The 41 Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds to Match Their Energy Levels (2024)

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All aboard! The LEGO Duplo My First Number Train teaches toddlers how to count, color recognition, and more. Each LEGO brick features a number from 0 to 9 and connects to the push-along train toy. Parents we surveyed recommend this toy because their children love to play with it, and they appreciate how it encourages imagination and creativity. In addition to the LEGO bricks, littles can play with the DUPLO figures, who double as great passengers or train conductors.

The Little Tikes Learning Slide ranks high on our list because there’s so much joy in slides, and this little one is the perfect introduction for a 2-year-old. It’s 3 feet long, just over 2 feet tall, and it can be played with inside or outside. Plus, when it’s not in use, it folds up for easy storage. This slide is made for kids between 18 months and 6 years old.

The VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Spiral Construction Tower is full of twists, turns, and, of course, speed. One of our writers received a free sample of this playset from the brand, and her 3-year-old son loves pretending he’s working at a real construction site. While assembly isn’t intuitive, and instructions are unclear, the impressive result is worth it for the kiddos.

Children ages 1.5 years and up can scoop with the backhoe, swing the crane, tip the bin, and more to strengthen their fine motor skills and encourage imaginative play. An included dump truck zooms down the spiral tower and over ramps throughout the construction site. An important note: This playset is large, so keep that in mind when considering the amount of space and storage you’re working with.

Just one look at this toy and you can see why it would appeal to a toddler. Designed for kids between 18 months and 3 years old, this durable vinyl pony can withstand a ton of bouncing, moving, and riding. Just fill the little horse up with some air and let your kid hop on its back, grab it by the ears, and jump to their heart’s content.

With this little magic piano, kids get three different sheets of music that help them learn how to play some of their favorite songs through color coordination. Between perfecting their favorite melodies, toddlers can also jam out to tunes that they make up. Ideal for kids between 6 months and 3 years old, this piano also features volume control to avoid hurting little ears (and grown-up ones).

Mr. Potato Head is a classic toy that has passed the test of time. Toddlers love playing with all the different parts and pieces—eyes, ears, and accessories—to create fun characters with unique faces and expressions. When playing together, the toy provides a great chance to practice identifying different body parts. Don't worry about losing all the pieces: The toy comes with a convenient suitcase for stashing everything. (Just make sure to keep an eye on your little one to make sure they’re safe with the small pieces.)

What’s even better than bowling? Monster bowling! For kids between 2 and 6 years old, this set comes complete with six plush bowling pins and a plush ball that kids can either roll or throw to try to knock over the little monsters. Each piece is made from high-quality materials, so the toy is sure to last.

Many toddlers love watching cars and trucks go by, so they’re sure to enjoy vrooming around with these sustainable wooden vehicles. The set includes a fire engine, police car, and a taxi cab (perfect for city kids!) in bright primary colors for fun, imaginative play.

These fun little eggs are fantastic for strengthening fine motor skills, color matching, and shape identification. Kids get a toy carton filled with 12 eggs that pull apart to show different colors and shapes within. Designed for ages 18 months old and up, the eggs are durable and probably can be handed down to other children, too.

Kids as young as 18 months old will love this little push lawn mower that blows bubbles with every step they take. In addition to the mower itself, you get three bottles of bubble solution, three bubble wands, and three AA batteries (which are required for the mower to run), so you won't have to worry about replacing any of the necessary components for a while.

Also, the mower folds up nicely when it’s not in use for easy storage.

Many kids at this age love dinosaurs, and this tricycle features a particularly cute, toddler-friendly dino. They can ride this toy indoors and outdoors, and it includes a wide front wheelbase and oversized rear wheel, making it easier to balance. Note that the maximum weight limit for this trike is 50 pounds.

Kids between 2 and 4 years old will enjoy this train that comes with 15 wood blocks in various shapes and colors. The train consists of three cars, each with a peg to stack blocks. When they’re ready to get moving, they can grab the attached cord and pull the train along with them as they go about their day.

Add a splash to bathtime with this spray station, which draws water through a submarine toy to a shower head, which little hands can use to spray water through a variety of spinners and funnels. The toy helps with learning about cause and effect, and it’s a great way to keep a little one occupied during bathtime. Since it’s designed for ages 2 and up, your kiddo can enjoy it for years to come.

If you’re looking for a toy that involves imaginative play, then this is the one. It comes with 11 pieces that kids can mix and match together to create their own unique stuffed animals; pieces include dragon wings, an elephant trunk, lion manes, fox ears, and more. This toy is made for kids as young as 2 years old and was designed by teachers to help foster kids' motor skills and cognitive development.

Two-year-olds can burn off some of their energy with this climber, designed for kids between 6 months and 4 years old. Additional accessories can be purchased separately, including the rock wall/slide, which is good for kids as young as 18 months, and the ladder/slide, which babies can use starting at 8 months.

