40 Best Educational And Fun Toys For 2 Year Olds Of 2022

Getting a toy for a 2 year old is more than just a trip to Walmart or picking up a random toy by popular brands like LeapFrog, Fisher-Price, or similar.

Baby dolls, cars, or stuffed animals are generally considered to be good toys for 2 year olds, but those are not what every toddler wants.

Buying a personalized gift for your 2 year old will mean a lot to him, even though he doesn’t know how to express it properly yet.

Also, I truly believe that toys with an educational component are best so the list below includes some of the best gift ideas for 2 year olds that include an educational element.

I’m sure you will find something that your bundle of joy will love!

Best Toys For 2 Year Olds

For all of you busy moms, here’s a quick list of our top picks!

1. Melissa & Doug Winnie the Pooh Shape Sorter

Melissa & Doug is one of the most popular toy brands known for its superior quality and classic toy look.

This brand was able to turn an evergreen toy such as the shape sorter into a more modern and fun version with Winnie The Pooh’s colorful patterns.

This sorting cube consists of nine wooden shape blocks and a sliding lid so you can easily get the shapes out of the cube.

It’s a really nice toy that encourages fine motor skill development of 2 and 3 year olds.

2. Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Kit

Markers were probably one of my worst nightmares, as my walls were covered with drawings and I just couldn’t find a way to stop it.

Even though I hid every marker I could, my kids would still find at least one of them and continue their artwork.

But now, that won’t happen ever again with this mess-free coloring set by Crayola!

The company mentions that the color can only be seen when your kids draw on Color Wonder paper.

This means no more stains on your furniture, children’s skin, or clothes!

This set includes 10 markers in “regular” colors, 10 markers in pastel shades, and 2 Color Wonder Mini Pads (30 pages each).

This bundle is great for 2 year olds, but it can be used for older kids as well.

Your 4 year old will also enjoy how colors appear on the paper like it’s magic!

3. Peaceable Kingdom Acorn Soup

This is one of my favorite toys for this age group as it actively involves parents, as well.

The rules of the game say that your little one has to make soup out of food that the squirrel stored for winter.

He needs to follow recipe cards and take turns with you while making dishes.

This is a great way for your child to develop various skills and learn how to follow game rules.

This playset includes:

• wooden spoon

• parent guide

• game instructions

• 8 recipe cards

• 24 ingredients made of wood

All the pieces can also be used for imaginative play, so your little chef can create different treats every day, without following recipes.

4. John Deere Tractor

I have one boy in the house who was crazy about tractors and I see lots of 2 year old boys running around on playgrounds with them now, as well.

At first glance, most people would say this is not an educational toy, which I highly disagree with.

Little hands love playing in the sand and with this tractor, your little builder will finish all his tasks in no time.

The tractor includes one very big scoop, durable steel hood, oversized wheels, and a roll handlebar for safety.

These sandbox toys are one of the best gifts for 2 year olds who like outdoor activities.

It encourages various skills as well, including hand-eye coordination and imaginative play.

5. Kangaroo Pull Toy

Pull toys are quite underestimated as learning toys, even though they provide your child with endless fun, but also encourage the development of various skills.

Pull toys are like dolls on wheels, and this kangaroo is true proof of that.

It will become your toddler’s best friend in no time.

The big kangaroo is connected to a rope, and there’s another, smaller kangaroo in the big one’s belly!

Your child can pull his buddies along everywhere he goes, which is very important for the improvement of hand-eye coordination, manipulation, and flexibility.

It’s made of high-quality and non-toxic materials.

The kangaroo also includes beads inside the wheels which produce a rattling sound for more fun.

Your kiddo can take his friend outside as well, as the wheels have rubber rings that adapt to various surfaces, including the outdoor concrete.

This is one of the simplest educational toys that will keep your little one away from screens for a long time, so it’s definitely worth it!

6. VTech Smart Shots Sports Center

There are a ton of activity centers out there that contain different types of activities that encourage your child’s brain development, common knowledge, and creativity.

