We don’t have a lot of dedicated play space in our home, so we’re selective about which toys come in and which stay. Arlo isn’t obsessed with toys in general — he’s more interested in toys that belong to other kids — but a handful of items have become favorites over the past year. These are the toys he keeps returning to, the ones that entertain him again and again. If you’re hunting for gift ideas or a new toy for a two‑year‑old, here are our top picks.
Photo by Jeff Mindell | Graphic by Meagan Knight for Studio DIY
1. Sticker subscription: We often do stickers in the mornings before school or while waiting at restaurants. A sticker subscription has been wonderful; each month a fresh package of themed, varied stickers arrives and keeps us excited about new designs and activities.
2. Wooden barn: We gave Arlo a compact wooden barn for Christmas and it’s been a hit. It comes with a few horses and we’ve gradually added other wooden and felt animals. He enjoys lining the horses up, pretending they climb ladders, and opening and closing the doors and windows. The barn stores neatly and has handles, so he can easily carry it around.
3. Kitchen helper / learning stool: Not technically a toy, but this is our most‑used item, so it deserves a mention. It lets Arlo safely reach counter height and stay enclosed so he won’t fall backward. He uses it for snacks, helping with baking, washing play dishes, and joining us when we make smoothies. The stool collapses for storage, which is handy if you don’t have room to keep it out all the time.
4. Play kitchen: Arlo received a play kitchen for his birthday and it lives in a little nook near our real kitchen. He loves pretending to cook and hiding things in the microwave and oven. It’s a durable, long‑lasting toy that will likely be in rotation for years.
5. Plus‑Plus blocks: These are my go‑to travel toy because they’re compact and great for hotel rooms or Airbnbs. They click together easily so small hands can build simple shapes or more elaborate creations. I keep them stored in the tube so they’re grab‑and‑go ready.
6. Clay: Clay is a favorite activity we do together. Lightweight Model Magic is easy for little hands to shape and doesn’t crumble into tiny bits that get stuck in the carpet. It dries and hardens, which is perfect for keepsake projects. For reusable play, modeling clay that never dries out is excellent — very forgiving when it gets left out.
7. Wooden train set: A huge win at our house. Wooden train sets tend to be compatible across brands, so we keep adding tracks and vehicles. We recently added animal and vehicle “trains” and some IKEA track pieces. The set grows with him and disassembles easily for storage.
8. Color Forms: A nostalgic pick from family — Color Forms are cling pieces with scene boards that inspire creativity and storytelling. They’re simple to move around and can be combined into countless shapes and animals.
9. Animal matching game: This is a neighbor gift that Arlo plays with daily. It’s an excellent introduction to matching games and a fun way to teach animal names and sounds.
10. Ice cream puzzle: Found in an Easter basket, this puzzle is another daily favorite. Arlo loves building personalized ice cream cones, counting scoops, and naming imaginative flavors. It’s a fun social game that family and visitors enjoy playing with him.
11. Wooden garage: By far the most played with toy in our home. The garage is used from morning until night for cars, trains, and even pom-poms. He’ll play independently for long stretches and also enjoys playing with us. Extra cars make the play even more dynamic and they travel down the ramp on their own—always a thrill.
12. Cleaning set: Many kids love toy cleaning tools, and Arlo is no exception. It’s adorable to find him happily sweeping the floor. The set is great for teaching basic chores and the value of helping around the house.
Books are a hit too — we read together every night. We keep a running list of favorite children’s books to help with bedtime and storytime selections.