Each piece is made from strong, sturdy bamboo or birch wood, so the toy won’t fall apart easily. Plus, when your kiddo isn’t playing with the tower, it folds for easy storage. Kids also get a copy of the board book “The Little Climber” with their tower.

There’s no way a toddler will get bored with this toy because it features four separate sections, each packed full of different ways to play. It includes gliders on tracks, an abacus, spinners, bead runs, and animals, among other little games, to help strengthen motor skills and expose kids to different colors, shapes, animals, textures, and more.

Every toddler needs a play kitchen, right? This one is made for kids as young as 2 years old and features shelving, a play sink, little storage drawers, a pretend oven, and 30 different accessories. Plus, the frying pan and boiling pot both make realistic sounds, and the set even comes with a mini high chair for kids’ baby dolls or stuffies.

If you want to forego the bright pink and purple, Step2 offers dozens of play kitchens in various styles.

If your kid can’t get enough CoComelon, this little bedtime JJ doll is a great toy. It’s made for kids as young as 18 months old and can say seven different phrases with just a little squeeze of the tummy. Kids will recognize JJ’s footie pajamas and teddy bear from the show, and the toy makes a great, snuggly bedtime companion.

Little ones as young as 1 year old can start exploring music with this little llama toy. It features several ways for kids to make music, including four spinners, a maraca tail, a xylophone, two gears, a washboard, clackers, and two mallets, which can be stored away in the llama’s head when they’re not being used.

Kids between 2 and 4 years old can stop trying to steal their caregivers’ computers and play with this little Leaptop instead. It’s available in either pink or green and features four different learning modes for kids to learn about different letters. When it’s in music mode, the toy can play 16 different songs, and in other modes, kids can learn different animal sounds and even practice spelling their names.

Little ones 2 years old and up who enjoy playing pretend will love this wooden eating set. It comes with 12 pieces, including salt and pepper shakers, plates, forks, knives, a pot, a pan, and more. All of the pieces are made from a combination of beech wood, fasal wood, schima wood, and engineered wood.

Balanced by four wheels, this little ride-on can help get your toddler more comfortable with riding a bicycle on their own. Use the bike indoors—or out—to help children develop confidence, learn balance, and familiarize themselves with the feeling of going both backward and forward. It comes in a variety of fun animals and styles, so you’ll find the perfect shade for your kiddo.

Kids as young as 18 months old can enjoy this classic spinning toy, which is great for practicing balance and coordination, strengthening motor skills, and just getting out some of their endless energy. Even though there isn’t much to the Playskool Sit 'N Spin, there’s no doubt that your kid will have a lot of fun with it.

It doesn’t get much better than dancing on a keyboard, does it? This mat consists of 19 different keys, each playing its own unique note. In addition to piano sounds, this mat can also play the sounds of other instruments, including the saxophone, violin, accordion, trumpet, harp, vibraphone, and guitar.

Made from durable materials, the mat has five different play modes and is safe for kids as young as 2 years old.

Toddlers 18 months and up will love learning valuable skills with Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog. The adorable critter has 12 removable quills to help toddlers practice their fine motor skills while maneuvering them in and out of the holes. Young ones can also practice counting and sorting with the toy’s different colored pieces. When playtime is over, place all the quills back in Spike for easy cleanup. Plus, the spikes are rubber, so you don't have to worry about hard pieces or sharp edges.

A simple yet engaging toy with plenty of educational benefits, your child will love arranging their very own set of 20 wild and pet animals, whether it's on the floor or a magnetic surface like the refrigerator. For the most valuable learning experience, play together, naming each animal and repeating the sounds they make. When you’re done, tuck everything into the sturdy wooden storage case.

This STEM-based building set offers hours of fun and imaginative play. With 112 interlocking pieces in assorted sizes and vibrant colors, the blocks are ripe for creating everything, from towers and cities to boats and cars. Unlike traditional blocks, these won’t topple and cause frustration—they securely stay together until your child decides to start anew.

How cute is this little bamboo snail? Perfect for kids as young as 1 year old, the nesting toy, which is also available in other fun friends, comes apart into four separate pieces that can be stacked together or played with in totally different ways. With this toy, you also get a cute little cotton bag for storing and transporting the snail when it’s not being played with.

This silly little dinosaur is like a pet, but better, since you won’t need to walk or feed it. It talks, moves, walks, and dances based on the tiles you put into its back. The 27 possible tile combinations include a range of emotions, music choices, and characters to help your child identify and understand their feelings and how they affect their behavior.

Academics, researchers, and healthcare practitioners carefully customize these Lovevery play kits according to your child’s specific age bracket, ensuring each toy is right on target in terms of development and interest. Subscription boxes for 2-year-olds include items like puzzles, matching games, and mini science experiments, and you’ll receive a new one every three months to guarantee your child is getting them right when they're at the appropriate developmental stage.

