The 34 best toys and gifts for 2-year-olds that are fun and educational

Gold Winner for Best Toddler Toy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023

This fun, colourful game is tested by teachers and can be used for younger children to learn colours as they dress the friendly elephants in their different outfits, or as a fun game for older tots. Play the game and match the head, body and leg cards of the same colour or mix it up and watch your kids have fun creating their own outfit combinations. There are 30 chunky pieces in total and they’re the perfect size for little hands to hold.

Dress up Nelly was tested by our mums and their kids as part of the Mother&Baby Awards, and parents praised the simplicity of the game, with one saying it "was easy for my toddler to grasp". This is a fairly compact box so makes storage easy and one reviewer also pointed out that "they make great presents too as the price point is right for nursery friends etc."

Another mum tester, Debbie, mentioned how versatile the game is, as they can "use them to talk about the different colours/outfits, and it encourages some role playing as well while we talk about what different jobs each character might have." Our parent testers were in agreement that it was a fun educational toy and Olivia summed it up when she noted "it is an amazing learning game for my child, who can now match and pair since using this product. It is something he asks to play with. It teaches him how to think and learn – each time we play he pairs them up quicker!"

Read our full Orchard Toys Dress Up Nelly review

Silver Winner for Best Toddler Toy at the M&B Awards 2023

Teach your little one cause and effect with the help of this Hercules Weightlifting toy from Classic World. Hercules’ arms will move up and down as they add and remove ‘weights’. Fun as well as educational, children will love watching the eyes waggle as the ‘weights’ balance. Our mums tested this game out with their children as part of our Mother&Baby Awards 2023 where it won a Silver Award for Best Toddler Toy.

On the whole, parent testers thought the game was "attractive" and their children "took an interest in the toy straight away", with a number of mum testers saying that their child "understood the aim of the toy and enjoyed balancing the discs so that the eyes are visible." Our mum testers thought it was good for their children's development with Beth noting that her 21-month-old "also explored the relationship between weight/size and balancing without adult input which I didn't expect. It aided his fine motor skills too."

Some felt that their three year olds grew bored of it fairly quickly but found that they either started using the toy pieces in independent play which has benefits for Montessori toy rotation, or that it provided more entertainment for younger siblings. In fact tester mum Beth, said "our 21-month-old has played with it substantially more and has spent a lot of time rearranging the weights and playing with the balancing arms." 

In terms of materials, our mum testers liked that "it was wooden and not plastic" which made it "a lot more durable". Feedback was mixed on the colours, with mum tester, Maryanne saying she "liked the muted colour scheme a lot" and Sophie agreeing that "the colours were very gentle and muted, but they could perhaps have been slightly bolder just so it stood out a bit more." Astrid also "liked the colours too" but thought "they were not bright enough to attract children in the first place."

Read our full Classic World Hercules Weightlifting toy review

Bronze Winner in the Mother&Baby Awards 2020 for Best Toddler Toy

This colourful number puzzle makes learning fun for toddlers. Our mum testers thought it helped their children get to grips with their numbers from 1-10 as they match the houses and their inhabitants to the door numbers. Mum Rachel said “I would recommend this to other mums as I’ve found it really useful to encourage counting and recognising numbers."

Not only can this help them learn their numbers, but our mums found it also benefited their toddler’s understanding of colours and as Sharon said “it’s a great way to sit with your child and talk about the numbers, colours and animals to aid their development and learning.” 

Our mum tester Sarah thought it was good quality when she tested it for the Mother&Baby Awards 2020 and also appreciated “that it’s made of cardboard and not plastic, and I think the company is a good one in that they will replace any missing parts for free."

While our mum testers liked the fact it had a handle, mum Jo did point out that it meant her children carried it around a lot and the box was showing signs of wear and tear.

Mum tester, Pia noticed that her son would gravitate towards this game over others and she often caught him counting the animals, "this is an incredible educational toy - it's colourful and fun and I'm sure it's helped with my son's numbers" she said.

Read our full Orchard Toys Number Street review

Old MacDonald Lotto is an early learning matching game, perfect for young players. It's aimed at 2-6 year olds and can be played by 2-4 people. The aim is to be the first player to match all your cards to your playing board, followed by the farmer!

It's a simple but effective memory game, and our tester's son "found it easy enough to understand the aim of the game and turn over the cards. He seemed to understand that he had to remember where the cards he needed were and try to get them."

