Best gifts for a 2-year-old boy*

Turning two is a big deal. The birthday party is exciting for all the family, and as parents, we can’t wait to see the joy in our children’s eyes on their special day. While I try to have a somewhat minimalistic approach to toys, I believe they also serve an essential role in a child’s early education. Little kids learn through play. Most toys 2-year-olds used to play with as babies don’t hold their interest anymore, stimulate them, or teach new skills.

It is also a fantastic age to witness how the child has changed and grown up. These little people are not babies anymore. They speak, often in complete sentences, start counting and learning their ABCs, and the whole new world of imaginative and pretend play opens up. The kids become more independent, especially outside the house, and are ready to put their motor skills to the test (while testing their parents’ fears and physical shape).

A whole new world

While choosing new toys for my son, I am guided by age-appropriate skills he is or should be learning, his current interests and a desire to support his milestones. For example, I’d rather gift him a balance bike than a kid ride-on-car. And while the latter can be so much fun, it doesn’t develop any lifelong skills like a bicycle does. I give in occasionally to something that is just pure cuteness or fun, but I try to keep it to a minimum. Too many toys can only be overstimulating, and these playthings don’t hold his interest for as long.

I am also a fan of toys that can grow with him and add value to the big-ticket items that he already has. I’m talking about additional food sets or coffee makers for his play kitchen; blocks, figurine animals, or play roads that we can turn into whole cities when he’s a little bigger.

In my home, we’re big on reading books. So, there are always some new ones on rotation. I try to follow my son’s interests and adjust the book selections based on how much text he can sit through. It’s been amazing to see how much he learns from them.

To Montessori or not

While I don’t strictly follow Montessori learning principles, I get inspired by some of the philosophy’s ideas. It is a fantastic way of learning, and many of the things we already have can be used to execute them. I recommend the book “A Montessori Toddler” by Simone Davies to any parent. I think it’s ok to pick and choose what fits our family needs and believes.

The Montessori approach prefers reality over pretend play and imagination over fantasy. This, for example, means real prep work/cooking in the real kitchen rather than pretend play in the toy kitchen. It also means re-acting real-life scenarios at home, like construction site play, which is excellent, but also means telling children from the beginning that Santa isn’t real.

Furthermore, Montessori-style books don’t feature anthropomorphic animals or imaginary creatures doing human things. They show actual photographs or illustrations of children during real-life activities and animals behaving like animals. However, I love the world of children’s books and beautiful illustrations that contain so much childhood magic and provide early exposure to art. So we have both.

I am usually moderate in my approach to many things, so I pick what suits me and my family best from different philosophies. We have Montessori and non-Montessori toys. My son loves to help me cook actual food but enjoys making “soups” and “coffee” in his kitchen and “feeding” everyone. It’s adorable, and I see it as a practice of his new knowledge. He doesn’t yet watch any shows with action characters, but Santa is for sure coming to our house.

I think it’s worth noting that Montessori became a catchphrase and a powerful marketing word for many things, including toys. But a lot of them don’t actually follow this learning philosophy principles.

MATERIALS AND SAFETY

There is tremendous value in knowing that the toys we provide for our children are age-appropriate, safe, and made from non-toxic materials.

Many toys are made in China or other countries with different safety standards and protocols. That’s why I rarely buy from the “alphabet soup” brands. No name brands can say anything they like about their product, but how will I know that is the truth? I’ve seen countless baby toys with small parts that pose choking hazards for children younger than 3 years old. Some provide no information about the type of materials or paints used. Friends and family often are unaware of these issues, so it’s a good idea to be extra vigilant about checking the gifted toy’s age recommendations, and if there aren’t any, thoroughly review the item for any loose parts or small pieces.

Toys sold by reputable brands claiming their toys are safe, non-toxic, etc., even if made overseas, have a local reputation to uphold and safety¹ standards or certifications they must adhere to. Many brands available on the American market often issue product recalls, which is a good thing. That means there is a standard they must uphold, and they take the feedback or issues from their clients seriously. Customer service or a warranty is also available.

AGE APPROPRIATENESS

When looking for a new toy, I immediately check for an age recommendation. Toy safety is non-negotiable, ensuring no choking hazards (small parts or parts a child can break and then swallow) or unsafe materials. Another component of the age recommendations listed by toy manufacturers is age appropriateness.

So, some toys may be safe for a 2-year-old but are not recommended based on average developmental readiness. Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t separate those two categories. Some of them might be more stimulating than toys designed for 1-2-year-olds. Every child is unique, and parents know best what their child can do, what can keep him engaged, or what skills he is currently working on. Age 2 is especially tricky in that regard. And while I’m fine with my son playing with a jumbo puzzle or large Schleich figurines, I am not recommending skipping on age recommendations.

*Toys don’t have a gender

I don’t believe in gender division for toys. Girls can play with trucks, and boys can play with a dollhouse. My son cooks and cleans like any other child. This post talks about toys for boys simply because I have a son, and I don’t have any experience with little girls (besides being one long time ago).

