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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Ideas for a 2 year old

42 replies

FelixFelix · 01/10/2015 08:13

I'm just starting to write lists of presents for family etc so I know what I'm getting, but I'm totally stumped with what to buy my DD.

She will turn 2 on 22nd December so I need birthday ideas too. I like to try and get things that will last her a good while as they are both so close together.

DP wants to get her a balance bike but I'm not sure if she's too little. He said he will probably buy one anyway at some point next year if she's too small for one now.

She got loads of stuff last year from family so I am really cutting down with what we buy her this year. I am thinking a couple of presents and a stocking. MIL is getting her a play kitchen, and my DM has bought her a lovely wooden pram and baby doll.

Any ideas? I don't know what 2 year olds play with!

OP posts:
attheendoftheday · 01/10/2015 09:35

The things that were popular with my dds at that age were:
Mini micro scooter
Doll and buggy
Doctor's set
Duplo creative cakes set
Happyland, especially the bus and the funfair
Musical instruments
Slide for the garden

We got a balance bike at 2, but neither of my kids really got the hang until they were closer to 3.

slightlyconfused85 · 01/10/2015 10:02

In her second year my dd has come to love duplo - especially the cafe and the creative cakes sets. She also likes jogsaw puzzles, happyland (although she is losing interest rapidly as she gets towards 3), playfood, playdough, books. (Pip and Posy and The Little Princess series are popular)

Laquila · 01/10/2015 10:05

Was also coming on the suggest Duplo! My son loves the farmyard ones and the ice cream cone set one.

He has a Puky balance bike that he's just getting the (gradual hang of)

GPs bought him some Mobilo for his birthday and that's been hugely successful, as has the £8 tea set in a case from Amazon, and his toy Dyson.

Sticker books always popular, as well as simple/fairly basic craft stuff.

He also got given a slide, which he adores - bigger than a Little Tikes first one but not enormous.

Septembersunrays · 01/10/2015 10:12

I have just discovered Kinetic sand thanks to Esther walkers fantastic blog! Its a moudlable, no mess sand.

I am getting that for my toddler something called blubber or something looks good too

Septembersunrays · 01/10/2015 10:12

yes dulp

JasperDamerel · 01/10/2015 10:18

Balance bike and mini micro scooters are good.

A fabulous present that is just perfect for a 2 year old is to get an absolutely enormous cardboard box (ask around to see if anyone you know will be getting a new fridge/washing machine etc) filled with balloons. it's the sort of cheap but magical thing that is really special at that age.

Hobbes8 · 01/10/2015 12:47

My daughter is 2 inDecember as well. It's hard because she's not really into the big ticket items at her age, but we're thinking of a bike for her brother so would like to treat them equally. She also has a lot of his old toys, including a big toy kitchen and a garage, and she'll get his old balance bike, so I'm watching this thread with interest!

She's definitely getting a singing Elsa doll and I'm considering a toy castle or dolls house to go with it. She loves Peppa Pig toys, but I think we have enough of them. The camper van has gone down particularly well.

She also has a hand me down weebles castle which she loves, so I'm thinking of getting her the farm.

Original poster
FelixFelix · 01/10/2015 13:31

Thank you for all of the replies. You've given me some good ideas!

She has a few happyland things which she loves. The bus and the train set, so I might get her another small set as I'll get a money off code for ELC for her birthday.

Not really looked at Duplo before so will do some research!

Sticker books are a great idea for small gifts. Can they do play doh at this age or would she still be a bit young?

She loves Peppa Pig but I'm really reluctant to buy any character toys as I know how quickly they can change their mind about what is their favourite! I've managed to get by with one small Peppa beanie baby so far Grin

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Hobbes8 · 01/10/2015 13:54

My 4 year old still plays with the Peppa Pig stuff, if that helps at all. I know what you mean - some character toys can be a bit faddy (stares hard at minions crap) but I think the Peppa Pig stuff is quite nicely made.

Laquila · 01/10/2015 13:58

Oh I'd forgotten play doh - my son adores his!! And he has a couple of play doh machines things int he shape of diggers/tractors etc that squeeze it out in shapes, those are great fun. In fact, a very cheap and brilliant pres for a 2-yr old would be homemade play doh (dead easy) in a couple of colours with a set of shaped cutters.

