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! Indoor play and game ideas that 2-year-olds will enjoy (21–30)

Thunder Game

9 easy no-prep games you can play right away in spare moments 🌟 [For Nursery and Kindergarten]

Thunder Game

The “Thunder Game” is very simple, but it’s a real crowd-pleaser.

The rule is just this: when someone says “Thunder!” you have to hide your belly button.

That’s it! However, the word you hear won’t always be “Thunder.” If you first get the kids’ attention by going “Th-th-th…” and then suddenly say “Crow!” some of them will instinctively hide their belly buttons.

The fun of this game is in that little thrill.

Try mixing in feints and confusing words as you play with the kids.

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[Interactive Hand Play] Pittanko

[Interactive Hand Play] Simple! Suitable from age 2! Pittanko

[Interactive Hand Play] Pittanko

This is a hands-on fingerplay that children of a wide range of ages can enjoy.

It’s a fingerplay called “Pittanko,” where you sing a song and, at the final “pittanko” part, you touch various parts of your bodies together.

Since some two-year-olds may find it difficult to find a partner on their own, teachers should step in and support them so they can pair up smoothly.

It’s also recommended to change the spot you touch each time—press hands together, connect backs, touch cheeks, and try different parts to have fun.

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Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

[Play] Rock-Paper-Scissors & Recommended Activities [Nursery/Kindergarten]

Rock-Paper-Scissors Train

A game that combines playing train and rock-paper-scissors: “Rock-Paper-Scissors Train”! The children sing a song while playing rock-paper-scissors; those who lose attach themselves behind the winner.

Because they move together with friends, they naturally walk slowly, making it great for indoor play.

Let’s learn the rules of rock-paper-scissors while gently touching and interacting with friends.

Rock-paper-scissors can be a good opportunity for communication among children.

Since they might be so absorbed that they don’t watch their feet, be sure to keep a close eye on them to prevent injuries.

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Tail tag

[For 2-year-olds] Let's play tail tag with original tails!

Tail tag

How about playing “tail tag” indoors with your two-year-olds? All you need are some colorful ribbons.

Tie a ribbon around each child’s waist and have them try to grab each other’s ribbons.

Twisting, turning, and protecting their own ribbon lets them fully enjoy moving their bodies.

Teachers should join in and keep a gentle watch as they play.

It’s an exciting, heart-pounding game that fosters interaction with friends and builds decision-making skills.

Encourage the children’s free ideas and let them have a blast! It’s perfect for rainy-day activities or small pockets of free time.

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[Instrument Play] Toy no Cha-Cha-Cha

“Music Play” [Ages 0–2] | Gakuenchō Yūiku-en [Daycare/Kindergarten Event]

[Instrument Play] Toy no Cha-Cha-Cha

“Omocha no Chachacha” is a song with a fun rhythm.

Make the most of the “cha-cha-cha” parts and enjoy playing with instruments.

Using tambourines with two-year-olds might be a bit challenging, but they’ll learn by imitating the teacher—tapping or shaking them to the beat.

The song itself is also long for two-year-olds, so it may help to stop partway or repeat the first verse twice.

For the recital, dressing them in toy-like costumes would be a great idea!

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Mukkuri Kuma-san

[Group Game] “Mukkuri Kuma-san” | How to Play “Mukkuri Kuma-san”

Mukkuri Kuma-san

Here’s a game called “Mukkuri Kuma-san” that both kids and teachers can enjoy together.

The rules are very simple: the teacher plays the bear and pretends to sleep.

The children sing as they quietly approach the sleeping bear.

When the song ends, the bear wakes up and jumps to their feet, and the children run away.

The teacher playing the bear chases the children.

The child who gets caught becomes the next bear.

For children who don’t understand the rules, it may help to teach them slowly and carefully while demonstrating each step.

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Sledding

Let's play with towels! Age-based sled play #physicalplay #childcare

Sledding

Here’s a sledding-style activity using everyday towels.

Prepare two towels, each large enough for one child to sit or stand on.

Have the child ride on one towel, and hold the other towel in their hands while the teacher pulls, moving as if it were a sled.

If the towel is tied once and the child holds the tied section, it’s easier to grip even with weaker hand strength.

Balance is key during this sled play.

Whether the child stands or sits should be chosen based on their developmental stage, prioritizing the safer option.

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