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Toys & Gifts For 2-Year-Olds: The Tot Guide

Searching for the perfect toy or gift for a two-year-old? We can help! In this article we’ll look at what’s happening developmentally at the age of two and share our favorite tried and trusted product picks!

Summer Land Author + Writer

There’s nothing terrible about the twos when you have fun and educational toys around.

From a sturdy 2-in-1 scooter that will grow with your child to deliciously scented non-toxic play dough, we’re here to tell you about the best gifts for 2-year-old boys and girls that they are sure to love.

To help you find the right gifts and toys for your tot, we’ll go over:

Child development at two years old
Chemicals to avoid in kids toys
The best types of toys and gifts for two year olds

Scroll down to learn more!

Child development at 2 years old

At this age, little ones are not only walking – they’re sprinting from adventure to adventure. Everything from a playground swing set to your kitchen spatula is new and exciting and something that can be part of their imaginative play. Even though they’re getting stronger by the day, two year old tots still need to work on their balance and hand-eye coordination skills, which is why pull/push toys, scooters, ride-ons, slides and sand buckets are great at this age.

Both gross and fine motor skills are crucial for your tot’s physical and cognitive development. By learning how to control their little hands and bodies, toddlers are able to write, draw, climb, ride a bike, and play make believe role playing games, which all aid in emotional development and help build their communication skills and confidence.

Perhaps one of the most important skills to help your tot master is language. By reading books with an adult or on their own, toddlers can continue to develop their vocabulary and get a firmer understanding of colors, shapes, languages, animals, cultures, machines, sports, performance art and so on. These stories will fuel your tot’s passion and help them truly understand what the world holds for them.

When choosing toys we always pick items that are non-toxic, sustainably and ethically produced and made to last. We want items that can be used between multiple siblings and then passed onto friends and family in a like new condition. It can be overwhelming for both parents and kids to have piles of toys that get played with once, which is why we’ve strategically picked the best toys we know kids won’t get bored with.

Chemicals to avoid in kids toys

At The Tot, we only use and recommend products that have passed The Tot Safety Test. This means we’ve reviewed third-party testing, examined ingredients lists and asked in-depth questions about a product’s composition to ensure they’re free of all the chemicals we avoid.

When you don’t know what your child’s toy, you can run the risk of exposing them to potentially harmful ingredients such as BPA, BPS, Phthalates, PVC, Formaldehyde, Lead and other Heavy Metals. This is particularly worrying for babies and toddlers who inevitably put these items in their mouths. Many of these chemicals have been linked to prostate cancer, breast cancer, female infertility, obesity, endocrine disruption, behavioral problems, and even irreversible brain damage.

At The Tot, we make sure that every single product we use and recommend passes The Tot Safety Test. This means that we’ve reviewed its third-party testing, certifications and asked in-depth questions about a product’s composition.

For a full list of Ingredients & Materials We Avoid and to learn more about The Tot Safety Test, Click Here.

The best types of toys and gifts for 2-year-olds

Dena Large Pastel Rainbow

Whether you’re shopping for a Christmas gift, Hanukkah gift or a birthday present idea for a 2-year-old, here are some of our gift recommendations for playtime:

Name puzzle stool
Indoor ball pit
Balance bike
Wooden musical toys
Eco-friendly nuts and bolts set
Play tent
Wooden construction trucks
Wooden sensory rainbow stones
Non-toxic scented play dough
2-in-1 Scooter
Developmental milestone play & learn set
Silicone rainbow stacker
Personalized look-a-like doll
Vintage-inspired metal red tricycle
Non-toxic & eco-friendly baby doll
Wooden ramp racer
Wooden play kitchen + play food
Wooden blocks
Wooden slide
Eco-friendly rattan tote
Personalized denim jacket
Dress up clothing
Pima cotton PJs

Scroll down to see the options we’ve pulled for each of these gift ideas and shop below!

Hollow Woodworks Personalized Maple Puzzle Stool

Hollow Woodworks White Pastel

When it comes to toddlers gaining independence, a step-stool is a must! We extra love this made in the USA option from Hollow Woodworks because it can be personalized with a special tot’s name and doubles as a puzzle.

Hollow Woodworks Personalized Maple Puzzle Stool

Ranging from $99.99 to $101.99

Available in more colors and sizes

Toys & Gifts For 2-Year-Olds: The Tot Guide

Child development at 2 years old

Chemicals to avoid in kids toys

The best types of toys and gifts for 2-year-olds

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