Original poster
FelixFelix · 01/10/2015 14:02

I think she would like play doh as she seems to like arty things. She will sit for ages and draw with the aquadraw thing I bought her a while ago, and also colouring in with good old crayons.

OP posts:
DinosaursRoar · 01/10/2015 14:13

Definately not too young for a balance bike, DD has been on DS's old one since before she was 2 (and lifting up both feet, eek!), and by the summer your DD would definately be ready for it. Get a helmet as well, even though at the start she probably won't need it, it's a good rule to have "you can't be on your bike without your helmet".

I think with a Christmas birthday, you have to think she won't get a second dump of toys halfway through the year, so it's fine to get things that will be put to one side for a few months. so other ideas given that:

At just turned 2 DD was also using DS's old micro scooter as well, so worth thinking about.
A slide or wendy house for the garden.
Dolls house or wooden castle.
Wooden farm
(there are some fabulous wooden toys in Asda)
Duplo as mentioned earlier
puzzles (before she turns 3, she'll be able to do simple jigsaws so don't fear getting ones that look a bit old for her now)
Musical instruments - like a keyboard and chair.

HeyMicky · 01/10/2015 14:13

I did a huge dressing up cupboard for DD last year (2.3 that Xmas). Has been such a massive hit, gets used every day

Ideas for a 2 year old
Original poster
FelixFelix · 01/10/2015 16:07

She has a helmet already. DP is massively in to cycling so he's really keen about getting her on a bike. We might get her one then if she's not too young. She didn't start walking until 19.5 months and doesn't seem as confident as other toddlers with the ride on cars etc but I suppose it will come with time!

Micky that dressing up cupboard is incredible!! Shock

OP posts:
Septembersunrays · 01/10/2015 16:16

hey what an amazing idea!!

its amazing

HeyMicky · 01/10/2015 16:33

We got the wardrobe on free cycle and the stuff was either from pound shops, charity shops or family. Total cost was about £40 so not more than you might spend on a balance bike

Original poster
FelixFelix · 01/10/2015 16:53

I might do that anyway after Christmas. I am a seamstress so could make a few different outfits for her. I don't have time at the moment though Sad will have to be a little rail rather than a wardrobe too. It's such a great idea.

OP posts:
TheOnlyPink · 01/10/2015 17:58

The year my son was 2 in December, we got him.playmobil 123. He's almost 4 now and plays with it very regularly. He has the playmobil house and adores it. The people and accessories are big and chunky, not easily lost or swallowed, and a huge scope for play. He started just putting the baby to bed and flushing the toilet, but now it's everything from a haunted house, to a restaurant, to the tardis. I would highly recommend it.

Misty9 · 01/10/2015 22:44

Dd is 17 months and is desperate to get on her brother's mini micro scooter whenever he is on it! So i think we'll have to get her the one with the toddler seat attachment for Xmas.

Duplo is also well loved by both of them. She does like play dough, but I make it and have rollers cutters etc.

I love that dressing up cupboard. Might have to start with a rail...

Scotinoz · 02/10/2015 13:17

I have a 'daughter who turns 2 in December' too. I think we're buying a playhouse, the Little Tikes kind. It can summer in the garden, then we'll find some space indoors for it in the winter.

She's really into Playmobil 123, so good to read the house was a hit as we've looked at that.

PlayDoh is an absolute favourite!

CurlsLDN · 02/10/2015 13:25

I've been looking at these toddle bikes, which are apparently great for little ones, and endorsed by cycling organisations, so your dh should approve!

Couldashouldawoulda · 02/10/2015 17:42

What brilliant ideas, everyone - loved the dressing up wardrobe!

BathshebaDarkstone · 02/10/2015 17:44

Duplo or Little People.

lanbro · 02/10/2015 17:47

I've got a 2 and 3 year old and they'll both be getting pretty much the same - balance bikes, guitars and Duplo so far. Last year I bought loads of bitty things so this year I've said we're cutting down and just getting a few major bits. I'll suggest clothes to relatives because I just don't think they need much at this age, and we tend to buy when we see anyway throughout the year within reason.