The sturdy lotto cards feature animals and objects you might find on the farm such as milk, tractors and vegetables and our tester, Ed found this was great fun as well as educational, "When we find an animal and match it to the board, my son makes the noise of the animal or vehicle and we say the name so he's learning about farm animals."

Our tester did note that if any of the pieces end up being lost it would make the game less enjoyable so it's worth tidying away as soon as you've finished. It's worth noting though that Orchard Toys do a replacement service so if you lose any pieces of their games you can order up to three replacements free of charge (postage applies)

Read our full Old MacDonald Lotto review

Bronze winner of the Mother&Baby Awards 2021 Best Toddler Toy

This LEGO Duplo Truck was tested and reviewed by our mum testers as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2021 where it won a Bronze Award for Best Toddler Toy.

As well as being a fun push-along toy, this introduces toddlers to their ABCs, inspires creative building, encourages imaginative play and helps fine motor skills - all in one truck full of fun! The 26 letter bricks can help toddlers improve their motor and reading skills, as they stack the letter bricks onto the back of the colourful moving truck. As they do that, they become familiar with the letters of the alphabet and soon learn to spell basic words (F-U-N!) - helping toddlers learn whilst having fun building. Encouraging imagination, role-playing, learning the ABC, and building, this truck is loads of fun for developing toddlers.

With over 5,000 5* reviews, it's a firm favourite with parents and our mum testers were equally pleased, with Lauren saying "the alphabet truck has encouraged me to spend time with my son and teach him new words, colours, letters as well as having some fun time with him." Our mums also appreciated that "it is a very versatile item, and can be used in many different ways."

Tester mum Sarah also liked that "it is also easy to wipe clean if needs be which makes it extremely hygienic" and Adel thought "it is well built and solid and can without several knocks and bangs! It’s nice and colourful and a good unisex toy."

Read our full LEGO DUPLO Alphabet Truck review

Bronze Winner for Best Toddler Toy at the M&B Awards 2023

Children will learn to count, recognise colours and shapes, and start to grasp sorting and matching while playing with Spike. The colourful quills are just the right size for little one’s hands to grasp and when they’re finished playing, the pieces are stored nicely inside the hedgehog.

Our mum testers tried this out with their children as part of our Mother&Baby Awards 2023 where it won a Bronze award in the Best Toddler Toy category. Parents felt it was great for helping a child's development with mum tester, Hayley saying that it was a "great toy for hand-eye coordination and learning colours" while Natasha said it "is a good learning tool which has helped to aid his counting."

Our mum testers also thought it was a long-lasting toy and as Asya said, it has the potential to "grow with the child, as their skills develop" while Suzanne said "I can see if my child was older there would be lots of opportunities for colour recognition, counting and sorting."

Mums thought it was the "type of product I could give or receive as a present as they're very good quality" though one mum mentioned that "it would have been more satisfying for the child if the spikes actually clicked into the hedgehog as they seemed quite flimsy and fell out very easily." However, on the whole mums felt the design was "very user friendly and the spikes were an appropriate size for little hands."

Read our full Learning Resources Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog review

Shortlisted for Best Toddler Toy at the 2020 Mother&Baby Awards

This interactive words book was tried and tested by our panel of mum testers with their little ones and is filled with colourful pages, animals and bright objects to grab your tot's attention and boost their knowledge and language. The twelve learning categories include food, pets, vehicles and clothes, expanding their vocabulary while keeping them entertained.

As well as teaching younger children first words and sounds, the LeapFrog Toys Learning Friends 100 Words Book can switch between English and French, teaching them two languages at the flick of a switch. Amy praised this, saying "the pictures are engaging and were clear to my daughter, who was then able to listen to the French word and understand what it was relating to."

Our mum testers thought it was great for all ages, with Amanda saying "I have a toddler and a primary schooler and this is one of the very few toys that they’ll sit down and play on together" and Eleanor noting that "her 9-month-old understood quickly that she had to press the pictures in order for the voice to say what they are."

Our mum testers also liked how it could entertain their kids on the go, "as the handle on top creates a portable toy that couldn’t be easier to transport." Eleanor found it was useful in many settings - "I have used the book when travelling in the car, cooking their tea, putting the washing on and many more tasks that were impossible to do without one of them getting upset."

Mum, Abi felt the touch sensitivity meant that her son accidentally knocked other words, which could be confusing but did note that it will eventually improve his fine motor skills.