1. balance bike

Balance bikes gained popularity compared to traditional 4-wheel training bikes because they teach balance and body coordination first, rather than pedaling. Experts say balancing is the hardest for children to learn, so kids switch from balance to regular bicycles with much more ease. The Guardian Balance Bike and the Strider 12″ balance bike are the best balance bikes. While quality products, they are a bit expensive for something that will eventually get upgraded to a regular bicycle. If you can find them used in good condition, that’s probably a way to go.

GUARDIAN BIKES BALANCE BIKE
One of the best, lightest, and safest balance bikes for toddlers aged 1.5-4yo.

2. Train set

Swedish company Brio is the gold standard for wooden train sets. They offer high-quality products that will last years but have a higher price point. The good thing is that their wooden tracks are compatible with many other brands’ tracks and trains, like Ikea. Adding battery-operated trains takes fun to another level. I prefer the classic train aesthetic, which is the most versatile and heirloom-friendly, but they come in various themes as well.

BRIO CLASSIC TRAIN SET

TINY LAND WOODEN TRAIN SET 110 PIECES
This train set is compatible with Brio and offers many great pieces for endless play. My son loves playing with the bus, firetruck, and police car. They even include a puzzle pond with little magnetic fishes and rods.

3. Play toy road

WAYTOPLAY FLEXIBLE TOY ROAD EXPRESSWAY 16 PCS

4. Play kitchen

IKEA DUKTIG PLAY KITCHEN
While there are many play kitchens on the market, the Ikea one is high-quality, affordable and compact (it fits our living room play area), and has an entire part of Etsy dedicated to its customization. Pinterest offers countless DIY personalization ideas, including custom paints, tiles, LED lighting, handles, and guides on turning the faucet and sink into working ones with real water flow. My son has been playing with it since he was 17 months old, and I don’t think we’ve got so many hours of (the most adorable) play out of anything else. It stores his toy cutlery, pans, pots, wooden food, and ice cream set. And hopefully, it will fit his new coffee machine.

5. Building blocks

I don’t think anyone needs to be convinced of the importance and advantages of building blocks for kids. They support the development of creativity and fine motor skills and promote independent play. We have a colorful wooden Melissa and Doug set, magnetic Picasso tiles, and a chunky Pottery Barn set. He plays with all of them, but Lego Duplo has been his favorite.

LEGO DUPLO ALPHABET TRUCK SET
While I’m usually not a fan of plastic toys, LEGO is an exception. This ingenious toy brand served many generations of kids and continues to do so. My son started playing with Lego Duplo on his first birthday, and he has continued to play with them after receiving four more sets (a firetruck, train, construction site, and campsite). They encourage creative play and learning. We practiced colors, numbers, and letters while playing with Duplos; he also loved all the vehicles, little people, and animals the sets come with. While he was okay at stacking other blocks, he started building the tallest towers using Duplo sets, as connecting little studs was intuitive and satisfying. The blocks are fun and adorable, however I try not to buy more, as he will eventually switch to regular Lego.

6. AUDIO player

YOTO SCREEN-FREE AUDIO PLAYER
Well, there actually is a screen, but it’s a very pixelated, minimal version of it. My son is obsessed with looking at and naming little pixel icons that are/can be associated with different tracks. We’ve been using Yoto since my son was 15 months old, and he plays/listens to it regularly. He immediately figured out how to insert little cards and switch tracks. And while his book took some serious beating, he hasn’t broken any of the cards. I love that it encourages independence in listening to music without the need to interact with a TV, tablet, or phone. And it’s light enough he can carry it around the house by himself.

As we’re a bilingual family that doesn’t teach my son English yet, we’ve been using it so far for music, most of it coming from Yoto brand cards, but we really enjoyed the option of composing our custom cards. My husband created his card with the best songs from his country, and I did a playlist of kids’ songs I remember from childhood. I’m also planning on recording family members reading his favorite books, which would be a sweet way of connecting with his family abroad. Yoto gave us endless hours of toddler dancing, for which I’m forever grateful.

We chose the Yoto over the Toniebox after careful research and comparison of both audio players. You can check it here.

7. First backpack

When I asked my son what he wanted to get for his 2nd birthday, he answered, “A cake…and a backpack”. Well, the little man has spoken. I believe he’s been seeing his dad taking the backpack to work, but I also think it’s a great way to encourage independence and a sense of having something that is just his own. He can pack it with some favorite comfort items, snacks for our day trips, or play pretend at home.

ITZY BITZY TODDLER BACKPACK 18M+

8. Books

While every child is different, for us, it’s been a great time for books with a little more text and a more elaborate storyline compared to first baby books. I also love books that help make sense of new experiences and important events the toddler will participate in. Books about holidays like Christmas can help toddlers understand the significance of this time and build excitement. Another favorite is books that build upon the knowledge they receive with their new educational toys, like a musical sound book to accompany the toy music set.  
I’m still a big fan of sturdy board books at this age. He can play with/read them on his own. We have books with soft pages, but I need to be there reading them with my son, as he’s still a big book destroyer.

