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21 Best Learning Toys for 2 Year Olds in 2024

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problem solving toys 2 year old

Here you will find a roundup of the best learning toys for 2 year olds and toddlers from a homeschooling mom of three ! From matching and sorting toys to building and art supplies, this list has all the best educational toys for toddlers.

As a mom of three energetic little ones, I know firsthand how crucial it is to keep our children engaged, stimulated, and, most importantly, learning through play.

With my youngest quickly approaching the age of 2, I’ve scoured the market for educational toys that not only captivate their imaginations but also encourage their cognitive and physical development.

After much trial and error, I’ve compiled a list of the best learning toys for 2 year olds that have passed the ultimate test—my kids’ approval.

You might also like these related posts:

  • Best Learning Toys for 3-Year-Olds
  • Realistic 2 Year Old Daily Schedule
  • Easy Toddler Lunch Ideas for 2 Year Olds

Kids with Lovevery Block Set Educational Toy

Lovevery Block Set

Learning Toys for 2 Year Olds

Matching and sorting toddler toys.

Educational Toys for 2 Year Olds Ideas

  • Lovevery Block Set and Shape Sorter – blocks are great for learning spatial awareness, geometry, fine motor skills, problem solving skills, and creativity. This set also comes with a shape sorter! This block set is made of durable, high quality materials, and is something that will grow with your toddler into the preschool years and beyond! ( see on Amazon , see at Target )
  • Matching Eggs Toy – This matching egg set is great for color and shape recognition as well as hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. My toddlers loves to take them apart and put them back together and they are also fun because they can be played with as a play food toy.
  • Learning Resources Matching Heads & Tails Flash Cards – let your toddler learn about animals and the world around them, while practicing hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills! These are a great quiet time activity at a restaurant or waiting room.
  • Counting & Sorting Color Bears – teach your toddler about colors and sorting by size, while practicing find motor skills and building hand strength with the tweezers! I especially love that this set comes with colored sorting cups and a storage bin.
  • Learning Resources Farmer’s Market Color Sorting – another fun way to practice color identification and sorting! It’s also fun because the food can be used as play food for imaginative play.
  • Wooden Shape Color Stack Puzzle – practice shape and color recognition, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and cognitive puzzle skills! This is a simple toy that’s been in our playroom for years!
  • Learning Resources Alphabet Matching Alpha Pops – a fun way to practice color recognition and matching as well as learning the alphabet. The two piece pops click together so this toy also helps with hand-eye coordination. These are on our wish list and come highly recommended!

Building and Creative Learning Toys for 2 Year Olds

2 Year Old Educational toy Ideas

  • Bristle Blocks – Bristle blocks are great for 3-D building and imaginative play! There are so many ways to hook them together and build whatever your toddler can dream up.
  • Duplo Blocks – building toys like duplos can encourage imaginative play, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills. They can also be used as a sensory toy if you cool them in jello or throw them in a bath tub full of water.
  • Picasso Tiles – these are for a more advanced builders, but are a fun way for toddlers to build in 3D. Picasso tiles connect on the edges using magnets and are great for practicing architectural design. They can also teach creativity and sense of shape since they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes.
  • Tempura Paint Sticks – a less mess way for your toddler to learn about colors, practice fine motor skills, and express their creativity! We have this exact set and they wash off very easily.
  • Crayola Double Doodle Board – washable crayons for mess-free learning! Coloring is great for practicing pre-writing skills and fosters creativity.

Read more > 8 Benefits of Open-Ended Play for Toddlers

Puzzle, Books, and Pattern Toddler Toys

2 Year Old Learning Toy Ideas

  • Learning Resources Hedgehog – a fun toy to practice hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. We got this when my first was a baby and it has been a favorite for the 2 year old age range.
  • Alphabet Learning Puzzle – great as a puzzle to practice spatial awareness and matching, as well as for letter and number recognition.
  • Personalized Puzzle – a fun and unique gift that is also a great educational learning toy for your toddler! These are great gifts for toddlers who already seem to have everything or gift givers who just want to give a personalized gift.
  • Wooden Lacing Beads – great for color and pattern recognition, and fine motor skills. This toy also teaches early math skills like counting and sequencing! We love Melissa & Doug toys for their amazing quality!
  • LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book – this book is great for leaning, recognizing, and practicing to say a variety of words. When you touch the picture it says the work aloud so its great for independent play as well as structured learning with the help of an adult. This also has an option to learn in Spanish!
  • Toddler Flash Cards – we use flash cards for structured play, but they can also be used for independent play if your toddler will cooperate. I use an empty coffee can and cut a slit in the top to make a fun toy incorporating flash cards. Check out this activity plus a few more in my post: Fun & Easy Toddler Activities for 1-2 Year Olds

Play Kits and More

problem solving toys 2 year old

  • Lovevery Play Kit – as a mom of three, I highly recommend the Lovevery play kits! If you haven’t gotten one yet, two years old is the perfect age to start! Some of our favorite play kits are for the two year old age range (including The Helper Play Kit & The Free Spirit Play Kit ). (Save 10% when you prepay for multiple play kits)
  • Sprinkle In Learning ABS’s & 123’s – Sprinkle in learning is a great small business that creates PlayPods for toddlers! Their ABC’s & 123’s Bundle is great for two year olds who are just learning the alphebet and numbers, or want to practice. They also have tons of other PlayPods to choose from ( they are great for travel! )
  • Montessori Preschool Busy Book – this busy book is great for quiet time or keeping your toddler entertained on flights, road trips, appointments, or restaurants. My kids have LOVED this activity book for many years and it’s a great alternative to screen time.

Read More > Toddler Sensory Activities My Kids are Loving

Read More > Best Learning Toys for 3-Year-Olds

  • The Cutest Easter Pajamas for Toddlers
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  • The Best Labels for Back-to-School: Name Bubbles
  • Embracing the Chill: Simple Tips for Getting Your Toddler Outdoors in Cold Weather
  • The Cutest Toddler Valentines Pajamas

2 Year Old Gift Guide Pin

Discovery Play with Littles

Discovery Play with Littles

2:01 pm ·

15 Powerful Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

I looked over to her table and she’s crying. Again. While everyone else is happily working away, she sat there, unable to move, just crying. 

Not asking for help.

Not trying to solve her problem.

Just crying.

I took a deep breath before heading over. We’ve already been at this for several months…isn’t it about time the problem-solving has kicked in yet?

One glance and I could tell what her problem was. She didn’t have her pencil.

Know how I knew?

It laid on the floor beside her. In plain sight.

As a kindergarten teacher, I don’t jump right in and solve problems for kids. It’s good for them to try to solve the problem themselves. This is something she struggled with. 

I reminded myself of the need for patience and empathy as I walked up to her. “What’s wrong, Amanda?” 

“I…can’t…find…my…pencil….” she sputtered out between sobs. 

“Ok, that’s a problem we can solve. What have you tried?” 

“I don’t know.” 

After a long time trying to first, calm her down, and second, come up with some strategies she could try, she finally found her pencil. At that point, everyone else had finished the project. 

Toddlers playing with wooden blocks

What is Problem Solving?

Problem-solving is the process of finding a solution to your problem . This can be quite tricky for some young children, especially those with little experience in finding more than one way to solve a problem.

Why is Problem Solving Important? 

Problem-solving skills are used throughout childhood into adulthood. As adults, we solve problems on a daily basis. Some problems we solve without thinking much- I wanted to make tacos for dinner but forgot to buy the ground beef. What are we going to have for dinner now?

Other problems are significantly more complicated. 

Problems for kiddos can be problems with friendships, the inability to find something that’s needed, or even what to do when things don’t go your way. 

Kids who lack problem-solving skills struggle to maintain friendships or even begin to attempt to solve their own problems. 

Children who lack problem-solving skills are at a higher risk for depression as well.

What Are Problem-Solving Skills?

Problem-solving skills are:

  • Breaking Down a Problem into Smaller Parts
  • Communication
  • Decision-making
  • Logical Reasoning
  • Perseverance

That’s a big list to teach toddlers and preschoolers. Where do you begin?

The Problem-Solving Steps

Sometimes kids are so overwhelmed with frustration that it affects their ability to solve problems.

Kids feel safe in routines, and routines help them learn and grow. After a few times of repeating this routine, you’ll find your kiddo starts to do this on their own. 

It’s important not to skip straight to solving the problem , because your kiddo needs to be in a calm state of mind to solve the problem, and also they need to know their feelings are valid. 

  • The first thing to do when your kiddo is struggling with problem-solving is to validate their emotions.

In doing this, they will feel more understood and learn that their emotions are okay. There are no bad feelings, and we must learn how to manage our emotions. 

This might sound something like “Oh, I can see you are really frustrated that the block won’t fit on there right. Let’s take some deep breaths to help us calm down before we think about what to do next.”

  • Next, work through your calm-down process . This may be taking some deep breaths together, hugging a stuffie, or giving your kiddo some quiet time to calm down their heart and mind.
  • Identify the problem . This sounds like something you may have already done (before the meltdown) but it’s important to be very clear on the problem you’re solving. Have the child tell you their problem out loud.
  • Move on to solution-finding . When your kiddo is ready, talk about what the problem is and three possible solutions. When possible, let your kiddo do all of the talking. This allows him to practice his problem-solving skills. It’s important to remind him that the first thing he tries may not work, and that’s ok. There’s always another way to solve the problem. If he’s prepared for this, solutions that don’t work won’t be such a frustrating experience. 
  • After you’ve done that, test your solutions one by one. See what works. If you haven’t found a solution yet, go back and think of different ways you might be able to solve your problem and try again.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Are you tired of hearing “It’s TOO HARD!” followed by a meltdown?

Using this one simple phrase you’ll get in this powerful lesson, you’ll not only be able to help your kiddo not give up but you’ll:

>Activate their superpower of perseverance so that they can turn around a meltdown and keep trying

>Inspire them to use perseverance …even when it’s hard

>Teach them to recognize the warning signs of giving up , and how to turn it around by taking control of their choices.

Grab your powerful FREE video lesson to teach your kiddo one of the most powerful keys to perseverance.

Powerful Activities that Teach Problem-Solving Skills to Toddlers & Preschoolers

These activities below may look simple, but don’t let that deter you from trying them. A lot happens in little developing brains and these powerful activities help toddlers and preschoolers make connections and develop {many} essential skills-more than just problem-solving.

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Puzzles are fun and a great way to encourage cognitive development in children. They are great for spacial reasoning and strengthening problem-solving skills. They also develop memory skills, critical thinking, and the ability to plan and execute the plan. Toddlers will enjoy the simple puzzles, and preschoolers will do great with floor puzzles with larger puzzle pieces.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Doing Simple Chores

Doing simple chores is a great way to teach children problem-solving skills, and it strengthens responsibility and perseverance as well. 

During the toddler years , you may start with just picking up their toys, or helping you put their dirty clothes in the hamper. 

Preschoolers can take their dirty dishes to the sink (or load them in the dishwasher), collect the trash, dust, wipe baseboards, and do their own personal care items like making their bed, taking care of their dirty clothes, and putting clean clothes away.

Stacking Rings

When watching a toddler play with stacking rings it doesn’t look like much is happening, but playing with these toys is full of ways to encourage development. It helps with visual and spacial perception and planning ahead, but it also with balance control, crossing the midline, creative play, and gross motor skills. Not to mention it’s a great opportunity to practice problem-solving. 

problem solving toys 2 year old

Playing Hide-and-Seek

Hide and seek has many surprising benefits for kids. Playing hide and seek is like a treasure hunt that helps develop gross motor skills and encourages physical development, as well as problem-solving skills. It also helps young children develop visual tracking, working memory, and social-emotional skills.

Preschooler playing construction worker

Imaginative Play

Imaginative play (also called role-play) builds important skills. Through pretending to be in different situations, kids develop social skills, emotional skills, better communication, and problem-solving skills. Imaginative play is a great idea for young toddlers all the way to older children.

Free Play 

Many young children don’t have {enough} time for free play. Free play is important for healthy brain development , not only developing imagination, cooperation, physical skills, and independence but also providing a great opportunity to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

Playing with Wooden Blocks

Building blocks are a fun way for children to develop creative thinking, imagination, problem-solving, fine motor skills, and if working with others, cooperation, communication, and friendship.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Playing Memory

Memory games improve attention, focus, visual recognition, and concentration. It helps children recognize details and of course, strengthens problem-solving skills. 

problem solving toys 2 year old

Ask Questions

When I see my son struggling with something, my first instinct is to give him choices or at least lead him in the right direction. The better thing to do is to ask very open-ended questions that lead his process, not his thoughts.

Questions like “What’s one way to solve your problem?” are much more effective in teaching problem-solving skills than “Well, where did you last see your stuffy?” 

Read Books and Social Stories

Reading books is one of my favorite ways to teach any skill. It’s extremely effective at teaching, and it’s also an amazing bonding time with kids.

When we read stories, our brain reacts as if we’re living in the story. This is why reading books about skills such as problem-solving is so effective. 

Kids of all ages learn from the people they love . (Yes, even those older kids who you don’t think are paying attention.) Often as adults, we’re too busy going through our daily routine to think about talking about the way we solved the problem at work that day.

Talking about how you use skills such as problem-solving, perseverance, and integrity is a great way to set an example, and an expectation that this is how we do things, and it will provide encouragement for your kiddo to do the same.

Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are a great group activity that can strengthen your child’s logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

When Your Kiddo is Ready, Add These Activities

Preschoolers would benefit from all of the fun activities on the list above and when they’re ready, feel free to add in the following activities.   

Mazes are great for problem-solving and perseverance, but your kiddo will need to have decent fine motor skills to do these activities. Mazes are one of our favorite activities. We love to take our activity book of mazes in the car with us for road trips. 

problem solving toys 2 year old

Board Games  

Board games are a good way to strengthen problem-solving, teamwork, planning skills, patience, sportsmanship, and communication skills. They also strengthen family relationships by providing some intentional time of connection .

Any board game can also be turned into an academic game with just a deck of cards for whatever skill you’re working on. If you’re working on the alphabet, put one letter on each card. Before each player’s turn, they draw a letter card and say the letter’s name. (You may accidentally forget the name of a letter every now and then to see if your kiddo is really paying attention!) 

Allow Opportunities for Hands-On Investigations

Kids are tactile. They love to touch and explore things with their hands. This is a good activity for toddlers also, as long as they are out of the putting everything in their mouth stage. Hands-on exploration is great for language development, sensory exploration, and problem-solving.

Allowing kids to investigate with their hands allows them to see how the world works up close. It also gives them time and space to try to make things work…and problem-solve when it doesn’t go as they think it should.

The Most Difficult Way (and Most Important Way) To Strengthen Problem-Solving Skills

Watching our kids struggle is hard ! We don’t want to see them having a hard time…and most of the time we don’t want to deal with the impending meltdown. Standing back and giving our kids time and space to work through even simple problems is hard to do. It’s also the most important way to strengthen problem-solving skills. 

As parents, we’re like frogs in boiling water. When our kids are infants, they need us to recognize their needs and solve them immediately. As they get older, they can point to what they want, but we still have a lot of interpreting and problem-solving to do on our own. If we aren’t careful, we stay in this stage and don’t teach our kiddos the steps to problem-solving for themselves. 

The next most difficult thing? Allowing natural consequences to happen. (As long as your child is safe of course.) If your child saves their money for a long time to buy a new toy, but walks down the toy aisle and picks up something you know they’ll be disappointed with, let it happen. It will teach a valuable lesson that will last for years to come.

Another Essential Part of Problem-Solving

Perseverance is a big part of problem-solving. We are rarely able to solve problems the first time, and it’s essential that kids can find more than one solution to a problem. Studies have found that perseverance is actually the biggest predictor of success, even more than aptitude or raw talent. 

An entire module is dedicated to perseverance in our course for kids, Super Kid Adventures . Your kiddo will get 25 teacher-led lessons on character traits (perseverance, empathy, friendship, responsibility, and wellness) and activities that take their learning further. 

Super Kid Adventures

Want a free preview? Grab a FREE Perseverance video lesson that teaches your kiddo one of the most important secrets that help them use perseverance.

Want More? 

If you like this, you’ll love: 

The Ultimate List of Books that Teach Perseverance

7 Simple Ways to Encourage Independence in Young Children

How to Help Your Child Develop Self-Help Skills

Your Turn 

What are your favorite ways to teach problem-solving skills?

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About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a mama of two boys, a former teacher, and the founder of Discovery Play with Littles. Her mission is to make raising kids with character simple and fun. Join us for our best learning through play ideas, character growth activities, and family connection ideas so you can watch your child thrive.

Reader Interactions

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As a SLP trying to guide parents as I work with their child. I would like to know what toys to recommend to my parents as I assist in guiding their child’s development in cognition and expressive language.

Free Perseverance Lesson

Perseverance is the biggest predictor of success, even more than raw talent or aptitude.

Grab a FREE lesson to teach your kiddo one of the keys to perseverance...which is how we talk to our brains.

They'll learn what to say when they encounter something difficult, and why it's so important.

PLAY is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. -Mr. Rogers

Montessori Toddler

32 Top Learning Toys For 2 Year Old (Boost Development)

Is your 2-year-old walking or still crawling? Have you noticed they are still wobbly and unsure on their feet? Two-year-olds are clumsy and are all over the place. However, with the right guidance and the help of one of our suggested top learning toys for 2-year-olds, you can support their physical development and provide them with engaging opportunities to learn and grow.

They walk, crawl, run, climb, throw and drop things, and they make a ton of mess. Not their fault though. Their movements are awkward because they have not mastered their gross and fine motor skills yet. They can talk but not clearly, they keep falling, and need a lot of help.

7 Top Learning Toys For 2 Year Old

What are the top learning toys for 2 year old? The best toys for 2 year old are those that help them learn important skills like gross and fine motor movements, spatial awareness, imaginative play, language, and vocabulary, and learn colors, numbers shapes, and other cognitive skills. Two-year-olds need a lot of help in gaining the confidence and independence to move freely. They need toys to help them build strong muscles for movement. Toys should be able to help them with literacy and pre-math skills to prepare them for preschool. Lastly, learning toys for 2 year old should be fun and provide a meaningful experience.

Learning Toys for 2 Year Old

Don’t you find it overwhelming when shopping for learning toys for 2 year old? There are just too many choices. Lucky for you, we have come up with a list of the best for your little one.

Building Blocks

Building blocks provide endless possibilities for fun. Your two-year-old can build, construct, and design anything they can imagine.

It helps to develop their language and expand their vocabulary. Building blocks teach early math skills. Two-year-olds will learn to plan and strategize by learning about positions, colors, shapes, and sizes.

Want 20 Easy & Fun Montessori Activity for Your Child?

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Playing with building blocks is so much fun your little one will learn about balance, gravity, and geometry without even knowing it!

Matching Toys

Matching may look simple and easy but that’s what makes it effective. Matching requires visual memory and discrimination, improving a young child’s cognitive skills.

It practices the child’s skill in identifying patterns, similarities, differences, and relationships of objects. These help children learn about representation and build their problem-solving skills.

Matching toys also help improve fine motor skills. Not to mention they are so much fun to do with family members and friends. So it improves language, vocabulary, and social interaction too!

Puzzles are a must-have for every child. They are fun and educational. It can be a topic specific if you have a specific goal or lesson to teach your child. For example, if your two-year-old is starting to learn ABCs or numbers, you can reinforce that by letting them play number or letter puzzles.

Puzzles help develop:

  • Concentration
  • Language and vocabulary
  • Spatial awareness
  • Shape, color, size, objects, letter, and number recognition
  • Fine motor skills
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Cognitive skills

Words, Letters, Colors, and Numbers

Two years old is a perfect age to start learning about basic words, letters, colors, and numbers. It is a good way to develop their language and support their growing vocabulary.

These can come in different forms like flashcards, board games, puzzles, wooden blocks, abacus, and many other toys.

Wooden Musical Instruments

Simple wooden musical instruments are great for introducing music, sounds, and noise while having different sensorial experiences.

Music stimulates a child’s brain and can make learning easy. It is calming and improves two-year-olds creativity and imagination. It facilitates brain development.

Think of simple musical instruments like maracas, tambourines, ukuleles, or a drum.

Outdoor Toys

Exploration, especially nature exploration , is important for young children. This is how they can learn to understand their physical world and develop a connection to nature – plants, and animals.

Learning toys for 2 year old for nature exploration like big catchers, gardening tools, catching nets, or a fishing rod is a good start.

Being exposed to nature keeps kids active. They learn compassion for animals and other living things. They are encouraged to move and be active, developing their fine and gross motor skills.

Toys for Physical Activities

Being active is important for your two-year-olds. They have so much energy they need an outlet to channel that. Learning toys for 2 year old that encourage physical activity can include training bikes, a wagon, a ball, a wooden balance board, a claiming triangle, and an outdoor gym.

Physical activities help build strong muscles to improve movement and sharpen their senses.

Toys that encourage physical activities to promote social interaction, language development, and develop good character traits.

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters help children learn about shapes, colors, and spatial awareness. They provide a hands-on experience in matching shapes to corresponding holes, enhancing fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities.

Picture Books

Picture books are excellent educational toys for 2-year-olds as they introduce them to new words, objects, and concepts. They stimulate language development, expand vocabulary, and enhance visual recognition skills.

Nesting Cups

Nesting cups come in different sizes and can be stacked or nested inside one another. These toys teach children about size relationships, coordination, and cause-and-effect. They also promote sensory exploration as kids can fill them with water, sand, or other materials.

Counting Toys

Counting toys, such as number puzzles or counting blocks, are perfect for introducing basic math concepts to 2-year-olds. These toys help children learn to recognize and associate numbers with quantities, promoting numeracy skills and early counting abilities.

Magnetic Letters and Numbers

Magnetic letters and numbers are great tools for introducing the alphabet and numerals to young learners. They can be stuck on the fridge or a magnetic board, allowing children to explore letter and number recognition, spelling, and basic math operations.

Art Supplies

Art supplies, such as washable markers, finger paints, and crayons, encourage creativity, self-expression, and fine motor skills. They provide a sensory experience and help children develop hand-eye coordination, color recognition, and early writing skills.

Pretend Play Sets

Pretend play sets, such as kitchen sets, doctor kits, or toolkits, foster imaginative play and social interaction. They allow children to mimic real-life scenarios, enhancing language skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of roles and responsibilities.#

STEM & Montessori-inspired Toys: Introducing Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Discover the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Montessori-inspired toys designed to engage and educate 2-year-olds. These educational toys for 2-year-olds offer hands-on learning experiences that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativit y. With a focus on child-led exploration and independence, these toys provide a foundation for early learning and development.

Lovevery The Block Set

– The Lovevery Block Set is a play kit that promotes language, independence, and social-emotional skills.

– It is made from sustainably-harvested wood and other child-safe materials, ensuring the safety of your child.

– This toy offers educational value by encouraging problem-solving, balancing skills, learning numbers, imaginative play, and real-life skills.

– It is recommended for children aged 34-36 months.

– The set includes a wooden counting box, a land and sky puzzle board, a wooden camper van, and more.

– It is certified by the FSC, guaranteeing its sustainable sourcing.

– So far, there have been no product recalls for this toy.

– The only downside is that it can be a bit pricey.

KiwiCo Koala Crate

– The KiwiCo Koala Crate is a box that contains various arts and crafts, toys for imaginative play, and science activities.

– It meets safety standards, ensuring that the materials used are safe for children.

– The materials in the crate are a mixture of paper, wood, and cloth.

– It offers educational value through imaginative play, fine motor skills development, STEM learning, memory improvement, and creativity.

– This crate is recommended for children aged 2-4 years old.

– Each crate contains a random assortment of different preschool materials for hands-on learning.

– There have been no product recalls for this toy.

– The only drawback is that you cannot choose which items are included in the crate.

Montessori Generation Busy Board

– The Montessori Generation Busy Board is a bag filled with various activity options, including buckles, snap pockets, laces, buttons, and zippers.

– It is made of high-quality, child-safe materials to ensure durability and safety.

– The materials used in this toy are cloth.

– It provides educational value by promoting creativity, coordination, attention, memory, and fine motor skills.

– The recommended age range for this toy is 1-4 years old.

Magformers Basic Set

– Brand: Magformers

– Best features: Magnetic building blocks for open-ended creative play

– Product safety: BPA-free and made with high-quality materials

– Materials: ABS plastic magnets and high-quality construction

– Educational value: STEM learning, spatial awareness, problem-solving, and creativity

– Age range: 3+ years old

– Extra features: Includes various shapes for endless building possibilities

– Certification: ASTM and CPSIA compliant

– Product recall: None

– Cons: Some customers find the magnets to be a bit weak.

Learning Resources Code & Go Robot Mouse Activity Set

– Brand: Learning Resources

– Best features: Coding and programming game set with a robot mouse

– Product safety: Made with child-safe materials

– Materials: Plastic and electronic components

– Educational value: Introduction to coding and programming logic, critical thinking, problem-solving, and sequencing

– Age range: 5-9 years old

– Extra features: Includes coding cards, tunnels, maze pieces, and more

– Cons: Younger children may require adult assistance to fully understand the coding concepts.

Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst Kit

– Brand: Tinkering Labs

– Best features: Kit for building and experimenting with electric circuits and motors

– Product safety: Made with high-quality, child-safe materials

– Materials: Wood, plastic, metal, and electronic components

– Educational value: Hands-on exploration of engineering, circuitry, problem-solving, and creativity

– Age range: 8+ years old

– Extra features: Includes a variety of building parts, electric motors, and tools

– Cons: Requires adult supervision and guidance for younger children.

Educational Building Sets & Blocks: Building a Foundation with Learning Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Spark your child’s imagination and cognitive skills with educational building sets and blocks designed for 2-year-olds. These engaging toys foster creativity, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities . With a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, these learning toys for 2-year-olds offer endless possibilities for construction and exploration.

– The Educational Building Sets & Blocks are a rainbow-shaped block set that comes with little people figures.

– These blocks are made of high-quality, child-safe materials, ensuring durability and safety.

– The materials used are wood with non-toxic paint.

– They offer educational value by promoting creativity, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, logic, and problem-solving skills.

– These blocks are suitable for children aged 1 year and above.

– The only downside is that they can be a bit pricey.

Melissa & Doug 100 Piece Wood Blocks Set

– The Melissa & Doug 100 Piece Wood Blocks Set includes 100 pieces of solid wood blocks in nine shapes and four colors.

– These blocks are free from lead and phthalates, ensuring the safety of your child.

– They are made from sustainably sourced wood.

– This toy provides educational value by teaching early math concepts, engineering skills, color and shape recognition, fine motor skills, and dexterity.

– It is suitable for children aged 2 years and above.

– The box that the blocks come in can be converted into a carrying case.

– The set is certified by FSC, as well as US and EU conformity certificates.

– Some parents have complained about the block pieces being smaller than expected.

LEGO Classic Creative Bricks Set

– Brand: LEGO

– Best features: Classic LEGO bricks for unlimited building possibilities

– Product safety: Made with high-quality, non-toxic materials

– Materials: Plastic

– Educational value: Creativity, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and imagination

– Age range: 4+ years old

– Extra features: Includes a wide range of LEGO bricks in various shapes and colors

– Cons: The set does not come with specific building instructions.

PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set

– Brand: PicassoTiles

– Best features: Magnetic building tiles with vibrant colors

– Product safety: BPA-free and made with child-safe materials

– Educational value: STEM learning, creativity, spatial awareness, and problem-solving

– Extra features: Includes squares, triangles, windows, and more for endless building possibilities

– Cons: The magnets can be a bit weak, resulting in less stable constructions.

K’NEX Education Intro to Simple Machines: Gears Set

– Brand: K’NEX

– Best features: Building set for exploring simple machines and gears

– Materials: Plastic and metal

– Educational value: Introduction to engineering, gears, mechanics, problem-solving, and critical thinking

– Extra features: Includes gears, connectors, and building instructions for different models

– Cons: Younger children may require assistance in understanding the mechanical concepts.

Words, ABCs, Numbers, & Colors:  Fun and Learning Combined in Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Introduce your 2-year-old to the exciting world of words, ABCs, numbers, and colors through educational toys. These toys engage young minds in early literacy and numeracy skills while making learning fun . From alphabet puzzles to color recognition games, these interactive toys enhance vocabulary, letter recognition, and color awareness in an enjoyable and age-appropriate way.

Melissa & Doug ABC-123 Abacus

– The Melissa & Doug ABC-123 Abacus consists of 36 pieces of abacus wood blocks with ABCs and numbers or figures.

– The abacus blocks are made from sustainably sourced wood, ensuring their safety and durability.

– This toy offers educational value by helping children learn their ABCs, math concepts, colors, patterns, and fine motor skills.

– The blocks feature different illustrations, including animals and common objects or food items.

– The toy is certified by FSC, as well as US and EU conformity certificates.

– Some parents have complained about their kids’ fingers getting stuck between the blocks while turning them.

Battat Wooden Activity Cube

– The Battat Wooden Activity Cube offers different activity options on each side.

– It is constructed with sturdy and smooth materials, ensuring its safety and durability.

– The toy is made of wood with water-based, non-toxic paint.

– It provides educational value by promoting cognitive and problem-solving skills.

– This cube is recommended for children aged 1 year and above.

– It is certified to meet EU, US, and Canadian safety standards.

– The only potential drawback is that having too many activities to do in one toy might overwhelm your child.

Shape Sorter Puzzle

– This shape sorter puzzle offers a unique feature that allows your child to mix and match the slots to change their shape.

– It meets US product safety requirements, ensuring its safety for children.

– The materials used are child-safe plastic.

– This toy provides educational value by promoting problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and learning shapes.

– It is recommended for children aged 2 years and above.

– Some customers think it may be too complicated for a two-year-old.

Fat Brain Toys Count & Sort Stacking Tower

– The Fat Brain Toys Count & Sort Stacking Tower is a color-coded stacking and sorting tower designed to teach children about numbers and colors.

– The materials used in this toy are child-safe and meet international, US, and European safety standards.

– It is made of wood.

– This toy offers educational value by promoting cognition, sequencing, memory, counting, number recognition, and fine motor skills.

– The tower comes with number tiles, a stacking peg, and 45 color-coded discs.

– It is certified by ASTM, CPSC, European Safety Standards Commission, and the International Council of Toy Industries.

– The only downside is that the brand does not offer spare parts, so you cannot get new rings if you misplace any.

Leapfrog Storytime Buddy

– The Leapfrog Storytime Buddy is a cute plushie with a light-up tag button that makes Buddy talk and sing.

– It is made of soft cloth plushie materials, ensuring a safe and comfortable play experience.

– The toy is made of soft cloth and certified RoHS-compliant plastic.

– It provides educational value by promoting early reading, role play, and cognitive skills.

– This toy is recommended for children aged 2-5 years old.

– It comes with five read-along books.

– The toy is certified by RoHS.

– Some complaints have been made about the toy’s sound breaking down after a few days.

LeapFrog Mr. Pencil’s Alphabet Backpack

– Brand: LeapFrog

– Best features: Interactive backpack toy with alphabet and writing activities

– Educational value: Letter recognition, letter sounds, writing skills, and vocabulary development

– Age range: 3-6 years old

– Extra features: Includes interactive games, drawing, and music

– Cons: The backpack may be a bit small for older children.

Melissa & Doug See & Spell Learning Toy

– Brand: Melissa & Doug

– Best features: Spelling and vocabulary learning toy with colorful letters

– Materials: Wood and non-toxic paint

– Educational value: Letter recognition, spelling, vocabulary development, and fine motor skills

– Age range: 4-6 years old

– Extra features: Includes double-sided spelling boards and storage case

– Cons: Some parents find the letter pieces to be a bit small.

Lakeshore Learning All About Me! Personalized Photo Book

– Brand: Lakeshore Learning

– Best features: Personalized photo book for early literacy and self-expression

– Materials: Cardstock and non-toxic ink

– Educational value: Letter recognition, name recognition, early literacy, self-expression, and family engagement

– Age range: 2-4 years old

– Extra features: Allows personalization with child’s photos and names

– Cons: Limited customization options for the book’s content.

Puzzles: Engaging and Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Unlock the cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills of your child with educational puzzles designed for 2-year-olds. These captivating toys provide a platform for your little one to explore and develop critical thinking, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness . From shape puzzles that foster early recognition to jigsaw puzzles that challenge their growing abilities, these learning toys offer endless opportunities for growth and development. With vibrant colors, engaging designs, and age-appropriate challenges, these puzzles empower 2-year-olds to unleash their potential while having fun.

Hape Farmyard Peg Puzzle

– The Hape Farmyard Peg Puzzle is a 3D puzzle featuring a farmyard scene

– It is made of non-toxic, child-safe materials, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The puzzle is made of sustainably harvested rubberwood with water-based stains.

– This toy provides educational value by promoting cognitive and problem-solving skills.

– The puzzle pieces are labeled with colors for easy identification.

– Some parents have complained that the puzzle pieces were smaller than expected.

Matching Toys: Building Connections with Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Help your 2-year-old develop memory skills and visual recognition through matching toys. These educational toys provide opportunities for children to match and pair objects, fostering concentration and cognitive development . Whether it’s matching shapes, colors, or pictures, these toys offer engaging challenges that promote learning and cognitive growth.

VTech Mix and Match-a-Saurus

– The VTech Mix and Match-a-Saurus is a cute dinosaur toy with puzzle spikes for matching.

– It is made of BPA-free materials, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The toy is made of ABS plastic.

– It offers educational value by promoting cognitive and fine motor skills.

– The dinosaur moves around and makes sounds (requires batteries).

– It is certified to meet US and European safety standards.

– Some complaints have been made about the dinosaur playing the same song even with different puzzle combinations.

Puzzle Playhouse

– The Puzzle Playhouse is a puzzle that features colorful illustrations and child-friendly designs.

– It is made of eco-friendly recycled paper, ensuring sustainability and safety.

– The puzzle pieces are made of cardboard.

– It is recommended for children aged 2-5 years old.

– The puzzle features child-friendly illustrations.

– Some customers have complained that the pieces don’t click or fit snugly together.

