What do two year olds play with
Stages of Play from 24–36 Months: The World of Imagination
Learn how infants and toddlers develop play skills from birth to 3, and what toys and activities are appropriate for their age.
From age 2 to 3, your toddler’s interests and skills are blooming at an amazing, almost dizzying rate! All the new things they can do—from walking and talking to figuring out how things work and beginning to make friends—are fuel for the imagination and creativity. This is a special time in your child’s life. Learn more about how infants and toddlers develop play skills. And don’t forget—YOU are still their most important playmate and toy!
Playing Pretend
Between 2 and 3, your toddler will use their growing thinking skills to play pretend. With props, like a doll and toy bottle, she will act out steps of a familiar routine—feeding, rocking, and putting a doll to sleep. As your toddler learns to use symbols, imaginary play skills will grow more complex. A round pillow, for example, can become a yummy pizza!
TOYS TO EXPLORE:
- Stuffed animals and dolls
- Accessories such as baby blanket, bottle for doll, etc.
- Toy dishes, pots and pans, pretend food
- Toy cars, trucks, bus, or train, with little people that fit inside
- Blocks
HELPING YOUR TODDLER PLAY AND LEARN:
- Let your child choose what to play, and then add on to his activity. If they have a toy bus, you might ask where it’s going or if they would like to pick up some people waiting at the bus stop.
- Give your child a block and say, “Do you want a piece of my birthday cake? It’s so yummy!” (as you pretend to munch on it). Do they understand the block can stand in for something else? If so, have a birthday party using the block as a cake, sing a birthday song, pretend to blow the candles out, and “cut” a slice to eat.
Solving Problems Through Play
Sorting toys—putting cars in one basket and balls in another—is just one way that your toddler is solving problems using thinking skills. You may also see them try one puzzle piece in different spaces, or turn it around to see if it fits. Your child is now also using tools (like a stick) to solve problems (how to reach a toy under the couch).
TOYS TO EXPLORE:
- Chunky puzzles
- Memory-type games
- Stacking cups or ring stacks
- Shape-sorters and bead mazes
- Toys that can be activated—like cars that roll forward when you pull them back
HELPING YOUR TODDLER PLAY AND LEARN:
- Make your own Memory game using photos of family members. Print out two copies of 10 photos, glue each photo to an index card. Place them face up on the floor and see if your child can find the matches.
- Turn cleaning up into a sorting game. Take photos of your child’s different toys and tape them to the basket or box where they belong. Show your child how to sort her toys. Before you know it, they’ll be an expert at the “clean-up game”!
Now You’re Talking!
Toddlers are learning new words by the day! Most are using two-word phrases (“what that”) and by age 3, some three-word phrases (“Josie want cookie!”). Toddlers can now follow two-step requests such as “Please get your hat and put it on.” Two-year-olds can also understand stories. They can now connect the words you say with the illustrations.
TOYS TO EXPLORE:
- Board books
- Songs and fingerplays
- Dolls
- Child-safe mirror
HELPING YOUR TODDLER PLAY AND LEARN:
- During bath-time, ask your child to wash his nose and belly. Then ask them to wash his doll’s nose and belly. Look in a mirror together and name the different parts of your faces—eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and more.
- Read together. If your toddler is wiggly, ask them to do the actions on the page—hopping like the frog or dancing like the little mouse. Ask questions, too: “What do you see on this page?” or “Do you see a moon?”
Fantastic Fingers
Your toddler is now able to use his hands and fingers to pick up food, small toys, and more. They may even hold a crayon using his thumb and pointer finger, instead of their fist. Toddlers are learning to control the strokes they make with crayons and markers.
TOYS TO EXPLORE:
- Foam or wooden blocks, plastic interlocking blocks, or bristle blocks
- Chunky puzzles
- Pull-toys, stringing beads, and pop-beads
- Washable crayons and markers
HELPING YOUR TODDLER PLAY AND LEARN:
- Tape paper to your child’s high chair or to the table and let your child explore with crayons and markers. Watch them scribble away! See if they want to imitate making a line or circles that you draw first. But don’t worry if they have their ideas about what she wants to draw—or how to draw it.
- Play with play-dough. Practice rolling the dough, poking holes in it, or making little balls of dough and dropping them in a small cup to dump out. Older toddlers still like fill-and-dump activities—plus this lets them use their hands and fingers to explore and create.
The 27 Best Gifts for 2-Year-Olds of 2022
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- Gifts
- Gifts for Babies and Kids
By
Caitlin Giddings and Wirecutter Staff
Updated November 15, 2022
Photo: Michael MurtaughUpdatedNov 2022
Updates
Keeping up with the developing skills and interests of a 2-year-old can feel like a sprint (sometimes literally) or a guessing game. “Play is how they start to understand the world,” said Heather Singh, who was until recently the director of educational programs at the Thinkery, a children’s museum in Austin, Texas.
The most engaging toys for 2-year-olds offer lots of different options for hands-on, manipulative play. Kids this age may be able to use their fine motor skills in more-precise ways, such as stacking, fitting, and twisting smaller pieces. Some 2-year-olds are still engaging primarily in “parallel play,” while others are interested in playing with other kids; simple board games may help them to practice sharing and taking turns. Toys that let a 2-year-old slide, wiggle, scoot, bounce, or otherwise expend some of their boundless energy are also likely to be a hit.
We spoke with Singh and other child-development experts—along with parents and other caregivers on our staff—to identify memorable and engaging gifts for 2-year-olds. Some of the toys on this list are officially recommended for children ages 3 and up. Our testers have played with these toys outside their official age-range recommendations and found them to be appropriate for this guide.
If you’re looking for more gift ideas for kids, check out our guides to the best gifts for 1-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, 6-year-olds, 7-year-olds, 8-year-olds, 9-year-olds, and 10-year-olds, as well as these wonderful stocking stuffers for kids. We also have guides to gifts for tweens and teens. (Just keep in mind that since kids develop at different rates, all age recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt.) And please share your own best ideas in the comments below.
Under $20
Playful pegs
Photo: SkoolzySoon after my oldest daughter started preschool, I asked her (then 2) what she liked to play with in the classroom, and she answered, “Pegs!” I bought a set of these brightly colored, stackable pegs for our home and was fascinated to see how intently she and, subsequently, her younger siblings played with them on their own. The pegs offer 2-year-olds just the right level of challenge and open-ended play: Kids can fit the pegs into holes on the included foam mat, stack them one on top of the other to see how high they can go, or string them on a shoelace. As simple as these pegs are, my kids would pull them out of the toy bin again and again.
