If you have browsed through the aisles of any toy store, you will probably know that selecting the right toy for your child can be tough, especially when you are looking to select a toy that will not only be age appropriate, but one that will excite, engage and entertain your child. For those folks who have two-year whippersnappers at home, this is going to be a guide for you to choose the best type of toy according to your kid’s age that will feed into their adventures and push their creativity to the limit.
Toys for the Toddler
The early days of a toddler are full of fun and excitement because the toddler is constantly on the move during this stage (there’s a reason for the term “terrible twos”). This is the reason why the best toys for 2 year-olds are always the ones that enables their imagination to run wild. This is why the toys you choose should keep the little busy bodies engaged and curious, but not too much so that you can keep your sanity. As a child learning to push their limits during these early stages (and the parent’s patience as well!), the best toys for your two year-old is always going to be those that imitate real-life situations.
Guidelines for Choosing the Best Toys for a 2-Year-Old
Choosing a suitable toy for your two year-old can be a daunting task, especially since they will be outgrowing their baby toys by this stage. Kids can grow at an alarming rate so it’s crucial to choose a toy that’s engaging, yet safe. This is the reason you should always follow the guidelines given by the manufacturer when selecting a toy for your two year-old. There’s a reason why some toys are labeled “not suitable for children under the age of three”. That’s because toys for older children usually have smaller parts and pieces that can be swallowed by toddlers. The following are some guidelines that will make selecting toys a lot easier for your two year-old at home.
- Never choose toys that contain projectiles –Toys that contain small projectiles are always a bad idea since they are not suitable for kids under the age of 4. Obviously, because children can get choked by the small parts of the toy.
- Don’t select heavy toys –This is a no-brainer. Your child will want to carry their toy around once you give it to them. A toy that’s heavy could cause serious harm if they fall on their feet. You should either go for lightweight toys, or keep the toys away from your children once play time is over.
- Choose large or bulky toys that aren’t heavy –This is one way of saving yourself from having to worry about your two year-old swallowing their new toy. By choosing toys that are bigger than your child’s mouth, you can keep them from choking on the toy. As a good rule of thumb, always choose toys that cannot pass through a roll of toilet paper. If it does, then the toy is too small for your two year-old.
- Avoid toys that are too big –Now, you see why it is so hard to select the ideal toy for your two year-old. While you would want to buy a toy that’s large enough so it cannot be swallowed by your child, yet light enough for them to carry and play with them, that does not mean you have to go for toys that have been designed for older children, since they are usually larger and bulkier. Age recommendations are normally given on toy boxes. These are not just indicators that a particular toy contains small parts or components, but also the age limit of the children the toy was manufactured for. Toy manufacturers warn parents from buying certain toys for younger children since younger children have not acquired the skills to play with those toys.
- Avoid toys with magnets – Some toys such as, crane toys, puzzles and small cars and animals may have small magnets. While toy manufacturers claim that these toys are suitable for children as young as two years, the truth is those magnets can come loose from the toy. In such circumstances, your child is in danger of swallowing the magnet, and will need immediate medical attention and sometimes even surgery. To avoid that, stay away from toys with magnets for your two year-old.
- Toys with a string or cords are dangerous –While older children love playing with toys that have a string or cord attached to them to pull or push them around, for a two year old, it’s best to wait a year or two before you get them a toy that has a string or cord attached. Needless to say, these toys pose the risk of strangulation if your child gets the string or cord wrapped around their neck.
- Supervise Your Toddler – Parents should always supervise their toddler while they play, instead of locking them in their room. Engaging your 2-year old while playing is a wonderful way to teach them how to develop their motor skills and share precious time with your child.
- Inspect Toys Regularly – Just because you bought your kid’s toys from a large convenient store does not mean they are going to last forever. Check the toys of your 2-year-old for cracks or chips, or whether any parts are loose. Do this on a regular basis to keep your child safe. If any of the toys are damaged, dispose them off properly.
Best Toys for2 Year-Olds
Selecting the right toy for your 2 year-old according to their age will increase their level of engagement, keep them interested and entertained, and most importantly, will provide them with an educational experience where they will be able to develop motor functions and learn hand-eye coordination. In the list below, you will find the best toys for the 2 year-old in your life.
Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table
Features:
- Kitchen play set converts to activity table
- Adjustable table height makes it comfortable for tall and short children
- “Magic” tray recognizes food and plays songs and phrases
- Features include an oven that slides off and stovetop flips to convert into an activity table
- The center of the toy table also provides storage for easy clean up
- Comes with a magical serving tray, a pizza, cookies and other make-believe kitchen items
Interactive Design
The Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table features an interactive serving table that is able to respond to the food items as they are placed on the surface of the table. This provides a real action play that keeps the children excited and engaged. The oven can light up and also features a timer, while the stovetop makes various cooking sounds whenever anything is placed on it. The Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table also features realistic food items such as cookies and a full pizza. This is an excellent role playing game for the kids and will keep them entertained for hours.
Sturdy Build
What stands out with the Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table is its premium quality build. From the top quality materials that have gone into designing the Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table to the durable magic tray that’s a neat inclusion to this already interesting toy for 2 year-olds. Even the various moving pieces of the Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table such as the oven under the table and the storage lid have been well designed and give you a premium feel when using the Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table.
Engaging and Entertaining
The Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table is a great toy to give your two year-old simply because it offers an unmatched level of entertainment for small children. From the magic tray that is able to speak funny and amusing phrases when something is placed on them, to the Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table itself which can play fun songs with a focus on teaching small children good table manners while they spend their time having fun. The entire toy table can also be converted into an activity table which can be used for various purposes such as coloring or other interesting activities to keep your kids engaged.
There’s no need to worry about the mess that your kids are going to create with the Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table, (and they will!), since the table also features a nifty storage area at the center which can be used to store all of the accessories of the Fisher-Price Servin’ Surprises Kitchen & Table neatly away until the next time they decide to cook something up in the kitchen.
Grill and Play Patio Café
Features:
- Dimensions: 152cm H x 101.6cm W x 101.6cm D
- Raised dining area with tile counter top and two attached stools
- Pretend charcoal grill, sink with swivel faucet, and two stove top burners with clicking knobs, dual-sided kitchen and dining area
- 40″ (101.6 cm) adjustable umbrella which provides shade
- Dual-sided design encourages group play
- 4cm adjustable umbrella provides shade from the hot summer sun
- “Stainless steel” oven and refrigerator
- Weight: 34lbs
- Recommended Age: 2+
A Fun and Engaging Design
Now, your kids can dine in style with the Grill and Play Patio Café. The toy grill and café features a realistic brick design, including a grill and an over along with a neat storage area so that you can keep all the pieces of the Grill and Play Patio Café safely in one place. The Grill and Play Patio Café allows your toddlers to cook some tasty treats, including delicious hot dogs, with the stack and stay hot dog set. Here, your kids can learn to flip hot dogs on the realistic grill using plastic tongs. The Grill and Play Patio Café is a great way for 2-year olds to spend a fun time outdoors or in the house.
Award-Winning Design
The Grill and Play Patio Café boasts of superior quality in design and a top notch build with loads of entertainment for 2-year olds. It’s no wonder the Grill and Play Patio Café has won multiple awards including the prestigious Platinum Award Winner, the Snap Award Winner, 2011, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and the Gold Award, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio.
Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset
Features:
- Scoop up water from the basin and pour it in the top bucket to start the water maze fun
- Water maze pieces can easily be moved to create a new waterfall of zig-zag STEM play
- Two-sided water wall allows for multiple child play
- Bottom basin catches water as it rushes down through the spinners and funnels
- Includes 13-piece accessory set and an additional 13-piece accessory set
- Recommended Age: 1.5 and up
- Weight: 12 lbs.
Fascinating Toy for Toddlers
The Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset is ideal for those children who are approaching the age of two. The Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset provides a fun way for toddlers to discover the joys of having fun in water. The Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset features quite a few accessories that make it interesting and fun at the same time. Toddlers will have an excellent way of developing their motor skills.
Durable and Sturdy Build
One of the reasons why the Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset is a favorite for toddlers is because it has so much to offer in terms of fun and engagement. The wall stands at a height of 16.5 inches which is the ideal height for toddlers that are at least 18 months or older. Besides that, the Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset comes along with 13 cool accessories so your kids can use their imagination to create interesting water mazes on the wall. The two-side design makes it possible to two toddlers to play at the same time and have equal amounts of fun with the Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset.
Interactive Design
The Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset features a double wall so two toddles can play at the same time, making it twice as fun. All of the pieces that come along with the Step2 Waterfall Discovery Wall Playset can be moved around easily along the wall for long lasting fun and entertainment.
Ending Note
Toys for toddlers that come in contrasting colors are fascinating to toddlers, and is the ideal way to stimulate their already developing vision. Growing children need a way to explore their limitations of movement, and the toys for 2-year olds provides a perfect way for toddlers to do just that when it comes to developing their hand eye coordination and motor skills.