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Best gifts for two-year-olds
The 'terrible twos' you've heard so much about are here. And in place of the little baby you swear you had five minutes ago is a chatty and curious creature with very specific preferences which seem to change like the wind. Shopping for things they like (and will keep them occupied for more than five minutes) can be a challenge.
To save you from the trial and error, we asked the parents, aunties, uncles and seasoned toddler-wranglers at Which? to tell us what presents actually went over well with the little ones in their lives. Because nobody wants to spend money on a toy that gets tossed aside in favour of the box it came in.
Scroll on for our picks for the best gifts for two-year-olds.
Making shopping for kids a walk in the park – see the best gifts for kids and the best gifts for one-year-olds for more inspiration
Best gifts under £10
Bath crayons
I bought these as a gift for my friend's two-year-old and they said he loved them! Granted, I wasn't the one who then had to clean the bath, but apparently they are super easy to wipe clean!
We like Creative
Watch out for Can get a little messy
Bathtime can be a great opportunity for toddlers to get creative without making a big mess. These washable bath crayons are designed for smooth surfaces like tiles and bath walls, and can be wiped off with a damp cloth or sponge.
They’re sized for little hands to grasp, allowing kids to scribble, draw, and even practise letters and numbers while they bathe. They come in five bright colours: yellow, orange, red, green and blue.
These crayons wipe clean with just a damp cloth, but if you're tackling more stubborn stains, make sure you're using one of the best bathroom cleaning sprays
A free print-out travel game
My son had a set like this at two, and he LOVED it - it came with passports (we added his photo), luggage labels, and stickers for imaginative travel. We’d 'fly' to different rooms as countries, learning a bit about them while sparking his imagination with endless adventures.
We like It's free!
Watch out for Requires a printer and some DIY
A fun way for kids to learn about a country is through imaginative travel. With a homemade passport, they can pack their bags, check in at the 'airport', watch a take-off video, and enjoy an in-flight meal served by 'aeroplane staff' (parents).
Upon arrival, they receive a passport stamp and explore their destination through books and online resources. One of the parents we asked liked this download from Case of Adventure. It offers free printable passports, which can be customised with a child’s photo and used for future pretend trips.
If you have access to a printer, you can download your passport from Case of Adventure (email address required). Alternatively, you can buy a premade passport, such as the options below:
- Play Passport Book SQUIRREL_TEXT_50020048
- Personalised Play Passports Available from Etsy (£1-£10)
Travelling with your little ones soon? Here's 21 ways to make travelling with kids easier
Dear Zoo
Despite being published more than 40 years ago, Dear Zoo is still a lovely affordable gift for little ones. I've given it to a few friends' children and it makes a great addition to their bookshelves.
We like A classic read
Watch out for May contain lions!
In Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, a child writes to the zoo asking for a pet – but the animals they send aren’t quite right! Lift the flaps to reveal a monkey, a lion, an elephant, and more, until the perfect pet finally arrives.
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Best gifts under £20
Fluffy bath fleece robe
Younger kids can struggle to keep towels wrapped around them after bath time, so a cute dressing gown is not only functional but simply adorable. I initially bought this for my eldest nephew, and both of his siblings have since inherited it. I also tend to size up, as it's better to have something they can grow into.
We like Fluffy and functional
Watch out for Take care with the tie belt
These fleece duck dressing gowns for kids are designed for warmth and comfort, featuring a hood, pockets and an attached tie belt. They come in a range of sizes, from 0-6 months up to 3-4 years so can be used for babies up to young children.
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Lego Duplo
Duplo is great for developing motor skills and lets kids be creative!
We like Loads of sets available
Watch out for Larger sets can be pricey
Lego Duplo sets feature large, easy-to-handle bricks made for toddlers aged 18 months and up, allowing them to build barns, schools, trains, race cars and more.
They're designed to help children explore the world, refine motor skills and spark creativity through play. Some sets focus on plain shapes and colours, while others feature beloved children's characters like Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh.
Sets can range in price greatly – the priciest options can cost more than £300 – though the majority on Lego's website are under £20. You can also find some larger sets between £20 and £50.
