My Gift Guide for Two Year Olds.....gifts they'll actually use (and you'll love)
Two year olds . So screamy. So Yelly. They’re downright bloody exhausting really.
(I’m right there in the middle of it with you Mummas, you are not alone. I too question my sanity on a daily basis).
But I’m being honest with you when I say they are my favourite-age kid to play and do therapy with.
Well no. That’s a downright lie. Three year olds are. I have to give these tantrum-throwing demons a little bit of credit though. Why you ask? How can you possibly like trying to convince these little tornados to do things like core-strengthening? Are you insane? A sucker for punishment? Do you have a death-wish?
Well firstly, yes sometimes it feels like that. I certainly have days that are…..let’s say ‘frustrating’ if filled to the brim with little toddler patients. I often feel like I’ve been run over by a truck after a big day with these guys.
This little angel soaked in sunshine wouldn’t turn into a fiery pit of rage would he? Look how nicely he’s playing!
BUT. What I love about these little chickens is this:
Communication is easier
They can finally start TALKING to you about what you’re doing together (at least a couple of words anyway). Those first words give me heart-bursts every time. And playing and doing therapy with kids is much more fun (and easier) when you can communicate.
Interaction
Playing constructive games (you’ll see some examples below) is so lovely with a two year old when they are showing what we call ‘joint attention’, or ‘shared attention’; a very important social skill. Joint attention occurs when two people focus on the same thing and often begins when a child does something to alert a parent to an object or event using:
Words such as “Hey mum!” or “Look!”
Gestures like pointing or showing an item
Nonverbal methods of gaining attention such as eye gaze. For example, the child looks at something and then looks back at you as if to say, “That’s what I want you to notice!”
Another example is that a child will attend to what you’re trying to show them. When you point to something across the room, the child follows your point with his eyes. A child recognises and welcomes your attempts to engage her, to talk with her, and play with her. So much more fun than trying to play with a boring baby right? :)
A big positive for me out of all this joint attention and communication is they can actually start to follow instructions which is kind of helpful when trying to get a kid to do squats (I obviously love a challenge).
They don’t fall over quite as much
Two year olds are starting to get stronger and steadier on their feet, so ball skills, climbing skills and even fine motor skills are becoming more refined as they improve their postural control. Again, much more fun playing with a kid when you don’t have to worry about them falling over all the time! Now is a great time to start introducing some small risk taking in a safe environment - so important for their physical and emotional development.
Books are sooooo fun
Two year olds usually love being read to, and at two they start to really interact with you as you tell the story; flipping the pages, pointing out animals and objects and even mimicking some well known parts of the story. I love reading books to my own kids (you can find out the incredible benefits of reading to your children in another of my blogs here) and it means that books as gifts start to become a really wonderful choice too.
Imagination starts to grow
But my most favourite thing about two year olds is this: they are on the beautiful brink of imaginary play. And imaginary play is just soooooo fun, especially when you are the one teaching them about it. Pretend cooking, farm animals, playing picnics and tea parties. Just so cute.
I really like this article here on the development of play. It clearly explains how children progress from a ‘solitary’, to a more ‘co-operative’ play style over the years leading up to school age. It mentions other ‘play types’ too. I am a big fan of ‘fantasy’ or imaginative play, physical play and constructive play in my therapy sessions (we often end up in another land in my therapy room; chasing dragons, saving unicorn egss, or just plain old baby dolls or doctors! So fun. I am such a big kid).
So here we are for round two of the gift guide. Please note I am in no way associated with any of the below companies that I’ve linked websites to. They were just the closest thing I could find to the picture of the toy I had in my head! (Lucky them).
I’ve listed the below gift options in those categories mentioned above for something different this time. Enjoy.
Dramatic/Imaginative Play
It takes some kids a while to get the hang of them, but once they’re off they’re off. So much fun.
