Toys for 2 year olds need to be sturdy, fun and easy to use. While 2 year olds are getting better at exploring their world - their little hands are not quite strong enough or coordinated enough for complex toys. This is an age when their minds are moving faster than their bodies can keep up - which is one reason they are a challenge. Of course, 2 year olds are also bubbling with enthusiasm and brimming with curiosity - which makes them so very much fun.

Avoid: Anything complicated, toys with only one use, toys with small parts or sharp pieces.

Good toys for 2 year olds include stacking toys, wooden blocks, pretend food, basic wood train sets, and fun dinnerware. Most 2 year olds are ready for fingerpainting and fat crayons (plain paper is usually best, coloring books are a bit overwhelming for many 2's).

Realistic stuffed animals and puppets ae also enjoyed by many 2 year olds. They are often less interested in "baby" looking toys and much more interested in toys that look like the real deal.

Feeding mom, dad, siblings, dolls and stuffed animals is another favorite with this age. Toys for 2 year olds include basic wood play food, dolls, and cooking utensils. Again, look for basics and be sure that there are no small parts that could cause choking or sharp parts that could be dangerous.

Sand toys are loads of fun at this age, as are bubble wands. While two year olds are usually not able to blow hard enough to work a regular bubble set easily, bubble wands let them wave the wand through the air to get bubbles so they have more success without frustration.

Melissa and Doug sand toys are wonderful - and there are so many great toys for 2 year olds. Some of these sand toys also double as play dough tools.

What to buy for 2 year old Boy: Stuffed animals or baby dolls, puppets, wood trains, sand toys, finger paints, blocks, wood cars and trucks, play food, wood puzzles

What to buy for 2 year old Girl: Wood trucks (yes, many girls love them!), stuffed animals or baby dolls, pretend food, finger paints, blocks, wood puzzles

With kids this age, there are so many good toys for 2 year olds that you almost can't go wrong as long as you buy an age-appropriate toy.