How to choose toys for a 2 year old child?
Two-year-old children absorb the world around them. They have learned a lot since their first birthday, but they still have a long way to go. We select the best toys for 2-year-olds based on the developmental milestones your child reaches this year. Here are some of the milestones you can expect from your little boy this year.
Physical stages of development of a 2 year old child
Your round-legged little baby becomes long and lean as he builds muscle, and during his second year he will begin to climb, kick balls, climb furniture and run further. He may even run so far that he exhausts you! His fine motor skills also improve as he learns to fold, draw, and place even small objects in the right places.
Walking will be much smoother once your little one masters this skill. He will be less clumsy and won't even need help getting up if he falls. This is a sign that his gross motor skills are working hard. The second year is a busy and fun time for your little guy as he learns his body and movement.
Emotional stages of development of a 2 year old child
At two years old, your little boy may start throwing tantrums. Tantrums are his way of expressing his frustration over any little thing he has in mind, such as hunger, fatigue, or dislike of rules. His verbal skills are still not up to par to tell adults what is upsetting him, but he has control over his body.
Tell him the words he needs and make sure he knows that tantrums are not an acceptable form of communication. Praise good behavior as he is still learning what is and is not acceptable. Consistency is key at this age.
Two year olds are full of all sorts of emotions - from sadness to anger and everything in between. Along with a range of emotions, frequent mood changes occur as he learns to control his impulses, feelings and actions. This process takes eighteen years or more depending on the child. The world, in your son's humble opinion, still revolves around him as he is just beginning to understand that others have needs, desires and emotions too.
Social stages of development of a 2 year old child
Despite dire emotional changes, children can dress themselves (although their style may be too daring for society). He may not be ready to share with other children, but he is ready to start learning the social norm of sharing. Either way, he will enjoy a full social life with a variety of people around him.
He will love to imitate his parents and siblings, as well as everyone he meets throughout the day. He is also fully engaged in role play and is probably mumbling to himself or his toys. Don't be surprised if you find him defiant even in front of others, as it is only him who tests his boundaries.
Development of fine motor skills
The level of fine motor skills directly affects a child’s speech. The easiest way to train your fingers is with the help of appropriate toys.
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Kinetic sand
A real sandbox at home is a great joy for every child. Kinetic sand is just like real sand - you can build castles or make Easter cakes, but it does not stick to your hands and is easy to collect even from a fluffy carpet.
Yula
Our grandmothers also played with tops. Now you can find not only a classic wooden or metal spinning top, but also models with lighting, different melodies or additional educational details.
Busyboard
A board or cube with different functional objects - from switches to lacing - is a great toy for a young explorer. When choosing a busy board, it is important not to overdo it with the filling, because a lot of details will not allow you to concentrate.
The ideal would be a set of elements that the baby does not have access to in everyday life - switches, latches, doors with locks, and the like.
Plasticine
Crushing a piece of plasticine in your hands is not only useful, but also very pleasant. At 2 years old, a child is unlikely to be able to repeat his favorite characters with portrait accuracy, but will begin to develop spatial thinking. Instead of ordinary plasticine, you can give a Play Doh modeling kit - it does not stick to your hands and does not stain clothes.
Buying Guide for Toys for 2 Year Olds
Because your little guy focuses on language, movement, and fine motor skills, most toys focus on these three areas of development. Most babies like to watch things move, such as cars, or they like to move objects, which is why many toys have wheels. Books are extremely important to help them learn words.
Talk to your child often and read often too, as reading is a great activity for developing language skills. Try not to speak in baby talk, as they imitate the speech of their parents at two years of age. If you speak childishly, they will speak childishly, and this will be another habit that will need to be corrected in the future. Talk about what you are doing while you are doing it to help him understand the reasons for what is happening around him.
Try to choose toys that teach him but are also fun for enjoyment and imagination. The simpler the toy, the more he will use his imagination. Make sure that not all of his toys are noisy toys. Try to keep a wide variety of toys to encourage new skills.
