What to Get a 2 Yr Old for His Bday Who Has Almost Everything?

Updated on August 11, 2009
C.A. asks from Wichita, KS
19 answers

I've been debating getting our son a big boy bed, a friend has one they aren't using anymore. But what other gifts do you recommend. I run a home daycare so we have lots of toys and not much room for big toys like play kitchens etc. I don't wanna just say he has enough and skip gifts altogether but I don't want a bunch of "junk" cluttering my house or yard(trust me we have lots). I've been looking at educational games but don't know which ones are better and worth the $ as far as how long they last(break, offer games to advance with age, etc) I'm just lost. He loves choo choo's, cars, elmo, etc. we have lots of all of the above though(and a train going around his room) I want the toy/item to be personal and yet something that can handle a lot of kids!!!! Had some great ideas so far, looking into some of them. One is a book with the read along pen. I'm thinking the LeapFrog Tag(pen) they have another thing not sure how to describe it. But I posted another request asking about different versions of those.

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S.V.

answers from Kansas City on

I might suggest asking for folks to donate to a 529 for him. Maybe give him a few personalized items (maybe one of those pottery barn chairs with his name on it)...one of my girlfriends had the same issue, since she had 2 boys...and her youngest was happy with the dog and his brother, didn't want toys. So, we were all sent invites to his party, with a disclaimer (well written) that said something like: rather than toys or items he already has, please donate to his college fund at www.-blah, blah, blah or to XXX Charity. People responded very well and all donated what they would have bought him to his college fund. It was tasteful and he opened a few small gifts from his parents, that he doesn't use. He did get his "own leash" for the dog, which he thought was the coolest gift of all.

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

At this young of an age they're not going to know if they got anything or not, so you could just wrap up a toy you already have that hasn't been played w/ in a while, And I'll bet he'd be perfectly happy w/ it, or just not get him anything at all, and take him somewhere fun instead.

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J.A.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning,
The best thing you can do when they have everything is start a great savings account that you and friends and grandparents can pay into anytime. Then as a gift get him a big cardboard box to play in, it helps there imagination, and you could also help them by showing him it can be a car, train, house, dog house & he's the dog, my kids loved the boxes. At his age it don't have to be great big.
My 12 year old granddaughter was over to our house this week and said her mom had a big box a dishwasher had come in and she ask to play in it and they thought she was to old for that and they smashed it up and it made her sad she couldn't play in it. So playing in boxes is for all ages.

enjoy this little guy they grow up so fast. Sometimes to many toys to play with over whelms them, its best to have a play now toy box and one that is put up for later. For my kids when they got the next box out it was like new toys all over again.

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K.B.

answers from Wichita on

Good Morning C., Happy Birthday Paxton ( early I am sure)

If he loves elmo, trains and the like how about books that use the pen reader. Dang it I can't remember the product name, but they have hard back books with circles at the bottom of the page, you touch the pen to a circle and then go over the words on the page and it reads to you.
Corbin has Dinasaur books, ABC's, and several others.
Corbin just turns on the pen now and recites the whole book as he turns the pages. You can find them at Wal-mart and probably ToysRus. Cheaper at wally world though. About 10 for the books and I think the pen was 13.00.

Zane 22 months carries it around alot so it is pretty kid friendly. The pen gets put up high so it isn't lost.

God Bless you and hope you get some great Birthday gift idea's.
K. Nana of 5
PS Going to keep checking back to see, cause Zane and Corbin are in the same boat, they have just about everything a kid could even dream about. They don't get the stuff from me, they get it from the Emme ( grandma Sherry ) in TX.
One christmas I took Gen and Corbin to TX to see her parents, we had to basically UNPACK one side of the backseat to get Corbin OUT to change or feed him. Trunk was packed, both sides of the back was so packed poor little guy couldn't move if he had been big enough.

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S.G.

answers from Kansas City on

What about books. Those are great gifts and it gives mom and dad some down time together with the child to read. My kids always loved cuddling in the chair and getting special time with one of us. You can even take him to pick ou the books.

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K.G.

answers from St. Louis on

There are two things that come to mind...

1. A kid-friendly digital camera. They're really not expensive, and they are built "kid-tough". My husband's mom did home day-care, and he and his siblings still love to look at pictures of the kids that she cared for. He can take his own pictures, and he'll love feeling like a big boy! http://cameras.about.com/od/digitalcameragifts/tp/cameras...

2. There is a TV show called "Yo Gabba Gabba" that has a dance mat. My two-year-old has it and absolutely loves it! It is also really good because one kid can step on it to start a song, all the kids can dance, and then another kid can start another song. Great for days when you can't go outside. Here is a link: http://www.toywiz.com/yggboogiemat.html. You can also find them on Amazon, and they're cheaper there.

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C.H.

answers from Wichita on

You may already have lots of these, but my boys do nothing but play cars cars cars all day long. If we ever ask what they want, it is always more cars! They are also handy because they can be stored away very easily. Also Thomas the train trains are very fun too. Or maybe his favorite cartoon dvd? Just some ideas... If you are looking for educational we love the leapster handhelds, he may be a little young at 2 though and not sure if they can take a whole lot of roughhousing. :]

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T.H.

answers from Topeka on

Hi C.! Hope your little guy has an awesome b-day. We were in the same boat when our oldest turned 2 and my daughter is about to turn 2 as well. When they are this young, they really don't know what birthdays are. What we did was get my son something small (toy) and give him a savings bond. My parents do this as well. They get something for their b-day and extra money when they get older & the bond matures. I hope this helps and have a great b-day!

