Lovely childcare

Toddler-approved fun! DIY toy ideas for 2-year-olds

9 years of experience as a nursery school teacherShibata Risa
I am an active nursery school teacher with 9 years of experience. After graduating from university, I worked at a daycare center. The time I spent happily with children—playing piano, singing songs, and doing finger-play—are priceless memories to me. Currently, while raising three children of my own, I work at an after-school day service, engaging with children and providing individualized developmental support. Drawing on my diverse experiences as a childcare worker and as a mother, I hope to express and convey my thoughts through writing.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

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.

Toddlers Will Love It! Handmade Toy Ideas (31–40)

Climbing ladybug

Easy magnet craft! A climbing ladybug! Recycle plastic wrap and toilet paper cores! #crafts #handmadeToys #summerVacationCrafts #recycledCrafts

Climbing ladybug

Climbing up! Sliding down! A freely moving ladybug is so much fun! Here’s an idea for a climbing ladybug.

For children, ladybugs are familiar insects they see in picture books or on walks, right? This unique idea makes it look like the ladybug is playfully roaming around.

What you’ll need: round magnets, a toilet paper tube, a plastic wrap tube, a half-sphere of Styrofoam, wooden sticks or chopsticks, construction paper, pens, scissors, and double-sided tape.

Give it a try!

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boomerang paper airplane

@origamihanaschannel
[Easy Origami] How to Fold a Paper Airplane That Flies Well and Far | Paper Airplane | Flies Too Far | Jet | Boomerang | World’s Best | Vehicle | Overseas Travel | Origami | Easy Origami | Easy Kirigami | Handmade | Craft | Mother’s Day | How to Make | Toy | One Sheet | 24-Hour Challenge | Funny | Today’s One-Liner | Moon Decoration | Wall Decoration | Easy Kirigami | Paper-Cutting | Flower | Hana | Day Service | Nursing Home | Squishy | Anti-Stress | Toy | Refresh | Finger Play | Craft | Folding Method | Paper-Cutting | Handmade | Educational Institutions | Libraries | Welfare Facilities | How to Fold | origami | diy | PaperCrafts | paper art | craft | handmade | painting | paper | easy | flower | ninja | art | flowers | star | ideas | toys | boat | design | butterfly | aeroplane | PaperCrafts | paper art | gift | handmade | cute | birthday present | Valentine’s Day | origami | folding method | handcraft | New Year crafts | Mother’s Day | Father’s Day | Year of the Tiger | craft | toy | creative | simple | easy | world record | video tutorial | realistic | children | parent–child | tutorial | paper folding | pretty | making | art play | flower | easy art | fun | super simple folding | origami
♬ Recall Memory (ft,Wonderframe) – Repezen Foxx

Fun to make! Fun to play with! Here are some ideas for boomerang paper airplanes.

All you need is origami paper in your favorite colors and patterns.

These origami ideas are perfect for enjoying with a 2-year-old.

By making boomerang paper airplanes with your favorite origami and flying them, children can develop fine motor skills.

Watching them fly and return is exciting and so much fun for kids! Be careful not to run out into the street or bump into furniture while chasing the paper airplanes.

It’s a wonderful idea that deepens learning naturally through play as you make them together with an adult.

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Paper Copter

@n.annlee321
A simple paper copter you can make with origami ♪ The movement is so fun!#AtHomePlay #AtHomePlay Origami origami Origami folding instructions Origami Challenge #OuchiMonte #AtHomeMontessori Educational Finger Dexterity Education
♬ Nerd Strut (Instrumental) – Gen Hoshino

A simple mechanism that’s so much fun! Here’s a paper helicopter idea.

All you need is origami paper cut to half size and a pair of scissors.

It’s an origami idea with a fascinating, mysterious way of flying! Cut the origami paper in half, then make slits with scissors as you fold.

The finished paper helicopter twirls and flutters as it falls, which is really entertaining.

Instead of flying high, you enjoy watching it drift down slowly, so it’s safe and suitable even for two-year-olds.

It’s simple, yet the movement is very unique, making it something you’ll want to play with over and over again.

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garbage bag ball

@rano.mama_asobi
A trash bag… that bounces?! A stunning transformation with just two materials 😍#AtHomePlay Indoor play Play ideas Garbage bag #Ball𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 Today: 2 materials — a jumbo ball. [What you’ll use] ・Trash bags (any size is OK) ・Vinyl tape (from DAISO) ※ Make sure to fill it well with air and tie the trash bag tightly! → If the air leaks, it won’t bounce 😭 ◾︎ Using the same steps, trash bags of various sizes, small plastic bags, and even balloons can become balls!! If you gently remove the vinyl tape from the trash bag, it comes off cleanly, so you can stick it back on. → After playing, if you carefully peel it off… you can use the trash bag and vinyl tape again! Save this so you don’t forget ❤️ 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 If you make a jumbo ball with a trash bag, once you put air in, it’s big and bouncy and fluffy!! 😍 See it with your eyes, touch it with your hands, listen with your ears!! It gives lots of sensory stimulation ❤️ It was also fun to watch the air slowly leak out while we played 🤭💕 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 𓈒𓏸𓈒꙳𓂃 Thank you for checking out Rano Mama among so many accounts!! 💓 When you’re not sure what to play, please use this as a reference 💛❤️💙
♬ Happy & Pop songs – PeriTune

Let’s make a big ball and have fun! Here’s an idea for a garbage-bag ball.

It’s a DIY ball you can make with materials you have at home.

All you need are a trash bag and vinyl tape or duct tape.

After sealing the bottom of the trash bag with tape, blow air into it and tie the opening.

Wrap vinyl tape around the inflated bag, and you’re done! Its fluffy feel is addictive, and kids are sure to get excited! The soft material means it won’t hurt even if it hits you, which is a nice bonus.

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Decorating tambourines is fun

Let's Play with the Rhythm of Handmade Instruments! Plate Tambourine

Decorating tambourines is fun

Here are some fun ideas for decorating tambourines.

You’ll need two paper plates, straws, scissors, tape, a pen, and masking tape.

Put the cut pieces of straw between the paper plates, press them together, and seal the edges with tape and masking tape—that’s it! Use pens in your favorite colors to draw expressions on the tambourine.

It’s also fun to give the front and back different expressions, like a smiling face on one side and a sleeping face on the other.

The simple method makes it easy for kids to follow, which is part of its charm!

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Ideas for Handmade Toys That Delight 2-Year-Olds (41–50)

Toy stethoscope for playing doctor

When you want to play doctor, make a toy stethoscope and get into character! For this one, you’ll use a headband you can find at a 100-yen shop.

Cover the headband with a tube of sewn felt, so if it has any decorations, remove them first.

For the tubing, use a string or cord, and for the chest piece, cover a suitably sized cap or lid with felt.

Once you’ve connected everything, your stethoscope is ready! It might be even more fun if you also make items like a medicine bag or bandages.

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Acorn Drum (Den-den Daiko)

Shall we make a den-den daiko (hand drum) using acorns? Note that acorns can harbor insects, so either boil them and dry them thoroughly or freeze them beforehand.

First, paste two paper plates together to represent the animal’s body.

When gluing the plates together, fix a pair of chopsticks in between as the handle.

Next, attach twine to both sides.

Then tie acorns to the ends of the strings.

When you shake the handle, the acorns hit the paper plates and make a sound.

Finally, attach the animal’s face to the paper plates, and it’s done! Craft projects that you can play with afterward are sure to delight children.

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