What to Buy for a 2-Year-Old Boy

In April 2013, just a few months after Noah turned one, I wrote a gift guide for 1-year-olds. Now that Noah is two, I thought it would be fun to pen a gift guide for 2-year-old boys. (Although I specified "boys," most of the items on this list are appropriate for girls as well.)

Here's what I'd recommend: 

1 | Bike
Noah's big birthday present was a Strider balance bike.  I thought he'd take to it right away (because he loves riding his trikes), but he didn't. However, Noah is now nearly 29 months old (Yes, I had to count the months in my head because I don't keep track anymore!), and he rides his bike every day.  

2| Kitchen
Noah loves "cooking" in his kitchen, especially when Brian is cooking on the stove top nearby. The only downside about this kitchen is that it is more compact than I thought it would be. A larger kitchen would work better for two or more kids.

3 | Workbench
We purchased a workbench for Noah at Costco, but this one on Amazon is very similar. Right now, it's in our family room and Noah uses it often. He even flips it over and pretends it's a car!

4 | Musical Instruments
For months, Noah has shown interest in playing musical instruments--in particular, he's quite fond of the guitar. So for Christmas, we bought him this guitar. We've already had to change the batteries--that's how much he plays with it! Smile.

5 | Backpack 
My sister and brother-in-law bought Noah a personalized Pottery Barn mini backpack for his birthday. It's the cutest thing!  Noah loves wearing it, and it comes in handy when we go to the park for a picnic lunch. I pack it with our sandwiches, fruit, and snacks. In one of the outside pockets, I carry a water bottle.  In the other, I bring along a small tube of sunscreen.

6 | Books
Noah is still a big fan of board books, but he's also interested in reading books with paper pages.
Here are some of his favorite paperback and hardcover books right now:

Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born
Someday
A Blessing from Above
A Pocket for Corduroy
What Do People Do All Day? (We've read this one over and over and over again!)

7 | Puzzles
This Melissa & Doug vehicle puzzle is a favorite because the pieces make noise.


8 | Indoor and Outdoors Tools
Like most 2-year-olds, Noah loves to help with both indoor and outdoor chores. Here are a few kids' tools that we are thinking about buying for Noah, so he can use them alongside Brian or me. 

Broom  
Mop

Rake
Set of tools, which includes a garden rake, leaf rake, spade, and hoe.
Leaf blower (Noah refers to it as the lawn blower.)

9 | DVDs
I'm not a big fan of screen time, but Noah watches television or a DVD while I get ready in the morning and occasionally, while I'm making dinner in the evening (that is, when Brian is at work). Having these DVDs on hand is helpful, just in case Noah isn't interested in watching the program currently playing on the Baby channel.

John Deere Tractor DVDs

Bob the Builder DVDs

Elmo DVDs

10 | Clothing
Buying clothes for a toddler is popular, but it can be tricky.  What size does the child wear?  What types of clothing does he or she need?  It's best to check with the child's parents to determine if they need or want clothing. (If you buy clothing, please be sure to include a gift receipt.)

11 | Shoes
Because kids grow so fast, shoes are almost always needed. Check with the child's parents for his shoe size.

12 | Gift Cards 
Some people think gift cards are impersonal, but I love them because it gives the child (and parents) the ability to hand select a gift.  Suggestions include: Target, ToysRUs/BabiesRUs, Lakeshore, or iTunes (for children's music).

13 | An Experience
One of the most meaningful gifts, I think, is to provide the child with an experience. Instead of buying material goods, purchase tickets for the child and his family to visit one of the following places: a nearby children's museum, exploratorium, railroad museum, indoor playground, trampoline center, water park or aquatic center. Perhaps, you could even join in the fun, too!
 
14 | Themed Gift 
Lastly, let the theme of the party be your guide. For instance, we were invited to a train party recently, so naturally, I bought a Thomas the Train toy for the birthday boy. Noah's cousin, Sammy, had a dinosaur party, so I purchased a dinosaur shirt and a few dinosaur books for him.

And one more thing...
Ask the child's parents if they've created an Amazon wish list.  I set up a wish list for Noah when he was born and ever since, I've added items he needs or things I think he'd enjoy. Not only do I add Amazon items to it, but also goods sold on other websites.

Having an up-to-date Amazon wish list is really handy--especially when Christmas or Noah's birthday approaches (he's a January baby), and people ask me what Noah would like. I can simply share his list with them via email.   

What is your favorite thing to buy for a 2-year-old boy? Please share in the comments.

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