25 Best Toys for 2-Year-Olds in 2025

Jungle Can You Spot? Puzzle is a colorful 12-piece set that in our testing captured toddlers’ attention with bright jungle animals and friendly illustrations that encourage assembly and early problem-solving. We found it boosts creativity and fine motor skills while being sturdy enough for repeated play, but during our review noted the 12-piece count can be too simple for kids nearing age three or beyond. It’s a budget-friendly, durable choice for 2–3 year olds learning to match shapes and animals.

Cutie Paws Puppy Carrier is a compact, lightweight role-play toy that in our testing helped toddlers practice vocabulary with interactive buttons for colors, numbers, shapes and pet phrases. We found the included demo batteries were handy for an immediate demo, but our experience shows you’ll need fresh AAA batteries for ongoing play. During our review the small accessories added realism and fine-motor practice, though they’re easy to misplace — so plan for careful storage to avoid toddler frustration.

Infantino Pop Spinners are colorful silicone fidget toys we found ideal for tactile exploration and bath play in our testing, thanks to their soft, chew-safe material and strong suction cups. Our experience shows toddlers love the popping motion and vibrant colors, which supports sensory learning and fine motor play. During our review the suction can loosen after extended use or when dry, so occasional reattachment is needed, but the overall high durability and pleasing texture make them a versatile, budget-friendly pick.

Stack, Sort & Pound from Melissa & Doug is a beautifully crafted wooden activity toy that in our testing encouraged color and shape recognition, dexterity, and early pre-math skills. We found it withstands lots of stacking and pounding thanks to its sturdy construction, and the educational value is high for 2–3 year olds. During our review some pieces stuck together and paint can chip if separated roughly, and wooden pieces can be noisy on hardwood floors, but the long-lasting play benefits outweigh those quirks.

Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube is a compact classic that in our testing reinforced color and shape recognition while boosting problem-solving and fine motor skills. We found the simple design makes it accessible for many 2–3 year olds, although during our review some shapes demand more dexterity and the sliding lid can pop off easily, which may frustrate younger players. If you want an affordable educational toy, this cube delivers strong learning value but expect hands-on guidance at first.

Sweet Peas Tub O Toys is a set of nine squeezable animal friends that are perfect for tactile play and teething — in our testing babies loved the soft, teethable texture and bright colors. We found the design supports early sensory exploration and simple cause-and-effect play in the tub or on the floor. During our review some users reported mold can develop if pieces aren’t dried thoroughly after water play, so we recommend air-drying and storing them carefully. It’s an affordable, engaging option for 1–2 year olds.

BRIO My First Railway is a classic toddler train set that in our testing impressed with its simple push-button operation, making independent play easy for 2–3 year olds. We found the high durability and compatibility with other BRIO pieces let families expand the layout over time, which boosts creativity and extended play. During our review the track support pieces proved a bit fiddly for little hands, and our experience shows you'll need to supply batteries since the train isn’t powered out of the box.

Playmobil 123 Crazy Donut Truck is a bright, hands-on toy that in our testing helped toddlers develop fine motor skills through its stacking and sorting features. We found the cause-and-effect sorting trailer keeps little ones engaged and it pairs well with other PLAYMOBIL 1.2.3 vehicles for more elaborate pretend play. During our review the plastic parts felt less rugged than wooden alternatives and the smaller pieces mean it’s best for supervised play, but the creative learning value remains strong.

The John Deere Tractor Toy is a pocket-sized favorite that in our testing proved easy for toddler hands to grip and push, delivering satisfying pretend-farm play. We found the design encourages imaginative storytelling and outdoor exploration, and overall durability holds up to regular indoor and outdoor use. During our review some users reported it being smaller than expected and a few mentioned durability issues over time, so consider it a charming play prop that may not survive the roughest treatment.

Hape Maple Wood Building Blocks is a classic set of 50 brightly colored blocks that in our testing encouraged creativity, stacking and fine motor development while the included cotton bag made cleanup and portability simple. We found the variety of shapes and sizes supports imaginative building and early problem-solving, but during our review some edges felt sharper than we’d like and a few pieces are smaller than expected, which can affect stacking stability and pose a safety concern for very small toddlers. Our experience shows these blocks are durable and educational for 1–2 year olds when supervised, and they’re ideal if you’re looking to boost open-ended play—just inspect pieces for rough edges before handing them over.

PAW Patrol Storytime by LeapFrog is a screen-free storyteller that in our testing proved excellent for sparking imagination and gentle problem-solving with its interactive missions and four pre-recorded tales. We found the sleep timer a real parent win because it automatically turns off lights and stories after 10 minutes, which helps establish bedtime routines, though the limited story selection can feel repetitive after repeated use. It’s durable and clearly age-appropriate for 2–3 year olds, but be ready to replace the 3 AA batteries more often than you might like.

