For 2-year-olds! Fun craft activities and indoor play ideas
As children reach the age of two, a sense of independence—“I want to do it myself!”—begins to emerge.
You’ll start to see them eagerly taking on new challenges and acting with confidence and initiative.
As their fine motor skills improve, the range of crafts they can make using tools and techniques expands significantly.
In this article, we’re introducing craft activity ideas that are just right for two-year-olds’ development.
From season- and event-themed projects to activities that lead into pretend play and ones that use unique techniques, we’ve gathered fun ideas that will boost children’s motivation to create.
Through these activities, we hope children can experience the joy and sense of accomplishment that comes from doing things on their own.
We hope you find these ideas helpful.
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For 2-year-olds! Fun craft and indoor play ideas (41–50)
Moving Game
I’d like to introduce the “Moving House Game,” which has a tag-like element and can be enjoyed even by young children who only vaguely understand rules.
First, set up two safe zones some distance apart, and have the children wait in the first safe zone.
When the game starts, the person playing the Wolf says, “Moving house!” When you hear it, quickly move to the other safe zone.
The Wolf will chase you, so be careful not to get caught.
This game requires a bit of space, but with some creativity—like crawling or pretending to be rabbits to escape—it can be enjoyed even in smaller areas.
Churippu sharippu
Hold hands with your friends and play while calling each other’s names! Let me share the idea for “Churippu Sharippu.” There’s nothing to prepare, so just hum the song together and play.
There are moments in the song where you call out names, which makes it great for learning your friends’ names.
It’s especially recommended for classes with new or transferring children! You can adapt the way you play, so it’s an idea that children from infants to preschoolers can enjoy.
Be sure to try it in your activities.
bodkin (drawstring threader)
Two-year-olds are becoming more dexterous and can concentrate on tasks that use their fingertips.
A perfect activity for this stage is “stringing.” First, make motifs from milk cartons in your child’s favorite colors and shapes.
After cutting them into the shapes you like, cover them with felt or add patterns, and make plenty of pieces.
Next, punch holes in the motifs with a hole punch.
Prepare a string of suitable length, tape one end with cellophane tape to make threading easier, and you’re done! Have fun threading the string through the motifs to connect them together.
sensory toy play
Fun for all ages! Here are some sensory toy play ideas.
You’ll need: food storage bags, colored water, oil, adzuki beans, erasers, toy goldfish, beads, bells, hair gel, and tape.
Put the materials you prepared into the bag along with the hair gel! Changing up the colors and textures makes the feel different and more interesting.
Sensory toys are recommended not only for infants but also for preschoolers—they’re engaging to look at and touch, and kids will be totally absorbed.
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.
Make a little snake and go for a spring walk
Here’s a craft to make spring walks even more fun: a wiggly snake! Prepare construction paper, twine, scissors, crayons, glue, and stickers.
Draw on the construction paper with crayons, then add stickers or pieces of cut origami paper.
Using scissors, cut the paper into a spiral snake shape.
If you draw guide marks where you’ll cut, it will be easier.
Attach the twine to the head, and you’re done.
Take your freely wiggling snake for a walk—up, down, left, and right—and have fun!
bowling
Plastic bottle bowling you can freely enjoy making with leftover origami, stickers, scissors, and more.
Start by sticking on small stickers to use those fingertips, and let children feel the joy of “I did it!” with single snips of the scissors.
On a sheet of white construction paper, stick the colorful pieces you’ve cut and the stickers.
Wrap that around a plastic bottle, line them up, and the bowling tournament begins! Roll the ball and enjoy knocking the bottles down—it’s fun and also a full-body activity you can do indoors.
