Ideas for indoor play, physical activities, and games suited to the development of 2-year-olds

Circuit of/with polypropylene ribbon (Suzuran tape)

Tanabata Circuit! [Ages 0–2] | Minami Senrioka Yui-en [Nursery/Kindergarten Event]

Let’s go through a curtain swaying in the breeze! Here’s an idea for a circuit using ribbon tape (suzuran tape).

All you need is ribbon tape.

Cut the tape into long strips and attach them to make a ribbon-tape curtain! Some children will use their hands to push the strips aside as they move forward, while others will dash through the curtain dynamically—showing their unique personalities.

For cautious children, reduce the amount of tape so they can see what’s beyond the curtain, which will help them feel more at ease.

mat exercises

Reiwa 5, 2-year-old Sumire Class: First Mat Exercises

We’d like to introduce fun mat exercises that get kids moving using a mat.

Lie on the mat, stretch out your arms and legs, bring your hands together and reach forward as you roll.

By rolling across the mat under your own power, you practice moving while maintaining full-body balance.

The hands-and-knees (all-fours) movement involves supporting posture while moving arms and legs alternately, making it perfect for engaging the whole body.

If that’s difficult, starting with simpler movements like crawling might be a good idea.

For safety, let’s have multiple teachers supervise while the children enjoy these activities.

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mayumi

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Sinking Game

[For Childcare Workers] Teacher Rio’s Active Play That Gets Kids Excited [The Sinking Game]

Recommended when you want to be active and play indoors! Here are some ideas for a “Sinking Game.” The Sinking Game is a fun activity that gets everyone excited while enjoying communication.

Pretend the room is the ocean and create islands using mats and vaulting boxes.

Teachers or guardians play the role of sharks, and the unique rule is that the children run away so they don’t get caught by the sharks! As they play, children can develop listening and decision-making skills, so be sure to incorporate it into your activities!

Ball passing

[Physical Activity Play] Simple Ball Games You Can Do Easily [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Let’s try playing “Ball Pass,” a game you can enjoy with just one ball.

First, have the children line up in a single file.

Give the ball to the child at the front and keep passing it along to the next child.

If the ball makes it to the last child without being dropped, you’ve succeeded! It’s fun to change where the ball passes—over the head or under the legs—or split into two teams and turn it into a competition.

Because different passing methods engage different movements, try incorporating it into everyday play.

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sasashina

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giant ball

@nacchi_asobi

Super excited! 😍 We played for another whole hour!!! ▫️Giant Ball▫️ ▷▷Materials • Trash bags (This time we used 45L and 30L 🫶🏻) • Vinyl tape ▷▷How to make it 1) Inflate the trash bag. Tip: Fill it up until it’s nice and firm with air! 2) Wrap 3–4 strips of tape all the way around. That’s it! 💓 ▷▷Tips for fun Throw it, roll it, kick it—when you toss it high, it floats down slowly and everyone gets super excited!! 😍 Please give it a try! ♡♡ ⚠️Safety Note Be careful to prevent accidental swallowing. Always have an adult supervising. Put it away out of reach after playtime. Please be mindful of choking and ingestion hazards! 𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃🎨 Thank you so much for viewing ♡♡ This account shares: / Play-at-home ideas for 1-year-olds from a childcare-worker mom 🎈 \ I hope this helps when you’re wondering, “What should we play today?” and need ideas for at-home time 🥰#AtHomePlaySimple PlayParentingStruggling with parenting1 year old#1-year-old play#BoyMomBalloon Play100-yen shop toy#HandmadeToys#DaisoPurchases#Seria purchases

♬ Turkish march 8bit game sound(910193) – KAN TAKEUCHI

Let me introduce a giant ball that kids will be super excited about.

The method is very simple: inflate a garbage bag and tie it off to make a large ball shape.

Wrap duct tape around it, and you’re done.

If you change the colors of the tape as you stick it on, it becomes a visually fun ball as well.

Hold it, throw it—use your whole body and play freely with the giant ball.

Another plus is that, since it’s made of plastic, it won’t hurt even if it hits your head or body.

It might also be fun to make several of the same kind and play with them like a maze.

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mayumi

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Balloon roly-poly

@soramame.sensei

Let’s make a roly-poly toy with a balloon and play a game! 😊 With friends! With family! An indoor game you can play even on rainy days ☔✨️Child Development SupportAfter-school day service#SoramameKids#StayHomeTime#Indoor PlayParent-child time#HandmadeToyschild# developmental support (ryōiku)translation

♬ A cute pop and bouncy song(1526882) – sanusagi

Let’s play by controlling how much force we use! Here’s an idea for a balloon roly-poly toy.

It’s a perfect, fun activity for curious two-year-olds.

Put a weight inside a balloon and inflate it, then toss it into a hula hoop.

The balloon will bounce without toppling over, which is fun to watch.

As children adjust their strength to match the balloon’s movement, they can develop dexterity and concentration.

Aiming and tossing the balloon into a specific spot helps them experience the fun of controlling their force.

Circuit of/for interlocking mats

@mammybear_

Using 100-yen shop interlocking mats and non-slip plates, I made a bumpy road for circuit play. It doesn’t take up much space and is easy to put away.ChildcareMade with items from a 100-yen shop#Circuit PlayChildren's playRecommended

♬ Excited! Cheerful and happy! Whistling ukulele! – harryfaoki

Let’s make a bumpy road! Here are some ideas for a circuit course using interlocking foam mats.

You’ll need interlocking mats from a 100-yen shop, a utility knife, small bowls, and tape.

First, cut the mats into circular shapes.

Next, fit the bowls into the holes and secure them with tape.

Finally, flip the mats over, and you’re done! The key is to place the bowls to match a child’s stride.

Interlocking mats are great because you can assemble the course in any shape you like!