Ravensburger My First Memory Game

– Brand: Ravensburger

– Best features: Classic memory game for young children

– Materials: Cardboard

– Educational value: Memory skills, concentration, turn-taking, and visual recognition

– Age range: 2+ years old

– Extra features: Includes large, colorful cards with familiar images

– Cons: The cards may be a bit thin and prone to bending.

ThinkFun Zingo Bingo

– Brand: ThinkFun

– Best features: Fast-paced bingo game for early learners

– Materials: Cardboard and plastic

– Educational value: Picture-word matching, vocabulary development, concentration, and social skills

– Extra features: Includes a Zinger device for dispensing tiles

– Cons: The Zinger device may require adult assistance for younger children.

Peaceable Kingdom Monkey Around

– Brand: Peaceable Kingdom

– Best features: Cooperative game for color and pattern matching

– Materials: Cardstock

– Educational value: Color and pattern recognition, cooperation, social skills, and turn-taking

– Extra features: Includes large, sturdy cards with adorable monkey illustrations

– Cons: Some customers find the game too simple for older children.

Imaginative Play, Role Play, & Pull Toys: Igniting Creativity with Learning Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Encourage imaginative play and role-playing skills with a range of educational toys designed to captivate 2-year-olds. From pretend kitchen sets to pull-along toys, these playtime companions inspire creativity, social interaction, and fine motor skills . With these toys, your child can embark on imaginative adventures and explore the world through imaginative and educational play.

Lovevery The Realist Play Kit

– The Lovevery The Realist Play Kit is a science experiment kit that includes lessons for volume and liquid conservation.

– It is made from sustainably-harvested wood and other child-safe materials, ensuring safety and sustainability.

– This toy offers educational value by promoting problem-solving, creativity, cognition, memory, fine motor skills, and basic science and math concepts.

– The recommended age range for this toy is 31-33 months.

– The kit includes a match-and-tap hammer box, memory game, board book, and a countdown timer with color indicators.

– It is certified by the FSC.

Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table

– The Little Tikes Spiralin’ Seas Waterpark Play Table is a two-tier toddler water table designed for showering splashes and waterfalls.

– It is free from phthalates and heavy metals, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The materials used are polyethylene and/or polypropylene plastics.

– This toy offers educational value through pretend play, sensory exploration, social development, and STEM learning, such as cause and effect, gravity, water flow, and volume.

– It is recommended for children aged 1½ years old.

– The table can be easily cleaned using household cleaners or disinfectant wipes.

– It is certified to meet ASTM safety standards.

– The lack of pre-drilled holes for assembly may make it a bit difficult to assemble.

Little Tikes Go & Grow Dino Ride On Toy

– The Little Tikes Go & Grow Dino Ride On Toy is a dinosaur ride that can grow with your child.

– It is free from BPA,

latex, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and phthalates, ensuring the safety of your child.

– The toy is made of high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.

– It offers educational value through imaginative play and gross motor skills development.

– This toy is recommended for children aged 1-3 years old.

– It features oversized back wheels for stability.

– It is certified by CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act).

– Some customers have complained that it’s too small for their two-year-old.

WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppet

– The WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Song Puppet is a puppet that sings the popular “Baby Shark” song.

– It is made of soft plush fabric, providing a comfortable and safe play experience.

– This toy offers educational value through pretend play.

– Kids can control the tempo of the song by opening the shark’s mouth fast or slow.

– The only drawback is that the shark’s mouth has to be moved in a specific way for the song to play at normal speed.

Hape Roller Derby

– The Hape Roller Derby is a colorful ramp toy with toy cars.

– It is made of child-safe, BPA-free plastic.

– The materials used are ABS plastic and beechwood.

– It offers educational value by teaching children about colors, cause-and-effect, gravity, numbers, and colors.

– This toy is recommended for children aged 18 months and above.

– The cars can move forward or backward.

– Some customers have complained that the pieces don’t click or fit together snugly.

Green Toys Fire Truck

– Brand: Green Toys

– Best features: Sturdy fire truck toy made from recycled materials

– Product safety: BPA-free and made with 100% recycled plastic

– Materials: Recycled plastic

– Educational value: Imaginative play, storytelling, fine motor skills, and environmental awareness

– Age range: 1+ years old

– Extra features: Includes a working ladder and two removable firefighters

– Cons: The ladder may be a bit stiff to move for younger children.

KidKraft Uptown Espresso Kitchen

– Brand: KidKraft

– Best features: Large play kitchen for imaginative cooking and role play

– Materials: Wood, plastic, and metal

– Educational value: Imaginative play, pretend cooking, social skills, and creativity

– Extra features: Includes a refrigerator, oven, microwave, and other interactive elements

– Cons: Assembly can be time-consuming.

Hape Wooden Pull-Along Snail Toy

– Brand: Hape

– Best features: Adorable pull-along toy with a friendly snail design

– Educational value: Gross motor skills, coordination, imaginative play, and cause-and-effect

– Extra features: The snail’s shell spins as it rolls

– Cons: The string for pulling may be a bit short for taller toddlers.

What are learning toys? Learning toys are also called educational toys. They are designed for learning a new skill(s), a lesson(s), achieving a new milestone(s), or improving existing ones. These toys are specifically crafted to engage and stimulate the minds of 2-year-olds, providing them with a hands-on and interactive learning experience. Whether it’s through puzzles, building sets, or language development tools, educational toys for 2-year-olds play a crucial role in their cognitive, physical, and emotional development. These toys foster creativity, problem-solving abilities, fine motor skills, and social interaction, laying a strong foundation for future learning. With age-appropriate challenges and engaging features, learning toys for 2-year-olds create an exciting and fun-filled environment for exploration, discovery, and growth.

Why do toddlers need learning toys? Learning toys for 2 year old are important to help them achieve their developmental milestones. Toddlers need learning toys to stimulate their innate desire to learn and do things on their own. These educational toys for 2-year-olds provide hands-on experiences that promote cognitive, motor, and social development. By engaging with age-appropriate learning toys, 2-year-olds can enhance their problem-solving skills, fine motor coordination, language development, and early literacy and numeracy abilities. These toys foster a love for learning and exploration, setting a strong foundation for their future educational journey. Whether it’s building blocks, puzzles, or imaginative play toys, the right learning toys for 2-year-olds can make a significant impact on their growth and overall development.

Are learning toys necessary? Learning toys are necessary to aid your child’s overall development and growth. Learning toys can come in different forms. You can buy manufactured toys, make DIY items, or use regular household objects for playtime. Educational toys for 2-year-olds provide age-appropriate challenges and activities that stimulate their cognitive, motor, and social skills. These toys foster creativity, problem-solving, and early learning concepts such as numbers, letters, and colors. They encourage exploration, curiosity, and a love for learning. Incorporating learning toys into your child’s playtime helps them develop essential skills while having fun and building a strong foundation for future learning.

Where can I buy learning toys for 2 year old? You can buy learning toys from your favorite local toy stores or buy them online. There are many available resources nowadays to shop for learning toys. Visit well-known retailers or browse through dedicated websites that specialize in educational toys for 2-year-olds . Online marketplaces also offer a wide selection of learning toys for 2-year-olds , allowing you to compare prices and read reviews before making a purchase. Additionally, consider checking out educational supply stores or visiting local children’s boutiques that prioritize learning and development. Don’t forget to explore second-hand options like consignment stores or online marketplaces, as you might find gently used educational toys for 2-year-olds at a more affordable price.

The best toys for 2 year old are those that help them learn important skills like gross and fine motor movements, spatial awareness, imaginative play, language, and vocabulary, and learn colors, numbers shapes, and other cognitive skills. Two-year-olds need a lot of help in gaining the confidence and independence to move freely. They need toys to help them build strong muscles for movement. Toys should be able to help them with literacy and pre-math skills to prepare them for preschool. Lastly, learning toys for 2 year old should be fun and provide a meaningful experience.

problem solving toys 2 year old

© Montessori Toddler 2023.

Entertain Your Toddler

Last Updated on 12/17/2019 by Karen

Best Puzzles and Problem-Solving Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Puzzles, puzzles, puzzles!

We love puzzles and problem-solving toys. My three-year-old is a thinker. She has more fun working on a puzzle or problem-solving than most other toys. And now her younger sister is following a similar trajectory.

Puzzles and problem-solving toys are the last category on our foundational toys list, but by no means the least. Kids need puzzles and problem-solving toys in order to work on critical thinking skills, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and well, problem-solving!

Stacking type puzzle where balance is needed

In this guide, I’ll walk you through some traditional and non-traditional puzzles, and lots of options for toys that encourage problem-solving and critical thinking.

I had a really hard time deciding what to put in this list because there are so many good options out there. I hope this guide can help you narrow down all those options and find the perfect gift!

As always, you need to be the judge of whether a toy is appropriate for your young child’s abilities and interests. I find it’s best to pick a puzzle that challenges but does not frustrate your child. This makes for us and our kids much happier.

After browsing our top puzzle and problem-solving toys, be sure to read my tips for extending puzzle play.

Disclosure: We use sponsored, or affiliate, links, which means that we could earn a small commission that helps fund our blog (at no extra cost to you!). All opinions are our own and we only recommend products we love. Thank you for your support and happy shopping!

Our favorite board puzzles with removable pieces

Sea Life Puzzle   //   Safari Animals Puzzle   //   Farm Animals Puzzle   //   Dinosaur Puzzle   //   Things That Go Puzzle   //   Construction Vehicles Puzzle

Melissa & Doug Wooden Chunky Puzzle 

We have just started collecting puzzles ever since we first played with the massive collection at our local library. She loves these Melissa & Doug wooden chunky puzzles, and I do too! 

Not only are they solid wood, durable, and hardwearing, the chunky pieces are easy to grab and can be played with as stand-alone figurines. 

These Melissa & Doug puzzles are perfect for young toddlers because under the puzzle piece is a picture of the piece that goes there to help little ones put the right shape in more easily.

First puzzle with picture displayed below where each piece goes

We started with the sea life puzzle, but I’ve got a few more I want to get this year and put links below in the order I’m planning to get them in. (Yes, these toy guides are just a glorified shopping list so that when birthdays and Christmases roll around, I’ve got my next thing ready to buy.)

If you are looking for more on your own, make sure to check that they are not the peg kind as some types with the peg in the middle have thin pieces that can’t stand up like these chunky pieces can.

Sea Life and Safari Animals puzzles

 1.  Sea Life Puzzle    

2. Safari Animals puzzle

Farm and Dinosaur puzzles

3.   Farm Animals Puzzle

4.  Dinosaur Puzzle

Things that go and Construction vehicles puzzle

5.  Things That Go Puzzle

6.  Construction Vehicles Puzzle

I would recommend getting two animal sets. That way you can mix up the pieces and sort them as you talk about animal habitats for yet another way to play!

Our library has this puzzle rack for storing their puzzles. Fits up to 12 puzzles (both the chunky puzzle size and larger).

Farm balancing block puzzle toy

Wooden Wonders Balancing Block Play Set  by Imagination Generation

I wrote about this game in my complete toy buying guide . These are cute little animal pieces that you can stack on a hard surface, or on the wobbly farm block.

This one was challenging for Elena at 18 months, so she mostly played with them as individual pieces . She was disappointed that she couldn’t put them in the barn, though.

Kids will work on fine motor skills, critical thinking, and (the reason for this post!) problem-solving.

Pile of colorful wooden balancing animal problem-solving puzzle toys

Here’s a few other options:   “Blockbeard” pirate set (though more difficult to play with individual pieces, like what do you do with the pirate heads? hmm….) Noah’s ark (2 of each animal, of course!) Lewo animal set (which we own and love!)

problem solving toys 2 year old

Tomy Hide and Squeak Eggs

Someone gifted us these ADORABLE little Hide and Squeak eggs and Elena loves playing with them. There is so much to learn and play with in this little half dozen egg set.

The eggs have different shapes on the bottom that fit into the matching shapes in the carton.

Each little chick inside is a different color and matches with the colored faces on the outer shell.

Plus, when you push down on the chick, it squeaks! Squeak, squeak! 

Toddler plays with TOMY colorful toy egg shape sorting and color sorting

It was a challenge at first for Elena to even open the carton. Then she discovered the different shapes on the bottom. And finally, she played by matching the colors. Sometimes Elenawill play with these as actual eggs for pretend cooking. 

Elena was two when we got these, but I could see a one-year-old or younger wanting to play with this set as well.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Fisher-Price Stack and Roll Cups

This toy doesn’t look like much at first… just your standard nesting cups set right? WRONG!

These bad boys can be nested, stacked, or snapped together to make 5 different sized balls! The little smiley at the top has a bell inside and can be hidden inside one of the balls.

Get these for a baby and he will keep playing with them in new ways as a toddler.

I can already think of several different ways to play with these cups, especially in combination with other toys. Color sorting, pretend cooking and eating, matching games, rainbow drums, hide-and-seek games, um, yeah, I think these are a great foundational toy !

problem solving toys 2 year old

Alex Discover Button Art

Fine motor skills will get a workout in this button art set. Toddlers will enjoy putting the buttons in the holes. As they become more interested, they can create the art by matching the colored buttons to the colors on the cards.

The pegs are more vibrantly colored than they appear here. They kind of remind of those food pouch lids that I like to save for color matching games and water play, so already there is another use for the pieces in this set!

It is under $10 right now, so although the cards are more flimsy than I would like, it still may be worth it even for just the buttons to be used as manipulatives in a variety of counting, patterning, and sorting activities.

Russian nesting dolls must be arranged by size for all pieces to fit making it a challenging problem to solve and rewarding puzzle for toddlers

Russian Nesting Dolls

Yes, there are tiny pieces once you get past the fifth or sixth doll, but Elena just loves our two sets so much and we’ve gotten several hours of play out of them , so I had to put the idea out here!

I know matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls) are not the first thing you think of when I say “puzzle” or “problem-solving toy,” but they really are.

The dolls need to be nested in the proper order for them all to fit together. The tops and bottoms need to be matched correctly, and you have to match up the designs so they look like one piece. There’s a lot of problem-solving going on!

Additionally, they can be played with as standalone dolls. Elena has also stacked these in numerous ways (like just tops in pyramid style, or just bottoms like nesting cups), so I believe these would make a lovely heirloom gift for a child.

This particular set from Amazon had good reviews and a lot of people mentioned how large they were (tallest doll is 8″ high), so I think this would be a good set for a child to play with.

I do like the bit of culture these matryoshka dolls bring. Russian nesting dolls were originally meant to be played with but have evolved into an art form. There are some very elaborate ones out there!

I also looked for a less delicate plastic set and found these little nesting penguins  and these fun little robots . Check them out if your child is not into dolls.

Shape sorters are classic problem solving toys

Top Bright Wooden Shape Sorter

How cute is this! It’s a cement truck shape sorter! Plus it comes with a little truck driver!

A shape sorter is for sure a good foundational toy , as you can obviously teach shapes, but you can also teach colors if you have brightly colored set, and do some stacking with the shape blocks.

This sorter has the added bonus of imaginative play and can be pulled around on the string. You can spin the barrel and tip it to dump out the blocks. All in all, a fun, educational toy!

**Note: The blocks are wooden, but the truck is a mix of plastic and wood.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Melissa & Doug Keys & Cars Wooden Rescue Vehicle & Garage Toy

One of my nephews is obsessed with firefighters and police officers, so I’m considering getting him this for Christmas.

It’s a wooden fire truck, ambulance, and police car that can be sorted in the color matching garage. What makes this a unique problem-solving toy is the addition of keys to lock and unlock the garage doors!

The keys will keep little toddler hands busy and working on their hand-eye coordination and color matching. When they tire of that, there is always the rescue vehicles to play with.

Woo-ooh-woo-ooh-woo-ooh! (I’m 99% positive that’s how you spell the sound a siren makes.)

A similar toy is this M&D Wooden Doorbell Dollhouse .

problem solving toys 2 year old

Eric Carle Matching Game  by The Wonder Forge

Does your child like The Very Hungry Caterpillar ? This is one of Elena’s favorite books. We have also just discovered matching and memory games, so this would be game I think she would love.

The cards/tiles are a sturdy chipboard and feature art by Eric Carle (author of Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The Tiny Seed, and more!). There are 72 tiles, so you’ll want to play with only 4 or 5 pairs to start with.

If you’ve never played Memory, basically, you mix up the cards and turn them all over. Then you take turns choosing two cards at a time with the goal of finding a matching pair.

For a young one, you could have the whole set face up and challenge them to find matching pairs or play I Spy .

You could also play Go Fish with these, though the chipboard could be tough to hold in one hand.

Afterwards, you can read an Eric Carle book and do a matching puzzle.

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar book and jumbo puzzle
  • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? book and simple puzzle pairs

I think these in combination with the matching game would make a perfect gift basket for an Eric Carle lover.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Grimm’s Water Wave Stacker

Grimm’s rainbow is a favorite among the Montessori/Waldorf people, but did you know there are other nesting sets in the “Elements of Nature” collection which are equally beautiful?

I decided to feature the water wave stacker because the shades of blue are so pretty and I like the ocean 🙂

These open-ended puzzle toys enhance a child’s creativity and imagination. The pieces can be laid on their side to make pretty patterns or stacked in different ways to create bridges or houses or fences for play with animal or doll figurines. It’s pretty amazing to watch a child play with these and get a glimpse into their creative brain.

I love how beautiful the Grimm’s sets are. They look like art pieces that I could display on a bookshelf in the living room. They are wooden and painted with child-safe non-toxic water-based paint and dyes.

Be sure to check out the fire flames nesting set  as well.

Grimm’s can be pricey, but Lewo makes a similar concept, but different style, colorful wooden puzzle set for less. Take a look if you’re interested.

Other Puzzles to Love

Here are a few  jigsaw puzzles that are adorable and perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

problem solving toys 2 year old

The Petit Collage Beginner Puzzles are lovely, unconfined animal-shaped jigsaw puzzles. I love this forest babies set of four puzzles.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Crocodile Creek Birthday Bear is a traditional rectangle jigsaw puzzle with 24 pieces and a whimsical illustration. Below are more floor puzzles from Crocodile Creek.

OK, here’s my favorite. I like these Mudpuppy Pouch Puzzles because they store neatly away in a zipper POUCH! Such a great idea for puzzle storage. You could easily toss one in your purse for play at the restaurant when you need to keep kids busy and quiet. Each pouch has 12 extra thick chunky pieces. 

One Last Tip for Extending Puzzle Playtime

Sensory bin!

Almost anything can be turned into a sensory bin, right? Fill a container with your favorite sensory bin filler (dry beans, rice, popcorn kernels, nothing wet of course) and hide the pieces of a puzzle in it . Let your child dig and scoop to find the pieces and then put it together.

problem solving toys 2 year old

If you’ve got an older child who needs a challenge, why not mix up a few different smaller sets of puzzles and have them sort the sets!

Do you have any other tips for new ways to play with puzzles?

Building toys are also great for building critical thinking skills and hand-eye coordination. Check out our favorite classic building toys  and our favorite building toys for little ones.

I hope these toy guides and gift ideas help you find the perfect gift for any kid on your list!

For more on building a toybox of only toys your child will play with and love, read this complete toy buying guide .

The best puzzles and problem solving toys

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Little Discoverer

Best STEM Toys for 2-Year-Olds in 2024

10 Awesome STEM Toys for 2-Year-Olds You Don’t Want to Miss

What are the best STEM toys for 2-year-olds ? Now that your baby has turned 2-year-old, it’s time to make play more productive and educational.

Kids nowadays are lucky. The market has provided so many advanced-level resources for them to learn all the big stuff: coding, bitcoins, blockchain…but are they really age-appropriate for babies and toddlers?

I agree that as your kid grows, play should be more educational. I also think that STEM toys for 2-year-olds should fit with their intellectual level. That’s why we rounded up these 10 best STEM toys for 2-year-olds.

More Educational Toy Ideas :

  • Best STEM Toys for 1-Year-Olds
  • Best STEM Toys for 3-Year-Olds
  • Magnetic Tiles for Toddlers

Best STEM Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Best STEM Toys for 2-Year-Olds

1. STEM Jr. Wonder Lab

Why We Love It?

  • Loaded with activities and sound effects
  • It encourages collaboration between parents and kids.
  • It comes with the experiment cards to help your child get started

This toy introduces many science-related subjects including Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics. All the accessories such as the eyedropper and lab goggles make the lab toy a real deal to kids. They learn to configure the ball slides, experiment with mixtures of different liquids, and connect circuits to activate lights. With a wide range of activities, this is one of the most comprehensive lab-themed STEM toys for 2-year-olds.

Entertainment Value

This toy is a total hit for all kids who tested it. We actually tested this toy with kids ranging from 2- to 7-years-old. Believe it or not, they all loved it! Little kids are mesmerized when they see the chemical reactions of the mixtures. It has many sounds and phrases to make the play experience more lively and entertaining. Older kids are more creative (sometimes in a bad way). In general, it is the most well-received toy among all kids.

Things to Consider

The toys is recommended for kids who are 2 years or plus. But it requires assistance from adults for smaller kids. So for your 2-year-old, be prepared to spend time with her and play together. If you want something for your child to play on her own, this may not be the best choice.

Drill and Learn Toolbox

2. Drill and Learn Toolbox

  • It is simple to use and portable
  • It motivates kids to “Do-it-yourself”
  • It invites 2-year-olds to practice fine motor skills

This toy encourages kids to use their hands. It lays a great foundation for later when your kid is old enough to build stuff using real hand tools. The biggest hit of this toy is that the working drill can screw and unscrew. In addition to the bolts and nuts, this toy also comes with a hammer and a wrench.

We are impressed with how popular this toolset is among kids of a wide range of ages, especially those around 2 to 3-years. Because it is simple to use, kids feel confident to approach it and try it out. The working drill gives them a sense of accomplishment. This toy doesn’t need parents’ assistance and can keep kids occupied for a fair amount of time. We noticed though the picture cards did not really appeal to kids.

The tools and accessories cannot fit inside the box. Therefore, storage is a bit frustrating as you can lose some parts. The tool box itself is not very easy to close for small kids.

 2-in-1 Kids' Tablet

3. 2-in-1 Kids’ Tablet

  • It features a realistic and clean design
  • It can be used as a laptop or tablet as it comes with a detachable keyboard
  • It is compact and lightweight

Parents know how much kids, even infants, like their parents’ electronic gadgets especially phones and laptops. My then 1-year-old daughter loved to “steal” my cellphone. This tablet is not directly related to any STEM subject but it is a great tool for learning two languages: English and Spanish. This toy is a great substitute for screentime.

The response of this toy is mixed. For kids who love it, it has become their favorite. There are kids though who get bored within 5 minutes. The most attractive part to kids is that its realistic look resembles those of their parents. That’s why they feel proud to own one. They take it with them and “work on it” as if they are making some important business documents.

I agree with some reviews that this toy has limited activities. Kids love it mostly because of its look. The screen doesn’t respond to the keyboard.

100 Pieces Mega Bloks

4. 100 Pieces Mega Bloks

  • This block set is only 20 dollars and work just as well as other expensive ones.
  • It is compatible with other major brands such as Lego Duplo.
  • The size of the blocks is easy for 2-year-olds’ small hands

When it comes to STEM toys, building blocks is a mus-have. Building blocks are remarkable open-ended toys that prompt kids to create things using their imagination. This 100 pieces building block set is incredibly well-received by 2-year-olds. It promotes problem-solving, focus, and imagination. This toy set comes in three shapes and seven colors. If 100 pieces are not enough or your kid loves to build something more elaborate, you have the flexibility to buy the 180 pieces set that comes with more parts such as doors, windows, flags, bridges, and a car.

After the initial guidance from parents to demonstrate the possibilities of what this toy can do, kids loved it! The blocks have just the right size for 2-year-olds’ little hands to maneuver. This toy keeps your 2-year-old quiet and busy for a long period of time. In addition, many parents mentioned that they actually enjoyed building stuff with their children together.

To some, 100 pieces and four shapes may not be enough. Especially if you want to build fancy objects. They do have a 180-pieces set that come with more shapes and colors.

 VTech Go! Go! Deluxe Garage

5. VTech Go! Go! Deluxe Garage

  • It is compatible with other VTech Go! Go! toys so that you can expand it to something more magnificent.
  • All parts are big, lightweight and don’t create choking hazards

2-year-old kids love to build things. Due to their age limit, they are not yet ready for advanced building toys. Therefore, guided construction toys are more appropriate as they have instructions to follow. This smart garage toy is great for pretend play. It is easy to assemble and is compatible with most other VTech Go! Go! collections. Loaded with sounds and smart points, this interactive toy teaches your child cause and effect. The tracks have sensors so that they activate different sounds as the cars pass through various gates.

There are many brilliantly designed components that make this toy attractive to 2-year-old kids. On top of its bright color and fun sound effects, what kids love the most is the interactive smart points as the car passes through. This toy comes with one vehicle, but you can buy additional cars and characters to make it more fun. The material of the toy and accessories are pretty durable to withstand kids’ abuse.

Once assembled, this toy is bigger than what we expected. It takes up a good amount of floor space. Another frustration is that small kids occasionally lean on it but the construction is not strong enough to hold their body weight. Therefore, it constantly falls apart. But on the flip side, assembling is fairly easy.

Little Tikes Waffle Blocks Fire & Rescue

6. Fire & Rescue Waffle Blocks

  • It comes with a mesh bag for easy storage
  • It is compatible with other waffle blocks so that you can mix and match different toy sets
  • The waffle pieces are large and make very sturdy constructions.

Comparing to small block toys that may be dangerous to 2-year-olds, waffle blocks are a good alternative. This Fire & Rescue Waffle Blocks toy set makes a wonderful open-ended STEM toy for small kids. While your child turns her imagination into creative construction objects, she is also practicing her fine motor skills. The real fire sounds and light-up flame make the play experience more realistic.

Kids love waffle blocks as they piece various blocks together and turn them into the building of their imagination. Many kids sit for hours while playing with this toy. Though the theme is fire & rescue, many kids turn the blocks into something more creative, such as houses, roads, containers, so on. They also love to use small characters to play make-believe games and scenarios.

One common complaint we found is that some pieces can be hard to snap together and separate. Sometimes kids can get frustrated if they are not able to disassemble the parts. You will need to stay nearby to help out when this happens.

 SpinAgain Stacking Toy

7. SpinAgain Stacking Toy

  • It’s the winner of the 2016 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award
  • It is made with coated ABS plastic and is BPA free
  • It is not only fun for kids to play with but also satisfying for adults to look at

At first glance, many parents’ reactions were “What is this? A pole and some gears?” Yep, this toy looks very simple, but once you hand this over to your kiddo, you will be surprised how much they like it. The six gears come in different sizes ranging from small to big. Each piece comes in two colors but you can stack them in a way that two pieces share one color. There are also two types of edges so that you can also stack the gears by the patterns. You kids will learn how to arrange objects by the size or pattern, understand relativity and color range.

There is something about this toy that makes kids attracted to it, especially kids from two to four-year-old. As they learn to order the gears either by size, color, or pattern, they practice their cognitive skills and learn to focus. Parents will be happy that this toy keeps their kid quiet and occupied for quite a long time. The interesting thing is that the gears spin in a very satisfying way and even adults can’t help but look as they spin.

Sometimes little kids don’t understand that the pole needs to stand stationary for the spinning to work properly. Since the bottom is not fixed to the floor, the pole can be knocked off or lifted out easily.

Squigz Starter Set

8. Squigz Starter Set

  • It is BPA-free and latex-free
  • It is dishwasher safe
  • It sticks to any smooth surface

This Squigz set is another fun and engaging STEM toy by Fat Brain Toys. Though look simple, these small magical pieces are every bit of fun. They can stick to any smooth surface: tables, windows, countertops, floors. If you want to be creative, you can stick it to your forehead or your arms! Kids can also piece them together to make creative objects such as rockets, vehicles, animals. These pieces are flexible so that you can bend your final creation any way you want. It is an amazing toy set for independent play.

During our experiments, all kids had a blast playing with this Squigz set! At one point they got so creative that they started sucking these little pieces on their faces, cheeks, and knees. They even made a chain and connected three kids together. This toy is fantastic to foster cooperation and team building. In addition, kids made lots of fun objects using these magical pieces. Some of the most creative ones are a necklace, an octopus, and a bridge. The manufacturer recommended this toy for 3 months to 15-years-old kids. We noticed that even bigger kids and adults loved playing with it, too.

The only drawback is its price. Each piece is approximately 1 dollar. But it’s worth every penny because it brings so much fun to the entire family.

Magnetic Doodle Board

9. Magnetic Doodle Board

  • It is designed with rounded edges and curves to ensure safety.
  • It is clean and easy to use, and won’t introduce harmful chemicals to 2-year-olds
  • It’s super lightweight for toddlers to carry around

Arts are great ways for children to express themselves emotionally. This magnetic doodle board is the easiest and cleanest way for your 2-year-old to practice drawing and writing. In addition to four vibrant colors, the board also has three shapes that your child can use for stamping. You can also use this board to draw and explain things to your kid. One of my favorite ways to use it is to explain math and equations. Comparing to pen and paper, this magnetic board is much safer for small children.

During our experiments with kids, we had kids who loved it so much that they even refused to share. Some kids prefer to use it alone while others enjoy working together in a team. It definitely helps reduce their desire to doodle on the wall or furniture.

Like all magnetic boards, you cannot clean only one spot but the entire vertical line. There are times the slider doesn’t clean all drawings in one shot so that you need to “wipe” it multiple times.

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10. Suction Kupz

  • They are made of 100% food-safe silicone and it is BPA-free.
  • They are dishwasher safe

This Suction Kupz toy set is another great open-ended toy from Fat Brain Toys. The cup-shaped design makes the toy as versatile as it is attractive. There are so many ways to play with it: rolling, stacking, and sticking. With the suction cup at the bottom, they can stick to any smooth surface and make creative patterns and shapes. The cups are also made with food-grade material so that your child can drink from it. That’s why it also makes a great toy for pretended play.

This toy is wonderful for so many locations and occasions that kids like to bring it everywhere. They play with it in bathtubs, on high chairs, in hotel rooms, in cars… you name it. Some kids use these little cups to make shapes such as square and triangle on glass doors. Some like to pretend that they are drinking from teacups. The greatest benefit is that they help keep kids busy and quiet even for flights and road trips.

Like many Fat brain Toys, this toy set is also not cheap. Each piece is around 2 dollars.

How Did We Select the Best STEM Toys for 2-Year-Olds?

We searched for STEM toys for 2-year-olds across many different online retailers and social media platforms. The evaluation process includes 1) online analysis: analyzing the manufacturer’s description and users’ reviews, 2) experts’ opinion: evaluations by colleagues who work in STEM fields and are also parents, 3) testing: Quality testing by 2-year-old kids, 4) feedback collection: collecting users’ feedback and rank the top 10 winners.

Key Things To Consider for the Best STEM Toys for 2-Year-Olds

As I mentioned in the Ultimate Guide to STEM Toys, kids around 5-years-old and above will benefit the most from STEM toys. Your 2-year-old can only learn so much about STEM-specific knowledge through toys. At this age, STEM toys are to introduce a concept. Therefore, rather than evaluating against the seven factors of what makes a good STEM toy, we are only considering if the toy is related to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Maths, as well as if it encourages open-ended play.

Age-appropriateness for 2-Year-Olds?

The toy must be appropriate to 2-year-old kids given their physical and intellectual abilities. Too advanced toys will only frustrate your kiddo. From a cognitive skills standpoint, your 2-year-old is able to name objects, play make-believe games, say sentences, and think on her own (watch out for her defiant behaviors parents!).

Being fun and engaging is one of the most important factors when it comes to toys of any age. Sometimes you think something is fun, but they just dismiss it in two seconds. Beware of all the Amazon reviews when it comes to how fun a toy is. My personal experience is that if you rely on that only, you may end up with one toy that you baby really likes, and five toys that she shows absolutely no interest. I know whether something is fun or not can be personal, but there are well-designed toys that are universally loved by 2-year-old kiddos.

Safety for 2-Year-Olds

Do these toys contain small objects that can be a choking hazard? Do they contain electrical components that can cause burn and electrical shocks? Are they constructed sturdily to prevent fall injury?… On one hand, you must read the labels and instructions for all toys before you give them to your child, on the other hand, some hidden dangers are not spelled out in the manuals and only experienced users will know. Therefore, we have highlighted the critical ones. You can also read on the Toy Safety Tips by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

At 2 years, your little one still learns the most through playing with toys and interacting with you or other toddlers. The best STEM toys for 2-year-olds can help facilitate their learning process and build up their thinking skills.

What are some of your favorite STEM toys? We would love to hear from you.

Cecilia Yeung Profile Picture

Cecilia Yeung is a successful entrepreneur and product researcher. She has a background in psychology and children’s education. As a working mother of two, she loves to write about children’s education and development.

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The best educational toys for two-year-olds in 2022.

  • Amanda Stellisano

problem solving toys 2 year old

Banish boredom with our pick of the best educational toys for two-year-olds that entertain and help kids learn as they play

At two years old, toddlers are rapidly learning about the world around them. They’re becoming mobile, gaining context of their environment and developing through mental stimulation. Getting kids to engage with the best educational toys can help boost both physical and mental skills, all while having fun.

Educational toys help children learn colours, words, numbers and motor skills. They can improve a child’s hand-eye coordination and critical thinking skills. While your child is playing and having fun, they’re also working on brain development. Puzzles, role-playing and mechanical toys all help your child expand their horizons while they play. And the repetition of play with these toys help solidify a child’s newfound skills.

It may be tempting to opt for toys marketed as educational, and which often come bearing a high price tag. But the truth is, at the age of two, such toys aren’t always the right option. Toddlers are excellent mimics and some of the more advanced toys may simply be encouraging them to memorise, rather than learn. The best way for a toddler to learn is through engaging with simple toys, with parents interacting and playing alongside them.

With so many toys available to help children learn and grow, below you’ll find our pick of the best educational toys for two-year-olds. For those overwhelmed by the choice on offer, read our guide on how to choose the right toys for your toddler.

READ NEXT: Best bath toys for babies and toddlers

Best educational toys for two-year-olds: At a glance

  • Best overall educational toy: Kids Building Blocks | Buy now
  • Best problem-solving toy: Little Dutch Little Goose Activity Cube | Buy now
  • Best musical toy: Baby Einstein Hape Strum Along Songs Magic Touch Guitar | Buy now

How to choose the best educational toys for your two-year-old

What types of educational toys are best for two-year-olds.

