Quick Facts
| Age | 24 months (2 years) |
| Height | ~80–94 cm (WHO range, ~24 months) |
| Weight | ~9.0–15.3 kg (WHO range, ~24 months) |
| Daily Sleep | ~11–14 hours (usually 1 nap + nights) |
| Milk | Whole cow’s milk or toddler formula, up to ~500 mL/day |
| Iron | ~7 mg a day (1–3 years) |
Height and weight are the WHO 3rd–97th percentile range (both sexes) from the WHO Growth Charts for Canada. Your provider tracks your child’s own growth on these charts.
Key Takeaways
At 24 months, most toddlers reach the set of milestones the Canadian Paediatric Society describes for this age, and begin building toward the next set at 3 years.
Gross Motor
A 2 year old can usually begin to run, kick or throw a ball, climb into and down from chairs without help, and walk up and down stairs with help, per the Canadian Paediatric Society. Over the next year, children build toward running easily, jumping, and walking stairs with alternating feet, which the CPS lists at 3 years.
Fine Motor
A 2 year old can build a tower of four or more blocks, complete a simple shape-matching puzzle, and turn board-book pages easily, per the Canadian Paediatric Society. Offer blocks, puzzles, crayons and lots of hands-on play.
Social & Language
A 2 year old starts to put two words together, copies adults and other children, gets excited about being with other children, plays alongside them, shows increasing independence, and shows defiant behaviour, per the Canadian Paediatric Society. Make-believe play is blossoming. Keep talking, reading and playing together.
DEVELOPMENT & PLAY
- Offer active play — running, ball games, climbing — and safe space to move.
- Provide blocks, puzzles, crayons and pretend-play props; read together every day.
- Expand on your child’s phrases, name feelings, and set up chances to play near other children.
FEEDING
- Offer a variety of family foods in safe textures; keep iron-rich foods coming toward the ~7 mg daily need for 1–3 years.
- Keep milk (whole cow’s milk or toddler formula) to about 500 mL a day, in a cup — and ask your provider about moving to lower-fat milk from age 2 if you wish.
- Offer water with meals and snacks; continue vitamin D for breastfed and partly breastfed toddlers.
HEALTH & SAFETY
- Keep up regular dental visits and brushing teeth twice a day.
- Supervise near stairs, streets and playground equipment, and keep hazards and choking-risk foods out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a 2 year old be doing?
A 2 year old can usually run, kick or throw a ball, walk up and down stairs with help, build a tower of four or more blocks, complete a simple shape puzzle, put two words together, play alongside other children, and enjoy make-believe, per the Canadian Paediatric Society. Every child develops at their own pace; raise concerns, especially in more than one area, with your doctor.
Are the “terrible twos” normal?
Yes. The strong will, big feelings and defiance of age two are a normal, healthy part of developing a sense of self — the Canadian Paediatric Society lists showing increasing independence and defiant behaviour among the 24-month milestones. Simple choices, calm and consistent limits, naming feelings, and reconnecting after meltdowns all help. It’s demanding, but it passes.
How much should a 2 year old eat and drink?
Offer a variety of family foods at regular meals and snacks, with iron-rich foods still important (about 7 mg iron a day for 1–3 years), per the Canadian Paediatric Society. Keep milk to about 500 mL a day, in a cup, and offer water with meals. From age 2, many families move to lower-fat milk — ask your provider. Let your child decide how much to eat; appetites swing normally.
How much sleep does a 2 year old need?
A 2 year old usually sleeps around 11 to 14 hours over a 24-hour period, per the Canadian Paediatric Society, typically still with one afternoon nap. As children approach 3, total sleep eases toward 10 to 13 hours. A consistent bedtime routine, a calm wind-down, and avoiding late naps all help. A comfort item is often welcome.
What comes next after 2 years?
Over the next year, children build toward the Canadian Paediatric Society’s 3-year milestones: running easily, jumping in place, walking stairs with alternating feet, building taller block towers, speaking in short sentences, asking lots of questions, and beginning to take turns. Keep talking, reading, playing and offering safe independence to support the way ahead.
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