Lovely childcare

For 2-year-olds! Fun craft activities and indoor play ideas

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.

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.

For 2-year-olds! Fun craft and indoor play ideas (41–50)

Balloon play

Balloon playtime with the Elephant Class (2-year-olds). Everyday life at Hachiman Kodomoen (Fukui City). April 2018.

Balloon play

Let’s have some fun with balloons—you can even get them at the 100-yen shop! There are no rules for how to play, so once you inflate a balloon, try throwing it, catching it, or kicking it around in a spacious area.

If you prepare balloons in various colors and let the kids choose, or draw their favorite characters on them, they’ll love it.

It could be even more exciting if adults join in—drop balloons from a high place or toss a bunch all at once!

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For 2-year-olds! Fun craft and indoor play ideas (51–60)

Sparkling Beehive

https://www.tiktok.com/@hoiku_ratty/video/7476691502668745991

Soothing like stained glass! Here’s a sparkling honeycomb craft idea.

Making real stained glass can be difficult when you think about the materials and steps involved.

That’s why we recommend this idea that lets you enjoy a stained-glass-like translucence! All you need are construction paper, parchment (baking) paper, clear tape, colored cellophane or transparent origami paper, and scissors.

It’s great because kids can freely choose their favorite colors and stick them on! Give it a try—fun to make and fun to look at! Try incorporating this craft into your activities.

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cardboard basket

[Ages 0–2] Four Favorite Play Activities for Infants

cardboard basket

Let’s play basketball using cardboard boxes.

At around age two, children can hold a ball with both hands and throw it.

Try using a cardboard box as a goal and see if they can get the ball in.

Having several goals not only makes the game more exciting, but also helps prevent children from bumping into each other.

Use a spacious area in the nursery room so they can fully enjoy playing with the ball.

It will be delightful to watch the children joyfully exclaim, “It went in!” and “I did it!”

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In conclusion

We introduced craft activity ideas recommended for two-year-olds.

Some ideas also let children practice using tools like glue and scissors while enjoying the crafts.

Since two-year-olds tend to assert themselves more, be sure to listen to their feelings and prepare materials so they can freely choose their favorite colors and shapes.

You’ll surely see wonderful works full of each child’s individuality! Try incorporating plenty of craft ideas and enjoy them together with the children.