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Milk and Cookies

with Linda and Kristen

Milk and Cookies is a savory web venue for cool products, useful tips, and idea-sharing, prepared especially for busy moms like you. From the must-haves to avoid-at-all-costs, we're dishing out tools for a delicious life balance.

Visit Linda's fitness site at Bodies in Motivation and check out Kristen's blog at Swistle.blogspot.com

Birthday presents for a 2-year-old—HALP!

Categories: Gifts, Toddler gear, Toys

47 comments

My three youngest children have their birthdays in the same week and a half: this year, twins Elizabeth and Edward will turn four, and youngest child Henry will turn two. STAY WITH ME, because I need your help with Henry’s presents.

I am not much worried about the four-year birthdays. I idly asked what they were hoping to get for their birthdays, and Elizabeth answered that she wanted a pink CD player for her room, and Edward said he wanted a new game for the Wii. Well, that’s easy.

Here’s Elizabeth’s present: the Sony CD boombox in pink. (It’s funny that they’re still called “boomboxes,” isn’t it? I can’t say that word without verbal air quotes.)

And for Edward, some sort of Wii game, probably Elebits.

So THEY’RE all set. But for Henry? I have NO IDEAS. Two-year-olds are very difficult to buy for. They’re too old for baby toys, too young for all the 3+ stuff.

The LeapFrog Fridge Farm would be PERFECT (it’s like a bunch of silly, 2-piece puzzles with songs)—except my mom already has it at her house, and we have the vehicles version at ours.  (Both are GREAT.)

Ooooh, blocks! And I love Melissa & Doug stuff! Perfect! …Er, except we still have the set of Melissa & Doug blocks we bought when our 10-year-old was little. And the food-cutting playset. And the Lego Duplos. And the LeapFrog Alphabet Drum. And the chunky puzzles. And the musical instrument set.

In fact, now that I think of it, it isn’t TWO-YEAR-OLDS who are so hard to buy for, it’s FIFTHBORNS. Poor little rich fifthborn: he already HAS most of the basic toys. Oh, and, uh, I just now see that some of these sets are for ages 3+. Yoops. Well, we’ve probably long since lost all the pieces small enough to choke on.


He loves Wubbzy, so my parents are getting him this talking, musical, poseable Wubbzy toy. It is going to be hard to find anything that will trump THAT.

Because Henry is too young to resent it, I’ve been thinking of giving him something non-toy, such as clothes, or a picture for his wall.


He loves dinosaurs, so I considered these wall stickers (they don’t take up space! they can be used to cover the walls that need repainting!)—but Henry’s love of dinosaurs is tempered by his fear of dinosaurs, and some of these are scary.


Maybe something more like this Dinosaur Parade print.

I’m also looking for dinosaur shirts in the under-$10 range: he has one dinosaur shirt and asks for it EVERY DAY. Considering how many children like dinosaurs, I think EVERY clothing line should have a selection. (And the first company to make a girly dinosaur shirt for my almost-4-year-old girl who likes girly stuff AND dinosaurs, wins my heart. I want a dinosaur in a tutu, and I want it NOW.)


And incidentally, if YOU are looking for a nice dinosaur toy for a child, I strongly recommend this Cuddlekins Triceratops. It is an enormous hit at our house, not just with Elizabeth and Henry (the two who like dinosaurs), but also with ME: it is so soft and cute and snuggly, I often….I mean, I DON’T hold it on my lap and pet it and cuddle it, because THAT would be ridiculous.

I need more ideas! What do YOU suggest for Henry?

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47 comments so far...

  • You know, I wonder if you can find 3+ toys without small, choking hazards? Our daughter turned one on April 12. My parents asked what she needed and without hesitation I responded, “Outside toys!” They’re expensive and we had none and the weather was warming up.

    They arrived with a sand and water play table for 2+ - but Amelie, now 13 months, can’t get enough of it. Sure, she doesn’t play with it the way that you’re SUPPOSED to…but who cares? If she wants to spend an hour emptying all of the water out onto the ground with one of the little train cars that came with it…then use a railroad bridge (also came with it) to beat the water puddled onto the ground, hey. She loves it.