For the development of intelligence
There is no one more greedy for new knowledge than a child under 3 years old. The task of the so-called intellectual toys is to help the little researcher study the world and his capabilities.
Constructor
It perfectly develops imagination and spatial thinking, but for a 2-year-old boy only a plastic or wooden construction set is suitable. With metal, you should wait a couple more years.
Sorter
The best toy for developing logic, memory and vision. A good sorter with bright details can captivate your baby for a long time.
Cubes
A multifunctional, timeless classic. The cubes can be made of any safe material, with numbers, letters or just pictures.
Large puzzles
Mosaics for two-year-olds usually consist of a small number of parts that can be easily assembled into one picture. It is better to choose wooden, foam rubber or very thick cardboard so that the toy does not become disposable.
Talking toy
Kids love to repeat words after mom and dad, but sometimes parents really want to keep quiet. A favorite toy that can talk, sing or tell stories will come to the rescue.
The best educational and educational toys for 2 year old boys
Lego Duplo my first cars and trucks
Little boys love to play with cars, and what's better than a car he can make himself! You and your little one can assemble and take apart again and again to make one of a kind creations. Like other Lego toys, expand your Duplo collection later to include other sets that can be combined together.
Lego created Duplo building blocks for tiny hands and learning. What's more, this best toy for 2 year olds can be assembled in hundreds of ways to ignite your little guy's imagination. Pack the construction set in a small bag and take it with you for easy play. This is an ideal gift for a child of this age.
Set of tools in the SHANTOU GEPAI car
It is full of wrenches and screws and other tools for a very fun play time. The machine not only stores all the materials, but it can also become a workbench. Little ones can turn screws, drive plastic pegs into the workbench, and rotate gears on it. The machine can also be pulled behind with a cord attached to it.
This is a good toy for toddler boys with lots of options to play with. This toy does not make any noise and does not irritate parents. A great toy for little boys to use in the garage while they watch daddy build new shelves or work on his own.
Rolling machine HAPPY BABY
Give your child his first car. The button controls make it really easy to use and this toy has tons of cool sounds and gadgets. This would definitely be any baby's favorite gift!
Let's face it, even grown men look at this best toy for 2 year old boys with nostalgia as it was a toy on their wish list when they were little. Guys love the power of being behind the wheel and moving through the world of sleep in a car. Encourage the love of driving now. A great time to introduce children to basic lessons on directions and road signs.
WoodLines Tricycle
Even though parts of this tricycle are made from durable plastic rather than all metal, customers overwhelmingly believe that it is extremely durable. The seat is adjustable, so even if your little one's legs are a little short at the start of the pedal, he can grow and continue to ride for several years. Plus, the bonus for parents is that all you need to assemble it is a screwdriver, a pair of pliers and a little patience!
Water painting mat Aqua Doodle “Playmat”
I love the creativity that comes with children's toys. Things like this 3 Magic Pens Drawing Mat didn't exist 10 years ago, but what a great idea! Kids can draw whatever they want without making a mess. There is water in the handles, and the “art” disappears as soon as the water dries. The mat itself is waterproof and can be rolled up. It's also big enough for multiple kids to draw or kids can paint with a parent.
Plastic tow truck "POLESIE"
Little boys love cars, and parents love anything durable and easy to clean.
This set is made in Belarus from 100% high quality plastic. Plastic, thick, durable and easy to clean. The best thing about being all plastic is that you don't have to worry about rust or rot when your little one plays with this car kit. It's even dishwasher safe.
The set includes a tow truck and 3 cars. Each car has its own color and can be driven. These colors are also made from non-toxic inks, so they are completely non-toxic.
Scooter with MICAR seat
What we love about this scooter is that it grows with kids until they are 12 years old. It comes with a removable seat to attach to the handlebars at two different heights. The handlebar itself has 4 different height options to accommodate kids of all heights. The deck is wide, non-slip and has flashing wheels.
If your little one is into scooters at all, this would be a great gift that will last a long time. This scooter comes in multiple colors including gender neutral or neutral colors.
