They call them “the terrible twos”, but with some thoughtful shopping and careful planning, the next year of your child’s life doesn’t have to be all that bad.

The best toys for 2-year old boys are the ones that will engage their developing urge to MOVE, whether it is scooting, hopping, rolling, twisting, pulling, or any other adverb that you can possibly think of. 2-year olds are at a unique period in their physical and mental development where they want to understand how their bodies work, how things work, and truly, how the world works.

We’ve been cataloging some of the best toys available for 2-year old boys, whether you need a birthday gift on the fly or are looking for a Christmas present for that special youngster. What follows is an examination of the Top 50 Toys and Gifts for 2-year old boys, reviewed and analyzed by how well they do at capturing and keeping a 2-year old’s attention.

Later, we’ll share more about our review process, as well as reveal the toys that made the very top of the list.

Related: 50 Of The Best Toys And Gifts For 2 Year Old Girls

Our Top 50 Gift Ideas For 2 Year Old Boys

“Press Here” Interactive Book

“Press Here” Interactive Book

“Press Here” Interactive Book

Popular children’s author Herve Tullet has created something really special with the “Press Here” Interactive Book, a page-turning visual and auditory adventure that explores the relationship between cause and effect in an entirely new way. By pressing the yellow button on the cover, kids are taking their first steps into an adventure of unexpected proportions. Each page will present the child with new directions, challenges, and unexpected happenings. It’s enough to keep parents excited for the next page as well! Known as the “Prince of Preschool”, author Herve Tullet has been making renowned kids’ books for over 15 years.

“Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night?” Book By Brianna Sayres

“Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night?” Book By Brianna Sayres

“Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night?” Book By Brianna Sayres

No matter what point your child is at with their journey of learning how to read, they are sure to appreciate the cool tractors, fast cars, and burly dump trucks that are featured in Brianna Sayres hit kid’s book, “Where Do Diggers Sleep At Night?” This illustrated tale is bright, vivid, and friendly enough to capture the attention of any 2-year old boy and provide them with a wholesome story that they are going to want to read again and again. This is part of a larger series of books that include trains and planes, so if he likes it, there is more where it came from!

3-Wheeled Scooter

3-Wheeled Scooter

3-Wheeled Scooter

There aren’t a whole lot of scooters out there that are friendly to preschool aged kids, but the Micro Kickboard 3-Wheeled Scooter certainly is. The extra wheel up front provides for significantly more support and balance than the traditional 2-wheel design of Razor-type scooters. In addition to the third wheel, the Micro Kickboard scooter doesn’t utilize a turning steering column, but instead relies on your child’s loaning body weight to control which direction it is going. An easy-to work push brake sits atop the back wheel. Most online retailers offer this model in 8 different colors, including the supremely popular Aqua-marine.

Related: Best Scooters For Toddlers

5-Piece Ball Pit Tunnels Set

5-Piece Ball Pit Tunnels Set

5-Piece Ball Pit Tunnels Set

If you’ve got more than one toddler or 2-year old running around, or if you are going to be hosting the next big block party or birthday shindig, then consider investing in this 5-Piece Ball Pit Tunnels Set by Hide N Side. This is a fully-featured ball pit set that has three different specialized chambers and two different connecting tunnels, all of which can be assembled in a number of different combinations. A basketball hoop and a Velcro-based toss game are some of the features that truly take the 5-Piece Ball Pit Tunnels Set above and beyond the competition.

71” Keyboard Play Mat

71” Keyboard Play Mat

71” Keyboard Play Mat

With multiple functions like playback, recorded, and demo, the Play 22 Keyboard Mat is one of the most fully-functional musical toys on our list, and quite perhaps, one of the most highly entertaining. This gigantic electric keyboard play mat is made of extra strong vinyl, and can be made to play in a number of different tones, everything from piano and saxophone to trumpet, banjo, and guitar. The whole thing is powered off of 4 AA batteries, which is not a lot considering just how much fun you and your kid is going to get out of this ting.

100-Piece Wooden Train Set

100-Piece Wooden Train Set

100-Piece Wooden Train Set

The Triple Loop Wooden Train Set by Orbrium is one of the nicest train sets that we have seen in a while. Utilizing the classic style, feel, and shape of traditional toddler trains with a few modern tweaks, this manages to be simultaneously nostalgic and modern … a great blend for kids of all ages. These beautifully created beech wood pieces are all made from solid wood, which is a good indicator of just how long this toy will last in your family. For the ambitious toddler, purchasing multiple sets is a great way to expand the fantasy world that has been created.