However, there aren’t many sports centers and VTech decided to resolve this issue by presenting a Smart Shots 2-in-1 sports center with a basketball hoop and a goal.

Your child can still learn during play, as this center includes more than 50 sounds, phrases, and nursery songs.

It also has an LED scoreboard that counts to 10.

What I like most about it is that this toy not only improves motor skills but also builds self-worth in children with encouraging words and animations.

This sports center can fit anywhere, including your living room, so you don’t have to go outside every time your child wants to play!

It’s a great gift for 2 year old girls and boys! And it’s an Amazon Exclusive, which means you can only find it on Amazon or VTech’s official website.

7. Playkidz Pound A Ball

Pound a ball is one of the best STEM developmental educational toys and it provides endless fun for little toddlers!

It’s perfectly designed, so this is a toy even 1 year olds can hold and play with without any problems.

Pound a ball promotes fine motor skills, along with hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and other skills important for a child’s development.

This is one of the best toddler toys for learning about colors and nurturing critical thinking.

Your child will learn to recognize the color of each ball and match them correctly with hole colors (and will likely get irritated if you don’t match them the same way, as mine did.)

It’s a great gift idea for little ones that like hammering and challenging those little minds!

8. ​​HABA Magnetic Puzzle Game

Magnetic puzzle games are the best Montessori toys for infants and toddlers that promote critical thinking, development of different strategies, and concentration.

The point of this game is to return the colored balls to their matching garages.

There are many obstacles during this task and your little one has to pass all of them to bring the balls back to their corresponding homes.

The only thing he can use during this challenge is the wand that’s connected to the board.

This might seem a bit too challenging for a two-year-old, but you might be surprised with his skills!

You can carry it anywhere and allow your kid to have fun for a long time with this educational toy.

It can’t get much better than that!

9. Melissa & Doug Mickey Mouse & Friends Train

Mickey Mouse is the most famous Disney character and a rare character that has stood the test of time.

Mickey and Friends are very popular among toddlers and preschoolers even today, so this train set from Melissa & Doug might be just the right gift for your little munchkin if he likes the kids’ Disney movies.

The playset includes wooden play figures of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, and three linking vehicles.

This is a great pretend play activity for your child, especially if he is a fan of trains, Disney, and Mickey Mouse.

I must admit this is one of my favorite toddler toys with Mickey Mouse, as it benefits the healthy development of your child from a young age.

10. Step2 Ball Buddies Tunnel Tower

Trucks, balls, tunnels, and flippers – this already sounds like one of the most amusing toys for toddlers!

But, is this toy good for a child’s development?

Of course it is! This tunnel tower promotes cause and effect play along with improvement of various skills such as:

• social skills

• balance

• visual-spatial skills

• fine-motor skills, etc.

This toy is a great plaything for playtime with parents or friends and I’m sure your kiddo will love it!

11. 3 Bees & Me Magnet Bath Boats

Four boats in a playset are everything your little sailor needs during his bath time!

He can use them separately or link them into a boat train with quite strong magnets.

This playset has many benefits as it keeps your little one busy during bath time (without tears) and helps him learn and practice colors and numbers.

It’s great for imaginative play as well, so you might meet a little sailor or pirate!

Most importantly, this set of boats is completely safe for your child and for the environment, as the boats are made of lead, phthalate, and BPA-free materials.

Still not sure if this is the safest bath toy for your bundle of joy?

Well, the famous Toy Report has recently named the set one of the Best Toys For 2 Year Old Boys in 2020, so I’m sure your doubts are all cleared up now.

12. Kids Tent

Simple yet adored by almost every generation, the tent has remained one of the ultimate playthings for modern generations as well.

It’s made of high-quality nylon materials and non-toxic dyes.

Have you ever wondered why some tents are colored in blue, yellow, and red?

Well, that’s because they are the three primary colors!

