I’m at a loss on what gift to give to my nephew that’s turning 2 in about a week.
Just ask the parents what (s)he likes.
“They” is a word that exists
Full stops also exist. Both are fine.
Nothing that makes noise or takes batteries.
Board books. Toddlers are murder on books with paper pages. Stick with classics like Goodnight Moon or Dr. Seuss, or if you want something more recent the Little Owl series by Divya Srinivasan, or Calm-Down Time by Elizabeth Verdick are really good.
Playground/beach toys, like a bucket / shovel / rake set that parents can keep in the car. They’ll likely get lost, so go for cheap and sturdy over premium and expensive.
Sidewalk chalk, like the huge fat ones.
The water based coloring books someone else mentioned are great, too. No cleanup (beyond the occasional water spill), they can be reused, and they’re great entertainment for the car.
And yeah, like others have said, coordinate with the parents.
And if you hate the parents, get a Furby knockoff or something else that makes noise.
Get the pop up book adaptation of Stephen King’s “The Girl of who loved Tom Gordon”
The Pop-up Book of Phobias is also great.
Ask the parents what they need.
For the kid themselves just bring soap and a bubble maker, enthusiasm, and a big smile.
Get them a magic painting book.
They are black and white illustrations that have the ink in the black parts. The kid takes a brush with some water and scribbles to create color. It’s just perfect for that age, and it’s not more junk that the parents need to collect.
Source: have toddler under two and friends with babies that just turned 2.
Every kid is different, but if you’re not able to ask the parents then a safe bet is a duplo set. Bristle blocks are also great. My kid is currently 2 1/2 so these are what I know would be hits with him and his friends.
You could also get one of the following books:
Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site
Don’t Worry Little Crab
The Little Blue Truck (it’s a whole series, the Halloween one would be appropriate)
Bear Snores On or any other book in that series.A toy that makes a lot of sound- like a truck with siren noises or a little electric piano, or spaceship with explosion sounds. There are these great plastic dinos that roar when you play with them. As a parent, I’m telling you, their parents will thank you.
If you hate the parents? Something loud.
Otherwise ask the parents.
At two they are growing and changing quickly, clothes are good too
Magnetiles are probably a good choice. Gonna get my niece a set for her birthday next month.
triple shots of espresso
PS5
Iirc, we introduced a strider-style bike around that age. Even ride-on toys can fill that role as we in the northern hemisphere move into the colder months.
Play dough is a good one.
Make sure you get nothing with battery’s and/or makes noise unless you hate the parents
A large empty box that they can climb in and make it a fort. Cover it in cloth with their favorite theme.
give the parents a date night. give the kid some dinosaurs.
A quiet book is pretty age-appropriate for a toddler.
