The 2-year-old stage is a period when babies begin to perceive the world around them. Therefore, parents need to learn about and choose toys that can help their children develop intelligence and improve various skills. Let’s explore with AVAKids the types of toys you should buy for 2-year-olds!

1Intellectual Development Characteristics of 1-2 Year Olds

At this stage, children begin to form perceptions and are very curious about things around them. To help children improve their intelligence in the best way, parents should pay attention to the following signs of intellectual development in children:

• Language skills: At this stage, babies begin to notice and babble their first words when they hear their parents speak. Therefore, parents need to interact with their children more often to help them expand their vocabulary.
• Motor skills: This is one of the earliest skills formed in children. Many babies can roll over before they are 1 year old, and a little older, they can crawl, stand, and toddle. By nearly 2 years old, many children can walk steadily, climb stairs, and grasp objects better.
• Cognitive ability: Between the ages of 1 and 2, babies are very curious and want to explore everything around them. They also know how to express emotions and recognize the differences between familiar objects.
• Spatial intelligence: Two-year-olds can distinguish colors, although they may not know the names of the colors, and they also grasp the different shapes of objects.
• Musical expression: Most children at this age love to listen to music and often react immediately when their parents play their favorite songs. Many children even know how to dance and imitate movements from videos, and their musical sense is quite good.
• Mathematical ability: At this age, many children can count simple numbers from 1 to 10. Moreover, they can also classify and distinguish between large and small quantities.
• Communication skills: Being a curious age, children love to explore new things they have never seen before. In addition, many children enjoy interacting with their parents or others around them by babbling words or expressing joy.

Duka DK580001 Multifunctional Shape Sorter Drum Toy

2Criteria for Choosing Toys for 2-Year-Olds

2.1. Toys for Children Must Be Safe

Parents must always be careful when buying toys for their children, regardless of their age. Especially for 2-year-olds, attention needs to be paid to the quality, shape, and size of the product. Buying low-quality toys with sharp shapes or small parts that can be swallowed can be dangerous for children.

Duka DK81047 Giggle Phone Toy

2.2. Toys Must Be Suitable for 2-Year-Olds

Mothers need to carefully research which toys are appropriate for 2-year-olds. Buying toys designed for younger or older children can quickly bore them, fail to optimally develop their skills, or be too challenging. Mothers should also choose toys based on the child’s gender, differentiating between toys for boys and girls to pique their interest.

2.3. Qualities Toys for 2-Year-Olds Should Have

To support the intellectual and physical development of children, mothers should choose toys that stimulate creativity, interaction, movement, and have high educational value. At the age of 2, children begin to form many habits, so toys with the above qualities will help them become more active and intelligent.

Winwintoys 60582 Vanity Playset

2.4. Choose Reputable Toy Brands

Choosing quality and safe toys is especially important given the prevalence of counterfeit and fake goods today. Therefore, mothers should buy products from reputable brands with clear origins for peace of mind.

3Top 21 Types of Toys for 2-Year-Olds That Parents Should Buy

3.1. Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Educational toys are tools that support parents in educating young children. Through the use of wooden toys with various lessons, children can learn about the world around them. During play, children develop concentration and intelligence.

Educational toys effectively combine learning and play, allowing children to manipulate objects to develop creativity and enhance their physical and intellectual abilities. Through exploration and experience, children can develop their thinking and stimulate further learning.

Currently, educational toys are designed in a very diverse way, providing many useful knowledge for children. Some brands producing educational toys include Antona, Winwintoys, Lego, STAR KIDS, etc.

3L 3L503-13 Kitchen Playset – Random Color

3.2. Building Blocks for 2-Year-Olds

Building blocks offer many benefits for developing a child’s skills. This is probably a toy that any 2-year-old would love because it comes in many shapes and bright, eye-catching colors. With many pieces that can be combined to form various shapes, children can be creative and imagine their own stories.

In addition to training children to have skillful hands, building blocks and Lego also help develop problem-solving skills and apply thinking to place the pieces in the right positions. This product can help children freely assemble and develop their creativity, so they will never feel bored.

Building blocks and Lego sets come in a wide variety of designs and eye-catching colors. If you want to buy this type of toy for your child, you can refer to brands such as Lego, POLESIE, and Gorock.