    Come to think of it, that’s what I recommend for Henry! The Sand and Water Table. Hours of entertainment (yes, wet baby ensues, but hey…) for you and him!

    Phe  |  May 20th, 2009 at 12:48 pm

  • I second Phe’s motion for outside toys. Also? I know he’s young, but as a fourth-born myself, I always felt so special when I got new clothes boughtjustforme. So I think the dinosaur shirt idea might be a great one.

    What about toys that get used up? I’m thinking play dough here, but also bubbles, paints, markers, and crayons. My two-and-a-half-year-old has gotten into all of those things this year. I am sure you have a common stash of those things around the house, but it’s nice for a toddler to have his own things, as I’m sure you’re aware.

    Here are some other things my daughter loves that you may have already but have not mentioned: play pretend supplies (fake phone, camera, microphone, hats, outfits); bug box and other outdoor stuff; fishing puzzle (looks like a wooden puzzle but each piece has a flat metal bit on top so it can be “fished” out with a magnetic fishing pole; I got hers at Target); kitchen supplies as bath/swim toys (turkey baster, measuring cups and spoons).

    I hope something in there helps. It looks like you’re doing one big present for the older two, but perhaps that wouldn’t be the way to go with your youngest. You may want to do a basket of related smaller items instead. Of course, only you can know whether that will create problems with your other kids…

    Good luck!

    Just me  |  May 20th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

  • What about something for outside play? When my almost 3 year old turned 2, we got him a Bistro Grille from Step 2. We use it inside, and it is BY FAR his favorite toy. The boy loves to “cook”! (Of course, we are very keen on fostering this love). Since you already have all of the Melissa and Doug food, you can supplement the grille with that (it does come with some stuff already).

    Also, knowing your love of all things Target, perhaps you could swing by there and see what they have. Last time I was there (okay, I go at least 3 times a week, and I have a Super Target), they had a great collection of outdoor stuff for kiddos, like sandboxes, or little garden tools, or bubble machines, or tents.

    Just some thoughts. I am sure you will come up with something awesome.

    Jane  |  May 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm

  • Since, as you noted, 2 year olds really don’t notice if they have big actual presents, I like to give a subscription to Wild Animal Baby. It’s a cute magazine that is good for 2 year olds - pictures, finger plays, animal facts. It’s on sturdy paper and comes once a month. They are fun to read back over, or to cut up later for projects too. We have given subscriptions to friends, family, and to kids’ teachers as graduation gifts (for their next class) - everyone loves it. It’s around $20.

    Suzannah  |  May 20th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

  • My daughter is 2.5 and LOVES her Melissa and Doug 12 piece jigsaw puzzles (yes they say 3 and up on them). There are animal ones and transportation ones.

    Stickers are an awesome idea. She also constantly plays with blue painters tape and I am sure would loose her mind if she was given a whole roll of tape to herself.

    Aqua Doodle has been a big hit in our house. I love it because of the lack of mess. Other art supplies are usually successful presents as well.

    We also love our new Winnie the Pooh bubble blower. My daughter can blow bubbles all by herself with it. We got it at Target for about 6 bucks. Target also has some really cute gardening sets and tool kits.

    Her other favorite toys are her dollhouse, baby doll, and jewelry (sorry she is just such a girl!).

    Good luck!

    Mama (Stacy)  |  May 20th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

  • Swistle - Have been reading all your internet stuff for quite a while and really enjoy it (though rarely comment because…am lame, I guess).
    Old Navy has a “dyno-mite” line right now on sale online. They don’t seem to have a ton of stuff in what I’m guessing Henry’s size is, but they may have more in the actual stores if there is one near you. And the price is right. And they have things like dinosaur SHOES and HATS and SHORTS in non-scary patterns. My 9-month old son has the Godzilla-looking shirt with green sleeves and it is one of my very favorites.

    Gretchen  |  May 20th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

  • Geotrax.

