Last year I did a short round up of what I thought were the most appropriate gifts for a one year old. Here is my new version, especially for two year olds. I realise that I only have a girl’s eye view on the subject so jump in with extra ideas, especially for boys.
1. In the Night Garden Characters & Figurines
One commenter recently had a go at me for promoting these items, arguing that there was nothing educational about a babbling character toy. I beg to differ.
The said commenter argued that children in Erin’s age bracket should be learning colours, shapes and numbers. Indeed they should, however, one of the most important (and undervalued) types of play is ‘imaginitive play’. This is any game which involves the child using their imagination to act out scenarios through toys or themselves. This can include playing ‘house’ with cups and saucers, ‘mummies and daddies’ with dolls, or various scenarios with in the night garden characters. This sort of play is highly creative and helps children deal with a variety of emotional situations.
2. Vtech Laptop
This winnie the pooh version is ideal, there are about a dozen games including spelling, basic maths and finding the odd one out. Erin isn’t using it to it’s fullest potential yet, but come the summer I think she’ll understand it a lot more. However, I have heard her imitating the phonics game which is encouraging.
3. Books
It’s old but true, you can’t go wrong with a nice book, or if it’s a special occasion a book collection. We’ve both bought and received the Angelina Ballerina set, which is lovely.
4. Paints
Erin loves painting. I like to find new and interesting (read: CLEAN) ways for her to exercise this hobby. These paint wands are good fun.
5. Play Doh
A big tub with play doh and all manner of tools is a great choice for a two year old. Santa bought one for Erin at christmas and she loves it.
6. Tent/Wendy House
I love watching kids playing ‘houses’ or ‘mummies and daddies’, it’s the cutest. Any tent or wendy house can act as home/shop/vets clinic/doctors office/army bunker/and anythingelse our kids care to think up. You can’t beat imaginitive play - we’ve had plenty of use from our ninky nonk already.
7. A Play Phone
Heard yesterday ” ehlo….yes……kay…..juice….toys…..byeeeeee”. My two year old daughter taking a phone call from whoever…iggle piggle perhaps??
8. Baby Dolls (and accompanying paraphenalia)
Two year olds make suprisingly good parents…until they accidently drop baby, while trying to carry two balls, a boat, a handful of play food and a tombliboo.
9. Personalised plates, bowls and cutlery
If you want to buy something ’sensible’, plates, bowls and cutlery are always handy.
10. Musical Instruments
This is a long standing favourite. A piano and stool have been the latest addition to the collection.
12 Responses to “Gift Ideas for a 2 year old”
I just wanted to let you know that I love your blog.
I’m always looking for sites with new finds for my two
daughters. I will be sure to stop by often.
‘Kathleen
http://the-tum-tum-tree.blogspot.com/
Hi Little Mummy
Agree totally with you on the ‘In the night garden’ toys - Iggle Piggle got me through a 4.5 hr flight when ‘Daddy’ produced it as a surprise when Innes got fed up (after 5 minutes…)
As a boy he loves all the Thomas the Tank Engines - he can name most of them, knows their colours and numbers too - education-tastic ; )
Mucial instruments - yes, however his electronic drum is often found to be ’sleeping’.
Phones - only the house phone will do, even a really good pretend one, with a screen that lights up and recorded voices is not good enough - we just keep calling Grandma & Grandad and let him ‘talk’ to them - and they love it too - except when Grandad was in the tubby.
Our musical instruments seem to be ‘broken’ from time to time too!
I agree with you on the In the Night Garden toys too!
We have the Vtech laptop you mentioned but I found it too advanced for a 2 year old. The spelling and maths seemed more appropriate for a 3 year old. That’s only in my experience though.
Nice ideas, Erica.
Beanie has the piano and stool set too - it’s been a great success.
How dare someone criticise you for Iggle Piggle! He is a much-loved fixture in our household too. We wouldn’t be without him.
You’re quite right about play being fun. There’s already enough pressure on children to ‘perform’ to certain standards. If a two-year-old can’t lark about with toys, then the world’s a sorry place.
Hmmm, play dough. Now, I know a little girl who might enjoy that too.
Great posting, thank you.
Hey Rosie, I think the laptop is a touch advanced for a two year old if it is to be used to it’s full potential. Erin enjoys the phonics game and generally tapping away on it, as I said I think the summer will see her use it more.
Helen, the piano is one of my favourite toys full stop, I’m there playing chopsticks and doing Elton John impressions, all the while Erin is trying to shove me out the way to get a turn
Oh blimey, Erica, I don’t run to Elton John impressions! This sounds like it’d be worth seeing.
[...] reading LittleMummy’s post on gift ideas for a 2 year old. It inspired me to compiled a list of the little guy’s favourite toys. Since he has an older [...]
Hi Erica, great selection! I’ve just posted about the top 5 bouncy castles ( http://www.decidewhattobuy.com/blog/2008/03/top-five-bouncy.html ) which would also be great gifts for both boys and girls. Along the same theme, i’ve just thought of space hoppers! How good were they?! If they’re still around, i’d definitely add them to the list too! Although when I was little it was Thomas the Tank Engine all the way so Innes’ Mum, i’m with you on that.
I’ve just remembered - I didn’t mention the hoover/vacuum fixation. Innes got his own hoover for his second birthday a couple of weeks ago -so he now hoovers with mummy or daddy (ahem… actually that should just read daddy) : )
Well trained already, I like it!