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Are you shopping for a 2 year old toddler? You are in the right place!
This is a complete list of the best practical gifts for 2 year olds. We are talking all kinds of functional items, practical furniture and long-lasting toys that won’t get abandoned 0.2 seconds later!.
As I was researching what to get my sweet little girl for her second birthday I put together this ultimate list of practical gifts for 2 year olds to help family members purchase intentionally. These useful gifts won’t just clutter up the house or be immediately forgotten. Plus, the parents will LOVE you for your thoughtful and considerate gift!
These practical gifts for 2 year old boys and girls are the types of gifts that will inspire imaginative play, get them to explore their creative, artistic sides and/or get them burning their toddler energy (because it’s seemingly endless! IFKYK).
Let’s get to it.
Contents
Practical Gifts for 2 Year Olds (Boys & Girls!)
Toddler Gift Ideas for Meal Times
Kitchen helper stool
These kitchen helper stools are awesome for getting your toddler involved in cooking and meal prep! It’s never too early to start teaching them skills in the kitchen.
Booster seat for dinner table
Booster seats like this one help transition toddlers from the high chair to a standard dining room chair. There are versions without the buckle for bigger, independent toddlers too.
Travel high chair
This is the handiest thing EVER. I can’t even explain to you the number of comments and questions we get about where we got this chair every time we take it out! It’s perfect for traveling, going to a friend’s house, going to the beach… It’s small and portable and contains my toddler while she eats!
Toddler Plates
We absolutely love the Re-Play brand toddler dinnerware. They are made from recycled milk jugs and are very sturdy – perfect for when your toddler inevitably accidentally (or not) knocks them off the table….
These Bamboo plates are another great option! We use ours every single day. It’s easy to clean, but it is hand wash only. I just wash ours immediately after use, and it’s always ready for the next meal. That means less toddler plates piling up on the kitchen counter or cluttering up our cupboards too.
Toddler Utensils
Another great Re-Play brand find are these toddler forks and spoons. They are the perfect size for little hands. There are a ton of color options available too!
Toddler Bento Box Lunch Box
These lunch boxes are designed to last. I love how there are 5 compartments and that the lunchbox is leakproof because of the rubberized edges. Toddlers love to have choices making these the perfect lunchbox!
Water bottle
Our favorite water bottle ever! Love the design options and my toddler is obsessed too. This would make an awesome gift.
Disposable Placemats
These are great for entertaining your toddler at restaurants and keeping them from eating off a table covered in who knows what. They are particular handy for these pandemic times!
Toddler Gifts: Bye Bye Nursery, Hello Toddler Room
Toddler bed
If they haven’t already transitioned, it’s nearing time for bigger bed! These Scandinavian design house floor beds are too cute – and safe for the toddler to climb in and out of too.
Here’s a similar cabin themed option in a twin size. I’d recommend going to a larger size bed (twin or bigger), especially if the parents want more children! This way they can use the crib mattress for the next baby instead of converting it into the toddler bed.
Toddler mattress
If the toddler is upgrading to a big girl or big boy bed, they may need a new mattress! The type of mattress needed will all depend on the bed frame, but if you have those details it would certainly make a practical gift!
Toddler mattress protector & bedding
A waterproof bamboo mattress cover (or 2!) would be a brilliant gift as the toddler will likely be potty training soon (if they aren’t already).
Organic cotton, non-toxic sheets and pillow cases would be a great addition to their new big kid bed setup.
Toddler activity table & chairs
You can’t beat the value of the IKEA toddler tables. If IKEA isn’t your thing, Melissa and Doug have some cute toddler activity tables too.
Toddler potty (if potty training)
This was gifted to us, and it’s great. It’s the perfect height for my toddler and the splash guard helps a ton.
Travel potty
This one is AWESOME. It fits in the diaper bag and has a carrying case to keep it separate. You can use it solo in the car/park or you can plop it on top of a toilet as a toddler seat. We use ours ALL the time.
Stepstool
If they are potty training they also need to be able to reach the sink! A step stool comes in very handy. We have this one and have no complaints. I like how it has the handles so it’s easy to pick up and move out of the way.
Art & Music Gift Ideas for 2 Year Olds
Dot Markers
These awesome dot markers come with 100 activity sheets too!
Washable Paints
We love these paints. They’ve lasted quite a while too! Watercolor paints like these are another great option.
Coloring Books
Another way to learn and play! This coloring book has tens of thousands of great reviews.
Washable Markers
Pair these with a coloring book for a fun filled gift!
Colored Pencils
Love that these are larger for little hands to hold, and that they come with a sharpener too.
Tabletop Easel
I love how this has dry-erase, chalkboard and paper options. It comes with everything you need to get started!
Musical Instrument
This band in a box would make a great gift to introduce toddlers to making their own music!
Water Doodle Mat
This mat grows with your toddler too with the additional stamps and stencils.
More practical gifts for 2 year old boys and girls
Toddler backpack
A cute backpack could be a great addition for a growing toddler! They can carry their snacks and things to daycare, preschool, grandma’s house or wherever else they are off to!
3-4T clothes, pajamas or shoes
For clothing gifts I always recommend sizing up significantly if you can’t find out exactly what size they are wearing. These little tots quickly grow into the next size.
The best shops for toddler clothes that are trendy and cute:
Hair elastics, clips & bows
I loooooove the bows by BlairBearsBoutique on Etsy. Some other favorite shops are TurbansforTots and California Tot.
Cold weather gear
Coats, beanies, mittens, boots and warm socks all make great gifts for our toddler’s living in four season climates!
Puzzles
Melissa & Doug make the best wooden puzzles for toddlers. Check out the awesome selection by clicking the button below.
Books
You can’t go wrong with the gift of books or a book subscription service! Have you seen Amazon’s new toddler book subscription box? You can choose to have new books delivered every 1, 2 or 3 months!
Balance Board
These things are awesome for toddlers, kids, teens and even adults! Not only does it promote balance, but you can use it for all kinds of imaginative play too (think ramps, tunnels, lap table…).
Wooden Blocks
Wooden blocks are a classic. These blocks with letters and numbers are perfect for little toddler sponges who are learning at incredible rates.
Lego’s
Another classic toy that stands the test of time! There are so many awesome Lego Duplo options for younger toddlers.
Bath Toys
Bath toys are another great toy since toddlers bathe pretty regularly. Just watch out for squirt toys – they inevitably always get moldy inside.
Outdoor Toys for 2 Year Olds
I have an entire post dedicated to my recommendations for outdoor toys for toddlers which you can read here. For some quick links check out the list below. Most will take you to either Amazon or Target.
- Run bike
- Scooter
- Trike
- Helmet
- Wagon
- Sports set
- Playset
- Inflatable pool
- Sprinkler toy
- Garden toys
- Sidewalk chalk
- Fort building set
Experience Gifts for 2 Year Olds
Last, but certainly not least, are experience gifts like passes to local aquariums, museums & zoo’s!
- Zoo Pass
- Aquarium Pass
- Nature Museum Pass
- Children’s Museum Pass
- Museum of Science Pass
- Music Classes
- Swimming Classes
- Dance Classes
These make some of the best gifts because they get to create special memories! I love to gift experiences wherever possible, for adults too.
Recap of these practical gifts for 2 year old girls & boys
As you can see there are plenty of practical gifts for 2 year olds. These toys and art supplies encourage creativity and independent play, and will grow with the toddler lasting for years to come.
Xo,
Kinzy
You might also like:
The Best Wooden Toys for Toddlers
Top Outdoor Toys for Toddlers
37+ Easy to Make, Healthy Snacks for Toddlers