Around The Farm Sound Book

Around The Farm Sound Book

Around The Farm Sound Book

While 2 year olds are usually not ready to dive into any heavy literature, it is an important time for them in terms of language development and speech structures. Toddler-focused books like the Around The Farm Sound Book by Mark Rader do a great job of introducing the basic elements of language and letters, while relying on a little help from some of our favorite barnyard creatures. The side panel of the book is an electric soundboard that can bring to life, cows, birds, pigs, horses, and much more as the story progresses. The artwork is charming and unique … this is sure to be a cherished addition to the family library.

Backpack With Wolf Stuffed Animal

Backpack With Wolf Stuffed Animal

Backpack With Wolf Stuffed Animal

If you’re looking for a toddler backpack for day care or just something for your 2 year old boy to play with at home, then you’ve found the perfect backpack on the market. This denim backpack with a plush wolf toy included is one of Amazon’s top rated toddler backpacks and for a good reason. The plush toy is made from high quality materials, resulting in an extremely soft feel. It measures about 10 inches tall and 8 inches wide, so it should fit your boy perfect! Plus, you can always adjust the straps to loosen or tighten the feel. Get your wolf backpack today and have your boy rollin’ around in style!

BPA-Free Fire Truck

BPA-Free Fire Truck

BPA-Free Fire Truck

There has been a lot of talk lately about how bad BPA-plastics can be for human health, so naturally, toys that still use it don’t seem to be doing as well. The BPA-Free Fire Truck from Green Toys is doing quite well in fact, due to both its non-toxic construction and well-designed functionality. At its core this toy is just a cool looking fire truck, but with the spinning wheels, rotating fire ramp, and removable side ladders, this is actually one of the coolest firetruck toys in existence. Lots of detailed logos, tools, and insignias are built right into the side of the fire truck, reducing the small parts that might otherwise prove hazardous to little kids.

Bristle Blocks

Bristle Blocks

Bristle Blocks

As toy review experts, it is always nice to see something that we have never seen before. We expect that parents and shoppers share this mentality, if the popularity of Bristle Blocks is any indicator. This unique and innovative play blocks are different from Lego, Duplo, and the like. Utilizing an entirely new connection method, Bristle Blocks manage to create all-new possibilities for building and constructing. It works by simply pressing the bristles into one another, and remarkably, they hold together very well. This 112 piece set is a great starting point, but consider combine multiple Bristle Blocks sets for even more exciting possibilities.

Building Bath Pipes

Building Bath Pipes

Building Bath Pipes

One of the reason that we love Bath Toys so much around here is that they are not only entertaining, but they serve the very important function of making bath time the best part of the day, resulting in a clean and fragrant 2-year old. The Building Bath Pipes are made by Boon, and might be one of the more unique toys to be introduced in 2020. These suction-cup toy pipes can be mounted on a tile surface in the tub. Your 2-year old will marvel as bubbly bath water travels through the handing pipes and drops back into the tub. With multiple sets to choose from, your kid can actually make some pretty complicated water structures.

Button Art Activity Set

Button Art Activity Set

Button Art Activity Set

What exactly is button art? Well, it happens to be one of the coolest new toys for 2-year olds, due to the dynamic plug & play style of creative activity that it provides. Included in the set is a series of cute pictures that require the addition of little plastic buttons in order to be complete. That’s where your kid comes in! As 2-year olds, they will love all the pushing, pressing, and pulling that is required to complete the pictures. They might also enjoy the chance to choose their own colors and make customized images straight from their imagination.

Call & Chat Learning Phone

Call & Chat Learning Phone

Call & Chat Learning Phone

If it hasn’t happened already, then you can bet that it is going to happen soon. Your 2-year old or toddler is going to grab your cell phone and try to use it just like you do, by swiping around and pressing all the bright, fun-looking buttons. Before they accidentally delete your contact list or send a gibberish e-mail to your boss, do the whole family a favor by getting the kiddo a smart phone of their own. The Call & Chat Learning Phone is the most recent addition to the VTech family and allows kids to play with numbers, letters, words, sounds, and songs, all from the push of one of these big friendly buttons.

Caring For Animals Farm Playset

Caring For Animals Farm Playset

Caring For Animals Farm Playset

Kids love animals, that is just an established fact. The Caring For Animals Farm Playset is an adorable and detailed play set that lets your kids care for a number of different charming farm animal figurines, including a chicken, a pig, a cow, and a horse. There’s also a little cowboy figurine that can help serve as ranch hand while your 2-year old tends to the big picture stuff. Multiple buttons will play songs and sound effects, and the hayloft can be opened up for some drop-through fun. There’s even a grain silo that really turns and rotates, and a dinner bell for whenever supper is ready.

