This is the second post in the Christmas series at From this Kitchen Table. (Find the first post here.) Be sure to come back over the next few weeks to read more thoughts, get some new recipes, and receive gift ideas. You can follow us on Facebook or subscribe by e-mail to be sure you don’t miss out!
Here are 10 of the ideas that I came up with for gifts for a 2 year old. There are more, so eventually this might have to have a sequal and I haven’t even touched on books!
All these you can order from Amazon (affiliate links used). Be sure to order by December 17th to be sure your presents arrive for Christmas if you are using free standard shipping!
Two toy brands that I really like are Alex Toys and Melissa and Doug
1. Thinkfun Roll and Play Board Game
This is a fun first game for your child – boy or girl! The recommended age is 18 months and up. I’d agree with that. We bought this for our daughter’s second birthday and she loved it. Easy for them to catch on to and it is not competitive. At almost 3 she will still get this out to play.
2. Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube
Our daughter was given this for Christmas last year at 22 months. It was a challenge for her, but she quickly got good at it and learned shapes (quatrefoil, parallelogram, trapezoid) she otherwise wouldn’t have. This was an excellent step up from the 5 shape plastic shape sorter she had.
3. Lauri Toddler Tote
We have several Lauri toys but not this exact set. This looks like a perfect set for your child once they are 18 months old.
4. Stars
Okay, so this one is purely a want and non educational but my daughter has the Cloud b Twilight stars and she LOVES them. Every night she wants to fall asleep with them on. We were fortunate enough to find her red ladybug stars at a garage sale and it was a few dollars well spent. The Pillow Pet Dream Lites are quite a bit cheaper and isn’t the penguin adorable? We haven’t used one personally though.
5. Peg Puzzles
Puzzles are always a hit! The pegs make it easy for little fingers to grab. We still have some puzzles that I grew up playing in our house. It’s fun to watch our daughter use the same ones. I found a Curious George puzzle and some by Melissa & Doug and Hape that look good options.
6. Stickers
What child doesn’t love color objects that they can stick all over the place? You can completely cater to your child’s interests here. This will take you to a general search.
7. Music Makers
Singing, playing the piano, picking up random sticks and banging on furniture playing drums are all things our daughter likes to do. She’d love a set like this – might get a little loud for mom though. 🙂
8. Flash Light
Any time we get a flash light out our daughter begs to use it. She’s going to be getting a flash light this year and I know she will be thrilled. We haven’t decided which on yet, but there are lots of options on Amazon.
9. Blocks
Once she hit 2 1/2 our daughter really started to get into playing with blocks. These are a fun and creative toy. I remember building towns with my sisters using Duplo blocks when I was growing up.
If you want something a little cheaper these are another good option:
10. Bath Toys
I love bath time! I get to sit and watch the kids play while reading a few pages of a book. Win win situation. We don’t have a lot of toys but what we have gets used! I prefer not having squirt toys (are any toys with small holes) because mold will end up growing inside. Click here to go to a general search page and below are some items that my daughter would enjoy.
What gifts have the 2 year olds in your life loved?
Be sure to come back Friday for the next post in our Christmas series! You can follow us on Facebook or subscribe by e-mail to be sure you don’t miss out!
Such a great list. I know my girls had several of those items when they were little.
There are a lot of fun toys out there! My wish list for Melissa and Doug products has quite a few things on it. 🙂
You’re the second blogger I’ve seen recommend the Lauri Toddler Tote, so it looks like I need to get this for my youngest. He is 16 months and will definitely grow into this. It’s hard for me to buy for him because he’s baby #3 and already has everything. Thanks for these tips! Pinned it!
I love the Lauri toys! I don’t have that exact tote, but the ones that I have are frequently brought to church to help with my daughter sitting through church. Ha ha, I already feel like way with number two even though he’s a boy. When he gets a little older I can get trucks and things but when he’s still little it’s hard! (I’m considering not getting him any Christmas presents this year. . . we’ll see what happens) Thanks for pinning too!
These are great ideas! When my daughter turned two, she definitely enjoyed blocks. Both genders love pretend-play setups, like those play kitchens, play grills, play houses, and play tool workbenches!
I have fun memories of blocks and lots of dress-up clothes. I’m going to keep my eyes out for a play kitchen or workbench at a garage sale so I can test it out and if we don’t have the space for it or whatever I don’t feel guilty getting rid of it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
This is an excellent list and is spot on. When my kids were two, these are definitely some things they loved. Especially the flash light, even at the age they are now, they love playing with flash lights – I just don’t get it. Lol. Thanks for sharing and for linking up to Thrifty Thursday.
What is the attraction with kids and flashlights! Every time my husband or I get one out my daughter begs for it. (The same thing happens with the tape measure) Thanks for stopping by!
I think 2 is a difficult age to buy presents for but these are some great suggestions.
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Yes, it is so much harder to buy for kids when they are younger! So much stuff is just junk. Thanks for hosting! You have such an encouraging blog.
Love it! I would love it if you joined me over at Check Me Out Saturday Link Party
http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m stopping by from the MMM Linkup party. I have to say that my 2 year old would love the flashlight and blocks best! We bought Lincoln Logs for my 2 and 4 year old to share this year. I can’t wait to see their creations.
Flashlight and blocks are pretty awesome! I love watching kids play with block too. So neat to see their imaginations at work. I can’t wait until little brother (6 months) is able to play with sister (3 in Feb).
Thanks for sharing that wonderful list. My little boy is a little older but every parent loves to know what products another parent loves!
Kim ~ This Ole Mom
http://www.thisolemom.com
Thanks for stopping by, Kim, and for your kind words! It’s always fun to see what excites little ones.
I love the little ladybug idea. We bought glow pets for our kiddos last year. They both broke. My sister-in-law had the same experience. I think the shape sorter looks interesting. I like the idea that there are so many different shapes to sort. Thanks for sharing!
Melanie Davis
www. getahoot.com
Oh no! How sad that they broke. 🙁 The lady bug has been going strong, just have replaced the batteries a few times. I love the shape sorter for that very reason. I discovered my favorite shape because of it – the quatrefoil. 🙂
This is such a great list! Better than most I see with super expensive gifts. 2 Year olds are simple!
I wanted to let you know about a new parenting link up http://hdydi.com/2013/12/09/parenting-link-up-2/
Have a great day!
Thanks! You are so right, they don’t want super expensive and fancy gifts. Simple ones so often get the most use. How fun! I’ll check out your link up.
It’s Deonna from the Child at Heart blog! Thank you so much for linking up at the Merriest Blog Hop! I can’t wait to see all of your holiday ideas this month! This is a great list. I like how these are all toys that promote creativity or learning too. I never heard of that game for number 1. I might have to look into that 🙂
It’s a super simple perfect first game! You could probably make your own too – sew a cube with different colors and have corresponding colored cards to choose from!
what great ideas!My youngest is 2 and would love all of these!!
They are favorites of my daughter and I’m sure the baby will enjoy them in another year or so to. She’s almost 3 this Christmas and is even more fun to shop for. 🙂
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This is such a great list of gift suggestions for a two year old. I didn’t actually get any of these things for my two year old. However, the flashlight one would have been a perfect gift suggestion. Which, I didn’t know that until she went for my big light today and proceeded to play with it.
Thanks! Our daughter has loved all the things on the list. lol, they really love the things adults use. My daughter loves when we take the flashlight and tape measure out. 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful day!