DISCLOSURE: Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. Additionally it should be noted that I freelance for one of the companies, Alex Brands, which is mentioned in this post. Any opinions expressed on these items are solely my own and not that of my employer. Know that I only promote products I personally use and stand behind. To learn more, please review my disclosure policy here.
It’s been a while since I’ve shared a top toys post. In fact while this is one is titled Top 10 Favorite Toddler Items for a 2 Year Old, it really ranges from things Brielle has enjoyed from 18 months to her now almost 3 year old self! I also cheated and gave you 10 categories with a few toys in each. You’re welcome.
Pretend Play
We got her this KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen
A kitchen wouldn’t be complete without cooking accessories which is why we also have this 27 Piece Cookware Playset
Of course when you’re shopping for food to store in your kitchen you need to make sure you have a sturdy shopping cart which is why Brielle loves, and I highly recommend this Step2 Little Helper’s Shopping Cart.
Outdoor
I’ve already recapped my list of favorite outdoor toys for toddlers but wanted to reiterate how much we’re loving our water table, sprinkler, and wagon this outdoor season and don’t see us falling out of love with them anytime soon! The wagon has especially been good to take around the neighborhood with her little sister in tow!
Books
We received a healthy collection of books at my baby shower ranging from older classics to modern illustrations. We read to her often and at a certain point this year she started “reading” them to us! Here are a few of Brielle’s favorites she’s been enjoying during this age that I recommend to others: Mix It Up!, Goodnight Moon, Sesame Street Elmo’s Favorite Places (Lift-the-Flap), and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
Doll Play
I’m sure some will argue that this category is mostly for girls but we’re around boys the same age at playgroups, in daycare and within our family who play with doll things! Brielle is a lover of all things dolls that was something she was drawn to even before her sister arrived. She has one which makes real sounds! She received the stroller and crib accessory for a complete baby doll playtime experience and loves it!
Building Blocks
I’ve already shared Brielle’s love of Megabloks and how easy they are to put together but the love of building sets doesn’t stop there!
She loves her ZOOB Jr. 55 Piece Building Set set (or as she calls them “Zooms”) to both create extra large necklaces but to also try and build the items seen on the cards. She, of course, needs help from mom and dad to construct the designs shown, but she has no problem popping the pieces off and on with her little hands.
This Christmas she received magnetic tiles known as Magformers. While she isn’t creating any of the complicated designs seen in the instruction book just yet, these seem like an ageless toy and one she’ll be playing with for years to come, which makes this mom happy.
Electronics
We are working on staying as screen free as possible as I know that we won’t be able to fight it forever. While she does have some tv time in the morning or evening while I’m making dinner, the tv is mostly on in our house for the music channel. Like most kids she wants to play with our phone but we haven’t yet downloaded any apps. Instead, electronics to her are these toys:
Leapfrog My Own Laptop Leaptop Learning Computer Toy – Yep she often sees mom checking the laptop at night while daddy puts her to bed so it’s easy to want to be a mini me with her own laptop. She loves the mode which tells you want each letter is by name, the sound and an animal that starts with it. And who doesn’t love a rockin’ rendition of the ABCs?
The VTech Kidizoom Camera seen in the above photo is another meant for age 3+ but one she received on her 2 year old birthday. She’s been loving it since playing with it this late summer, using the two eyeholes to take photos. She knows how to turn it on and to take the photos but still needs help scrolling through her gallery. I go through it with her occasionally and delete any of the photos of nothing but keep the ones where there are any sort of glimpse of something. It’s fun to see life through her world.
Skill Building
Skill building – Like any young age, this one is craving different ways to learn, including toys that teach skills without knowing it!
Previously mentioned on our Holiday Guide, Brielle has fallen in love with this Melissa & Doug Cutting Fruit Set. She likes to attach the fruit and cut them in half. Mom loves that she is also learning about symmetry, proportions (halves/thirds etc), and even identifying new fruits she has yet to try!
Most of her current shoe styles all include Velcro closures but the big girl shoes with shoelace ties are right around the corner! I love this ALEX Toys Little Hands One, Two Tie My Shoe as she can both practice tying her shoe laces but also the in and out lacing action that is a great fine motor skill. This kit comes with 4 shoes and we actually gifted both my nephew and niece each a shoe and lace this Christmas so they can also practice this milestone activity!
Arts & Crafts
With a craft loving mommy, this is OF COURSE a common activity in our house. Brielle’s had her fair share of creative crafty experiences with all sorts of mediums this year. If you were to make a gift basket of her favorites they would include: Crayola Washable Finger Paints, Contact Paper (which is not just for shelves as you can see here), ALEX Toys Little Hands Squeeze Scissors, and PlayDoh.
Loveys
Around this age kids can become attached to dolls, stuffed animals or other plush objects and use them for comfort. For any toddler who’s interested in the famous Elmo character, I highly recommend this 12″ Plush Elmo doll that has been well loved in our home! Since these loveys can get pretty dirty if taken out of the house (or let’s face it, if they’re with a toddler inside they can get messy too) so pick up a backup one and store it away during cleaning cycles! (Hailey also received the Cookie Monster version this Easter and is just as loved!)
Beauty
Of course we don’t want our little ones growing up too fast but sometimes cute accessories and beauty items are too cute to ignore.
Exhibit A seen above: Brielle LOVES her sunnies! She had three pairs that were more for fashion than really blocking the sun but she became obsessed with them…even in snow!
She also loved to get her toenails clipped and would want me to paint them. We use Piggy Paint Nail Polish which is fast drying without any strong smells. It was a great activity to do in the long winter days when we were stuck in the house!
In case you’re looking for items for a younger age child, make sure to check out our personally loved toy/products lists for all the younger age groups up to 2!
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
The post Top 10 Favorite Toddler Items (2 years Old) appeared first on Spot of Tea Designs.