My guess is you are here because you are looking for 2 year old gifts that are a little more unique than the average advertisement from Target or Amazon. Well, I have curated a list that works with any budget, plus aids in development, stands the test of time, and might be something you haven’t thought of before.
And I say these are 2 year old gifts, but really many of these gifts are great for 18 months to about 3 or 4. I love toys that last for more than one season of childhood.
Many of these unique 2 year old gifts are items we already own and love or I have used in the classroom and have seen success with several children in this age group (or beyond). Some of the items are on our own wish list and have features that are developmentally appropriate and stimulate curiosity, wonder, and hands-on learning.
I have included why I chose each item so that you can reflect on each choice to see if the reasons match your values.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details.
Please gift intentionally
I have created this list of unique gifts for 2 year olds out of popular request and convenience. I want it to be an excellent resource for you and your family and friends.
I also want to spread knowledge about developmentally appropriate materials that aren’t flashy and distracting.
Here is your kind reminder that you do not need all the things. In fact, the most valuable gift you can give your child is your time and connection.
Thank you for taking your time to check out this list. I hope you feel inspired and please don’t hesitate to ask me a question or to get a more personalized recommendation for your 2 year old.
$5 to $15 Budget Gifts
Calligraphy Mat
Why we love it:
- Open-ended
- Process art
- No mess (except for spilled water)
- “Paint” again and again without wasting paper
Spraying water was a really fun way we used the calligraphy mat
Kwik Stix Paint Sticks
Why we love it:
- Vibrant colors
- Not messy like paint
- Dries quickly
Small Cash box with lock and key
Why we love it:
- Great fine motor activity
- Versatile (change what’s inside to match your child’s interest or a specific theme)
- Pretend Play
- Real life objects create more interest than “toy” items
2 Part Puzzles
There are many options out there, but I chose to highlight these ones because:
- Dual purpose
- Mess free water painting grabs attention
- I like the fruit and veggie theme
- Fine motor
- Problem solving
- Just the right amount of challenge for a 2 year old
Binoculars
Why we love it:
- STEM resource
- Encourages curiosity and nature exploration
- Open-ended
- Can be used for years to come
- It’s been a favorite in our house for several months now
Figurines
We have various figurines from wooden peg dolls to various animals to Mickey, Baby Shark, and Peppa Pig. These are by far our most beloved toy right now.
Why we love them:
- Open-ended
- All the benefits of pretend play (see picture below for some of the literacy benefits of pretend play)
- Small, so great as travel toys
- Set up play to follow their interests
- Make connections to real life, books, or TV shows
Sensory Play Supplies
Read my post on Sensory Play to see “What’s the Deal with Sensory Play?”
Some of our favorite Sensory Supplies
Stickers
Why we love them:
- Fine motor
- Creative expression
- Supports independent play
- No mess art supply
Melissa & Doug stickers are puffy reusable stickers. Puffy is great for toddlers because they are easier to get off the page.
I love Eyelike reusable stickers because they have realistic images.
Books
Books make fabulous 2 year old gifts. You can find so many great titles for less than $15. Check out our list of favorites to see if any spark your interest.
$15 to $50 Budget Gifts
Another small business I have bought from and love is Busy Puzzle.
Why we love their name puzzle:
- Unique, personalized gift
- Great gift for 2 year old that is starting to recognize letters
- Beautiful colors (that can be personalized)
- Excellent quality
MAGBRIX
MAGBLOX is a lovely small business from Australia, but is also now available on Amazon.
Why we love their name magnetic Lego tiles:
- Works with Lego and all magnetic tile brands
- Durable
- Versatile (check out our post “The Amazing Play Opportunities with Magbrix”)
Rainbow window blocks
Why we love it:
- Beautiful
- Color mixing
- Building
- Problem solving
- Shapes
- Exploring light and color
Pegboard counting
Why we love it:
- Hands-on learning
- Great way to start with number sense for a 2 year old
- Different cards allows you to put out one or two or several depending on your child’s skill level
- Large enough pegs
- Works on one-to-one correspondence and number recognition
- Color scheme is not too loud or distracting
Microscope
Why we love it:
- STEM resource
- Encourages curiosity and nature exploration
- Size is child-friendly
- Two year olds love to explore and investigate
Camera
We have used an old digital camera with Ruby and she loves it, but I am considering changing to one of these cameras because of the different capabilities and storage space. If you have an old digital camera, your child will love that too.