—Courtney Schley
A first piggy bank
Photo: Michael HessionMy daughter received this toy piggy bank as a gift when she was a toddler, and as far as noise-making plastic toys go, this one is a winner. She liked being rewarded with the pig’s cheerful responses and songs when she pressed its snout or dropped the large coins through the slot. And I liked how mercifully brief—and not too loud or grating—the songs and noises were. The pig helps develop motor skills and also teaches colors, counting (in Spanish, too), and all that other important stuff. I’m impressed by how well it held up through years of rough treatment (and on just two pairs of CC batteries in all that time).
—Winnie Yang
Music together
Combine Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor with some charming mice narrators, and—da da da dum!—you’ve got Welcome to the Symphony. This accessible, interactive introduction to classical music is written by Carolyn Sloan, author of the similarly structured Welcome to Jazz (which is featured in our guide to the best gifts for 3-year-olds). The book covers the orchestra, musical terms (like dynamics, tempo, and harmony), and groups of instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion). And while the excitement of pressing the 19 sound buttons may initially overshadow the rich text and lovely illustrations, kids can appreciate this book on deeper levels over time—think of it as an evolving performance. (Both Welcome to the Symphony and Welcome to Jazz have been favorites in my son’s reading rotation since he got them at age 3, but we think many 2-year-olds would be ready for them.) Plus, grownups can’t help but feel proud when their kids are able to recognize Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 out in the world—even if it is while watching an episode of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
—Barbara Kimberly Seigel
Acrobatic robots
Photo: SchyllingA friend gave my son these slightly sinister-looking wooden blocks when he was a toddler, and at age 9 he was still playing with them regularly. The tiny angles allow for all kinds of wacky creations, and the more robots you get (we later added a second pack), the bigger your robot trees can become. Creating a simple pyramid may make a 2-year-old feel triumphant, while older kids can construct some truly impressive designs. These blocks are the type of thing adults may find themselves leaving out on the coffee table—or even playing with themselves.
—Kalee Thompson
A toddler’s tape measure
Photo: CraftsmanThere are lots of possibilities for role-playing with this sturdy, oversize tape measure, which is a favorite among young kids at the Toybrary Austin (a local toy-lending library in Texas), according to owner Liza Wilson. Two-year-olds enjoy pulling out and winding back the easy-rolling vinyl tape, which makes a satisfying clicking sound. Older kids love to measure and compare everything in the room using the real inch and centimeter markings printed on the toy—a great way to begin developing spatial awareness and concepts related to numbers, counting, and math. (Note: This toy is recommended for ages 3 and up because the tape can be a choking hazard. )
—Caitlin Giddings
A fun intro to games
Photo: Educational InsightsMy daughter received Bears in Pairs for Christmas when she was 21 months old. She loves it—for reasons that have progressed with each passing month. At first, she simply liked to match each of the three sets of twin bears and open and shut all six compartments on their 3D plastic playhouse. Eventually she started to play the actual game, which involves flicking a spinner and trying to find the coordinating bear set. Bears in Pairs is a perfect introduction to memory matching games—without requiring reading or shuffling cards.
—Caitlin Giddings
An indoor tunnel
Photo: IKEAI found one of these classic collapsible IKEA tunnels at a secondhand store when my older son was 2 years old. Five years and another kid later, it was still in good enough shape to be handed down to a different family. The littlest kids can simply enjoy the challenge of learning to crawl from end to end. Later, the tunnel becomes a cozy spot to play with other toys or a fun component to an elaborate living-room fort (which was my kids’ favorite use for it). IKEA’s colorful polyester play tents also offer long-lasting fun for a low price, and we recommend them in our guide to the best gifts for 3-year olds.
—Kalee Thompson
A Lego starter set
Photo: LEGOThis Duplo Number Train, with its 23 delightfully chunky pieces, is excellent for introducing toddlers to the joys of building with Lego bricks. The train-themed set includes blocks that are numbered from 0 to 9 in bright colors, four wheeled bases, and two figures (plus a cat for good measure). Kids can arrange the pieces in all sorts of configurations, all the while developing their fine motor skills and immersing themselves in imaginative play. When my son turned 2, he happily took over his older brother’s collection of Duplos (numbered blocks and numerous vehicle bases included) and never looked back—no doubt all but guaranteeing himself a Lego-filled future.
—Ingrid Skjong
Bright, bold flash cards
Photo: MudpuppyMy 2-year-old son thinks that identifying objects is the greatest form of entertainment. As we approached the, oh, 500th reading (who’s counting?) of his 10 favorite board books, I realized we needed something new. I also realized that we didn’t own flash cards. To remedy the situation, I bought this ringed set by Mudpuppy. The letters and words are printed in a pleasing, sans-serif-like font. The bold, colorful artwork speaks to my kid—and he speaks back. Our favorite? F: A frog playing a flute for a fly.
—Ingrid Skjong
A puzzle with a sense of place
Photo: MudpuppyIt feels like we now own every children’s puzzle that’s ever been stamped and laser-cut into cardboard, but this map jigsaw remains the one I pull out the most. For starters, it’s suitably challenging for my preschooler, who can confidently wield the thick, oversize pieces and eventually match the colors and shapes of the United States together. But it also serves as a stellar geography lesson and conversational jump-off for the two of us. We discuss all the states we’ve been to, point out where our friends and family live, and plan future road trips by tracing our fingers from the image of cowboy boots (representing Texas) to the sunflowers or flamingos near her grandparents’ houses.
—Caitlin Giddings
$20 to $50
All creatures great and small
Photo: SchleichMy 2-year-old is totally into cows (“moo moos”) and other farm animals, and introducing him to the realistic-looking figurines from Schleich has taken that fascination to new heights. The German company has been developing a growing following in the US. Each tiny replica in its collection has intricate, hand-painted details, and even the plastic is molded to show features like tiny bits of hair and the texture of feathers. (If you’re curious, a New England toy company provides a wonderfully detailed primer on Schleich’s history and manufacturing process; Schleich also offers some background on how it designs its figurines). The Schleich Farm Animals 4-Piece Set—which comes with a cow, a sheep, a rooster, and a donkey—is an excellent place to start your collection. But Schleich also makes a variety of dinosaurs, wild animals, and fantasy creatures, sold individually or in sets. Clutching a critter in each chubby hand, my toddler happily runs around our home, placing his animals in toy tractor carts and dump trucks, or just moving them around the sofa. Schleich figurines even make a cameo in Wirecutter’s houseplant starter kit guide; when your kids aren’t looking, swipe a couple and nestle them next to your succulents, just for laughs.