    They are durable and chewable and throwable and will be fun from 2-8ish.

    Even the little girls who come to my house are obsessed.

    lora  |  May 20th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

  • Gretchen- It is killing me that those Old Navy shirts are in baby sizes but not toddler sizes. KILLING ME. Those are EXACTLY the kind of thing I’m looking for! I will have to check in the store. (Oh, darn, a shopping trip.)

    swistle  |  May 20th, 2009 at 2:31 pm

  • Well, my daughter is turning two in September, and we were planning on getting her a wagon. I guess that would fall into the “outside toys” suggestion (which is a great idea).

    Bre  |  May 20th, 2009 at 2:57 pm

  • What about trains?

    Or a dump truck?

    Miss Grace  |  May 20th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

  • I have nothing. I am terrible at thinking of things to buy. I’m going light this year, b/c the family overbuys and my kid’s too young to know the difference.

    I’m also crazy-psychotic and I’m getting her a giant barrel full of Playdoh stuff.

    See?

    I’m the WORST.

    The New Girl  |  May 20th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

  • How about things you will use up (bubble soap, sidewalk chalk, finger paints, etc.)? Then you don’t need to worry about duplicate or redundant toys.

    Dino clothes sound good, too. I often see them on pajamas.

    StephLove  |  May 20th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

  • Just read the other comments and second the idea of a magazine subscription. Babybug (published by Cricket) is great for that age. J loved it and now she gets Ladybug.

    StephLove  |  May 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

  • At my Kohls store in VA I just found a stegasaurus tee for $6! My almost-3-year-old loves it. And yeah, why oh why does ON not have the dinomite stuff in toddler sizes?!

    Jennifer B  |  May 20th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

  • My daughter has a set of cardboard Melissa and Doug nesting alphabet blocks that she just ADORES. She’s nearly 3 now (BD coming up end of June) and has had them for about a year and a half. They’re small, light, and very entertaining for her.

    Not sure if the set of blocks you have pictured above is Melissa and Doug but I will warn you STAY AWAY from that particular set of blocks. My well-meaning MIL sent those to our Bean about a year ago and, after letting her play with them a few times, we had to hide them until she gets older. They’re much, much bigger and heavier than they look in the photo and frankly, they’re extremely dangerous for a toddler who still likes to wave and throw things around. Some of the larger blocks in that set are nothing but a smoothly-sanded two by four! After she hurt her fingers and nearly gave Mommy a black eye, we packed them up and hid them in a closet.

    Groovymarlin  |  May 20th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

  • Hey! my 5th born’s name is Henry, too!

    I find 2-year-olds easy to shop for. Of course, perhaps my kids have simple tastes, lol.

    Ideas (all will be thrifty, sorry) : several of those inexpensive puzzles w/ the peg in each piece for wee fingers to hold (something like 2-3 bucks at WM), large earthmoving equipment toys - you can find them for around $10 (nothing like a backhoe almost as big as your child, lol), or, our old stand by: dress up stuffs! Doctor, cowboy, pirate, etc! you can get the individual elements at the dollar store and wrap ‘em together!

    HTH!

    -Blue

    MrsEvilGenius  |  May 20th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

  • This is Eli’s favorite game, and it was given to him when he was still two. (Shh.)

    http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-34888-Playskool-Honeybee-Hop/dp/B000OVAHLM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1242837587&sr=8-3

    His big and little sisters love it, too.

    Nowheymama  |  May 20th, 2009 at 4:08 pm

  • I feel you on the 5th kid delima. It is hard to buy toys for the youngest, cause there is SO MANY TOYS already! I bet a boy is even tougher. Cars, check, dinos, check, balls, check. With my youngest, it is babies, Barbies, Pollys, ponies, and we have a ton of those. My 2 year old got leftover Christmas presents for her 2nd bday. She started waning intrest in the Christmas presents, so we put a few away for her bday, which comes 6 days later. I didn’t even have to stress.