Why we love it:
- Pretend play
- Imitating adults
- Creative expression
- Hand eye coordination
- Fine motor
- Cause and effect
Insect Xrays
Why we love it:
- STEM resource
- Encourages curiosity
- Great light table material (Here’s how to make a DIY Light table)
- Here’s an affordable light table
- Supports children’s natural curiosity around insects
- An interesting take on picture to picture matching
Melissa & Doug Broom set
Why we love it:
- Child-sized materials support independence
- Quality so they can use them for actual helping
- Supports responsibility and respect for the environment
- Pretend play
- Children love to imitate real life
Letter cookies
Why we love it:
- Grows with them
- Can be used simply for pretend play, but also comes with three educational games that I have used in a kindergarten classroom
- Comes with several letters
- Lowercase letters (which I teach before uppercase)
- Hands-on way to introduce letter recognition
Stepping Stones
Why we love it:
- Encourages movement
- Enhances gross motor skills
- You can mix and match to create different paths
Over $50 Budget Gifts
Pikler Triangle
We are huge fans of the Pikler triangle here in our house. This climbing structure gets used daily. Not only does it get used for climbing, but we have used it for activities beyond climbing too (find those activities HERE).
If you are looking for a really great quality foldable pikler, we love ours and I highly recommend it! Head over to Simre Home Living on Etsy to get yours within days.
Toniebox
This is the gift I am most excited to give R this year. We bought the World Needs More Purple People one because it was on sale, but I am excited to add more Tonies too.
Why we love it:
- Storytelling and songs
- The design supports independent play at a young age
- Creative and visually appealing to a child
- The Toniebox comes in multiple colors and different starter sets
- You can buy other Tonies with preloaded songs or stories or you can upload your own audio to a Creative Tonie
- Could make a great travel toy
- Empowers decision making and independence (Ruby is always asking for songs on “Alexa” now she can choose and play her own songs)
Guidecraft Peekaboo lockboxes
Why we love it:
- You can differentiate by choosing to offer one box or many boxes
- Isolate skills
- Great fine motor
- You can hide things inside for a surprise factor
- Also a shape sorter, but without all the shapes at once
Tegu Wooden Magnetic blocks
I remember the first time I came across these magnetic wooden blocks when a student of mine brought them in for show and tell. They were the coolest! Magnetic AND wood, surprising and fascinating. Thanks Carter!
Why we love it:
- Unexpected material to be magnetic
- High quality
- Open-ended play
- Fine motor
- Early math skills (shapes, patterns, problem solving, positioning, etc.)
Melissa & Doug Unit Blocks
Why we love it:
- High quality (I have owned this set in multiple preschool classrooms and they hold up well to lots of children and really tall structures)
- Supports early math skills (shapes, combining shapes, measurement, etc.)
- Open-ended play
- Great for years to come
- Neutral wood tone (not distracting)
Balance Bike
Why we love it:
- Convertible from three to two wheels
- 2 is a great age for introducing a bike (we tried at one and she just was not interested)
- Supports movement and gross motor skills
Ride on Car
Why we love it:
- Parent controlled remote so you can be in charge (safety and sometimes they don’t know how to control the button yet)
- Pretend play
- Encourages outdoor exploration
- Realistic representation, which provides a closer connection to the real world
A Few Last Notes
Make Gift Giving Intentional
I put this gift guide together for inspiration, but please remember that the intention is more important than the gift itself. When gift giving, try to think of YOUR child, not something that you see on social media that looks cool.
If your child is not a climber, don’t buy a Pikler. If your family does not have room for a toddler tower, think of other ways you can have them help without another piece of furniture.
Memories are more valuable than any gift you can buy.
You also do not need to spend hundreds of dollars to make your child happy. Often they love the box more than the toy itself. Try to make gift giving an intentional process that fits your family’s budget. No photo-worthy, expensive toy will buy your child’s happiness.
Experiences (zoo, museum passes, dance, sport, or swim classes)
As the name of this blog suggests, thinking Outside the Toy Box is ideal. The best gifts are one that support an interest or offer your time. Children love experiences and time with the most important people in their life. So, before you go out and spend your whole budget on toys, think about experiences as well.
Less is More
A study from the University of Toledo in Ohio suggests “an abundance of toys present reduced quality of toddlers’ play.” Having fewer toys can lead a young child to focus and engage in more creative, imaginative play, according to the study, “The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play” published in the journal Infant Behavior and Development. So, it turns out less actually is more when it comes to healthier, more engaged play and the amount of toys available.
One way I manage this is by rotating toys. I have a minimal amount of toys out at one time and keep some in storage. I rotate based on interest level and this extends the life of the toys and materials. If you are interested in starting a toy rotation, check out my post “How to Start a Toy Rotation.”
I also plan to go through all the toys before the holiday season to donate ones we no longer need or use to charity.
The best toys are ones that can be used beyond the second year.
You will have noticed by going through all of the various budgets that many of the choices are chosen based on their longevity and open-ended nature.
Open-ended toys (like animals, cars, blocks, dolls) extend beyond the second year. They are a worthwhile investment, so think quality too.
Loose parts are open-ended materials and provide many learning benefits even for infants and toddlers. Check out my post on Loose Parts Play .
Thank you for taking your time to read my curated gift ideas for every budget and my thoughts on gift giving. Let me know in the comments below what you are most excited about giving your child this year. Or if you would like a personalized recommendation.
References
Dauch, C., Imwalle, M., Ocasio, B., and Metz, A. (2018). The influence of the number of toys in the environment on toddlers’ play. Infant Behavior and Development. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.11.005