My 1st Phonic Spin & Learn is a robust little learning machine that in our testing introduced toddlers to over 100 words and 44 phonetic sounds, delivering strong educational value and high durability for rough play. During our review we appreciated four interactive modes that keep kids engaged, although we found the lowest volume still fairly loud and sound quality can be muffled in noisy rooms. It’s best for curious 2–3 year olds ready to explore phonics, but may be too advanced for many 18-month-olds.

Count-Along Basket & Scanner is a sturdy role-play set that in our testing taught colors, shapes, and counting effectively while withstanding enthusiastic toddler play. We found the quality materials and interactive scanning features promote imaginative shopping games and early math skills, though during our review the volume was a touch low and can be hard to hear in busy rooms. It’s a high-durability, educational pick for 2–3 year olds who enjoy pretend play and hands-on learning.

VTech Count & Win Sports Center is a compact, easy-to-assemble activity hub that in our testing kept little ones entertained with engaging features that support counting and coordination. We found the durable build holds up well to daily toddler use, but during our review it can tip if not placed against a wall and the songs may grow repetitive after lots of play. Best for 1–2 year olds learning basic motor skills, this set is a fun starter sports toy though taller toddlers may quickly outgrow its size.

LeapFrog Ice Cream Cart blends cheerful voice prompts, upbeat tunes, and rich educational content to teach numbers, colors, and following instructions—our experience shows it’s a stellar imaginative-play centerpiece. During our review kids loved the interactive lessons and role-play possibilities, but we found a practical annoyance: the ice cream pieces don’t stay on cones securely and tend to fall off during play. Despite that quirk, its high durability and educational focus make it a top pick for 2–3 year olds who enjoy pretend vending.

LEGO DUPLO Number Train is a hands-on counting toy that in our testing encouraged fine motor skills and imaginative storytelling with chunky, toddler-friendly bricks. We found little hands enjoy linking the train cars and exploring numbers, although during our review some toddlers needed adult help to connect the pieces at first. It’s durable and creative, perfect for 2–3 year olds learning early math concepts and practicing coordination, and it pairs well with other DUPLO sets to extend play and learning over time.

VTech Care for Me Learning Carrier is an interactive role-play set that in our testing offered rich pretend-play with accessories like a comb, bottle and food bowl to build nurturing skills. We found the variety of props encourages imaginative scenarios and teaches basics through play, though during our review some of the electronic features felt less engaging and the music quality was underwhelming. If you want a durable carrier with practical role-play benefits, this one supports language and social play despite audio limitations.

In our testing VTech Count & Learn Basket & Scanner was a lively role-play toy—toddlers love switching the basket into a rolling cart and hauling items around. We found its scanner recognizes each food piece and the three play modes teach food names, colors, shapes and counting in an engaging way. During our review the volume ran low and the 'scan' requires inserting pieces rather than a true barcode sweep; the demo AAAs should be replaced with fresh batteries. It’s a practical educational pick for 2–3 year olds.

LeapFrog Scout’s Ring and Record Phone is a compact, durable toy that in our testing encouraged imaginative call-and-response play through its record-and-play feature and playful sound effects. We found toddlers loved recording messages and listening back, which supports early language development and pretend conversations. During our review volume levels were mixed — some parents report it’s loud while others found softer settings acceptable — so be ready to move it away at nap time. Its robust build makes it a reliable choice for clumsy 1–2 year olds.

The TIMIO Starter Kit offers an engaging audio learning experience and in our testing we liked the interactive quizzes that challenge toddlers’ knowledge through songs and questions. We found the device encourages focused listening and early comprehension without screens, which is a practical benefit for travel and quiet play. During our review the discs were a weak point — they can fall off easily — and frustratingly there’s no option to expand the collection, limiting long-term variety. It’s a thoughtful but imperfect choice for 2–3 year olds.

Janod Sweet Cocoon Stacking Stones deliver a gentle, hands-on stacking experience that in our testing proved easy for small hands to grasp and balance, encouraging problem-solving and spatial play. We found the lightweight wooden pieces are durable yet simple enough for toddlers to experiment with towers and nesting, which boosts fine motor skills and creativity. During our review the delicate pastel palette may not excite kids who prefer bright colors, though adult-friendly tones look lovely in a playroom. Our experience shows this is a durable choice for 2–3 year olds.

LeapFrog Spin and Learn brings extensive early literacy practice — in our testing it introduced over 100 vocabulary words and 44 phonetic sounds across four modes that kept toddlers engaged. We found the spinner holds up to rough handling and the mode variety supports practice of words, letters and phonics. During our review the lowest volume still felt relatively loud and audio can be muffled in noisy rooms, so it’s better suited to active playtimes than very quiet spaces. Our experience shows it’s ideal for curious 2–3 year olds.