Your child can use it as a playhouse or for a birthday party during his toddler years, and for picnics, camping, and sleepovers as a 6 year old or older!

This tent is a great choice for little explorers who are set for new adventures!

13. ​​The Learning Journey Count & Learn Cookie Jar

The cookie jar is one of the best things in a kitchen – not only for children but for some parents as well (especially after midnight).

This cookie jar doesn’t include edible cookies, unfortunately, but it does provide lots of fun for your munchkin.

The jar toy comes with 10 numbered cookies.

It has two different play modes: “Find It!” and “Let’s Learn Counting!” which both introduce numbers and counting.

It also improves the development of motor skills, as your child needs to carefully put each cookie into the jar.

This toy is one of the best toys for 2 year old girls and boys, which has been confirmed by Dr. Toy’s and Creative Child Magazine’s awards for the best toy!

14. Color & Shapes Matching Egg Toy

For some reason, most children are obsessed with eggs.

Your little one probably dropped at least one trying to take them out of the fridge or from the table, if you’re cooking something.

But, there is a solution now which is fun and educational!

Your little can open these toy eggs and reveal new shapes and colors that he’ll have to match.

Eggs come in a yellow tray which looks quite like the real thing, making it even more interesting for toddlers!

15. Space Crawl Tunnel

Play tunnels seem very simple and not so challenging for children, but it’s more beneficial than most parents could imagine it to be.

First of all, it encourages creativity and imaginative play, and it’s a great way to improve muscle development through crawling.

Also, this type of tunnel is great for parents, as it has mesh fabric on one side, enabling you to see your child during play.

The spring construction is made of steel, but each spring is wrapped with cotton padding so your child doesn’t get hurt.

The tunnel is very convenient for travel and storage, as it can be completely folded into a bag.

This is a great gift idea for those with a lack of storage space, as you can easily put it away after playtime.

16. Little Tikes Princess Horse & Carriage Ride-On

Almost every little girl imagined being a princess at some point in her childhood.

If you have a little princess, this will be the perfect gift for her.

This princess carriage will make your 2 year old girl’s dreams come true and will provide her with endless fun!

It has a removable floorboard so you can let her take the reins and go wherever she likes.

Parents can take over control as well by pulling reins or pushing the carriage from the roof handle.

It’s very cute and the horse even makes clip-clopping sounds when the carriage is moving.

It is worth mentioning, however, that the assembly is not an easy task, but I guess we would do anything for our little ones.

17. Kids Jungle Gym Playset

Even though this one is quite an investment, it’s also one of the best toys that will likely keep your kiddo active and entertained for years!

Jungle gym playsets are very important for a child’s physical and mental development, as it involves various activities, from strategy to strength.

This specific gym has monkey bars and a climbing net.

Plus, your kid will enjoy the ladders, a slide, and gymnastic rings.

The playground is perfect for children aged 2 – 6 years and can take up to 50 kg of weight.

It’s made out of natural materials such as wood, without any plastic.

The manufacturer does state that this playground shouldn’t be used without proper fall protection.

As it’s for indoor use only, it’s one of the best climbing toys for spacious homes, but it can’t be folded and packed away, so it can’t be easily stored.

18. Melissa & Doug Emergency Vehicle Play Set

This wooden vehicle playset is a great gift for future policemen, firemen, pilots, and ambulance drivers.

This set encourages pretend play and imagination, along with other physical and mental skills.

Your toddler can learn about emergency vehicles and the people who drive them.

These play figures can also stand on their own which provides little ones with even more fun!

These vehicles are fun, educational, and made of high-quality materials – they’re a great choice for your little one.

19. PlanToys Fruit and Vegetable Food Set

If your child prefers to cook with you rather than playing with toys, I highly recommend you get this playset which will finally replace those bowls that always end up on the kitchen floor.

The food set includes a very nice and simple tray, carrot, banana, pear, cucumber, orange, apple, mushroom, and a knife.