Antona Magic Square Building Blocks (69 pieces)

3.3. Flash Cards

Flash cards are a type of toy made of paper or wood, educational and suitable for children from 2 years old. The set includes many cards with words and vivid illustrations, with a rich vocabulary such as trees, flowers, animals, etc.

Through flash cards, children have the opportunity to develop language, be exposed to letters, and train their memory. In addition, this type of toy can also be applied to effectively learn English with bilingual vocabulary. The product is compact so children can carry it around to learn and play anywhere.

Brands that produce flash cards include Winwintoys. This is a Vietnamese brand that offers products such as Winwintoys educational toys and Winwintoys wooden toys, which help children easily absorb and stimulate their interest in learning from an early age.

Flash Cards

3.4. Rocking Animals

Rocking animals are toys that children sit on and ride, shaped like adorable animals and made of durable materials. When playing with rocking animals, children will get a lot of exercise, which helps them improve their physical strength, practice balance, and eat and sleep better.

This type of active toy will bring moments of fun and relaxation for children. Moreover, when playing with friends, children also learn communication skills and integrate with others more easily.

There are currently many models on the market with various materials. Prominent brands with rocking animal product lines include Toyshouse from China or B. Brand from Canada. Parents can refer to these brands to choose suitable toys for their children.

Rocking Animal Toy

3.5. Crayons

This toy consists of a box of various crayons in all colors for children to unleash their creativity and practice drawing. The 2-year-old stage is when children can recognize everything around them, have the ability to think, and have a rich imagination. With a box of crayons, children can increase their ability to concentrate and reproduce the things around them in their memory.

At the age of 2, children can use crayons more proficiently, thereby increasing their ability to flexibly coordinate their hands and eyes. In addition, this is also a toy that enhances children’s artistic talent, while helping them recognize and distinguish lines and colors effectively.

Crayon sets are currently widely sold and distributed in stores, supermarkets, and bookstores nationwide with a variety of eye-catching designs. Some reputable brands to choose from include Crayola, Faber Castell, and Macro to ensure they are free of harmful chemicals and safe for children’s health.

Star Kids K-CR18/2 18-Color Crayon Set – Random Color

3.6. Coloring Books for Children

If you have crayons, you can’t miss coloring books for children. Coloring books for 2-year-olds often have simple images like animals and fruits so that children can both play and learn about the world around them.

Letting children use coloring books also contributes to developing their creativity, color coordination skills, and helps them better distinguish and recognize different colors. This is considered one of the toys for 2-year-olds that helps them maximize their aesthetic sense.

Coloring books for children are now widely sold in bookstores. However, for 2-year-olds, parents should prioritize coloring book sets with basic, simple images for children to get acquainted with and learn better.

Minh Long Preschool Coloring Book Set (8 books)

3.7. Comics, Books for Children

Comics or books are an indispensable part of every child’s childhood memories. Comic books with meaningful stories and adorable characters will help children expand their knowledge. Parents can read comic books to their children many times, fostering a love of reading from a young age.

Comics or books for 2-year-olds are usually short stories or books about exploring the world around them. Most of them are image-heavy because at the age of 2, children are more interested in visuals. Mothers can buy these products at bookstores to help children develop their thinking by receiving knowledge in a visually appealing way.

Minh Long Smart Bear Book – Animal Theme

3.8. Beading Toys

Beading toys consist of a string and beads of different colors with holes to thread onto the string. This type of toy helps children’s hands become more dexterous. The beads come in various shapes such as round, star, hexagon, etc., so that children can create necklaces, bracelets, or spiderwebs.

Beading helps children practice concentration and color differentiation. The material used to make the beads is usually plastic or high-quality wood, ensuring safety for children. Parents can sit with their children to help them with beading, thereby strengthening family bonds.

Beading Toy

3.9. Balls

Small balls with many eye-catching colors are a favorite toy of both 2-year-old boys and girls. Children can use balls for many games such as throwing, kicking, and playing in the bathtub. Through hours of playing with balls, children will get a lot of physical activity, not only helping them improve their health but also become more active.

This active toy has bright, eye-catching colors, so children will enjoy it and learn to distinguish colors easily. Chasing after a rolling ball will help children improve many essential skills, eat better, and sleep better. Balls are a very popular toy, so mothers can easily find them at any store or large supermarket.