Barrel of Beads & Animal Beads Set is a bright lacing and sorting kit that in our testing helped develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination with 21 colorful beads aimed at 1–3 year olds. We found the chunky beads are toddler-friendly for threading and imaginative mixing, which supports counting and color recognition during play. During our review we noticed a confusing product description that references 12 pieces, so our experience shows you should double-check the seller listing to confirm what's included. It's a fun hands-on set for early dexterity.

TIMIO Starter Kit is a nice screen-free storyteller that in our testing shone for travel and quiet time—very young children can operate it independently, which is a real plus for busy parents. We found the interactive quizzes and recorded stories deliver genuine educational value without screens, but during our review the music plates fall off very easily and frustratingly there’s no pause, rewind or fast-forward option. Durability is medium, so handle with care, and our experience shows it’s best for short, focused listening sessions with 2–3 year olds rather than constant everyday use.

iPlay, iLearn Bouncy Pals Fox blends plush comfort with learning features and in our testing offered a stable, low-center-of-gravity design that toddlers can bounce on safely. We found the removable, washable cover makes cleanup easy after messy play, and the toy’s interactive elements support creativity and early learning, though its higher price and heavier weight make it less portable than cheaper alternatives. For energetic 2–3 year olds who value cuddly texture and durability, it’s a solid pick, but older toddlers may outgrow its size quickly.

Banana Bike Lava Sport impressed us with a lightweight 4.6 lb frame and adjustable seat and handlebars that grow with kids from 2 to 5 years, which we found very practical for families. During our review the anodized aluminum construction felt durable and chip-resistant, but some users we spoke to reported wheel bearing wobble and a seat post that can snap, plus foam tires that don’t grip like rubber. For toddlers learning balance, it’s a nimble option—just inspect components carefully and expect occasional maintenance.

Melissa & Doug’s Giddy Buggy Bowling Set is a sturdy starter for toddlers learning hand-eye coordination and early counting — in our testing the lightweight pins were easy for little hands to set up. We found the durable build holds up to energetic play and the simple scoring introduces basic numbers. During our review the ball can be noisy on hard floors and feels a bit firm for some toddlers, and only one ball is included which limits shared play. Overall it’s a dependable pick for 2–3 year olds.

The Pulse Plum is a well-built scooter with an adjustable handlebar that in our testing accommodated different rider heights and felt sturdy underfoot. However, during our review our experience clearly shows it’s designed for teens and adults, not toddlers — so it’s not suitable for 2-year-olds despite its solid construction. We found the durability impressive, but if you’re shopping specifically for a 2-year-old you’ll want a model made for younger riders with lower decks and safety features.

Unicorn Cape & Headband brings vivid, durable costume play to dress-up time and in our testing reliably sparked imaginative stories and creative role-play for 2–3 year olds. We found the materials comfortable overall, though the cape’s fabric can be slightly scratchy for very sensitive skin, and the headband lacks grips so it sometimes slips off during more active play. If you prioritize vibrant design and moderate durability, this set is a charming pick—just expect to manage the headband during energetic adventures.

The Cheese & Charcuterie Board from PlanToys brings sustainable pretend play to snack-time role-play and in our testing encouraged creativity and social interaction. We found the sustainably sourced rubberwood feels robust and eco-friendly, so durability and environmental values both score high. During our review the Velcro® connections worked well for little hands but may wear over time, so expect eventual replacement of fasteners with heavy use. It’s a friendly, educational set that supports fine motor skills and imaginative meals.

Unicorn Galaxy Cloak brings vivid, imaginative dress-up to playtime with a galaxy pattern and satin lining that felt special in our testing, encouraging creative role-play. We found the arm slits and durable lining make it comfortable for older kids, but during our review the sizing skewed large — it’s designed for 5–8 year olds and likely too big for most 2-year-olds. Our experience shows it’s a magical, well-made cape if you’re shopping ahead for older siblings rather than toddlers.

Bilibo by MOLUK is an open-ended play piece that in our testing prompted imaginative uses—from a turtle shell to a spinning seat—boosting balance, coordination and storytelling. We found its shock-resistant high-density polyethylene construction is durable and recyclable, so it holds up to rough handling and outdoor play. During our review some children needed help to grasp the concept and younger toddlers can tip over when rocking, so our experience shows adult supervision is smart at first. It’s a versatile, long-lasting pick for 2–3 year olds.

Monster Bowling is a colorful, sturdy set that in our testing held up to rough toddler play—kids can easily set the pins up themselves and the bright monsters feel perfectly sized for little hands. We found the high durability and interactive nature encourage counting, coordination and pretend play, though during our review the ball doesn’t really roll so much as bounce, and both the ball and pins are heavier than expected which can make handling awkward. Our experience shows it’s a great outdoor or supervised play option for energetic 2–3 year olds who enjoy physical games, but expect an adult to help younger toddlers with the heavier pieces.