Drill & Learn Toolbox

Drill & Learn Toolbox

Drill & Learn Toolbox

When we were young, pretend toy tools were never more complicated than wooden planks that were simply shaped like real tools. That is certainly no longer the case, as the Drill & Learn Toolbox from VTech elegantly demonstrates. This awesome electronic play kit puts a whole host of pretend tools inside of a realistic storage box. Not only does everything fit neatly inside, but the box itself is outfitted with sounds, lights, and simple educational programming that is designed to help teach your 2-year old about colors, numbers, and much more. With all the pushing, pulling, screwing, and turning, this is the perfect hands-on toy for 2-year olds.

Easy Score Basketball Set

Easy Score Basketball Set

Easy Score Basketball Set

Encouraging your child to hit the court for a rousing game of basketball is a great way to encourage the development of their physical coordination, not to mention give them a much-needed way to burn off some of that notorious toddler energy. The Easy Score Basketball Set is a free-standing kids’ basketball hoop that comes with three plastic & lightweight balls. The best part is the adjustable height, which makes it easy for an adult to modify the basket height from anywhere between 2.5” and 4”. This means that the Easy Score Basketball Set is a toy that can grow with your child, making it a likelihood that you are going to get your money’s worth out of this one.

Gas ‘N Go Mower

Gas ‘N Go Mower

Gas ‘N Go Mower

There’s nothing like preparing your youngster for a childhood full of household chores! The Gas ‘N Go Mower is one of Little Tikes’ newest toys, and judging from the thousands of 4-star reviews, we’d say that it is easily one of the most popular toys in the country. By pushing this brightly colored mower around, inside or out, kids can watch as a collection of popping beads dance around inside the see-through bubble chamber. A pretend gas tank is included for when it is time to refill, and realistic engine sounds will start to play once they pull on the starting cord.

Giraffalaff Sit ‘N Spin

Giraffalaff Sit ‘N Spin

Giraffalaff Sit ‘N Spin

We love toys that include their operating instructions right there in the name. The Giraffalaff Sit ‘N Spin is about as high-octane as it gets for 2-year old kids, who for the very first time are experiencing their first craving for speed, movement, and action. By sitting on the lower disc and cranking the center turn wheel, kids can make themselves spin around in circles, as fast as their little arms can send them. The physical activity is great exercise, and it helps develop both coordination and balance. All it takes to put this thing together is three screws, so you can be sure you’re getting fun right out of the box, without any waiting.

Harley-Davidson Tough Trike

Harley-Davidson Tough Trike

Harley-Davidson Tough Trike

If you’ve got one of those ‘bad-to-the-bone’ youngsters who is just itching to head out on the highway for some adventure, then you might want to start them off with 3 wheels of pure American freedom. The Harley-Davidson Tough Trike is a toy from Fisher-Price that lets your kid pedal around on one of the coolest trikes around. There’s even black flame sticker decals to go on the side, making any adventure look like a speed rally. With durable tires and a sturdy base, this might be one of those toys that your kid gets a solid few years out of.

KidiBeats Drum Set

KidiBeats Drum Set

KidiBeats Drum Set

Musical toys are a great way to introduce a little bit of rock and roll into your 2-year old’s life, not to mention encourage them to learn more about the wide and awe-inspiring world of music. The KidiBeats Drum Set puts a pair of plastic drumsticks in your 2-year old’s hand and lets them bang away on four different surfaces, including three drum pads and a high-hat style symbol. Each drum is fitted with a fun LED light that illuminates when struck, or, as part of one of the follow-along educational programs that come with it. Each drum pad is also designed to display numbers and letters, allowing the KidiBeats Drum Set to double as a learn-to-read toy.

Lacing Peg Set

Lacing Peg Set

Lacing Peg Set

While lacing pegs might not be the most popular kids toy that we’ve heard of, we were actually quite surprised to find out for ourselves just how engaging and fun these colorful stacking pegs can me. This is a set of pegs that can be built on top of one another to create tall towers. The oversized pegs are perfect for the toddler’s small hands, and the drawstring carrying bag makes for a highly portable brain toy. To get the most out of this set, take a look at the included e-book for all sorts of games and activities that can be played with it.

Large Play Kitchen

Large Play Kitchen

Large Play Kitchen

Cooking and cleaning are some of the most important daily tasks that we have as humans, which is no doubt why this is one of the first ‘games’, that kids like to play. The Large Play Kitchen from Step 2 is a deluxe pretend kitchen that has everything needed to make some pretty fancy make-believe feasts. Faux copper cookware hangs from an elegant arched wall. Teacups, condiments, and real opening doors and cabinets add to the already realistic design of the play kitchen. Our favorite part is how easy it is to push this play kitchen up against a wall so that it doesn’t take up a whole lot of space in the playroom.