—Kerry Davis
A tougher truck
Photo: Green ToysWe accumulated a sizable pile of toy vehicles when my kids were little. The truck, plane, and boat from Green Toys are simpler (and quieter) than most, and I found that they aged better than similar toys from other companies—even when they were left for months outside in the beating Southern California sun. We had the popular red fire truck and the submarine, which carried a zoo’s worth of Duplo animals around the bathtub for several years. For a classic 2-year-old gift, the Green Toys Dump Truck is another can’t-go-wrong choice. All of Green Toys’s stuff is made in the US from recycled plastic, and it is dishwasher-safe. (At Wirecutter, we’ve also found the Green Toys Sand Play Set to be far superior to disposable sets made of brittle plastic, and we recommend it in our guide to the best beach and pool toys.)
—Kalee Thompson
Powerful picture books
Photo: Little FeministA picture’s worth a thousand words. And this boxed set of five board books, featuring photographs of real people, sends a message about the importance of respecting others and embracing our differences. Each book covers a distinct theme—Hair, Families, Celebrations, How We Eat, and On-the-Go—with an emphasis on representation and inclusivity. The photos—which feel intimate and joy-filled, as if you’ve been granted access to strangers’ private albums—depict kids and parents of many races, LGBTQ families (including a trans man who's pregnant, prompting curious questions from my 9-year-old), children with disabilities, and various ceremonies and faiths practiced throughout the world. The books are recommended for infants through 5-year-olds, and there are age-appropriate questions at the end to help prompt discussions about the material. It will likely be a while until my 2-year-old fully understands some of the bigger issues at play, but for now, I can confirm—with apologies to Sandra Boynton and Co.—that these books have surpassed her other board books to become her new favorites.
—Ingela Ratledge Amundson
A chunky puzzle
Photo: BeginAgainMy son received this clever animal puzzle as a baby gift. The chunky wooden creatures nest together into a single block, and reassembling the menagerie may provide a slight challenge even for grownups (though we assembled it together over the years, my son was 5 or 6 before he could complete it on his own). Each animal is printed with the letter that corresponds to its name (A is for Alligator, U is for Unicorn) and guides a kid into puzzling out the proper placement. The oblong shape of the completed puzzle makes it a bit novel, and it stands upright in its wooden box—a nice decoration for a nursery shelf. The same company also makes similar puzzles with ocean, farm, and outer space themes, but I think the classic animal parade makes the nicest decorative piece.
—Kalee Thompson
For the sandbox boss
Photo: John DeereFor the kid who loves scooping sand and rocks, the Tomy John Deere Big Scoop Tractor (which has a sturdy steel and plastic frame) allows them to play outdoors as long as they want. Indoors, this tractor is also fun to scoot around and scoop up toys with. My 2-year-old nephew (for whom trucks are less of a passing interest and more of a lifestyle) was equally excited that the 21-inch-long tractor is large enough to sit on. (There is also a smaller 15-inch one for about $25).
—Signe Brewster
A first subscription
Photo: Doug MahoneyBabybug (about $35 for a one-year subscription at the time of publication)
We gave a Babybug magazine subscription as a birthday gift when our friend’s kid turned 2. And since then, they report it’s been a constant source of delight. They appreciate the high quality of the illustrations and that the stories are short enough for a toddler’s attention span but still interesting. They also like that the magazine is made of “destruction-resistant paper,” with rounded corners and no staples. No, it won’t stand up to a truly dedicated attacker, but this magazine is a bit better under the grabby hands of a toddler than a standard one. Cricket Media (which publishes Ladybug and Spider magazines, among others, for older kids) also offers printable gift announcement cards. So you can give something on the day to let people know a new subscription is on the way. One caveat: It took around three months for the subscription to actually start after we bought it.
—Tim Barribeau
A cooperative board game
Photo: Rozette Rago My Very First Games—First Orchard is a cooperative board game, so players work together rather than compete. It’s designed to teach the youngest players the fundamentals of board games: how to set up a board, roll a die, make choices, and take turns. (It’s a favorite in our guide to the best board games for kids.) To play, you match different-colored apples, pears, and plums to their respective trees, and then roll a die to try to gather all the fruits in a basket before a pesky crow reaches them. I started playing First Orchard with my daughters when they were 4 and 2, and I was always amused to see how the race to beat the crow created just the right amount of dramatic tension to hold their interest (and, at times, provided an opportunity to navigate the disappointment of “losing”). And even if your 2-year-old doesn’t yet have the patience or interest for the game structure, they can simply play imaginatively with the brightly hued wooden fruits.
—Courtney Schley
An in-tune music maker
Photo: Basic BeatFor banging and making noise, just about any xylophone for kids will do. But many of them (which are actually glockenspiels, since they have metal and not wooden bars) are out of tune and terrible for learning about music. Most are toys, not tuned instruments. Our toddler played this set of eight resonator bells in a music class, and we got a set for home. They’re durable, sound good, and allow for all kinds of musical (and other) exploration. Kids can get a hands-on feel for the sequence of a diatonic octave by ordering the blocks by size or note (each bell is marked with its letter on the scale) or by grouping two or more blocks together to experiment with intervals or chords. The bells come in a sturdy carrying case and are made to last: The ones at the music school have taken a beating from who knows how many kids, and they’re all still in good shape.
—Winnie Yang
Some gooey, clean fun
Photo: CrayolaFor more than a year now, the only way I’ve been able to get my daughter into the bath is to promise the inclusion of this colorful, sensory goo. Less of an actual slime than a fragrant jelly—it comes in scents like Wacky Watermelon and Gallopin Grape—this bath slime provides all the fun of its viscous namesake, with the welcome bonus of being easy to clean (not just because it’s contained within the tub, but also because it’s literally soap). My kiddo likes to squish it through her hands and swirl the little floating pieces around to the farthest reaches of the bath. Then we grab a couple of strainers and try to rescue and return all the squiggles back to the jar before it’s time to get out.
