Two years old is often called the "terrible twos" because it marks the beginning of a child's independence. Your baby has grown into a more autonomous toddler who eats on their own, plays independently, runs, climbs, jumps, and expresses their needs quite clearly—often with a mix of enthusiasm and frustration.
If you're looking for toys and games that support their development, a second birthday is an ideal time to introduce new items. Gifts should cater to the child's needs and growing independence by engaging their five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Here are some gifts worth considering from grandparents, friends, other family members, or for you to buy for the birthday child:
Vestibular Plate or SwingTo stimulate vision and sensory experience, it’s recommended for a two-year-old to engage in activities that challenge their balance system. A swing, vestibular plate, or balance beam are perfect items that will allow them to play and enjoy while subtly enhancing their balance and body coordination.
BooksBooks are an excellent gift for any age, and at two years old, they stimulate and develop the senses of sight and hearing. It’s still best to buy a toddler board books so they can turn the pages themselves without tearing them out of excitement. These books help enrich their language and imagination through words and illustrations. Reading time can also be quality time for you to enjoy and discuss the story together.
Dough or Bath Finger PaintsThese gifts engage the senses of touch, sight, and smell. Though dough and paints can be messy, they are crucial for development. They encourage fine motor skills, sensory regulation, and interaction with different textures. Creativity and imagination are also fostered, and learning can occur during play (drawing animals and learning about them, shapes, colors, and more).
Learning Tower for the KitchenTouch, smell, sight, and taste—all these senses come into play with a learning tower placed in the kitchen. Standing in the tower encourages the toddler to be near you, fostering independence. They can take on roles like mixing batter or kneading dough, and you can use this time together to enrich their language, teach new concepts (spatula, rolling pin), and actions (stirring, frying, baking)—depending on what you choose to do together in the kitchen.
Home GymEnhancing movement, balance, and vision—all these can be achieved with a home gym, which simultaneously fosters the toddler's independence in their environment. A home gym setup allows the two-year-old to refine their climbing skills, creativity, and of course—expend lots of energy, leading to a restful sleep afterward.
Jama app was created to support mothers of babies from birth to age three, providing them with content, activities, expert tips, and videos to guide them through this challenging period. The app's content "grows" with the baby, tailored precisely to their developmental stages, so mothers receive only what is relevant and interesting to them at any given moment.
Jama app is the place for mothers in Israel to meet and get to know other mothers around them, creating new and exciting friendships on this fascinating journey.
Find us on Google: https://app.jama.co.il/
Daniel Saransky, in collaboration with JAMA