Vintage Little Tikes Baby Peek-a-boo Activity Play Tunnel Toy

The 22 Best Toys for 2-Year-Old Boys in 2022

Keep those little ones busy and engaged with these selections

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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

When you're shopping for a 2-year-old boy, you want to make sure any toy you pick out not only keeps him engaged and encourages development but is also durable enough to withstand their often very active lifestyle.

Development-focused toys can be based on physical skills, like a tricycle to help with balance and gross motor skills, says Dr. Natasha Burgert, a pediatrician at Pediatric Associates in South Overland Park, Kansas. They can also be learning-based, like puzzles or building sets. Tactile toys, like finger paint or magic sand are also really fun for older toddlers and help them explore texture and build fine motor skills.

Here, the best toys for 2-year-old boys.

Our Top Picks

Now he can watch his favorite show while playing along with these character-inspired dolls.

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A sensory toy and bath toy in one, this fidget bubble gadget is so satisfying to pop over and over again.

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Kids will love such a classic toy and parents will love the easy setup and portability.

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He can ride on the included track for a guided, more relaxed adventure—or, he can drive off track if he's ready to navigate his own path.

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Make your own songs or play along classic hits with this rainbow-colored piano toy.

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The set of 80 brightly colored blocks is a great activity to build motor skills and bring out a child's creativity.

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Kids will love to race them, sink them, crash them—whatever floats their boat—and meanwhile, they're getting a great bath.

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Thanks to baby's car seat, your toddler boy can lug his baby doll wherever he goes.

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Start to fine tune some of their fine motor skills with a fun puzzle.

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Kids learn everything from numbers to colors to types of food with this interactive play set.

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Dimensions:11.75 x 4 x 6 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Good value for quantity received

• Perfect for CoComelon fans

What We Don't Like

• Dolls are on the smaller side

Included in this set are six 3-inch dolls from the educational hit show, CoComelon, featuring the main characters like TomTom, YoYo, Cody, and Nina—but there are also two JJ dolls, individually dressed in unique outfits. Your little one can sing and play along as he watches the show.

Dimensions:5.51 x 4.72 x 1.18 inches |Material: Plastic, silicone |Recommended Age: 6 months and up

What We Like

• Sensory Toy

• Can be used as a bath toy

What We Don't Like

• Might not be engaging enough for toddlers who need more stimulation

Small and lightweight enough to play on the go, this silicone bubble fidget toy provides entertainment anywhere, anytime. You can let your toddler bring it to bath time, or hand it to him when he needs to calm down or keep his hands busy. It's a simple concept, but it's brought hours of fun to users.

Dimensions:2.6 x 20 x 20 inches |Material: Polyester |Recommended Age:3 years and up

What We Like

• Fun, physical play

• Easy to set up

What We Don't Like

• Wires might poke out from material

If your toddler loves exploring and playing peek-a-boo, this colorful tent is sure to be a hit. There's no complicated setup required, just take it out of the carrying case and undo the strings that keep it flat—it's ready for playtime!

The Spruce / Michelle Piccolo

What Testers Say

"I have yet to come across another toy that makes my son light up as much as this tunnel does. If he's cranky or if I need him to be occupied while I cook dinner, I can take out the tunnel, and he's immediately happy and engaged. He keeps himself entertained (while I kept an eye on him, of course), so this tunnel is like a treat for himand me!"—Michelle Piccolo , Product Tester

Dimensions:27.75 x 13.1 x 17.5 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:1 year and up

What We Like

• Ride-on toy

• Grows with your child

What We Don't Like

• Small track

Most vehicle-themed toys are too small for toddlers at this age, but this Fisher-Price Thomas engine is designed for your child to ride on for hours of fun. He can cruise around in a circle on the included track, and once he's ready to start maneuvering the train on his own, he can venture off track—making it a perfect option that grows with your child.

Dimensions:‎12 x 5 x 9 inches |Material: Wood |Recommended Age:6 months and up

What We Like

• Easy to clean

• Wooden toy for toddler

What We Don't Like

• Music sheets aren't as engaging

This little wooden piano toy will help him develop musical skills during play. It includes volume control buttons, music sheets, and two modes of play: compose your own songs or play along classic music. Babies will adore the colorful keys on the piano, which sit at a perfect height when sitting or squatting.