—Caitlin Giddings
An endlessly versatile thingamajig
Photo: MOLUKMOLUK Bilibo ($30 for a large or $20 for a 6-pack of minis at the time of publication)
It might not be immediately clear what a child is supposed to do with a Bilibo, and that’s precisely the point: All ideas are valid when it comes to this sturdy plastic, shell-shaped object. (Is it a helmet? A seat? A spinner? Yep. ) Research shows that open-ended play fosters creativity and resilience in children, especially toddlers who are not yet accustomed to more-programmed activities with a “right” and “wrong” way. My daughter started occupational therapy when she was 15 months old. The Bilibo—which measures 15 inches across and comes in a range of bright colors—was hands-down her favorite prop. At the beginning of each session, the therapist plopped my daughter’s butt into the cupped seat and slowly twirled her around in circles (if a kid is younger than 2, they will likely need adult help to keep them from toppling). She’d giggle uncontrollably, all the while developing the core and neck strength needed to balance and sit up on her own. Now that my daughter is 4, we use the Bilibo as a container for sensory play materials—rice, dough, and foam. And for my 8 year-old son, it’s the perfect addition to a mini-golf course … in our living room. The Bilibo also comes in a miniature (4.7 inch) size, sold in a set of six, that’s perfect for shoveling, scooping, and serving tea to stuffed animals.
—Julie Kim
Over $50
A first bike
Photo: Quinn DixonA balance bike can help kids learn to steer, brake, and keep themselves upright on a two-wheeler from a very young age. Many families find that balance-bike riders graduate to pedal bikes earlier and without the training-wheels phase (training wheels don’t really teach a kid to balance, which is, of course, exactly what a balance bike does). The Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike is easy to assemble, durable, and offers a range of adjustability for kids of different sizes and ages, including 2-year-olds. (It’s the top pick in our guide to the best balance bikes.) Our son started riding the Strider when he was 2½ years old, and within a week of daily use he was zooming confidently around our local park with his feet off the ground. When he eventually graduated to a pedal bike, the transition from striding to pedaling took about five minutes.
—Erica Ogg
A doll that delights
Photo: American GirlFirst released in 1995 to help children acclimate before the arrival of a baby sibling, this American Girl classic has evolved over the years. Today’s Bitty Baby comes in different combinations of skin tone, hair color, eye color, and outfit color; you can even customize a set of Bitty Baby twins. The doll is a hard-to-find hybrid; its soft fabric torso and brushed knit outfit offer some of the cuddliness of a plushie, while the molded face and operable eyelids provide the interactivity of a doll. We learned through our research into doll manufacturing that it takes great skill to design a face (like Bitty Baby’s) that’s realistic without being creepy—many cross the line. And although every Bitty Baby comes packaged in American Girl’s signature bright pink boxes, the dolls themselves aren’t assigned a gender, or traditionally gendered names, and you can choose between pink, blue, and gray sleepers. (Note that the doll is $60 but comes with an optional board book and knit stuffed lamb for an additional $20.)
—Julie Kim
A desk of one's own
Photo: ECR4KidsLittle ones who want a grown-up space of their own will be eager to get to “work” with the ECR4Kids Bentwood Multipurpose Kids Wooden Table and Chair Set. The three-piece station—it comes with a table and two chairs—is compact and convertible. And it’s made of an attractive birch plywood that won’t scream “kids table” if you choose to keep it in one of the common areas of your home (something I have especially appreciated as I’ve spent a lot of time looking at it in our family’s New York City apartment). The table serves as a shallow desk with a wraparound backboard; when flipped over, it becomes a high-backed bench. The chairs can also be flipped for different seat heights as kids grow, and when they’re not in use, they can be tucked neatly under the table to save space. My now-4-year-old son has been using this set for almost three years, and it has survived plenty of messy art projects and snack times with minimal wear and tear. ECR4Kids also makes a “premium” edition, which, according to a company rep, is thicker and about 10 pounds heavier, due to added layers of wood. But otherwise it is the same (price included). Neither set requires any assembly.
—Barbara Kimberly Seigel
A classic hopper
Photo: GymnicGymnic Rody ($65 at the time of publication)
Rody is a rounded, inflatable vinyl pony that’s perfect for a toddler who’s bouncing off the walls. My little kids loved to hop, scoot, and bump around the house on it. And because Rody is soft and springy, I loved not having to worry about them scuffing the floor or banging into walls. It’s hard not to smile at the pony’s cuddly shape, poppy colors, and cartoony cuteness (it kind of looks like a Jeff Koons sculpture). Rody comes deflated, so you’ll need a bicycle or hand pump to start bouncing.
—Courtney Schley
Slumber-party snuggles
Photo: Pottery BarnOver the years, my mom has given each of her grandkids one of these Pottery Barn personalized sleeping bags as a crafty enticement to stay over at her house. More of a slumber-party sleeper than the kind you’d take camping, the soft zip-up rolls easily and has two straps for carrying and storage. My daughter loves its fuzzy, bear-headed pillow and cotton shell—ideal for cozying up on the floor to play games or watch a movie. She also adores that her name is on the bag, but be warned: The monogram font is a bit cramped and hard to read compared with her cousins’ earlier editions. If you decide to personalize, I’d recommend one of the blockier fonts.
—Caitlin Giddings
A ride for the snow
Photo: Doug MahoneyBabies and toddlers don’t need to tear down hills at breakneck speeds to have a blast in the snow—they’re mostly content with being pulled around in a comfy, well-constructed sled like this classic wooden one from L.L.Bean. I’ve had this sled for nine years and through four kids, and it’s still in great shape (it’s a top pick in our guide to the best sleds). With its smooth-gliding wooden runners (which are reinforced with metal bars for durability), supportive side rails (which keep tots from tumbling out and make this an accessible option for kids working on their trunk strength), and classic red cushion, this sled is like a snow stroller. It’s expensive, but it will last through many winters—or even generations.