Read the full LeapFrog Toys Learning Friends 100 Words Book review

Silver winner of the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 Best Toddler Toy

This is a fun-filled sound game where players listen to the sounds on the Orchard Toys app or make noises themselves and match them to pictures on their playing boards! Children will have fun as they buzz like a bee, moo like a cow or hiss like a snake. We tested it as part of our Mother&Baby Awards 2022 and parents all agreed they would recommend it to other parents as it "creates multiple learning opportunities", is "an interactive game that you can play alongside your child" and "is easy for all ages to play with on their own or under adult supervision."

Mum Helen liked that "it's in a small box so doesn't take up too much space in the toy storage" while Rebecca liked that "it's not made from plastics or any other one-use product." It can be combined with an app which makes the noises, and while this isn't necessary, Helen did note that users without "a phone or laptop wouldn't be able to get the full potential out of the game."

Read our full Orchard Toys First Sounds Lotto review

This toy, described by one mum reviewer as "educational & fun", helps to teach children pre-reading and pre-writing skills with suggested activities that allow you to explore and practice numbers with your tot. Another reviewer said her "toddler loves this! He wants to pick a colour, cut a shape, then put it away and move on to another colour. It’s a great concept. Gives him practice saying shapes and colours".

As with other Play-Doh sets, it's great for fine motor skills and encouraging creativity, with parent reviewers saying it offered "lots of ideas for developing recognition of both colours, shapes and pattern building whilst also developing fine motor skills."

Some reviewers mentioned that the paper mats provided were a little flimsy, and as with all PlayDoh, the dough can dry out if not stored carefully.

This adorable matching memory game is a must for little fans of Peter Rabbit. With pieces that are large enough and chunky enough for little hands to manage easily, toddlers can turn over one piece and then aim to find the matching half.

Our tester, Ed, found the colours were vibrant and his son could easily see which character was which so they could have a chat about who was who. It was also a good test of his memory. "The pieces make him think - it's not immediately obvious or as easy as other matching memory games so he has to put a bit more effort in" said Ed. He went on to say that "because it's a little trickier, he did wander off halfway through but once he'd been persuaded to finish the game and could see the characters that were being made, he got more into it and ended up really enjoying it and wanting to play again."

Shortlisted for Best Toddler Toy at our Mother&Baby 2022 Awards.

With seven complimentary play cards to inspire and add fun stories to tell, these Wonder Buddies will have your toddler laughing with delight as well as stimulating emotional intelligence, fine motor skills, imagination & creativity, gross motor skills, cognition, language and communication and senses.

It uses smart sensors to create interactive play, which one reviewer thought had helped teach her two year old "about compassion. Feeding him, playing and putting him to bed, definitely less tantrums when his friend is doing the same thing." As well as developing social skills, it was also reviewed as a "great little toy that really helps develop motor skills."

Reviewers also felt it would develop with their child, with one noting that "there are 7 cards written in English, French and Spanish with learning objectives for play time with your child. Although the toy is simplistic in looks, I thought that the learning objectives were beyond the understanding of many one year olds, so that aspect would suit an older toddler."

As it needs batteries, one reviewer noted it would be useful to have a small screwdriver to hand when first using the toy.

This cuddly toy may become your little one’s best friend as it plays fun songs, music and talks while flapping its ears. It’s designed to encourage language development by having conversations, repeating what’s said, moving its head as the child speaks and teaching letters and numbers. Parents thought it was “very easy to understand, and will repeat what you say, and baby’s noises too. A great toy for children aged 6 month to 3 years.” 

The three different learning levels mean it will grow and develop as your child develops with one mum saying “my 7 months old just can't get enough of this toy” and another saying it’s “very easy for my son to use and understand he is 19 months and this toy has helped him with his speaking and communication skills.” The mum of a two year old said it’s “very engaging, two year old loves it and really is encouraged to mimic and talk back to the toy, definitely recommend.”

The Melissa & Doug Zoo Friends Hand Puppets set is an engaging toy that promises endless entertainment for children. The four soft hand puppets - an elephant, giraffe, tiger, and monkey - are crafted from plush, soft-stuffed material that's perfect for cuddling and conveniently washable, ensuring easy cleanup if needed. Reviewers felt they were "very well made of good quality materials."

Designed to fit both children and most adults, these hand puppets are ideal for playing together, helping motor skills, hand-eye coordination, communication skills, and self-confidence in young children. A Melissa & Doug Deluxe Puppet Theatre can also be bought to provide a stage for the puppets and role-playing. You’ll find yourself playing along with your child as they get the hang of turning these hand puppets into characters and role-play together can help your little one develop important conversation skills. Reviewers praised the role-playing potential of these puppets, which is "great for imaginative play and storytelling."

