Two-year-olds have a lot of energy to burn. You can help your toddler focus some of that energy by providing the appropriate toys and games. Be sure to select toys that will stimulate the wide range of talents – both physical and intellectual – your child is developing. Look for those that develop your child’s interest in learning about what grown-ups do (cooking, housekeeping, child care, driving, work, play); those that teach about the physical world (how things work; cause and effect; numbers, shapes, and patters; how to manipulate dials, knobs, and buttons); for those that stimulate creativity and imagination; and for those that encourage intellectual growth. Limit playthings that stifle imagination (such as coloring books and dolls that can talk) and those that require no interaction (such as battery-operated toys that are just for watching).
Virtually all the toys that were appropriate at one year are still appropriate at two years. Mix and match, to your toddler’s delight. But be sure to check toys for age appropriateness and safety. You can also consider adding some more sophisticated items, such as :
- Dolls that can be bathed, fed, diapered – but avoid dolls that have extensive ward – robes, since most two-year-olds can’t yet to manage to dress a doll.
- Character figures or plush toys (from storybooks, movies, TV).
- More elaborate dress-up items (including handbags, aprons, shirts) plus costumes and pseudo-professional gear (such as a firefighter’s hat, police officer’s hat, sailor’s hat, doctor’s bag, dancer’s tutu).
- Toy typewriters, cash registers, shopping carts, tool chests.
- Preschool computer.
- Toddler tape player.
- Beads or spools to string.
- More complex cars, trucks, and airplanes.
- Hand and finger puppets, store-bought or handmade.
- Books with more words and longer stories.
- Simple wooden jigsaw puzzles (four or five pieces).
- Toys for water play (some that float, some that squirt, and some for filling and pouring).
- Shape-sorters with a wider range of shapes and sizes.
- Building blocks and systems, such as Duplo. Pieces should be larger enough so your toddler can handle them easily and won’t choke on them if mouthed. Avoid sets that require building a particular model – if your toddler can’t follow the directions (with your help) or build to match the picture, the result could be excessive frustration.
- Arts and crafts materials, including: play clay; materials for making collages; poster paints to be used with brushes.
- Alphabets blocks or magnetic letters; color lotto; very simple number and letter games; an abacus.
- All sorts of musical toys, including drums, tambourines, maracas, play horns and other wind instruments, xylophones, simple keyboards, toddler cassette players, and microphones, Favor instruments over music boxes and musical toys that require only the push of a button and offer no real musical challenge.
- Climbing toys, such as backyard gyms (the local playground can serve as well, of course).
- Sandbox and sand toys.
- A real tricycle (check for size before purchasing).
- -A “balance beam” (a narrow board placed on the ground, on which your toddler can practice walking to improve balance and build confidence).
