Toddler-approved fun! DIY toy ideas for 2-year-olds
At around age two, as a sense of self begins to emerge, children start to assert themselves clearly.
Their curiosity and desire to say “I want to try!” become stronger, which expands their range of activities.
They can also perform finer finger movements, widening the kinds of play they enjoy.
It’s wonderful to support their physical and emotional development through lots of play.
With that in mind, here are some recommended handmade toys for two-year-olds.
From toys that use the fingers, to sound-making items, to things perfect for pretend play—this collection is packed with handmade toy ideas that two-year-olds will be captivated by.
Find the ones that best fit your child’s stage of growth and give making them a try.
Homemade Toy Ideas (1–10) That Delight 2-Year-Olds
A dog on a walk
How about making a “Walk-along Puppy” as a play companion? You can handcraft it using a paper carton.
First, make a cut at about one-third of the height of the carton.
If you leave one side uncut, you’ll create a mechanism that lets the head bob up and down.
Next, attach a bell inside the carton and cover the outside with colored construction paper.
Then, make a slit at the head section and attach webbing tape to serve as the walking leash.
After that, place an unopened pack of air-dry clay in the body as a weight, and seal the cut edge of the carton to finish.
Make several so everyone can play together!
ring toss
“Ring toss” is a fun game you can make together with children.
It helps them practice throwing with their arms, and the fact that you can play it indoors is another plus.
First, roll up newspaper or wrapping paper into stick shapes.
Be sure to twist and roll them together with the kids.
Once they’re stick-shaped, wrap them with tape to cover them.
Choosing bright colors like red or green makes them visually fun, too.
You can also make large rings and use them for a ring-crawling game.
Try incorporating various ideas!
plastic bottle maracas
“Plastic Bottle Maracas” are perfect toys for 2-year-olds who love enjoying sounds.
Choose a 500 ml plastic bottle, which is easy for small hands to hold, and give it a try.
Be sure to fill the bottle with beads or small counters together with the children.
This will spark their interest in the maracas and give them more chances to pick them up.
Two-year-olds are also at a stage where they can pretend to play in an ensemble.
If you shake the maracas to the teacher’s singing, it will be a fresh and exciting experience for the children.
Puzzle
How about making a handmade puzzle out of cardboard? With three or four pieces, even a two-year-old can enjoy matching the picture while playing.
First, cut the cardboard into a rectangle.
The key is to cut it a bit larger so you can also make a frame.
Next, cut out the overall size of the puzzle.
Paste a picture onto the cardboard and cut it into pieces of your preferred size.
Finally, reinforce the exposed edges of the cardboard with tape, and attach another sheet of cardboard to the back of the frame to finish.
Once the children get used to puzzles, you can make versions with more pieces.
Milk carton building blocks
How about using milk cartons to make building blocks for two-year-olds who are starting to get interested in letters? They’re simple to make: just fasten the milk cartons with packing tape and wrap them with construction paper.
Varying the colors and sizes or adding numbers will really capture a two-year-old’s interest.
It’s great to make plenty so they can play imaginatively.
If you stuff the milk cartons, the blocks become sturdier and less likely to break, so keep that in mind when making them.
Marble Drop
“Marble Drop” is a toy that lets children use their fingertips and hand movements to experiment with ways to make a marble fall.
First, prepare a plastic bottle with a smooth surface, wrap masking tape around it in two places, and cut along the tape with a utility knife.
Next, cut cardboard to fit the bottle’s cut edges and use construction paper to finish it with motifs the children like.
Don’t forget to make the hole for the marble to drop through.
Once the parts are ready, attach them to the bottle and it’s done! It’s a fun activity where kids can tinker and figure out how to make the marble drop.
button-hook toy
You can practice buttoning with felt rice balls! Just like making onigiri, wrap the fillings in felt and fasten the buttons.
While wondering, “What’s inside?”, kids can enjoy practicing their finger movements.
If you play pretend as an onigiri shop, it can also help practice getting dressed.