Dimensions:5 x 12 x 14 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:1 year and up

What We Like

• Building toy

• Large pieces

What We Don't Like

• Blocks don't fit together securely

A staple in playrooms everywhere, these Mega Bloks are a perfect first foray into the world of block building. It comes with 80 brightly colored blocks for tons of building fun, and clean-up is easy as they come in their own storage bag. Made for little fingers, they're perfectly sized for stacking, building, and smashing, then starting all over again. They can create towers, buildings, creatures, and whatever their little minds can dream up.

 The Spruce / Hailey Eber

What Testers Say

"The Mega Bloks 80-Piece Big Building Bag is rated for kids ranging in age from 1 to 5, making them one of the few block sets on the market for children as young as 12 months. That's a major plus for parents concerned about the choking hazard posed by blocks with smaller dimensions."—Hailey Eber , Product Tester

Dimensions:4 x 2.35 x 2.35 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Engaging bath toy

• Can endure rough toddler play

What We Don't Like

• Needs to be cleaned constantly

At the end of a sweaty, sticky day, toddler boys need to hit the bath, but getting them into the tub isn't always the easiest feat. This fleet of brightly colored boats, however, will have them begging to dive right in.

Four boats come in a pack, and they each have magnets so they can hook to one another to form a bathtub boat parade. They can also be used in a pool, sink, or even on dry land for hours of imaginative play.

 The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk

Dimensions:2.5 x 6.56 x 5.5 inches |Material: Plastic, polyester |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Great toy for travel

• Promotes nurturing skills

What We Don't Like

• Doll's eyes don't shut

You can even strap the baby doll's car seat next to your toddler's, making it an easy option for play on the go. The set also includes accessories like two bottles, a bib, and a rattle toy for added fun. When he doesn't want feel like carrying baby in arm, your toddler can wear the baby seat like a backpack, thanks to the durable straps on the back.

Dimensions:8.86 x 11.81 x 0.79 inches |Material: Wood |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Wooden toy for toddler

• Easy-to-grab pieces

What We Don't Like

• Paint starts to flake with use

Need an interactive gift for a 2-year-old boy? At this age, they'll start to fine-tune some of their fine motor skills and some will be able to identify shapes, animals, and such. Why not indulge all of these new milestones with a fun wooden puzzle that will have them saying "roar" and more.

Dimensions:9.88 x 20.79 x 17.13 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Teaches numbers and words

• Easy to assemble

What We Don't Like

• Wheels don't roll smoothly

This isn't just a play kitchen set, but one that's highly interactive for kids. The grill recognizes which foods are placed on top of it and says phrases like, "lets grill for three seconds" or "purple eggplant." Kids don't just learn about food but also numbers.

Dimensions:13.94 x 7.52 x 3.58 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:1 year and up

What We Like

• Building toy

• Encourages role-play

What We Don't Like

• Wagons don't stick together when picked up

Kids can stack and build with this train set that helps them count from zero to nine. Each brick has a number and tots can stack them on one of the three locomotives. There are even two Lego figures, including a cat, in the set.

Dimensions:5.25 x 11 x 18 inches |Material: Stuffed toy, plastic |Recommended Age: 18 months and up

What We Like

• Talks and sings

• Nostalgic toy

What We Don't Like

• Body is made of hard plastic, not stuffed plush

What toddler doesn't love Elmo? Gift him this cute cuddly guy that loves to receive and give hugs. Simply squeeze Elmo and he asks for a hug. And when Elmo's tummy is squeezed, he raises his arms and asks for a hug. He also sings and talks!

Dimensions:5.95 x 3.27 x 0.91 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Realistic-looking

• Great for pretend play

What We Don't Like

• Sound is a little loud

Everyone else is always on their phone, so of course, the little guy is going to want to be on his too. This one isn't for scrolling through Facebook and posting pics of their dinner on Instagram (though wouldn't that be fun?), but rather it's full of all sorts of educational opportunities at the touch of a button. Don't worry, they won't be ringing someone in the middle of the night though. It's all just pretend, which is great for inspiring imaginative play and saving your data plan.

Dimensions:11.75 x 4 x 6 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Well-constructed

• Endures rough toddler play

What We Don't Like

• Screws don't go into holes properly

A hammer, screwdriver, and saw usually aren't appropriate for tots, but this set features kid-friendly tools to keep your little one occupied. The toolbox has four holes on each side that kids can screw and hammer the nuts and bolts into. Also, everything is made from 100 percent recycled plastic and they're even dishwasher safe.