Little Red Roadster

Little Red Roadster

Little Red Roadster

While we tend to approve of any toy built by Radio Flyer, we are particularly impressed with the Little Red Roadster, the newest addition to their iconic line of wheeled toys, wagons, and more. This ride-on toy is close enough to the ground that 2-year olds should be able to have both their feet touching the ground, providing both stability and propulsion at the same time. A thick plastic toy steering wheel makes driving an absolute pleasure for the child, and the horn actually honks if you press on it. The steel body is the real winner here … unlike a lot of today’s toys, this thing is built to last.

Loops & Swoops Amusement Park

Loops & Swoops Amusement Park

Loops & Swoops Amusement Park

The Loops & Swoops Amusement Park is another Fisher-Price toy masterpiece that let’s your kid take a pair of toy race cars on the ride of their life. There are two different ways to get to the bottom of the Loops & Swoops Amusement Park: the fast way, and the faster way. One track goes almost straight down, ending in an amazing loop that will send the racer cruising into the air. The other track is a bit more swirly, and wraps several times around the structure until finally emerging at the bottom. Add a few AA batteries and you can also get lights and sounds at the end!

Magnet Boat Set

Magnet Boat Set

Magnet Boat Set

Bath time has never been quite as fun as it will be with the 3 Bees & Me Magnet Boat Set for kids and toddlers. This collection of four different friendly cartoon tugboats in a great way to make any bathing experience a real adventure. Each boat is fitted with magnets in both the nose and tail, allowing your 2-year old to form them up into a chain for a cruise around the bath tub. They’re also educational, featuring different numbers can colors that can be matched, put in order, or re-arranged as necessary. Also, this is one of the few toy companies that offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

Magnetic Fishing Game

Magnetic Fishing Game

Magnetic Fishing Game

While the concept of the Top Bright Magnetic Fishing Game will be familiar to anyone who has ever spent any time at a carnival, it has never before been possible to experience this kind of wholesome fishing action in the convenience of the play room or living room. By taking up their plastic posed and magnetic likes, kids can try to ‘hook’ one of the brightly designed game pieces, each one representing a different friendly sea creature. The pieces also have letters on them, making it possible to turn this simple game into a learn-to-read adventure.

Magnetic Wooden Blocks

Magnetic Wooden Blocks

Magnetic Wooden Blocks

If you have never heard of Tegu blocks, then get ready, because soon you are going to see them everywhere you look. These sustainably-created wooden block pieces utilize interior magnets to stick together, allowing for all sorts of custom-style building and constructing. This ROBO set features 8 pieces that can be put together in a number of different suggested configurations, or, let your child loose for some of the best unscripted play time that is possible. All Tegu blocks are designed to cling to one another, so multiple sets can easily be combined to create some of the coolest creations imaginable.

Monkey Around Game

Monkey Around Game

Monkey Around Game

Here is a brand new game for preschoolers, toddlers, & 2-year olds who are just aching to get all those wiggles and giggles out of their system. The Monkey Around Game is the newest toy from Peaceable Kingdom, a company that prides itself on safe and educational animal-themes toys for young kids. The point of the Monkey Around Game is to serve as an introduction to board games. A set of action cards will instruct your little one on whether they will be hopping, marching, balancing, jumping, or much more. The beanbag banana is the best part, and is an awesome toy in and of itself.

Neat & Tidy Playhouse

Neat & Tidy Playhouse

Neat & Tidy Playhouse

The problem with building a custom playhouse for your kid is that you have to choose one place to put it, and usually, that is the place it will stay forever. New, lightweight and easily portable playhouses like this one from Step2 make it possible to both setup and breakdown playtime in mere moments, not to mention move the fun to whatever room you want. The Neat & Tidy Playhouse has a working Dutch-style door, a mailbox that opens and closes, and a cozy interior that includes a pretend crackling fireplace and a simple kitchenette. A great addition to any playroom or back yard!

Park And Learn Deluxe Garage

Park And Learn Deluxe Garage

Park And Learn Deluxe Garage

Toy cars are one of the most iconic parts of a boy’s childhood. Whether he is into Hot Wheels, Micro Machines, or some other type of toy car entirely, your boy is going to need a place to park all those awesome rides, not to mention spend some time loitering about the parking garage or operating a tow truck business. The Park And Learn Deluxe Garage is one of the newest VTech toys ton hit the market, and it manages to nail a lot of the details that are important to 2-year old boys, like dynamic lights, sounds, and features that simply can’t be beat.

