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Good gifts for a 2-year-old match how they play: stacking and knocking down, fitting pieces together, moving their whole body, and copying what grown-ups do. Choose one or two things that suit the child's favourite kind of play, check the age label, and think about where it will live. In a smaller home, or during a long indoor winter, a toy that packs away into one box gets played with more.
For builders and stackers
Two-year-olds stack things mostly to knock them down, and that's the fun. Big, chunky pieces work best.
- Floss and Rock Stacking Cubes ($27.99): six printed stacking cubes and three wooden pieces on wheels, with a carrying handle. Labelled for 2 years and up. Comes in Construction, Enchanted and Cars themes.
For puzzle lovers
First puzzles with a few big pieces are a good fit at two. Sets with several puzzles of rising difficulty last longer, because the child can move up as they get better.
| Puzzle set | What's inside | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jar Melo My First Puzzle Set, Dinosaur | Six dinosaur puzzles that get a little harder each time, in sturdy cardboard. Ages 2+. | $19.99 |
| Mideer My First Puzzle, Mom & Baby | Six animal parent-and-baby puzzles, 31 pieces in total. Ages 2+. | $23.99 |
| Mideer Advanced Puzzle Level 01, Traffic | Eight vehicle puzzles from one box. Ages 2+. | $29.99 |
For kids who need to move
Canadian winters mean a lot of indoor days, and two-year-olds still need to burn off energy.
- Konges Sløjd Glitter Jump Ball, Lemon ($69.99): a hopper ball with a handle and a hand pump included, with glitter and small dinosaur figures sealed inside the clear ball. Labelled for 18 months and up. In an apartment, think about the neighbours below and use it on a rug or mat.
For bath time
- Hape Spin Splash 'N' Swim Elephant ($19.99): an elephant on a duck float that spins and splashes as it moves. Labelled for 18 months and up.
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this.
For copying grown-ups: check the label first
Pretend play, like cooking, serving food or talking on the phone, really takes off around two. It's also where age labels matter most. Many wooden play food and kitchen sets are labelled 3 years and up because some pieces are small enough to be a choking hazard. If you're buying pretend play for a 2-year-old, choose a set labelled for under 3, or wait for their next birthday. Toys for older children can have small parts that aren't safe for a child under 3.
For quiet time
Books are the gift that keeps getting used. If the family speaks more than one language at home, our guide to Chinese, English and French books for kids has options that suit toddlers.
Gift tips for smaller homes
- Look at the stored size, not just the box photo. Puzzles that share one box take up little room.
- One theme beats many pieces. A set with fewer, larger pieces is easier to tidy and to check for missing parts.
- Ask about siblings. If there's a baby in the house, small pieces from any gift need a place the baby can't reach. For younger siblings, see our gift guide for 6 to 12 months.
Before you wrap it
- Read the age label and any warnings on the package.
- Take off all plastic wrap, ties and packaging before handing it over.
- Check the Government of Canada's Recalls and Safety Alerts website, especially for second-hand toys.
Want to see the toys in person? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know what we have on hand.