Your child will be over the moon that he can finally cut something on his own, as the fruits and vegetables can be “cut” through the velcro.

This playset promotes healthy habits and imaginative play, along with fine motor skill development.

It’s made out of wood (tray and knife) and recycled rubberwood, colored with non-toxic dyes.

Safe, healthy, and fun – sounds to me like one of the best toys for 2 year olds!

20. Battat Big Red Barn

I immediately started getting the “Old MacDonald Had A Farm” vibe when I saw this cute red barn with little animals and a farmer!

Battat has been known for producing high-quality toys for generations of children and providing our little ones with some classic toys like this barn.

It includes one pig, one cow, one sheep, one horse, and one farmer who keeps everything under control.

Think that’s cute? Check this out – this barn can open and close for easy access and has a handle for carrying around.

If you want to make sure nothing falls out, you can also close the barn doors!

This is one of the best toys for kids who love animals!

Your child can pretend to be a farmer and take care of his farm, which teaches him responsibility and improves concentration and other skills.

21. Melissa & Doug Dump Truck

This brand makes regular appearances on lists of best toys for 1 year olds and up, as they make great toys for toddlers and preschoolers!

Their designers are very creative, as they frequently come up with a modern spin on classic toys such as shape sorters!

I just love this shape sorting dump truck, which makes truck toys even more educational.

This wooden truck has a trailer that serves as a sorting box with nine different shapes that encourage creative play.

The manufacturer states that this toy is suitable for ages 2 to 5 years, but I’m not convinced a 5 year old would be very interested in playing with it.

However, I am sure it’s one of the cutest toys for 2 and 3 year old toddlers.

22. ​​Gentle Monster Wobble Balance Board

This balance board has become so popular among toddlers even though it’s just a wooden, curvy board.

However, toddlers love to play with balance and this board is the perfect way to keep your munchkin from greater falls.

Not only that, but it also has many benefits for the body’s muscular and vestibular system, which is very important for proper development and posture.

This is a great investment for the whole family, actually, as it fits older children and adults as well, but you’ll probably only get it when your children are asleep.

It’s great for stretching, practicing your balance, and exercising.

My friend’s 9-year-old regularly plays with it when she comes to our house and she loves it!

This is the greatest gift for your two-year-old and for the whole family too!

23. Lego Duplo Mickey & Minnie Birthday Train

If your child prefers Lego blocks to wooden toys, he will love the Lego Duplo birthday train featuring Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto!

This 22-piece set is a great birthday gift as it comes with a Lego birthday cake and stackable numbers.

This will be a great addition to your child’s Lego Duplo collection or an awesome way to introduce Lego to your little one.

These blocks are the greatest developmental toys for 2 year olds, as they can develop great imagination by stacking bricks into different shapes.

The train wagons could become anything your toddler wants or could remain a classic train set for those who like trains.

This is also a very cute birthday gift for a 7 year old collector of Lego or older, as well.

24. Yvolution My Buddy Wheels

This is probably one of the cutest balance bikes I have ever seen! It may not be the most practical one, but most adorable – definitely!

With this bike, children improve balance, coordination, stability, confidence, strength, and speed in a fun way!

The plush dinosaur toy becomes their best buddy on new adventures which makes the whole experience of learning bike riding less scary.

It’s very durable and designed for uneven surfaces, and it can be adjusted in size to fit children up to 44 lbs.

My favorite features are the rubber wheels and easy cleaning, as you can remove the fluffy friend and put it into the washing machine.

25. VTech Activity Table

I love activity tables as they are one of the best learning resources for young toddlers who can’t read yet.

This activity table by VTech includes various songs including ABC, more than 100 words to learn, and over 20 activities which makes this table one of the most educational toys for young toddlers.

This touch and learn desk has five different activity pages with exciting content.

I love that it comes with a stool as well, which is of the perfect size for the table, so you don’t have to search endlessly for a suitable stool.

It has a progress button that informs you about your child’s progress each time you push it.

