Gifts for your two year old

Hanukkah started early this year, which was admittedly a bit stressful for getting my shopping done.  However, now that our 8 day holiday is winding down , I thought I would share the gifts that were real hits with my two year old this year.  I wrote a similar post last year when Mr. Man was one, and most of these items are still in the rotation as well.

It has been really fun watching Mr. Man begin to understand Hanukkah this year.  He fully understands that he gets to open only one or two gifts per night,  and much to my surprise, he hasn’t tried to open more.  Every evening he reminds me that it’s time to open a gift, but only one.   Growing up, it was a giant gluttonous free for all on Christmas morning in my house.  This one gift at a time things is one of the best parts of Hanukkah in my opinion. What kid remembers or enjoys every gift they receive when it all comes at once after all?

I decided not to go overboard this year with toys that are large in size.  Anyone with a toddler knows that toys take over your entire house in .05 seconds flat.   I have made an effort to keep Mr. Man interested in more simple compact toys .  One of my favorite toy brands is Melissa and Doug because their products are generally made of non-toxic wood, and are fun and educational.  I have also included the two books that he is loving the most of the 6 or so that are new.  Below are the top 9 hits!

1. Dog Meets Horse Book:

This book about a dog and a horse arguing over whether the dog is a baby horse or the horse is an over-sized dog is quite entertaining.  Mr. Man made me read it at least 10 times immediately after he opened it.

2. Melissa and Doug Food Cutting Set:

Mr. Man is really interested when I cut his food for him.  The knife is the first utensil he grabs in a restaurant if I don’t take it out of his sight line fast enough.  He is loving this toy because it is several foods that separate into pieces.  The pieces Velcro together so they can be pretend chopped.  This kept him busy for hours last night when I kept sticking the food together, and he kept chopping and giving pieces to mom, dad, and himself to pretend eat.

3. Melissa and Doug Latch Barn:

This was actually a birthday gift for him from September, but I decided to include it because it is still one of his favorites.  He loves the latches, and also he puts all kinds of toys in the barn.  When I want to distract him from the 100, 000 things I don’t want him doing, I ask him who is in the barn.  It’s an endless parade of farm animals, dinosaurs, blocks, puzzle pieces and other random objects that can go on for several minutes.

4. Dinosaur Rain Boots:

My 2 year old boy, like any, is never enthused about clothes for gifts.  However, these boots are definitely an exception.  Mr. Man is addicted to the show Peppa Pig.  If you watch this show, you know that jumping in muddy puddles with rain boots is Peppa’s most favorite activity.  Thus, making it every 2 year old Peppa Pig fans favorite activity as well.  I waited for a rainy day this week to give these boots, and Mr. Man not only wears them to play what he calls “rainy day games”  but he doesn’t want to take them off in the house either.

5. Dinosaur Car:

This was our gift for the first night of Hanukkah, which tends to be the night when children receive their largest toy.  Mr. Man has been loving these Little Tykes cars at preschool, but when I found it in a dinosaur theme, it was a must!  He asks to drive his “dino truck” almost hourly.

6. Melissa and Doug Parking Garage:

This toy has been great for practicing counting and colors.  Mr. Man is also entertained by putting each car in one at a time, then taking them out.  He has been carrying it to every room in the house with him over the last couple of days.

7. Wooden Dinosaur Puzzle:

I made the mistake of giving puzzles to Mr. Man too early and the pieces are all missing to them.  Now that he has the attention span and spacial planning skills to actually use them, I decided to give it another try.  I have yet to give this gift to him, but he loves a similar puzzle at the library, so I am sure this one will also be a hit given the dinosaur theme.

8. Magnetic Blocks:

The idea for this gift came from the SoCal Kids Museum in Pasadena, CA, where they have a large exhibit of wooden blocks.  This is one of Mr. Man’s favorite areas of the Museum.  This is another gift he has yet to open, but I’m sure it will be a hit.

9. How to Be a Lion Book:

This is another book Mr. Man wanted read repeatedly upon opening it.  The book is about a gentle lion who becomes friends with a duck, and stands up to bully lions trying to get him to fit in with the other fierce lions.  It is an unbelievably sweet book, with a great message, that I am certain will resonate for years to come.

 

I receive commissions for purchases made through the links in this post.  Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!