Developmental Milestones for 2-Year-Olds

Do your kids talk nonstop? Try to climb furniture? Insist on doing household activities on their own? The curious and playful activities of a 2-year-old can light up your day with joy and surprise. However, these are more than simple movements of hands and legs. Your children achieve milestones at every age. So, what are the signs of healthy toddler development? In this guide, we’ll walk you through 15 key developmental milestones for 2-year-olds that reflect healthy toddler development in 2025—based on expert insights and real-life parenting experiences.

Table of Contents

Physical Development Milestones for 2-Year-Olds

Most kids become highly active and like to move around. Some toddler physical development milestones are-

1. Kicking a ball forward

Balance and coordination are important for 2-year-old kids. Kicking a ball forward is a milestone that reflects gross motor development skills. It means your little ones have learned to lift a foot. Such activity will improve their muscle strength over time.

Try a soft toddler-friendly ball like the Soft Toddler Soccer Ball to encourage gross motor skills in a safe way.

2. Building towers of blocks

At 2 years of age, many children learn the way to create towers of multiple blocks. They stack blocks on top of each other to have fun. However, it leads to the development of fine motor skills in toddlers. The tower-building game will promote hand-eye coordination for your kids.

Stimulate fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination with Mega Building Blocks— perfect for toddlers.

3. Standing on tiptoe

Your little ones’ ability to stand on tiptoe improves the growth of coordination and strength. They have developed better muscle control and balance in their feet and legs. Standing on tiptoes means promoting curiosity and independence.

4. Eating with a spoon

Many 2-year-olds learn how to eat food with a spoon. This milestone indicates self-feeding skills and fine motor skills development. Your toddlers gain independence during their mealtimes. Promote self-feeding with the easy-to-grip Toddler Self-Feeding Spoon Set — BPA-free and ergonomic.

Check out our guide on feeding tips for toddlers.

5. Turning doorknobs

As your kids’ wrists and hands become stronger, they can turn doorknobs. This physical development in toddlers shows problem-solving and coordination skills. But, you should be mindful of your children’s safety, when they turn knobs.

6. Starting to jump

It is really exciting to find your 2-year-old children jumping with both feet. This milestone shows leg strength and gross motor skills in your little ones. Encourage them to do other activities, such as climbing and running.

Speech & Language Development in Toddlers

Toddler speech milestones are about a growing vocabulary. Your kids can respond to questions and increase conversation. The best speech and language-related developmental milestones for 2-year-olds are-

7. Articulation ability

Most 2-year-old children achieve the milestone of words more clearly. Their speech becomes easily understandable to caregivers and parents. Although their pronunciation is not 100% perfect, they produce different syllables and sounds.

Introduce your toddler to new words with the First 100 Words Board Book — a classic bestseller.

8. Repeating words in conversation

Kids around 2 years old repeat words overheard during conversation. This toddler’s behavior at 2 years is known as echolalia. Encourage your kids to expand their vocabulary and practice new sounds.

9. Using simple phrases

Your children start using simple phrases (such as ‘go outside’ and ‘want milk’) when they are 2 years old. This ability also enables them to express feelings and thoughts.

How to Encourage Speech in Late-Talking Toddlers

Cognitive milestones for toddlers

Imitation and self-recognition abilities indicate cognitive development in kids. The most significant cognitive milestones are-

10. Sorting objects by colors and shapes

The ability to identify objects by colors and shapes indicates cognitive development in toddlers. Your kids learn how to recognize patterns and differences. This milestone is important for developing early problem-solving and mathematical skills.

Encourage sorting with the Wooden Shape Sorter Toy – designed for safe and interactive play.

11. Starting make-believe play

Growing cognitive development and imaginative ability will stimulate your kids to start make-believe play. For instance, they pretend to make phone calls or feed a doll.

Spark pretend play with a fun Pretend Kitchen Playset that enhances imagination.

Emotional Milestones for Toddlers

Your kids will show empathy and express love to dear ones. Some emotional development milestones are-

12. Expressing affection openly

As 2-year-olds can express affection openly, they start showing love to parents and caregivers. They will do so with hugs and kisses. This healthy emotional development will help kids develop strong bonds with family members.

A plush companion like the Soft Doll can be comforting and emotionally enriching.

13. Responding to routine adjustments

Suppose you have appointed a new caregiver for your children. Or, you have altered your kids’ bedtime routine. Your little ones may show tantrums and fussiness to these adjustments.

Soothe bedtime transitions with a classic like Good Night Moon.

Social Development In 2-Year-Olds

Defiance and interest in peers indicate the social skills of your kids. So, social milestones of toddlers are-

14. Showing defiant behavior

Sometimes, kids say NO to your instructions. However, such behavior is normal for social and emotional development. Toddlers begin to assert independence and have a sense of self.

Help toddlers recognize and manage emotions using Emotion Flash Cards.

15. Playing with other kids

Your children will express desire to play with others. Social play is a significant aspect of learning communication and cooperation. Your little ones will engage in simple interactions like laughing together.

Shop the Milestones: Must-Have Toddler Development Tools

Final thoughts

The growth rate of every child is not the same. So, watch your 2-year-old baby’s activities, which are emotional and exciting. You will see how your little ones have mastered different skills. But, the most important thing is to provide a loving and safe environment for your kids.

FAQ: 2-Year-Old Development

Q: What should a 2-year-old be able to say?

Most 2-year-olds can say at least 50 words and form 2-word phrases.

Q: What are red flags in toddler development at 2 years old?

Lack of eye contact, no spoken words, and inability to follow simple instructions may indicate a need for evaluation.

Q: How can I encourage milestone development?

Provide a safe space to play, talk to your child often, and engage in hands-on activities like sorting or stacking.

Q: What if my 2-year-old isn’t meeting all milestones?

Not all children develop at the same pace. Some kids hit speech milestones earlier while others focus on motor skills. However, if you’re concerned about delays, consult a pediatrician or early childhood specialist.

Want more toddler parenting tips? Explore our blog for sensory play ideas, healthy toddler meals, and more!

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15 Key Developmental Milestones for 2-Year-Olds Every Parent Should Know (2025 Guide)