Bring a smile to tiny faces with these picks for the best toys for two-year-olds including educational toys and awesome personalized picks.

20 Best Toys for 2 Year Olds
Photo by The Citizens Collectible

Picking the best toys for 2-year-olds can be a bit confusing. These wee ones aren’t bitty babies any more but they aren’t quite rough-and-tumble big kids just yet, either. They're also learning something new every day, it seems, and educational toys for 2-year-olds are an engaging pick they're sure to love.

Some of the best toys for 2-year-olds are picks that can grow with them for a bit as they continue to refine their motor skills and explore more about the world around them. From heirloom-worthy wooden designs to one-of-a-kind toys you won’t find anywhere else, we think the toddler in your life will adore these toys from our talented community of Etsy sellers.

Best Montessori toys

As you shop for educational toys for the 2-year-olds on your list, Montessori toys are a great choice because they're designed to make learning fun. These toys can help you teach different concepts, from counting and colors to object identification and exploration. These educational toys for 2-year-olds—many of which are inspired by traditional Montessori concepts—are designed to keep mini minds curious and engaged.

1. A rainbow abacus

Best toys for two year olds - Rainbow abacus toy for kids SHOP: Rainbow wood abacus from The Modern Prism, from $36

Recite colors and count with your toddler using this rainbow-inspired wood bead abacus, available in two sizes and many different colors. Bonus: Moving the beads on this educational toy is great practice for fine motor skills.

2. Educational toy clock

Best toys for two year olds - Wooden Montessori clock from Etsy SHOP: Wooden Montessori clock from Dandelion Toys, from $38

This Montessori-style educational toy features an interactive wooden clock with functional hands for telling time and colorful center tiles representing the days of the week.

3. Math and counting board

Best toys for two year olds - Best wooden counting board Montessori toy for two year olds SHOP: Wooden math educational counting board from Chitrani Wooden Toys, $47

Turn math lessons into interactive play time using this handcrafted, Montessori-inspired "100 board" toy. Create colored patterns while teaching your tot to count, add, subtract, and more.

4. Best sensory table for toddlers

Best toys for two year olds - Outdoor sensory table for toddlers from Etsy SHOP: Dual bin sensory table from Monkey Tables, from $239

Fill the bins of this play table with your choice of age-appropriate sensory items, and use the included lids to keep everything in place until it’s playtime again.

5. Montessori stacking stones

Best toys for two year olds - montessori stacking stones SHOP: Outer space wooden stacking stones from Timberlings Toys, $32

Encourage your 2-year-old to experiment with different combinations as they stack these space-themed wooden stones again and again.

Best stuffed animals

A great gift idea, these stuffed toys for toddlers are supremely huggable and lovable. Sure to be a beloved companion for years to come, many of these stuffed animals and dolls can be personalized especially for the lucky recipient.

6. A miniature plush family

Best toys for two year olds - Custom stuffed animal family from Etsy SHOP: Personalized plush family from The Citizens Collectible, from $165

Add adorable, petite versions of your loved ones to your toddler’s stuffed toy collection—even the four-legged family members.

7. Cuddly frog plush toy

Best toys for two year olds - Handmade stuffed animal from Etsy SHOP: Organic frog toy from Pingvini, $50

Created with organic plush fabric and organic wool fill, this froggy fella will hop straight into favorite stuffed animal status.

8. A custom baby doll that looks like them

Best toys for two year olds - Personalized baby doll SHOP: Personalized cloth doll from Top Knot Twirl, $75

A unique gift idea for 2-year-olds, this stuffed doll toy can be personalized to look just like your toddler or someone special in their life.

9. A life-size stuffed puppy

Best toys for two year olds - Best stuffed dog for 2 year olds SHOP: Ziggy the Bernadoodle from Hola Vicu, $159

Ziggy the Bernadoodle is handcrafted from sustainable sheep's wool, making this pup super soft and cuddly for the 2-year-old on your list who loves a four-legged friend.

