This adorable cleaning set from Melissa & Doug is one of our (and child psychologists’) favorite gifts for 2-year-olds, and it’s not hard to see why. Its included mop, broom, duster, dustpan, and brush are perfectly sized for tots, who, according to child psychologist Roberta Golinkoff, “always want to be like big people. So if they see you using something, they’re going to want to do it, too.” While we can’t promise that kids will actually help you clean up a mess with the toys, their enthusiastic effort will more than make up for it. Plus, lifelike toys like the ones in this set, Golinkoff adds, are also great for pretend play — so the possibilities for how a child can enjoy them are really endless. Like all products from Melissa & Doug, this set is thoughtfully designed — each cleaning tool has solid-wood handles, for instance, and it comes with a stand for storing them all — and made to last. At nearly 50 percent off today, its price is now just $16, and if ordered today, the set is guaranteed to arrive by Friday (well before Christmas), according to the retailer.
[Editor’s note: This Melissa & Doug set is sold out on Amazon, but you can still pick it up at either Walmart or Kohl’s for $25.]
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