—Doug Mahoney
A speedy slider
Photo: PlaSmartIf, like me, you live much farther south—where snow is just a mythical ground cover kids see only in holiday books—the PlasmaCar is the ultimate toddler toy for gliding around. The brightly colored ride moves almost as quickly as a sled across flat surfaces, without any batteries, pedals, or gears. The wheels work much like in-line skates or cross-country skis, so when the handlebar is wiggled rapidly, the car moves forward through lateral friction force. Toddlers can achieve exhilarating speeds with just the occasional push and steady cranking of the handlebar. The PlasmaCar is sturdy enough to hold up to 220 pounds, so adults may be able to tear around the house a few times too—strictly to conduct safety checks, of course.
—Caitlin Giddings
Clattering cars
Photo: The Wooden WagonSometimes it seems like the simpler the toy, the more engrossing it is for babies and toddlers (a theory supported by my child’s love of playing with a bookmark above all else). Of all the toys in our pediatric audiologist’s waiting room, this basic tower made of beech and birch plywoods is the one that draws the biggest and most competitive crowd of little ones. Kids can place the three-part “millipede” car at the top and watch as it works its way down to the base of the wooden tower, with a satisfying clicking sound at every turn.
—Caitlin Giddings
An indoor trampoline
Photo: The Original Toy CompanyOur pediatrician recommended a mini trampoline like this one as a tool to combat toddler constipation. I can’t say definitively that it was effective for that purpose, but it worked great for bouncing out a lot of pent-up energy. And it was generally a big hit with our own kids as well as with any visiting friends. The trampoline obviously takes up some space, but our two kids used it just about every day from the ages (roughly) of 2 to 5.
—Dan Koeppel
A family membership to a children’s museum
Photo: ThinkeryFor me and my wife, the gift of an annual membership to the Thinkery children’s museum in Austin, Texas, was an immense relief from cabin fever when the summer heat made it impossible to be outdoors. Suddenly we now had a bright, educational fortress to escape to with our then-2-year-old daughter. Millie loves the water science room’s cascading series of water tables, the earth science exhibit’s hurricane and tornado simulators, and the Light Lab’s magnets and mini LEDs. She even loves to watch kids scale the giant outdoor climbing structure (though it will be at least another year before she can try it herself). Memberships to children’s museums like the Thinkery make excellent gifts: They offer educational play spaces and workshops for kids, as well as special events that include adults and families, such as Pride nights and parents’ night out.
—Caitlin Giddings
A kid-size kitchen
Photo: IKEAThe compact, white-and-birch-colored IKEA Duktig Play Kitchen is enduringly popular for good reason. It’s inexpensive, sleek, relatively durable, and neutral enough to blend seamlessly into nearly any decor, like a sneaky Scandinavian chameleon. If you’re more of a play-kitchen maximalist, the KidKraft Ultimate Corner Play Kitchen Set comes in both white and dark wood finishes, and it has a faux-subway-tile backsplash; the sink detaches for easy cleanup. (KidKraft kitchens come in a variety of sizes and configurations.) Whatever play kitchen you choose, your young chef is sure to stock it with all kinds of ingredients, edible and otherwise, soon enough (think stray socks, rotting strawberries, forgotten field-trip permission slips). You can add Learning Resources’ big baskets of colorful fruits and veggies to that treasure trove. Or get your kid’s collection of cookware started early with Melissa & Doug’s Let’s Play House Stainless Steel Pots & Pans Playset, featured in our guide to the best gifts for 3-year-olds.
—Ingela Ratledge Amundson
A chair (and then some)
Photo: Children’s FactoryMy toddler’s body needed a more-supportive (read: less flimsy) first chair. And as her parent, I needed the peace of mind to know she wouldn’t tip over while sitting in it. A physical therapist recently introduced us to this Children’s Factory Cube Chair, which is stable without being heavy. It’s made of a lightweight plastic that’s much easier to maneuver than the Montessori-style wooden furniture we’d tried before. But what makes the cube chair a true winner is the 6-inch seat height with cozy “walls” on three sides; when she grows out of the lower height, I’ll flip it over for a higher 9-inch seat with less enclosure. (Note: The manufacturer recommends this for ages 12 months and up, so use your judgment based on what’s best for your kid.) Available in bright primary colors as well as more muted “woodland” tones, the cube chair can also double as a side table or stool—versatility that helps take the edge off the price tag.
—Julie Kim
We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.
—Additional reporting by Julie Kim
This article was edited by Ellen Lee, Ingela Ratledge Amundson, and Kalee Thompson.
About your guides
Caitlin Giddings
Caitlin Giddings is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, Lonely Planet, Outside magazine, and more.
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Educational games for 2-year-olds with parents at home
A game for a 2-year-old kid is not just fun. Through this type of activity, the child learns the world. He learns, remembers information, gets acquainted with new things. The task of parents at this stage is to choose games for harmonious physical and intellectual development.
Article content:
- Outdoor games
- Educational games
- Educational games
- Tips for parents
- Terminals
Outdoor games
The best place for active games is the street, but what to do in bad weather? It is not at all necessary to leave a two-year-old without movement. You can organize games in a city apartment. Take advantage of our advice. And the child will be happy, and the furniture in the house will not suffer.
2 years is the optimal age for outdoor games. The child already coordinates the body well, easily orients in space. He controls actions, likes to imitate adults and learns to be independent. The task of parents is to be an example for the baby and show all the movements.
✅ Who walks how
The game will help strengthen the body, and also give a good mood to both the child and adults. There are no hard rules. Just name different animals and try to draw them. Copy the walk and sounds. And let the two-year-old repeat after you. Or make it a little more difficult. Let the child try to guess the animals that you show.
✅ Hide-and-seek with a toy
Ordinary hide-and-seek is difficult to organize in an apartment, especially if there is not enough space. But the 2-year-old kid will definitely like the option with a toy. Take a plush animal or doll. Explain to the child that his task is to find a toy. Hide it first in a conspicuous place, then complicate the task. Be active. Clap your hands, count loudly while the baby is waiting with your eyes closed, comment on his actions, rejoice at the found toy together.
✅ Who is the first
What to do with a child whose energy is over the edge? If the walk is canceled, you can organize active entertainment at home. A great idea is to arrange mini-competitions. Come up with tasks: run to the opposite wall, jump to the closet, crawl to the door on all fours. The victory will be doubly pleasant if you prepare small prizes in advance.
Educational games
Active games are not the only way to entertain a two year old. There are many interesting quiet activities. Master them, and you will learn how to spend time at home with benefit.