    Boys…lets see. I bet a dino shirt would be totally great. My older son LOVED dinos. We have puzzles, games, toys, clothes, books, and movies. Some of that? Maybe anther wubzy type toy? I love the idea of outdoor things, squirt guns, sand stuff, swimming gear. One of those big balls. Kids LOVE that.

    For my 5th’s first bday, all the kids went and bought her presents at the dollar store. It was fun and cute to see what the other kids wanted to get for her, and easy on the wallet. And she loved it. It would probably work for a 2 year old as well.

    Lisa  |  May 20th, 2009 at 4:28 pm

  • I got my then-2 year old the melissa and doug shape sorting/counting/stacking boards. One of them has 1-5 shapes (1 circle, 2 rectangles, 3 triangles, etc) stacked on pegs on a long board. The other is 3 tall pegs with different stackers (circles, hexagons, and 2 piece squares) I admit I bought this because I knew I had another little one, but he loved it! He still plays with it and he’s 3 1/2 now. My 5 year old plays with it too. Maybe I have weird children.

    jen  |  May 20th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

  • for my two-year-old, i have been coveting the cars that you shake to get them to move. i think they are from fisher-price. i think they are so cool.

    my son just had his birthday (and didn’t get the cars, shoot!) but he did get a really cool inflatable t-ball set. it has an oversized bat and ball that fits on an inflatable t. it is great. he can use it in the house and all three of my kids love it…

    melanie  |  May 20th, 2009 at 5:37 pm

  • My little girl turns 2 this Friday. We bought her a Bubble Mower and the My First Trampoline with enclosure by Sportstower (Toys ‘R Us carries them). It’s a challenge to keep her from jumping on our bed, her bed and the couch. We thought this would be safer. Plus outside toy.

    Dawn  |  May 20th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

  • How about a cool dinosaur book? They have a million, but here’s a cute one for a 2-yr-old:

    http://www.amazon.com/Big-Dinosaur-Book-Board-Books/dp/0312493282/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242843949&sr=1-4

    Clara  |  May 20th, 2009 at 5:54 pm

  • My 2 year old received this for her birthday and is in heaven!

    ttp://www.radioflyer.com/rideon/rideon_540.html

    With a super-active kid it’s always great to get them something physical to play with outside and wear them out! Good luck.

    Lily  |  May 20th, 2009 at 8:11 pm

  • I’m practically begging people not to buy things for our upcoming 2nd birthday. We JUST finished opening up all of the first birthday toys (seriously) and it’s just ridiculous. But, for those who will not be dissuaded, we’ve come up with the following items: outdoor toys, art stuff (crayola color wonder, anything washable) an easel, trains (to go with the train table from my parents.) I realize that sounds incredibly greedy but the husband has a large extended family who would rather buy something he would use than something that will end up in the garage until the next yard sale. Also, books never get old in this house. And of course, clothes in the next size up (which is 4T as my not-even-two-year-old wears a 3T. Wtf, sizing? Wtf.)

    Mama Bubl  |  May 20th, 2009 at 8:39 pm

  • on the possible 2-year-old gift list at our house: puzzles, kid-size gardening tools, more books, possibly a doll house (doesn’t help, i know), little hand-size dolls (again), finger puppets, more train track, kid-size apron & oven mitt…that’s all i can think of. we’ll narrow down to a few smalls and a big and add clothes.

    also: wal*mart garanimals had a girly dinosaur shirt - pinks and purples with glitter even! i know! there were only a few left so…get thee to the big box!

    Jen LC  |  May 20th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

  • My littlest one just turned two. He loves vehicles, so we got him some of the sprig eco-trucks, and some little motorcycles. Of course, we already have lots of that kind of stuff, but sometimes the littlest one needs new ones of his very own that no one has played with before. He also got a little music set and a bathtub fishing game, both of which were well-liked.

    For the dinosaurs, if you haven’t already looked there, Lakeshore makes some nice ones, like these: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|searchResults~~p|RA366~~f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/ShopByAgeOrGrade/18mo3yrtoddler/viewall.jsp

    Good luck!

