Two is the new 12 — or at least that’s how it feels when you’re a toddler parent.
Navigating holiday shopping for a 2-year-old is a vastly different experience than the year prior. The main issue? They have opinions now, loud ones. When your kid is a 1-year-old, you can get away with gifting them pretty much whatever skill-developing toy you want. When they are 2, you have to find a fine balance between the things that they ask for and the things that won’t cost $7 billion.
Lucky for you — whether you’re a toddler dad or a now-seasoned auntie — we’ve compiled a list of the best toys for the 2-year-olds in your life. These toys feature educational value, skill building, and, yes, a couple of those characters you watch every Saturday morning at 6 a.m. Check it out below!
PEEKABOO LEARNING BARN PLAYSET
This playset helps to teach kids numbers and colors and to develop fine motor skills with its eight actions. Kids can push the pig, pull and spin the doors, rotate the silo, and more.
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COCOMELON MY FIRST SING-ALONG BOOMBOX
Little singers can jam to their favorite Cocomelon nursery rhymes with this sing-along boombox. Kids can sing with the microphone or press the buttons to hear phrases and sound effects.
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BE LOVED BABIES
These dolls offer abundant imaginative play. Each features a lifelike skin texture, a soft articulated body, rooted eyelashes, and a matching onesie and headband.
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MS. RACHEL SPEAK & SING DOLL
The soft and cuddly, touch-activated doll plays music, words, and phrases inspired by Ms. Rachel’s videos. It includes a bonus learning card featuring play tips and skill-building activities.
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SESAME STREET CHICKEN DANCE ELMO ANIMATED PLUSH
Play along with Elmo in two modes: He dances and chirps to a version of the “Chicken Dance” song; or tells silly jokes and invites kids to play.
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LEGO DUPLO PEPPA PIG BIRTHDAY HOUSE
Kids can celebrate Peppa’s birthday with this 59-piece DUPLO set that features Peppa’s house, three figures, and birthday accessories.
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COCOMELON TRANSFORMING SCHOOL TIME BUS
With six play areas, kids can discover vegetables in the garden, play on the merry-go-round, or press the ladybug on the bus to activate lights and CoComelon songs.
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DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD BUNGALOW SHAPE SORTER
Promote shape and color recognition with this bungalow, which has six slots for six shapes, each of which features a Neighborhood friend’s face.
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CRAYOLA MUSICAL COLOR BUG
In music mode, the bug will play six upbeat tunes while kids color. The music stops when kids stop coloring, giving them a lesson in cause and effect. Plus, kids will hear wacky sounds in color bug mode.
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GLOW BUMPER CAR
Tots and preschoolers can spin 360 degrees with joystick controls at a speed of 1 mph. There are three included light modes to glow during the day or night.
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MS. RACHEL WOODEN SONG PUZZLE
The six-piece puzzle features popular songs from Ms. Rachel’s YouTube series. The puzzle includes a switch for quiet play and durable pegs for small hands to easily move each piece.
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PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR & DISNEY: CINDERELLA’S CASTLE
Kids can live out their dreams of being princes and princesses with this set, which includes Cinderella and Prince Charming figures and the iconic castle.
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TWO N’ ONE KITCHEN CAFÉ
Kids will enjoy a toy faucet, a cafe chalkboard, and interactive oven dials. The two-in-one set comes with more than 25 accessories, including play cups, silverware, plates, and more.
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MOANA 2 FASHION DOLLS
The sea calls Moana, but this collection of fashion dolls calls to kids. This collection of articulated fashion dolls includes Moana, Simea, and Loto, each of which is perfect for re-creating scenes from Moana 2.
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STAPELSTEIN ORIGINAL RAINBOW
These stackable stones are durable, colorful, and made of eco-friendly materials. They're water-resistant and able to support up to 396 pounds each, offering a variety of play options such as balancing, creating an obstacle course, and more.
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COCOMELON 10-INCH BALANCE BIKE
This bike features a vibrant teal, purple, and red color scheme with CoComelon-inspired original graphics on the frame and a confetti print on the seat. It has a removable handlebar bag kids can use to store their possessions while on the go.