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K.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I like the idea of passes. For each of my kids on their second birthday we got them a box for their special things, generally used as a rock box (now that they're a little older they have a rock box and a special box). That seemed the age they started to care and want things to be just theirs. I also like to get them things I would or would like to have extra of around but is more geared toward them, like pillow cases, towels they like, etc. He's a bit young maybe to get it, but for my 5 year old we got riding lessons, and that was a big deal. We don't have a ton of toys but plenty and I feel terrible just accumulating toys!

K.

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M.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I had the same problem. I got my daughter a "kideo" video. You upload their pic and pic out a video. It's so cool and they will keep it forever. They will be in the whole video and say their name too. The website is www.kideo.com

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J.E.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter just turned 2 in July. We got her the same thing we've gotten her for her last birthday and Christmas... nothing. She doesn't need anything and I don't want to buy a present just to buy a present.

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L.B.

answers from St. Louis on

You have some good ideas here.

I think it might be just the right age to start a tradition of getting to do something special for his birthday, with just you or both you and Dad. Sounds like he could use some one-on-one time with you,too. You could either get tickets to something special or let him chose. It gets harder and harder to chose gifts for children as they get older and this is a tradition that you could carry on even into adulthood.

I also think it would be a nice thing for grandparents or family to do, too. A day out with just him. Good memories, too!

Also, One year we gave my daughters ice skating lessons for Christmas, and they still remember that as a fun gift. I wrapped a skating ornament with a note telling them about the lessons. This year for her 8th bday, my husband gave my youngest daughter a guitar magnet and a note saying that he would give her lessons. She did get other gifts, but she tells people that this was her favorite. (She is the 3rd girl so really we have all the toys that she could need already, too.)

I think it's good to try to get away from the idea of material things being the only way to let someone know how much you care about them. Less clutter, too!

Have fun celebrating your big guy's birthday!

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C.W.

answers from Kansas City on

The biggest thing to remember is he is only turning 2, and you do not have to go overboard as the only thing he will remember thru time is what he sees in pictures. Enjoy your time with him and do not fret over how much you spend or was the toy the right thing...

You say you are looking at a big boy bed, maybe letting him pick out some new bedding for it... Something he will use and being it is something he likes, more apt to sleep in the bed.

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L.A.

answers from Wichita on

I have two suggestions. My son got a Story Reader for his birthday. You plug the books into it and it reads the story. THere are Dora, Mickey, Thomas books and more. Its very simple to use and he enjoys it. He also has a "Little Einstiens" computer. It has lots of differant games.

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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

I know people that "already have everything" and I give them consumables: candles, lotion, perfume, etc. This would work for children as well: Play Doh (always seems to dry up if lids not on), markers (same thing), crayons/coloring books, bath crayons (soap shaped like crayons that "write" on skin and tub/walls), favorite treat, etc.

How about giving him an EXPERIENCE: a day at the amusement park or zoo, A REAL TRAIN RIDE! (since he likes trains), etc. Take lots of pictures. Make a small scrapbook or photobook for this event only and look at it often and reminisce! It will be something to treasure for both of you for years to come!

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K.K.

answers from St. Louis on

hello, i am sort of going through this same thing. my son will be two on september 22 this year and he has so many toys and really needs no clothes or books. i am debating on whether or not to tell people that if they would like to give money towards purchasing a magic house membership or a zoo membership. that is the best i can think of.

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L.K.

answers from St. Louis on

We have 5 children and one of our favorite gifts to give L(and theirs to receive, too!) is passes or memberships to places to go. Some of the ones we have done in the past are the Magic House, Museum of Transportation, Zoo, Six Flags (for older ones, though!), etc. My kids all LOVE getting these because it really is a year long gift that we get to use again and again.

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K.O.

answers from Wichita on

Hi C.! After having three boys, when boy #4 came, it became a real challenge to think of a gift! I also used to do home daycare so our boys had/have practically everything! My mom and my mother-in-law always tried to get at least one fun toy/video for each boy and then something useful like clothes, art supplies, backpacks for school, etc.
Since your son will be turning two, the paper will be the most exciting thing. Buy him a book, a video, or a toy or one of each and let hime unwrap those. If you choose a book or video about Elmo, trains, etc., then he will be ecstatic! Also, do not be afraid to choose a duplicate toy to one that you already have--if it is something he really likes, then he will treasure it even more because it is "his" alone and not just another daycare toy. During the time the daycare kids are over, put the toy away (although since you seem to work all of the time, allow him during the day, to go into his room alone and play with his toy). Make it a special thing that is only his and that he does not need to share with the other kids.
The book/video idea could also be a special item that you both read/watch together at the same time each day/night.
Good luck and may Paxton have a great birthday! Congrats on #2; may all go well and may you welcome a healthy new addition to your family.
K.

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

C.-

I have four suggestions...

1. Let him pick out big boy bedding for his new bed

2. Take him to the toy store and let him pick out a toy (we did this yesterday for my daughter who turns 2 this upcoming Friday. She ended up picking out a mechanical kitten - $39.99). I would probalby have spent more money!!

3. Thomas the Train sofa or chair

4. Money for his college fund

We opted to take our daughter before her birthday becuase she'll be overwhelmed anyways at her party so she won't really know which presents are from who!!

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