    Anna

    Anna  |  May 20th, 2009 at 8:47 pm

  • I am a terrible gift buyer/giver/idea haver but I second the need for less gender specific clothing themes. When my daughter was two she was obsessed with trucks and cars so she had all boy pjs (and underwear, actually) covered in race cars and Lightening McQueen. It would have been so fun to have a tshirt with a pink truck or some other mixing of gender stereotypes. Dinos in tutus–perfect in blue and pink :) Lightening McQueen panties rather than just briefs would have been nice during potty training, too. Okay, enough from me. Good luck finding something for Henry–I say go practical. He’ll never know ;)

    Melissa H  |  May 20th, 2009 at 11:31 pm

  • Do you have a Kohl’s near you? If not, go on-line shopping:

    http://tinyurl.com/p33vvr

    melissa  |  May 21st, 2009 at 12:10 am

  • I remember feeling that way too when my daughter turned 2 - everything said “3 and up” and I was like, “Great. Life starts at 3 I guess.”

    I think you’ve gotten a lot of good ideas. My daughter also likes dinosaurs and I’m going to mention three that we read all the times. I couldn’t find the Berenstain Bears one I was looking for, but it’s like this one: Brother Bear Loves Dinosaurs.

    The other one we LOVE is Dinos to go by Sandra Boynton.

    And lastly, one from my childhood: Dinosaur Show and Tell by Ellen Keller.

    My other idea is, what about a DVD? That is, if you let your kids watch movies? A DVD could double because the whole family could enjoy it. I’m thinking something like CARS or Happy Feet (OMIG my daughter was obsessed!) or a couple of Diego! movies if he’s into that…

    Good luck and let us know on your blog what you decide!

    stlfarr  |  May 21st, 2009 at 1:34 am

  • Have you tried E-shirt for the dino t-shirts? They usually have anything you can imagine!

    Zazzle and Cafe Press might also have some.

    Mama (Stacy)  |  May 21st, 2009 at 3:32 am

  • If you go to kohls.com and search “dinosaur” there are some for under $10 (with $5 shipping). Of course, the cutest ones are only in baby sizes!

    My son turned two in February, and I think if all we had gotten him for his birthday was a balloon he would have been well satisfied. :)

    Maggie  |  May 21st, 2009 at 12:50 pm

  • I’m stretching here, but I agree that consumable things are good. Or what about some bath toys? Dinosaur books? He might be a little young for it now, but The Day Dinosaurs Came with Everything is particularly hilarious. Get a haircut? Have a dinosaur. Buy a donut? Don’t forget your free dinosaur! Etc.

    Kelsey  |  May 21st, 2009 at 4:29 pm

  • I just saw the suggestion of Wild Animal Baby - we LOVED that when Harper was little!!!

    Kelsey  |  May 21st, 2009 at 4:30 pm

  • We’re in the same boat, with an old almost two year old in the house, so I’m getting some great ideas here! I’m talking to my mom about a play kitchen, maybe, and from his daddy and I, a Big Wheel or tricycle. I’ve also already ordered an ADORABLE shirt with a 2 on it; I figure he can wear it all year long. here’s the link:

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25275195

    I also notice they have dinosaur shirts in their shop! Also, I will be on the lookout for dinosaur shirts for Mr. Henry. Just let me know his size, and I will send you anything I find!

    Sam  |  May 21st, 2009 at 5:14 pm

  • This was a big hit with my 2 year-old niece! The toy says 3 and up, but there are no small parts.

    http://www.amazon.com/Kid-Galaxy-First-Control-Buggies/dp/B000ASAV5Q/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_b

    brooke  |  May 21st, 2009 at 11:28 pm

  • also, here is a cute girl dino hoodie. Isn’t it cute?!?

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22285626

    brooke  |  May 21st, 2009 at 11:30 pm

  • I have 3 boys and 2 girls. And one of the most loved gifts was a tool box. It was a real plastic tool box (maybe a tackle box?) with kid tools inside (probably bought at the dollar store). They played with it forever and then used the tool box for other stuff as they got older. Two of my sons love anything with wheels….cars, trucks, trains…etc

    A two year old will not remember what he gets and will be happy with a cardboard box…..

