You're looking for the best toys for two-year-olds and wondering where the time went, right? The little person in your life is now officially out of baby territory. The kids' toys they used to love no longer get played with, and to be more accurate, they barely get a glance. They’re growing quickly and craving something new to explore. The question is, what do you buy a toddler who has (almost) everything?
Best Toys For Two-Year-Olds At A Glance:
Editor's Choice: Little Tikes Cozy Coupe Car, £70 on Argos
Best Musical Toy For Two-Year-Olds: Lilliputiens - My First Animated Music Box , £30.99 on John Lewis
Best Puzzle Toy For Two-Year-Olds: Orchard Toys Big Fire Engine Jigsaw Puzzle, £11.25 on Amazon
Whether you’re looking for a gift idea for a special occasion or think your little one’s toys need an upgrade, we’ve got a guide for you. We have spent months testing all the best kids' toys, from wooden toys to the most stylish toys on the market, to bring you our expert knowledge.
Plus, there are some great tips on what to look for in toys to aid your baby’s development. So, without further avail, let's dive in...
SHOP: The Best Toys For Two-Year-Olds
Editor's Choice
Credit: Argoswww.argos.co.uk
Children have been taking adventure and imagination on the road for generations with one of the original ride-on toys - the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe. The iconic red and yellow car will provide hours of fun for you and your two-year-old. Thankfully, this little vehicle isn't dependent on the great British weather, as it can be used indoors and outdoors.
Pros
- Robust
- Moving parts
- Fun
Cons
- Requires a lot of indoor space
Best musical toy for two-year-olds
Credit: John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
This toddler-friendly musical toy is a clever construction that makes the images look as if they are moving as if by magic. Musical toys enhance toddlers' cognitive development by stimulating auditory senses, fostering a sense of rhythm, promoting language acquisition, and encouraging sensory exploration.
Pros
- Beautifully illustrated
- Good quality
- The song is sweet
- Carry handle
Cons
- Some children struggled to turn the knob on their own
Best puzzle toy for two-year-olds
Credit: Amazon Puzzles are a simple and fun way for you to bond with your little one. The best part about this puzzle is that it is engaging and can be enjoyed for years (in our experience). When your little one is two, they will need a lot of help, but they can put the big pieces together all by themselves as time passes.
Pros
- Large puzzle pieces
- Bright and colourful puzzle
- Engaging
- Includes a poster which can help children complete the puzzle independently
Cons
- I would have liked a bag for the puzzle pieces as the box can take up a lot of space.
Best play kitchen for two-year-olds
Credit: Zara www.zara.com
A toy kitchen is a great educational toy for toddlers. On top of being super fun, toy kitchens bring a sense of independence and a grown-up attitude your toddler has probably been craving. This gorgeous rustic kitchen features storage spaces, a drawer, an oven, hooks and a shelf, including movable elements.
Pros
- Rustic, aesthetically pleasing design
- Easy to use
- A range of matching play kitchen toys and accessories are available
Cons
- Requires simple assembly
Best LEGO set for two-year-olds
Credit: Amazonwww.lego.com
It's rare for anyone of any age not to love LEGO. This LEGO DUPLO farm set is packed with animals for your toddler to learn names, sounds, and colours. It's an ideal developmental toy for toddlers who love animals.
Pros
- Great for imaginative play
- Engaging
- Colourful
- Fantastic gift
- Large pieces
Cons
- Duplo does not work with LEGO pieces
Best motor skills toy for two-year-olds
Credit: Amazon Your toddler will have everything they need to build their own castle or tower. These multi-coloured blocks are perfect for encouraging hands-on play and motor skills, ideal for independent play and encouraging your little one's imagination.
Pros
- Rounded edges
- High-quality beech wood
- It can be played with for generations
Cons
- No storage bag
Best scooter for two-year-olds
Credit: Micro Scooterswww.micro-scooters.co.uk
Suitable from two years old, this scooter has been designed to grow with your tot until they are five years old with adjustable handlebars. It has two front wheels to make scooting easier and an innovative steering system teaching your little one to balance. Our favourite feature is the amazing Gruffalo and Friends character designs - you can choose your child's favourite Julia Donaldson character, from Stickman to Tabby McTat.
Pros
- Toddler approved design
- Easy to assemble
- Great quality
- Durable
Cons
- Does not come with protective gear
Best rocking chair for two-year-olds
Credit: Kidly www.kidly.co.uk
This is a super sweet, updated version of the traditional rocking horse with neutral cream fleece, lovely natural wood rockers, and handlebars. This Little Dutch Rocking Sheep is very fun and will suit any nursery style as a statement decorative item.
Pros
- Soft and tactile
- Promotes balance and confidence
- Chic design
Cons
- A little difficult to clean
Best toys for two-year-olds who love animals
Credit: John Lewiswww.johnlewis.com
This 'My First Farm' soft playset by Lilliputiens is adorable and perfect for any little animal lover. It includes six classic farmyard animals and Farmer Jeff (who drives around on his trusty tractor while caring for the lively livestock).
Pros
- Colourful
- All elements can be stored in the farmhouse
- Soft toys
Cons
- Not interactive elements
Best soft toy for two-year-olds
Credit: AmazonHopping into homes just in time for spring, the precious Kaloo bunny is available in a range of six colours. We are sure this sweet bunny will become your little one’s favourite companion. We love the soft toy's long ears, which can be tied and hung anywhere to ensure they are always part of the adventure.
Pros
- Multiple colour options
- Bunnies can be tied by their ears
- It arrives in a lovely box
Cons
- It cannot be personalised
What are the best toys to buy for two-year-old children?
By the age of two, you’ll notice your baby is making an active effort to do things more independently but realise they need your help to do some things, too. Their language skills are improving quickly, and they know how to make their needs and wants to be known to you. Their imagination is also starting to develop. For this, pretend-to-play and educational toys are great, and stylish toys can help kiddies build their confidence, too.
According to child development expert Dr Amanda Gummer from The Good Play Guide, toys are very beneficial to toddler development: 'Toys have two main functions for young children – stimulating the child and encouraging them to play and explore their environment and develop skills such as fine motor skills, concentration and communication.
'And also, to make the adults around the child more playful and likely to engage positively with the young child, thus further promoting healthy development and strengthening attachment.'
In terms of the best kind of toys to buy a two-year-old, Dr Gummer thinks games that a toddler can play both individually and with other children are the best, 'Children move from playing alongside other children with minimal interaction to playing with them, either competing with them or collaborating with them.
'Play sets that they can play alone and with friends are great, as are simple board games and toys that increase children’s confidence with numbers and letters are good to introduce around this age.'
The best toys to help your baby’s development and education at two years old will:
• Improve their language skills: Pretend play and dressing up are great ways to work their imagination and get them to be creative. Educational toys with numbers and letters are great to be introduced from the age of two. Look out for toys that make learning as fun and rewarding as possible.
• Help develop fine motor skills: Painting, puzzles, and anything where they use their brain and hands to match colours or shapes are great, as well as encouraging your child to get messy with colours. Construction toys like train sets are also great for stimulating their minds.
• Encourage a mini-me: Your two-year-old will pay a lot more attention to you than you might first think. They will love anything that makes them feel grown-up. Think toy kitchens, mini vacuums and music if that’s one of their interests.
Hannah Carroll is a Parenting, Lifestyle and Home Product writer for Grazia, specialising in product testing and reviews. With three children, Hannah loves testing the latest industry products on her own family.