Even though he was my 4th boy, finding finding birthday gifts for my active 2 year old wasn’t easy.
I am a boy Mom. I know boys inside and out. We have just about every kind of toy that boys like to play with. Yet, when it came time to actually buy my 4th boy something for his 2nd birthday, I was stumped.
I was stumped for good reason too: he is a very active 2 year old.
I mean, I know all kids are active. I have 4 kids and 21 nieces and nephews for goodness sake (and counting). But, this 2 year old child of mine is just CRAZY active.
From the moment that he wakes up at 7am until the moment he falls asleep at 8pm at night, it’s non-stop activity.
He doesn’t like to sit and “play quietly” and take an afternoon nap. He prefers total destruction, messes, and complete excitement all hours of the day. I mean, he doesn’t even get calmed down after his bedtime bath – it only re-charges his energy levels.
My other kids were still taking naps and stuff at this age. But, not this kid.
So, back to birthday gifts for active 2 year olds.
Having a wild and crazy toddler led me having to think super hard about things to get him for his birthday. Puzzles and dinosaurs just wouldn’t make the cut – I needed something that would wear him out and keep him busy (and out of trouble).
It took me some time to think of a complete list of birthday gifts for active 2 year old boys, but I believe I thought of some real winners.
These gifts aren’t just for boys. These birthday gifts are for boys who have a primal need for action and keeping their attention span for hours on end.
So, here you go.
Riding toys
Until my 4th child, I have never bought a riding toy with peddles before age 2. Until him, my boys weren’t quite ready for a riding toy of sorts. But, my active 2 year old? You bet he was ready even before then.
I LOVE this radio flyer tricycle. It’s great for active kids who want a little bit of independence, but who also need a little bit of help. Until we got this tricycle, I loathed the idea of my kids having one and having to bend down to push them when they got tired. But, with the helper handle, this makes it an easy choice all around.
I also LOVE this scooter, especially if your active 2 year old isn’t quite ready for peddles yet.
They can get their energy out and scoot around to their heart’s content. I even bring this one inside on a rainy day and let mine scoot around and wear off his energy – it’s been a real hit.
Balance board
Now, I won’t lie. This is not a toy that I have for my active 2 year old, but it’s on the wish list.
I mean, just think of all of the fun things that a child could do with this. Turn it over and it’s a bridge. Put it on the steps and it’s a slide. A teeter-totter with siblings and friends.
The fun and possibilities are endless!
Balance bike
Get your active toddler primed and ready for a big bike with a balance bike. Just as the name suggests, these are great for learning how to balance.
I don’t know about you, but my active 2 year old isn’t the most coordinated, so any kind of balancing toys are GREAT.
It keeps them busy and active while working on their coordination. 100% Mother-approved.
Sit & Spin
To be honest, I won’t be getting my active 2 year old boy this anytime soon (as he gets motion sickness pretty easy), but I remember playing with these as a kid and LOVED it! In small doses, of course.
If your wild child loves to be moving, then this might be the ticket.
Tee Ball set
It’s a hit!
No really, this tee ball set has been a huge hit for ALL 4 of my boys at this age.
What’s not to like anyways? A bat. A ball. And you get to hit with it?!
What I love most about this set is that it’s easy to take apart and put away – perfect for saving space in the garage.
Climber with ladder
This is what childhood dreams are made of, especially if you’re a super active kids who climbs EVERYTHING.
It took me 4 kids to get a “climber”, and now I understand the pain (and gray hairs) that comes with a climbing child. And if I had thought about this prior, this would have made the perfect gift for my active 2 year old boy.
Instead of climbing up chairs, tables, countertops, and bunk beds, this ladder seems like the perfect solution for your daredevil child.
I know what I’ll be getting mine for Christmas.
Climbing dome
Why not add to the monkey madness?
This climbing dome would not only be great for active 2 year olds, but for kids of all ages (which is great if you have a big gap in ages in your family).
Indoor? Outdoor? Where would you put this bad boy?!
Water table
This is one outdoor toy that I refuse to live without during the warmer months.
When I want the little ones to just CALM DOWN and stay put – without having to chase them all over – then this is the ticket.
Strip them down to swim trunks, slap on some sunscreen (this is my favorite chemical-free sunscreen for all ages) , and go to town.
Water tables are a huge hit, not just for the little ones, so this is a gift that you can keep and use for many years to come!
Inflatable Jump-o-Lene
If you have the space for this – GET IT.
Nothing but a few jumps to get the wiggles out. Or a few thousand jumps.
Your kid will be sleeping like a rock after a long day playing with this. Plus, it’s soft and perfect for the reckless ones that need some extra looking out for.
Fold-able tunnel set
If space is an issue, then this is a must, and not just for 2 year olds.
All of my kids enjoy going through tunnels and making up their own blanket forts. This tunnel just takes it to the next level.
Plus, it avoids the need to ever buy a hamster.
No birthday tradition is complete without a birthday interview!
Download this birthday interview sheet that you can use over and over again to poll your kids and keep a record of how they grow up and change.
Keep them safe by displaying them in a binder along with other important papers, crafts, and memories.
Read next: 25 Meaningful Birthday Traditions to start with your kids
So, did this list help you pick out the perfect gift for your active 2 year old boy?
Let me know in the comments what you decide on and if you have other suggestions to add to the list!