Ideas for a 2 year old

[FelixFelix]

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!

DD is 2.5 and will be getting a scooter for Christmas, together with some books, puzzles and dressing up clothes. She loves duplo but we have tons as her 2 older brothers loved it too. She'll probably get Peppa pig toys and dolly stuff from family.

My ds will also turn 2 in december.
He plays with his brothers toys- I'd say the things at the moment that hes just starting to love are the wooden train track, these are very cheap at argos or tesco, and also duplo is fantastic.
Another option is a 'cosy coupe' ride on car or trampoline, if you have space for them indoors until the summer when they can go out! My ds1 loved those at that age.

Things that my daughter (now 4.5) got at 2 and have lasted have been:

Micro mini scooter
Duplo
Marble run
Dressing up

We don't have a lot of space but things like little tents to use as dens also seem to be popular

You can start playing board type games with them around 2 as well - some of the Orchard Toys games are good from 2 (Dotty Dionsaurs etc), and we also had Maisy's Colourful Counting Game from about that age. It's great for them to develop their turn taking etc, and can make a nice break for mum and dad from imaginative play!

My DD turns 2 on the 18th. Dec.
I'm taking her to the sea life centre for her birthday and will buy her something from the gift shop. (She is obsessed with sharks, or garks as she calls them)
For Christmas I've got her a smart trike, a kitchen, a trolley and food, duplo, a toy hoover, stickers (she loves stickers) a giant dragon, a couple of unicorns, and "frozen" musical instruments and "frozen" pretend jewellery.
I've got more as well but can't remember off top of my head and DS1 (6) is still up so can't check! (Smart trike she would have had last year but my DD is tiny and is only the size of a 12 month old)

Dd is 6 now, and of the things recommended, still plays with duplo, happyland, peppa pig stuff, wooden food and kitchen stuff, vet and doctor kit. We really did get value out of them. Another hit with her and ds1 at that age was a pop up tent, which folds flat ( used to keep them under the sofa / behind wardrobe). We had a thomas one and a pink campervan one.

Plus an outside playhouse, rocker, sand pit and drive around car (coupe type).

Yes, doctor's kit is a brilliant idea. Dd's god-parents got her the Peppa one (tho her god-father, who is a doctor, objects to the fact that it apparently depicts Peppa as a nurse, rather than a doctor, which seems to be buying in to gender stereotyping. To be fair, I wouldn't have clocked that her outfit isn't that of a doctor!)
Ignoring this, otherwise it has been a great present for dd, which she still plays with at 3.5 (when I haven't hidden it out of sheer boredom at having to treat all the cuddly toys for minor injuries such as a sore tail, etc!)

Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions. I've got lots of ideas now

It's hard to know what they will play with when you've never had a 2 year old before!

My dd just turned two and is really enjoying the easel her granny bought her. It is the plastic elc one and seems really durable.

Just place marking for ideas

Are aquadoodles good for 2 year olds? Mega Bloks? Mr Potato Head?

Aqua doodle yes. Mega blocks are crap I'd go straight for Duplo!

Lovely ideas on this thread!

As she's getting a play kitchen I thought I'd add the accessories my DD loved at 2:

• Hape pasta set
• Melissa and Doug washing up set
• Tidlo cutting fruit/veg trays
• Melissa and Doug cookie set
• ELC birthday cake set

All played with pretty much daily.

My ds would go mad for a cosy coupe car but I think we're moving abroad next year and probably won't have a garden.

Dd liked between 2 and 3:
Playmobil 123
Sequins/stickers/googly eyes - general craft stuff.
Duplo
Scooter
"Jewelry" box with hair slides/bracelets etc
Pretend till and shopping basket

My DS loved this at that age and still zooms round our house now on it, he's nearly 4! Still prefers to his bike with stabilisers!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006ZKXGL4?keywords=Scuttle%20bug&qid=1444224038&ref=srr11&sr=8-1

Toot toot drivers, toy Hoover, little shopping trolley, wooden train set, jigsaw puzzles, play doh

I was in Tesco late last night, and they had the Toot Toot Airport down to £6.50.

Hope that helps somebody.

Things that have been played with time and again by my 2 year old
Doctors set (seriously every member of the family and stuffed toy has a daily check up ;-)
Happy land
Play dough
Necklace/bracelet bead threading stuff
Hth x