Antona No.311 Ball Toy – Random Color

3.10. Inflatable Pools

Inflatable pools are considered mini pools for young children. With various shapes and colors, parents can easily choose a lovely inflatable pool for their child. On hot days, children can play in the cool water, creating moments of fun and comfort.

Children can practice basic swimming movements at home first, training their limbs to be more flexible. For children who already know how to swim, this will be a great pool at home, ensuring safety and hygiene. After playing, mothers can deflate the inflatable pool, which can then be folded up, saving storage space.

Peek A-Boo SL-PPSD-001 Turtle Water Mat

3.11. Play-Doh

Play-Doh is mainly made from rice flour and colored powder, used for children to mold and create various shapes according to their preferences. To be able to play with this toy, children must have dexterous hands and rhythmic movements.

Play-Doh is inexpensive and can be reused many times because it is pliable and doesn’t dry out. After playing, it can be stored in a container, very convenient and doesn’t take up much storage space. This toy stimulates creativity and trains children’s dexterity.

Play-Doh or clay toys help stimulate interest, develop thinking, and are very good for children’s brains. Mothers can buy this product from brands like Star Kids or VBCare, which are free of harmful ingredients, so mothers can rest assured that their children can play safely.

STAR KIDS K-200/16C/6T 200g 16-Color Play-Doh Set with 6 Tools

3.12. Doctor Playsets

This is a career-oriented toy set that includes miniature versions of doctor’s tools in bright colors. With this toy, children can play with many people, increasing their ability to interact. Parents can play with their children, taking on the roles of patients, doctors, or nurses. In addition, through play, children can develop the habit of caring for others.

The playset includes many items such as a stethoscope, syringe, scissors, etc. Therefore, children will become familiar with these tools, so they will be less afraid when going to the hospital. It provides children with knowledge about health, as well as guides them towards future career options.

Brands that offer good quality doctor playsets include Winwintoys, Duka, VBCare, and Bowa. These brands have products that are safe for children to use.

Battat BT2538Z Pet Vet Set

3.13. Play Kitchens

Play kitchens consist of miniature versions of kitchen items such as a gas stove, pots, table and chairs, knives, fruits, etc. With a variety of items and eye-catching colors, it is sure to be suitable for 2-year-olds, especially girls. The game is highly interactive and can be played by multiple people.

Through play kitchens, mothers can inspire their children to become good cooks in the future. Toys with many familiar utensils help children learn about kitchen items, improve their awareness, and develop the habit of caring for their families when they grow up.

Winwintoys 65032 Kitchen Playset

3.14. Percussion Instruments

At the age of 2, children are often interested in sounds and cheerful melodies. Therefore, musical instrument toys will be very suitable for children to unleash their creativity and nurture their souls. Some popular musical toys include drums, hand rattles, xylophones, musical tubes, etc.

Music has the ability to stimulate the brain very well. Through musical instrument toys, children will develop a good sense of rhythm, thereby developing their musical talent. In addition, the product also helps children improve their memory and language development through melodies and lyrics.

Duka DK580018 Baby Rock Star – Four Rhythm Drum Toy

3.15. Fishing Toys

Fishing toys consist of a fishing rod with a magnetic hook and many cute and adorable animal figures. This is a familiar game that helps children develop patience and hand-eye coordination. Mothers can use this game to teach children about aquatic animals.

To catch fish, it’s important for children to be quick-eyed, observe the situation, and coordinate with skillful hands. These are all necessary skills for the development of young children. Fishing toys are not only good for the brain but also help children become more confident and active.

DK81048 Ocean Fishing Toy (18 pieces)

3.16. Various Types of Vehicles

There are many types of mini vehicles for children to play with, such as electric cars, walkers, motorcycles, ride-on toys, scooters, etc. Depending on the structure, the vehicles will have different prices. Vehicles with complex structures such as electric cars require a sound system and a controller, so they will be more expensive.

Children can learn about different types of vehicles and how to control them. Especially when controlling, it will help children have knowledge of traffic participation, ensuring safety for later. Regardless of the type of vehicle, it supports children in developing balance and movement to improve their health.

Currently, there are many brands that manufacture vehicles for young children. Mothers can buy brands such as Kinderkraft ride-on toys or AVACycle scooters with high-quality products that are safe for children.

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