Some reviews mentioned that they were ideal for children's hands and for adults with smaller hands but were "a bit cramped to use for adult operators... but still recommended."

This fun ice cream cart toy will help improve your toddler's memory, counting and creative abilities, as they have to remember the orders, put the ice creams together and make sure they get the ice cream to all the customers at the cart. As with many of the best toys for 2 year olds on our list, it combines developmental benefits, education and fun, which our testers liked. “Not only is it a great toy for the children to play with, it is also a great tool for learning colours and numbers The colours are really bright and engaging too.”

With different challenges and activities, it will grow with your child and our tester Kelly said “it has a lot of different features and the cards read out different challenges. They are too complex for my little one but it will continue to challenge him as he grows.”

While it’s colourful and entertaining for children, there are plenty of aspects that parents will appreciate. Unlike many toys, it can still be used if the batteries run out, which tester Danielle pointed out is key. “ Being busy mum, battery changing is low on my list of priorities.” Testers thought it was well designed and sturdy, with Danielle saying that  “the ice cream scoop is attached which is a massive positive as we are always losing things.” Our testers also noted that “having two volume settings means the repetitive noises are less annoying.“

Some parents thought it could be improved if it was a little larger which would allow more children to play with it at one time though our mum tester, Pia thought it was perfect as two children could play together as customer and ice cream seller, "my son and my nephew had a lovely time serving each other ice creams and taking orders." 

Read our full Scoop & Learn Ice Cream Cart review

Your toddler can learn about food and have fun with role play with this adorable set of wooden food pieces, perfect for picnic, market, or kitchen pretend-play. This set includes 21 durable pieces of food and four wooden crates for convenient storage and organization. Each piece is crafted to teach your child the main food groups while providing endless imaginative play opportunities. This is helped by the detail - our tester thought that the “the colours are wonderfully bright and eye-catching - they're simple in design but instantly recognisable for little ones."

By engaging in roleplay, children can use this set to learn around food groups while also having lots of fun using their imagination to create pretend play situations. Our Dad tester, Ed, liked that they could develop this understanding while playing, saying “we can sit down and make a full meal out of these so they come to understand what foods go with what.”

Our tester noted how well made and durable they seemed, in contrast to plastic ones which wouldn’t last as long. They suggested this was worth paying a little more for, saying “these are such good quality, and the four boxes they come in keep them in their separate groups but also stack nicely for tidying away.” They also pointed out that “they are far better quality and more durable than the plastic and cardboard alternatives we have quick are already squashed and bitten!”

Get ready for a fun trip to the barber with the Melissa & Doug My First Barber Shop Playset. This all-inclusive set lets kids cut, trim, shave, and style with a variety of pretend play shaving essentials. It features a soft, wearable beard with adjustable straps for realistic role-play and kids can swirl squishy, textured shaving cream in a tub with a soft-bristled brush to pretend to lather up, then use the play scissors to trim. The set includes a pump shaving cream can, trimmers that vibrate when the tab is pulled, and a rolling razor for a smooth finish. The buzzing trimmers are a particular hit with kids and parents. Our tester's daughter said that "The trimmers are the best bit because they buzz!"

Children can check their look in the hand mirror that flips to stand, and finish off their style with textured pomade in a tub, a comb, and a brush. The set also includes a reusable double-sided activity card for added fun. This is a brilliant set for two children, who can alternate between being the customer and the barber, creating plenty of opportunities for imaginative play. Our mum tester , Pia said this had been a huge hit with her kids who've really enjoyed giving their Dad a hair cut and getting the beard and clippers out whenever they have a chance."

All these components can be stored neatly in a sturdy zippered shaving kit for easy cleanup with our mum tester saying "the pieces are a good size where they aren't easy to lose and everything fits in the little travel bag."

This wooden play kitchen is a classic toy, crafted from wood to ensure it lasts through years of play and can be passed on as the timeless design means it will never go out of fashion. The realistic features include sleek stainless steel-look details, an old-school thermometer and an ice dispenser for added authenticity. The opening doors of the fridge, freezer, oven and microwave add more realism, while the oven knobs click when turned, adding to the realistic play experience. Reviewers loved both the look and purpose of the kitchen, with one saying that "not only does it look brilliant, but it does what it says on the box, and that is to serve as a fun imagination enhancer and encourage creative play."

