Lovely childcare

No prep needed! Indoor play and game ideas that 2-year-olds will enjoy

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
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.

Two-year-olds can move their bodies a lot by walking and running.

It’s also a time when they become more assertive.

Here, we’ve gathered indoor play ideas that two-year-olds can enjoy!

There are a variety of fun, developmentally appropriate activities, including physical play and games they can enjoy with friends.

We’ve focused on activities that require no preparation, so you can start right away on a sudden rainy day or during spare moments.

Please use these ideas as a reference and get creative with your play.

We hope you have a great time indoors with the children!

No Prep Needed! Indoor Play and Game Ideas for 2-Year-Olds (11–20)

Playing around with a towel in various ways

Play in Many Ways with Towels! [Age 3] | Torikai Yūiku-en [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Playing around with a towel in various ways

Let’s try moving our bodies and playing with a towel! You might wonder, “How do you play with a towel?” but towels are surprisingly great for play.

First, as a warm-up, rub your body with the towel—like dry brushing in cold weather.

Once you’re warmed up, let’s start playing with the towel.

First, pretend the towel is a jump rope and jump.

Next, play tug-of-war by pulling on the towel.

It’s also fun to throw the towel at a target.

Finally, everyone can play tag with towel “tails”! As you play, the kids might even come up with new games of their own.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Thunder God has arrived.

No prep needed! 7 rhythm games you can do at daycare♪

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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Train play

Hachiman Nursery School Video News: The Elephant Class plays pretend trains in the hall

Train play

A “train play” activity recommended from around age 2! There aren’t any strict rules, so let kids play freely.

If you make something to serve as the cars—like hula hoops or square rings from cardboard—it really boosts their excitement.

Using mats or balance beams as pretend tracks also makes a simple game much more fun!

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Newspaper play

[Ages 0–2] Newspaper Play in the Infant Class

Newspaper play

Endless ways to play! Try all kinds of activities using newspaper.

Enjoy the crinkly texture and sound, tear it up with a satisfying rip, or crumple it into a ball and toss it—newspaper is perfect for indoor play with countless possibilities.

Because kids use their hands a lot, it’s also great for developing fine motor skills.

Flexibly follow children’s free ideas and interests, and keep expanding the play together.

When you’re done, gather the torn pieces into a big bag to make a ball, or try crafting teru-teru bozu (little weather charms) or fish—it’s lots of fun, too.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

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 Support After-school day service #SoramameKids #StayHomeTime #Indoor Play Parent-child time #HandmadeToys child # 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.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Playing with plastic raffia (Suzuran tape)

Suzuran Tape Play for Ages 0–2

Playing with plastic raffia (Suzuran tape)

Let’s adapt the ways we play to suit children’s development! Here are some ideas for playing with suzuran tape.

Suzuran tape is a thin plastic tape known for its colorful appearance.

Because the material is light and flexible, you can cut it with scissors, tie it, or weave it, allowing for all kinds of creative variations and uses in different games.

This time, let’s try making a suzuran tape curtain, a suzuran tape “bath,” and suzuran tape pom-poms.

It sounds like these activities will spark excitement and fun.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

No prep! Indoor play and game ideas that 2-year-olds will enjoy (21–30)

Eurhythmics

Eurhythmics for 2-year-olds

Eurhythmics

Why not enjoy music together with two-year-olds through Eurhythmics-style activities? Moving their bodies to music and the piano can nurture children’s sense of rhythm and expressiveness.

First, have the teacher cheerfully demonstrate—kids will surely want to imitate! It’s best to suggest movements and play tailored to each child’s developmental stage.

Increase opportunities to engage with music and stimulate their five senses.

Through eurhythmics, you can enjoy the world of music with the children while cultivating their rich sensibilities.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem