, personalization is available to make this gift extra special.

Skillmatics Thick Flash Cards for Toddlers : First 100 Animals

Skillmatics

Perfect for road trips, plane rides, or sitting through siblings' sports games, Skillmatics' flash cards keep toddlers engaged and learning at the same time. The high-quality, non-bending flash cards feature realistic images and names of 100 animals. The box also comes with three learning games for 2-year-olds to sort, name, and learn more about fascinating animals from land to sea.

KayLe Spinning Top Sensory Toys for Toddlers

This suction cup spinner toy will create hours of enrichment for your 2-year-old's little mind. The suction cup feature allows this toy to stick to most surfaces, making this an easy toy to move from playtime to bath time. The soothing rattle sounds will get the interest of your little one and with three different designs included in the set, you can't go wrong.

Battat Deluxe Doctor Kit

The smallest doctor in your family now has their own kit to take care of any pretend bumps, bruises, or scrapes. The 11-piece set has colorful gear like a stethoscope, thermometer, tweezers, and a needle. Everything fits in the plastic case for easy storage. 

Britannica's Baby Encyclopedia

Britannica Publisher

Explore big ideas in a digestible way for toddlers with the Britannica baby encyclopedia. Learn about animals, food, art, numbers, science, and so much more for read-aloud, home-school sessions, and family bonding times. Everything was reviewed by early-years specialist Dr. Amanda Gummer and the book features beautiful and engaging illustrations by Hanako Clulow.

Step2 LifeStyle Custom Kitchen Playset

Your 2-year-old has some time before they actually start cooking, but this kitchen set is a fun start. The stove has cool sound effects like water boiling and a sizzling pan, while shelves and drawers provide plenty of storage space for the 20 included accessories.

Moonlite Mini Projector with 5 Mickey Mouse and Friends Stories

A new way to enjoy classic stories, Moonlite brings iconic tales and characters to life through a projector that attaches to your smartphone. This set comes with five Mickey Mouse and Friends stories you can find on the compatible app, then display with the included projector and your phone's flashlight. Nightly story times will never be the same.

Tender Leaf Toys Carrot Count Stacker

Tender Leaf Toys

Tender Leaf Toys makes charming, friendly wooden toys that foster important skills in your little one. Join the adorable bunny and learn to count to 10 with this wooden counting toy. Each carrot ring represents another number your 2-year-old can stack, sort, and count as they practice problem-solving and motor skills. Plus, everything is made from a renewable resource with water-based paint, so you can feel confident in what's going into your child's toys.

Melissa & Doug Nesting and Sorting Garages and Cars

Rev up the fun with this set of sorting cars and garages from Melissa & Doug. It comes complete with seven numbered wooden cars in graduated sizes. There are also seven garages included, each with a number and color that matches one of the cars for endless counting, sorting, and matching opportunities. All of the garages can be stacked on top of one another as well for stacking (and knocking down) and building.

Little Tikes Look & Learn Window

Little Tikes

With Little Tikes, your toddler gets their own mini window to explore weather, numbers, and other educational concepts all while staying inside. The two different sides represent day and night as you introduce temperature, greet the window by saying "good morning," listen to music and songs, and so much more.

Schwinn Roadster Tricycle

Introduce your toddler to their first bike with the Schwinn Roadster tricycle. It features a retro look, a low center of gravity for easy riding, and an adjustable seat to accommodate different-sized little ones. It comes in many colors sure to delight any 2-year-old, and tassels are attached to the handles.

Melissa & Doug Grocery Cart Push Toy and Puzzles

New from a leader in wooden toys, Melissa & Doug, comes a new educational and adorable grocery cart, perfect for 2-year-olds. Little ones explore shapes and colors while challenging their sorting and problem-solving skills with all of the moving elements. The 16-piece set also comes with chunky wooden puzzles that are stored right inside the cart. It also doubles as a stabilizing walking toy for toddlers just getting on their feet.

CoComelon Ultimate Learning Bus

Kids that love CoComelon will flip for this interactive learning-filled school bus. The learning bus uses sounds and lights to teach vital lessons for toddlers' development, including colors, numbers, letters, and more. It includes over 300 phrases and fun, recognizable songs, guaranteed to provide hours of entertainment for little ones.

My Hair, My Crown Board Book

It's never too early to teach kids to love every part of themselves. My Hair, My Crown celebrates the magic of Black hairstyles. Whether you're building confidence in your child or introducing them to diverse styles and appearances, the board book features a surprise mirror on the last page for little ones to admire their beautiful hair, no matter how it looks.

Learning Curve Vegetable Prep Board Playset

Learning Curve

One of the ways toddlers learn and grow is by mimicking what they see their parents do. Gift your 2-year-old their own cutting board and kid-safe knife for chopping vegetables while you prep dinner every night. The adorable set comes with four veggies that pull apart and attach with velcro that act as mini learning puzzles. Or use the included wooden knife to test their dexterity and fine motor skills.

Mega Bloks Green Town Build & Learn Eco House

Build, learn, and play with the Mega Bloks green town eco house play set. The buildable set features a greenhouse, solar panels, electric cars, bicycles, figures, and more, as a great introduction to important ecological efforts. Plus, all green town building sets are certified carbon neutral, so the products and the concepts are equally eco-conscious.

Play-Doh Play 'n Store Table

Courtesy of Walmart

This Play 'N Store table by Play-Doh is a parent's dream, providing all the Play-Doh your 2-year-old needs for hours of play and a place to conveniently and neatly store it away. This set comes with over 25 Play-Doh tools for hours of imaginative play. Little ones can make basic shapes, animals, Play-Doh ice cream, or even burgers—anything their little brains can imagine can be made with this set. With eight different colors to play with, this kit is sure to satisfy them.

Mega Bloks 80-Piece Big Building Bag

“Wow!” will be their reaction when they see this mega bag of Mega Bloks. It comes with 80 brightly colored blocks in a variety of shapes. They’re the perfect size for little hands and versatile enough for them to dream big with their creations. From castles to cars and so much more, there’s no limit to the things they may create. This is a perfect starter set, but it also works with all other Mega Bloks sets. During testing, we loved how the large size fit easily in little one's hands for hours of engaging play.

 The Spruce

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Baby Toy

The fun and interactive pushable buttons on the Fat Brain Toys Dimpl toy may act as a stress reliever for a teenager or adult, but for little ones, they provide a fun, stimulating sensory experience that will keep them entertained for hours. Dimpl toys come in various shapes and sizes, but this basic model is ideal for 2-year-olds developing sensory and motor skills. The simple mechanism will capture your toddler's attention immediately. Once they pop all the bubbles on one side, flip it over and start again.

Peppa Pig Cruise Ship

Peppa Pig lovers' imaginations will sail away with this cruise ship set inspired by the show. With 3 levels, 13 accessories, and 3 posable figures, the playtime potential is limitless! The set even features a functional elevator that kids can push between the ship's first and second levels. This 17-piece set is a great gift for little fans of the show.

Other Great Gift Options

If you have a little one, you know how eager they are to learn and explore the world around them. Toddlers around the age of two are like sponges, ready to absorb new experiences and skills. While toys are great, giving experiential gifts can be even better for their growth and development.

For example, taking your toddler to the zoo is a fantastic idea that shouldn't be overlooked. Not only will it create unforgettable memories, but it can also start conversations about different animal facts, sounds, and colors. This kind of hands-on learning is incredibly helpful in their cognitive and social development, and it's a lot of fun too!

How We Picked the Gifts for 2-Year-Olds

We've been finding the best gifts for everyone on your list, including little ones, for years. To compile this list, we polled parents on our team to discover the toys their kids can't put down. We monitor new launches from notable brands we love, including Lego, Hasbro, VTech, and more to constantly keep this list fresh and updated.

We picked toys with an educational aspect or multiple ways to play to keep 2-year-olds entertained for hours (let's be honest, minutes) at a time. In an effort to provide a comprehensive selection, we try to target all interests a toddler might have from playing outdoors, being creative, or seeing characters from their favorite show or movie.

We're proud to include sustainable wooden toys, toys from BIPOC and women-founded brands, and small companies you may not see at your local big box store as well. As we continue to test toys, speak to more parents, and research new releases, this list will change to reflect that.

Tips on Choosing a Gift for a 2-Year-Old

When picking out toys for your little one, pay attention to the age recommendations. These suggestions are really important because they help ensure the toy is safe and a good fit for your child's developmental level. Kristin Morency Goldman , Senior Advisor of Strategic Communications for The Toy Association, says that this info is crucial. So, make sure you choose toys that are appropriate for your child's age range, so they can build skills and be challenged healthily.

You also want to avoid toys labeled 3+, says Morency Goldman, since these toys may contain small parts that pose a choking hazard, even to older toddlers. Also avoid toys that are too heavy, hard, or difficult to handle. Building blocks are a common example of this, but Mega Bloks are a great choice because they're the perfect size for little hands and don't pose a choking hazard.

When kids turn two, they're usually super curious and eager to learn new things. Toys that promote the development of fine motor skills, walking, talking, music or critical thinking can be both educational and entertaining. For instance, the Munchkin Fishin Magnetic Bath Toy encourages children to practice hand-eye coordination during bathtime.

It's also worth noting that two-year-olds love to explore the world around them! So, toys that let them move around and explore are usually a hit. Dr. Natasha Burgert , a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas, says that these kinds of toys can help kids build their physical skills too.

Young children grow at an astounding rate. Consider whether the gift you buy for a 2-year-old can grow with them—it might be much better to invest in something a child can use for a long time, as opposed to a toy they’ll grow out of in a few months. One gift we love: the Skillmatics Thick Flash Cards  are suitable for ages 18 months to 4 years old.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by  Julia Fields , an associate editor for The Spruce, covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. For this story, she aimed to create a comprehensive list of gift suggestions for every toddler, including active, educational, and creative options.

Other Experts:

• Kristin Morency Goldman , senior adviser of strategic communications for The Toy Association
• Dr. Natasha Burgert , a pediatrician in South Overland Park, Kansas.
• Daniela Galvez , a senior editor for The Spruce
• Aliyah Rodriguez , an associate editor for The Spruce

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4 Best Educational Toys For 2-year-olds To Develop Early Math Skills

C hoose toys wisely! With the right resources, you’ll set your child up for success in life and their future career – even if they’re just two years old.

It all began so innocently. You set up a beautiful nursery with an IKEA Kallax shelf and artistically arranged pastel-colored Montessori toys – just the right quantity for healthy development – with a rotation schedule.

Two years later, you’re standing in your living room, knee-deep in a pile of stuffed animals, Lego pieces, little cars, construction blocks , Peppa Pig figurines, and toy food. The clutter has taken your home over. Your toddler is just two years old and they have more stuff than you! And what are they doing right now? That’s right, playing with your kitchen utensils.

When it comes to toys, less is more. When choosing a gift for your child, don’t go with the largest/most expensive/most advertised toy, but instead think of it as a tool that will develop a specific skill. Choose toys that will encourage open-ended, creative play.

Two years old is the best time to start thinking about your child’s math skills. Yes, they will learn to count at school, but by setting the right foundation now, you’ll make it much easier for them to learn, well, anything! Recent studies have shown that early math skills are good predictors of later reading achievement, math achievement through age 15, and even social-emotional behaviors. Even if they don’t become a data scientist or AI engineer, they’ll do much better in whichever field they choose.

Here are 4 types of toys that will help them develop these skills:

Multifunctional construction sets

Wooden blocks, magnetic tiles, Lego, and other construction toys will help your toddler develop fine motor skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and spatial reasoning. They’ll learn about depth, balance, structural stability, symmetry, and measurement -fundamental mathematical and engineering concepts. Additionally, they will improve hand-eye coordination and grasping techniques, which will prepare them for learning to write later on.

When choosing a construction set, choose one that is versatile, age-appropriate, made of safe, eco-friendly materials, and is just the right size for your toddler’s little hands. Also, it should be something you’ll want to play with yourself!

This puzzle game, which you’ve probably played as a child too (it’s been around since the 19th century) is a super simple educational tool that can be used to create countless varieties of shapes. For the youngest learners, it’s a great way to start learning geometrical shapes, colors, similarity, and symmetry, as well as develop spatial visualization skills. Studies have shown that Tangram has a positive impact on students’ visual, geometric, and arithmetic abilities .

Cash register

All kids love playing “store”! A toy cash register with coins, paper money, and credit cards introduces toddlers to basic money concepts, such as value and currency. It is also an excellent way to practice sorting, addition, and subtraction, and get familiar with what money looks like (tip – use real coins).

Take turns being the customer and cashier for social skills development, play “grocery store” with plastic vegetables, or make some Play-Doh cookies and open a bakery. A cash register offers limitless opportunities for pretend play!

Hands-on number games

When it comes to number and counting games, there’s a great variety to choose from – shapes and counting puzzles, stacking and sorting sets, magnetic mazes, number trains, and even the good old abacus. Consumer Review Hub suggests the CoolToys Monkey Balance Game – it’s a colorful scale in the shape of a monkey with a set of small counting monkeys and numbers from one to ten.

The key benefit of this game is that it will help your two-year-old to connect symbolic representations of numbers to quantities. To put it simply, if they put the number 3 on one side of the scale, they’ll need to put three monkeys on the other side to balance it.

Early math skills do not come down to numbers and counting. Connecting number names and quantities, patterning, matching, classifying, comparing, measuring, and spatial awareness – these are all essential skills your toddler needs to develop as well. With the right resources, you’ll set your little one up for a lifelong love of STEM subjects and future academic – and professional – success.

This content is provided in partnership with Consumer Review Hub and is intended for informational purposes only. The views, opinions, and advice expressed in this article are solely those of Consumer Review Hub and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any other individual, organization, or entity.

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