Parent reviewers appreciated that "the instructions are simple to follow and the parts are well marked and easy to find" but did point out that it "takes time to put together" with some suggesting it could take a few hours. We'd recommend putting it together before giving it to your child to avoid being pestered while you're assembling it!

There's ample storage space in the many cabinets, helping to keep play areas tidy and make space for lots of play food sets.

There's nothing any two-year-old loves more than playing shops with their very own till and pretending to be a supermarket cashier. Little shopkeepers can use their imaginations endlessly with this till which is both fun and educational for little ones. Designed to help them with their counting skills, they’ll be learning as they play.

We tested this as part of the Mother&Baby Awards 2018 where our mum tester Katrina liked that her son could play independently with this. “My two-year-old son loves this till, as he plays with it very independently, giving me a bit of free time.” Mum, Michelle agreed that it occupied her son more than other toys, saying “he has a tendency to get distracted easily, yet this keeps him occupied for a good amount of time.”

Mums praised the combination of fun and education, saying that “it supports child’s development, and also provides fun at the same time.” They liked that it is easy to wipe down and clean off sticky fingers but did note that coins have a tendency to get stuck down the back which can make it tricky to use.

Read our full Leapfrog Count Along Till review.

This charming farm will delight little ones with its lights, music, and sounds, as well as the imaginative potential of a colour farm filled with animals. Parent reviewers thought this provided "hours of endless entertainment" and was "great for learning animal names and general role play."

While it's perfect for two-year-olds, reviewers also noted that it could be enjoyed by younger and older children, with one saying, "The one-year-old laughs with glee when she puts the animals down the shute, and the doors come open. The two-year-old likes the animals and singing along with the song. The four year makes up stories and plays with the farmer and the animals."

It features Smart Stages learning content, including fun songs, phrases and sounds that introduce counting, colours, and animal noises. One reviewer said it "has encouraged my granddaughter to learn the names of the animals and being able to pronounce their names improved her vocabulary skills".

Reviewers also praised the durability of the farm, saying it seemed to be "crafted from what I can only assume is the same plastic used in superhero costumes, this farm set has proven both durable and toddler-proof."

The Micro Mini Deluxe Scooter is a must for speedy, energetic two-year-olds. While it’s suitable from two years old, this scooter has been designed to grow with your tot as the adjustable handlebar grows as they do and our parent testers felt it would last their child “many years”.  

The two front wheels are designed to make scooting easier for little ones, which certainly impressed our reviewers, with Dad Charlie saying that his son took “to it straight away” and “within two minutes he was zooming around the garden.” Charlie did feel that it took a little longer to learn how to steer around corners“as it is so sensitive. After a few days he seemed to get the hang of it and picked up some speed.”

Parent reviewers felt that “building it was easy” and “it feels really durable and long-lasting.” This sturdiness does demand a higher price tag, with Dad tester, Tom noting that “this is a more expensive item but I think it is worth spending the money as it looks like it will outlive their usage which is great.”

Read our full Micro Scooters Mini Micro Scooter review

Bring the beach fun home with the Early Learning Centre Sand and Water Table, designed for endless hours of creative play. This versatile table features two troughs, allowing your little one to fill one side with sand and the other with water, or both with either sand or water (sand sold separately). The set includes ten engaging toys: a spade, scoop, rake, funnels, wheels, moulds, and more, and comes in two colour ways.

Our mum tester, Shannon, did feel that the assembly could have been a little easier, but once it's up this water and sand table is likely to stay up. She said "Assembling the table was relatively straightforward and didn’t require any tools. The instructions were not as clear as I would have hoped with it only being images available. All parts fit together seamlessly and within 40 minutes, the table was ready for use, much to the delight of my excited daughter."

A waterproof lid keeps the sand dry and doubles as a play table with a built-in road, making it a multifunctional addition to any play area. Shannon found the table kept her daughter entertained, saying "The dual compartments allow for a variety of activities—from building sandcastles to sailing boats in the water. The table included accessories, such as shovels, forks and water wheels, enhancing the play experience and encourage imaginative play. The table’s height is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, providing easy access to both sand and water sections."

While the lid can keep the sand dry, if you do need to clean it out, our tester found this easy. "Cleaning the table is perfect. The plugs at the bottom of the water compartment make draining simple, and the plastic material wipes clean without much effort."

Tester Shannon also thought it offered a perfect balance of fun and education, noting "The Early Learning Centre Sand and Water Table offers great educational value. It promotes sensory development, fine motor skills, and imaginative play. It’s a fantastic tool for both individual and cooperative play, fostering social skills and teamwork. Highly recommended for parents looking to combine play with learning in an outdoor setting."

Shortlisted for Best Toddler Toy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022

You'll find an abundance of uses for the Original Tuff Tray. It's perfect for play in the home or for outdoor play in the garden - for the messy stuff! From sand and water to painting and bubbles, get creative with endless activities for little ones to enjoy their home-schooling time. If you're looking for a Tuff Tray, take a look at our guide to tuff trays to make sure you're buying the right one for you. We tested this tuff tray with mum testers for our Mother&Baby Awards 2022 where it was shortlisted for Best Toddler Toy.

This Tuff tray can be used with or without the stand, and our testers appreciated this versatility, with Charlie noting that it was "great for doing messy play such as paint, playdough, foam and other crafty activities either at a height - that could be adjusted depending on your child - or just laying the tray on the floor." Laura agreed, saying that "it has multiple uses. We have only had it a week but in that time we have used it for messy play, art and crafts, baking, jigsaw puzzles and even for mealtimes." Lucy pointed out that "this multi-use aspect is a huge positive for any mum."

From a practical point of view, our testers thought it was "fairly easy to put together, it’s easy to clean, can be used inside and outside, has 3 different heights which is great for sitting or standing and is fairly big so 2/3/4 children can play at it together."

One mum suggested it would be better if the legs folded down for easier storage, but another felt it was easy enough to take apart if needed. It was also suggested that, from an environmental perspective, less packaging could have been used.

Read our full KUB Original Tuff Tray and Stand review

The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe is an iconic and beloved toy, found in countless homes, nurseries, and preschools around the UK. Its popularity is well-deserved, as kids simply adore it! One delighted grandparent shared, "I bought this for my granddaughter for Christmas. She is nearly one and absolutely loves it. Thousands of hours of playtime make it worth every penny. The strong and sturdy materials will last for years. Fabulous purchase, highly recommend."

The Cozy Coupe features a removable floor and a handle on the back, allowing parents to push younger children. As kids grow, they can start pushing the car themselves. This model includes fun details like an ignition switch, an open-and-close gas cap, and a real working horn, providing a realistic driving experience that kids will love.

While some reviews mention difficulties with assembly and unclear instructions, the end result is a toy that brings immense joy to children. For even more fun, you can purchase compatible extras such as a petrol pump, so your little one can refuel during their adventures.

With its sturdy construction and engaging features, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe is a timeless toy that will last your little one and can then be passed down to others.

The Scuttlebug Bumblebee Ride On was awarded Silver for Best Toddler Toy at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

These fun and colourful ride on toys are a hit with toddlers as they’re lightweight, easy to use and get them places quickly! The cute designs are fun and appealing for little ones, while our parent testers appreciated how easy it is to fold up when their children want to walk (or be carried) saying “it’s incredibly easy and quick to fold out and is ready to go straight away!” while another pointed out it can fit under the pram which makes it great for trips out. “It comes everywhere with us as when my son doesn’t want to use it anymore it folds up and goes under the pram.”

While one mum tester felt the seat was maybe a little hard, she did note that the material meant it was very durable and hardwearing. “Although, as it’s plastic it seems to be very hardy and weatherproof, as we often leave ours outside in the patio in all weather!” As pointed out by another of our Mother&Baby testers,  “a huge bonus is the ease of which you can wipe it clean should any rogue snacks or drink spill on it."

Read the full Scuttlebug Bumblebee Ride On Review

Gold winner at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 for Best Toddler Toy

We tested the Hooga Balance bike with our Mums for the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 where it won a Gold Award.

The Hooga balance bike is a quirky fun Zebra-themed child's outdoor ride-on toy that's designed to help your little ones build up their strength and develop motor skills, coordination, and agility.

It has a 2-in-1 configuration which offers children support to develop their walking and riding skills when it's a tricycle and can then be converted into a balance bike, helping children with essential bike riding skills. Mum, Kate felt this was a big selling point, saying "I would choose this product over others I have seen on the market as the option for it to be adjusted as your child grows was a big plus for me."

The balance bike has a non-slip rubber handlebar and a comfortable leather seat with two height configurations. The bike also has foam puncture-resistant tyres for your peace of mind.