Want a Lego set for bigger kids (or yourself)? See our round-up of the best Lego deals
Wooden Stacking Rainbow
It's lots of fun balancing and stacking them for the kids. They stack away quite nicely, and don't take up masses of space either.
We like Encourages open-ended play
Watch out for Limited number of pieces
There are plenty of wooden stacking rainbows out there, designed to encourage creativity and let kids build and create different shapes while exploring colours and sizes.
Consisting of nesting wooden arches that can be stacked and rearranged to help develop dexterity, their vibrant design makes them a nice decoration to any playroom or nursery when not in use.
Vtech Toot-Toot Cars and Garage
An absolute firm favourite when my son was two - we had the track, the garage and the service centre. It's another toy that can be built on, we bought the airport too and extra cars and trucks. It's noisy but very interactive and fun (if you're two).
We like Compatible with other VTech products in the same range
Watch out for Cars sold separately
The Toot-Toot Drivers Deluxe Car Track set includes 30 interchangeable pieces, enabling kids to build their own creative racetracks. Three 'SmartPoint' locations on the track trigger sounds, phrases and melodies when used with Toot-Toot Drivers cars (sold separately).
- VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Fix & Fuel Garage SQUIRREL_TEXT_50020063
- VTech Toot-Toot Drivers 3-in-1 Raceway SQUIRREL_TEXT_50020064
If you've got a car-obsessed little one, check out the best remote control cars: we've found Best Buy options for toddlers, kids and grown-ups
Best gifts under £40
Happyland Lights and Sounds Lift Off Rocket
It has three compartments (cargo, living and cockpit) and hilariously there is a toilet hidden under the fold-up bed, and a coffee maker in the kitchen portion. You can treat it like a small doll's house that can also fly into space!
We like Batteries included
Watch out for Small pieces can get lost
The Happyland Lights and Sounds Lift Off Rocket lets kids blast into space with two astronauts, a space dog, an alien and a crater for imaginative adventures.
Featuring flashing lights, rocket sounds, and a hidden astro-toilet, it’s designed for little hands and can be combined with other Happyland sets.
Thomas and Friends Wooden Engine
My son got this when he was two and absolutely loved it! The Brio sets also fit this Thomas one, and you can buy all sorts of add-ons, plus more trains and buildings. It's great for creativity, and is durable and long-lasting. He's nearly 13 now and we've passed it onto his sister to play with.
We like Compatible with Brio wooden tracks
Watch out for Track not included
This toy Thomas the Tank Engine features magnets at either end to connect to other trains or cargo holders. It's a great option if your little one already has a compatible wooden train track, as this set doesn't come with tracks.
As well as Thomas, there are options to buy Percy, Nia, Rebecca and more from the beloved kids' show.
The baby products the parents at Which? couldn't live without
Personalised Colourful Car Ramp
My son loved this when he was two, placing the car on the ramp each time is great for really honing those fine motor skills, and it's easy and fun to do again, and again, and again.... and again.
We like Customisable
Watch out for Small pieces
This beech and plywood car ramp toy has your little race driver sending cars zooming down the tracks, flipping onto each level as they go. Developed to help with hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and turn-taking, it comes in pastel colours and can be engraved with a name of up to 10 characters.
Xootz Balance Bike
Suitable from two years and a great way to get kids used to the balancing skills required when they move to a bigger bike.
We like Adjustable seat
Watch out for 20kg maximum user weight
This lightweight steel-frame balance bike is made to help kids develop balance and coordination before transitioning to a full-sized bike.
Xoots says it features easy-grip handles and puncture-proof EVA tires to ensure a stable and hassle-free riding experience. It's available in both blue and pink.
If you're looking to buy a balance bike for your child, head to our expert buying guide for shopping tips and popular models: best balance bikes
Blow-the-budget gifts
Micro Scooter
We got ours second-hand when my daughter was two, it's a great scooter and long-lasting - plus, it's adjustable. She still uses it now she's five.
We like Light-up wheels
Watch out for Pricey
Available in a range of bright colours, the Mini Classic Plus LED scooter features a lean-to-steer design, a lightweight frame and an adjustable handlebar. It's designed for children aged two to five.
It has battery-free LED wheels which light up through induction power, a braking system and a reinforced fibreglass footplate. For taller children, there's also the Maxi Micro range.
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