The table can also be turned into an art easel with storage space for art supplies and a chalkboard.

It’s not called a “Deluxe Desk” for nothing, that’s for sure!

Your child will play and learn for hours and you will be happy that he enjoys the screen-free time.

26. Baby Einstein Clever Composer Tune Table

Do you have a tiny musician in your house?

Does he like to play music on furniture and with kitchen supplies?

If the answer is yes, then this music table is the perfect present for him!

Made out of wood, without pushable keys, this music table will entertain your toddler for ages.

It can be a floor toy or a standing table, whichever suits him best.

It has three playing modes: “freestyle”, “learn” and “silly”, and 22 instruments included.

This toy is great for the development of social skills too, as multiple kids can play at the same time.

27. Duck & Goose, 1, 2, 3

“Duck & Goose, 1, 2, 3”, created by The New York Times, is a must-have toddler board book.

These two interesting friends have a lot of adventures together, and in this particular book, they will help your little one learn basic numbers and counting.

There are 22 pages of pure fun for your toddler who will probably ask you to read it again, and again, and again, until he eventually learns how to read himself or memorizes everything from the book.

This is a great way to introduce books to your toddler and inspire his love for reading from an early age.

It’s a perfect gift for birthdays, as well.

28. Melissa & Doug Xylophone

Children love it and parents put up with it knowing that a xylophone is a very important way of introducing music and musical instruments to babies and toddlers.

Children love to tap and hammer and this instrument makes it more fun and educational!

This instrument helps with the development of creativity, imagination, and independent play, as well as hand-eye coordination.

However, it shouldn’t be used without parental supervision for children under the age of 3.

29. Lovevery Building Blocks

Welcome to building blocks heaven!

This set is a dream come true for every toddler who likes to build things as it comes in 70 high-quality pieces dyed in 18 different colors.

This block set is a very good investment for future years as well, as your little one can use it from the age of 2 until he is no longer interested in it.

STEM learning toys, like this one, are great for the development of visual and spatial skills, hand-eye coordination, critical thinking, and other mental and physical skills.

Also, don’t worry – if your little one gets sad about losing a part, you can always replace it from the manufacturer or you can just freshen up the set.

30. Hape Wooden Dollhouse

A fully furnished dollhouse is the dream of many boys and girls, and it’s your time now to make the dream come true for your child!

This dollhouse is a great way to develop roleplay from an early age and teach your toddler about the importance of sustainability, as well.

As an environmentalist, I really appreciate the solar panels on the roof and nature all around the house.

But, what makes me really happy is the solid wood construction and non-toxic paint.

It’s one of the eco-friendly toys for 2 year olds that I would recommend to everyone, as you teach your child from a young age a lesson on how to save the planet.

31. Step2 Rain Showers Water Table

Toddlers love to play with water, and this way it can be both educational and entertaining.

This water table has a waterfall with rainfall effect, maze spinners, buckets, and ramps which redirect water and create new waterfalls every time your toddler changes the maze pieces for cause and effect STEM play.

This set includes:

• 2 cups

• 3 maze pieces

• 2 spinners

• strainer

• frog water squirter

• fish water squirter

• rubber duck

• flipper

It’s a great way to introduce fun activities for toddlers during summer and help your kiddo develop in a healthy way.

32. ​​Qaba Kids Ride-On Llama Rocking Horse

I’m not really sure what to call this one — a rocking horse llama?

A llama rocking horse? A rocking llama?

Call it whatever you want, but it’s definitely one of the cutest and fluffiest things I’ve ever seen!

This model is my favorite as it’s very soft and bright.

The importance of a rocking toy is usually underestimated, as it can actually train your child’s core muscles and improve coordination and balance.

This cute llama is also very safe for toddlers as the frame is very durable (steel and wood) and includes handles, a seat belt, and the back on which to sit.

Your munchkin will turn into a real cowboy in no time, so you might want to get him a hat, too!

