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)

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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Paku-Paku Bear

Pakupaku Kuma-san: a bear face sewn onto a large piece of felt with a zipper for its mouth.

Next to the bear, items like rice balls, bread, eggs, and vegetables are attached with snap buttons.

You can unfasten them and feed them to the bear—it’s a toy, right? The actions of unbuttoning and buttoning seem helpful for developing fine motor skills, and seeing the bear eagerly eat everything might spark children’s interest in food, making them think, “I want to try the same thing,” or “I wonder what it tastes like?”

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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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Ball fishing

@yuka_asobi28
Let’s have fun strengthening your core and improve how easily you get tired! 🤭🌟# developmental support (ryōiku)#AtHomePlay #Indoor Play Physical play (exercise)2 years old Core training
♬ familie – Mrs. GREEN APPLE

Here’s a ball-fishing game that helps build both concentration and body awareness.

Wrap transparent tape around the tip of a pool noodle with the sticky side facing outward.

Use the sticky tip to pick up scattered colored balls one by one.

It can be fun to set a time limit and see who can collect the most balls the fastest.

If the pool noodle is too long, cut it to match the child’s height to make it easier to use.

Give it a try!

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Mike

For kids who love to sing, a toy microphone is a great recommendation.

If you make it with felt, it won’t break if dropped and the risk of injury is low, so it’s a safe choice.

Create the handle and the microphone head with felt, and stuff the inside with fabric scraps or cotton.

Adding a ribbon or other accents would make it extra cute.

You can buy both felt and cotton at 100-yen shops, so try making it in your favorite colors.

Once it’s finished, sing using your microphone—you’ll enjoy a fresh, exciting feeling!

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

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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cake

How to make a felt cake

cake

Here’s an idea for felt cakes you can use for pretend play.

Basically, make a pattern for the cake shape you want, then cut the felt to match and sew it together.

You could make several slice-shaped shortcakes that combine into a whole cake for easier play.

Place a piece of cardboard on the bottom of each cake, then stuff it with cotton and sew it closed.

For the cream, cut the felt into a pinwheel shape and sew it so the tips gather tightly—this will make it look realistic.

After that, add your preferred toppings, like cream layers in the cross-section and strawberries!

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