While our testers liked that it was lightweight, Kate did feel that "it isn’t as easy to fold down/put in the boot of your car as other models; however, it compensates for this by offering a lot of customisable features that they don’t." Lauren liked that it "is also easy to wipe clean which is very important as outside toys can get dirty very quickly."

Read our full 2 in 1 Zebra Themed Balance Bike review

This brightly coloured puzzle is actually six puzzles in one, with different pictures on each side of the cube to test your toddler's jigsaw skills. The pieces are neatly contained in a wooden tray to keep it all together but also test and develop their fine motor skills and dexterity. Reviewers thought it was a good challenge for younger children, and "is an educational toy, good for hand and eye co-ordination."

Some reviewers thought the cubes were smaller than they'd expected, but one pointed out the "cubes are small but ideal for small hands."

The Melissa & Doug Geometric Stacker Toddler Toy is an engaging educational toy featuring 25 colourful wooden pieces in various shapes, including rings, octagons, and rectangles, designed to be matched and stacked on three rods. This is a versatile toy that can help younger toddlers to build early shape, colour, and size differentiation skills, while building hand-eye co-ordination, but also offers the potential for multiple games that can be played with a parent too.

Our tester, Tom tried this out with his 2 year old daughter and appreciated the multiple uses, saying she had "loads of fun stacking and re-stacking the blocks". He went on to say that "it's a great way of getting her to develop her fine motor skills, as well as learning about colours and shape when I'm playing with her as I can talk to her about the colours and shapes when we're putting them on."

With over 23,000 5* reviews it's safe to say that this is a favourite with parents and their children. Durability was mentioned by lots of reviewers, including one mum who said "the toy still looks new. The colours don't run, no chipping or flaking. The rings have been gnawed and thrown but looks perfect." Our tester agreed, "these are sturdy blocks -they feel like good quality wood and the paint colours are bright and don't seem as though they'll chip easily."

It's also a great option for presents, with one reviewer saying it was her "4th time buying this item, once for my kids, then as gifts after that."

Bring your tot’s favourite story to life with this cardboard jigsaw puzzle. The four jigsaw puzzles included in this set will teach your little one important problem-solving skills while the fun pictures from the Gruffalo will keep them entertained.

This jigsaw was tested by Mother&Baby's Digital Writer, Rebecca, who found that both of her children enjoyed this puzzle though it was "ideal for younger children as it's fairly simple and easy for little hands to play with." She went onto say that "the edges of each are colour coded which makes it easier to do so it's ideal for a two year old, though would be too easy once they reach around 4 years old."

Rebecca found "the pieces were thick and sturdy so have stood up to the usual rough play of 2 year olds and still look good enough to be passed down to younger siblings or relations."

A colourful and robust take on the classic Russian dolls, these nesting babies were created by a mum and midwife as a fun developmental toy for babies from 6 months and up. The dolls are designed to help develop hand-eye-coordination and ordering skills and our tester mum, Rebecca tried the dolls out with her two year old and found that they allowed her to practice playing around with sizes. "My daughter would happily sit and play with these, trying to figure out which one fitted in which, and what order they had to go in to be able to fit."

They're colourful and sturdy so will appeal to little ones as well as standing up to toddler play. Rebecca agreed that they last well as they have been played with many times and still look good enough to pass onto younger siblings. She commented that "these dolls are not only a fun and cheerful toy but they look good when they're just sat on the shelf so I can see them being a decorative item when my daughter stops playing with them so much."

This fun, brightly coloured musical instrument gift set is great for budding musicians. It includes a Xylophone, Ocean Drum, Rattle Roller, Bells and Shaker Maraca in fun colours and is suitable for 12 months and up. Babies will be mesmerised by the colourful beads and the noise they make as they cascade up and down in the Rattle Roller, while tots will certainly enjoy making music with the xylophone and maraca! Reviewers enjoyed the musical opportunities which make this a “great gift for the budding musician or even just a noisy toddler who likes to crash and bang stuff a lot.” While the fun music will keep them entertained, they’ll also be learning new skills and improving their motor skills and coordination. 

For peace of mind, the set is BPA, lead and phthalate-free, with carefully designed rounded edges so you can be confident it’s safe for your little one. Reviewers appreciated this safety, with one mum saying “one of the features I really like is how safety has been taken into account. There are no sharp corners.” 

One reviewer did note that, while the rest of the instruments felt solid, she questioned how long the drum would live up to the rough and tumble of her toddler but others said "they are well made and have lasted 3 months of heavy usage without showing signs of wear."