Plastic cars "NORDPLAST"
These cars will use momentum to roll forward. The perfect size for baby's hands, bright colors to keep them busy and durable to resist breakage. This 4-car playset includes a dump truck, cement mixer, bulldozer and tractor.
Game tent "LET'S PLAY TOGETHER"
Kids love tents of all kinds and this model already comes in car shape. It can be used indoors or outdoors as the fabric is waterproof. You can put it in your playroom and fill it with marbles. You can put some blankets there for playing or sleeping. The sides can be opened or closed and in either case it is well ventilated at the top.
Kids can take a nap in the tent for a fun adventure or head outside. Several children can play and pretend that they are in a car moving around the city.
Educational toy Skoolzy Peg Board Set
Skoolzy Peg Board Set is a fabulous educational toy for young children, but don't let them play with this toy unsupervised. Two-year-olds still tend to put certain things in their mouths, and those pegs can look delicious! The pegs come with a storage bag, mat and lots of colorful pegs to help your son develop hand-eye coordination, sorting, stacking, color recognition and patterns. A great Montessori toy that kids will play with over and over again. A great toy for multiple children.
Bath toy
Each little boat comes with a number and a picture of sea life, and the boats come in bright colors. Your boy can enjoy his bath longer with small toys.
Great for siblings to play in the bathtub. Additionally, these boats can be used in the pool or lake. On the sand, children can build a moat or lake for their small boats. The options are endless!
VTech educational flashlight
Your boy will love the color changes and animal sounds. Boys love to push buttons and make a lot of noise, and this flashlight is ready to get down to business! Just be careful not to let your child shine it in the eyes of the dog, cat or his brother, as the toy is bright! Although it is not the best educational toy, the flashlight is an excellent musical and portable toy. Great for car or travel.
Toy track with VTech Go cars
Many car toys are made for two year old boys. Little kids will be fascinated by the spinning wheels and moving cars. This brightly colored toy allows them to watch cars spin around ramps and fly around the room. Delight their senses with this toy as they roll cars down the slide.
Book by Genekhten G.V. “What's in your diaper? I'm going potty!"
At two years old, some little boys are ready to potty train, and what better way to do it than with this board book. Potty sessions can be scary for kids who have always gone to the bathroom in their diaper. This book takes away the scary factor and shows how fun the potty can be and that it is a normal part of everyday life.
Soft backpack Yisibo
Your big boy can carry all his favorite toys in this backpack. It comes in multiple designs to simulate 3D animals and delight your kids. The small bag is the right size for small children with a spacious main compartment for storing toys and books. Can be used as a diaper bag and children can take the backpack to daycare or preschool.
Plastic complex Mochtoys
Bring the slide into the playroom on rainy days with this fun little slide. It folds up for easy storage. You can use it inside or take it back outside. The slide is great for multiple kids to learn how to take turns, or even for your little boy to take turns sliding down it or pushing his cars, trains and toys on it.
The best wooden toys for 2 year old boys
Wooden track KidKraft
Little boys love trains and this is the perfect starter kit for your little one. This toy is very reasonably priced for a 100 piece toy set that is filled with not only paths, but also buildings, street signs, trees, and trains. This is really all you need to keep your child engaged with the toy for a long time and have a lot of fun.
Your boy's imagination will create a whole city with train stops at every station. The child will spend hours rearranging the tracks and moving the train around the track. He can learn a ton of skills about logic, spatial reasoning, hand-eye coordination and more by figuring out where to place and how to build a track. This is the best gift for 2 year old boys although you may need to buy a storage box.
Wooden puzzles for children Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle Set
Little kids love puzzles! So why not embrace their love of learning and get some of the best puzzles?
The construction and vehicles theme is sure to please your little guy. The puzzle pieces are large and easy for still growing hands to grasp. The puzzle pieces slide into small slots to slot them into place. The locations for the puzzle pieces have full color illustrations at the bottom so your younger child can easily find where to place the pieces. With only seven pieces for each puzzle, you don't have to worry about chasing down a bunch of tiny pieces.
