Gifts for 2 Year Olds: 8 Picks for Busy Little Hands
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The best gifts for 2 year olds keep up with a toddler who wants to do everything themselves. They push, pull, stack, scoop and copy every grown up in the room.
We picked eight gifts matched to different kinds of 2 year olds. There are big blocks, a talking ice cream cart, a pull toy for new walkers and a rocking horse for kids who never stop moving.
Quick answer: For a toddler who copies everything you do, get the LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart. For a stack and smash fan, the MEGA BLOKS Big Building Bag. For a small, easy gift, the Green Toys Helicopter.
Gifts for 2 Year Olds, Matched to the Toddler
| If your 2 year old… | Try |
|---|---|
| Loves to stack it up and knock it down | MEGA BLOKS Big Building Bag |
| Copies everything grown ups do | LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart |
| Is roaring at everything lately | Melissa & Doug Dinosaur Chunky Puzzle |
| Has just started walking everywhere | Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy |
| Points at every plane in the sky | Green Toys Helicopter |
| Has energy to burn indoors | Little Tikes Rocking Horse |
| Carries toys from room to room | Radio Flyer Mini Classic Red Wagon |
| Wants to help with every repair | VTech Drill and Learn Toolbox |
The 8 Gifts at a Glance
| Gift | What They Do | Batteries | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEGA BLOKS | Stack 80 big blocks | None | 1+ |
| LeapFrog Ice Cream Cart | Serve pretend ice cream | 3 AA, included | 2+ |
| Dinosaur Puzzle | Fit 7 wooden dinos | None | 2+ |
| Hape Puppy | Pull a wooden puppy | None | 1+ |
| Green Toys Helicopter | Fly a helicopter around | None | 2+ |
| Rocking Horse | Rock back and forth | None | 1+ |
| Radio Flyer Mini Wagon | Haul toys and stuffies | None | 18 mo+ |
| VTech Toolbox | Drill, hammer and fix | 2 AA, demo included | 2+ |
MEGA BLOKS First Builders Big Building Bag, for Stack and Smash Fans
Stack It, Smash It, Do It Again
The bag holds 80 big blocks in 10 shapes and 9 colors. They’re sized for small hands to grip, push together and pull apart.
When play is over, everything goes back in the bag. The blocks work with other MEGA BLOKS sets too.
Plain Blocks, No Story
There are no wheels, figures or themes in the bag. Kids who want a story to act out may get more from a playset.
Little Demolition Crews
They build a tower just to watch it fall, then shout “Again!”
LeapFrog Scoop and Learn Ice Cream Cart Deluxe, the Pretend Play Pick
Scoop, Pump and Ring the Bell
The cart plays music as it rolls. The Magic Scooper picks up ice cream and toppings, and the cart names the colors and flavors.
The syrup pump counts to 10, and a bell rings when the order is up. Six animal order cards, play coins and bills come with it, and the pieces store in two drawers.
Smaller Than Some Expect
A few reviewers say the cart was smaller than they pictured. It only comes in pink.
Tiny Shopkeepers
They take your order, hand you a cone and ask you to pay.
Melissa & Doug Dinosaur Wooden Chunky Puzzle, a First Puzzle That Doubles as Toys
Seven Dinos That Stand Up
The puzzle has seven thick wooden dinosaurs, from a T. rex to a triceratops. A picture under each spot shows where it goes.
The pieces stand on their own, so the puzzle turns into a dinosaur play set when it’s done.
Seven Pieces Go Fast
Once a toddler has it down, it’s quick to finish. A bigger puzzle can come next.
Dino Roarers
They name every dinosaur in the book, or at least try.
Hape Walk-A-Long Puppy, for New Walkers on the Go
A Puppy That Wags When It Walks
Pull the string, and the wooden puppy rolls along with its tail wagging and its head and ears bobbing. It can sit, stand or roll.
Rubber rimmed wheels keep it quiet and gentle on wood floors.
It Tips Over Sometimes
Several reviewers say the puppy tips on corners and bumps. Expect to stand it back up now and then.
Hallway Walkers
They’re up and moving and love having a buddy follow them around.
Green Toys Helicopter, a Small Gift for Things That Go
Spin the Blades, Fly the Bear
This chunky helicopter has a spinning main rotor, a working tail rotor and skids for landings. A pilot bear rides in the cockpit.
Green Toys makes it from recycled plastic, and it can go in the dishwasher.
The Pilot Bear Falls Out
Many reviewers say the bear slips out of the seat easily. It pops right back in.
Sky Watchers
They hear a helicopter outside and run to the window every time.
Little Tikes Rocking Horse, for Toddlers Who Never Sit Still
Hold On and Rock
This classic plastic rocking horse has a high seat back, a low saddle and handles on the head to hold. It works indoors or outside.
It arrives fully put together, and Little Tikes says it holds riders up to 50 pounds.
It Takes Up Floor Space
It’s about 33 inches long. Measure the corner you have in mind first.
Little Cowpokes
They bounce to music, climb on everything and could rock for an hour.
Radio Flyer Mini Classic Red Wagon, a Toddler Sized Hauler
A Real Red Wagon, Just Smaller
It’s a mini version of the classic Radio Flyer, with a steel body about 16.5 inches long. The handle steers the front wheels like the big one.
It’s made for pulling stuffed animals, blocks and dolls, not for riding in.
Assembly Reviews Are Mixed
Some reviewers put it together in minutes, while others found it fiddly. A few say the wheels are small.
Little Movers
They load up every toy they own and haul it to wherever you are.
VTech Drill and Learn Toolbox, for Little Fixers
Drill the Screws, Turn the Gears
The toolbox opens into a tray with light up buttons that play songs and name each tool. A hand powered drill spins the gears and drives screws into the tray.
It comes with a hammer, a wrench, two nails, two screws and activity cards. The gears click as they turn.
Opinions on Wear Are Split
Some reviewers say it held up well, while others say parts came loose. A few say the drill is hard for small hands. The 2 AA batteries sit behind a screwed cover.
Handy Helpers
They follow you with a toy hammer whenever the real toolbox comes out.
Gifts for 2 Year Olds: What Parents Ask
What do you get a 2 year old who has everything?
Pick something they can do instead of just look at. The VTech toolbox and the ice cream cart turn everyday grown up jobs into play, and both are easy to add to a toy shelf that’s already full.
Which gifts work in a small home?
The Green Toys Helicopter and the dinosaur puzzle fit on any shelf. The MEGA BLOKS pack back into their bag. The rocking horse is the biggest gift here at about 33 inches long.
Do any of these need batteries?
Two do. The ice cream cart comes with 3 AA batteries. The VTech toolbox uses 2 AA batteries, and the ones in the box are for demo only.
Which ones are quiet?
Only the ice cream cart and the toolbox make electronic sounds. The Hape puppy has rubber rimmed wheels, so even rolling it across the floor stays quiet.
Shopping for a 3 year old instead?
See our gifts for 3 year olds, plus toys for 3 year old boys, toys for 3 year old girls and board games for 3 year olds.