Pound & Tap Xylophone

Pound & Tap Xylophone

Pound & Tap Xylophone

One of the most delightfully colorful musical instruments that we have ever seen also happens to be one of the most entertaining toys for toddler-aged children. The Pound & Tap Xylophone has brightly colored metal bars that will ring out in beautiful music when they are struck with the included hammer. Three colored balls are included that are filled with bells, and they will make the most wondrous sounds when they are struck! The whole instrument features a string-connected mallet that can be used  to pull it around, making concerts possible in any room of the house.

Ride-On Push Car

Ride-On Push Car

Ride-On Push Car

With this awesome blue ride-on car by Step2, kids can enjoy all the action and adventure of a highway cruise without having to do anything but sit back and enjoy the ride. A large sturdy push bar makes it possible for a grown up to easily push this car around, whether it is a lap around the park or a backyard speed derby. The front panel opens up revealing a surprising amount of storage space for a kids’ toy, and the push handle comes with a three cup-holders, one of which looks to be exclusively for mom or dad.

Ride-On Thomas The Tank Engine

Ride-On Thomas The Tank Engine

Ride-On Thomas The Tank Engine

We’ve seen a lot of ride-on toys in our day, but there are very few with the built-in excitement, charm, and re-play value as this Thomas The Tank toy from Power Wheels. Using the 6Volt battery setup that makes Power Wheels the best toys on the market, this train set will have your kid doing laps around a snap-together train track. This means that you won’t have to worry about them taking  off into the street! Whether they’re pretending to be a conductor or a train robber, this is one of the best toys for old west games and simple ride-on entertainment.

Ring And Learn Cash Register

Ring And Learn Cash Register

Ring And Learn Cash Register

The Ring And Learn Cash Register is one of the best multi-purpose toys on our list, because it manages to do a lot of things at once. It can teach numbers, colors, shapes, as well as basic math skills. Electronic sounds and lights make for an exciting shopping experience, but the most fun part is the opening register drawer that is big enough to store play money. Toy registers like these are great toys for multi-kid households, as there always needs to be a shopper for every shopkeeper.  With over 80 songs and sounds pre-loaded, this is one toy that isn’t going to get old quick.

Sand & Water Sifting Funnel

Sand & Water Sifting Funnel

Sand & Water Sifting Funnel

Our team has always been big fans of Melissa & Doug, a toy company which has become widely known as one of the best producers of safe, non-toxic, wood-based toys. Now we’re excited to hear about their new Sunny Patch series of toys. Part of the Sunny Patch Collection, the Sand & Water Sifting Funnel is a dynamic beach toy that lets kids pour water, sand, or both through a series of twisting, turning, and dumping compartments. They will watch in amazement as the water travels all the way to the bottom, while the sand is sifted out and left behind!

Scout’s Learning Lights Remote

Scout’s Learning Lights Remote

Scout’s Learning Lights Remote

Sooner or later, you are going to be watching a show that your 2-year old boy simply isn’t interested in, and knowing the power of the almighty remote control, they are going to try and change the channel themselves. Get ahead of the action with the Scout’s Learning Lights Remote, a dynamic, educational toy from LeapFrog that gives your kid plenty of things to do that don’t include turning off your favorite show. Kid’s this age love to imitate what mom and dad are doing, sand the Scout’s Learning Lights Remote is an easy way to make it fun and realistic.

Seek-A-Boo Game

Seek-A-Boo Game

Seek-A-Boo Game

Welcome to the amazing game of Seek-A-Boo, where kids and toddlers can develop their memory, vocabulary, and large motor skills all at one time by playing one of the best new games of the year. There are a number of different ways to play Seek-A-Boo, which is perhaps why there are hundreds of happy reviews listed on Amazon. With 36 different picture cards, kids will embark on a find & seek adventure to try to score the most points, not to mention learn a lot about the world that we live in. High-quality laminated cards are both durable and safe (no paper-cuts).

Sit ‘N Spin Activity Toy

Sit ‘N Spin Activity Toy

Sit ‘N Spin Activity Toy

Motion is an amazing thing for a two year old. For the first time, toddlers of this age are zipping around the house in all sorts of ways, whether it is on top of a wheeled plastic car or inside of a stroller. The Sit ‘N Spin Activity Toy is a classic kid’s favorite by Playskool that brings the magic of motion to the forefront with its hand-powered spinning action. Kids can sit on the big green panel and then turn the steering wheel to produce a spinning effect. Because the child is in control of how fast they are going, they aren’t going to get scared but instead fall in love with this classic toy.