With 60 pieces to play with, your toddler will love using this multi-coloured bricks for hands-on play. They come with distinct shapes and are a good size which makes them great for little hands and less of a choke risk than other building blocks. It was tested by Dad, Chris with his son and he found that they were a firm favourite, saying his son "played with them each day at least once, without being prompted to do so, often returning to deconstruct and then reassemble creations at various intervals. 

Chris felt these blocks encouraged imaginative creativity, saying "As well as using his motor skills to build Megabloks, they also prompted creativity, often being used alongside his own toys, usually to wall them off or park within. They also encourage parent-child play, with our son on several occasions asking one of us to build a ‘garage’ for his toy cars." He went on to point out that this creativity is increased as there are no instructions. "We noted though that unlike Lego (for example), these Megabloks are not sold with instructions on how to create things, the child/parent instead being left to go off of designs on the colourful bag."

Chris found them durable, despite being lightweight, "the individual blocks are robust enough to be considered durable – our son received a similar set of ‘hand me down’ Megabloks from a cousin that displayed little sign of wear despite being regularly played with – and are light enough that even when stacked high are unlikely to result in harm should they collapse on a child or baby."

The set comes with a reusable storage bag for easy cleanup and organisation, making it convenient to store and transport the blocks and as Chris noted "the secure zipped bag comes with a useful handle." Additionally, these blocks are compatible with all MEGA BLOKS building toys, allowing for endless learning fun and creativity.

The blocks come in two different colour options.

Introduce your little one to the joy of drawing with these vibrant, eco-friendly crayons, perfect for a two-year-old. Unlike others, these crayons are made from 100% pure beeswax and food grade pigments for colour, ensuring a sustainable and minimal impact on the environment. As well as being better for the environment, this offered parents peace of mind. “Also stops me worrying about my little one biting or trying to eat them as they are natural and non toxic.” The crayons' unique chunky shape makes them easy for small hands to hold and difficult to break, promoting creativity and fine motor skill development in young children.

One of the standout features is their sweet honey scent while the bold, vivid colours captivate young artists and should inspire endless doodles and drawings. 

Some reviewers noted that they’re at the upper end of the price scale for crayons but did point out that they’re so chunky that they should last longer than other others, with one saying “Would buy again - but they're going to last for ages!”

Cheerful Poppy and her six colourful count-and-stack-flowers are perfect for preschool fine motor fun. Little ones can stack Poppy’s two-piece flowers, then count them up and carry her around with the child-sized handle. Poppy and her six vibrant count-and-stack flowers are designed for preschool fine motor development and offer plenty of opportunities for imaginative play and learning. One parent reviewer found this helped her child, saying “as an early intervention specialist I highly recommend this toy. It helps develop fine motor skills with the placement of flowers. My child now uses it for pretend play and counting.”

Poppy allows children to engage in counting and stacking activities, and one reviewer noted that her daughter “can learn her colours and numbers and also helps her learn sorting.” Specially designed for ages 18 months and up, Poppy encourages imaginative learning adventures as kids pick and carry her flowers.

The six numbered flowers can also be stored in the pot, which parents liked for ease. “The best thing about this toy is that it stays organized since you keep the flowers in the same box. That has helped me prevent their parts from getting lost.” Some reviewers noted that the flowers sometimes fall out of the holes, but this allows the child to practise putting them back in firmly.

If your little one likes to make music this piano mat could be the perfect addition to their toy collection. Designed to provide hours of fun, it allows children to stomp on the mat and create their own unique sounds which reviewers liked, with one saying "I purchased this as a first birthday gift for my nephew. It is a well-made product that kept him busy making sounds by pressing the various keys. He quickly realized that the keys made different sounds and happily used his play mat for an extended amount of time. I also noticed that he frequently returns to the toy and looks for it in his toy box. I'm happy with my purchase." 

It boasts 28 sounds, including 10 kinds of animal sounds, 9 melodies and 9 music scales so children can learn music, animal noises, colours and sounds.It does take 3xAA batteries so we'd recommend having these to hand before giving the toy to your child.

The mat features a two-sided design, each side offering different built-in sounds, inspiring creativity, sensory development and musical exploration in your child. The soft fabric makes it nice for your little one to use, while the anti-slip surface offers peace of mind for you. While it has received praise for its engaging and interactive design, some parents noted that the sounds can be a bit loud.