Gift giving stresses me out. I just want to know what would make the person I am shopping for the happiest and get that. The trouble is, not everyone always gives you ideas and would prefer to be “surprised”. That’s when I scour Pinterest for gift guides. I hope my gift guide for two-year-olds helps some of you feel less stress when buying presents.
Parents of two-year-olds most likely do not need more “stuff” – especially any type of toy that makes noise. What’s one of the best gifts you could give? An amazing experience that will result in wonderful memories.
To give an experience gift, either purchase a gift card or give money towards a specific place or activity.
Examples; children’s museum, the zoo, a petting farm, open gyms, swim lessons, tumbling classes, etc.
Now that the child is turning two a balance bike is a fantastic present. After a short learning period, young kids are zooming around – skipping the need for a tricycle.
Read More: Why a Balance Bike is Best
Our daughter loves to go “biking”. She recently learned how to use her balance bike and picked it up very quickly. We wish she could have started on the balance bike even sooner but her lack of height impeded that.
If a balance bike is out of your budget, consider giving a helmet and water bottle. Even if the child doesn’t have a bike or tricycle yet, I’m sure he/she will soon.
Long car rides are the worst! Now try to imagine you’re a two-year-old trapped in a car seat with little to no concept of time. What makes a road trip more bearable – entertainment (and snacks).
Having a travel tray would be really beneficial to help toddlers entertain themselves with water coloring books, books that read to the child (+headphones), etc.
I had no idea we would need this little invention when my daughter turned two. I would highly recommend it for all parents of a toddler who have issues with their children waking up too early or staying in bed.
Our toddler has the annoying habit of getting up at the crack of dawn and screaming out for one of us.
I had had enough one day and ran to Target to buy a light-up clock. I completely regret my purchase. Without doing any prior research (very unlike me) I just picked one up at the store I thought looked good but it’s horrible. The only way the clock lights up is with an alarm that also beeps – nightmare! Instead, I wish I had purchased this clock, I still might.
Two is a great age to start taking a child fishing. Every single day of our vacation last month our daughter begged to go fishing. Fishing helps teach patience, gets the child out of the house, and can be a bonding experience.
A shockingly simple but awesome gift for a toddler is a flashlight.
Our two-year-old loves flashlights and binoculars. Put those items together and you’ve given the perfect gift in the eyes of a two-year-old.
Two can be a fun age when kids start to better understand music and start singing along to lyrics. We are always popping in CDs to dance to in our kitchen or listen to in the car.
By two, most children have had some screen time (mine certainly did!). Giving the gift of a movie or a show would be perfectly acceptable in my opinion.
Giving a DVD, or gift card to a streaming service, ensures that your present won’t end up in the back of a closet.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Disney streaming service? It includes Hulu and ESPN+ (a gift for everyone in the family).
Our family doesn’t have a table or chairs for the kids yet, but I am on the hunt for the perfect set. Warning – if the mom or dad is particular about style you may want their input before purchasing this present (or include the gift receipt!).
Do you want to make a two-year-old happy? Buy them bubbles. It doesn’t matter what kind, any type of bubble wand, machine, etc will do. Bath bubbles are always a great gift too!
Every day my daughter stands at her easel and colors with dry-erase markers. Crayons, coloring books, and stickers are other go-to’s in our household.
I’ve been too afraid to start with paint but I know she would love it.
A gift I always appreciate my children receiving is when someone gives a book. We don’t buy many books because we are always at the library but it is nice for a child to have books of his/her own to read over and over again.
Our two-year-old’s current favorites include anything with dinosaurs, Daniel Tiger books, farm-themed books, and Curious George books.
Our toddler still loves to play with her Little People sets. We now have a castle, a bus, a pond, a farm, and a train (we’re running out of storage room).
You can’t go wrong buying a toddler Little People sets or figurines. Just try to figure out which ones they already have so you don’t duplicate!
Has any sport caught the eye of the toddler? Sports equipment is a perfect gift idea. Personally, my daughter keeps bringing up golf (thanks to Curious George and my parents I think). These clubs might become a Christmas present this year.
A play kitchen was on my gift guide list for one-year-olds but I want to include it on this list as well. If the child does not have a play kitchen yet you should absolutely purchase one. Tip – these kitchens are always listed on Facebook Marketplace for a fraction of the cost if you don’t mind gifting a used kitchen.
If the child already does have a kitchen then a shopping cart, food, and cash register make wonderful presents as well.
Nothing is cuter than a toddler in rainboots holding an umbrella. These items make great gifts because they are practical but the child also loves getting to use them.
When in doubt, give money.
Not everyone loves to give money – I totally get that. I myself prefer to give something the child can open on a holiday or at their birthday party. But if you know the child already has a ridiculous amount of toys, college fund money is always appreciated by the parents (and eventually by the child).
Do you still want the kid to open something at the party? Pick up some bubbles, sand toys, or stickers at the dollar store. You give my two-year-old bubbles and she will love you forever.
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I love your gift guide Mehgan! My kids love to receive books especially when it's personalised for them. The importance of personalized gifts, ultimately, comes down to making a connection. Custom books for kids are a wonderful way to introduce children to the joy of reading. In case you're wondering, I ordered mine at personalisedchildrensbooks.com ❤️
Thank you and personalized gifts are a great idea. Books are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive. My kids don't have any personalized books yet but I am adding that idea to my list for them now. Thanks!