If you’re looking to add some educational toys to your toddler’s collection, there are some things you might want to consider before making a decision.

Does it encourage motor skills? Toys such as balls, blocks and puzzles help children develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This helps them become more coordinated and independent as they grow.

Does it encourage problem solving? Puzzles, nesting cups and shape-matching toys help your child to work on their mental dexterity as well as physical skills. This helps them to better understand the world around them, particularly new experiences.

Does it encourage imagination? Toys that don’t have specific roles, such as blocks, can be anything your child wants them to be. They can build different structures and use their imagination to see the blocks as whatever item suits the game currently in their head.

Does it encourage new vocabulary? Children of this age have a limited grasp on language, so toys that encourage them to learn new words are always helpful. Puzzles and playsets can help children to learn the names and terms for the items with which they’re playing.

Does it encourage independent play? Or parent interaction? As mentioned earlier, toddlers learn well when parents directly interact with them, with educational toys a key tool in this regard. Helping them name items, colours or shapes will encourage interaction and learn more quickly. That said, children should also be learning independence, so a toy that they can also enjoy on their own is ideal.

Other considerations

It may feel like educating your toddler requires structure, but one of the best things you can do is let your child play pretend, with no set rules or expectations. Open-ended toys can foster your child’s creativity while encouraging communication and problem-solving skills. In reality, most toys will help your child learn and grow as they play. Just make sure they’re having fun and the learning will come!

READ NEXT: Best sensory toys for autism

The best educational toys for two-year-olds you can buy in 2022

1. kids building blocks: best overall educational toy for two-year-olds.

problem solving toys 2 year old

A classic favourite of children everywhere, wooden building blocks are a quintessential educational toy. These blocks come in a variety of shapes and bright colours, helping children to learn new words as they develop the ability to identify blocks by their appearance.

These blocks also allow your child to free play, using their imagination to build whatever comes to their mind. Children can work on their fine-motor skills, stacking blocks and keeping structures balanced. And once they have the sense of accomplishment that comes with building, they can have fun knocking the blocks down before building something new.

Blocks also allow for play with other toys, such as cars and dolls, bringing the fun of open play. Made with sustainable, FSC-approved wood, these blocks are environmentally friendly – and a timeless favourite that is sure to deliver hours of fun for your toddler.

Key details – Materials: Wood; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 1-3 years

Buy now from Jaques London

2. Little Dutch Little Goose Activity Cube: Best problem-solving educational toy for two-year-olds

problem solving toys 2 year old

Another classic childhood toy, activity cubes offer children multiple challenges. Each side has a different activity for them to discover, so there’s plenty here to keep children playing without getting bored. All these activities help toddlers to work on their fine motor skills and problem-solving capabilities.

The cube’s top features wire spirals with beads to push around and spin, with the other sides offering gears that turn, plus shape sorting, sliding puzzles and spinning puzzles. Each activity will engage a child in a different way, helping them to identify shapes, colours, animals and numbers, as well as practise hand-eye coordination as they play.

Made up with a palette of soft colours, the design here is a nice contrast to the often bright and brash colours of many kids’ toys, helping them learn different shades of similar colours. If hours of stimulation and entertainment is what you’re after, this is a great choice.

Key details – Materials: Iron wire, teawood, beech wood, non-toxic water-based paint; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 18+ months

Buy now from JoJo Maman Bébé

3. Top & Bake Pizza Counter Play Set: Best educational cooking toy for two-year-olds

problem solving toys 2 year old

For a unique twist on the typical play kitchen, let your toddler learn to make pizza! This play set has 34 pieces to help your child use their imagination and learn a variety of things in the process. Children can work on their fine motor skills when building and cutting pizzas, while expanding their capacity for storytelling as they work their own pizza parlour.

The set includes a wooden crust, felt cheese and sauce, wooden pepperoni, olives, mushrooms and peppers. The parts have self-stick tabs that help keep the pizza together as the child builds it. Also included is a parmesan cheese shaker, a counter with a built-in pretend oven, a pizza paddle and rolling cutter. There’s a reusable menu, delivery box and pretend money, too.

Children can learn to count and sort while playing independently or interacting with adults, while also working on critical thinking and dexterity.

Key details – Materials: Wood, felt; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 18+ months

Buy now from Toy Street

4. Baby Einstein Hape Strum Along Songs Magic Touch Guitar: Best educational musical toy for two-year-olds

problem solving toys 2 year old

The positive effects that music has on young children is well documented. As such, it makes sense to include musical items in their range of educational toys. Made of wood, this play guitar with Magic Touch technology will see your child interact easily to produce realistic acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass and banjo sounds in six different keys.

The guitar responds to your child’s strumming action, allowing them to make their own chord combinations. Children can also play along to pre-recorded songs, while the guitar’s whammy bar activates Silly mode, which produces a wide variety of weird and wonderful sound effects.

A toy guitar helps children to learn about rhythm and sound, helps their motor skills and also encourages self expression. Here, children will also learn about colours and animals, which feature on the frets.

Key details – Materials: Wood; Batteries needed: Yes; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 12+ months

Buy now from Smyths

5. 1-2-3 Build It Rocket Train Helicopter: Best educational engineering toy for two-year-olds

problem solving toys 2 year old

If your toddler has taken a particular liking to cars and other vehicles, this STEM-authenticated play kit may be just what they’re looking for. The 17-piece kit allows children to construct either a rocket, a train or a helicopter. But the fun doesn’t end there: children can use the pieces to build their own creations, too, encouraging imaginative play.

All of the pieces are colourful and easy for toddler hands to grasp. Even the wrench is adequately chunky, making it easy for small hands to use. Arriving with a reusable storage box, children can also learn about the important task of putting away their toys.

A superb toy for developing fine motor skills and their vocabulary, children will likely need parental help to follow the picture instructions and build the rocket, train or helicopter.

Key specs – Materials: Plastic; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 2+ years

Buy now from Bright Minds

6. Shape Sorting Cube: Best educational matching toy for two-year-olds

problem solving toys 2 year old

This is another classic educational toy – and with good reason; there’s so much a child can learn with this one little cube! As well as learning shapes and colours, children will develop problem-solving skills and be able to practise their hand-eye coordination through this one simple toy.

Including basic shapes such as the triangle, circle and square, this shape sorter also offers more challenging designs including a trapezoid, sector and hexagon. With shapes sporting different hues, children will even get the opportunity to learn colours.

Toddlers can play by matching the correct shapes to the correct slots on the cube to improve fine motor skills, or simply match by colour. A sliding lid keeps all the pieces contained within the cube for storage, and makes this toy conveniently portable, too.

Key details – Materials: Wood; Batteries needed: No; Independent play: Yes; Age range: 12+ months

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Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers

  • Pretend Play

7 Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers

If you have a toddler, challenges like tough homework problems or social dilemmas are still a long way off. But their brains are already working to build the cognitive skills they’ll need to solve life’s “big” problems later on. For now, problem-solving activities – even ones that seem simple to us – can help them boost their cognition, resilience, and creativity. Best of all? These “problems” are actually fun! Here are seven simple problem-solving activities for toddlers and preschoolers you can start trying right away!

Memory Games

Those little memory card games with matching pictures are great for building concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills in your toddler! Many sets might come with a few too many pairs for a toddler to handle without help, so start with just three to four pairs and see if they can match them up! As they begin to master that, you can add in more and more pairs until they’re working with the entire deck. If you don’t have a deck, you can easily DIY your own with online printables or your own drawings.

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters are a classic problem-solving toy for young toddlers. In addition to matching the shapes to the correct holes, they’ll also need to figure out why the shapes don’t always fit into the hole, requiring them to rotate the shape or make subtle adjustments to their grip.

Sorting/ Grouping by Category

Sorting activities are excellent for toddlers’ problem solving and cognitive development, so there’s no need to stop with shape sorters! Set up simple activities that allow them to sort by a variety of categories. This can be as simple as letting them unload the dishwasher silverware tray into the silverware organizer. Or ask them to gather up all the yellow items they see in a room.

Rotating puzzles is a great way to keep the problem-solving challenge fresh for your toddler. Even a familiar puzzle can present a fun, “new” challenge for your toddler if they haven’t seen it in weeks.

Hide the Teddy Bear

One cognitive milestone for two-year-olds is the ability to find an object that’s been hidden under two or more layers. Once they’ve mastered that, they’ll be ready for more advanced hiding games. Try hiding a teddy bear or other toy when they aren’t looking and then give them clues to find it. You can start off with basic directions and then progress to tougher clues or games of warmer/ colder.

Help Mommy/ Daddy

Toddlers love to help, and helping Mommy or Daddy with a problem can be a lot less frustrating than solving their own. For example, if your little one has been determined to put on their own socks lately but always ends up super frustrated, try mimicking the same problem yourself and asking for their help. You can coach them through the process (“Now we need to stretch out the opening of the sock!”), and because their emotions aren’t already running high, they’ll be more likely to actually absorb your tips. You can model how to stay calm through frustrating situations and help them build confidence in their ability to tackle the same problem later.

Constructive Play Toys

The ability to build a block tower of four or more blocks is actually considered a cognitive milestone for two-year-olds. For three-year-olds, a tower of six or more blocks is the expected milestone. That’s because building anything, even a simple block tower, is a true problem-solving challenge for toddlers. Blocks, train sets, and other building toys let your child work out how to balance, fit pieces together, and deal with frustration as they learn to master the challenge.

Messy Learning Kids

Best Toddler Learning Toys for 2 Year Olds

Best Toddler Learning Toys for 2 Year Olds

As parents ourselves, we understand the importance of finding toys that not only entertain but also stimulate and engage young minds. That’s why we’ve taken the time to thoroughly test and evaluate various learning toys to help you make an informed decision.

In this review, we will highlight a selection of toys that our own children have tried and loved. We believe that hands-on learning experiences are vital for toddlers’ development, and these toys have proven to be effective in fostering their cognitive, motor, and social skills.

Each toy has been carefully chosen for its educational value, durability, and ability to capture a child’s attention. We understand that every child is unique, with varying interests and learning styles. Therefore, we have included a diverse range of options to cater to different preferences.

Related article: Best Outdoor Toys from 1 Year Olds

We hope that our firsthand experiences and insights will assist you in selecting the perfect learning toy for your 2-year-old. Whether you’re looking to enhance their problem-solving abilities, boost their language development, or encourage imaginative play, we’ve got you covered.

Educational Toys for Toddlers

What are Learning Toys?

Learning toys are also called educational toys, brain development toys, or instruction toys. They are a category of playthings designed to promote skill development and learning in children. 

Unlike traditional toys that are designed primarily for entertainment, learning toys are created with the goal of supporting different aspects of a child’s development.

These toys come in various forms, including building sets, puzzles, musical instruments, shape sorters, and more. They are designed to introduce children to basic concepts like colors, shapes, and numbers, as well as more advanced concepts like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. 

By engaging with learning toys, children can have fun while developing essential skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Little Girl with musical intruments

Why do Toddlers Need Learning Toys?

Play is an essential part of a toddler’s development. Through play, they can explore and learn about the world around them, develop their cognitive and physical skills, and build important social-emotional skills like empathy and communication.

Different types of play support different aspects of development, for example: 

  • Imaginative play can help children develop their creativity and problem-solving skills as they imagine different scenarios and solutions to problems. 
  • Construction and open-ended play, such as building with blocks, or art materials, can enhance spatial awareness and fine motor skills. They are important to fostering a child’s creativity and imagination.
  • Sensory play, such as playing with water or sand, can promote exploration and experimentation while developing fine motor skills.

Choosing the appropriate toys for toddlers is crucial to their development. It is essential to ensure that toys are age-appropriate and safe for toddlers to use. Additionally, educational toys can assist in the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, contributing to their development.

Parents can also utilize toys to bond with their toddlers. By playing with toys together, parents can participate in their child’s learning process , reinforcing the things they have learned. This bonding activity provides a chance for parents to foster a positive relationship with their children while also encouraging their development.

Elephant learning toy for kids

Budget-Friendly Learning: Creating Educational Toys at Home

Educational toys can be a great way to support a child’s development, but parents don’t need to buy a lot of expensive toys to provide a stimulating environment for their child. In fact, many educational toys can be made at home with simple materials, which can be a fun and cost-effective way to encourage learning and creativity.

For example, parents can create a sensory bin with items like rice, beans, or sand and add toys like spoons, measuring cups, and funnels to promote exploration, sensory play, and fine motor skills. Simple puzzles made from cardboard can also be an effective way to promote cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities. We made some free coloring printable puzzles for Earth Day and some for Thanksgiving.

Parents can also encourage imaginative play by creating dress-up costumes or constructing a fort out of blankets and pillows. Art supplies such as paper, crayons, and finger paint can help children develop fine motor skills, creativity, and self-expression. Even everyday objects like pots, pans, and utensils can be used for imaginative play, allowing children to experiment with different sounds, textures, and shapes. Sensory bottles, cardboard cars or planes, homemade playdough, and oobleck are all great educational toys. 

DIY cardboard ice cream truck

While real-world exploration is important for a child’s development, learning toys are also a valuable addition to support and enhance their growth. They can provide a structured and engaging way to teach specific skills and encourage imaginative play. Below, I have compiled a list of tried by our kids and true toddler favorites that can help foster various developmental areas.

Characteristics of the Best Educational Toys for 2-3 Year Olds 

Safe and non-toxic materials.

The top priority is to ensure that the toys are made of materials that are safe for young children, such as non-toxic plastic or wood. Look for toys that have been independently tested and certified by safety organizations, such as ASTM International, to ensure that they meet safety standards. In addition, toys with small parts or other potential hazards should be avoided for children under 3 years old.

Durable and Able to Withstand Rough Play

Toddlers can be rough on toys, so it’s important to choose toys that are durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Look for toys made with sturdy materials that won’t easily break or fall apart. Toys that can be easily cleaned are also a plus, as toddlers tend to put toys in their mouths and can get them dirty quickly.

Age-Appropriate and Developmentally Stimulating

Educational toys should be age-appropriate and tailored to the developmental needs of 2-3 year olds. Look for toys that encourage age-appropriate skills, such as fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Toys that promote language development and social skills, such as pretend play or games that require turn-taking, are also great options.

Learning Toy for Toddlers

Interactive and Engaging

The best educational toys for 2 year olds are those that are interactive and engaging. Look for toys that offer multiple ways to play, such as toys with buttons to push or levers to pull. Toys that make sounds or have lights can also be engaging for young children. In addition, toys that encourage exploration, such as those with different textures or shapes, can be very stimulating. Whenever we go to toy shops, Sara runs to those interactive, musical, flashing toys to push them and see what will happen. 

Encourage Exploration, Creativity, and Imagination

Lastly, the best educational toys for 2 year olds are those that encourage exploration, creativity, and imagination. Look for toys that offer open-ended play, such as blocks or art supplies, that allow children to use their imagination and creativity. Toys that encourage exploration of the world around them, such as nature toys, can also be great for promoting curiosity and a love of learning.

Shape Sorters and Stacking Toys as the Best Educational Toys for 2 Year Olds

Shape sorters and stacking toys are great for young children as they provide many benefits. They help develop fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, cognitive development, creativity, and language skills. These toys also foster independence and can be used to encourage social interaction.

Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker and Shape Sorting Cube

problem solving toys 2 year old

This Toy has become an absolute favorite in our household, providing endless hours of educational fun for my little toddler. Geometric Stacker Toddler Toy is a colorful set of 21 wooden shapes that can be matched and stacked on three rods, helping to build shape, color, and size differentiation skills, as well as hand-eye coordination. 

It’s made from child-safe materials and is perfect for children ages 2 to 4 as a screen-free learning experience. For an even more comprehensive learning experience, I highly recommend pairing the Geometric Stacker Toddler Toy with the Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube . This is a classic learning activity that engages children with 12 easy-to-grip, brightly-colored shapes that fit through matching holes in the wooden cube. 

The toy is made to last with sturdy wooden construction and promotes color and shape recognition, problem-solving skills

Montessori Wooden Educational Veggie Garden Stacking Toy 

problem solving toys 2 year old

This Montessori wooden toy set has exceeded my expectations in terms of quality and educational value. This high-quality Montessori wooden toy set includes 12 fruit blocks, 8 carrots, 10 worms, and a cart with different shapes and structures. 

Recommended age range from 2 to 4, this toy set provides an array of interactive games that promote essential developmental skills. Through pulling, sorting, and matching games, Sara gets to enhance their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and color and shape recognition. Additionally, the fruit blocks allow them to learn about different fruits, fostering both educational and imaginative play.

Not only is this toy set beneficial for individual play, but it also encourages social interaction during playdates. It’s wonderful to see my little one engage with friends and bond with them over fun learning activities. Moreover, it has become a fantastic tool for parent-child bonding, creating precious moments of shared exploration and discovery.

One of the standout features of this toy set is its commitment to safety. The wooden pieces are polished and coated with non-toxic water-based paint, ensuring that it’s safe for my child to handle and explore. As a parent, it’s always reassuring to know that my child can enjoy their playtime without any worries.

Skip Hop Developmental Learning Shape Sorter

problem solving toys 2 year old

Sara eagerly engages with the Skip Hop Developmental Learning Shape Sorter during her afternoon playtime. This interactive Yeti toy offers three stages of play to teach shapes and colors to little ones. 

  • In Exploration mode, the Yeti introduces shapes and lights up when pressed. 
  • In Shape Sorter mode, Sara places the pieces back correctly, earning lights, music, and rewards. 
  • Game Mode challenges her to find specific shapes and colors, with over 50 songs and phrases. 

With its engaging features, this toy sparks Sara’s curiosity while providing endless entertainment.

PlanToys Wooden Sorting & Stacking Tree 

problem solving toys 2 year old

Lara, Eniko’s daughter, was absolutely enchanted by the PlanToys Wooden Sorting & Stacking Tree. This delightful toy became her favorite playtime companion in the past.

Measuring 5.5 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches, the Stacking Tree perfectly fitted Lara’s little hands, allowing her to explore and create in her own imaginative way. With its 1 “tree trunk” and 8 branches that could be stacked in various configurations, Lara’s playtime was filled with excitement and discovery.

During her play sessions in the past, Lara not only had loads of fun but also developed important skills. The Stacking Tree helped her recognize shades of colors, nurturing her color recognition abilities. Additionally, the act of stacking the branches contributed to the development of her fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, fostering her overall dexterity.

Eniko told me that she was happy that this Stacking Tree was crafted sustainably from chemical-free rubberwood trees. As Lara has grown, the memories of her playtime adventures with this beloved toy remain cherished by both her and Eniko.

Wooden Geometric Shape Sorter and Stacking Train

problem solving toys 2 year old

Emma’s favorite toy in the nursery was undoubtedly the wooden train set. This delightful set includes 1 train engine, 2 carts, and 20 blocks of various shapes and sizes, offering endless opportunities for imaginative play. The blocks can be rearranged and stacked on the wooden train carts, while the pull-along cord allows the train to move smoothly with spinning red wheels. 

If you’re looking for a toy that combines creative play, motor skill development, and eco-consciousness, this train set is an excellent investment.

Best Educational Toys for Toddlers Age 1 – Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo

problem solving toys 2 year old

My kids were enthralled by these stackable spheres! We even had two of them, leading to friendly competition. Designed for ages 6 months and up, these high-quality ABS plastic spheres seamlessly integrate physics and modern design. 

They offer a range of activities such as balancing, nesting, spinning, and gravity-defying stacking, perfect for curious and active kids. Not only did they provide sensory exploration and imaginative play, but they also developed motor skills, coordination, and spatial reasoning. 

These spheres are a must-have for engaging and educational play! 

Wooden Puzzles as One of the Best Brain Development Toys for 2 Year Old

Wooden puzzles are a great toy choice for 2-year-olds as they offer a range of benefits that promote cognitive, fine motor, and social-emotional development. With a wide range of brands and themes available, parents can choose the perfect puzzle to suit their child’s interests and needs.

Melissa & Doug Old MacDonald’s Farm Sound Puzzle 

problem solving toys 2 year old

Melissa & Doug’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Sound Puzzle is a charmingly illustrated wooden puzzle board designed for children ages 2 and up. The puzzle includes 8 easy-to-grasp pieces with pegs to help with manipulation. 

When placed correctly, the puzzle plays Old MacDonald and encourages singing along with each animal completing their verses. This puzzle enhances hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills, and auditory processing. 

To ensure a peaceful night, it is advisable to turn off the puzzle. If certain puzzle pieces are not properly placed, the cheerful tune of Old MacDonald’s Farm may unexpectedly fill the room with the first rays of morning sunshine, “delighting” the entire family. 😂

South Bend Woodworks Kids Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle – Unique Gifts for 2-Year-Olds Girl and Boy

problem solving toys 2 year old

I recently introduced Sara to the world of letters, and the South Bend Woodworks Kids Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle has been an invaluable tool in her learning journey. 

This delightful puzzle not only allows her to recognize her own name but also serves as a wonderful resource for developing essential skills: cognitive and motor skill development, fostering her logical thinking, color recognition, and overall self-esteem.

The Wooden Name Puzzle is more than just a personalized item; it is a sustainable and engaging learning tool. As Sara plays with it, she not only learns her name but also discovers colors and letters.

The South Bend Woodworks Kids Personalized Wooden Name Puzzle has become an integral part of Sara’s early learning journey. If you are looking to introduce your little ones to letters, colors, and name recognition in an engaging and personalized way, this puzzle is a fantastic choice.

Hape Alphabet Blocks Learning Puzzle

problem solving toys 2 year old

In addition to the personalized name puzzle, I have another fantastic learning tool for Sara’s letter education. The Stand-up ABC blocks which I was using with Emma too, have become an invaluable resource in our educational journey.

The Stand-up Alphabet has a chunky and vibrant design, they fit perfectly in little hands, allowing for easy manipulation. Sara can stack them, place them upright, or neatly fit them into the corresponding letter cut-outs on the board.

They are surely durable, we have had them for 4 years. Safety is also a top priority, with smooth surfaces and non-toxic paints that won’t fade, providing a worry-free playtime experience.

It’s worth noting that the Hape Number Peg Puzzle Game is often purchased together with these letter-learning treasures. This combination of educational tools enhances Sara’s learning experience and offers a well-rounded exploration of letters and numbers.

These letter-learning delights have become essential components of Sara’s educational journey. The Stand-up ABC blocks provide a perfect blend of fun and learning. With their durability, safety, and educational benefits, they are an investment that will support your kid’s learning and development for years to come.

Janod Tactile Puzzle Pets

problem solving toys 2 year old

Lara’s love for dogs and her enduring interest in the Janod Tactile Puzzle Pets game go hand in hand. This colorful puzzle, featuring adorable pets at home, offers a delightful tactile experience with its variety of textures for each animal and object. Measuring 25.6 x 19.7 inches, it provides a generous puzzle size and even includes a poster showcasing the cozy scene.

The benefits of playing with puzzles like this extend far beyond entertainment. Lara’s fine motor skills improved as she explored and manipulated the puzzle pieces. The game also enhanced her creative memory, hand-eye coordination, mental speed, and patience, and encouraged independent play. Additionally, puzzles have been known to reduce anxiety by stimulating the brain.

Janod, a leading wooden and cardboard toy brand, has a long history of creating award-winning toys, puzzles, and building sets that are functional, timeless, and modern. They prioritize quality and safety, meeting all European and American safety standards with a focus on craftsmanship and education.

Play Kitchens and Other Pretend Toys as Best Toys for 2 Year Olds Girl and Boy

Play kitchens and food sets are toys that simulate cooking and food preparation. Play kitchens can come in a variety of sizes and styles, and often feature sinks, stoves, ovens, and cabinets for storing play food and utensils. 

Play food sets include plastic or food pieces made of wood that can be sliced, chopped, or served with play utensils. Both play kitchens and food sets are popular toys for young children as they offer many benefits for their physical, cognitive, and social development.

Play kitchens and food sets offer several benefits for 2-year-old toddlers. They promote imaginative play, social skills, and language skills, improve fine motor skills and teach basic concepts, cause and effect. They can also encourage healthy eating habits. Overall, they are excellent toys for promoting physical, cognitive, and social development.

Not only play kitchens but other pretend toys are having the same benefits. 

Step2 Fun with Friends Kitchen

problem solving toys 2 year old

Sara’s nursery boasts the most incredible play kitchen if you ask her. The highlight of this play kitchen is a realistic pretend stovetop burner, complete with electronic lights and sounds. With the special frying pan and boiling pot, kids can activate the captivating lights and sounds, enhancing the cooking experience. Additionally, the pretend single-serve coffee maker station, complete with a travel mug, add an extra touch of authenticity to the imaginative play.

Not only does this play kitchen include the essential stovetop and oven with clickable knobs, but it also features a microwave and refrigerator to keep all the pretend ingredients fresh and ready for cooking adventures. After whipping up delicious meals, little ones can pretend to wash the dishes in the molded-in sink with its swivel faucet, adding a realistic touch to the role-playing experience.

Storage is never an issue with this play kitchen. It offers ample storage options, including hanging storage, a molded-in dish rack, and shelves/storage bin areas. These convenient storage features keep all the kitchen essentials within reach, allowing kids to stay organized and making clean-up a breeze.

While this play kitchen is undoubtedly top-notch, we have personally enjoyed the HONEY JOY Kitchen Playset at home. It offers a similar level of enjoyment, allowing children to fully engage in imaginative play while being affordable. Assembly is required with this one.

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Doctor Set Blue

problem solving toys 2 year old

If you’re searching for the best doctor set for your kids, look no further than this comprehensive doctor play set. With 19 pieces and a convenient carrying case, it provides children with a complete medical experience. From a stethoscope and cell phone to forceps, bandages, eyeglasses, and a name tag, this set has it all.

Not only is this doctor set a ton of fun, but it also offers numerous developmental benefits. It enhances social skills, language development, fine motor skills, and overall skill development. As your toddler grows and reaches the age of three, you can expand their doctor play experience with additional toys like the Medical Station Toy Set or the Wooden Get Well Doctor Activity Center (made of wood and assembly is required).

problem solving toys 2 year old

Speaking from personal experience, my kids stumbled upon the Medical Station Toy Set in a soft play area and instantly fell in love with it. The set offers even more opportunities for imaginative play, allowing children to further explore the exciting world of being a doctor. The realistic features and interactive elements make it a captivating addition to any playtime session.

If you’re a parent or caregiver looking to foster creativity, learning, and pretend play in your children, this doctor set and the accompanying Medical Station Toy Set or even this Wooden Get Well Doctor Activity Center are excellent choices. They provide great entertainment while promoting valuable skills and nurturing your child’s imagination.

Toddler Workbench Tools Set for Kids

problem solving toys 2 year old

Emma’s and Sara’s cousin is fortunate to have this tool bench. Whenever they visit Tom,  their cousin, Sara is particularly drawn to this engaging toy and thoroughly enjoys playing with it. 

Packed with kid-sized tools like a saw, hammer, pliers, adjustable wrench, screwdriver, and even a battery-powered electric drill, this tool bench is designed to spark creativity and learning.

With its all-in-one design, kids can easily pack all the tools into the convenient tool case, making it portable for playdates and adventures. The spacious storage compartment ensures no tools are lost or misplaced.

This tool bench goes beyond fun and play; it fosters essential skills development. Children learn social interaction while exploring tools with parents, enhance their hand skills, and improve concentration.

Building blocks and construction sets

Building blocks and construction sets offer several benefits for 2-year-olds, including improving fine motor skills, encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills, developing spatial awareness, and enhancing language skills.

Some popular building blocks and construction sets for 2-year-olds include Mega Bloks, Duplo, and Tegu Blocks, Magnetic Tiles. 

Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Set

problem solving toys 2 year old

My kids are absolutely enthralled with the Melissa & Doug wooden building blocks set. They spend countless hours playing with these timeless educational toys, and it’s easy to see why. This set provides a hands-on, screen-free play and learning experience that captures their imaginations and keeps them engaged.

With 100 durable wooden blocks in four vibrant colors and nine different shapes, the possibilities are endless. My kids love experimenting with different combinations and constructing all sorts of imaginative structures. The variety of shapes and colors not only adds to the fun but also helps them develop important cognitive and spatial skills as they sort, stack, and build.

One of the standout features of this building block set is its sturdy cardboard box with a convenient handle, making storage and transportation a breeze. Whether we’re headed to a friend’s house or embarking on a family trip, my kids can easily bring their beloved blocks along. The lightweight design allows them to manipulate the blocks with ease, and the rounded edges and smooth painted finish ensure their safety while playing.

Suitable for kids aged 2 to 8 years, the Melissa & Doug Wooden Building Blocks Set is truly a gold standard in childhood play. It encourages open-ended play, stimulates creativity, and grows with my children as they develop new skills and explore new ideas.

To complement their building block collection, we recently added the Wooden Bear Busy Board to Sara’s playtime repertoire.

problem solving toys 2 year old

This fantastic addition enhances their hands-on experience by introducing a different set of challenges. With various latches to manipulate and unlock, Sara is improving their fine motor skills and honing their problem-solving abilities.

It’s a perfect complement to their imaginative play sessions, adding a new layer of tactile exploration and learning. However, adult supervision is crucial when engaging with this interactive busy board, specifically due to the inclusion of a metal hasp and various locks and latches. These components can potentially pose a safety risk if children are left unattended while playing with them.

LEGO DUPLO Classic Brick Box Building Set

problem solving toys 2 year old

Sara’s best friend introduced us to the incredible “Endless Builds” LEGO DUPLO set, and it has quickly become a favorite in our household. This set includes 65 colorful DUPLO bricks, a toy car, 2 figures, number-learning bricks, and even extra building ideas to spark creativity. It’s a fantastic toy that not only provides hours of fun but also promotes early learning and development.

One of the standout features of this set is its ability to encourage imaginative play. Our kids love creating their own unique structures and scenarios using the versatile DUPLO bricks. Whether they’re building tall towers, constructing a bustling city, or inventing exciting stories with the figures, their creativity knows no bounds.

After playtime is over, cleanup is a breeze with the LEGO-style toy storage box included in the set. It keeps everything organized and ready for the next play session, ensuring that no pieces go missing. This feature is a huge plus for parents who appreciate a tidy play area.

Designed for kids aged 18+ months, the “Endless Builds” LEGO DUPLO set is an ideal gift. It offers age-appropriate challenges and opportunities for exploration, supporting their early development and fostering a love for learning through play. The bright colors, chunky bricks, and engaging accessories are perfectly suited to capture their attention and keep them entertained for hours on end.

Both Sara and her best friend thoroughly enjoy playing with this set. Their faces light up with excitement as they bring their imaginative ideas to life and build new creations together. It has become a beloved toy that sparks their imagination.

EVERSMART 36 Pcs Wooden Stacking Blocks

problem solving toys 2 year old

Lara’s go-to choice for wooden stacking blocks is EVERSMART’s 36 stacking stones. These blocks not only provide a safe and enjoyable experience but also offer numerous developmental benefits. With their large size, smooth edges, and absence of choking hazards, parents can rest assured as their children play and explore.

These versatile stacking stones are not just limited to toddler play. They can also serve as modern decor pieces or even a stress-relieving activity for adults. With their open-ended nature, they foster learning and problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way. Designed for toddlers aged 1 to 3, EVERSMART’s 36 stacking stones are an exceptional investment that will captivate young minds and promote development.

Magnetic Building Sticks and Tiles

problem solving toys 2 year old

Emma has been enjoying her magnetic tiles, and seeing how much Sara loved them, I wanted to ensure that she also had age-appropriate magnetic toys. That’s why I decided to purchase this building stick set. While magnetic bricks and tiles are typically recommended for children aged three and above, there are specially designed options available that cater to the developmental needs of two-year-olds as well. These magnetic building sets provide a safe and age-appropriate introduction to the world of construction play.

The set includes balls and sticks that represent points and lines in geometry, making it easier for beginners to grasp basic concepts. The satisfying “click” magnetic connection reduces learning anxiety and helps children develop a keen interest in the building. The magnetic blocks are made of high-quality ABS plastic with no sharp edges, ensuring safety for children’s hands. With upgraded strong magnets and a total of 88 pieces, this set allows children to build anything they can imagine, both in 2D and 3D shapes. It stimulates creativity and enhances skills related to STEM.

For toddlers aged three and up, there is a wide range of magnetic tile options available. You can choose from colorful tiles , animal-themed sets , builder sets , or even character tiles like those featuring Frozen . Selecting sets based on your child’s interests will enhance their enjoyment during playtime and further ignite their imagination.

Best Toys for 2 Year Old Boy – Hieoby Wooden Tool Set for Kids

problem solving toys 2 year old

If you’re looking for a fantastic toy that combines fun and learning, the Toddler Tool Kit is an excellent choice. Our cousin Tom, who adores construction toys, absolutely loves this set, and it quickly became one of his favorites.

The kit includes 29 wooden pieces, including a toolbox, saw, hammer, wrench, screwdriver, and building blocks. Not only does it provide endless imaginative play possibilities, but it also encourages the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. It’s specifically designed for children aged 2 to 4, ensuring age-appropriate challenges and engagement.

One of the standout features of this tool kit is its versatility. It serves as a 3-in-1 solution, functioning as a storage box, a tool bench, and a carrying box. This practical design keeps all the pieces organized and easily accessible, while also allowing for on-the-go play. The set is made of non-toxic solid wood with smooth, rounded edges, ensuring the safety of your child during playtime.

Musical Instruments and Sound Toys as Educational Toys for 1-2 Year Olds

Musical instruments and sound toys offer several benefits for 2-year-olds, including developing fine motor skills, enhancing cognitive development, promoting social skills, encouraging creativity and imagination, and promoting relaxation. Popular options include xylophones, drums, shakers, and keyboards, which come in various sizes, colors, and materials. 

3 in 1 Piano Keyboard Xylophone Drum Set

problem solving toys 2 year old

Sara’s favorite in the nursery, this toy offers a world of musical fun and learning opportunities.