Magnetic wooden fishing "TENTH KINGDOM"
Magnetic wooden fishing rods are great for kids because they are durable, unlike plastic ones. This toy set comes with 26 ocean animals and 2 fishing rods that actually retract with the turn of a handle, just like the real thing.
As the child gets older, this set can be used to play a math game by adding up the number of all the fish. Parents will love that it comes in a beautiful round box that can be used to store the game.
Books
To paraphrase a famous saying, we can say that books are the best gifts for children. Moreover, a two-year-old is already able to perceive not only short poems and nursery rhymes. It is important that the paper is not too thin, otherwise the child may cut himself.
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Books with windows
Books with various flaps and windows that hide the most interesting things will turn reading into a fun game. It is also worth paying attention to books with tactile elements or scented pages.
Audio tales
Musical books with buttons are suitable for children of any age, but by the age of 2, playing with them becomes more deliberate. The baby can repeat his favorite fairy tale after the reader and even memorize small fragments.
Rubber books for swimming
The good thing about such books is that they can be used not only in the bathroom. If the boy still likes to tear books, then rubber pages will save the gift from quick destruction.
Interesting interactive toys for boys 2 years old
Night light 3D ZOKEA
Boys tend to gravitate toward prehistoric animals and with ZOKEA Night Lights for Kids, they can see a dinosaur to help them fall asleep in seven vibrant colors. Kids will show off this 3D night light visual effect to all their friends and family! Kids love fun lights, but not all kids can sleep with constellation lights, which end up distracting them from falling asleep. This lamp is simpler and less distracting while still being fun and colorful.
Dinosaur on remote control Zhorya
Dinosaur? Great. A dinosaur that has a remote control? Better. What about a dinosaur that has a remote control and dances? Yes please!
The dinosaur dances, walks, talks and sings to the delight of your child and all his friends. It comes with multiple modes with a remote control to give your child power over the dinosaurs. A great educational toy that your son can interact with and will help him move. Many toys don't encourage much movement, but a dancing Dino will!
Fisher-Price Little People Music Farm
Old MacDonald had a farm and your little boy wants one too! The little figures in this Fisher-Price set are a must-have for any little guy.
This farm has an interactive farm building with a popcorn silo, animal stalls, a walk-through hay barn, chicks hatching and enough songs and sounds to keep your boy happy. The set comes with a cow, chicken, pig and horse for your child to learn how to take care of. And if he forgets about them, they're just plastic, so it's okay.
One of the best parts is that the whole thing folds into a box with the animals and farmer inside so you can store it and put it away.
Joyin remote control car
Your baby's first remote control car! The Joyin remote control car has 4 interchangeable symbols. The car is easy to use, with only 2 buttons - one to move the car forward and one to reverse and turn. Nothing too confusing, just a lot of fun for baby!
The car also makes honking sounds and flashes its headlights for added effect. This is a must-have gift for 2 year old boys!
VTech Smart Shots Sports Center
Is your little one interested in balls of all kinds? Or trying to keep up with older siblings? With this nifty Vtech Smart Shots Sports Center, they can also be the star while practicing their soccer or basketball skills. The scoreboard shows the basketball score up to 10 and encourages the baby with funny phrases. Kids can practice diving in basketball or scoring soccer goals.
Boys love to play sports and with this toy they can even play with their friends. They will love the lights on the scoreboard, some buttons and of course football and basketball. The cute design is designed to ensure that the gate stays on its legs even when a child hits it hard!
Practical gifts
Nowadays, it is believed that it is wrong to give household items to a child, and the gift should be associated with a holiday. However, not every family has the opportunity to make large purchases for no reason. If you are visiting a child for his birthday, then such a gift can be a significant help to his mom and dad.
Clothes or shoes
You can never have too many spare T-shirts, so clothes are a really useful gift for a 2 year old boy. To prevent the present from being banal, you can arrange a small fashion show in new clothes.
