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At one year of age, most tots are content to sit on a floor mat and knock around a bunch of multi-colored cups. But those days are decidedly over once they reach the two-year mark. We’re in the Toddler Zone™. Now, you have to consider a lot more than just choking-hazard avoidance when choosing a gift. After all, 2-year-olds are famously fickle, and because their verbal and emotional skills are developing so rapidly, they require more stimulation than they used to. They also have—*gasp*—opinions and preferences, which makes them scary customers.
Fear not, we considered over a hundred toddler-appropriate products from our own playrooms and research, as well as surveyed our extensive toddler-chasing networks to create this curated, 35-item list of gifts for 2-year-olds. So whether you’re shopping for someone else’s child or eager to find a toy that will keep your own offspring occupied for (at minimum, fingers crossed) 15 minutes, got you covered. From Washable Tempera Paint Sticks ($10) to a Woom Balance Bike ($249), check out our list specifically designed to take the guesswork out of toddler-pleasing.
How We Chose the Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
Two-year-olds have a reputation for big feelings, big outbursts and big opinions. They might just be more volatile than radioactive plutonium. So, in order to protect you from an explosive tantrum, we brought you the best toys, books, stuffies and more from our own lives—and excluded the things gathering dust in the attic. We also painstakingly pored over reviews of top sellers, taking into account quality, function, return policy and of course, age-appropriateness.
Where to Find the Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds
Want endless options with easy returns? Big box e-commerce sites like Amazon, Walmart and Target are great spots to scour for gifts. For unique or personalized gifts, we love Uncommon Goods and Etsy. For access to customer service, sometimes it’s best to purchase directly from the independent brand, like Hanna Andersson or Woom. We also love shops that give back, like The Elephant Project, where certain purchases go directly to helping wildlife.
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BEST GIFT THAT GIVES BACK
17. The Elephant Project’s Kiki, Tembo or Lulu
What We Like: proceeds benefit animals, teaches empathy
What We Don't Like: nothing
Return Policy: final sale
Meet Kiki, Tembo, Oba and Lulu. They’re 8-inch-tall stuffies, and when you buy one, 100 percent of net proceeds go to organizations that help each type of animal. For example, if you buy Kiki or Tembo the elephants, your purchase can help fight the poaching crisis and provide care to injured, abandoned, orphaned and abused elephants. If you go with Oba the lion, your purchase benefits big cats in need. And if you opt for Lulu the dog, you’ll help save dogs from abuse and neglect in the United States and abroad. (They’re also available in bundles if you can’t choose.) While the nitty gritty details might be a little intense for your 2-year-old, they’ll certainly be all ears for “helping elephants” and love toting their new little dolls around.