Develop motor skills
✅Repeat after me
The easiest option for kids. You can play for up to two years, and as you develop, complicate the tasks. The essence of the game is to show the child various physical actions so that he can repeat. Squat, bend over, raise your hands, clap your hands. Combine two or even three actions at once. This is useful for both coordination and memory.
✅ Bead sorting
The development of fine motor skills is necessary to stimulate speech, so do not neglect finger exercises. Offer your child a fishing line and three types of beads of different sizes. Let him string small ones first, then medium ones, and then large ones. Remember safety. Do not leave the baby unattended when he plays with small parts.
✅ Creativity
Playing with plasticine, modeling dough, kinetic sand helps to develop motor skills. Guide the child. Show him how to make shapes correctly. Don't be upset if it doesn't work the first time. Praise for effort.
Developing logic
✅ Mother - baby
Prepare cards with animals and birds, divided according to the principle "mother and her baby". For example: a cat is a kitten. Let the child collect pairs. Do not forget to comment on the actions during the game. Talk about animals, describe them, demonstrate the sounds they make. So you not only develop logic, but also introduce the child to the outside world.
✅ Guess the object
Take a few things that are familiar to a two-year-old. It can be toys or fruits. Pack them in opaque bags. The task of the child is to determine by touch what is inside. If you can't guess, give hints. For example:
- edible or not;
- what it is used for; What color is
- .
It is easier to develop logical thinking with toys. Parents of two-year-old children should definitely buy mosaics, cubes, large puzzles, plastic construction sets. Collect the figures according to the schemes, repeat the drawings from the pictures with the children. Restrain yourself if the kid is wrong. You can gently guide him in the right direction, but you should not correct him.
Develop speech
✅ Rhymes
At the age of two, children already begin to actively talk. Passive vocabulary is also expanding. This must be used. Long poems are not yet subject to the baby, and short and sonorous rhymes are remembered well. Read the lines to the baby, repeat aloud with him, accompany with active gestures.
For example:
- The kids came running - ra-ra;
- A leg up, a step bolder - lei-lei.
If you can't remember the line, have the child repeat the last syllable. The louder and clearer the sound, the better.
✅ Yes or no
In this game you will be asking questions. Warn your child in advance that you can make mistakes so that he obviously does not agree with you, but listens carefully. Ask:
- Are chamomile and cornflower flowers?
- Are oak and birch trees?
- fox and hare are birds?
- Is a car and a bus transport?
Have the child answer what the objects really are if you make a mistake. Such a game is useful for the development of not only speech, but also hearing, attention, logical thinking.
✅ Articulation exercises
At two years old, many sounds are still unclear. This is not a problem now, but it may be difficult in the future. Game exercises will help to cope with sound pronunciation. You can start with simple actions - blow out a candle, blow on water, blow into liquid through a straw. Then you can connect other exercises for the articulatory apparatus.
- Watch. We move the outstretched tongue from side to side.
- Hide and Seek. Pull out the tongue and hide it back.
- Delicious jam. We lick our lips as if we are trying to reach the drops of sweetness.
- Horse. We click, imitating the sound of hooves.
- Fence. We show closed teeth as wide as possible.
To make the exercises feel like a game, do all the activities together with your child. Compete who does better.
Read also: speech development in children by age
Developing attention
✅ What is missing
All you need is your favorite children's toys. Take 4-5 pieces and lay them out on the table. Let the child look carefully, and then turn away. You remove one item. The task of the baby is to understand what has disappeared. You can complicate the game by adding a number of items, or do not remove the toys, but simply swap them or put new ones.
✅ Thimbles
Feel like a magician. Take three glasses, turn them over, and hide a candy under one. Move the glasses across the table. Let the baby follow where you hid the treat. Guessed the first time - deserved a sweet prize.
✅Clap
This simple game develops attention, reaction speed, coordination and hearing. Discuss the rules ahead of time. Come up with a code word. As soon as it sounds, the child should clap his hands loudly. Make sure he remembers it, and then start listing other words. Name any until you get to the right one.
Read also: how to develop a child's attention
Educational games
Two years is the age when you can connect learning elements to play activities. The child is already ready for basic knowledge. If you take the time to learn now, in the future it will be easier for the baby to cope with large amounts of information.
Learning Numbers
✅ Animal Treats
Use the plush toys you probably have in abundance. Place the animals at a makeshift table by counting them. Call the numbers loudly, clearly, slowly. So it will be easier for the baby to repeat and remember. Next, put a plate in front of each toy. Treat the animals with sweets, not forgetting to count.
✅ One - many
Need balls. Put them in the basket and ask the child how many there are. At two years old, children already operate with the concept of "a lot. " Then distribute the balls one by one to the toys. Take it for yourself, give it to the baby. Ask how many items you currently have in your hands. Return the balls to the basket and ask how many there are. No balls? No problem. Count apples, tangerines, sweets.
✅ Butterflies
It is easier to memorize numbers if there is a good example in front of your eyes. Prepare five cardboard daisies and the same number of butterflies. Place the flowers in front of you and count them with your child. Plant a butterfly on each daisy and count the insects. Come up with different combinations. Plant two or three butterflies per flower. Speak out loud as the numbers change.
Learning colors
✅Ball game
Take colorful balls. Show them one at a time to your child and name the color. Let the two-year-old repeat after you. Sort the balls into groups together. Find other objects of the studied colors in the room. Do not rush to learn the whole spectrum at once. Start with 2-3 shades - the most juicy and brightest.
✅ Find a pair
For this game you need to prepare in advance. Cut out several houses of different colors from colored cardboard. Separately make roofs for them. Lay out the details and invite the child to assemble entire buildings by shades. Another option is to assemble the houses yourself, but with errors. Let the kid correct the inaccuracies.
✅ Hens and Eggs
Cut out chickens in different colors from cardboard. From paper of the same shades, make circles - eggs. The child will match the shades. Start with 3-4 colors. Wait until they are mastered and expand the palette. The more colors, the more difficult and interesting.
Tips for parents
Every child is different and develops at their own pace. Some will like these games even in a year or a year and a half, others will be interested a little later. Keep track of achievements, but do not compare the baby with other children.
Listen to the recommendations of psychologists and teachers on early development:
- Focus on the response of the child. Do not insist on continuing the game if the baby is already tired. Do not start training if he is not ready, naughty, wants to spend time differently.