This toddler toy serves as a baby piano, kids drum set, and xylophone, providing a variety of musical experiences for your child. With pleasant sounds and flashing lights, it creates an engaging and cool sensory experience that captivates kids’ attention. The multiple modes available help teach numbers, colors, and animals, promoting early cognitive development.

Playing the drums, xylophone, or piano on this toy enhances important skills such as eye-hand coordination, motor skills, and auditory sensation. Children will love exploring the different sounds and rhythms they can create, fostering a love for music from an early age.

The cute appearance and touch-sensitive buttons of the toy make it particularly appealing to children. The interactive nature of the toy keeps them engaged and encourages exploration. Parents will appreciate the volume adjustment button, allowing for noise-free control and a more peaceful playtime experience.

Ehome Musical Instruments for Toddlers

problem solving toys 2 year old

I must mention that my kids have a natural talent for dancing and singing. They truly shine whenever they perform. In fact, Sara’s toddler dance classes have this complete collection of musical instruments, and whenever they start singing, Sara’s eyes light up with anticipation as she eagerly reaches for these instruments to accompany their beautiful voices.

If you’re seeking to nurture your children’s love for music and create unforgettable moments of singing and dancing, this set of musical toys is an absolute must-have. In our household, these instruments have become an integral part of Sara’s musical journey, enhancing her passion for music.

This comprehensive set includes a diverse range of instruments, such as a clapper, wood sounder, wrist bell, wood xylophone, maracas, tambourine, triangle with striker, bird whistle, shaker eggs, trumpet, castanets, rainbow bell stick, face bell, rainbow column, and handle a sleigh bell. It’s like having an entire band at your fingertips! With this variety, children can explore different sounds and rhythms, igniting their creativity and musical exploration.

These percussion instruments are crafted from high-quality and durable toona sinensis wood, ensuring their longevity and safety. Cleaning them is effortless, requiring only a simple wipe with a wet cloth. The set even includes a convenient storage bag, allowing for easy transportation during outdoor activities such as camping trips.

Musical Educational Toys for Toddlers Age 3

problem solving toys 2 year old

Lara’s toy collection just got even better with this amazing Baby Musical Toy set! It includes 4 Jazz drums, 4 guitars, 6 rocks, 4 pianos, 4 saxophones, and 6 play and switch modes. With 32 music modes, this toy is designed to promote your toddler’s sense of music and rhythm. Each music mode will inspire your little one to enjoy and explore the wonderful world of music.

Not only is this toy fun, but it also offers valuable learning opportunities. It serves as a fantastic early childhood development gift, as the 6 colorful buttons encourage your toddler to recognize different instruments. The 3 colors lights further enhance your child’s visual development, creating a stimulating and engaging experience. The sounds and songs incorporated in this toy aid in your toddler’s listening development, helping them become more attuned to different sounds and melodies.

As an educational learning toy, this playset offers numerous benefits for your child’s development. It helps in the development of their sense of touch, as they practice fine finger skills by pressing different buttons and engaging with the interactive features. The toy serves as a wonderful tool to encourage your baby’s learning journey, providing an interactive and engaging experience that promotes early learning.

Words, Letters, Colors & Numbers

Toys that teach basic concepts such as words, letters, colors, and numbers promote cognitive and language skills in young children. Benefits include language development, cognitive development, fine motor skill development, enhanced early learning skills, and improved creativity and imagination. Popular toys include alphabet and number puzzles, flashcards, magnetic letters and numbers, and color sorting games.

Our toy collection already boasts a wonderful selection of toys featuring letters, numbers, and colors. However, I believe it’s time to introduce a new set of educational toys that will take your child’s learning experience to the next level. These toys offer a more complex and engaging approach to early education.

VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe

problem solving toys 2 year old

I am thrilled to share my experience with the toddler desk and chair set, as it has exceeded my expectations in every way. My daughter, Emma, had the opportunity to start exploring this remarkable set when she was two years old.

This toddler desk and chair set offers an array of engaging activities that have captured Emma’s attention and facilitated her learning journey. With five interactive activity pages, she explored new words and sounds directly on the desk, making language acquisition an enjoyable experience. The LED display adds an element of excitement as it presents the ABCs, letter and number stroke order, and basic shape drawing.

What makes this set truly versatile is its ability to transform into an easel and chalkboard. This feature not only encourages artistic expression but also provides storage space for art supplies, fostering creativity and discovery. Emma loved engaging in pretend phone calls and listening to music on the built-in music player, which added an element of fun to her learning sessions. The progress button is an excellent addition as it allowed me to track Emma’s skill levels across different learning activities, enabling me to witness her progress firsthand.

The activity center itself is packed with educational content, including over 100 vocabulary words, more than 20 activities, and a selection of delightful songs and melodies. This comprehensive range of engaging materials kept Emma entertained while promoting her cognitive development and expanding her knowledge base.

One of the standout features of this set is the option to expand its capabilities as Emma grows. The 4-in-1 Kindergarten Expansion Pack is a fantastic addition that includes four expansions specifically designed for children aged 3 to 5. From preparing for kindergarten to building essential math skills and exploring future aspirations, these expansion packs offer a wealth of interactive learning experiences. The included cartridges and double-sided activity pages are compatible only with the VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe, ensuring seamless integration with the existing set. Additionally, the set includes durable wipe-clean cards, which provided an additional activity option for Emma.

Overall, I am highly satisfied with the toddler desk and chair set and its accompanying expansion pack. The quality, versatility, and educational value it offers are unparalleled. Emma’s engagement and progress have been remarkable, and I am confident that this set will continue to support Sara’s learning and growth. 

If you are seeking an exceptional educational tool that combines fun and learning, I wholeheartedly recommend the VTech Touch and Learn Activity Desk Deluxe and its compatible expansion packs. Prepare to be amazed by the positive impact it will have on your child’s development.

How do I choose the best learning toys for my 2 year old?

To choose the best learning toys for a 2-year-old, consider age-appropriateness, developmental stage, variety, interactivity, quality, personal interests, and recommendations from other parents or early childhood educators. Look for toys that are safe, engaging, durable, cover different areas of development, and align with your child’s interests and preferences.

How can I encourage my 2 year old to play and learn with their toys?

To encourage a 2-year-old to play and learn with their toys, you can play with them, create a dedicated play space, rotate toys, incorporate learning, encourage creativity, limit screen time, and follow your child’s lead. By offering a positive and engaging environment, you can help your child develop a love for learning and play that will benefit them in the long run.

4 things for Christmas - something they want

Can learning toys really help with my child’s development?

Yes, learning toys can help with a child’s development by promoting cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. While learning toys can be beneficial, it’s important to note that they should not replace opportunities for unstructured play and interaction with caregivers. Children also need to engage in imaginative and open-ended play, explore their surroundings, and interact with people around them to develop a range of skills and competencies.

What are some signs that my child may be ready for more advanced learning toys?

Signs that your child may be ready for more advanced learning toys include mastery of basic concepts, interest in problem-solving, curiosity about the world, good coordination and dexterity, and age-appropriate milestones.

How do I balance the need for educational toys with the importance of play and fun for my 2 year old?

To balance educational toys and fun for your 2-year-old, follow their interests, mix up the types of toys, make learning fun, play together, and allow for unstructured play. Every child is unique, so it’s essential to pay attention to their needs and provide a variety of experiences that promote both learning and play.

What toys do toddlers actually need?

Essential toys for toddlers include building blocks, play kitchens, musical instruments, learning matching toys, and outdoor play equipment. These toys promote physical, cognitive, and social development, as well as hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. However, every child is unique, so it’s essential to provide a variety of toys that cater to their individual interests and needs.

Educational Toy for 2 years olds

Selecting the best educational toys for 2-year-olds plays a vital role in their overall development. On our website, you will discover a wide range of activities designed to foster various skills and promote learning through play . We also offer a selection of homemade toys that provide unique and engaging experiences. If you’re looking for outdoor toys , we have a fantastic collection to explore as well.

Remember, when choosing the best toys for 2-year-olds, it is important to consider age appropriateness, safety, and educational value. The best learning toys for toddlers are not always the most expensive or high-tech; simple toys that encourage creativity, imagination, and problem-solving can have a profound impact on their development.

By providing children with appropriate learning toys, caregivers play an active role in supporting their growth and setting them on a path to lifelong learning. So, take the time to explore our offerings and discover the perfect toys that will inspire and empower your child’s educational journey.

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problem solving toys 2 year old

Learning toys for 2-year-olds

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Delivered every 3 months, each Play Kit includes playthings, activities, and expert tips that foster the progression of important skills as your child grows.

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Toys for problem solving skills

Double Sided Sunny Day Puzzle (2 YO LP)

Double-Sided Sunny Day Puzzle

Sort & Stack Peg Puzzle from The Enthusiast Play Kit

Sort & Stack Peg Puzzle

Land And Sky Two-Part Puzzle Board from The Free Spirit Play Kit

Land And Sky Two-Part Puzzle Board

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Toys for hand-eye coordination

Drop & Match Dot Catcher from The Helper Play Kit

Drop & Match Dot Catcher

Solid Wood Stacking Boulders from The Free Spirit Play Kit

Solid Wood Stacking Boulders

Match & Tap Hammer Box from The Investigator Play Kit

Match & Tap Hammer Box

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Toys for early STEM

Liquid Lab from The Investigator Play Kit

Every Which Weigh Scale & Pails

Wooden Counting Box from The Free Spirit Play Kit

Wooden Counting Box

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Toys for independent play

Super Sustainable Sink With Bio-Based Cups & Plates from The Helper Play Kit

Super Sustainable Sink With Bio-Based Cups & Plates

Squeaky Clean Squeegee Set from The Enthusiast Play Kit

Squeaky Clean Squeegee Set

Wooden Camper With Locking Doors from The Free Spirit Play Kit

Wooden Camper with Locking Doors

2 YO LP Book Bundle

More beloved toys for toddlers

Encourage independent table setting, nap-time prep (and cleanup), and creative problem-solving play with these Lovevery essentials.

The Music Set (Color Block Yellow)

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Organic Nap Mat

The Block Set - Color Block Yellow

The Block Set

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Home » Recommendations » Toys » 10 Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

10 Educational Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Your little toddler is getting into all sorts of things. At this age, children are growing intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. 2-year-olds are learning many skills around language and problem-solving. Your child might be able to follow simple directions (when she wants to). Most children at this age can sort shapes and find things hidden under several covers.

1. Fat Brain Toys Personalized Name Puzzle – $27

problem solving toys 2 year old

Some toddlers may start to recognize the letters in their name. The personalized name puzzle from Fat Brain Toys promotes letter recognition, name recognition, self-esteem, problem-solving, and fine motor skills. Each and every name puzzle is carved out of solid, high-quality wood and painted with vibrant, non-toxic colors. Promote your toddlers individuality with a unique, custom puzzle. The puzzle will be carved out exactly as typed on Fat Brain Toy’s website (Capital letters A – Z only). Each letter is 3-inches tall. The base measures 4.5 inches high. The width of the base depends on the length of the child’s name.

Why we Recommend?

  • Custom made — uncommon names are no problem
  • Up to 9 characters per puzzle
  • Promotes logic, fine motor, name spelling, and self-esteem
  • Solid wood construction
  • Vibrant colors
  • Non-toxic paint
  • Pieces are just the right size for little hands to grasp

2. Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn, Learn to Dress Puppy – $18

“Learn

The Fisher-Price Learn to Dress Puppy is a great toy for 2-year-olds to learn basic getting-dressed life skills. This Puppy also helps improve fine motor coordination. This toy is loaded with upbeat songs and encouraging phrases to teach toddlers how to get ready for the day. The songs, sounds, and phrases play when you press Puppy’s belly. Toddlers can learn about different types of clothing, daily routines, body parts, and shapes. Your little one can practice buttoning a shirt, buckling a belt, tying one shoe, and using the velcro strap on the other. As toddlers practice buttoning, buckling, and tying to help Puppy get dressed, they are learning all-important life skills. This can boost their confidence in their own ability to help themselves.

  • Promotes fine motor development
  • Exercises dexterity and hand-eye coordination
  • Provides practice for self-help and daily living skills
  • Buckle, button, shoelace, and velcro strap
  • 30+ playful songs
  • Introduces body parts, shapes colors, and daily routines

3. Melissa and Doug Dump Truck – $20

problem solving toys 2 year old

Shape sorters and vehicles make excellent toys for 2-year-olds. This Dump Truck from Melissa and Doug is a combination an cool truck and wooden block shape sorter. Toddlers can drive blocks and small people figures around as they play. The shape sorter emphasizes basic math skills. Each of the 9 blocks fits into a different shaped hole on the side or top of the dump truck. Smooth rolling wheels deliver the payload wherever your little one desires. Lift the tailgate and dump the blocks out to play again. Toddlers can work on motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they fit the shapes into their corresponding holes.

  • 9 wooden blocks in vibrant colors
  • 2 people figures fit nicely in the truck’s cab
  • Teaches shapes and colors
  • Encourages imaginative play
  • Promotes motor skills and hand-eye coordination

4. Tag Toys Wooden Tumble Down Counting Pegs – $65

problem solving toys 2 year old

Teach counting in a concert, active, and enjoyable way with Tag Toys Wooden Tumble Down Counting Pegs . To start learning, put one of the 10 interchangeable number plates on top of the counting box. Encourage your 2-year-old to place pegs into the holes while counting out loud. When first learning to use the toy, and adult may need to count for the toddlers. However, with repeated interactions, toddlers can learn to count the pegs all on their own. Once the counting is complete, the child can pull the knob and the pegs tumble down. This cause-and-effect interaction stimulates like a reward, reinforcing the activity as a fun way to learn.

  • Teaches number recognition
  • Child learns to count from one to ten
  • Introduces the concept of quantity
  • Promotes fine-motor skills, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination
  • Self-reinforcing, educational play
  • Wood construction

5. Lakeshore Learn the Alphabet! Dough Mats – $10

problem solving toys 2 year old

These colorful alphabet mats turn dough art into a fun, educational experience. Learn the Alphabet Play Mats from Lakeshore Learning outline upper- and lowercase letters. They also feature pictures of things that start with each letter. Children can use their own dough to form each letter on the mat. The whole thing comes with 26 mats that are size 8-inch by 10-inch. The dough is sold separately.

  • Teaches letter recognition
  • 26 mats in all — letters A to Z
  • Hands-on learning
  • Forming dough strengthens motor skills and hand muscles
  • Reusable mats

6. Leap Frog LeapStart – $40

problem solving toys 2 year old

  • Interactive board with stylus
  • Covers many skills
  • problem solving skills
  • reading comprehension
  • phonics and spelling
  • counting and math
  • Expandable with 25+ books (sold separately)
  • 30+ educational activities in every book

7. Marvel Education Caterpillar Story Props and Book – $60

problem solving toys 2 year old

Engage children in imaginative, hands-on learning with The Very Hungry Caterpillar Props and book . Act out the Hungry Little Caterpillar by Eric Carl with these soft story props. Use the large, plus Caterpillar to act out “eating” each of the 16 food props then transforms it into a butterfly. Your 2-year-old will be amazed. Toddlers are starting to develop an understanding of narrative order. Teach literacy and story sequencing from a young age. You can talk about concepts such as first, next, and last.

  • Make literacy fun and engaging
  • Teaches story sequencing
  • Puppet changes from caterpillar to butterfly
  • 15-inch wing span
  • 16 padded food props
  • Reusable for story repitition

8. Hape Creative Peg Puzzle – $20

problem solving toys 2 year old

Promote spacial problem-solving and fine motor skills with this Creative Peg Puzzle . The grooved shapes add an extra dimension of challenge and fun to this colorful peg puzzle. Each peg has small wood protrusions that prevent the shape from sliding down easily. Fortunately, the shapes have grooved holes that allow them to fit when turned just the right way. Your toddler will have fun twisting to fit the grooved shapes along the complex peg system. This toy promotes logic, matching, spacial awareness, and critical thinking.

  • Introduces logic, sorting, and matching
  • Exercises spacial awareness, critical thinking and problem-solving
  • Strengthens dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills
  • Teaches cause and effect
  • Wood constrcution
  • Pieces are good size for little hands to grip

9. Fat Brain Toys Forrest and Friends Discovery Tree – $70

problem solving toys 2 year old

  • Just the right hight for toddlers
  • Keeps little hands busy exploring
  • Promotes hand-eye coordination, fine motor, and cause and effect
  • Provides sensory exploration and experimentation
  • Loopy rails with vibrant colored beads
  • Spinning gears and propellers
  • Doors that open and blocks that slide along tracks
  • Lots more fun springs, spinners, and sliders
  • Durable wood construction

10. Melissa and Doug First Shapes Jumbo Knob- $10

problem solving toys 2 year old

  • Solid Wood Construction
  • Teaches colors, shapes, and matching
  • Promotes imaginative play
  • Knobs are great for little hands to grip
  • Increases spacial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and visual perception

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8 Learning Toys for 2-Year-Olds, Recommended by a Child Psychologist

8 Learning Toys for 2-Year-Olds, Recommended by a Child Psychologist

posted on October 22, 2020

As a mom of two girls and a child psychologist, I see personally and professionally how play helps with development, social skills, emotion regulation, parenting skills, and behavior problems. People often ask me what are good learning toys for 2-year-olds. Or, what I have in my own kids’ playroom. This is why I started a social media series. There, I share fresh ideas for every month of early childhood. Sometimes a common theme emerges around the toys, but in reality – most fit under multiple categories.

Here is the full list of my favorite learning toys for 2-year-olds and why:

Image of Ooly Play Again Reusable Stickers - Princess Garden - Recommended by Child Behavior Clinic

Ooly Play Again Reusable Stickers

Mess-free imaginative play.

Peeling and placing help with fine motor skills. You can wash the stickers clean if needed. Super durable and thick. The board scene is sturdy and has storage room. A few stickers are small, so remove those if anyone may be tempted to put in his/her mouth. We have the Princess Garden, but there are also dragon, outer space, and mermaid themes. Buy on Amazon

Image of Mudpuppy Pouch Puzzle - On the Farm - Recommended by Child Behavior Clinic

Mudpuppy Pouch Puzzles

Help develop problem-solving skills.

Helps little ones develop finger strength, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. Zippered pouch makes it easy to store and use on-the-go. They're so great that we have TWO, On the Farm and Mighty Dinosaurs (of course). Buy on Amazon

Image of B. toys - Bristle Blocks Stackadoos – STEM Toys for Kids 2 years - Recommended by Child Behavior Clinic

Bristle Blocks

Stem building blocks.

Great for working on dexterity, fine motor skills, hand eye-coordination, imagination, creativity. Lately, our blocks have become "birds" and "dinosaurs." 🤣 Buy on Amazon

The Pencil Grip Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint

The Pencil Grip Kwik Stix Solid Tempera Paint

Quick drying, washable, less mess paint for toddlers.

I didn't know these existed until we got them in a Lovevery box a few months back. They're an awesome less-mess, less-worry way for toddlers to paint. Getting the caps on and off and twisting the paint out also helps with fine motor and coordination skills. Try with blank paper or use with printable sheets/coloring books with your toddlers favorite characters. Buy on Amazon

HABA My Very First Games - First Orchard

HABA My Very First Games – First Orchard

Great co-op game to introduce board games to toddlers.

It helps to develop social skills, taking turns, counting, and color recognition. Bonus - the game pieces are also great for pretend play, since we're all about that at this age. Buy on Amazon

Image of smarTrike Indoor Toddler Trampoline with Handle - Ball Pit with 100 Balls Included - Foldable Kids Trampoline

smarTrike Indoor Toddler Trampoline and Ball Pit

Awesome foldable kids trampoline.

It's great for gross motor movement. Especially as the weather is getting cooler, we're looking for more ways to burn energy off inside. It's often used as a backdrop for pretend play too - a pool, a train car, a skating rink. You name it, it's probably been it. Comes already with 100 crush-proof balls, but I recommend getting more. Buy on Amazon

Image of KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set - Recommended by Child Behavior Clinic

KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set

Pretend and independent play.

We have the Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen With Lights & Sounds. It's big enough for two kids at the same time. KidKraft makes different sizes and styles though. It's great for pretend and independent play, social skills, and fine motor skills (turning of knobs and buttons). There are cabinets and shelves that let young kids put toys away themselves and work on independence. Buy on Amazon

Image of Learning Resources Snap n Learn Dinos - Recommended by Child Behavior Clinic

Learning Resources Snap’n’Learn Dinos

Great fine motor, counting & sorting toy.

Our daughter LOVES dinosaurs. These snap n learn dinos help with the fine motor skills by pushing together and pulling apart. They're great for pretend play, color naming, and sorting. Buy on Amazon

As my kids grow, I will keep adding to this list so bookmark the page for great toy ideas every month. In the meantime, if you have any suggestions or questions, never hesitate to contact me . I answer every message!

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15 Brain Development Activities 2-Year-Olds Will Love

Parents and educators can provide 2-year-olds with fun activities that help them reach cognitive milestones. These activities are fantastic for 1-year-olds, 2-year-olds, and even 3-year-olds. I’m sharing fifteen favorite brain development activities you can do with your toddler at home or in the classroom.

A two-year-old plays with wooden blocks.

A 2-year-old is developing the following cognitive skills, according to the  HSELOF :

  • Exploration and discovery
  • Reasoning and problem-solving
  • Emergent mathematical thinking
  • Imitation and symbolic representation

Brain Activities for 2-Year-Olds

Puzzles help 2-year-olds develop problem-solving, reasoning, exploration, and spatial awareness skills.

Jigsaw puzzles are too advanced for most toddlers. Instead, look for chunky puzzles, puzzles with easy-to-hold knobs, and frame puzzles. Toddlers can advance to big floor puzzles or inset puzzles (similar to jigsaw puzzles, but the pieces don’t interlock).

Obstacle Courses

Design an at-home obstacle course to challenge and entertain your two-year-old. Remember, the brain connects to the rest of the body through the nervous system. So encourage your 2-year-old to test their agility, balance, and coordination!

Here are some toddler-approved obstacle course ideas:

  • A line of pillows or cushions
  • Table or chair to crawl under
  • Low stepstool to jump off
  • Pop-up tunnel to crawl through
  • Small slide
  • Yarn “laser maze”
  • Hula hoop hop
  • Low balance beam
  • Tape line “balance beams”
  • Balance stepping stones

Shape Sorters

Shape sorters are the perfect activity for toddlers learning about different shapes. Shape-sorting activities help toddler brain development by improving emergent math, problem-solving, and exploration skills.

Show your 2-year-old how the toy works (if needed), then let them try to match the shapes themselves. Shape sorters are hard work, so praise your toddler’s effort. Even without successfully sorting, toddlers can build problem-solving skills and learn shape names.

Magnet Toys

Magnet toys are an incredible way to introduce science and engineering to 2-year-olds. Toddlers develop exploration and discovery skills while experimenting with how magnets attract and repel. Magnet toys promote skills in emergent math, reasoning, problem-solving, and symbolic representation.

Using magnet blocks to sort, stack, and build structures. Here are some of my favorite magnet play materials:

  • Magnetic wooden blocks
  • Ball & rod magnet toys
  • Magnet boards
  • Refrigerator magnets

Always inspect magnet toys and supervise your 2-year-old around magnets.

Block play provides toddlers with hands-on experience in problem-solving, spatial awareness, and symbolic representation. If possible, toddlers should have opportunities to play with regular blocks (wooden unit blocks) and interlocking blocks (Duplos, Mega-Bloks, etc.).

Blocks are also an opportunity for toddlers to explore stacking, dumping, falling, lining up, and more. Some 2-year-olds may be ready to construct buildings or use blocks in imaginary play.

Musical Instruments

Parents and caregivers can foster their creativity and promote their cognitive development by introducing 2-year-olds to musical play.

Exploring musical instruments to build toddler imitation and discovery skills. Playing musical instruments is a lifelong practice; toddlers can develop musical memory and problem-solving skills early.

If you don’t have access to toy musical instruments, you can create your rattles from bottles, drums from buckets, or a whole band from kitchen pots and utensils. 

Search & Find

When toddlers search for objects, they use problem-solving, spatial awareness, reasoning, and memory skills. Search-and-find activities also encourage 2-year-olds to explore and learn about their environment.

Try some of these fun and easy search-and-find activities:

  • Find the toy
  • Hide and seek
  • Scavenger hunts
  • Find the picture in books

A two-year-old works on a puzzle activity.

I have already reviewed the  benefits of playing with play dough . But play dough activities are fantastic for supporting 2-year-olds’ brain development. 

Younger toddlers will develop cognitive skills in exploration, discovery, and imitation. Older toddlers can use play dough for creative play, which develops problem-solving and symbolic representation skills.

Check out some of our  favorite play dough ideas for toddlers .

Matching Games

Toddlers improve emergent mathematical thinking skills by matching objects and understanding similarities and differences. While playing, your 2-year-olds will also develop memory and attention skills while focusing on the details. Matching skills are closely related to sorting and classifying play .

Matching activities for 2-year-olds can be super easy. While playing together, point out when toys match in shape, color, texture, or pattern. Talk about matching during meals, while getting dressed, or at storytime.

You can purchase toddler sorting toys or collect household items to match and sort. Get more ideas on the loose parts material list .

Color Mixing

Toddlers are still learning colors, so color-mixing activities are perfect for hands-on learning. During color mixing activities, 2-year-olds build the cognitive skills of exploration, discovery, matching, and reasoning.

Try these fun color-mixing activities:

  • Melting different colored ice cubes
  • Mixing fingerpaint colors (on paper or in a ziploc bag)
  • Combining play dough colors
  • Securing colored cellophane paper over a flashlight
  • Mixing dyed water (using food dye or liquid watercolor) in a water table

Nature Walk

Along with many other benefits, time outside helps children develop spatial awareness, memory, discovery, and exploration skills. 

While on a nature walk, you and your 2-year-old can complete a  nature scavenger hunt , collect loose parts, or talk about what you see, smell, hear, and feel.

Contact Paper Collage

All open-ended art activities are great for toddler brain development. A sticky contact paper collage adds a sensory-rich experience.

Tape a sheet of contact paper to the table, sticky side up. Then offer your 2-year-old pieces of ribbon, yarn, and scrap paper to stick and peel. Then you can seal the collage by placing another sheet of contact paper on top.

This activity helps toddlers develop problem-solving and spatial awareness skills while exploring new materials.

Stacking & Nesting Cups

A set of stacking/nesting cups is a pretty simple toy, but it creates many opportunities for brain-boosting play. These toys target cognitive skills such as exploration and discovery, problem-solving, and emergent mathematical thinking.

While playing with stacking/nesting cups, 2-year-olds explore graduating sizes and different ways to stack or combine cups. Use the cups for a pretend meal to build imitation and symbolic representation skills!

Tip : Measuring cups are low-cost substitutes for stacking/nesting cups!

A two-year-old plays with a shape sorting toy.

Reading to your 2-year-old daily will support their brain development. Storytime together promotes your toddler’s literacy, memory, and symbolic representation skills.

Sound books and sensory books are perfect for targeting your curious 2-year-old’s exploration and discovery skills too!

Sink & Float

Your toddler can do a sink and float activity during bathtime, in a  kiddie pool , or in a water table (or water-filled plastic tote!).

Start by collecting about a dozen objects, some that sink and some that float. Encourage your 2-year-old to drop these items into the water one at a time. Discuss how each item sinks to the bottom or floats on the water’s surface. 

This activity targets the brain development skills of reasoning, problem-solving, exploration, and discovery. Your toddler gets to actively explore the properties of each object alongside splashing in the water.

Popular Questions about Toddler Brain Development

All  interactive activities  will boost your toddler’s brain development. Find an activity your child is interested in, and that also makes them think and problem-solve.

Play-based and age-appropriate activities in nurturing environments will help your child’s brain get strong. Children must also have their physical needs met, including plenty of sleep, hydration, and regular, nutritious meals.

You can stimulate your 2-year-old’s brain by stimulating their senses.  Sensory ,  language ,  nature ,  play dough , and  vestibular and proprioceptive  activities will all support your child’s brain development.

Explore the post above for activities designed to stimulate your 2-year-old’s brain and support cognitive skills.

Parents and educators should teach 2-year-olds about their world through play. Teach your 2-year-old how to ask for help, explore the environment safely, and express themselves creatively.

Discover more  play and learning activities for toddlers .

Around age two, children discover the toys and activities that interest them the most. Some typical activities a 2-year-old would do is look at books, stack blocks, scribble with crayons, sing nursery rhymes, fill and dump objects, climb and jump, and play with toy cars or toy figures.

You can learn more about this  stage of play development here .

When 2-year-olds are playing and engaged, they are learning!

Limit  screen time  for your 2-year-old and focus on interactive activities such as,  sensory play ,  backyard activities , and  household loose parts .

More play ideas

A toddler explores a sorting set during a container play activity.

The Magic of Container Play: Boost Baby & Toddler Learning

Parents read to their baby during a literacy activity.

Literacy Ideas for Babies: Easy Activities from My Infant Classroom 

A child balances stacking blocks during a block activity.

The Best Block Play Activities & Environments for Young Children

Students participate in an outdoor exploration during a nature-based in an early childhood classroom.

Nature-Based Early Childhood Education: Best Tips & Activities

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Developmental Therapist

Hello, I'm Alysia (uh-lee-shuh), a developmental therapist for infants and toddlers with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Special Education. As the founder of Well Beings with Alysia, I'm demystifying child development for parents and early educators. Learn how to introduce the play-based activities, books, nature materials, and toys I use in classrooms and early intervention. Contact me: [email protected]

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The 5 Best Montessori Toys for Toddlers (1-2 Years Old)

Kelly O'Lone

This post may contain affiliate links; please see our  terms of use  for details.

  • Montessori toys focus on developing pincer grasp, gross motor development, and life skills. 
  • The Montessori method teaches children self-expression, self-reliance, and to think on their own terms. 
  • The best Montessori toys for 1 and 2-year-olds are well-built and last the test of time. 

When my kids were younger, I was constantly looking for educational toys that were both fun and provided a learning experience. I also wanted to find quality products that could last for multiple kids. 

What I didn’t realize early on were the numerous benefits Montessori toys provide, like helping with language development , promoting concentration, and instilling a love for learning in children. 

Montessori toys for one-year-olds are an excellent way to introduce young toddlers to toys that encourage learning and are a great resource for parents who want to promote the Montessori method. 

TOP BRIGHT Montessori Toys for 1 Year Old Boy Girl Toddlers, Wooden Activity Cube Toys, First Birthday Gift, Baby Toy for 12-18 Months with Bead Maze Shape Sorter

Our Top Choice: Top Bright Activity Cube  

Top Bright Activity Cube

  • 5 In 1Activities – Our activity cube for 1 year old combines 5 different activities in 1. Bead maze, Learning clock, Shape sorter, Spinning Gears and Zig zag sliding side. This development toy keeps children busy and entertained, while developing their logical thinking, imagination and creativity.
  • Montessori Toys for Toddlers – This one year old boy girl toy wooden activity cube is designed to building toddler’s sensory, promote fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, shape color recognition and number counting.
  • Safe For Kids – Our wooden baby toys was made from natural solid wood with polished edges and non-toxic water-based paint. Passed the highest toy safety standards. It’s a great toy for 1 year old boy and girl.
  • Gifts For 1 Year Old – If you are searching for a birthday or Christmas gift with educational learning and fun, this toddler toys is the best choice. Parents and teachers will love it.

The Top Bright Activity Cube is one of the best Montessori toys for 1 and 2-year-olds since it works on several developmental milestones. Montessori toys for 1-year-olds are excellent at encouraging spatial reasoning, and the Activity Cube helps promote this with its shape sorter toy. 

Spatial reasoning is a child’s ability to visualize how objects move in a 3-D world. In addition to the shape sorter, the activity cube has a bead maze, sliding insects, spinning gears, and a teaching clock. 

The top of the cube easily comes off to access the inserted shapes, and it also doubles for storage when not in use. 

In addition, if you have multiple children who want to play with the cube, you can leave the top aside, and it creates an extra toy.  

There are countless activity cubes on the market, but parents appreciate that this is compact and doesn’t take up much space, which is helpful when you have kids. It can also be used as a tabletop activity while you are cooking dinner and want to keep your child entertained. 

If you are looking for gift ideas for your favorite toddler, consider the Activity Cube one of the best toys to encourage a kid’s learning. 

Material : Wood | Manufacturer Recommended Age: 12 months and up View on Amazon | View on Walmart.com | View on eBay.com

Best Multi-Activity: 6-in-1 Whack-a-Mole Game 

6-in-1 Whack-a-Mole Game

  • 【6 In 1 Wooden Toy Set】This interactive toy allows your kids to play 6 games in 1 toy: whack-a-mole, magnetic woodpecker catches worms, carrot harvest game, playing the xylophone, number & time cognition, gear rotation. Your child will be super immersed in it and won’t get bored, which saves money and solves storage difficulties
  • 【Safe and Durable】Made with natural wood ensures safety & durable, polished by a multi-layer process with smooth edges, water-based paint, odorless. Children are well-protected while playing, abundant accessories attract baby’s attention, bright colors stimulate kid’s perception of color, great toy for your lovely boys girls to be kept for many years
  • 【Educational Montessori Toy】An early development toy to participate in baby’s growth, whack-a-mole exercises eye-hand coordination, magnetic woodpeckers aiming worms to develop fine motor skills, quick reaction & logical thinking skills, two hammers &mallets to share to help improve social skills, xylophone playing develop musical perception-Just like a real musician!
  • 【Grow Parent-child Intimacy】This sensory toy is perfect tool for parents to spend free time with your children and participate in the growth of them, enhance parent-child interaction during play, help your child release extra energy when you’re tired. A perfect choice as learning toys for 12-18 months baby’s development

If you have an active toddler, they will thoroughly enjoy the 6-in-1 Whack-a-Mole Game . Children will enjoy playing with the xylophone, hammering the various characters, rotating the clock and gears, and looking at the vibrant colors of the toy. 

The 6-in-1 Montessori toy is a great first birthday or Christmas gift if you know young toddlers eager to work on several skills simultaneously. Many parents appreciate it isn’t huge and is ideal when you are short on space. 

Parents will want to watch their kiddos to ensure they put the pieces in the correct place, or they might get stuck. For example, don’t let your toddler put the worms in the carrot holes to prevent issues!