This high-quality wooden toy introduces your little one to the wonders of creating music. The multifunctional instrument can be played in several ways: use it as a xylophone or a keyboard or shake the balls together like maracas. No matter which way you play, there are benefits abound, including helping them practice dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and cause and effect.

"Baby Shark" fans will have hours of fun playing with this puppet. Simply slip your hand into the back of the doll to move the puppet’s mouth up and down and play the beloved tune. The song plays at varying speeds, depending on how fast or slow you move your hand, providing fun for the whole family. You can collect all three song puppets, including Baby Shark, Daddy Shark, and Mommy Shark.

This expertly crafted, solid wood toy has five sides of fun to keep your toddler engaged longer. Depending on their mood, they can drive the tractor around, zig-zag the beads up and down, or move spinners to their heart’s content. You’ll love the Battat Wooden Activity Cube's rounded edges, which add an element of safety for children who aren’t fully steady on their feet.

Promote hours of fun in the sun with this interactive water table. It’s a great choice for children with siblings, as there’s plenty of room for all, and it's suitable for a wide range of ages from 1 and up. The 13-piece kit includes maze-like spinners, ramps, and buckets for tons of beneficial STEM play.

Take neighborhood walks to new heights (and burn more energy!) by giving your child their very own scooter. Though your little one will still need to wear a helmet, this one is more toddler-friendly thanks to low-profile wheels, a wide standing board, and a sturdy, adjustable handlebar. It’s a way to help your child gain confidence on wheels and practice their balance and coordination skills.

This simple, high-quality wooden toy helps teach cause and effect while also promoting dexterity and hand-eye coordination as children watch their car zoom down the ramps to the finish line. Each of the four cars is numbered and painted a different color, so you and your child can practice counting and identifying colors, too.

Help your child grow their ever-expanding vocabulary with this fun, interactive book. Three cute characters—Turtle, Tiger, and Monkey—come to life to introduce more than 100 age-appropriate words chosen by learning experts. As a bonus, all words, songs, and instructions can be heard in both English and Spanish for a fully bilingual experience.

What child doesn’t love to play pretend, especially when there’s food involved? Your little one can drive and prep make-believe food from the Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Servin' Up Fun Food Truck, where they can sell dishes like pizza, burgers, tacos, cookies, and smoothies. Complete with over 20 removable toy pieces, it plays more than 125 songs, sounds, and phrases to help promote speech development.

Let kids explore their nurturing side with this soft, lifelike baby doll. It’s an especially great choice for any toddler welcoming a sibling, as it’s a great introduction to caring for and playing with a baby. The 11-inch doll is just the right size for little arms, and it's soft enough to cuddle with during storytime.

Made for kids 18 months old and up, this little tray comes with four colorful wood pieces that are designed for sensory exploration. Kids can put the animal-shaped pieces on the tray like a puzzle, stack the blocks, learn about new animals and colors, or find other fun ways to play.

A timeless pick in the toy world, these little cars haven’t lost any of their appeal. Toddlers will feel empowered behind the wheel of this imaginative toy, thanks to a slew of fun features, like working doors, a steering wheel with a horn, a clicking ignition switch, a gas cap that opens and shuts, plus durable tires that spin 360 degrees. Ride-on toys are a great pick to use indoors and outdoors to burn off energy with your toddler.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many toys should a 2-year-old have?

  When it comes to how many toys your 2-year-old should have, focus on quality over quantity. Too many toys in a limited play space can be overwhelming, so consider using a rotating system. Divide your little one’s toys into categories (for example, stacking blocks, musical toys, and kitchen equipment), select a toy from each category and create two or three rotation sets. Switching the sets around every few days (while keeping the other sets tucked out of sight) will help keep your toddler’s play space both accessible and stimulating.

  Remember, whether it is an expensive toy or a plastic container, exposing your 2-year-old to a wide range of different textures and objects will help them meet their developmental milestones.
  

• Why do toddlers engage in parallel play?

  Parallel play is when young children play next to or near each other without actually interacting with one another. It typically begins at around 2 years old. While it might seem as though toddlers engaged in parallel play are unaware of each other, they are actually paying close attention to what the other is doing. They might play with similar objects, mimic sounds or movements, or move around the play space together.

  Through parallel play, your little one is learning all sorts of crucial social skills, making it an important step towards more advanced stages of play (like playing together).
  

• Why do children snatch toys?

  Seeing your toddler snatch a toy from another child is unpleasant, but it is also an entirely normal developmental milestone. Between the ages of 2 and 3, your child is developing their sense of self, which means they view the world and its entire contents as theirs.

  They might shout “mine!” or “me!” before grabbing a toy from another child's hands. When this happens, it is important to remember that they aren’t being naughty–they are learning. You can help show your 2-year-old how to share through positive modeling. Use phrases like, “Thomas was playing with the truck first. Let’s give it back and find another one for you.” Your child will likely object, but try to stay calm and be consistent. You can also use this opportunity to teach feeling words, like "Thomas feels sad that you took the truck."