I went to a toy store yesterday - not a big chain like ToysRus, but a small, family owned one. It had the best toys ever! Schedule an hour or two, find a store like that, and wander around for a while. You’ll find plenty of toys for your neighbour’s kid, as well as stuff you want/wanted as a kid!
The suggestions here are all great, too. Bathtub toys are fun, especially tub “crayons” and colourful toys - a family friend’s daughter LOVES taking baths as long as toys like that are handy!
tanookie, is that The Best of Elmo? It gets into your brain and just lingers…
There’s a “Sing Along With Tigger” available that’s just as bad. We get that one at least six times a week, too.
I’ll jump on the bathtub crayons bandwagon here, too. You can’t get a two year old out of the tub, when those things are present.
And flashlights! I forgot all about flashlights. Snag a couple o’ those $.99 ones in the impulse stuff at the checkout line, and you’re good to go.
Trewlet is 2 1/2 and likes colourful books, baby type dolls, anything that makes noise, and anything that lets her mimic the things she sees grownups do every day. A broom and dustpan set, a toy cash register (combines noise with mimicry), a push and pop lawnmower or vacume cleaner, all go over well.
Her real fascination, though, seems to be with medicine. She’s always either pretending to be sick and need the “doctor” to examine her hand or else telling me that I’m sick and fixing my sore tooth (her idea) by whacking me in the shins with a stick or putting a bandage on my arm.
Play Doh is another big thing with her.
She also enjoys spatulas, stones, and my computer.
Two is a pretty elastic age as far as interests go.
Actually it is “kid’s favorite songs…2” Or as she calls it “Uh-oh ball” (the running gag is snuffy chasing a giant meatball through everyone’s skits)
My husband and I are getting to really like Bear in the Big Blue House… my daughter likes them too and we sing along in the car to their casettes.
Good suggestion on the cheap flashlights… my kid loves those too and don’t tell my mother but the big ones shaped like animals scare her.
Oy on the mimicry. They do EVERYTHING you do! My daughter demands deodorant in the morning simply because I have it. When we eat she will often match me bite for bite if she’s in the mood.
We have a pink bear that is her lovey/security object. We have to swaddle, dress, feed, put him on the potty, take him in the stroller, give him tea parties…
2 is amazing. This time last year she was just learning to walk. What will 3 bring?
You could always get her a My Lil’ Lolita Makeup it™.
Kit™