Best for On-The-Go: Busy Board 

Exorany Busy Board

  • 🐯MONTESSORI TOYS FOR TODDLERS: Montessori is a educational method that is based on self – directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. Busy board is one of the most perfect Montessori toys for toddlers. Montessori busy board can practice your child how to dress, identify letters/colors/animals, strengthen hand-eye coordination, and develop problem-solving skills through playing.
  • 🐰DURABLE AND SAFE:In the design of this Montessori toys-busy board, we always adhere to the principle of security first. Sensory toys are made of high quality felted wool, soft with no hard corners, no harm to the skin and no peculiar smell. Components are tightly nailed to the educational toys so that they will not be torn off by the baby and swallowed by mistake. Montessori toys are very safe and durable.
  • 🐱LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE: The busy board measures 11×8.4 in and weighs 0.45 lb. The lightweight handbag design of this busy board allows kids carry and use it very easily in cars or airplane. You can easily put it into your backpack, so you can take it everywhere you want.Excellent portability makes it a perfect travel toy.
  • 🐼PERFECT GIFTS FOR TODDLERS: Are you still hesitated to choose the kid’s birthday or Christmas gifts for 1 2 3 4 year old boys & girls? This busy board for toddler activities is definitely the perfect choice that you won’t regret! Got this busy board, your children will gain the ability to explore and solve problems, at the same time help them learn basic fine manual skills. It is the best toddler toy, the best birthday, Christmas or as a surprise gift for kids.

When my friend was telling me how active her two-year-old little girl was getting, I wanted to find a gift that would keep her occupied and intrigued. The Exorany Busy Board is soft, lightweight, and easy to carry around, making it one of the best Montessori toys for 1 and 2-year-olds. 

I recommend guiding your toddler with the busy board the first few times they play with it because they likely will need to be taught how to perform several of the actions. 

I made something similar for my son when he was two that hung on the wall, but I appreciate you can stick the busy board in your diaper bag and take it with you. 

Montessori Toys for Toddlers Collage

This toy tests your toddler’s fine motor skills with several activities like a zipper, buckles, buttons, and various clasps. While the busy board is designed for young toddlers, older siblings will enjoy teaching them how it works. 

One of the reasons the busy board stuck out to me was the vibrant pictures and letters on the exterior. However, I didn’t realize only certain colors came with it, which didn’t include the pink one I ordered. 

Overall, it’s a wonderful toy, and I don’t regret gifting it to my friend’s little girl. 

Material : Wool | Manufacturer Recommended Age: 3 years and up View on Amazon | View on Walmart.com | View on Sears.com

Best Montessori Puzzle: Dailyfunn Peg Puzzle 

Dailyfunn Peg Puzzle

  • 12 pieces geometric shape in 6 colors from Pantone International Standards
  • Big knob is screwed for babies to grasp safely and easily,all edges are smoothed and rounded,without any burrs
  • Made of natural wood, be sure is sturdy and durable,for longtime fun and play,we don’t use MDF
  • All safe materials, BPA-Free, Non-Toxic Paint, meet or exceed all applicable safety standards of US

While there are plenty of amazing toddler puzzles on the market, the Dailyfunn Peg Puzzle is one of my favorites. The puzzle has vibrant colors, and each piece has a peg to help your toddler with their pincer grasp . 

Each puzzle piece requires color and shape matching , helping your child develop cognitive skills. I love wooden puzzles because they last the test of time, and you can use them for multiple siblings. 

Simple puzzles are a classic Montessori toy with numerous benefits, including helping with hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, problem-solving, and sequencing . 

According to The Illinois Learning Project , puzzles resemble many life tasks, like fitting items in a box or bag. Puzzles are also a fantastic Montessori toy that teaches young toddlers persistence as they figure out where each piece goes. 

While they might experience frustration while figuring it out, kids feel accomplished when they get the pieces in the correct spots!

Material : Wood | Manufacturer Recommended Age: 1-3 years View on Amazon | View on Walmart.com | View on eBay.com

Best for Sensory Building: LiKee Pull String Learning Ropes 

LiKee Pull String Learning Ropes

  • Keep Baby Occupied for Hours: It’s hard to keep the babies occupied for a while, but LiKee can help. When they pull all the ropes through to one side, they will turn it over and start again, hours passed but they may didn’t realize it.
  • Help Develop Motor Skills: There are 6 cords of different shapes, some are easy to grasp and pull, while the others are more challenging, that will help strengthen fine and gross motor skills, hand eye coordination.
  • Explore Different Textures: The textures on the pipes and pipe ends are varied, the ropes are soft and flexible, promotes the use of tactile response.
  • More Ways to Play: Comes with popping bubble and sliding ball function as free bonus, the strings will produce sounds when pulled up and down, it is also fun to shake it and watch the cords bounce around.

One of the best sensory toys you can find for your toddler is the LiKee Pull String Learning Ropes . The enticing rope toy has 6 cords of various shapes that range in difficulty to pull, encouraging the child to strengthen their gross motor skills .  

Sensory toys for toddlers have numerous benefits, including calming your child, stimulating creativity, and helping their senses come alive. In addition, the ropes have different textures, which promotes a toddler’s tactile response. 

The sensory toy is compact, so it easily fits in your diaper bag, allowing you to bring it to a restaurant or on an airplane. Montessori parents will also appreciate that it takes a toddler’s attention away from power cords or window blinds. 

However, since it does have small parts on the ends, it could be a choking hazard for a baby, so you’ll want to keep it away from younger siblings. In addition, it does advertise as a toy for ages 18 months+, so remember that when purchasing. 

Material : Silicone, ABS | Manufacturer Recommended Age: 18 months and up View on Amazon | View on Walmart.com | View on eBay.com

Friends with children toddlers playing on the floor in montessori centre.

Why Are Montessori Toys Good for One-Year-Olds?

Maria Montessori developed the Montessori method in the early 1900s and encouraged child-led activities. The Montessori method believes that children learn better when they can choose what they learn. 

Here are more reasons why Montessori toys are good for one-year-olds.  

Helps Develop Fine Motor Skills 

Montessori toys are known for encouraging developmental milestones, like gross motor skills, developing social skills , and working on fine motor skills. 

Fine motor skills work on the smaller muscles in a toddler’s hands, which eventually helps them learn how to dress, write their name, or use scissors.  

Montessori Toys for One-Year-Olds Encourage Creative Play  

While electronic toys come in handy, it’s a great idea to allow toddlers to use Montessori aligned toys as a way to explore their imagination. Montessori classrooms typically are set up to support imaginative play with items like a doll house, wooden blocks, and other favorite toys so children can explore creating worlds with their imagination.  

If you have one child at home, Montessori toys allow them to express creative play and have independence. 

A Montessori Toy Works in Problem-Solving Skills 

Many Montessori toys challenge your toddler’s brain and require them to utilize problem-solving skills. For example, a shape sorter teaches toddlers that pieces must fit in the appropriate slot, so they must figure out where to put each piece. 

Aids in Developing Practical Life Skills 

You might not think your toddler’s toys are helping them with future life skills, but your child learns at a young age how to deal with various life situations. For example, Montessori toys for 1- year-olds help build independence, determination, and persistence.  

While it’s tempting to step in and do something for young toddlers, take a step back sometimes and let them figure out the skill themselves. 

How to Choose the Right Montessori Toys for Your One-Year-Old

Age appropriateness .

Young toddlers have a range of capabilities, so it’s best to look at the age recommendation on the specific toy. For example, toys for 1-year-olds may not be best for your two or three-year-old.  

Consider Your Child’s Interests 

It should go without saying, but you want to consider what your child is interested in before purchasing Montessori toys. If your kiddo doesn’t love puzzles, go for an activity cube or busy board that boosts their interest.

Best Montessori Toys for Toddlers

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Helping Young Children With Sharing

Learning to share with grace is a long process. here’s how to turn moments of struggle into rich opportunities to help children learn critical skills..

Imagine the scene: a 3-year-old and a 2-year-old happen upon a pile of toy trains. The younger child picks up two of the trains. Instead of picking up any of the remaining trains, the older child reaches over to grab the trains the younger child is holding. The 2-year-old grabs them back—knocking the other child off balance—and both children start crying.

Why is learning to share so hard?

For one, children this age haven’t developed the ability to put themselves in another’s shoes yet. This doesn’t mean your child is a bad person, or that you’ve failed as a parent. Children this age are focused on their own feelings and thoughts, and they’re thinking,  “I want those trains, and I want them now!”

This behavior may embarrass and frustrate parents, but an unwillingness to share is perfectly normal at this age! In  Tuning In,  ZERO TO THREE’s national parent survey, 43% of parents surveyed thought that children should be able to master sharing by age 2. In fact, these skills develop between 3.5 to 4 years old.  Knowing what to expect  can help parents manage their expectations  and  their frustration when they see children having difficulty with turn-taking.

What You Can Do

There are  many ways to support young children  in learning to share. Here are a few suggestions to try. Some approaches may work better than others, depending on the situation and your child:

Ensure safety.  When young children feel threatened (like when a friend tries to snatch their toy!), they often respond in an aggressive way. That means grabbing, hitting, and throwing things. When this behavior occurs, move in close and stop the aggression. A simple statement in a low voice such as,  “I can’t let you hit,”  or  “No grabbing,”  shows your calm authority.

Narrate or “sportscast” the situation.   “Two children who both want the same trains! Sam, you picked them up and then Jade grabbed them. Sam, you tried to get them back and now you’re both crying.”  Sometimes slowing things down and creating a space for calm problem-solving is a great beginning.

Offer a “long turn.”  In some instances, a child can be given a long turn with a toy.  “Take as long as you like with those trains, Sam, and Jade will wait for you to be done. Jade, would you like to play with these trains over here until Sam is done?”  Sometimes it can feel to children that as soon as they start to play, a peer demands to “take a turn.” It is okay to let children have a “long turn”—a chance to play with the toy—before they share. Help the other child wait by offering a different activity.

Use a timer or clock.  In some cases, letting a child decide when their turn will be over just isn’t practical. At those times, a timer or clock can be a helpful rule-keeper and visual aid. The great thing about the timer is that it’s not the adult telling the children when to share, it’s the “bell.”

Reflect the feelings.  When struggles happen, it’s important to acknowledge how both children feel. “You took that train because it looked like so much fun to play with.” Then, help the other child with his feelings by showing empathy:  “He picked those trains up first so he gets to play with them for now. You can have a turn later. It’s OK to be upset when you have to wait. Waiting is hard!”

Provide “emotion-coaching.”  It’s usually the child who is waiting for a turn who is having big feelings. Sometimes this means listening to a child’s temporary emotional meltdown. Her disappointment, though out-of-proportion to an adult’s eyes, feels very real! When a child’s emotions are understood and validated, it helps her learn to put herself in others’ shoes and move on to the next step—finding solutions.

Guide children to come up with solutions.  Help them brainstorm ways to work it out—but also ask their opinions. Don’t underestimate children’s ability to come up with great ideas and strategies. For example, you can ask:  “We need to stir the batter for our cookies, but I only have one spoon. What should we do?”  The more we empower children to be kind, compassionate, problem-solvers, the more likely they will be just that.

Offer social information and a vote of confidence.  In the heat of the moment, children under 3 won’t be able to hear corrective feedback about their behavior. Once everyone is calm, a short statement about expectations will help children learn new behaviors. You could say,  “Next time you want something, you can say, ‘Can I have a turn?’ Grabbing and pushing aren’t safe. Next time, you can ask first. Keep practicing.”

Learning to share with grace is a long process. Even some adults are still working on it! Rather than dreading moments of struggle between children, consider them to be rich opportunities to help children learn critical skills—in this case, self-regulation, empathy, and conflict resolution—all of which will help them become better at sharing.

Browse our full suite of resources on early childhood development.

Toddler Ride on Toys

Waldorf Toys

Twos and toys: waldorf selections perfect for two-year-olds.

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As a parent of a two-year-old, I understand the importance of finding age-appropriate toys that engage and educate. Did you know that Waldorf selections are ideal for this stage of your child’s development? With their focus on natural materials and open-ended play, Waldorf toys can foster creativity, imagination, and cognitive growth.

In this article, we will explore the benefits of Waldorf toys for two-year-olds, as well as provide tips for choosing the perfect toys for your little one. Let’s dive in and discover the world of Waldorf selections together!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Choosing age-appropriate toys for two-year-olds is important for supporting their developmental milestones.
  • The Waldorf approach emphasizes imaginative play, integration of arts and crafts, and minimal use of technology in the classroom.
  • Waldorf toys for two-year-olds support sensory development, imaginative play, and holistic sensory exploration.
  • Open-ended play and natural materials are key features of Waldorf toys, promoting creativity, curiosity, and eco-friendliness.

The Importance of Age-Appropriate Toys

You should choose toys that are specifically designed for your two-year-old because they are important for their development. Age-appropriate toy selection is crucial during this stage as it helps support your child’s developmental milestones.

At the age of two, children are rapidly growing and learning new skills. They are exploring their world and developing their fine and gross motor skills. Toys that encourage imaginative play, such as dolls, trucks, or building blocks, can help enhance their creativity and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, toys that promote language development, like books or puzzles, can improve their communication skills.

Understanding the importance of age-appropriate toys and how they align with your child’s developmental milestones will ensure they have the best tools to support their growth and learning.

Transitioning to the subsequent section, it is also valuable to explore the Waldorf approach in toy selection.

Understanding the Waldorf Approach

Understanding the Waldorf approach involves learning about its unique principles and methods. As someone who has studied early childhood education, I find the Waldorf approach fascinating and effective.

Here are some key principles and methods that make this educational philosophy stand out:

  • Emphasis on imaginative play and storytelling
  • Integration of arts and crafts in learning
  • Focus on nature and outdoor activities
  • Minimal use of technology in the classroom
  • Importance of rhythm and routine in daily activities

These principles and methods are rooted in the belief that children learn best through active engagement with their environment and by nurturing their creativity.

By incorporating these principles into their education methods, Waldorf schools aim to provide a holistic and well-rounded learning experience for children.

Now, let’s explore the benefits of Waldorf toys for two-year-olds…

Benefits of Waldorf Toys for Two-Year-Olds

When it comes to choosing toys for two-year-olds, it’s important to consider their developmental needs.

Waldorf toys are particularly beneficial for this age group as they provide support for sensory development. These toys engage multiple senses and encourage children to explore different textures, shapes, and colors, fostering their sensory development in a holistic way.

Additionally, Waldorf toys offer ample opportunities for imaginative play and open-ended creative exploration, allowing children to use their imagination and creativity to the fullest extent.

Sensory Development Support

Get ready to engage your little one’s senses with these Waldorf selections that are perfect for supporting their sensory development at the age of two. Waldorf toys are designed to encourage sensory exploration and fine motor skills development in young children. Here are three options that provide a rich sensory experience for your two-year-old:

Play silks: These vibrant, flowing fabrics can be used for dress-up, peek-a-boo, and imaginative play. They stimulate the sense of touch and promote creativity.

Wooden blocks: These natural, non-toxic blocks come in various shapes and sizes, allowing your child to explore different textures and practice their hand-eye coordination.

Sensory balls: Soft and squishy, these balls are perfect for little hands to grip and squeeze. They provide tactile stimulation and aid in developing fine motor skills.

Engaging in sensory play with these Waldorf toys will not only entertain your child but also promote their cognitive and physical development.

Now, let’s dive into the imaginative play opportunities that Waldorf toys offer.

Imaginative Play Opportunities

Now imagine the endless possibilities your child can explore through imaginative play with these Waldorf-inspired toys.

Open-ended play is essential for a two-year-old’s development as it allows them to use their imagination and creativity.

These toys encourage children to engage in pretend play, where they can become anyone or anything they want to be.

From wooden blocks that can be transformed into houses or towers to dress-up costumes that transport them into a world of make-believe, the options are limitless.

Through open-ended play, children also engage in sensory exploration, as they touch, feel, and manipulate different materials.

This helps to develop their fine motor skills and enhances their understanding of textures and shapes.

As we delve into the next section on open-ended creative exploration, let’s explore the ways in which your child’s imagination can flourish even further.

Open-Ended Creative Exploration

Let’s explore the endless opportunities for creative exploration through open-ended play.

Two-year-olds are at a stage where they are curious about the world around them and love to use their senses to discover new things.

One way to foster this exploration is through sensory play, which involves engaging their senses like touch, sight, and smell. Waldorf toys are perfect for this, as they often incorporate different textures that children can explore. From soft fabrics to smooth wooden surfaces, these toys provide a variety of tactile experiences.

By engaging with these textures, children can enhance their sensory development and learn about different materials. This type of open-ended play allows for endless possibilities and encourages children to use their imagination and creativity.

Natural materials, such as wood and cotton, are a key element in Waldorf toys, as they provide a connection to the natural world and offer a more authentic sensory experience.

Natural Materials: A Key Element in Waldorf Toys

When it comes to choosing toys for my two-year-old, I always prioritize natural materials.

Not only do they offer numerous benefits for my child’s development, but they are also an eco-friendly choice.

Natural materials like wood, cotton, and wool are not only durable and safe, but they also provide a sensory experience that engages my child’s senses and fosters their imagination.

Benefits of Natural Materials

The use of natural materials in toys provides numerous benefits for two-year-olds. Not only are eco-friendly materials better for the environment, but they also offer a safer and healthier play experience for young children. Natural play materials, such as wood, cotton, and organic fibers, are free from harmful chemicals and toxins commonly found in plastic toys. These materials are also more durable and long-lasting, ensuring that the toys can withstand the rough play of energetic toddlers. Additionally, natural materials provide sensory stimulation, allowing children to explore different textures, smells, and sounds. To illustrate the advantages of natural materials, consider the following table:

Eco-Friendly Toy Options

As I mentioned earlier, choosing toys made from natural materials has numerous benefits for our little ones. But it’s not just about the materials themselves, it’s also important to consider the sustainability of toy manufacturing and the impact it has on our environment.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards eco-conscious parenting choices, and this includes opting for toys that are sustainably produced. Many toy companies now prioritize using eco-friendly materials, such as sustainably sourced wood and non-toxic, biodegradable paints. These toys not only provide a safe and natural play experience for our children but also reduce the carbon footprint left behind by the manufacturing process.

By making eco-friendly toy choices, we can teach our children the importance of caring for the environment and making sustainable choices. This not only benefits our planet but also ensures that our children grow up with a sense of responsibility towards the world they live in.

And now, let’s move on to the next section and explore the concept of open-ended play with Waldorf selections.

Open-Ended Play With Waldorf Selections

You can encourage open-ended play with Waldorf selections perfect for two-year-olds. When it comes to age appropriate play, open-ended toys have numerous benefits for young children. Here are three reasons why they are so beneficial:

Stimulates Imagination: Open-ended toys, such as wooden blocks or play silks, allow children to use their imagination and create their own scenarios. This type of play enhances their cognitive and creative skills.

Develops Problem-Solving Skills: With open-ended toys, children are not given a specific outcome or set of rules. They are free to explore and experiment, which helps them develop problem-solving skills and think critically.

Promotes Social Interaction: Open-ended toys can be used in collaborative play, encouraging children to communicate, share ideas, and work together. This promotes social skills and helps them build relationships with others.

Enhancing Imagination and Creativity Through Waldorf Toys

Encouraging open-ended play with Waldorf toys can greatly enhance children’s imagination and creativity. Waldorf toys are designed to stimulate children’s senses and promote holistic development.

These toys are made from natural materials like wood and felt, which provide a sensory-rich experience for little ones. Through tactile exploration, children can develop their fine motor skills and engage in imaginative play.

The simplicity of Waldorf toys allows children to use their imagination and creativity to turn them into whatever they want them to be. This type of play also promotes language development as children engage in storytelling and role-playing with their toys.

By providing children with Waldorf toys, we are fostering their cognitive, social, and emotional growth.

Now let’s explore the benefits of Waldorf toys for sensory exploration.

Waldorf Toys for Sensory Exploration

After indulging in the world of imaginative play with Waldorf toys, it’s time to dive into the realm of sensory exploration. Two-year-olds are at a stage where they are discovering the world through their senses, and engaging play experiences can greatly benefit their development. Waldorf selections for sensory exploration are designed to stimulate their senses and provide enriching play experiences.

Here is a table showcasing some Waldorf toys that are perfect for sensory exploration:

These toys offer a wide range of sensory experiences, allowing children to explore different textures, colors, and shapes. By engaging their senses, children can develop their cognitive, motor, and social skills in a fun and interactive way.

Now, let’s move on to nurturing fine motor skills with Waldorf selections…

Nurturing Fine Motor Skills With Waldorf Selections

When it comes to early childhood development, sensory play benefits and hand-eye coordination development are crucial aspects to consider.

Sensory play not only engages a child’s senses, but also promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Additionally, through activities such as grasping, stacking, and manipulating objects, children can enhance their hand-eye coordination skills.

While both Montessori and Waldorf approaches emphasize these areas, they have distinct philosophies and methods that might influence how these skills are nurtured in practice.

Sensory Play Benefits

Sensory play offers numerous benefits for two-year-olds. It is a crucial aspect of their development and helps them reach important developmental milestones. Here are four reasons why sensory play is so beneficial for toddlers:

Cognitive development: Sensory play stimulates their brain and helps them make sense of the world around them. It encourages problem-solving skills and enhances their ability to think creatively.

Language development: Engaging in sensory play allows toddlers to explore different textures, shapes, and sounds. This exploration helps them develop their vocabulary and language skills as they describe what they are experiencing.

Social and emotional development: Sensory play provides opportunities for two-year-olds to play alongside their peers, fostering social interactions and cooperation. It also helps them regulate their emotions and develop their self-awareness.

Fine motor skills: Sensory play involves activities such as pouring, scooping, and stacking, which help develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.

Hand-Eye Coordination Development

To develop your hand-eye coordination, try engaging in activities that require you to use your hands and eyes together. One example is throwing and catching a ball. This type of activity not only helps improve your fine motor skills but also provides sensory exploration opportunities.

Research has shown that practicing hand-eye coordination activities can have numerous benefits. It enhances your ability to track moving objects, improves reaction time, and increases overall coordination. By engaging in these activities, you’re strengthening the connection between your hands and eyes, which is crucial for tasks that require precision and accuracy.

Now, let’s transition into the subsequent section about Montessori vs. Waldorf and explore how these educational approaches differ in their approach to toy selection for two-year-olds.

Montessori Vs. Waldorf

Now that we’ve explored the development of hand-eye coordination in two-year-olds, let’s delve into a comparison of educational philosophies: Montessori vs. Waldorf.

Both Montessori and Waldorf approaches prioritize child-centered learning, cultivating independence, and fostering creativity. However, there are distinct differences between the two.

Montessori education emphasizes individualized learning and hands-on experiences. It focuses on self-directed activities and encourages children to explore their interests at their own pace.

On the other hand, Waldorf education emphasizes imaginative play, artistic expression, and a holistic approach to learning. It places importance on rhythm, nature, and the development of the whole child.

Understanding the strengths and principles of each philosophy can help parents make informed decisions about their child’s education. With this understanding, we can now move on to explore how Waldorf toys promote language development in two-year-olds.

Promoting Language Development With Waldorf Toys

Language development can be promoted through the use of Waldorf toys. These toys are designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and encourage interactive storytelling, which in turn promotes vocabulary growth.

Waldorf toys often have open-ended features that allow children to create their own narratives and engage in imaginative play. This type of play encourages children to use language in meaningful ways, as they create characters, settings, and dialogue.

By engaging in interactive storytelling with Waldorf toys, children are able to practice their language skills, expand their vocabulary, and develop their communication abilities. As children engage in this type of play, they are also developing their cognitive and social-emotional skills.

This seamless integration of language development with other areas of development is one of the many benefits that Waldorf toys offer in promoting holistic child development.

Moving into the next section, let’s explore how Waldorf toys can also support the development of emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence and Waldorf Toys

When it comes to raising emotionally intelligent children, Waldorf toys have proven to be a valuable tool. These toys not only promote empathy and understanding, but they also encourage emotional development in young minds.

Research has shown that engaging with Waldorf toys can have numerous benefits for a child’s emotional intelligence, making them an excellent choice for parents who want to nurture their child’s emotional well-being.

Benefits of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence helps two-year-olds develop better social skills and empathy. It is crucial for their overall development and lays the foundation for healthy relationships later in life. Here are some benefits of emotional intelligence in young children:

Self-Awareness: Emotional intelligence promotes self-awareness, helping toddlers understand and recognize their own emotions.

Emotional Resilience: By developing emotional intelligence, two-year-olds learn to handle and manage their emotions effectively, fostering emotional resilience.

Empathy: Emotional intelligence enables toddlers to understand and empathize with the feelings of others, enhancing their ability to connect with and relate to others.

Social Skills: Emotional intelligence helps children develop essential social skills such as communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

By nurturing emotional intelligence in two-year-olds, we can set them on a path to becoming empathetic and socially adept individuals.

This lays the groundwork for the subsequent section about how Waldorf toys promote empathy.

Waldorf Toys Promote Empathy

Playing with Waldorf toys can foster empathy in young children. These toys are intentionally designed to promote empathy and emotional intelligence. They encourage imaginative play and storytelling, giving children the opportunity to create narratives and explore different perspectives. By playing with dolls or wooden animals, children can project their own emotions onto the toys and develop a deeper understanding of how others may feel. This type of play also encourages cooperative and collaborative play, enhancing social skills and fostering emotional intelligence. Through the use of Waldorf toys, children can develop a sense of empathy that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Moving forward, nurturing emotional development can be achieved through various activities and interactions that support the growth of emotional intelligence.

Nurturing Emotional Development

Nurturing emotional development can be achieved through a variety of activities and interactions that support the growth of emotional intelligence. One important aspect of this is promoting empathy, which allows children to understand and relate to the emotions of others. Research has shown that children who develop strong empathetic skills are more likely to have positive relationships and exhibit prosocial behaviors.

By engaging in activities that encourage perspective-taking, such as reading books about different emotions or engaging in pretend play, children can enhance their ability to empathize with others.

Additionally, cognitive development plays a crucial role in emotional development. As children develop their cognitive skills, they become better equipped to understand and manage their own emotions. This sets the stage for the subsequent section about Waldorf toys for cognitive development, which provide opportunities for children to further enhance their cognitive abilities.

Waldorf Toys for Cognitive Development

To enhance your child’s cognitive development, Waldorf toys offer a range of engaging and imaginative play experiences. These toys are designed to stimulate your child’s brain and promote the development of important cognitive skills.

One of the key benefits of Waldorf toys for cognitive skills is their emphasis on open-ended play. Unlike many modern toys that have a specific purpose or function, Waldorf toys encourage children to use their imagination and creativity. This type of play allows children to explore and experiment, which can enhance problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and spatial awareness.

Additionally, Waldorf toys for language development can help children develop their vocabulary, communication skills, and language comprehension. By engaging in cooperative play with Waldorf selections, children can further enhance their cognitive skills through collaboration, negotiation, and problem-solving with their peers.

Engaging in Cooperative Play With Waldorf Selections

Engaging in cooperative play with Waldorf options can enhance cognitive skills through collaboration, negotiation, and problem-solving with peers. Cooperative play benefits children in various ways, one of which is fostering social interaction. When children engage in cooperative play, they learn how to communicate effectively, share ideas, and work together towards a common goal.

This type of play encourages empathy, as children learn to understand and respect the perspectives and feelings of others. It also promotes problem-solving skills as children learn to navigate conflicts and find solutions together. By engaging in cooperative play with Waldorf selections, children not only develop their cognitive skills but also build important social and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about ‘Waldorf toys for gross motor skills,’ let’s explore how these toys can further support children’s physical development.

Waldorf Toys for Gross Motor Skills

As we delve deeper into the world of Waldorf selections, it’s important to highlight the significant role these toys play in developing gross motor skills in two-year-olds.

Waldorf toys are designed to engage children in activities that promote balance and coordination. From simple wooden balance boards to rocking horses, these toys provide opportunities for children to explore their physical abilities in a safe and stimulating environment.

By encouraging active play, Waldorf toys help children develop their sense of balance and spatial awareness, which are essential for their overall physical development. These toys also promote coordination as children learn to control their movements and navigate their surroundings.

By incorporating Waldorf toys into playtime, parents and caregivers can support the development of their child’s gross motor skills in a fun and engaging way.

Now, let’s explore how Waldorf selections can also support the development of social skills in two-year-olds.

Supporting Social Skills Through Waldorf Selections

Explore how Waldorf choices can help your child develop important social skills. Supporting social skills and promoting emotional development are crucial aspects of a child’s overall growth and well-being. Waldorf toys, with their focus on simplicity, open-ended play, and natural materials, provide an ideal environment for fostering social skills.

Through imaginative play, children can learn to cooperate, share, and take turns, all essential skills for successful social interactions. Waldorf toys encourage creativity and imagination, allowing children to engage in pretend play and practice empathy and communication.

Furthermore, Waldorf selections often involve group activities, such as building blocks or cooperative games, which promote teamwork and collaboration. These experiences enable children to develop problem-solving skills and build positive relationships with their peers.

By choosing Waldorf toys that support social skills and emotional development, parents can provide their two-year-olds with engaging and enriching play experiences that lay a strong foundation for future social interactions.

When it comes to selecting the right Waldorf toys for two-year-olds, there are a few key factors to consider.

Tips for Choosing the Right Waldorf Toys for Two-Year-Olds

Now that we have discussed the importance of supporting social skills through Waldorf selections, let’s delve into some tips for choosing the right Waldorf toys for two-year-olds.

As a parent or caregiver, it can be overwhelming to navigate the vast array of toys available. However, selecting age-appropriate toys can greatly enhance your child’s development and promote open-ended play.

Here are some key considerations:

Safety: Ensure that the toys are made from non-toxic materials and do not have any small parts that could pose a choking hazard.

Simplicity: Opt for toys that are simple in design, allowing for imagination and creativity to flourish.

Versatility: Look for toys that can be used in multiple ways, encouraging problem-solving and exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can waldorf toys support sensory exploration for two-year-olds.

Waldorf toys support sensory exploration for two-year-olds by encouraging open-ended play. Through tactile materials and natural textures, children can engage their senses and develop fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

What Are Some Tips for Choosing the Right Waldorf Toys for Two-Year-Olds?

When choosing Waldorf toys for two-year-olds, factors to consider include safety, durability, and open-ended play. Popular options include wooden blocks, dolls, and play kitchens. These toys promote imagination, creativity, and fine motor skills.

How Do Waldorf Toys Promote Language Development in Two-Year-Olds?

Waldorf toys are great for promoting language development in two-year-olds. Through sensory exploration and imaginative play, these toys engage children’s fine motor skills and encourage creativity. Here are some tips for choosing the right ones.

Can Waldorf Toys Help Nurture Fine Motor Skills in Two-Year-Olds?

Waldorf toys can definitely help nurture fine motor skills in two-year-olds. They provide a hands-on approach to play, allowing children to manipulate and explore objects, which strengthens their dexterity and coordination.

How Do Waldorf Toys Enhance Imagination and Creativity in Two-Year-Olds?

Waldorf toys encourage imaginative play and enhance creativity in two-year-olds. They provide open-ended materials and promote hands-on exploration, allowing children to create their own stories and engage in imaginative play. This fosters their creative development and encourages self-expression.

In conclusion, Waldorf toys are a fantastic choice for two-year-olds as they offer numerous benefits for their development. Research shows that children who engage in open-ended play with Waldorf selections develop better problem-solving skills and creativity.

According to a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 90% of children who played with natural materials like wood and cloth showed improved fine motor skills compared to those who played with plastic toys.

So, when choosing toys for your two-year-old, consider the holistic approach of Waldorf selections to promote their growth and learning.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Avery brings the magic of words to life at Toddler Ride On Toys. As a dedicated writer, she combines her love for writing with her fascination for child development to craft articles that resonate with our audience. With a background in journalism and a knack for storytelling, Avery’s pieces inform, engage, and inspire parents and caregivers.

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A montessori showcase: award-winning toys for child-centered learning.

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As a parent, I’m always on the lookout for toys that not only entertain but also promote my child’s learning and development. Did you know that Montessori toys have been proven to be effective in fostering child-centered learning?

In fact, research shows that children who engage with Montessori toys exhibit greater independence and exploration. In this article, I’ll be showcasing award-winning Montessori toys that not only enhance fine motor skills and cognitive abilities but also nurture sensorial and practical life skills.

Join me as we explore the fascinating world of Montessori toys and discover how they can foster a love for learning in your child.

  • Montessori toys enhance problem-solving skills, creativity, imagination, independence, and self-confidence.
  • Independent play boosts creativity, problem-solving skills, emotional resilience, and overall child development.
  • Award-winning Montessori toys promote fine motor skills development, dexterity, coordination, and physical movement.
  • Montessori toys contribute to cognitive development, including logical reasoning, memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking.

The Benefits of Montessori Toys for Child-Centered Learning

You’ll be amazed by the benefits of Montessori toys for child-centered learning.

Montessori toys play a crucial role in developing problem-solving skills in children. These toys are carefully designed to engage children in hands-on activities that require them to think critically and find solutions to challenges. By playing with Montessori toys, children learn to analyze problems, think creatively, and come up with innovative solutions. This not only enhances their problem-solving abilities but also fosters a sense of independence and self-confidence.

Additionally, Montessori toys promote creativity in children. These toys encourage open-ended play and allow children to explore their imagination and express themselves freely. They provide opportunities for children to engage in pretend play, create their own stories, and develop their artistic skills.

The benefits of Montessori toys extend beyond just learning and can have a lasting impact on a child’s development.

Now let’s explore how Montessori toys encourage independent exploration.

How Montessori Toys Encourage Independent Exploration

Encouraging independent exploration, these toys foster curiosity and self-discovery. As a parent, I have come to appreciate the vital role playtime plays in my child’s development. It’s not just about having fun; it’s about providing them with opportunities to learn and grow. Independent play, in particular, offers numerous benefits that can shape a child’s development in remarkable ways.