- Remember the time. A two-year-old child holds attention for an average of 15 minutes. Then interest disappears, so it is better to change the type of activity.
- Do not exercise your baby during illness. Change plans if you feel unwell, wait until you get better. Do not worry. You will be able to make up for everything.
- Show your imagination. Ready-made templates and game scenarios are convenient. But it is not a fact that the proposed options, without exception, will please your child. Do not be afraid to deviate from the rules, come up with your own "chips". No one knows your baby and his preferences better than you.
Conclusions
Sometimes organizing outdoor or educational games for a child at home is more difficult than it seems. But lack of time or teaching skills should not be a problem. The Baby Club specialists will come to the rescue. Our network of kindergartens and centers is designed for the harmonious all-round development of children from 8 months. Here, each child is perceived as he is, revealing his individuality through classes.
What to do with a 2-3 year old child?
In the second or third year of life, the baby actively develops the physical body - it becomes more mobile and active. This is the age when his independence and a sense of his own “I” first manifest.
During this period, the baby has highly developed cognitive abilities, he seeks contact with the world around him, acquires some cognitive skills.
During this period, the baby is actively developing in the following areas:
1. Knows the objects around him.
2. Learns to speak, memorizes new words.
3. Learns to count.
4. Develops physiologically
5. A social foundation is being laid. The child learns about himself and the world around him. Maintains interaction with the outside world. Who am i? How to behave in a given situation? How to communicate with the outside world?
6. Creative thinking develops.
Several games a day on different topics are enough for the development of the entire mind-body system of the baby. Here the main rule is everything in moderation, it is better not to overdo it with classes so as not to discourage the child from doing something. Indeed, at two or three years of age, the baby is not able to keep his attention on one thing for a long time. It is also desirable that the games are varied and not repeated from day to day.
Do not be afraid to show imagination, because developing the baby, the mother also develops!
Let's explore the world.
![](/800/600/http/fsd.multiurok.ru/html/2018/09/13/s_5b9a5ea38fb3d/img14.jpg)
Game 1: Learn shapes, colors and sizes :
Two years is the right age to learn shapes, colors and sizes. When showing a child an object of a certain color, you should repeat the name of the object and color several times, and then ask the child what it is? By the way, you can teach a child shape and color at any time, even from birth, naming not only the objects that surround him, but also their colors. For example: “Look, what a white dog!”, Or “Oh, this is a red flower!”, Or “Let's put a yellow cube on a green one”, etc. Or let's build a pyramid. Which ring is bigger? Which one is smaller? In order for the baby to learn to better distinguish shapes, colors and group objects by color and size, involve him in the game.
See here for essential items for learning colors and shapes with your child.
Game 2: We learn objects and phenomena. We learn to think constructively.
Tell your child about the world around you. Going out into the street, tell him about nature and its phenomena. Do you feel the wind? And look how he shakes the trees. Look how strong they are, try to push the tree. It won't fall off because it's very solid. And the wind is not so hard, but also strong. And the leaves on the tree are green. Touch it.
Give your child the opportunity to touch, feel and name things as they are.
It is better not to introduce your attitude - bad - good. After all, what is bad for some is good for others. The best way to describe the world is to rely on facts. Some parents like to put labels on events and things, but this is not entirely correct.
For example, a boy hit someone. Do not rush to define the boy. It's better to say, look, the boy hit the girl, she hurts, she cries. If you hit someone, it will be painful and not pleasant. Therefore, it is better not to do so.
Or the dog growled. It's better to explain what's going on. For example, look, the dog is so protective of its territory, it thinks you want to hurt it. Do not be afraid of the dog, but it is better not to approach it, otherwise it may bite.
Game 3: We leave with the child somewhere outside the district. At least once a week. This will enable the baby to expand the boundaries of his world and understand that he is much more diverse.
For example, we go to the zoo and look at animals (if the time of year allows) or visit an exhibition and an art gallery. You can take a walk in the forest, go to the movies for a cartoon, go to a nearby cafe and have a cup of coffee, go to visit friends, go with your baby to the pool, to a concert and much more interesting things.
Sometimes it seems that there are so many things to do, but believe me, things can wait - they have always been, are and will be!
We develop speech:
At the age of two or three years, the child actively develops speech. During this period, parents need a special approach and properly selected games, the main goal of which is to “talk” the child, to give impetus to the further development of active speech. Teaching kids is possible only when the positive emotions of the child are affected. Such an emotional upsurge can only be achieved in the game. Which adult has not noticed how children love to play with words? The child still does not pronounce the words, suddenly a sound suddenly breaks out, and now he is already repeating it in every way - he is humming. How much joy in the eyes of a child while walking! He plays with sound. Then, playing with the word, children begin to understand their native language, learn its structure, learn colloquial speech. It is no coincidence that almost all folk rhymes are built on dialogues. Kids love rhymed speech, its sound, they experience great pleasure when poetry is read to them.
Here are some recommendations from psychologists for the development of speech for babies 2-3 years old:
Joint examination of objects
An adult, together with a child, is watching something, someone. At the same time, he very expressively describes everything that they see. For example: “Look what a kitty, what paws she has, a tail. Touch the soft gray fur of the kitty. Kitty sits quietly. Let's call her: "Kitty-kitty, come here." At the same time, it is important that children can show their activity - perform simple movements, combining, linking them with familiar and unfamiliar words. And, of course, all manifestations of the child's activity in the subject should be encouraged and supported.
Reading nursery rhymes, poetry
The adult repeats the rhyme or nursery rhyme several times. When the text is well known to the child, the adult makes a pause at the end of the lines (in rhyme), prompting the child to complete the phrase with this. This is how a dialogue in verse arises, which brings joy to the baby and the adult. This is how the speech and memory of the child develops - this is how the baby begins to read by heart.
Our store has a large selection of books with poems and nursery rhymes.
You can get acquainted and possibly pick up something here.
Introduction to a new word
A new word meaning an action is introduced together with familiar words denoting the object or subject of this action, thus increasing interest in the word and reinforcing certain phrases. For example, “Vanya is eating, and the chicken is pecking, and the chickens are pecking ... What is the chicken doing? Show how she pecks ... ”In this case, pictures are considered or actions are performed with toys.
Looking at pictures
An adult and a child look at familiar pictures together. "Who is this? And who is this, - the adult asks, - and what is he doing? Where is the bird? Show me the tree? If the child is silent, you can suggest an answer, but you still need to ensure that later he answers himself, looking at the same picture. In the third year of life, questions can be more complex.
