Ideas for indoor play, physical activities, and games suited to the development of 2-year-olds
Around the age of two, children’s vocabularies grow and they begin to assert their feelings more strongly.
As their walking stabilizes, they’re also able to perform a variety of whole-body movements.
Here, we’ll introduce recommended indoor activities that suit the physical and mental development of two-year-olds.
From active, full-body movement games to group games that involve playing with friends, and activities that let children freely express themselves—there are plenty of options that give kids a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from “I did it by myself!”
Use these ideas as a reference and enjoy a fun time together indoors.
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Ideas for indoor play, physical activities, and games suited to the development of 2-year-olds (31–40)
Playing with empty boxes
Let’s make the most of scrap materials and play freely! Here are some ideas for playing with empty boxes.
It’s a wonderful activity to enjoy with two-year-olds while bringing out their creativity.
You can add dividers to a box to roll small balls through it, or stack and line up boxes to make tunnels to play with.
Children will expand their own imaginations and come up with many ways to use the boxes.
Through this activity, they can develop fine motor skills and spatial awareness, while enriching their creativity!
Color Play Game
@cocorurueniwa Today's activity is a color play game! Walk only on the specified color and aim for the goal! Make sure to clearly recognize your own color!#Kokoruru Eniwa#Kokorururu SakuramachiEniwa CityAfter-school day serviceAfter-school day serviceActivityColor Play Game#tiktokvalentine
♪ Tetris – Hiiragi Magnetite
A colorful floor makeover! Here are some play game ideas that use colors.
They’re fun activities that nurture color sense and attention.
Cut five colors of tape into short pieces and stick them on the floor; as children look for and step on each specified color, they can develop their ability to distinguish colors and follow rules.
The game is simple yet helps train reflexes and balance, and it’s perfect for group fun.
Try incorporating it as an activity in your after-school day service.
Copycat game
Let’s have fun with body mimicry! Here are some ideas for a copycat game that’s sure to make everyone smile.
While copying the teacher’s movements, strike unique poses like animals or heroes and play together.
You’ll find yourselves laughing and saying, “What is this?!” as you move your bodies.
While playing, kids build flexibility and balance, and the best part is learning through fun—“Can you really do this pose?” You might even discover some unexpected moves!
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!
Milk Carton Circuit
@kazenomori.piconursery Super easy! The recipe is in the comments!#Nursery school#HandmadeToysTranslationLifehackChildcareNursery teacher / Childcare worker#Indoor Play#Milk carton#Pico Nursery
Shuwa-shuwa Honey Lemon 350ml – Sharou
Make it with everyday materials! Here are some circuit course ideas using milk cartons.
All you need are milk cartons and tape.
After cutting the cartons, connect them using an accordion fold.
They can be used as lane dividers, and it’s also fun to incorporate them into activities by putting organza fabric or colorful balls inside the cartons.
For children with allergies, using juice or tea cartons instead of milk cartons is a safer option.
Give it a try!
Ideas for indoor play, physical activity, and games suited to the development of 2-year-olds (41–50)
Thunder God has arrived.
Let me introduce the rhythm game “Kaminari-don Has Arrived.” In this game, you hide the body part that the Thunder God (Kaminari-sama) says, so he can’t take it.
The person playing Kaminari-sama calls out a place while singing, and the children should cover that place with both hands.
Any place is fine.
Since Kaminari-sama is famously known for taking belly buttons, starting with the belly button is classic.
You can also choose easy-to-understand places like ears, mouth, or head.
If the kids manage to cover it before it’s taken, everyone can shout “Safe, yes!” to celebrate—that’s part of the fun.
sensory toy play
Fun for all ages! Here are some sensory toy play ideas.
You’ll need: food storage bags, colored water, oil, adzuki beans, erasers, toy goldfish, beads, bells, hair gel, and tape.
Put the materials you prepared into the bag along with the hair gel! Changing up the colors and textures makes the feel different and more interesting.
Sensory toys are recommended not only for infants but also for preschoolers—they’re engaging to look at and touch, and kids will be totally absorbed.