There’s something so magical about a 2nd birthday! At this stage, toddlers are starting to understand more, develop their own personalities, and are still so stinking cute. But the celebration might still be more about the family at this point since two-year-olds usually aren’t going to tell you what they want for their birthday or how they want to celebrate.
If you’re at a loss for what to get your favorite two-year-old to be, here are some options to get the ball rolling! Below you’ll see toy ideas and more practical gifts if that’s what you want to go for (slash if you already have too many dang toys in the house).
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This is a fun age to buy toys for because they like so many things and haven’t gotten too picky about their entertainment yet (even if they’re getting picky about everything else…). Here are some fun toys that would be the perfect birthday gift for a 2-year-old! They’re separated by bigger gifts and smaller gifts so you can choose what works for your budget.
Toys Below $50
Lightweight Balance Bike
At this age, a lot of two-year-olds probably think they’re bigger than they are and want desperately to keep up with their older siblings! This is a good little balance bike for the two-year-old who is ready for a step up from their tricycle.
Melissa & Doug Wash and Dry Dish Set
You might be surprised by how much a two-year-old would love to pretend to wash dishes. And hey, maybe it’ll prepare them for the future when they can actually help out at home!
Play Tent with Ball Pit and Tunnel
This play tent and ball pit combo would be a two-year-old’s dream gift! It’s a combo of all three awesome toys in one.
Scooter
You might be surprised how well a little one can handle a scooter! This would be a great starting scooter for a two-year-old and will help them with their coordination.
Sorting Barn Toy
Is there a toddler who doesn’t love farm animals? This sorting barn toy is also a great toy that *might* help keep a toddler busy for a bit…
Ice Cream Cone Play Set
This is one of those play sets that will entertain a toddler for a surprising amount of time. And what kid doesn’t love ice cream?!
Play Doh
A two-year-old is likely at the point where they can safely play with Play-Doh without trying to eat it. Combine this with some fun Play-Doh toys for a great two-year-old birthday gift!
Car Rug with Cars
We have this toy in our home, and it’s a hit with all ages! It’s great for kids of all ages and something that encourages families to play together.
Bouncy Horse Hopper
If you haven’t seen one of these bouncy toys, you’ve got to check it out! Kids love it and they’re surprisingly durable. There are lots of animal options for these bouncy hoppers, so see if you can find your toddler’s favorite.
Garden Sorting Toy
This garden sorting toy is super cute and can help with fine motor skills. It’s a great learning toy and will hopefully encourage independent play!
Magnetic Drawing Board
The magnetic drawing board is a classic toddler toy and would be a great gift for a two-year-old to start exploring their artistic talents. This one has legs so it can also be set up as a table.
VTech KidiBeats Drum Set
Okay, this would be noisy, but if you’re okay with that, this would definitely be a favorite gift for a two-year-old! And what a great way to encourage musical exploration early on.
Wooden Puzzles for Toddlers
Wooden puzzles are perfect for little toddler hands. This is another more educational toy to help develop a young mind and also entertain them.
Toys $50 and Above
Kids Trampoline
These little indoor trampolines are a classic toy, and they’re so great for a variety of ages! This is the perfect gift for a toddler, but it can definitely be enjoyed by growing babies or older kids.
CAT Toddler Quad Ride On Toy
Pretty sure this would be a 2-year-old’s dream birthday gift. If you’re looking to get your favorite 2-year-old a bigger birthday gift, this is an excellent option and it’s a good price for what it is!
Little Tykes Playhouse
This is about the age when a toddler starts to take part in pretend play. This playhouse would be the perfect indoor or outdoor toy to help encourage a 2-year-old’s creativity!
Play Kitchen
Another amazing toy to encourage pretend play! This play kitchen even has realistic sounds for the kiddo who just wants the real thing.
Learn to Play Piano
Sure, this may be a noisy gift, but it’s the perfect intro to music for a little tyke. This toddler piano is sturdy and a great addition for a kiddo who loves music.
Little Tykes Truck
You may have seen this Little Tykes truck all over the place, but it’s still a novelty to toddlers! This is a fun 2-year-old birthday gift that’ll definitely be a favorite.
Practical Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
Do already have enough toys in your house? These are some practical gift ideas for 2-year-olds that they’ll still be excited about.
Hear Bear Roar 30-Button Animal Sound Book
Pretty much all two-year-olds love books and animals, right? This is the perfect practical 2-year-old gift, as long as you’re okay with hearing animal sounds repeatedly.
Poke a Dot Book
Poke a Dot Books are the perfect 2nd birthday gift! Kids will have a blast pushing the buttons in this book and can learn at the same time.
Toddler Scavenger Hunt at Home
This may not be the most “practical,” but this toddler scavenger hunt is a creative and fun way to entertain your toddler. This is a great option if you want a gift that will encourage together time.
Kids Dinnerware Set
This kids’ dinnerware set would be fun for your little tyke and *maybe* it would also help them be more interested in their food at mealtime. This particular set has lots of different options, so you can choose something that your kiddo loves.
Little Helper Kids Apron
Does your toddler like to help out in the kitchen? These aprons are adorable for little helpers and some have the option to have your child’s name printed on the front.
Kids Gardening Toolset
Encourage you kiddo to work with you outdoors with this cute kids’ gardening toolset. How cute would it be to see your new 2-year-old working with their own yard tools? This would be a great practical gift but also a good tool to teach them and get them outside.
Toddler Umbrella
In our house, umbrellas are pretty much toys, but they also come in handy on rainy days! A cute umbrella would a well-loved gift for any two-year-old.
Plush Children’s Chair
Envision your little one snuggling up on this precious chair with a board book. This toddler chair has lots of different options to choose from, so you can pick what your favorite 2-year-old would love best.
Toddler Pillow
An adorable pillow might help your toddler feel more excited about climbing into bed at night. This is another “win-win” gift.
Check out these ideas for fun 2-year-old birthday party themes!