USBORNE SOUND BOOKS THE FOUR SEASONS BY VIVALDI
The Usborne books are beautifully illustrated, have sturdy pages, and have music clips that are a bit longer than the other sound books.

9. Arts and crafts tools

MELISSA & DOUG DOUBLE-SIDED MAGNETIC TABLETOP EASEL
This conveniently built easel has a magnetic writing board on one side and a black chalkboard on the other. It has a roll of paper on top for traditional drawing and writing. The set comes with a marker, eraser, chalk, and a set of magnetic colors and numbers. It folds flat when not in use. It’s a perfect start to creating art and learning.

F. MONACO PALM CRAYONS
The smoothest wax crayons that come in a variety of colors and shades. It just really is a pleasure to draw with them.

AREAWARE DOODLE CRAYONS & MOON CHALK
Are crayons and chalk not a cool enough gift? These belong to the coolest kid on the block!

10. New decor for their room/ Playspace OR THE HOUSE.

Two is a great age to let our little humans make a personal impact on their closest surroundings, even in a small way. It can be a wall décor, a new play mat, or a rug, but I’m sure they will appreciate participating in the choosing.

We can also get inspired by some ideas like those found in “The Montessori Toddler” book and, if we haven’t already, make some adjustments in the house for the children’s accessibility. A toddler kitchen towel, a full-height mirror the child can see themselves in, an accessible coat hook or snack area, an art display hung at their eye height, and a dedicated plant they can be responsible for watering are some fun, easy ways to promote independence.

LEFT: AREAWARE HARBOR WALL HOOKS; RIGHT: H&M KIDS METAL CROCODILE WALL HOOK

MELISSA & DOUG DUST! SWEEP! MOP! CLEANING PLAY SET
This pretend play cleaning set shouldn’t be used for real cleaning (per the manufacturer’s direction), so it’s not Montessori per se. But it’s adorable and a fun learning tool, and if the broom sweeps…it’s a broom.

WEST ELM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TOPO LANDSCAPE RUG
A rug that doubles as a cool dimensional play mat for imaginary adventures? Genius. It’s also just simply stunning.

STUDIO ROOF CARBOARD WALL DECORATIONS

Studio Roof has plenty of unique and colorful shapes, from birds and bugs to planes, to make any children’s space a bit more fun.

11. Educational toys

SCHLEICH ANIMALS STARTER SET FARM WORLD & WILD LIFE
Schleich is a German company that has been producing classic figurines since 1935. I went completely overboard buying all these super realistic animals for my son, but I have no regrets. He’s been playing with them since he turned one-year-old, and I’m confident he will continue for many years. They are super realistic, including the paws/hooves, and can leave traces in Play-Doh or sand, so there are endless play opportunities. Figurine animals can also be used for Montessori play, like matching figurines with animal flash cards. They are a bit hard, though, and the bigger animals, like elephants, can get heavy, so they are recommended for kids 3+ years old. We usually play together, or my son plays supervised, and I have had no issues. One of his sets had a tiny puppy that could pose a choking hazard, so I just put it away for later.

MELISSA & DOUG VEHICLES CHUNKY PUZZLE

MELISSA & DOUG GIANT FIRETRUCK FLOOR PUZZLE
While this puzzle is technically rated for 3 years+, I believe it’s based on children’s learning ability rather than safety, as there are no small parts – the puzzles are really giant. My son cannot do these by himself, but I think it’s a great introduction to putting jigsaw puzzles together. And he loves them.

12. Musical instruments

I like the idea of music toys for 2-year-olds that start resembling real instruments, but many of them have small parts and are not safe. My son seems to gravitate to those instead of push-button-play-music kind of toys, and they are a great introduction to the world of making music. We have a wooden set, a baby piano, a plastic drum set, and a little cheap guitar (that doubles as a violin if my son says so). I’m still looking for/waiting to upgrade his baby piano, and he’s been drumming more on our trash bin than the little toy drum, but we got a lot of use from this basic instrument set.

B.TOYS 9 PCS WOODEN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT SET

13. Experiences

While it’s impossible to wrap it in a colorful package or probably for a toddler to grasp the concept of receiving an experience, many parents consider them the best gifts, especially over new toys that their kids have just so many of. Tickets to a kids’ show, memberships to a museum, zoo, local aquarium, play gym, or swimming/soccer classes are great ideas that will enrich a child’s life meaningfully with new skills or relationships. They also tend to be expensive, so many parents appreciate this support. However, I would always make sure to coordinate it with the parent first and confirm age requirements/location accessibility/if it’s within the child’s interest pool before any purchases.

References

1. US Consumer Product Safety Commission “Toy Safety”: https://www.cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Business-Education/Toy-Safety ↩︎