33. Melissa & Doug Double-Sided Tabletop Easel

A kids’ art easel is one of the most essential toys for children for the improvement of creativity, emotional expressions, and fine motor development.

This tabletop easel is very practical and sturdy as it’s made of wood, and it includes an easy dry-erase board.

The easel includes a built-in paper roll for easier cleaning, a dry-erase board/chalkboard, 5 colored chalks, 36 magnets (letters and numbers), and a dry-erase marker.

This is a good gift idea for 2 year olds but will need supervision, as there are small parts that could be a choking hazard for young children.

34. Step2 Best Chef’s Kitchen Playset

Children love to scramble, whisk and bake cookies, lunch, bread, or whatever comes to those little minds.

The best way to prevent any kitchen accidents if you have a little chef in your house is to buy a play kitchen.

Step2 has really stepped up and created an adorable kitchen that truly resembles a real kitchen with awesome visuals and realistic sounds that add to the sensory play.

It’s also very easy to clean with just a few disinfectant wipes or even just a wet cloth.

It literally has everything a little chef needs and would be a great gift for a Christmas or Easter.

35. Little Tikes Go and Grow Ride-On

This adorable ride-on giraffe is a great way to develop your little one’s motor skills and introduce bike rides for the first time.

This bike is suitable for young toddlers and kids, as it has an adjustable seat, but I wouldn’t recommend it for children older than 3 years.

It can be used indoors and outdoors and it has three wheels for maximum security of your little toddler who is learning how to balance properly.

36. Radio Flyer Deluxe Steer & Stroll Trike

The classic Radio Flyer trike is here for toddlers who mean business!

Even though it has a simple design, this tricycle is one of the coolest and most practical on the market.

You can lock the pedals which then serve as a footrest while you steer or you can unlock them so he can take over full control.

This trike also comes with a cute storage bin in the back, so your little adventurer can carry toys with him, wherever he goes.

All in all, it’s in the top 10 best toys for 2-3 year olds.

37. Lego Duplo My First Number Train

You can never have enough Lego in the house (I know that better than anyone) and this set also goes great with the Mickey Mouse birthday train set!

This playset includes numbers from 0 to 9, as well as a buildable locomotive, a cute cat, and three linking wagons.

38. Fisher-Price Laugh And Learn Piggy Bank

This is like an improved version of the cookie jar, which includes Smart Stages technology, meaning that the content changes as your toddler gets older.

This cute piggy includes more than 40 songs, melodies, and phrases and ten brightly colored coins which can be inserted through the belly or back.

It’s suitable for children older than 1 and up to 3 years old, or until your little one loses interest in it.

39. ​​VTech KidiBeats Drum Set

If you buy a xylophone, a music table with a piano, and a drum set, you may just be able to start a garage band with your toddler!

Jokes aside, this drum set is great for a child’s development, creativity, visualization, memory including letters and names, and for physical skills, as well.

There are four play modes, including freestyle and a follow-along feature.

The drum set also has LED lights that activate every time your child hits the drum pad, which makes your child even more excited about playing.

40. Melissa & Doug Cardboard Blocks

Jumbo blocks for children are always welcome in my house, especially when I see how creative my kids get whenever they play with them.

I must admit I was a bit suspicious about these Melissa & Doug cardboard blocks as I thought they would break soon, but I’m happy to report that I was wrong.

These blocks are lightweight and easy to clean, so you can teach your kiddo how to clean them and store them properly, as well.

Wrapping Up

It’s not easy to find the perfect gift for your kids, but when you get it right, the happiness on those little faces will instantly melt your heart.

Here’s another, very important piece of advice for you: Never, ever, take longer than 10 minutes to choose the best toy in the store or online, as you will end up buying a full cart of toys.

I have to admit I love looking at toys and it amazes me how beneficial toys can be for our kids, especially at a young age.

Now, check the list again, choose the best toy for your 2 year old, and enjoy making his day!

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