For such a game, special cards with pictures will help you. You can buy cards here.
Orders requiring response-actions
The adult asks the child to find, bring or show something. The complexity of such an assignment depends on the development of the child's speech (passive and active): the assignment should be clear and accessible to him, but require concentration and non-mechanical actions from him. The simplest request is to bring a toy in plain sight when nothing distracts the child's attention. More difficult is to find and bring a toy, selecting it among others: first two, then three ... It is even more difficult to find a toy that is not in sight, a targeted search is required. Subsequent tasks include the search for not one, but two items: "First bring the bear, then the ball." So, gradually complicating the instructions, you can teach the child to regulate his actions with a word - still the word of an adult. You can help him by repeating the word. It is desirable that the child himself repeats what he needs to bring, and having fulfilled the request, he said that he had brought it. If the child does not want to follow your instructions, do not force him - this is a game.
Sound indication of one's actions
Any actions of the child are indicated and accompanied by certain sounds. Knocks - "knock-knock". Draws rain - “drip-drip”. Clap - "clap-clap." The adult teaches the child onomatopoeia, the kid repeats after him, then they together accompany the sounds of the child's actions, and then he himself does both at the same time.
Speech accompaniment of action
The child accompanies his action no longer with sounds, but with extended speech. Round dance games, many children's poems are suitable for this exercise. For example "Bunny". In addition to such games, it is useful to name all the independent actions of the child and ask appropriate questions: “Vanya is washing his face .. What is Vanya doing? What does Vanya want?
A lot of poems, nursery rhymes, as well as stories for children 2-3 years old are offered by the Russian publishing house Azbukvarik. You can view the products by following this link.
Performance
Act out a simple scene with your baby's toys. The bunny is crying, the bear is running, the dog is eating, the cat has lost the ball. The child should feel sorry for the toy or help it in the same way as an adult does. After the performance, you can ask the baby what he saw.
There are many game techniques that activate the baby’s speech, it all depends on your desire to play, communicate and fantasize.
Fundamentals of Mathematics:
Learning figures, their sizes and counting
Game 1. Stock up on various pyramids and sorters. When showing a figure, state its name clearly. It is better if they are of different colors, which will allow repeating color differences. You should start with lighter shapes: a square, a circle, a triangle, then moving on to a rectangle, rhombus, oval, etc. After 2 years, you can unobtrusively begin to teach your child to count during games, from time to time telling him numbers, the number of objects, toys etc.
Game 2. Counting coins in the wallet. You can pour out all the coins from your wallet and learn to count them.
Game 3. Count how many fingers you have. Bending your fingers, help the baby count. Show that you also have the same fingers, invite the baby to count them.
Game 4. There are now many different books in stores that offer a huge variety of methods and practices for learning mathematics. Sit down with the baby and gently involving him in the game, look at the book together.
You can choose books here
Outdoor and outdoor games:
Movement is life! Do not forget about outdoor games that give children sincere pleasure. It is rare that a toddler does not like walking. On a walk, children usually know what to do with themselves - you can dig in the sandbox and ride down the hill and run with the neighbor's kids. It is better if the clothing for walking is such that it is not a pity to get it dirty.
Let the baby manifest as he wants (well, of course, within the framework of reasonable safety for his health). And then sometimes you see on the playgrounds how the baby is buzzing inside, he wants to ride, run and jump, and his mother forbids everything, citing the fact that he can get dirty. This is how energy is blocked and diseases and bad moods appear in children. Therefore, it is better to pick up simpler clothes, if puddles and wet, then rubber boots and waterproof pants and go baby!!!
Sand play is very important for kids. They calm the nervous system, develop fine motor skills, and bring a lot of fun to kids.
By following this link, you can pick up all the necessary products for playing outdoors.
If the weather does not allow you to go for a walk outside, what should you do?
In this case, you can do gymnastics with your child. Turn on the music and stretch all the muscles. By the way, this will be useful, not only for the baby, but also for the mother, because she often forgets about herself for worries.
You can do yoga or Chinese gymnastics together.
Thank God there are a lot of videos on the Internet now that will help you. You can also come up with a lot of water games. Pour a basin of water, put it in the room or in the bathroom, put boats, pouring glasses and rubber toys into it. Babies just love pouring water.
Funny toys for playing with water see here
Creative or story play
Finger theater:
Do you want your child to get into a magical world where you can enjoy and play, and while playing, learn about the world around you?
Then play a finger theater in front of him!
From fairy tales, children draw ideas about time and space, about the connection between man and nature, about good and evil, about courage, stamina, cunning.
Finger theater is a unique opportunity to place a fairy tale on the palm of a child, in which he can take the role of any hero.
The theater is also an excellent speech and sensory-motor simulator, suitable for children over 1 year old.
The dolls develop the mobility of the fingers of both hands, help to master the speech of the characters, and teach how to put on mini home performances.
The game can be used to get acquainted and study the account, to get acquainted with the characters and the plot of a fairy tale, to get acquainted with the concepts of “Right-left”, “next”, for the development of speech and fine motor skills. With the help of this, dexterity is developed, the ability to control one's movements, to concentrate on one type of activity.
And small figurines of the finger theater will keep you company while walking or visiting a clinic, on the road. They will not take up much space in my mother's purse and will help to entertain the baby. With their help, you can revive your favorite poems, fairy tales, nursery rhymes.
A simple toy will develop intonation, performance skills and creativity.
Everything for the finger theater is here:
Draw:
Drawing - develops not only the fine motor skills of the baby, but it is necessary for creative development, perception of color and shape. At this age, meaningful drawings may appear instead of scrawl.
Give the child the opportunity to do what he wants, do not limit him. Although sometimes it is possible, and vice versa, to come up with some kind of task. For example, coloring books. You can invite the baby to color without going beyond the line.
A huge selection of good paints is offered by Amos, Crayola, Fila, Jovi, Ses Creative, as well as the Russian company Gamma
Lepim:
Sculpting as a sensory experience promotes the development of fine motor skills. You can use the mass for modeling or plasticine. At the age of 2 years, many kids are very fond of making various figures with the help of molds in pictures. Thank God that we live in a time when there is a large selection of plasticine with molds, syringes for extrusion and molds on sale.