Physical Play (Gross Motor)
Mini Climbing frames (Pikler triangles are super pretty) - MoovBaby and Little Big Learning are two companies I’ve noticed on the gram but I’m sure there’s loads around. (Psssst. Kmart have them too and as you probably know, a whole amazing section of very affordable great gross motor play equipment for kids.
Three-wheel scooter (they probably won’t be able to properly scoot for a while but they’ll give it a red-hot go!)
Kinderfeets Tiny Tot PLUS trike: age 18 months to 4 years (some kids are ready for a balance bike or pedal trike at 2, but often not until they’re closer to three). Also, I have heard the balance bike conversion bikes aren’t nearly as good as the original balance bikes….so if you feel you would definitely like your toddler to get on a balance bike eventually, then maybe go straight to a normal balance bike rather than a converter. Having said that, my nearly 2 year old has recently had a go at one of these and he ADORED it and wouldn’t get off it for an hour. So the Kindefeets Trike gets a definite thumbs up from Alfie.
Mini basketball hoop and balls balls balls
Sand pit (check out this one from Woolies!)
Paddle pool
Or a double up: The half clam sandpit/pool.
Constructive Play (Fine Motor and Developmental)
Duplo
Blocks of any kind (these natural tree rounds are gorgeous….perhaps you could make some yourself if you were feeling handy?)
Cars and trucks
More challenging board puzzles (without pegs to hold onto)
Sorting, stacking and posting toys (Melissa and Doug and Grimm's Wooden Toys are wonderful)
The classic tupperware shape sorter will get years of use, and generations later still stands the test of time.
Mr/Mrs potato head
Magnets or magnetic puzzle (eg doll dress up)
Play dough and tools /cutters
Musical instruments / musical set
Musical marble tree - large balls only at this age. This is very pretty and sounds divine!
Thick crayons and washable textas
Water and finger paints
Giant chalk for pavers or black boards
Books
Children adore Herve Tulle’s ‘Press Here’ and ‘Mix It Up’
Anything by Julia Donaldson but ‘The Gruffalo’, ‘'What the Ladybird Heard’, ‘Stick Man’ and ‘Room on a Broom’ are my favourites for toddlers
Hairy MacLary Series
Where The Wild Things Are
Possum Magic by Mem Fox
Pig The Pug
Thelma The Unicorn
‘The Very Hungry Bear’ Series
Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
Amazing Machines Series by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker
Goodnight Moon
On The Night You Were Born
Guess How Much I Love You
There’s a Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake
Kitchen Disco by Clare Foges
Other
Special plate and cup sets (I love the bamboo or wooden section plates for two year olds)
Special place mats (So cute when they choose their own)
The Upsy Store’s “That Little Boost” (I love these. They’re such a beautiful little booster seat, and great for a play or lounge option too)
Learning Towers These little beauties are super popular in the Montessori world, and are all about encouraging your little one to be involved in the kitchen whilst being safe and snug in their little tower. (Much safer than the step ladder I use at home with my boys!) :)
Is there anything major I have missed? Please let me know if you have any suggestions. This can absolutely be a living document and I am happy to add good ideas for my lovely community along the way!
Useful Websites
In my hunting around linking all these toys up for you I have found some particularly good (Australian) websites for developmental and gross motor toys for toddlers. Sorry, I know not all of my followers are Aussie but I’m going to stick local so my head doesn’t explode!
https://milestones-physiotherapy.myshopify.com/
https://www.edresources.com.au/
https://www.honeybeetoys.com.au
https://www.woodenwonderland.com.au
https://littlebiglearning.com.au/
https://www.oskarswoodenark.com.au
https://www.limetreekids.com.au/category-toys-971.aspx
If you haven’t already, please remember to also take a peek at my gift guide for one year olds , as it lists all the general things I look out for (and also avoid) when purchasing toys for my kids.
And if you’d like to get more paediatric physio advice for your babe straight to your inbox, or are interested in my gift guides for 3 and 4 year olds which I’ll be releasing in the coming weeks, then come on over and join the My Strong Little Body Family. Sign up here for my newsletter.
Happy shopping. :)