Dimensions:23.75 x 22 x 61 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:18 months and up

What We Like

• Adjustable height is great for growing with child

• Can be played with kids of various ages

What We Don't Like

• Flimsy hoop

This oldie but goodie will have him shooting hoops like a pro in no-time or he'll at least just love attempting to make baskets. We love that this toy will get him moving and working on his coordination skills.

Dimensions:11 x 5 x 12 inches |Material: Polyester |Recommended Age:Not listed

What We Like

• Fun and friendly design

• Can fit a small lunchbox and clothes

What We Don't Like

• Too small to fit medium-sized folders

While not really a toy, this backpack is the perfect size for most 2-year olds. He can store all of his toys in here when he goes to grandma and grandpas or use it for preschool. No matter the use, he'll enjoy having a bag of his own.

Dimensions:39.02 x 24.02 x 32.01 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:18 months and up

What We Like

• Indoor and outdoor toy

• Additional toys and accessories included

What We Don't Like

• Some users needed to use a power drill to assemble

A water table is a gift that keeps on giving. They'll enjoy this toy from around 18 months and well towards eight years old and possibly beyond. They can use their imagination while playing solo or with a buddy to create waterfalls and watch the parts move and spin.

Dimensions:8.75 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches |Material: Cardboard |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Interactive book

• Can endure rough play

What We Don't Like

• Can use a stronger binding

Books are always a great gift. This favorite teaches kids about following directions and the importance of cause and effect. Though it's a children's book, the entire family can enjoy this.

Dimensions:10 x 7.5 x 7 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:1 year and up

What We Like

• Great outdoor fun

• Easy to clean

What We Don't Like

• Doesn't perform well in sand

Boys (and girls alike!) are fascinated by trucks. Why not indulge their interests with a toy dump truck that they can play with for hours on end. This dump truck will help them work on their gross motor skills as they zoom this around the house and try to figure out how to dump the "trash" out.

Dimensions:7.64 x 16.3 x 4.84 inches |Material: Plastic |Recommended Age:1 year and up

What We Like

• Exposes children to numbers

• Encourages social play

What We Don't Like

• Doesn't come with toy money

Cha-ching! He'll be ringing up customers left and right with this awesome little interactive cash register set. It includes the register with a scale for weighing food, a credit card scanner, and a pretend credit card, of course. It also comes with a shopping basket and 10 pieces of healthy plastic food like fish, grapes, and milk—no cookies or ice cream here.

Dimensions:24 inches tall |Material: Aluminum |Recommended Age:2 years and up

What We Like

• Can be used right out the box

• Comes in various colors

What We Don't Like

• Not easy to make turns

If he is pretty stable on his feet, why not push his gross motor skills even further with a scooter. This favorite has three wheels so it balances well for small users. He can zip around the neighborhood with ease and perhaps speed up your walks around town.

Dimensions:113.8 x 8.3 x 6.9 inches |Material: Plush |Recommended Age:2 years and up

Baby Shark isn't going anywhere. Indulge his love for this addictive song with a puppet that lets you change the tempo of the song so you can play it again and again!

Recommended Age

Make sure you check to see if the product's age recommendation includes two-year-olds. This guideline is there to help you gauge how safe and engaging the toy will be, says Kristin Morency Goldman, senior advisor of strategic communications for The Toy Association.

Safety

Similarly, you should avoid any toys with small parts that pose a choking hazard—generally these toys are labeled 3+, says Morency Goldman. You should also consider material and size—avoid items that are too hard and heavy, as well as those that are long and unwieldy.

Durability

Toddlers tend to throw, drop, and generally run their toys ragged. Look for toys that are particularly durable—those made of thick plastics or solid wood—as they'll better withstand frequent and rigorous use.

Educational Value

Two is a key developmental age, so it's a good idea to purchase toys that encourage toddlers to further their physical and mental skills. Consider toys like building block towers, crayons, puzzles, and other similar finds that'll promote toddlers to practice these skills.

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Vintage Little Tikes Baby Peek-a-boo Activity Play Tunnel Toy

Source: https://www.thespruce.com/best-toys-for-2-year-old-boys-4151589

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