    Stacy  |  May 22nd, 2009 at 1:19 am

  • Sam, I LOVE the 2 shirt!! I had it READY TO ORDER, and then Elizabeth was like, “I want the 4 shirt!” and Edward said, “ME TOO!” and I lost momentum. But so cute! Henry wears a 2T or a 3T, and why oh why are children’s clothing sizes not standardized?

    swistle  |  May 22nd, 2009 at 1:22 am

  • Try this for your girl: http://www.threadless.com/submission/111993/Girls_Heart_Dinosaurs/showmore,designs

    For your two-year-old I recommend a travel magna doodle. These one generally don’t come with small pieces and the strings make sure the pens can’t be lost, but they’re too short to be a strangulation hazard. I believe they are all labeled not for under 3, but they’re a very easy way to let a small child draw without giving them crayons.

    http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-G2812-Little-People-Doodle/dp/B0002D0FDM/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_img_in

    Cookie  |  May 22nd, 2009 at 10:45 am

  • I just bought this great fire engine pop-up play tent for a 2 yr. old little boy and he loved it! I do believe it says for 3 & up, but oh well, still cute and I didn’t see any small parts. And what a great price, only $17.99. It also got good reviews on Amazon.com & Target.com. It’s cheaper on Amazon though. They have a school bus one also depending on what Henry likes better. Good Luck and let us know what you get!

    http://www.amazon.com/PlayHut-71868-Playhut-Fire-Engine/dp/B00002SSWQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1243016495&sr=8-1

    Tracy H  |  May 22nd, 2009 at 5:53 pm

  • Saw this toy in “Parenting” (or was it “Parents?”) when it was time for my youngest’s 2nd birthday–and just HAD to get it. It is by far the most played-with toy in my house. Not only did the 2–now 4-year old play with it, but her 5–now 7-year old brother AND the 7–now 9-year old sister!

    http://www.amazon.com/International-Playthings-G02232-Lift%252dOff-Rocket/dp/B000NNBFRQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1241096469&sr=8-1

    Carrie  |  May 22nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm

  • OK, I know you have a million and one ideas already, but my mom trumped every Santa gift in the house this Christmas with…a big cardboard box and a box of crayons. (She got a recliner and it came inside the box.) We cut out a door and window to make a playhouse. We poked dozens of holes in the top and shoved one colored Christmas tree light through each hole until we used up a strand of lights.

    The best part? You can trash it when he gets tired of it or destroys it beyond recognition.

    Just me  |  May 22nd, 2009 at 7:51 pm

  • Have you thought about either play-dough or crayola has the ones that only mark on their paper. That would have been nice when my boys were little.

    elizabethbriggs  |  May 23rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm

  • I sayt stickers. Whne I was a kid I LOVED stickers, even until I was 8 or 9. Maybe even then. I know Henry is a boy, but remember that Lisa Frank colorful junk? GOD I would’ve died if someone gave me something like that. Maybe they have colorful Spongebob or Bob The Builder (what are kids watching these days) stickers at the cheap-o store?

    Ria  |  May 24th, 2009 at 3:15 pm

  • For two year old birthdays, I recommend a beginner scooter, one with three wheels. They seem to be coordated enough to enjoy those—they’ve been a huge hit with several 2 year olds I know!

    Sarah  |  May 31st, 2009 at 1:32 am

  • If your little guy loves dinosaurs, consider my book DINOSAUR PARADE (Sterling/Lark, 2009). It is expressly written to help little people understand how big dinosaurs are compared to THEM — and the kids drawn with the dinos are 3 feet tall. It’s accurate — explains that dinosaurs no longer live, but let’s pretend they joined our parade. The colors are VIVID and the fun goes on and on. Check it out, please. We made it JUST for your little man, and other boys and girls in love with dinosaurs at an early age.

    Kelly Milner Halls
    Children’s Author
    Spokane, WA

    Kelly Milner Halls  |  June 2nd, 2009 at 1:51 am

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