Get a plastic coke bottle and quarter fill it with rice and put the lid back on tight. I dont know why but kids seem to love this toy. Also boxes are always great fun for kids.

My daughter is almost 2 and she loves her Elmo sing along toy and her blocks. She has the type of blocks with pictures and letters on them so I’ll ask her what the picture is and she’ll tell me if she knows and then tell her the letter and she repeats it back to me. She also can tell me what color is on that certain block. Also, we dont keep pots in the bottom cupboard anymore because she has deemed that her “house” She crawls in there says “OK Bye. I love you” and then closes the door and plays with her toys in there. She’ll pop open the door every now and then and say “Hi” and then close it again.

Toy Safety first
Children under 3 tend to put everything in their mouths. Avoid buying toys intended for older children which may have small parts that pose a choking danger.

Never let children of any age play with uninflated or broken balloons because of the choking danger.

Avoid marbles, balls, and games with balls, that have a diameter of 1.75 inches or less. These products also pose a choking hazard to young children.

Children at this age pull, prod and twist toys. Look for toys that are well-made with tightly secured eyes, noses and other parts.

Avoid toys that have sharp edges and points.
http://www.familiesonlinemagazine.com/kid-shopguide.html

There is a great learning game that teaches the ABC’s that can be found at

http://www.educationalgamesguide.com/toddler-games.html

It has a great interactive game that can be played together. I also know Amazon sells reasonably priced items if your looking for a learning game for the house.