Here are three ways independent play can positively impact a child’s development:

  • Boosts creativity and imagination: When children have the freedom to explore and play independently, they can tap into their imagination and create their own worlds.
  • Builds problem-solving skills: Independent play allows children to overcome challenges on their own, promoting critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  • Enhances emotional resilience: By engaging in independent play, children learn to regulate their emotions, develop self-confidence, and become more resilient.

As we dive into the next section about award-winning Montessori toys for fine motor skills development, it’s important to understand the role of independent play in setting the stage for optimal learning and growth.

Award-Winning Montessori Toys for Fine Motor Skills Development

When selecting toys for children, it’s important to consider the impact they have on motor skills development.

As a parent, I often look for toys that promote fine motor skills. Some examples include puzzles, building blocks, and threading games.

Research shows that engaging in activities that require hand-eye coordination and precise movements can greatly enhance a child’s motor skills development. This can lead to improved dexterity and coordination.

Toy Selection Criteria

The toy selection criteria includes factors such as safety, durability, and educational value.

When choosing toys for children, it is crucial to prioritize their safety. Look for toys that are made from non-toxic materials and have passed safety regulations. Additionally, consider the age appropriateness of the toys. Each age group has different developmental needs, so choose toys that align with their current abilities.

Durability is also important, as children can be rough with their toys. Investing in well-made toys that can withstand playtime will save you money in the long run.

Lastly, consider the educational value of the toys. Look for toys that promote learning and development in areas such as cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills.

Impact on Motor Skills

You can enhance your child’s motor skills by selecting toys that provide opportunities for physical movement and coordination. Developing gross motor skills is important for a child’s overall development as it allows them to engage in physical activities, explore their environment, and interact with others.

The benefits of gross motor skills development are numerous. It helps children build strength, balance, and coordination, which are essential for everyday tasks like walking, running, and playing sports. Additionally, it improves their spatial awareness, body control, and overall physical fitness.

By choosing toys that encourage active play, such as bikes, balls, and climbing structures, you can support your child’s motor skill development in a fun and engaging way.

Transitioning into the next section, enhancing cognitive abilities with Montessori toys, we can see how these toys provide a holistic approach to child-centered learning.

Enhancing Cognitive Abilities With Montessori Toys

Using Montessori toys can greatly improve a child’s cognitive abilities. These toys are specifically designed to promote problem-solving skills and critical thinking in children. Here are three ways in which Montessori toys can evoke emotion and enhance cognitive development:

  • Encouraging logical reasoning: Montessori toys often involve puzzles, building blocks, and shape sorters that require children to analyze and problem-solve. This helps them develop logical reasoning skills and enhances their ability to think critically.
  • Fostering creativity and imagination: Montessori toys, such as open-ended building sets and art materials, allow children to explore their creativity and imagination. This not only engages their cognitive abilities but also evokes a sense of joy and wonder.
  • Enhancing memory and concentration: Montessori toys often involve activities that require children to remember patterns, sequences, and rules. By engaging in these activities, children improve their memory and concentration skills, leading to better cognitive development.

By promoting problem-solving skills and critical thinking with Montessori toys, children can develop their cognitive abilities in a fun and engaging way.

Now, let’s explore how Montessori toys can also contribute to sensorial development.

Montessori Toys for Sensorial Development

In my exploration of Montessori toys, I have come across an important aspect of child development: sensory exploration. Montessori toys are designed to engage a child’s senses and provide opportunities for them to explore and learn through touch, sight, sound, and even smell.

This type of sensory play has numerous benefits for children. It helps them develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. It also stimulates their creativity and imagination, as they are encouraged to use their senses to explore and discover new things.

By engaging in sensory play, children are able to foster their creativity and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Now, let’s dive into the role of Montessori toys in language acquisition.

The Role of Montessori Toys in Language Acquisition

Let’s explore how Montessori toys can play a pivotal role in helping your child acquire language skills.

Play is an essential component of language development, and Montessori toys provide the perfect platform for this. Through hands-on learning, children engage their senses, which in turn enhances their language acquisition. Montessori toys encourage exploration, problem-solving, and creativity, all of which are crucial for language development.

For example, building blocks can help children learn new words like ‘tower’ or ‘balance,’ while puzzles can introduce them to shapes and colors. By actively engaging with these toys, children not only expand their vocabulary but also develop their communication and cognitive skills.

Transitioning into the next section, Montessori toys also promote social skills through collaborative play and interaction with others.

Promoting Social Skills Through Montessori Toys

When it comes to Montessori toys, they offer numerous benefits for child development. They also play a crucial role in promoting social skills. Research has shown that these toys encourage cooperative play, turn-taking, and sharing. These are essential skills for building positive social interactions. By engaging in open-ended play with Montessori toys, children have the opportunity to learn and practice important social skills in a fun and interactive way.

Montessori Toy Benefits

Explore the benefits of Montessori toys and how they can enhance your child’s learning experience. Montessori toys are designed to promote hands-on learning and foster a child’s independence and creativity. Here are five reasons why Montessori toys are a valuable addition to your child’s playtime:

  • Encourages self-directed learning: Montessori toys empower children to explore and discover at their own pace, promoting a love for learning.
  • Develops fine motor skills: These toys often involve activities that require precise movements, helping children refine their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
  • Enhances problem-solving abilities: Montessori toys are designed to challenge children and encourage critical thinking, allowing them to develop problem-solving skills.
  • Fosters concentration and focus: The engaging nature of Montessori toys helps children concentrate for longer periods, enhancing their ability to focus on tasks.
  • Promotes independence: These toys provide opportunities for children to practice skills independently, boosting their confidence and self-esteem.

By incorporating Montessori toys into your child’s playtime, you can create an environment that promotes learning and nurtures their development.

Now, let’s explore how Montessori toys can also support the development of crucial social skills.

Social Skills Development

In addition to the cognitive benefits, Montessori toys also play a crucial role in the development of social skills in children. Through the use of these toys, children have the opportunity to engage in cooperative play and learn important lessons about empathy and problem-solving.

Empathy building is a key aspect of Montessori education, and the toys designed for this purpose encourage children to understand and share the feelings of others. For example, dolls with interchangeable emotions help children recognize and express different emotions, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence.

Problem-solving skills are also nurtured through Montessori toys. Many of these toys require children to think critically and find solutions to challenges. Whether it’s completing a puzzle or building a structure, these toys promote problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and perseverance.

By engaging with these toys, children develop essential social skills and learn how to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, and negotiate with others. These skills are crucial for their overall development and future success.

Transitioning to the subsequent section, let’s now explore Montessori toys that specifically focus on numeracy skills development.

Montessori Toys for Numeracy Skills Development

Montessori toys are effective tools for developing numeracy skills in children. These toys are specifically designed to engage children in learning mathematical concepts through play. Research has shown that children learn best when they are actively involved in hands-on activities, and Montessori toys provide just that.

By manipulating objects, counting, sorting, and matching, children develop their understanding of numbers, quantities, patterns, and basic mathematical operations. These toys not only make learning fun but also help children develop a solid foundation in numeracy. As they play with these toys, children naturally develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are essential for success in mathematics.

By incorporating Montessori toys into their playtime, parents and educators can support children’s mathematical development and set them on a path to becoming confident and proficient in numeracy skills.

In addition to developing numeracy skills, Montessori toys also stimulate creativity and imagination in children. By providing open-ended and versatile play opportunities, these toys encourage children to explore, create, and think outside the box.

Whether it’s building structures with blocks, designing their own patterns with shape puzzles, or creating their own stories with storytelling sets, children are given the freedom to express their unique ideas and imaginations. This type of play not only enhances children’s creativity but also fosters their problem-solving skills, as they navigate through challenges and come up with innovative solutions.

Stimulating Creativity and Imagination With Montessori Toys

When it comes to open-ended play, there are numerous benefits for children’s development.

Not only does it allow for creativity and imagination to flourish, but it also enhances cognitive development.

Through open-ended play, children engage in sensory exploration, which plays a significant role in their overall growth and learning.

Open-Ended Play Benefits

Explore the benefits of open-ended play, where your child’s imagination can roam free. Open-ended play refers to activities that have no specific rules, structure, or end goal, allowing children to use their creativity and imagination to explore and create. This type of play has numerous benefits for children, promoting their creativity and imagination in unique ways.

Here’s a table that highlights some of the key benefits of open-ended play:

Through open-ended play, children are able to express themselves freely, think outside the box, and come up with their own solutions to problems. It also encourages social interaction and collaboration, as children engage in imaginative play together. By promoting creativity and imagination, open-ended play sets a strong foundation for enhancing cognitive development in children.

Enhancing Cognitive Development

By engaging in open-ended play, children can enhance their cognitive development in unique and creative ways. Research has shown that toys designed for problem solving can play a significant role in promoting cognitive development through play. These toys often require children to think critically, make decisions, and find solutions to challenges. They encourage the development of problem-solving skills, logical thinking, and reasoning abilities.

For example, puzzles help children develop their spatial awareness and improve their ability to analyze and solve problems. Building blocks promote creativity and spatial thinking, as children experiment with different structures and designs. By engaging with these toys, children are actively involved in their learning process, which enhances their cognitive development.

As children explore and interact with their environment, they also engage their senses, which further supports their cognitive growth. This sensory exploration plays a crucial role in their overall development and will be discussed in the next section.

Role of Sensory Exploration

Engaging in sensory exploration is an essential aspect of children’s cognitive development. Research has shown that when children use their senses to explore the world around them, it stimulates their brain and helps them make sense of their environment. Sensory exploration benefits children in many ways.

It enhances their language development by allowing them to associate words with the things they see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. It also promotes problem-solving skills, as children learn to use their senses to gather information and make decisions. Furthermore, sensory exploration is important for hands-on learning. By engaging in activities that involve their senses, children can develop a deeper understanding of concepts and retain information more effectively.

With this in mind, let’s move on to exploring Montessori toys for practical life skills.

Transitioning to Montessori toys for practical life skills, we can further enhance children’s sensory exploration and hands-on learning.

Montessori Toys for Practical Life Skills

You’ll love how Montessori toys for practical life skills foster independence and confidence in children.

Practical life activities are an essential part of the Montessori curriculum, as they provide children with the necessary skills to take care of themselves and their environment. These activities include tasks such as pouring, buttoning, sweeping, and folding.

Montessori toys designed for practical life skills are specifically created to be child-sized and functional, allowing children to engage in hands-on learning experiences. By participating in these activities, children develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration.

Additionally, these toys promote independence and self-confidence as children learn to complete tasks on their own. As children gain mastery over these skills, they become more confident in their abilities and are motivated to explore and learn in other areas.

How Montessori Toys Foster a Love for Learning

Now that we’ve discussed Montessori toys for practical life skills, let’s explore how these toys can foster a love for learning.

Montessori toys are specifically designed to promote curiosity and independence in children. By providing open-ended materials and activities, these toys encourage children to explore, experiment, and discover on their own.

When children are given the freedom to choose their own activities and manipulate the materials, they become active participants in their own learning process. This sense of autonomy and control over their learning experiences instills a sense of ownership and excitement, making learning enjoyable and engaging.

By fostering independence, Montessori toys also help children develop important skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. As they navigate through various challenges and explore different possibilities, children gain confidence in their abilities and develop a lifelong love for learning.

Now, let’s move on to the next section, where we will explore Montessori toys that support emotional development.

Montessori Toys That Support Emotional Development

When it comes to supporting emotional development, these toys provide a safe and nurturing environment for your child to explore and express their feelings. Montessori toys are designed to promote emotional intelligence and foster self-expression.

Here are five examples of how these toys can support your child’s emotional development:

  • Dolls and stuffed animals: These toys encourage nurturing and empathy, allowing your child to practice caring for others.
  • Puzzles and building blocks: These toys promote problem-solving skills and resilience, teaching your child to persevere through challenges.
  • Art supplies and musical instruments: These toys offer a creative outlet for self-expression, allowing your child to communicate their emotions through art and music.
  • Sensory toys: These toys engage your child’s senses, helping them regulate their emotions and develop mindfulness.
  • Emotional intelligence games: These toys provide opportunities for your child to learn about emotions, empathy, and social interactions.

Now that we understand how Montessori toys support emotional development, let’s explore how to choose the right toys for your child.

Choosing the Right Montessori Toys for Your Child

To find the right toys for your child’s emotional development, consider their interests and preferences. It’s important to choose toys that not only engage them but also encourage problem-solving skills. Montessori toys are designed to promote independent thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Here are some toy selection tips to keep in mind:

  • Opt for open-ended toys: Toys that can be used in multiple ways allow children to explore their creativity and problem-solving skills.
  • Look for toys that require problem-solving: Puzzles, building blocks, and shape sorters are great options to enhance problem-solving skills.
  • Consider sensory toys: Toys that engage multiple senses, such as textured balls or musical instruments, help children develop problem-solving skills while exploring different sensory experiences.

How Do Montessori Toys Benefit Child-Centered Learning?

Montessori toys benefit child-centered learning by promoting independent exploration. They provide opportunities for hands-on learning, problem-solving, and creativity. These toys encourage self-directed play, fostering a love for learning and enhancing cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.

What Are Some Examples of Montessori Toys That Promote Independent Exploration?

Some examples of Montessori toys that promote independent exploration are stacking blocks, shape sorters, and puzzles. These toys encourage children to problem solve, develop fine motor skills, and build confidence in their abilities.

Which Montessori Toys Are Best for Developing Fine Motor Skills?

When it comes to developing fine motor skills, the best Montessori toys are ones that encourage manipulation and precision. Activities like threading beads, using tweezers, and building with blocks are great for fine motor development.

Can You Recommend Montessori Toys That Enhance Cognitive Abilities?

Sure! Montessori toys are great for enhancing cognitive abilities through educational play. They encourage independent thinking, fine motor skills, and sensory exploration. Child-centered learning is at the heart of these award-winning toys.

How Do Montessori Toys Support Sensorial Development?

Montessori toys promote sensory development by providing opportunities for independent exploration. They engage the senses, helping children refine their perception of textures, shapes, sounds, and colors. Through hands-on play, children develop fine motor skills and enhance their cognitive abilities.

In conclusion, Montessori toys are highly beneficial for child-centered learning. They encourage independent exploration, enhance cognitive abilities, and develop fine motor skills and sensorial awareness.

Some may argue that these toys are expensive, but the long-term benefits they offer outweigh the initial cost. Investing in Montessori toys is like investing in your child’s future.

With a wide range of award-winning options available, you can choose the right toys that cater to your child’s specific needs and interests.

So why wait? Start fostering a love for learning and supporting your child’s holistic development with Montessori toys today.

problem solving toys 2 year old

Mila, a gifted writer with a heart brimming with enthusiasm for child development and playful learning, is the creative force behind the enchanting narratives and insightful articles that grace Toddler Ride On Toys. With a background in early childhood education and a genuine passion for nurturing young minds, Mila weaves words that captivate, educate, and inspire parents, caregivers, and educators.

Reach New Heights: The Best Montessori Climbing Toys for Active Kids

problem solving toys 2 year old

I’ve always been fascinated by how children can learn and grow through play. Did you know that active play is essential for a child’s development? According to research, climbing toys can enhance motor skills, promote sensory development, and improve overall physical fitness.

In this article, I’ll be sharing the best Montessori climbing toys for active kids. Whether you’re a parent or educator, you’ll find valuable information on choosing the right toy, safety tips, and even budget-friendly DIY options.

Let’s help our little ones reach new heights of learning and fun!

  • Montessori climbing toys enhance motor skills, promote sensory development, improve overall physical fitness, and provide an opportunity to explore the environment.
  • When choosing a climbing toy, consider the child’s age, physical abilities, and interests. Look for low heights and wide bases for stability, and choose toys with soft padding for safety.
  • Safety considerations for climbers include choosing age-appropriate toys, following weight limits, teaching proper climbing technique, prioritizing safety through supervision, and regularly inspecting for wear and tear.
  • Popular climbing toy options include Little Tikes, Step2, Eezy Peezy, and Simplay3, with considerations for indoor or outdoor options based on available space and weather conditions.

Benefits of Montessori Climbing Toys

One of the benefits of Montessori climbing toys is that they promote physical development in active kids. These toys are designed to improve balance and enhance physical fitness in children.

According to research, engaging in climbing activities helps children develop their gross motor skills, coordination, and strength. As they navigate through the climbing structures, kids are challenged to use their muscles, improving their overall physical fitness.

Additionally, climbing toys provide an opportunity for children to explore their environment and build confidence in their abilities. They learn to assess risks and make decisions, which contributes to their cognitive development as well.

By incorporating Montessori climbing toys into playtime, parents can support their child’s physical and cognitive growth.

Now, let’s explore how to choose the right climbing toy for your child’s needs and preferences.

How to Choose the Right Climbing Toy for Your Child

When choosing the right climbing toy for your child, it’s important to consider their age, physical abilities, and interests. Age appropriate climbing toys can provide your child with endless fun and help them develop important skills.

For younger children, look for climbing toys that have low heights and wide bases for stability. These toys should also have soft padding to ensure safety during play.

As your child grows older and gains more strength and coordination, you can consider climbing toys with higher heights and more challenging elements. It’s also beneficial to choose climbing toys that align with your child’s interests, whether it’s jungle-themed playsets or rock climbing walls.

By selecting the right climbing toy, you can encourage your child’s physical development and keep them engaged in active play.

Now, let’s explore the top Montessori climbing toys for toddlers.

Top Montessori Climbing Toys for Toddlers

When it comes to climbing, there are many benefits for children, both physical and cognitive. Climbing helps develop their gross motor skills, strength, and coordination, while also promoting problem-solving and spatial awareness.

However, safety is a crucial consideration for climbers, and it’s important to choose climbing toys that are age-appropriate, sturdy, and have safety features such as non-slip surfaces and stable bases.

Some popular climbing toy options for children include climbing domes, rock walls, and ladder structures, which provide a challenging yet safe environment for them to explore and grow.

Benefits of Climbing

Discover the numerous benefits of climbing with these Montessori climbing toys – you’ll be amazed at how it promotes physical fitness, cognitive development, and confidence in your active child.

Climbing engages multiple muscle groups, helping your child build strength, balance, and coordination. As they navigate the climbing structures, they develop their gross motor skills and improve their spatial awareness. This physical activity also helps to release pent-up energy and improve overall fitness levels.

Climbing challenges the mind as well, as children plan their movements, assess risks, and problem-solve. It enhances their cognitive development by boosting their concentration, focus, and decision-making skills.

Additionally, climbing builds confidence as children overcome obstacles and achieve new heights.

As we explore the benefits of climbing, it’s important to consider the safety considerations for climbers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

Safety Considerations for Climbers

It’s important to consider safety measures when engaging in climbing activities. For children, safety should always be a top priority.

When it comes to climbing toys, it’s crucial to ensure that they are appropriate for your child’s age and weight. Each climbing toy has weight limits specified by the manufacturer, and it’s essential to adhere to these limits to prevent accidents or injuries.

Additionally, teaching children the proper climbing technique is necessary to minimize the risk of falls. Encourage them to use their hands and feet to maintain balance and grip, and always remind them to climb slowly and cautiously.

By following these safety measures, children can enjoy the benefits of climbing while staying safe.

Now, let’s explore some popular climbing toy options that are perfect for active kids.

Popular Climbing Toy Options

As we consider the best climbing toys for active kids, it’s important to explore popular climbing toy options. There are various climbing toy brands available in the market, offering a range of choices for children to explore and play. Here are some popular options to consider:

Little Tikes: Known for their durable and safe climbing toys, Little Tikes offers a variety of options for both indoor and outdoor play.

Step2: Step2 is another well-known brand that provides sturdy and innovative climbing toys for children of different ages.

Eezy Peezy: Eezy Peezy specializes in colorful and easy-to-assemble climbing structures that are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Simplay3: Simplay3 offers versatile climbing toys that are designed to promote active play while ensuring safety.

When it comes to choosing between indoor and outdoor climbing toys, it depends on factors like available space and weather conditions. Indoor climbing toys are great for year-round play, while outdoor climbing toys provide a chance for children to engage with nature and enjoy fresh air.

Now, let’s explore the best climbing toys for preschoolers.

Best Climbing Toys for Preschoolers

Preschoolers can have a blast with the best climbing toys available. Climbing toys for toddlers not only provide endless fun but also promote physical development and gross motor skills.

When it comes to indoor climbing toys, there are several options to choose from. One popular choice is a climbing triangle, which offers a variety of climbing challenges and helps improve balance and coordination.

Another great option is a climbing dome, which allows children to climb, crawl, and explore different ways to move their bodies.

Lastly, a climbing wall is a fantastic addition to any playroom, offering multiple climbing routes and opportunities for imaginative play.

These climbing toys provide a safe and engaging way for preschoolers to burn off energy and develop their physical abilities.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about Montessori climbing toys for indoor play, let’s explore how these toys can enhance a child’s learning experience.

Montessori Climbing Toys for Indoor Play

When looking for options to enhance indoor play, parents can consider Montessori climbing toys. These toys provide a safe and engaging environment for children to develop their gross motor skills and build strength. Montessori climbing toys are designed to be used indoors and are perfect for small spaces. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, such as climbing triangles, ramps, and cubes. These toys are made with sturdy materials and are built to withstand the active play of children. Not only do they provide physical benefits, but they also promote cognitive and social development. Montessori climbing toys encourage problem-solving, creativity, and cooperation among children. With these indoor climbing toys, children can have fun while staying active and engaged, even when they are indoors.

Transitioning to outdoor climbing toys for active kids, let’s explore the options available for children to continue their active play in the great outdoors.

Outdoor Climbing Toys for Active Kids

Looking for options to keep your children active and engaged outdoors? Transition to outdoor climbing toys, which provide a fun and challenging way for kids to continue their active play in the great outdoors.

Outdoor playtime is crucial for children’s physical development. Here are four reasons why outdoor climbing toys are a great addition to your child’s playtime:

Enhances gross motor skills: Climbing requires coordination, balance, and strength, helping children develop their gross motor skills.

Boosts problem-solving abilities: Outdoor climbing toys present various challenges that encourage children to think critically and find solutions.

Promotes social interaction: Climbing toys often attract multiple children, fostering social skills and cooperation as they take turns and navigate together.

Increases confidence and self-esteem: Conquering heights and overcoming obstacles on climbing toys builds confidence and a sense of accomplishment in children.

With so many benefits, it’s important to ensure your child’s safety while using montessori climbing toys. Let’s explore some safety tips to keep in mind.

Safety Tips for Using Montessori Climbing Toys

When it comes to using Montessori climbing toys, it is crucial to prioritize safety. Proper supervision during play is essential to ensure that children are using the equipment correctly and safely.

Additionally, it is important to regularly check and maintain the climbing toys to ensure that they are secure and in good condition for use.

Proper Supervision During Play

Make sure you’re always keeping a close eye on your child while they play with climbing toys. Proper supervision is essential to ensure their safety and prevent accidents. Here are some techniques to help you supervise your child effectively:

Stay within arm’s reach: Be physically present near your child while they climb. This allows you to react quickly if they need assistance.

Observe their movements: Pay attention to how your child is climbing and assess their skill level. This will help you gauge if they are ready for more challenging climbing toys.

Provide guidance and encouragement: Offer verbal cues and positive reinforcement to help your child navigate the climbing toy safely. This will boost their confidence and promote independent play.

By closely supervising your child while they play, you can create a secure environment for them to explore and develop their climbing skills.

Now, let’s move on to ensuring secure climbing equipment without compromising their safety.

Ensuring Secure Climbing Equipment

Now that we understand the importance of supervision during play, let’s talk about the maintenance and safety of climbing toys.

It is crucial to ensure that the climbing equipment is in good condition and regularly inspected for any wear and tear. This includes checking for loose screws, broken parts, or sharp edges. By maintaining the toys properly, we can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.

Additionally, it is essential to choose age-appropriate climbing toys for our little ones. Each age group has different physical abilities and limitations, so it is crucial to provide them with equipment that is suitable for their developmental stage. This will not only enhance their climbing skills but also keep them safe while having fun.

Now, let’s explore some budget-friendly DIY Montessori climbing toys.

Transition: Now that we know the importance of proper climbing toy maintenance and age-appropriate equipment, let’s discover some DIY Montessori climbing toys for budget-friendly fun.

DIY Montessori Climbing Toys for Budget-Friendly Fun

If you’re looking to have budget-friendly fun, you can easily create your own Montessori climbing toys. Here are four DIY climbing equipment ideas that will provide endless entertainment for active kids:

Rope ladder: Tie sturdy ropes to a horizontal bar or tree branch to create a ladder. This will enhance your child’s upper body strength and coordination.

Stepping stones: Collect flat rocks or wooden discs and arrange them on the ground in a pattern. This will help develop your child’s balance and spatial awareness.

Tire obstacle course: Stack old tires in various formations to create an obstacle course. Your child can climb over them, crawl through them, and jump on them, improving their gross motor skills.

Climbing wall: Attach wooden planks or climbing holds to a wall or sturdy structure. This will challenge your child’s strength, problem-solving abilities, and confidence.

By engaging in these budget-friendly climbing options, your child will develop essential motor skills while having a blast.

Transitioning into the next section, let’s explore how Montessori climbing toys can enhance their motor skills even further.

Enhancing Motor Skills With Montessori Climbing Toys

Engaging in these budget-friendly climbing options will help your child develop essential motor skills while having a blast. Climbing is not just a fun activity, but also a great way to improve balance and build strength in young children. As they navigate different climbing challenges, they learn to coordinate their movements, enhancing their overall motor skills.

Climbing helps children develop core muscles, leg strength, and hand-eye coordination. It also promotes body awareness and spatial orientation, as they learn to navigate their way up and down. By engaging in these activities, your child will gain confidence in their physical abilities and develop a strong foundation for their physical development.

Now let’s explore Montessori climbing toys for sensory development, which provide additional benefits to support your child’s growth and learning.

Montessori Climbing Toys for Sensory Development

When it comes to the development of motor skills in children, Montessori climbing toys offer a fantastic opportunity for active play and exploration.

These toys not only provide a physical challenge but also encourage sensory exploration through different textures, shapes, and materials.

Additionally, the use of climbing toys can enhance spatial awareness as children navigate their way up, down, and around the structures, developing a sense of balance and coordination.

Motor Skills Development

You can improve your child’s motor skills by providing them with Montessori climbing toys. These toys are specifically designed to promote sensory integration, balance, and coordination.

As a parent, it is important to understand the significance of developing motor skills in your child’s early years. Motor skills refer to a child’s ability to control and coordinate their movements.

By engaging in activities that require climbing, your child will not only enhance their physical abilities but also develop their cognitive and problem-solving skills. Montessori climbing toys provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to explore their physical capabilities.

These toys encourage them to use their muscles, improve their balance, and develop coordination. By offering your child these opportunities for motor skill development, you are setting them up for success in their future endeavors.

Now, let’s explore the next section about sensory exploration opportunities.

Sensory Exploration Opportunities

Take a moment to consider the various opportunities available for your child to explore their senses. Sensory exploration is a crucial aspect of a child’s development, as it allows them to engage with the world around them and understand it better.

Not only does sensory play provide enjoyment and entertainment, but it also offers numerous benefits. For instance, it helps enhance cognitive skills, promotes language development, and improves motor skills.

There are various sensory play options you can consider for your child, such as sensory bins filled with different textures, sensory bottles with colorful liquids, or even sensory art projects using various materials. By providing these opportunities, you are allowing your child to engage in meaningful play experiences that stimulate their senses and support their overall development.

Now, let’s explore how sensory exploration can help enhance spatial awareness.

Enhancing Spatial Awareness

Enhancing spatial awareness can be achieved through engaging in sensory exploration activities. Spatial reasoning, which involves understanding and mentally manipulating objects in space, is a crucial skill for children’s development. Research shows that engaging in activities that promote spatial awareness can have a positive impact on children’s cognitive abilities.

One way to enhance spatial awareness is through activities that require physical coordination. For example, playing with building blocks or puzzles can help children develop their spatial reasoning skills. By manipulating objects, children learn about shapes, sizes, and how things fit together. This not only improves their spatial awareness but also enhances their problem-solving abilities.

Another activity that promotes spatial awareness is playing with toy cars or trains on a track. As children move the vehicles along the track, they gain an understanding of distance, direction, and spatial relationships. This type of play encourages them to think in three dimensions and develop their spatial reasoning skills.

Are Montessori Climbing Toys Suitable for Children of All Ages?

Montessori climbing toys offer numerous benefits for children of all ages. They promote physical activity, problem-solving skills, and independence. When choosing a Montessori climbing toy, consider your child’s age and developmental stage to ensure the best fit.

Can Montessori Climbing Toys Be Used Both Indoors and Outdoors?

Yes, Montessori climbing toys can be used both indoors and outdoors. They provide a safe and fun way for children to develop their gross motor skills and encourage active play.

How Do Montessori Climbing Toys Enhance Motor Skills?

Montessori climbing toys enhance motor skills by promoting balance, coordination, and strength. They provide a safe and engaging way for children to develop their gross motor skills and improve body awareness. When choosing a Montessori climbing toy, consider the age, size, and skill level of your child.

What Safety Precautions Should Be Taken When Using Montessori Climbing Toys?

When using Montessori climbing toys, it is important to prioritize safety. Common injuries associated with these toys include falls and bumps. Always supervise children, ensure proper installation, and use safety mats or padding.

Are There Any DIY Options for Montessori Climbing Toys That Are Budget-Friendly?

Yes, there are budget-friendly DIY options for Montessori climbing toys. One option is to create a DIY climbing wall using inexpensive materials like plywood and climbing holds. It’s a fun and affordable way to build climbing structures for active kids.

In conclusion, Montessori climbing toys are a fantastic way to enhance your child’s motor skills and sensory development. By engaging in active play, children are able to explore their physical capabilities and build confidence in their abilities.

Whether you choose a commercial climbing toy or opt for a DIY option, the benefits remain the same. So why not reach new heights with your child and provide them with a fun and stimulating environment?

After all, the sky’s the limit when it comes to their potential!

Unlocking Growth: Essential Montessori Toys for Every One-Year-Old

problem solving toys 2 year old

As a parent, I’m always searching for ways to unlock my child’s growth and development. That’s why I’m excited to share with you the importance of Montessori toys for one-year-olds.

By understanding the Montessori approach to play and considering factors like fine motor skills, cognitive development, and social-emotional growth, we can choose toys that truly engage and inspire our little ones.

In this article, we’ll explore essential Montessori toys that promote creativity, imagination, and overall growth for every one-year-old.

Let’s embark on this journey of unlocking their potential together.

  • Montessori toys for one-year-olds promote hands-on learning, independent play, and sensory exploration.
  • These toys also help develop fine motor skills, cognitive growth, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Montessori toys foster social and emotional development, as well as creativity and imagination.
  • Creating a Montessori-inspired toy rotation with simple, open-ended, and natural toys can enhance a one-year-old’s development and keep them engaged.

The Importance of Montessori Toys for One-Year-Olds

The importance of Montessori toys for one-year-olds can’t be overstated. These toys are specifically designed to promote hands-on learning and encourage independent play, which are crucial for a child’s development at this age. Montessori toys focus on stimulating the senses, improving fine motor skills, and fostering cognitive growth.

Through hands-on exploration, children are able to engage with their environment, develop problem-solving skills, and enhance their creativity. Independent play with Montessori toys allows children to build confidence, learn to make choices, and develop a sense of autonomy.

Moreover, these toys promote concentration and focus, as children engage in activities that capture their interest and hold their attention. Understanding the Montessori approach to play is essential for providing an enriching learning environment for one-year-olds.

Understanding the Montessori Approach to Play

Understanding the Montessori approach to play can help parents create an engaging and educational environment for their one-year-old. The Montessori method emphasizes fostering independence and hands-on learning, allowing children to explore and discover the world around them at their own pace. Through play, one-year-olds can develop their cognitive, physical, and social skills while building confidence and self-esteem.

To give you a better understanding of how the Montessori approach to play works, here is a table that highlights some key principles and activities:

Factors to Consider When Choosing Montessori Toys for One-Year-Olds

When choosing toys for your one-year-old, consider factors like safety, durability, and educational value. Montessori toys for one-year-olds are specifically designed to promote learning and development while keeping your child engaged.

One important factor to consider is age appropriateness. It’s crucial to choose toys that are suitable for your child’s developmental stage. Montessori toys are designed to meet the needs of each age group, offering age-appropriate challenges and opportunities for exploration.

Another factor to consider is the toy’s ability to promote independence and problem-solving skills. Montessori toys often encourage self-directed play, allowing your child to explore and discover on their own.

Additionally, look for toys that are made from natural materials and have a simple design, as these align with the Montessori philosophy.

By considering these factors, you can choose Montessori toys that will provide your one-year-old with a rich learning experience.

Now, let’s explore some toys that promote fine motor skills development.

Toys That Promote Fine Motor Skills Development

When it comes to choosing toys that promote fine motor skills development, it is important to consider the difference between sensory and manipulative toys.

Sensory toys stimulate the senses and provide a hands-on experience, while manipulative toys require precise movements and coordination.

Both types of toys offer unique benefits for developing fine motor skills, such as improving hand-eye coordination, finger strength, and dexterity.

Sensory Vs. Manipulative Toys

Sensory toys provide opportunities for one-year-olds to explore different textures and stimulate their senses. These toys are designed to engage children in sensory exploration and encourage hands-on learning. By engaging their senses, children are able to develop their cognitive, emotional, and physical skills.

To understand the importance of sensory toys, let’s compare them with manipulative toys. While manipulative toys focus on developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, sensory toys go beyond that. They offer a multi-sensory experience that allows children to engage all their senses – touch, sight, sound, smell, and even taste. This holistic approach to learning provides a rich and immersive environment for one-year-olds to explore and discover the world around them.

Take a look at the table below to see some examples of sensory toys:

Benefits of Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills play a crucial role in a child’s development, as they enable them to perform tasks that require precision and coordination. The benefits of hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills development, and cognitive growth cannot be underestimated. Here are five ways in which fine motor skills contribute to a child’s overall development:

  • Improved hand-eye coordination: Fine motor skills help children coordinate their hand movements with what they see, allowing them to manipulate objects and perform tasks accurately.
  • Enhanced cognitive abilities: The development of fine motor skills stimulates the brain, fostering problem-solving skills, creativity, and critical thinking.
  • Language and communication skills: As children engage in activities that require fine motor skills, they also develop their ability to express themselves verbally and non-verbally.
  • Independence and self-confidence: The mastery of fine motor skills empowers children to become more independent, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.
  • Preparation for school readiness: Fine motor skills are essential for tasks such as writing, drawing, and using scissors, setting the foundation for success in school.

