32 of the best toys for 2-year-olds in the UK

Congratulations! Your tot is turning two and you're now officially out of baby territory. What do you buy for a toddler who has (almost) everything? Are you looking for a gift idea or simply curious about what benefits there are to certain toys? We've found the best toys for two-year-olds.

By two, you’ll probably notice your baby has become more assertive. However, you may find they're often torn between a want to do things independently and needing your help.

Their language skills are improving, and they can definitely make their wants and needs known, speaking in simple sentences. They've also developed a little imagination and can form images in their minds. You might want to invest in some educational toys or learning toys. These will help your tot develop confidence and dexterity.

The best toys for two-year-olds

From our Mother&Baby Playtime Award winners – tested by tots all over the country – to other great buys, we’ve spent hours searching high and low for the best toys and gifts for two-year-olds so you don’t have to.

FAQs

How to choose the best toys?

According to child development expert, Dr Amanda Gummer from The Good Play Guide, toys are very beneficial to toddler development. The Good Play Guide are a team of passionate expert professionals who research, test and share their knowledge about popular toys on the market, selecting the toys that are best in terms of child development.

"Toys have two main functions for young children. Stimulating the child and encouraging them to play and explore their environment as well as developing skills such as fine motor skills, concentration and communication. Also, to make the adults around the child more playful and likely to engage positively with the young child. This further promotes healthy development, thus strengthening attachment."

In terms of the best kind of toys to buy a two-year-old, Dr Amanda thinks games that a toddler can play both individually and with other children are the best. "Children move from playing alongside other children with minimal interaction to playing with them. This can mean competing with them or collaborating with them. So, play sets that they can play with alone and with friends are great, as are simple board games and toys that increase children’s confidence with numbers and letters are good to introduce around this age," Dr Amanda says.

How do I choose a safe toy for a two-year-old?

Fortunately, most toys come with a recommended age range that tells you if the toy is safe for their age. However, there are other features you can look out for to ensure your little one has a safe and happy playtime:

Ensure there are no small, detachable parts that could present a choking hazard
If you're buying plastic toys, make sure they're sturdy. Thin plastic can break easily to make a sharp edge
Make sure the toy can be cleaned - soft toys should be washable
Make sure toys and art materials are child-safe - they should be non-toxic
Check toys regularly to ensure they're clean and not broken
Look for the CE mark which manufacturers include to claim it meets regulatory requirements
Look for the British Toy and Hobby Association's Lion Mark which identifies toys that are regarded as safe and high quality

The best toys to help your baby’s development and education at two years old will:

Help improve their language skills, and encourage pretend play: Look out for dressing up clothes when shopping, as these can inspire a two-year-old’s creative play. It’s also a good time to buy art supplies for your baby. Set up an area where you can invite them to get creative (and messy!)

Construction toys are great at this age, as are puzzles: anything that asks your tot to match things, be that colours or shapes, together is a good thing. Think plastic keys opening doors, four-or-five-piece puzzles, or train sets and cars that can be linked.

Mini-me toys: By two, you’ll notice your tot copying everything you do, so now is also a good time to introduce that toy kitchen set, washing machine and vacuum cleaner.

Balance bikes and trikes: Your baby will also show more of an interest in ride-on toys now, so shop for a balance bike or trike.

"Toys promote social interactions that improve communication skills. Simple matching games can improve memory and puzzles help with concentration and perseverance. Imaginative play helps children develop storytelling and problem-solving skills," says Dr Amanda.

When should I get rid of my toddler toys?

It's very easy for toys to build up at home, especially if your tot is being gifted new toys from friends and family. However, research suggests that if children under five have too many toys, they can struggle to concentrate on those they have. Overwhelmed by the choice, they can get easily distracted from playing with the one toy, meaning they may not play or learn so well.

If you're looking to curb the number of toys your tot has - it always comes as a surprise! - here are some steps to help you narrow down their toy box:

1. Is it age-appropriate? If they have outgrown it and you don't intend to pass it on to younger siblings, donate it instead.

2. Is it broken? Broken toys can be hazardous, so they should be discarded if this is the case.

3. Is it a toy that never gets played with? If they have a number of toys and there are those that never come out at playtime, it may not be something your child is interested in.

4. Would your child notice if the toy was gone? If not, this is a quick win if you're looking to declutter.

What's the most popular toy in the world?

Finding out the most popular toy in the world is quite a tall order, but The Toy Zone has researched the most popular toys across countries and categories.

Looking at their research, these are the most popular toys that are also suitable for two-year-olds:

LEGO: LEGO was found to be the most popular toy in Europe and the most popular building and construction toy. Most LEGO toys are aimed at ages three and over, but LEGO DUPLO is perfect for two-year-olds.

Paw Patrol: Paw Patrol was found to be the most popular TV toy in the world as a favourite in 25 countries, including the UK and the US. There are a number of Paw Patrol toys available that are suitable for two-year-olds.

Barbie: After all these years, Barbie still takes the top spot as the favourite doll of the world and the favourite classic toy. Barbie toys for two-year-olds are limited, but you can find Little People Barbie sets with Fisher-Price.

Spiderman and Batman: These are the most popular superheroes across the world. Again, there are limited superhero toys for two-year-olds but LEGO DUPLO does a Marvel Spider-Man Super Heroes Set which looks like great fun for wannabe superheroes!