Smart Shots Sports Center

Smart Shots Sports Center

Smart Shots Sports Center

The only way that your kid is going to score that full-ride scholarship to UNC is if they start practicing hoops as early as possible. The Smart Shots Sports Center is an advanced electronic play set from VTech that lets kids practice both basketball and soccer, as well as mess around with a number of fun knobs, silly sounds, catchy melodies, and more. Whether your are shooting hoops or kicking goals, the large-display electronic readout is always there to keep score, as are the adorable cartoon characters which are there to cheer your little one on.

Solid Wooden Drum

Solid Wooden Drum

Solid Wooden Drum

While we love musical toys of every variety because of their ability to help kids develop their listing skills, auditory literacy, and much more, we are particular fond of the instruments that don’t require batteries in order to produce cool sounds and melodies. This Solid Wooden Drum from PlanToys is a super sturdy noisemaker that comes with an effective wooden mallet. The top of the drum is cut with an ‘s’ shape, which allows for multiple different pitches to be possible with the same drum.  Made from durable and sustainable Thai rubber wood, this is sure to last many years in the toy bin.

Spin & Learn Color Flashlight

Spin & Learn Color Flashlight

Spin & Learn Color Flashlight

The Spin & Learn Color Flashlight is one of our very favorite toys to come out in recent years, because of how perfectly it blends into sleepovers, birthday parties, and even bedtime stories. The bright light will keep any youngster entertained, but the real value comes from the Spin & Learn programming, which will challenge kids to spin the outer ring in order to match the audio cue. There are also a collection of buttons along the side that can play melodies, stories, or nature sounds. For this reason this toy doubles as a great nightlight for 2-year olds.

Strider Sport Bike

Strider Sport Bike

Strider Sport Bike

Who needs training wheels when you have the awesome speed, style, design, and function of the Strider Sport Bike? This  bike is low enough to the ground that your 2-year old will not have to worry about balance. There are no pedals to get in that way, making this a 100% kid or gravity powered toy that doesn’t need all the complicated components of “big-kid bikes”. This model is available in 5 different bright metallic colors, so there is a pretty good chance you will find the one that fits your kid’s developing style. The adjustable seat means that this bike can be kept until a kid is 4 or even 5 before they outgrow it.

Tonka Dump Truck

Tonka Dump Truck

Tonka Dump Truck

This huge toy Tonka Dump Truck has all the classic color and style of our favorite toy truck, with the added bonus of a real working dump bed. Whether your kid is filling it with rocks, dirt, grass, or action figures, they will have no problem hauling their goods around the room or yard and dumping them where they see fit. This sturdy little toy is guaranteed for life, which is not something that most toy companies are confident enough to offer, especially in the less than $20 price range. Plastic wheels do not need any air and are never going to break down.

Touch & Learn Activity Desk

Touch & Learn Activity Desk

Touch & Learn Activity Desk

Anyone who has spent more than a few minutes browsing our site will just how much we appreciate the interactive, educational toys made by VTech. Using nothing but a couple of AA batteries, these toys are able to educate just as well as they are able to engage and entertain, which is the perfect trifecta of shopping for kids toys. The Touch & Learn Activity Desk is a huge collection of different things to do, from number and letter games to vocabulary quizzes and an electronic toy telephone. Need to get a little work done of your own? Sit your 2-year old down to this desk and watch them disappear into fun for hours at a time.

Toy John Deere 2-Pack

Toy John Deere 2-Pack

Toy John Deere 2-Pack

John Deere is one of the most iconic tractor brands in the world, and so it is no surprise that they have also become the face of one of the most popular toy truck series’ to ever hit the shelves. This John Deere Tractor 2-pack includes both a dump truck and a farm tractor, both of which are totally optimized to work great in the sandbox. The plastic wheels roll around with ease, and the moving components on the trucks themselves are super fun for moving around dirt and sticks. What’s really remarkable here is the price … both of them for less than 15 bucks is a heck of a deal!

Train Set Table

Train Set Table

Train Set Table

The Waterfall Mountain Train Set Table from KidKraft is one of the biggest and most action-packed toys on our list, and just might find its way into the top 5. Although a little more expensive than some of the other toys reviewed here, this Train Set Table has more features, characters, and accessories than you would expect from even a deluxe train set. Speaking of trains, four magnetic cars will form up the line, and there’s also an ambulance and police car that can utilize the tracks to help out all the village folk. One helpful feature is the included storage bins, which makes cleanup an absolute breeze.

