Toy Guide for 2 Year Oldssix skill areas, 40+ toys, and a checklist you can fill in
A free 18-page guide covering six developmental areas, the toys and play that suit each one, and a three-page skill checklist and goal planner at the back.
Every toy title in the guide is a hyperlink, so you can see exactly what I mean.
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Six areas, not a random list
Each area gets a plain explanation of what it is and why it matters, then a page of toys and play ideas chosen for it. So if you already know where your child needs a hand, you go straight to that section rather than reading the lot.
Some of what is in there
Gross motor: a balance bike, and a large ball. A balance bike is a pedal-free bike, and it is a fun, active way for toddlers to build core strength, coordination and balance. Ball skills like kicking, throwing and catching build strength, coordination and hand-eye or foot-eye coordination.
Fine motor: wooden blocks, threading beads and egg crayons. Wooden blocks are a staple in my therapy kit for their open-endedness and versatility. I have used them with kids aged 2 to 12 for turn-taking, tallest-tower building, castles and zoos, and sorting by shape or colour. Threading beads builds pincer grip strength and hand-eye coordination, and for beginners you can start with uncooked spaghetti anchored in playdough before moving to string. Egg crayons suit both a full-hand grip and a pincer grip, which makes them easier for little hands than a standard crayon.
More fine motor: a shape stacker, magnet boards, a peg puzzle and twist-and-turn toys. A shape stacker refines the pincer grip and introduces size, shape recognition and sequencing. Magnet fishing boards build focus and patience, and they are good for turn-taking with a sibling. Twist and turn toys strengthen finger muscles and support real tasks like opening lids and turning doorknobs.
Sensory: taste-safe play. At two, many toddlers still have a natural instinct to mouth things as they explore. That is a normal part of sensory development, so this section is built around taste-safe options rather than pretending the mouthing will stop.
Cognitive: a shape sorter, and Squigz. Shape sorters build shape recognition and problem solving. Squigz are suckers you grasp, stick and pull, which turns cause and effect into something physical.
Social emotional: a vehicle and tool set. Two options in the guide, a shape-sorting tool set with screwable parts and a mechanic playset. Both give a child a role to play, which is where empathy and perspective-taking start.
Language: a 100 animals book, and a toy phone. A toy phone supports communication through play conversations. Mimicking real interactions builds social language, listening and turn-taking.
The skill checklist
Three pages at the back turn the guide into something you actually use rather than read once. You work through the skills and mark each one not yet, sometimes, or consistently. Real things, not vague ones:
Then there is a planning page. You note your child's strengths and interests, look back at anything marked not yet or sometimes, and pick which of those actually matter for your child's daily life and play. That is how a goal gets chosen in practice, and there is no reason a parent cannot do it at the kitchen table.
On buying less
Straight from the front of the guide:
This guide offers a variety of toy suggestions, but it is not intended to imply that you should purchase all of them. I'm all for using multipurpose toys and common household items in play where possible, and believe that less can be more.
FROM THE GUIDE
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Frequently asked questions
What is in the toy guide for 2 year olds?+
18 pages: six developmental areas with toys for each, and a three-page skill checklist and goal planner.
What are the six areas?+
Gross motor, fine motor, sensory, cognitive, social emotional and language.
My 2 year old still puts everything in their mouth. Is that normal?+
At two it is a common part of sensory development, which is why the sensory section of the guide is built around taste-safe play rather than trying to stop it.
What is the skill checklist?+
A list of two-year-old skills you mark as not yet, sometimes, or consistently, followed by a planner to help you choose which one to focus on.
What are good first crayons for a 2 year old?+
Egg crayons. The shape suits both a full-hand grip and a pincer grip, so they are easier for little hands than a standard crayon. Jumbo crayons are a good next step.
Keep going
Paediatric OT with 9 years of experience working with children and families. Kidera exists to make OT-informed tools accessible to every parent, not just those in clinic.
These are general, evidence-informed resources. They are not a diagnosis and not a substitute for assessment by a registered health practitioner. If you have concerns about your child's development, speak with your GP, child health nurse, or a paediatric therapist.