The Best Gifts For 2-Year-Old Boys

Buying Guide

At two years old, life is an adventure. Kids this age are curious and interested in everything, soaking up what the world has to offer. Getting gifts for 2-year-old boys can be challenging because there are so many possibilities to choose from and so many directions you can go in.

One of the best things to look for in gifts for 2-year-old boys is how open-ended they are. At this stage, boys are in a phase of cognitive development where they like to play simple make-believe games. Having toys that enable these kinds of games helps kids to reach their cognitive milestones and fuel their creativity. For example, a set of toy cars can be part of a race or they can be part of a game where they all come to the child’s gas station to fill up. Similarly, a toy train can be used to take cargo from one place to another or can be part of a circus.

Another element to consider when looking for toys is whether the gift will appeal to children of multiple ages. Does it have the ability to grow with the child or is it something they can only enjoy for a few months’ time? For example, an alphabet chart is a gift that can last for years. At two years old, kids may only be able to identify a few letters, and as they get older they can refer to the chart as they learn more and more letters.

• Be sure to consider the 2-year-old boys’ interests when selecting a gift. Even at this young age, children have opinions about what they find interesting and what they do not like. These opinions may change frequently, but they typically have favorites or things they love to play with. If your child is interested in vehicles, for example, consider getting them a small ramp toy where they can send their toys cars down. If your child loves listening to you read to them, opt for something like an alphabet chart that you can use to start teaching them their letters.
• Cognitively, 2-year-old boys are learning how to follow a simple set of instructions with two or three steps. You can use a gift to help them develop toward this milestone. Even the act of opening a gift can be a learning opportunity: “Can you take off the ribbon and then rip the wrapping paper?” Gifts that enable caregivers to interact with the child can help them improve their listening and thinking skills.