With a solid understanding of the benefits of fine motor skills, we can now explore toys that encourage cognitive development in one-year-olds.

Toys That Encourage Cognitive Development in One-Year-Olds

When it comes to choosing toys for one-year-olds, there are several key points to consider.

One of these is the benefits of sensory play, which can help develop their senses and promote cognitive growth.

Additionally, toys that encourage motor skills development are crucial at this age, as they help strengthen their muscles and coordination.

Lastly, language development toys play a vital role in expanding their vocabulary and communication skills.

Sensory Play Benefits?

You’ll love the benefits of engaging in sensory play with your one-year-old.

Sensory play not only provides a fun and engaging experience for your child but also plays a crucial role in their brain development. Research has shown that sensory play stimulates the neural pathways in the brain, promoting cognitive growth and enhancing learning abilities.

It helps children explore and understand the world around them through their senses, such as touch, sight, and sound.

Furthermore, sensory play is particularly beneficial for children with special needs. It can help them with sensory integration, improving their sensory processing skills and overall development. By engaging in sensory play activities, children with special needs can enhance their sensory perception, attention, and focus.

So, let’s dive into the world of sensory play and unlock the incredible benefits it offers for your little one’s brain development.

And speaking of development, let’s now explore how sensory play also contributes to the development of motor skills.

Motor Skills Development?

Engaging in sensory play activities can help improve the development of motor skills in children. It is crucial to provide children with opportunities to engage in fine motor skills activities as they play. Here are some sensory play ideas that can enhance their motor skills development:

  • Playdough: Squeezing, rolling, and molding playdough helps strengthen hand muscles.
  • Stringing Beads: Threading beads onto a string promotes hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity.
  • Water Play: Pouring and scooping water using cups and containers improves hand and arm strength.
  • Sensory Bins: Digging, pouring, and sifting materials in sensory bins encourage finger and hand movements.
  • Finger Painting: Using their fingers to create art allows children to practice their grip and hand control.

These activities not only provide sensory stimulation but also help children develop their fine motor skills.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about language development toys, it is essential to provide children with toys that support their linguistic skills.

Language Development Toys?

Language development toys can be beneficial for children as they provide opportunities for them to practice and improve their communication skills. Speech development toys, also known as communication skills toys, are designed to stimulate language development in young children. These toys often include interactive features that encourage children to engage in conversations, imitate sounds, and learn new words.

Research has shown that children who engage with language development toys from an early age tend to have better language skills and vocabulary later in life. These toys can also enhance cognitive abilities, social interaction, and problem-solving skills. By using speech development toys, children not only have fun, but they also develop important communication skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

As children grow and explore the world around them, sensory toys for one-year-olds provide a new avenue for learning and development.

Sensory Toys for One-Year-Olds: Engaging the Senses

Explore a variety of sensory toys to stimulate your one-year-old’s senses. Sensory play is crucial for their development, allowing them to engage in tactile exploration and experience the world around them.

Here are some benefits of sensory toys for one-year-olds:

  • Enhances cognitive development:
  • Introducing different textures and materials helps them learn about cause and effect, problem-solving, and spatial awareness.
  • Manipulating objects improves fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
  • Promotes sensory processing:
  • Sensory toys provide a range of stimuli, such as lights, sounds, and textures, which help children understand and process sensory information.
  • They learn to regulate their responses to stimuli, leading to better emotional and sensory integration.

Transitioning into the subsequent section, Montessori toys for language development in one-year-olds, we can further foster their growth and learning.

Montessori Toys for Language Development in One-Year-Olds

Transitioning into the subsequent section, we can use Montessori toys to help foster your one-year-old’s language development.

Language development milestones are crucial during this stage, as it lays the foundation for future communication skills. By providing your child with the right tools, you can support their language growth and enhance their cognitive abilities.

Research has shown that early language development has numerous benefits, including improved social interaction, increased vocabulary, and enhanced cognitive development. Montessori toys designed for language development focus on building vocabulary, promoting communication, and encouraging language exploration. These toys often include interactive books, shape sorters with labels, and puzzles with picture-word associations.

By engaging in language-rich play experiences, your one-year-old can develop their language skills in a fun and stimulating way.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about toys that foster gross motor skills in one-year-olds, let’s explore how movement and physical activity can support your child’s overall development.

Toys That Foster Gross Motor Skills in One-Year-Olds

Engaging in physical play with age-appropriate toys can help your one-year-old develop their gross motor skills. It is important to provide toys that encourage physical activity to promote their overall physical development.

Here are some toys that can help foster gross motor skills in your one-year-old:

  • Push and pull toys: These toys encourage your child to practice walking and improve their balance and coordination.
  • Ride-on toys: Riding on a toy car or tricycle helps strengthen leg muscles and improves their sense of balance.
  • Balls: Rolling, throwing, and kicking balls helps develop hand-eye coordination and enhances their motor skills.
  • Climbing toys: Climbing structures or soft play mats allow your child to explore and develop their climbing and balancing abilities.
  • Activity centers: These toys provide various activities that encourage your child to reach, grasp, and manipulate objects, enhancing their fine motor skills.

Play is essential for the development of gross motor skills in one-year-olds. It allows them to explore their physical abilities and learn how to control their movements.

Transitioning into the subsequent section about problem-solving and logic toys for one-year-olds, it is important to provide toys that stimulate their cognitive development alongside their physical growth.

Problem-Solving and Logic Toys for One-Year-Olds

As a child development expert, I believe that early cognitive development is a crucial aspect of a child’s overall growth and learning.

One way to enhance problem-solving skills in one-year-olds is through the use of toys that encourage logical thinking.

Through play, children can develop their problem-solving skills and learn how to think critically and logically, which is essential for their future academic success.

Early Cognitive Development

One-year-olds start to develop their cognitive skills through simple problem-solving tasks. During this crucial stage of early cognitive development, children begin to make connections between objects and actions, laying the foundation for future learning and problem-solving abilities.

Here are four key cognitive milestones that one-year-olds typically achieve:

  • Object permanence: One-year-olds start to understand that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight.
  • Imitation: They begin imitating actions and behaviors they observe, which helps them understand cause and effect.
  • Language comprehension: They comprehend simple words and phrases, responding to familiar commands or questions.
  • Symbolic play: They engage in pretend play, using objects to represent something else, fostering creativity and imagination.

Enhancing Problem-Solving Skills

By achieving these cognitive milestones, 1-year-olds are better equipped to solve problems and navigate more complex challenges in the future.

Spatial awareness plays a crucial role in problem-solving abilities, and providing appropriate toys can enhance these skills. For example, building blocks and shape sorters help children understand spatial relationships and improve their problem-solving skills. As they manipulate and fit different shapes together, they learn to analyze and find solutions.

Problem-solving through play allows children to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. Research has shown that children who engage in problem-solving activities from a young age develop better critical thinking and decision-making skills later on. This foundation helps them approach more complex challenges with confidence and creativity.

As we explore the next section on logical thinking through play, we can see how these skills continue to develop and grow.

Logical Thinking Through Play

Through play, children develop the ability to think logically and make connections between different ideas and concepts. This is crucial for the development of their critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Research has shown that engaging in play activities allows children to explore and experiment with different possibilities, leading to the development of logical thinking skills. By playing with toys that require problem-solving, such as puzzles or building blocks, children learn to analyze situations, identify patterns, and find solutions.

Puzzles, building blocks, and shape sorters are great examples of toys that promote logical thinking. These toys challenge children to think critically, as they have to figure out how the pieces fit together or which shape goes into which slot. Through these activities, children develop their problem-solving abilities and learn to think strategically.

As children progress in their logical thinking skills, they can also benefit from exploring sound and rhythm through musical toys.

Musical Toys for One-Year-Olds: Exploring Sound and Rhythm

Get ready to have fun exploring sound and rhythm with musical toys designed for your one-year-old! These toys not only provide entertainment but also aid in their sensory development and cognitive growth.

Here are the benefits of musical toys for your little one:

  • Exploring Texture:
  • Many musical toys have different textures that your child can touch and feel, enhancing their sensory exploration.
  • Textured surfaces on instruments like drums or shakers allow your child to experience different tactile sensations.
  • Introducing Cause and Effect:
  • Musical toys often have buttons or keys that your child can press to produce sounds, introducing them to the concept of cause and effect.
  • By interacting with these toys, they learn that pressing a button or shaking a rattle creates a sound, fostering their understanding of cause and effect relationships.

As your child explores the world of sound and rhythm with these musical toys, they are also developing crucial cognitive and sensory skills.

Now, let’s dive into the next section to discover Montessori toys for social and emotional development.

Montessori Toys for Social and Emotional Development

Now, let’s see how Montessori toys can support your child’s social and emotional development.

Montessori toys are designed to promote not only cognitive development but also social skills development and emotional intelligence. These toys encourage children to engage in cooperative play, take turns, and communicate effectively with others.

By playing with Montessori toys, children learn important social skills such as sharing, empathy, and problem-solving. These toys also help children develop emotional intelligence by allowing them to explore and express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

Through pretend play and role-playing with Montessori toys, children can learn to understand and manage their own emotions as well as recognize and respond to the emotions of others.

Now, let’s move on to the next section about open-ended toys for one-year-olds, which promote creativity and imagination.

Open-Ended Toys for One-Year-Olds: Promoting Creativity and Imagination

You’ll discover that open-ended toys for one-year-olds provide endless opportunities for creativity and imagination. Promoting independent play, these toys allow children to explore and experiment, fostering their problem-solving skills and cognitive development.

Unlike toys with specific functions, open-ended toys have multiple uses and can be transformed in various ways, encouraging children to think outside the box. This type of play also promotes language development as children engage in imaginative scenarios and storytelling.

Additionally, open-ended toys help develop fine motor skills as children manipulate and manipulate objects. Research has shown that open-ended play stimulates brain development and enhances children’s ability to think critically and creatively.

As we delve into tips for creating a Montessori-inspired toy rotation for one-year-olds, it’s important to understand the benefits these toys offer in supporting their overall growth and development.

Tips for Creating a Montessori-Inspired Toy Rotation for One-Year-Olds

Creating a Montessori-inspired toy rotation for one-year-olds can be a helpful way to promote their development and engagement. By carefully selecting toys that align with Montessori principles, we can provide a stimulating environment that encourages exploration and learning. Here are some tips for choosing Montessori toys for one-year-olds:

  • Choose toys that are simple and have a clear purpose. Avoid toys that are too flashy or have too many features, as they can overwhelm young children.
  • Look for toys that are open-ended and encourage creativity and problem-solving. These toys allow children to use their imagination and explore different possibilities.
  • Opt for toys made from natural materials such as wood or fabric. These materials are more tactile and provide a sensory experience for children.
  • Consider incorporating a variety of toys that promote different areas of development, such as fine motor skills, language development, and cognitive skills.
  • Rotate the toys regularly to keep the child engaged and interested. This helps prevent overstimulation and encourages sustained focus.

By following these tips, you can create a Montessori-inspired toy rotation that supports your one-year-old’s growth and development.

How Do Montessori Toys Promote Fine Motor Skills Development in One-Year-Olds?

Montessori toys are designed to promote fine motor skills in one-year-olds. They help develop hand-eye coordination by encouraging children to manipulate objects. Additionally, these toys enhance problem-solving skills by presenting challenges that require logical thinking and problem-solving strategies.

What Are Some Examples of Open-Ended Toys That Promote Creativity and Imagination in One-Year-Olds?

Open-ended toys for imaginative play, such as building blocks and pretend play sets, are great for promoting creativity and imagination in one-year-olds. Montessori toys provide numerous benefits for their growth and development.

How Do Montessori Toys Encourage Cognitive Development in One-Year-Olds?

Montessori toys are designed to promote cognitive development in one-year-olds. Through hands-on exploration and problem-solving, these toys stimulate brain development, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, they foster emotional development and social skills by encouraging independent play and cooperation with others.

What Factors Should Be Considered When Choosing Montessori Toys for One-Year-Olds?

When choosing Montessori toys for one-year-olds, factors such as safety, durability, and educational value should be considered. These toys benefit their cognitive, motor, and sensory development while promoting independence and problem-solving skills.

How Do Sensory Toys Engage the Senses in One-Year-Olds?

Sensory toys for one-year-olds engage their senses and promote cognitive development. Incorporating sensory play into daily routines can enhance their learning experience. Research shows that sensory play stimulates brain growth and improves fine motor skills.

In conclusion, Montessori toys play a crucial role in the development of one-year-olds.

By providing opportunities for fine motor skills development, cognitive growth, and social-emotional learning, these toys offer a holistic approach to play.

For example, a case study involving a one-year-old named Emily showed significant improvement in her fine motor skills after regularly engaging with Montessori toys like stacking blocks and shape sorters.

This research-based approach ensures that children not only have fun but also acquire essential skills during their early years.

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Best Open Ended Toys for 2 Year Olds For Imaginative Play

Open Ended Toys for 2 Year Olds

Table of Contents

Choosing the right toys for your little one can be both exciting and overwhelming. With aisles filled with flashing lights, loud noises, and gadgets that seem like they need an engineering degree just to operate, it’s easy to feel a bit lost. However, the secret to beneficial playtime might actually lie in something far simpler – open ended toys.

In this article, we’re going to explore the concept of open-ended toys and why they’re fantastic for 2-year-olds . We’ll cover what makes a toy open-ended, dive into the Montessori approach and even provide examples of how open-ended play can make your everyday routine more engaging for your little one. By the end, you’ll have a list of the best open-ended toys that are perfect for nurturing the curiosity, creativity, and cognitive growth of your 2-year-old.

What are Open Ended Toys for Toddlers?

So, what exactly are open-ended toys? These are toys that have no predetermined use or single way to play with them. In other words, they can be anything your child imagines them to be! A simple wooden block can turn into a car, a building, or even a piece of cake in a tea party. The possibilities are as limitless as your toddler’s imagination.

Now, you might be wondering how open-ended toys differ from their counterparts, the closed-ended toys. Closed-ended toys are those that have a specific function or outcome. Think of a toy that asks your child to match shapes or colours. Once the shapes are matched, that’s it – the toy has served its purpose. While these toys can be educational and entertaining, they don’t leave much room for creativity and imagination.

The benefits of open-ended toys, especially for toddlers, are impressive. They foster cognitive growth. By engaging with a toy that has multiple uses and outcomes, children learn problem-solving, logical reasoning, and flexibility. Moreover, open-ended toys encourage creativity. Without instructions or limitations, your child is free to invent games, stories, and even entire worlds. These toys also help in the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as many of them involve stacking, building, or other forms of manipulation.

So, by incorporating open-ended toys into your child’s playtime, you’re doing much more than just keeping them entertained. You’re nurturing important skills that will benefit them for years to come.

Best Open Ended Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Best Open-Ended Toys for 2-Year-Olds

Building blocks.

Building Blocks

Classic building blocks! These are a staple in many households, and for good reason. Blocks can become anything—a tower, a castle, a spaceship, you name it. They are the epitome of open-ended play. Your child can stack them, sort them, and even use them to learn basic math concepts like counting and patterns. Plus, the act of stacking and balancing helps develop fine motor skills.

Play-Doh Sets

Play-doh set

Play-Doh is more than just squishy fun; it’s a tool for imagination. Whether your 2-year-old is making pretend cookies or sculpting a family of animals, playdough allows for endless creativity. It’s also great for developing hand strength and enhancing fine motor skills. Not to mention, you can easily make homemade playdough with simple ingredients if you’re wary of store-bought versions.

Art Supplies

You don’t need anything fancy here—just some crayons , paper, or maybe some non-toxic watercolour paints. Art supplies give your child the freedom to express themselves and make whatever they desire. This not only nurtures creativity but also helps them understand colours, shapes, and even basic concepts of spatial reasoning.

Wooden Train Sets

Wooden train set

The charm of a wooden train set is its ability to be configured in numerous ways. Your child can build tracks that twist and turn, go up hills, or even through tunnels. This kind of play fosters imagination and can be a wonderful solo or group activity, helping your child understand concepts like sharing and cooperation.

Simple Musical Instruments

Simple musical instruments

From shaking a maraca to pounding a drum or tinkling a xylophone, simple musical instruments can bring joy and exploration into your child’s life. Beyond the sheer fun , they’re also excellent for sensory development and early introduction to rhythm and melody.

Puzzles with Basic Shapes

https://amzn.to/44wl19E

At first glance, a puzzle might seem like a closed-ended toy. But puzzles that incorporate basic shapes or open-ended designs encourage kids to think creatively about how pieces fit together. The process of figuring this out promotes cognitive development and enhances problem-solving skills.

Dolls and Action Figures

ragdoll open-ended toy

Whether it’s a ragdoll or a superhero action figure, these toys are great for role-playing. Role-playing encourages empathy and social skills as children imagine different scenarios, like going to a doctor or being a teacher. The scenarios they create can be as varied as their imagination allows.

Sand and Water Play Sets

Water table

Water tables or sandboxes may seem messy, but they offer unparalleled sensory experiences. Your child can feel different textures, understand concepts like ‘full’ and ’empty,’ and experiment with cause and effect (e.g., what happens when you pour water on sand?).

Kitchen Play Sets

Kids Kitchen Set

Miniature kitchen sets do more than just offer ‘cooking’ fun. They can be a great way to teach basic life skills like organizing, cleaning, and even some basic cooking techniques. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities for imaginary play—like running a restaurant or having a tea party.

Animal Figurines

Toy Animal Set

Small animal figurines can serve as characters in your child’s ever-expanding world of imagination. They can roam the jungles, live on a farm, or even embark on an intergalactic journey. The scenarios are endless and entirely up to your little one’s creativity.

Choosing the right toy for your 2-year-old doesn’t have to be a monumental task. Open-ended toys like the ones listed above can provide hours of meaningful, skill-building fun. So why not make your next toy a catalyst for creativity and growth?

What Type of Toys Do 2-Year-Olds Play With?

As any parent of a 2-year-old will tell you, the world is an enormous playground to these little explorers. You’ll find that at this stage, children are drawn to a wide variety of toys. Some of the popular picks often include ride-on toys for the adventurous, soft toys for comfort, and bright, noisy gadgets that grab their attention.

When it comes to how 2-year-olds interact with toys, it’s a phase of constant exploration and learning. They love to touch, taste, shake, and disassemble just about anything they can get their hands on. It’s a time of intense curiosity where every interaction feeds their rapidly developing senses and intellect. You’ll often notice pretend play starting to take off at this age. Don’t be surprised to find your child talking to their stuffed animals or using a banana as a phone!

However, this age is also a time when parents can make some common mistakes in choosing toys. One major pitfall is going overboard with electronic or educational gadgets. While these may promise to turn your child into a genius overnight, they often limit the scope of play and imagination. Another mistake is choosing toys with too many small parts, which not only pose a choking hazard but can also be overwhelming for the child. Lastly, following gender stereotypes in toys can limit your c hild’s development . Remember, a 2-year-old doesn’t know that trucks are “for boys” and dolls are “for girls”—they just know what’s fun!

2-year-olds are drawn to a wide variety of toys that offer tactile, auditory, and visual stimulation. The best choices will feed their natural curiosity and offer endless opportunities for imaginative play. So, keep these things in mind the next time you’re walking down that seemingly endless toy aisle.

What is An Open-Ended Toy?

What Is An Open-Ended Toy?

Determining whether a toy is open-ended can be a bit like figuring out a puzzle—luckily, not a very complicated one! Open-ended toys typically have certain characteristics that set them apart from other types of toys. The key traits include:

  • Versatility : The toy can be used in multiple ways, limited only by your child’s imagination.
  • No Defined Goals : These toys don’t have a specific problem to solve or an endpoint.
  • Encourages Creativity : Open-ended toys usually require active participation, imagination, or problem-solving from the child.

So how do you spot an open-ended toy when shopping? Well, a helpful question to ask yourself is, “Can this toy be used in different ways?” For instance, a set of wooden blocks can be stacked, lined up, or even used as pretend food items in a play kitchen. Also, check the packaging for phrases like “endless possibilities,” “encourages imaginative play,” or “multiple configurations.”

Let’s draw a quick comparison to help clarify the difference between open-ended and closed-ended toys through examples:

  • Open-Ended Toy Example : A simple set of coloured scarves can be used for juggling, pretending to cook, wrapping them around as a superhero cape, or creating a small puppet show.
  • Closed-Ended Toy Example : A puzzle with slots for different shaped blocks. Once all the shapes are inserted correctly, the activity is over. The toy served its purpose and doesn’t allow for much imagination beyond that task.

In the open-ended example, the scarves can be many different things, fueling your child’s creativity and problem-solving skills. On the other hand, the shape-sorting puzzle has a single, defined outcome, making it a closed-ended toy.

What is an Example of Open-Ended Play?

Open-ended play is a type of play that has no set rules or objectives, leaving children free to use their imagination and creativity to guide the activity. Unlike games or activities with a defined outcome or goal , open-ended play allows children to explore possibilities, experiment, and learn in an unstructured manner.

Real-World Examples and Scenarios

What does open-ended play look like in action with a 2-year-old? Imagine giving your toddler a large cardboard box. It might become a spaceship zooming to Mars one minute and a pirate ship sailing the high seas the next. Or perhaps you and your little one go on a nature walk and collect twigs, leaves, and stones. Once you’re home, these natural materials could become ingredients in a magic potion or the beginnings of a fairy village.

Another scenario involves a simple picnic blanket spread out in the living room. To adults, it’s just a blanket, but to a 2-year-old, it could be a magical carpet ready to fly, a castle under siege, or a peaceful island to rest upon.

Integration Into Daily Routines

Open-ended play doesn’t require special toys or elaborate set-ups. It can be easily integrated into daily routines. For example, bath time can become a maritime adventure, complete with foam letters as islands and rubber duckies as sea creatures. During meal prep, some safe kitchen utensils and a mixing bowl can transform your child into a budding chef.

Even chores can involve open-ended play. A laundry basket can suddenly turn into a boat that needs rowing across the “living room ocean.” It’s all about the perspective and freedom to imagine, making mundane tasks more exciting for your toddler—and maybe even for you!

Understanding the concept and benefits of open-ended play can add a new dimension to your child’s daily life. It provides opportunities for creativity, problem-solving, and most importantly, fun! So next time you find yourself looking for ways to keep your 2-year-old entertained, remember: the possibilities are endless when you allow their imagination to take the lead.

Does Montessori Have Open Ended Toys?

Does Montessori Have Open-Ended Toys?

Brief overview of the montessori philosophy.

The Montessori method is an educational philosophy and practice that encourages children to be active participants in their own learning. Developed by Dr. Maria Montessori over a century ago, this approach emphasizes independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological development. Montessori environments are thoughtfully designed to offer hands-on, engaging experiences that meet children where they are developmentally.

How Montessori Integrates Open-Ended Toys in Their Educational Approach

In Montessori settings, you’ll often find a variety of open-ended materials and toys that are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum. These are designed to stimulate children’s curiosity, promote physical development, and encourage imaginative play. Montessori toys like wooden blocks, sensory boards, and fabric swatches align perfectly with the idea of open-ended play, offering multiple uses and endless opportunities for exploration.

Differences Between Montessori Open-Ended Toys and Mainstream Open-Ended Toys

While the core philosophy behind open-ended toys remains the same whether you’re in a Montessori setting or not, there are some distinctions worth noting. Montessori toys often lean towards natural materials like wood, cotton, and metal, avoiding the bright plastics you might find in more mainstream toys. This choice in material reflects Montessori’s focus on creating a calming, natural environment that’s rooted in real-world experiences.

Additionally, Montessori toys often come with an educational slant that’s subtly woven into their design. For example, a set of Montessori wooden cylinders of different sizes not only allows for open-ended stacking and building but also introduces concepts like sorting and gradation.

So yes, Montessori environments do indeed feature open-ended toys, but they do so with a specific educational philosophy in mind. Whether you’re fully on board with Montessori methods or are just looking for toys that offer lasting play value, understanding how Montessori toys fit into the world of open-ended play can offer valuable insight into your options.

Finals Thoughts On Open Ended Toys For 2-Year-Olds

Choosing the right toys for your 2-year-old is more than just a shopping decision; it’s an investment in their growth and development. Open-ended toys offer an expansive playground for your child’s imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Whether you opt for mainstream choices or decide to explore the Montessori approach, remember that the best toys are the ones that allow your child to express themselves freely and discover the world around them in their unique way. So go ahead, bring home some open-ended toys, and watch your 2-year-old flourish!

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36 Best Gifts and Toys for 2-Year-Olds in 2024

From educational puzzles to kitchen tools, these expert-approved ideas will help toddlers develop skills while having fun.

the lego duplo mickey minnie birthday train and bilibo by moluk are two good housekeeping picks for best toys and gifts for 2 year olds

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

"This is a huge jump in their thinking skills!" says Rebecca Parlakian , M.A., E.D., a parenting expert from Zero to Three , an organization that focuses on kid development during the early years. "As they are discovering that they, themselves, are individuals with their own thoughts and feelings, they are also learning that others have their own thoughts and feelings too. Pretend play gives children a chance to take on these different perspectives. Usually the first pretend play parents see is 'playing house,' since it’s what children know best, but really children act out any familiar scenario — like when my daughter picked up a toy phone and said, 'Shhh, I have a conference call.'"

Parlakian also says roleplaying items can encourage pretend play, including toy kitchen items, dolls and strollers or vehicles with chunky figures that can fit inside. In addition, she suggests looking for toys that encourage problem-solving like wooden blocks, building toys and puzzles. Toys and games that support open-ended play and can be used multiple ways are good, too.

With all this and in mind, when it comes time to buy gifts for kids this age, the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute see hundreds of toys each year, and call in the best ones to test them for safety, functionality and fun factor. They look for toys that build on these developmental skills, toys that are well constructed and playthings toddlers will return to again and again. Some of our recommendations are even current or previous Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award winners! With all that in mind, these are the best toys and gifts for 2-year-olds in 2023.

Our Top Picks for the Best Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds in 2023

  • Mail Duck Helps a Friend Board Book , $10 on amazon.com
  • TOMY John Deere Build-A-Johnny Tractor Toy , $24 at amazon.com
  • Fat Brain Toys Bilibo by MOLUK , $30 on amazon.com
  • Wood City Wooden Car Race Track Ramp , $40 on amazon.com
  • Battat LullaBaby Doll Nursery Accessories Bundle , $40 at target.com
  • LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart , $55 on amazon.com

Some other things to keep in mind: Two-year-olds are still too young for toys with small parts that can be choking hazards, they might not have the attention span for complicated games with lots of rules and they still don't have enough motor coordination for some more sophisticated toys. If you follow those guidelines, no matter what you get, you'll end up with happy toddlers!

Looking for more great gifts ? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:

Best Gifts for Toddlers | Stocking Stuffers for Toddlers | Best Montessori Toys for 2-Year-Olds | Best Toys for 18-Month-Olds

Bilibo by MOLUK

Bilibo by MOLUK

What's a Bilibo? What isn't it? It can be a seat that they wobble around. Flip it over, and it's a tunnel or a shell. They can wear it on their heads like a helmet or use it as a landscape for their figures. The open-endedness means that kids can really be creative when they play with it. It also comes in several colors or in a set of six mini versions . Ages 2+

LeapFrog Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart

This full-service cart was a Good Housekeeping Toy Award winner in 2018, and we still think it's awesome. The scooper picks up the ice cream, and also recognizes colors and flavors. It comes with six different order cards and instructions, so your 2-year-old child can learn how to follow directions and boost their memory and sequencing skills . They can also practice counting with play money, or by using the syrup pump. Plus, the cart can actually be pushed around, so kids can play and move at the same time. Ages 2+

Just Play Sesame Street Elmo Slide Singing and Dancing 14-inch Plush

Sesame Street Elmo Slide Singing and Dancing 14-inch Plush

If they love Elmo (and who doesn't?), this toy will bring the biggest smile to their face. He flaps his arms, movies side from side to side and more. He’s bilingual and can lead games in English or Spanish. Ages 2+

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Skoolzy Pegboard Set

Pegboard Set

If you're interested in trying out Montessori-inspired toys for 2-year-olds this is a good place to get started. There are 33 pegs in different colors, sized for toddlers' hands. The rest is open-ended: Kids can sort them by color, stack on the board as tall as they can, create patterns or find their own ways to play. Ages 2+

John Deere Build-a-Buddy Johnny Tractor Toy

John Deere Build-a-Buddy Johnny Tractor Toy

John Deere fans with instantly recognize the green and yellow color scheme on this tractor, which toddlers can use alongside their favorite vehicles. But this one has a twist: It comes with a battery-operated toy drill that kids can use to take the tractor apart and put it together again, turning it into an early STEM toy. Ages 18 months+

CoComelon Ultimate Learning Bus

CoComelon Ultimate Learning Bus

Toddlers can revisit all their CoComelon faves without turning on Netflix or YouTube. There are many features of this bus that helps with school readiness: It comes with letter tokens, and the bus says phrases about each letter when kids put them in the slot on top. The side has number buttons to practice counting. And the whole thing acts like a push toy, getting kids familiar with the idea of riding the school bus. Ages 2+

Mail Duck Helps a Friend

Mail Duck Helps a Friend

The adorable, overalls-wearing duck needs to deliver a package to a sick friend, and along the way he runs into helpful objects of different colors — and readers get to find them behind sturdy flaps. Good Housekeeping Institute kid testers were so involved with the flaps: “I haven't seen my 2-year-old daughter this engaged in a book in months,” one parent admitted. Ages 0 – 3

RELATED: The Good Housekeeping Best Kids' Book Awards

Radio Flyer Scoot About Sport Trike

Scoot About Sport Trike

Your toddlers can ride anywhere on this sporty scooter. It features wide-set front wheels that help with stability, while the handlebars help them steer. There's even a storage compartment under the seat. It holds up to 42 pounds, so they can ride around starting at age 1 and until they're about 3 years old. Ages 1+

Wood City Wooden Car Race Track Ramp

Wooden Car Race Track Ramp

They'll get a lesson in cause-and-effect when they see these cars zip down the slanted ramps. It feels like a cool stunt each time the cars reverse direction. It comes with seven cars in different colors of the rainbow. Ages 18 months+

LullaBaby Doll Nursery Accessories Bundle

Doll Nursery Accessories Bundle

If they love caring for baby dolls, this three-piece nursery set will have them feeding their dolls, taking them for walks in the stroller and putting them to bed. Good Housekeeping Institute testers loved the look, saying it was the perfect mix of kid-friendly and realistic, and the kids couldn't get enough of them. (Note: Dolls are not included, and these are sized for 14-inch dolls.) Ages 2+

WowWee Baby Shark's Big Show! Kids Mini Tablet

Baby Shark's Big Show! Kids Mini Tablet

Your toddler is probably obsessed with "Baby Shark," this will have them practicing their numbers . Kids will particularly love that they can play the song over and over again. Ages 2+

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Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

This cutie walked away with a Good Housekeeping Institute Toy Award a few years ago because the 12 pegs were easy for little hands to grasp. Parents will love how every piece stores neatly away inside the hedgehog's body, making for easy storage (and on-the-go transportation). And if they become Spike fans, they can get even more toys, including a fidget toy , a sensory treehouse play set , a rainbow stacker and a puzzle . Ages 18 months+

Hasbro Create Your Potato Head Family

Create Your Potato Head Family

Good Housekeeping testers loved combining and re-combining all the Potato Head pieces to make different families. The set comes with two big potato bodies and one small one , plus 45 pieces to switch up between them. It gets very silly very quickly! Ages 2+

Bouncy Pals Fox

Bouncy Pals Fox

If they ever wanted to ride their stuffies around the room like a trusty steed, now they can. This comes with a plush cover that you can take off for washing, and as kids hop around they learn about balance and coordination. It comes in a lot of animal forms, too. Ages 18 months+

Playmobil 123 Aqua Water Seesaw with Boat

123 Aqua Water Seesaw with Boat

Level up bath time with this Playmobil set, which adds some sensory play into the mix. It comes with a seesaw tha floats in water, along with a boat that attaches to it when kids put the boat's ring around the seesaw's peg. The seesaw also has a flap that opens and closes. Kids will have fun with cause-and-effect, pouring water on the different sides of the seesaw to see what happens, sending the incuded figures (two people and an octopus) down the slide, or splashing them through the flap and into the water below. Ages 18 months+

Soft Baby Doll

Soft Baby Doll

Kids can practice nurturing and empathy during their imaginative play with this toddler-friendly baby doll. And, if they love too much, it can also go in the washing machine. It comes in several different outfits and skin tones, too. Ages 1+

Pop2Play Indoor Slide

Pop2Play Indoor Slide

Make an at-home playground on a budget with this indoor foldable slide. This one-time Parenting Award winner is available in a rainbow or sunny print is made with strong cardboard that holds up to 50 lbs. The best part—it won’t take up much space when not in use. Simply fold the slide flat when your child is done playing, and it is thin enough to fit into super tight spaces. Break it out on rainy days, and put it away when the sun comes out. Ages 2+

Playmobil My Take Along Noah's Ark

My Take Along Noah's Ark

As expected, you get two of every animal (including giraffes and zebras) in this Noah's Ark play set. When playtime is over, they all fit neatly into the inside of the boat, and the ark can actually float on water ! Ages 18 months+

Block Set

This isn’t your average wood block set. The 70-piece learning kit promotes STEM learning as it is made with over 18 different bright colors and features over a dozen fun features like shapes, wheels, ramps, magnetic rods, shape sorters and more . What makes it even better is you can turn this set into a storage car for easy containment of all the pieces. Ages 18 months+

Crayola My First Palm Grip Crayons

My First Palm Grip Crayons

These egg-shaped crayons are easier to grasp, but they'll still help them draw whatever creations they can dream up. And one of these crayons is equal to 14 regular-sized ones, so they'll last a long time, too. Ages 1+

Headshot of Marisa LaScala

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

Headshot of Rachel Rothman

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

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Motherhood Community

23 Non-toxic & Developmentally-friendly Toys For 2-Year-Olds

problem solving toys 2 year old

What are the best toys to give a 2-year-old? There are thousands, perhaps even millions, to choose from, but how do you know if they’re ideal for this age group?