Tree Top Activity Center

Tree Top Activity Center

Tree Top Activity Center

We are huge fans of activity centers, specifically because they provide much more than just one mode of play. Activity centers are designed to appeal to all sorts of kids with their moving parts, exciting sounds, bright colors, and open-ended play style. Whether it is sliding a wooden block along a curvy metal wire, or helping a ladybug crawl up the wooden treetop. The Tree Top Activity Center is many hours of entertainment crammed into one awesome, free-standing toy. 360 degrees of fun means that this is ideal for more than one kid!

Wooden Ukulele

Wooden Ukulele

Wooden Ukulele

Unleash your child’s inner rock star with this bright blue Wooden Ukulele from Hape. Maker of fine wood-based toys and activities, Hape is one of our very favorite toy makers for a number of reasons. This ukulele’s non-toxic finish and child-safe materials are both good examples of Hape likes to do business. Musical instruments like ukuleles and guitars can be either totally open-ended or rigidly structured in their instruction … whatever level of engagement your kid is interested in. One thing is for sure; their creative and auditory skills will experience a significant boost from the Hape Wooden Ukulele.

Wooden Race Track Ramp

Wooden Race Track Ramp

Wooden Race Track Ramp

This cute little racetrack & car set from Top Bright lets your kid drop one of the wooden race-cars at the top of the structure, then watch in delight as the car makes its merry way down the 4 different multicolored ramps, finally blasting out onto the ground or carpet. With four cars included with this set, there is more than enough fun to provide for multiple toddlers at a time. Once the cars start racing each other down the track, then the party really gets going! The assembly on this toy is very moderate … everything should be snapped together in less than five minutes and ready for action.

T-Ball Set

T-Ball Set

T-Ball Set

Get your 2-year old in the sporting mood with one of the most classic and long-lasting toy sets that there is: the T-ball stand, bat, and ball combo. Little Tikes has done it again with this durable but lightweight T-ball set, including 5 different balls as well as a sturdy stand that doubles as a foldable storage mount. Batting skills, motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and more will be immediate improved with this kind of play. “Hang-on-the-wall” design make this a great option for the garage or backyard. Baseball might still be a few years away, but T-ball is fun for even younger toddlers.

Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide: The Best Gifts For 2-Year Old Boys

It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a birthday present, Hanukah gift, new years’ surprise, or a little something to tuck under the Christmas tree, shopping for a 2-year old is not as easy a task as we initially think it to be. 2 is a very unique age for boys, who are for the very first time starting to notice how cause and effect relationships are so ingrained in our daily life.

 

Shopping for 2-year old boys requires a bit of forethought regarding exactly how the boy you have in mind will want to play with their new toy. Some toys are more free form and open-ended, like building blocks or musical instruments. In other words, there aren’t strict rules that need to be followed in order to enjoy the thing … kids can simply have at it and use their imaginations.

 

On the other hand, there are some toys and games that require a bit more mental effort on the toddler’s part, and because of this they should only be given to the 2-year olds who are ready to appreciate it.

 

Next, we’re going to go over some of the different types of toys that are great for 2-year olds. At the end, we’ll reveal which of the toys on our list reached the Top 2, and why.

Sports Sets

While there are plenty of parents out there who are determined to make their kid the next Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods by putting the right kind of sports equipment in their crib as infants, you might as well wait until the kid is old enough to play games for themselves, and perhaps decide which sport is most interesting and exciting for them.

 

At two years old, boys are not yet ready to adhere to the strict rules of organized sports, but they are however ready to start exploring the cause & effect relationships of such things as basketball hoops, soccer nets, and baseball bats.

 

Sports kits for 2-year olds are available in all different varieties, but the most popular ones are the toys that offer some kind of unique twist to keep a toddler’s attention, like bright lights, cute melodies, or graphics that feature friendly animals.

Plush Toys

Stuffed animals and other plush toys are certainly popular with 2 year olds, who are still at an age where they can develop close relationships with their make-believe companions. The reason that there are not more plush toys on our list is simply because this is a variety of toy that doesn’t usually offer the kind of secondary or additional educational value like the rest of the toys do. While affordable and often cherished, they are more for sleep, comfort, and companionship than extended playtime.

Interactive Books

At 2 years old, you kid is still learning how numbers, letters, words, and sentences come together to create language. For this reason, there aren’t a whole lot of storybooks for this age range that are intended to be read & enjoyed by the child, as opposed to being read aloud by the parent.

 

Interactive books, however, are a slightly new addition to the toy lineup. Instead of long words and hard narratives, these books utilize lights, sounds, songs, and much more to create an exciting and enthralling experience that all takes place between the covers of the book.

 

While there isn’t often a whole lot of actual reading involved, these types of toys are great for introducing your child to the magic of reading simply by showing them just how much fun books can be.

Activity Centers

From 2 to 6 years old, activity centers are a kid’s best friends, and for that very reason, they tend to be a parent’s best friend as well. The idea behind activity centers is to provide an open-ended, structure-free playtime experience that caters specifically to the unique physical and sensory desires of young children. In other words, activity centers are designed to let the child push, pull, pop, snap, click, switch, and slide their way through all sorts of different activities and motions.

 

There is rarely any kind of goal or rules for activity centers, they simply exist to entertain children on simple physical levels. Some utilize familiar mechanisms like light switches and doorbell buttons to help teach kids about the kind of physical world they live in, and the cause & effect nature of the universe as a whole.

 

Others feature wild and wacky made up stuff like spinning blocks and dancing animals that are really just there to dazzle, but they’re certainly doing an amazing job at that!

Ride-On Cars

While 2 years old is a tad young for the motorized fun of a Power Wheels car, there are some options that have been designed specifically for kids of this age group. Ride-On Toy Cars offer all the excitement of motorized toys but not quite as much speed. Either foot-powered or pushable, these cars aren’t meant to go very far but instead provide a fun way to scoot around the living room, lawn, or driveway.

 

There is one exception to this of course, which is evidenced in the Thomas The Tank Engine ride on toy that we reviewed above. This toy does have a 6V motor and is approved for kids as young as two, because the toy vehicle is designed to go in a simple circle and doesn’t have the added freedom of motion that kids will get when they are slightly older.

Scooters & Bikes

Now that you kid is standing upright, or at least, getting close to it, you can consider getting something that helps them move around a little bit faster than their own stubby little legs will allow. Scooters and bikes for 2-year olds are not as dangerous as the average parent might think, but instead, they are usually low to the ground and powered off of nothing but the kid’s own feet.

 

The biggest thing to consider when trying to buy a bike or scooter for your toddler is side adjustability. For scooters, look for models that have handlebar columns that can be adjusted to different heights. The same thing goes for bike seats. Getting adjustable equipment is an easy way to make sure that your kid doesn’t immediately outgrow the toy or piece of equipment.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Q: What makes a truly great gift or toy for a 2-year old?

 

A: Because two year olds are experiencing self-propelled motion for the first time (at least, they’re getting a lot better at it at this age) you should look for toys that encourage their physical development and motor skills. Bikes and scooters can be a good option, but if your 2-year old is too small for that kind of thing, then activity boards and activity tables are a good bet as they have plenty of different moving parts to keep a child fully entertained.

 

Q: What can I expect to spend on a toy for a 2-year old?

 

A: As is the case with children of all other ages, the price that you can expect to spend on a toy will vary a significant amount depending on what type of toy you are looking to buy. While plush toys, toy cars, and many games are often not more than ten or fifteen bucks, some bikes and ride-on cars can hit the hundred dollar mark with ease.

 

From what we have seen of what is currently available for 2-year old kids, we don’t think you should ever have to spend more than a hundred bucks, and that’s if you are buying a nice, durable bike or something that will last a few years anyway.

 

Remember, 2 year olds are only just beginning to grow physically and mentally. Anything that you gift them now is at risk of being outgrown in one way or another, perhaps much faster than you anticipated. Toys that can keep a kid’s interest for several years are a great way to build value and save money.

 

Conclusion: The Best Toys & Gifts For Two Year Old Boys

No matter what the occasion is, the best toys for two year old boys are always going to be the ones that keep them coming back for more, month after month, and perhaps even year after year. Because this age affords children toys of every make and design (from board games to building blocks) choosing the best gift for a 2-year old isn’t always easy.

 

Our of the 50 toddler toys that we looked at today, there are a couple that stand above the rest in both functionality and overall value. The first is the John Deere Tractor 2-Pack, which offers a pair of awesome toy tractors for less than fifteen bucks. With real dumping & hauling action, these tractors should be able to entertain for years to come.

 

We have to give a special shout out to the Tegu Blocks, the Magnetic Wooden Blocks that can be stuck together to create all sorts of different creatures and structures. We think that the idea of putting magnets inside building blocks is simply brilliant, and it’s the kind of safe, wholesome toy that we think more children should be playing with.

Dan Wiener
Hey there! I'm Dan, the founder behind Kids Love WHAT. I started this blog as a way to document all of the things that my 4 kids love: crafting, science experiments, good food, fun games and of course lots of toys! When I'm not busy chasing them all around, you can find me scouring the web to find the next best thing to keep them busy and out of my hair!