Backpack
The baby will be able to carry his toys with him “like an adult” for a walk or to the nursery. It is important to choose a backpack that fits the back and has adjustable straps.
New bed
2 years is a great age to change a crib to a bed with a side. An interesting solution would be a bed with a canopy frame, where the child can close himself up, like in a hut.
Table and chair
Suitable for playing in the room and organizing a workplace for drawing, as well as for feeding the baby in the kitchen.
The best toys with light and sound for 2 year old boys
Children's drum set VTech KidiBeats
Parents may get tired of listening to the Vtech KidiBeats Kids Drum Set, but most kids love banging on the drums for hours. A great toy to encourage musical skills. It also has modes to teach them letters and numbers, as well as several songs.
The child can try drums, cymbals, a variety of tunes, dance songs and even letters or numbers. A great toy to choose the right instrument for them along with sensory development and ear training.
VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe
Vtech's Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe is great for the game room! It comes with 5 inserts, each with a different theme - numbers and counting, fruits and colors, alphabet and letters, human body and musical keys. Additional boards can be purchased separately for even more learning.
The table flips up to reveal a drawing board. You can also attach paper to it to make it an artistic easel. And it has a toy phone attached that kids can use to “call” people. It is also a sturdy desk with a chair.
Educational tablet "UMKA"
This toy will expand your son's vocabulary with a cute and fun interactive tablet that will make them feel like they have their own iPad. The toy includes twenty-five “apps” for teaching various subjects to young learners. Your little one will love this toy because of all the buttons, bright colors and fun characters. The home button helps them navigate back out of the app easily.
With Explore mode, they can hear fun phrases, sports, weather and health, just like on an adult tablet. The toy can also be played in music mode for songs and melodies. He can even create his own songs. An excellent universal toy.
Impression as a gift
It is customary to give impression gifts only to adults, but if you want to please your parents and friends, then you should pay attention to the following gift ideas for a boy - 2 years will be remembered for a long time.
Family photo session
Taking photos together is a reason to bring together parents and grandparents, as well as memories for many years to come. Often photo sessions turn into an annual tradition and fill the family album with many colorful cards.
Certificate for a toy store
The birthday boy will not only be able to choose a gift to his liking, but will also receive his first lesson in financial literacy, since certificates are most often limited by their face value.
Birthday cake
Since nutrition experts discourage children from getting carried away with added sugar, a beautiful cake for a two-year-old falls into the category of experience. Fireworks and blowing out candles will definitely bring him into indescribable delight.
Should a 2 year old boy be taught to read?
Most toddlers cannot read, but they can begin to learn their letters. Try to take advantage of the opportunity at this age to point out letters and read alphabet-oriented books. Some, very few, babies begin to read at two years of age, but this is not the norm and should not be forced to do so. Every child reads at his own time.
Some children are fascinated by letters and focus on letters and words more than other children while others focus on movement. Let them focus on what they want in the moment so they have plenty of time to read later and when they are ready to enjoy the process.
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For physical development
The house where a boy grows up is always noisy, because they have more than enough energy. Sports toys not only improve health, but also direct activity in a peaceful direction.
Swing
If your baby loves to swing on the playground, he will definitely be happy with such a thing at home, and most importantly, he doesn’t have to give in to anyone for a ride. Typically, swings are attached to the ceiling or in a doorway; if space allows, you can choose a free-standing model.
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Sports complex
Every boy should have a place where he can release his ebullient energy without harm to himself or others. For two years of age, low complexes with stairs and slides are suitable.
Orthopedic mats
Sets of mats with coatings of different hardness are used for foot massage for therapeutic and preventive purposes. The modules are attached to each other like a puzzle, so the child can assemble them independently, and a useful task turns into an exciting game.
Tolokar
It's rare that a boy doesn't like cars. Tolokar will be an ideal first vehicle for a little driver - it trains the musculoskeletal system and walking skills.
Runbike
An alternative to the tolokar and the predecessor of the first bicycle. It will also help your baby learn to balance.