You’ll notice that many toys for 1-year-olds continue to be a popular choice for older children, although it’s rare for these toys to be interesting to 10-year-old kids.

Learning toys teach new skills, whether they’re wooden blocks or board books . Toys for imaginative play, such as kitchen sets, are also a good choice.

We’ve compiled a list of toys from various categories including Montessori and STEM-inspired* educational toys :

  • Montessori-inspired toys

Other STEM toys

  • Toys that help develop cognitive skills
  • Toys that promote hand-eye coordination
  • Toys that help develop problem-solving skills
  • Toys that develop gross motor skills
  • Pretend play or role-play toys
  • Art & crafts
  • Stuffed animals & dolls
  • Musical instruments

What factors should you consider when choosing toys and gifts for your 2-year-old? How many toys should your 2-year-old have? Which toddler toys grow with your child? Find out below.

*STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math.

These Are Our Top 23 Toy Picks For 2-Year-Olds

Montessori-inspired toys, lovevery the enthusiast play kit.

  • Best features: Science experiments with weights and balance, learning about geometric shapes, and motor precision
  • Product safety: Free from heavy elements and phthalates
  • Materials: Sustainably-harvested wood and other child-safe materials
  • Type of toy: Educational (toy subscription)
  • Age range: 28-30 months
  • Extra features: Includes stacking peg puzzle, sticky shapes glue station, board book, and child-size squeegee cleaning set
  • Certification: FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
  • Product recall: None
  • Cons: It can be pricey.

LOVEVERY The Investigator Play Kit

  • Best features: Basic science experiment kit, including lessons for liquid conservation and volume
  • Age range: 31-33 months
  • Extra features: Includes memory game, match-and-tap hammer box, countdown timer with color indicators, and board book
  • Certification: FSC

Melissa & Doug 100 Piece Wood Blocks Set

  • Best features: 100 solid wood blocks in four colors and nine shapes
  • Product safety: Free from phthalates and lead
  • Materials: Sustainably sourced wood
  • Type of toy: Educational
  • Educational value: Introducing early math concepts, early engineering skills, fine motor skills and dexterity, and color and shape recognition
  • Age range: 2+ years old
  • Extra features: Box converts into a carrying case; toy is also great for 4-year-old kids and older
  • Certification: U.S. and E.U. conformity certificates, and FSC
  • Cons: Some customers complained about the blocks being smaller than they expected.

Fat Brain Toys Count and Sort Stacking Tower

  • Best features: Color-coded sorting tower for learning about numbers
  • Product safety: Child-safe materials that meet US, European, and international safety standards
  • Materials: Wood
  • Educational value: Promotes sequencing, counting, and number recognition
  • Extra features: 10 number tiles that match the stacking peg and 45 color-coded discs
  • Certification: ASTM, European Safety Standards Commission, International Council of Toy Industries, and CPSC
  • Cons: Spare parts aren’t available so you can’t get new rings if you misplace any.

Toys That Help Develop Cognitive Skills

Hape twist and turnables.

  • Best features: Unique blocks with screw-together shapes so they won’t tumble down
  • Product safety: Water-based paint
  • Educational value: Basic engineering skills and creative thinking
  • Age range: 24+ months
  • Extra features: Shapes that vary from the usual block shapes
  • Certification: Passed sharp point, bite force, tensile, small parts, chemical, and drop tests
  • Cons: Some customers complained about the blocks having a bad smell.

Plantoys Miracle Pounding II

  • Best features: A new ball pops up in place after your child hits the other with a mallet.
  • Product safety: Water-based dyes and organic color pigment, free from formaldehyde, lead, or heavy metals
  • Materials: Recycled rubber plantation wood
  • Type of toy: Hammering set for cause and effect
  • Educational value: Develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and concentration ability
  • Age range: 2+ years
  • Extra features: Colorful balls
  • Certification: ASTM (USA) & EN71 (Europe)

The Kiddo Toys Set of Cards (Words & Numbers)

  • Best features: Promotes speech development and math learning
  • Product safety: Non-toxic materials that meet rigorous safety inspections (US and European standards)
  • Materials: 100% natural wood and velcro
  • Type of toy: Educational toy
  • Extra features: Handcrafted, ethically-made toys
  • Certification: US and European standards of child safety
  • Cons: Limited options to buy this toy from other sellers.

Toys That Promote Hand-Eye Coordination

Uncle goose cubelings sea blocks.

  • Best features: Four blocks with different sea creatures
  • Product safety: Free from heavy metals
  • Materials: Sustainably sourced basswood or linden tree with non-toxic, mouth-safe inks
  • Type of toy: Educational blocks
  • Educational value: Imaginative play
  • Extra features: Includes four different paper environments for pretend play
  • Certification: ASTM F963 (US), EN71 (Europe), and Japanese ST Standards Parts 1-3 compliant

Toys That Help Develop Problem-Solving Skills

Maple landmark shape sorter bench.

  • Best features: Twelve blocks with four shape holes
  • Product safety: Free from any paint or dye
  • Materials: Unfinished, sustainably harvested maple hardwood
  • Type of toy: Shape-sorter puzzle toy
  • Educational value: Problem-solving skills
  • Extra features: Includes a pouch for storing the pieces when not in use
  • Certification: CPSC

Begin Again Balance Boat Shapes & Colors

  • Best features: Shape-sorter with different shapes and colors
  • Product safety: Eco-friendly water-based stains
  • Materials: Eco-friendly rubberwood
  • Type of toy: Shape sorter
  • Educational value: Problem-solving skills, spatial awareness, and imaginative play
  • Extra features: The brown sorter can be used as a boat where the other shapes can ride
  • Cons: Some complaints about the toy being smaller than expected.

Toys That Develop Gross Motor Skills

Strider 12 sport balance bike.

  • Best features: Unique balance bike without pedals
  • Materials: Steel frame with flat-free foam rubber wheels
  • Type of toy: Ride-on toy
  • Educational value: Balance, coordination, and gross motor skills
  • Age range: 18+ months
  • Extra features: Adjustable seat height
  • Cons: The lack of pedals can make it challenging to use this bike.

Green Toys Wagon

  • Best features: Pull-along wagon with 100% cotton rope handle that tucks inside the wagon for storage
  • Product safety: Free from BPA (bisphenol-A), phthalates, and PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
  • Materials: 100% food-grade recycled plastic with soy-based inks
  • Type of toy: Pull-along toy
  • Educational value: Gross motor skills
  • Extra features: Can carry your little one’s toys
  • Cons: Many complaints that the wagon is too small and the rope is too short.

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll ‘N Trike

  • Best features: Convertible trike (from push stroller to regular tricycle)
  • Product safety: With a safety harness and a removable UV-protection canopy for shade
  • Materials: Steel frame with plastic and rubber parts from sustainable sources
  • Educational value: Speed and gross motor skills
  • Age range: 2-5 years
  • Extra features: Music, lights, and a ‘walkie-talkie’
  • Cons: It can be pricey. For example, Fisher-Price Nickelodeon PAW Patrol Lights & Sounds Trike only costs $84.99 (but it isn’t convertible).

Pretend Play Or Role-Play Toys

Little tikes picnic on the patio playhouse.

problem solving toys 2 year old

  • Best features: Playhouse set with a table and benches
  • Product safety: Free from BPA, latex, PVC, phthalates, lead, and other heavy metals
  • Materials: Child-safe plastic
  • Type of toy: Playhouse
  • Educational value: Imaginative play and social interaction
  • Age range: 18+ months to 5 years
  • Extra features: Includes dishes, some play food, and a pretend phone
  • Certification: ASTM F963 (US) and EN-71 (Europe)
  • Cons: It’s bulky and pricey.

Under the Nile Veggie Crate Gift Set

  • Best features: Wooden toy crate with vegetable plushies
  • Product safety: Free from AZO dyes, BPA, formaldehyde, fragrance, flame retardants, PVC, and lead
  • Materials: 100% organic Egyptian cotton and raw, untreated natural wood
  • Type of toy: Pretend toy
  • Extra features: Sustainably made using scraps from clothing production leftovers
  • Certification: GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and Gold Egyptian Seal of authenticity (it’s made of 100% organic Egyptian cotton)
  • Cons: Some complaints about the plushies being smaller than they expected.

Le Toy Van Egg Cup

  • Best features: Six-piece wooden egg cup set
  • Product safety: Non-toxic water-based paints
  • Educational value: Imaginative play, social interaction, and fine motor skills
  • Extra features: Includes two hand-painted wooden ‘soldiers’
  • Cons: Some complaints about the toy being too pricey. For example, a 50-piece pack of plastic eggs only costs $13.99 on Amazon. (Just be sure to check for child-safe materials before buying these plastic toys.)

Arts & Crafts

Honeysticks originals.

  • Best features: 12 jumbo crayons for little hands
  • Product safety: 100% natural and non-toxic food-grade ingredients
  • Materials: Beeswax
  • Type of toy: Crayon
  • Educational value: Creative learning
  • Age range: Suitable for all ages
  • Extra features: Difficult to snap
  • Cons: It can be pricey. For example, a pack of 16-color Crayola jumbo crayons only costs $6.19 at Target (but Crayola isn’t organic).

Imagine Childhood Eco-Dough

  • Best features: Child-safe playdough
  • Product safety: Eco-friendly and organic
  • Materials: Flour, cream of tartar, organic rosemary oil, salt, vitamin E oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, citric acid, potassium sorbate
  • Type of toy: Playdough
  • Educational value: Sensory and imaginative play
  • Extra features: Five colors in each tube, with coloring materials sourced natural extracts from beets, spinach, paprika, carrots, red cabbage, purple sweet potato, blueberries, and tomatoes
  • Certification: ASTM D-4236 and CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act)
  • Cons: It can be pricier than other playdoughs.

Stuffed Animals & Dolls

Bella luna organic waldorf baby doll.

  • Best features: Handmade Waldorf doll
  • Product safety: Child-safe materials
  • Materials: 100% organic, pure new wool with certified organic cotton terry cloth
  • Type of toy: Baby doll
  • Educational value: A Waldorf doll with minimal facial features that encourages your child to use their imagination
  • Age range: For 1- 3-year-old kids
  • Extra features: Hand-painted doll face

Our Green House Hand Knit Organic Stuffed Dog – Cooper

problem solving toys 2 year old

  • Best features: Hand-knitted stuffed animal
  • Product safety: Free from chemicals like asbestos and radon
  • Materials: 100% organic cotton yarn with OEKO-TEX certified polyester stuffing (certified free from 100+ harmful chemicals)
  • Type of toy: Plushie
  • Age range: 2-4 years
  • Certification: OEKO-TEX

Musical Instruments

Vtech kidibeats drum set.

  • Best features: Freestyle drum or play along with nine preset melodies
  • Product safety: Meets US and European safety standards
  • Materials: Child-safe materials
  • Type of toy: Educational and musical toy
  • Educational value: Musical creativity, sensory development, visualization memory, and phonics
  • Extra features: With lights to teach numbers and ABCs
  • Certification: ASTM (US), EN71 (Europe), and Canadian Hazardous Products Regulations
  • Cons: Some complaints about the toy being too small.

Nuby Floating Purple Octopus with 3 Hoopla Rings Interactive Bath Toy

  • Best features: Toy octopus that floats on water
  • Product safety: Free from BPA, phthalates, and other suspected harmful chemicals
  • Type of toy: Ring toss and bath toy
  • Educational value: Hand-eye coordination
  • Extra features: The octopus’ legs/arms can be used with the three rings for a ring toss game
  • Certification: FDA, CPSIA, CPSC, and European standards/regulations
  • Cons: This octopus toy only has six legs/arms instead of eight, which can confuse kids.

LEGO Duplo Bath Time Fun: Floating Animal Island

  • Best features: 14-piece bath playset with a floating island, four animals, floating ring, and activity bucket
  • Product safety: Meets global safety standards
  • Materials: Polyethylene from sustainable sources (elements from sugarcane)
  • Type of toy: Bath toy
  • Educational value: Promotes imagination, motor skills, and creativity
  • Age range: 1.5+ years
  • Extra features: The floating island converts into a container for keeping the toys when not in use.
  • Certification: FSC and US quality standards
  • Cons: It can be pricey. For example, the 100-piece Kangaroo rubber duck set (assorted duck designs) costs the same on Amazon.

What Toys Should My Two-Year-Old Be Playing With?

At age two, most kids can walk without any help. They’re also ready to run and kick a ball. But you can’t expect them to play well or understand the rules of a ball game like a 6-year-old .

Many of them already recognize the ABCs, basic shapes and colors, and numbers 1-10, but usually fewer than your preschooler or 5-year-old. Simple puzzles can be ideal for this age group.

Educational toys like Montessori-based and STEM toys (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), sometimes also called STEAM toys, encourage them to learn more and improve their fine motor skills.

Their problem-solving skills are better than a one-year-old, and they’re likely curious about how things work. They try to use knobs, switches, buttons, etc., on toys. (1)

They can build more complex structures using blocks and similar toys during playtime.

Tots this age love imaginative play, so you can also pick toy sets like play kitchens, train sets, playhouses, dolls or action figures, and toy lawn mowers or similar pretend toys.

You can also encourage them to spend time outdoors by offering fun outdoor toys . Yet they can still have fun and learn during bath time.

How Many Toys Should A 2-Year-Old Have?

There isn’t a specific rule or guideline that sets how many toys a child should have.

However, a 2018 Infant Behavior and Development study showed that children with fewer toys in their environment could focus more and play more creatively because they spend more time with each toy. (2)

The researchers recommend letting your child play with fewer toys at a given time to support their development and promote healthy, creative play. (2)

This is also in line with the Montessori method. With Montessori play, your child gets limited options during playtime, but you rotate their collection to let them explore all their toys.

How Do I Keep My 2-Year-Old Entertained All Day?

You might notice that your two-year-old has a shorter attention span than a much older child, such as an 8-year-old. So, keeping them entertained all day can be a challenge.

Some parents set up different play areas around the house. For example, your kids can play with their train set in the living room, but blocks and puzzles are only for their room.

Arts and crafts can be in their study area or bedroom.

You can also assign one spot for your 2-year-old and a different spot for your 7-year-old or other older kids, especially because they probably have different interests.

Your kids aren’t likely to stay in one spot for more than just a few minutes, so you can also offer other options. Let them play music, run outside or play with outdoor toys (such as trikes), create art, or learn new skills with other toys (such as a balance bike).

Books and wooden toys can also offer hours of entertainment for your kids.

Factors To Consider In Buying The Best Gifts & Toys For 2-Year-Olds

Most of the factors to consider when choosing toys for 1-year-olds also apply to toys for 2-year-olds:

  • Safety – check for product recalls and unsafe parts
  • Materials – organic, child-safe materials are preferable
  • Quality and durability
  • Educational value
  • Learning resources
  • Activity level

Dangers To Watch Out For

  • Choking risks
  • Loud noises
  • Sharp edges
  • Sharp points
  • Small toys or those with small parts (choking risk)
  • Long cords and strings (suffocation risk)
  • Shooting toys
  • Flying toys
  • Needs electricity
  • Brittle plastic
  • Harmful or toxic chemicals

Toxic Chemicals & Materials To Avoid

Studies show that the following chemicals can cause cancer, fertility problems, premature puberty, liver or kidney dysfunction, behavioral problems (such as aggressiveness and hyperactivity), or other health concerns: (3)

  • PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
  • BPA (bisphenol-A)
  • Heavy metals (such as lead and cadmium)
  • Formaldehyde
  • Polystyrene (such as Styrofoam
  • Polycarbonate
  • Flame retardant chemicals

Safer Alternatives

If possible, choose organic, ethical, and sustainably sourced materials.

These are also safer alternatives to the toxic chemicals listed above:

  • Unfinished wood
  • Wood finished with natural oils
  • Wood finished with waxes like beeswax or walnut oil
  • Toys made of fabric that can be washed
  • Food grade silicone
  • Natural rubber – BPA and PVC-free, but check for allergic reactions (nausea, itching, runny nose, hives, and trouble breathing) (4)
  • Polypropylene – one of the safest plastic options for toys (5)

Certifications

Safety & quality standards.

  • OEKO-TEX Standard 100 – passed at least 100 tests for toxic chemicals (6)
  • GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) – safe, organic fibers (7)
  • ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International F-963 Toy Safety Standards – for toxic chemicals (e.g., heavy metals like cadmium or lead), material quality, labeling or safety warning requirements, etc. (8)
  • CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) – safety standards for different factors, such as flammability, choking hazards, sound pressure levels, etc. (9)

Sustainability Standards

  • PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification)
  • FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
  • Rainforest Alliance

What Toys Should A 2-Year-Old Girl Have?

It depends on their interests. While parents typically choose baby dolls, kitchen sets, and other “girly” or feminine stuff for their little girls, there aren’t absolute rules that stop them from playing with toys for 2-year-old boys.

If you aren’t sure, you can always observe which toys your child likes to play with, so you can choose similar items or offer them variety, depending on their needs and your observations.

For example, you can let your kids use their imaginations to create stuff using the Imagine Childhood Eco-Dough ($20).

It’s more expensive than the Play-Doh Drizzly Ice Cream Playset ($15.99) which already has six modeling compounds and an ice cream maker toy, but it can be a safer option. Although Play-Doh maintains that its products are non-toxic, there are concerns that it might have questionable ingredients. (10)

Other Learning Toys For Different Age Groups

  • Best educational toys
  • DIY Montessori toys
  • Educational toys
  • Educational baby toys
  • Educational toys for toddlers
  • Educational toys for 2-year-olds
  • Educational toys for 3-year-olds
  • Educational toys for 4-year-olds
  • Educational toys for 5-year-olds
  • Educational toys for 6-year-olds
  • Educational toys for 7- year-olds
  • Educational toys for 8- year-olds
  • Montessori baby toys
  • Montessori climbing toys
  • Montessori toys
  • Montessori toys for toddlers
  • Montessori toys for 1-year-olds
  • Montessori toys for 3-year-olds
  • Montessori toys for 4-year-olds
  • Montessori wooden toys
  • Outdoor toys for 1-year-olds
  • Toys for 1-year-olds
  • Toys for 6-year-old boys
  • Wooden educational toys

Toy Recalls To Monitor

  • Calico Critters recall (2023)
  • Kids Preferred recall (2023)
  • Target Toy recall (2022)
  • Haba recall (2022)
  • Kidoozie Play Tent recall (2022)
  • Monti Kids recall (2022)

(1) https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/milestones-2yr.html

(2) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163638317301613

(3) https://health.ucdavis.edu/mindinstitute/resources/resources_pdf/Plastics_and_Plastic_Toys_7_14.pdf

(4) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/latex-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20374287

(5) https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/plastic-toys/

(6) https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/apply-here/standard-100-by-oeko-tex

(7) https://global-standard.org/the-standard/gots-key-features

(8) https://www.cpsc.gov/Business–Manufacturing/Business-Education/Toy-Safety/ASTM-F-963-Chart

(9) https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws–Standards/Voluntary-Standards/Topics/Toys

(10) https://www.seniorcare2share.com/is-playdough-toxic/#Is_playdough_safe_for_ 2_year_olds

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Momswhothink

The 5 Best Climbing Toys For 2-Year-Olds: An Overview

I s your 2-year-old constantly climbing on furniture? Maybe they love the thrill of climbing high, or perhaps they know no fear! Whatever the case, the truth is most toddlers love to climb! 2-year-olds have learned that their body can do amazing things they didn’t know about a year ago. They want to explore what they are capable of doing. Many toddlers have no fear; they are still learning to climb structures safely. As a result, as parents, we want to give our kids the ability to climb safely and explore what their bodies are capable of doing. One of the best ways to provide your 2-year-old this experience is by giving them a climbing toy to play with! This list has the best climbing toys for 2-year-olds, so your child can explore to their heart’s content, and you can feel confident when your child is learning new skills. 

What to Look For When Shopping For Climbing Toys for 2-Year-Olds

When shopping for a 2-year-old’s climbing toy , there are many factors to consider. The first one is what your child is capable of doing now. Do they understand how to climb? Are they working on their gross motor skills and seeming like they have control of their balance and coordination? You will also want to consider the size of your child.

The climbing toy should be the correct size. Too small, and they may grow bored or accidentally break the structure. If the climbing toy is too big, your child may become overwhelmed or frustrated if they cannot master a few new skills. With this in mind, a perfect climbing toy will be in the middle. Finally, you will want to look for a climbing toy that is challenging enough for your child and can encourage the development of their gross motor skills. This list is full of climbing toys that are top-rated by parents! 

What a 2-Year-Old is Learning Right Now

If you have a 2-year-old, you will notice that they are learning many new skills right now!

  • Your toddler’s gross motor skills are developing, and they are learning what their bodies can do. Such as jumping, running, and climbing! According to KidsHealth, their gross motor skills have increased greatly by the time a toddler is 2 years old, and most toddlers can run and climb stairs .
  • Their vocabulary is increasing! Now your child may be putting together three to four-word sentences that are easy to understand. They may be able to dictate to you what their desires are. 
  • Many 2-year-olds explore playing make-believe, especially if they are around other children. They will mimic what the children around them do. 
  • 2-year-olds are also learning what they like and don’t like and how to express their dislike to others. 

What to Encourage When Your Child is 2

If you have a 2-year-old, there are specific skills you can encourage in your toddler. First, continue to talk to them using a wide variety of words. Your toddler stores away the phrases you use in their mind, such as why a term is used when you don’t want to do something or simple things like moo means cow. Even if your child is not expressing yet what they are learning, they are still storing all that information in their ever-growing minds! 

Provide opportunities for your toddler to practice fine motor skills. Give them items they have to grasp with their pincher fingers or something as simple as utensils.

Continue to provide your toddler with activities that encourage gross motor development. Take them places where they can run, hop, and climb!

Best Activities to Encourage Gross Motor Skills

Some great activities that encourage gross motor skill development are: 

  • Jumping on a trampoline.
  • Playing on a playground.
  • Throwing a ball back and forth.
  • Pushing play cars around outside.
  • Playing Twister with their siblings.
  • Climbing on play equipment!

Climbing toys offer an excellent opportunity for your toddler to work on their gross motor skills. Regardless of where they are at in their development, your toddler will have a great time exploring what their bodies can do with these awesome climbing toys! 

Best Climbing Toys For 2-Year-Olds

The climbing toys on this list are all top-rated and loved by kids. They offer climbing opportunities in a variety of ways. Additionally, you will be able to find something that will work for your toddler. Let’s take a look at these awesome climbing toys below. 

4 In 1 Pikler Triangle Gym, Montessori Foldable Climber with Ramp

This Pikler Triangle Gym is an excellent option for children who love to explore using their imagination. Change this gym into four different structures to help your toddler develop gross motor skills.

The wooden gym is natural poplar and beech, entirely safe for young children, and carries no odors. The edges do not have any sharpness that can harm a child. You can use this structure outside and inside! Create a safe and fun space for your child to develop their skills, strength, and coordination. Parents love this climbing set because it is sturdy and has excellent quality, and children love it! 

3-in-1 Montessori Wooden Arch Climber Ladder Structure

Use the Wooden Arch Climber in three ways: as a rocker, climber, or arch. Natural birch wood makes this climber safe and durable for children to play with. This allows you to encourage many skills with this climber! Your toddler can work on gross motor skills through climbing, building, and rocking.

The wooden arch climber provides hours of fun play that encourages the use of their imagination! This climbing set comes with a blue pad that can cushion the climber when used as a rocker. Parents love this climbing set because it is small enough to move around yet sturdy enough for children. 

Climb Foam Play Set

Climbing foam sets are a soft option for children who love to climb but also want that added padding! The surface is smooth and durable, making recovering from falls easier for your toddler. In addition, you can clean this foam play set easily because it is stain resistant and made of soft leather.

Encourage your child to work on gross motor skills and coordination with this fun playset! You can create a fun climbing area that is also soft and safe for your child indoors. Also, your child can change the structure in several ways, igniting their imagination. 

OLEO Kids Rocking Play 2-in-1 Arch Rocker Board

The OLEO Kids Rocker is non-toxic and made from birch and beech wood. The edges are smooth, preventing your child from getting hurt by rough edges. The colors of this rocker are fun for kids, and the rocker can be played with in two different ways.

This rocker allows your child to work on their climbing skills whenever they desire to! It is perfect for the inside and is small enough to be moved. Therefore, parents loved this rocking set because it encourages imaginative play and is sturdy for climbing! 

Swedish Ladder – Wooden Play Structure 

The Swedish Ladder is fun for children up to age 6! Also, this is a 5-in-one play structure that is used indoors. It has a triangle ladder, climber, rings, ramp, monkey bars, and slide! All of the climbing options encourage skill development and problem-solving as well.

The wooden play structure is easy to put together and is made of safe and non-toxic materials. Furthermore, parents and kids love this set because it’s sturdy, durable, colorful, and small enough for young toddlers to start practicing skills! 

In Conclusion

No matter what type of climbing structure you are looking for, 2-year-olds have many options! If your toddler is ready to start developing more of their gross motor skills, coordination, and balance, an excellent place to start is with a climbing toy ! These are the best climbing toys for 2-year-olds, and do not disappoint! 

The post The 5 Best Climbing Toys For 2-Year-Olds appeared first on Moms Who Think .

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

The 5 Best Climbing Toys For 2-Year-Olds: An Overview

‘A nightmare’: Special counsel’s assessment of Biden’s mental fitness triggers Democratic panic

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden sidestepped any criminal charges as the investigation into his handling of classified documents concluded, but the political blowback from the special counsel’s report Thursday could prove even more devastating, reinforcing impressions that he is too old and impaired to hold the highest office.

Special counsel Robert Hur’s portrait of a man who couldn’t remember when he served as Barack Obama’s vice president, or the year when his beloved son Beau died, dealt a blow to Biden’s argument that he is still sharp and fit enough to serve another four-year term.

In deciding not to charge Biden with any crimes, the special counsel wrote that in a potential trial, “Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury, as he did during our interview with him, as a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory.”

It was tough enough for Biden to reassure voters about his health before Hur’s report hit like a thunderclap Thursday afternoon, prompting members of his own party to question whether he could remain the nominee in November.

“It’s a nightmare,” said a Democratic House member who asked to speak anonymously to provide a frank assessment, adding that “it weakens President Biden electorally, and Donald Trump would be a disaster and an authoritarian.”

“For Democrats, we’re in a grim situation.”

Biden wasted little time before attempting to minimize the fallout. He held an unexpected exchange with reporters in the White House on Thursday night, in which he disputed Hur's assessment of his mental acuity.

Biden grew emotional when invoking the part of the report addressing the date of his son's death.

"How in the hell dare you raise that?" Biden said. "Frankly, when I was asked the question I thought to myself, 'It wasn't any of their damn business.' "

‘Beyond devastating’

Polling has long shown that age looms as Biden’s greatest liability in his expected rematch with Trump. A January poll by NBC News found that 76% of voters have major or moderate concerns about Biden’s mental and physical health.

“It’s been a problem since way before this ever happened,” said a longtime Democratic operative who noted that when focus groups are asked to apply one word to Biden, it is often “old.”

Just this week, Biden twice referred to conversations he’s had as president with foreign leaders who’ve long since died. In his remarks Thursday night defending his competency, while talking about the war in Gaza, he referred to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi as being the head of Mexico. White House press aides have downplayed such lapses as the sort of mistake anyone in public life can make.

The Hur report strips away the defenses that Biden’s press operation has used to protect him and raises fresh doubts about whether Biden is up to the rigors of the presidency, Democratic strategists said in interviews.

“This is beyond devastating,” said another Democratic operative, speaking on condition of anonymity to talk candidly about Biden’s shortcomings. “It confirms every doubt and concern that voters have. If the only reason they didn’t charge him is because he’s too old to be charged, then how can he be president of the United States?”

Asked if Hur’s report changes the calculus for Democrats who expect Biden to be the party’s nominee, this person said: “How the f--- does it not?”

Another Biden ally called it “the worst day of his presidency.”

“I think he needs to show us this is a demonstrably false characterization of him and that he has what it takes to win and govern.”

Biden has overwhelmingly won the first primary contests — notching victories in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada. It would be virtually impossible for anyone else to challenge him at this point; the deadline has passed in more than 30 states to get on primary ballots.

Some of the president’s allies were quick to defend him. They pointed to the timing of the interview with the special counsel — days after Hamas’ attack on Israel, which had captured much of the president’s focus. Others said that in their own dealings with Biden, he shows no sign of infirmity.

“He did so well in this discussion with members,” Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., told NBC News after seeing the president on Thursday. “He’s very sharp, no memory issues, and his only stumbling is when he trips over words consistent with his lifelong speech impediment.”

‘Prejudicial language’

Though Biden was fortunate to escape indictment, the special counsel report may give Trump additional fodder as he fights charges for allegedly mishandling classified records at his Mar-a-Lago social club. Republicans are already accusing Biden of benefiting from a double standard . Trump will likely brandish the Hur report as proof that Biden has “weaponized” the Justice Department for political advantage.

What’s more, Democrats will now be hard-pressed to capitalize on Trump’s indictment over retaining classified records. Before Hur’s report came out, Democrats argued that the two cases were very different. Whereas Trump failed to turn over classified records even after he was asked to do so, Biden willingly cooperated with authorities and relinquished all the material he had, Biden allies had argued.

“The public understands the essential difference between presidents or vice presidents like Joe Biden who occasionally behaved in sloppy ways with respect to where they were taking documents, and a president like Trump, who deliberately makes off with hundreds of classified government documents and then hides them and refuses to return them,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said on Wednesday, before the report was released. (Trump has denied any wrongdoing.)

Now, the distinctions may be harder for Biden allies to draw, given that Hur wrote that there was evidence Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified material after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen.”

The report mentions an instance in February 2017, when he was no longer vice president, when Biden read notes containing classified information “nearly verbatim” to a ghostwriter helping him with his book, “Promise Me, Dad.”

Storage of sensitive government secrets was haphazard. The report describes certain classified records involving the war in Afghanistan in Biden’s Delaware garage inside a “badly damaged box surrounded by household detritus.”

Before the report was released, Biden aides had been bracing for a finding that he had simply been careless in his treatment of classified records, a person familiar with the White House’s thinking said.

The political fallout from the report, though, is likely to be “worse,” this person said. What will stick in people’s minds is what Hur said about Biden’s memory, the person added.

Biden’s lawyers disputed the report’s description of Biden’s forgetfulness.

“We do not believe that the report’s treatment of President Biden’s memory is accurate or appropriate,” two of his lawyers wrote in a letter to Hur. “The report uses highly prejudicial language to describe a commonplace occurrence among witnesses: a lack of recall of years-old events.”

In the hours after the report was released, people close to the Biden campaign rolled out a different rebuttal. Jim Messina, who ran Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign, wrote on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, that Hur is a Republican who “knew exactly how his swipes could hurt Biden politically.”

That’s a familiar argument. Trump has also claimed that law enforcement is trying to sway the election, meaning both sides are now claiming victimization at the hands of partisan prosecutors.

“Hur knew exactly what he was doing here,” Stephanie Cutter, a veteran Democratic operative, wrote on X. “To provide political cover for himself for not prosecuting, he gratuitously leveled a personal (not legal) charge against the president that he absolutely knows is a gift to Trump. And, guess what we are all talking about?”

problem solving toys 2 year old

Peter Nicholas is a senior national political reporter for NBC News.

IMAGES

  1. 8 Best Problem solving toys for toddlers : Buying Guide for 2019

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  6. Engineering, Problem solving and decision making practise from this

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VIDEO

  1. Playing with Fisher-Price Baby's First Blocks

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  5. EARLY BRAIN DEVELOPMENT N EDUCATIONAL TOYS FOR ONE YEAR OLD CHILDRENS

COMMENTS

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    2:01 pm · 15 Powerful Problem Solving Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers Toddlers Inside: During the first five years of a child's life, many skills are developed. Some of the most important are problem-solving skills. How do you teach problem-solving to toddlers?

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    What makes a puppy a puppy? By helping your child identify the shared attributes of familiar objects (or furry friends), you're building key classification skills. Logic & Problem Solving Printable Same or different? Try this puppy printable to see if your toddler can "spot" what's different. Logic & Problem Solving Tip Remix

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    Sink & Float Puzzles Puzzles help 2-year-olds develop problem-solving, reasoning, exploration, and spatial awareness skills. Jigsaw puzzles are too advanced for most toddlers. Instead, look for chunky puzzles, puzzles with easy-to-hold knobs, and frame puzzles.

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  20. Twos and Toys: Waldorf Selections Perfect for Two-Year-Olds

    Twos and Toys: Waldorf Selections Perfect for Two-Year-Olds Published 2 days ago on 7. February 2024 By Avery As a parent of a two-year-old, I understand the importance of finding age-appropriate toys that engage and educate. Did you know that Waldorf selections are ideal for this stage of your child's development?

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  22. 36 Best Gifts and Toys for 2-Year-Olds 2024

    Our Top Picks for the Best Toys and Gifts for 2-Year-Olds in 2023. Mail Duck Helps a Friend Board Book, $10 on amazon.com. TOMY John Deere Build-A-Johnny Tractor Toy, $24 at amazon.com. Fat Brain ...

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  24. The 5 Best Climbing Toys For 2-Year-Olds: An Overview

    When shopping for a 2-year-old's climbing toy, there are many factors to consider. The first one is what your child is capable of doing now. The first one is what your child is capable of doing now.

  25. Think Fun kids toys KENYA on Instagram: "11-in-1 STEM Solar Robot

    3 likes, 0 comments - thinkfun_kidstoys on January 30, 2023: "11-in-1 STEM Solar Robot Toys for Kids DIY Educational Experiment Science Toy Kit for Teens, Sol..."

  26. 'A nightmare': Special counsel's assessment of Biden's mental fitness

    Polling has long shown that age looms as Biden's greatest liability in his expected rematch with Trump. A January poll by NBC News found that 76% of voters have major or moderate concerns about ...