Best games and puzzles

From solo exploration to collaborative play, these interactive games and personalized puzzles help make learning fun, even for toddler-size attention spans.

10. Human body puzzle

Best toys for two year olds - Body parts puzzle for kids SHOP: Human body puzzle from Fistik Puzzles, from $34

Available in a variety of skin tones, this human body puzzle creates an opportunity to discuss the function of each organ and how our bodies work.

11. Personalized farm name puzzle

Best toys for two year olds - Personalized farm name puzzle from Etsy SHOP: On the farm puzzle from The Shoppe at Little Creek, from $60

This wooden farm puzzle can be customized with your child’s name, and you can add a second name for a sibling or last name if you’d like.

12. Personalized memory game for toddlers

Best toys for two year olds - Personalized memory game for toddlers from Etsy SHOP: Personalized matching game from Funograf, from $55

Personalized with a name, this memory game features animals on wooden discs, sized just right for little hands, and a handy, wooden storage case.

13. Custom name puzzle

Best toys for two year olds - Custom name puzzle for toddlers from Etsy SHOP: Baby name puzzle from Baby Puzzle Studio, from $3

Perfect for practicing letter recognition, custom name puzzles on Etsy can be personalized with a variety of designs, colors, patterns, and number of letters.

Pretend-play toys

Made with imagination and visualization in mind, these pretend play toys for toddlers are imaginative picks for little ones who love to play make-believe.

14. Pretend beauty play set

Best toys for two year olds - Pretend play beauty set for kids on Etsy SHOP: Wooden beauty makeup kit from Little Play Kit, $70

This pretend-play hair and makeup kit has everything the 2-year-olds in your life need to brush, blow dry, and primp for the day.

15. Printable pretend grocery store items

Best toys for two year olds - Printable grocery store toys SHOP: Printable pretend grocery store items from Neskita, $8

Craft and play together with this DIY pretend play grocery set. Featuring a cash register, coins, and play food items, this set is a digital download you can print and create at home with your 2-year-old.

16. Mix and match animals

Best toys for two year olds - Magnetic animal toy from Etsy SHOP: Magnetic wooden animals from Kimba, sets starting at $35

A great way to discuss nature names and sounds, these magnetic creatures can be mixed and matched to create brand new members of the animal kingdom.

17. Positive affirmations for children

Best toys for two year olds - Positive affirmations poster from Etsy SHOP: Positive affirmations poster from Dilly Curls, $5

Turn playtime into a series of affirmations with a poster print featuring 16 different reminders for your child that they’re always enough. This digital download features four different print sizes to choose from, depending on the frame you'd like to use.

Best indoor climbing gyms for kids

For the adventurous tots on your list who love to be active, channel all that energy into one of these climbing toys for young kids. Easy to slide out of the way when they’re not in use, these indoor climbing gyms are a playful solution when the weather outside is less than ideal.

18. Modular balance beam

Best toys for two year olds - Indoor modular balance beam from Etsy SHOP: Introductory balance beam from Joey Co., $100

This balance beam can be enjoyed by kids of all ages but is especially made for new walkers like the 2-year-olds on your list because it’s low to the ground. A great gift for small play areas, the modular design of this indoor balance beam means you can add more sections to create any size you’d like.

19. Indoor climbing gym

Best toys for two year olds - Indoor climbing gym for 2 year olds SHOP: Indoor climbing set from Noble Wooden Toy Co., from $285

Featuring a foldable triangle climber, ramp, and climbing arch, this indoor climbing gym for toddlers offers hours of fun and exploration as you try different combinations together.

20. Balance board for kids

Best toys for two year olds - Balance board for toddlers SHOP: Balance board from Ulmo Wood, $77

A fun physical activity for young children, this balance board can also be used in many other imaginative ways by your toddler—as a bridge for their toys, a carrying tray, the handy uses are endless.