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.
- Toddler-approved fun! DIY toy ideas for 2-year-olds
- No prep needed! Indoor play and game ideas that 2-year-olds will enjoy
- [For 2-year-olds] A collection of craft ideas useful for winter childcare
- Ideas for indoor play, physical activities, and games suited to the development of 2-year-olds
- Indoor activities that 2-year-olds can enjoy. Recommended at-home games that will keep them engaged.
- Christmas crafts for 2-year-olds! A collection of fun ideas using stamps and handprints
- Ideas for performances recommended for two-year-olds’ recitals and play events
- December craft ideas! A collection of childcare activities to enjoy with Christmas and winter themes
- [Childcare] Fun February craft ideas you’ll want to make with 2-year-olds!
- [Childcare] Spring craft ideas to enjoy with 2-year-olds! Techniques and materials included
- Origami for 2-Year-Olds: Fun and Educational! Origami Ideas for Toddlers
- Toddler-Approved Halloween Crafts: Ideas That Captivate 2-Year-Olds
- September crafts for 2-year-olds! A collection of make-and-play ideas to enjoy autumn
For 2-Year-Olds! Fun Craft and Indoor Play Ideas (1–10)
Making fireworks with straws
How about making vibrant fireworks using straws? First, cut several slits into the end of a straw to fan it out to a length that’s easy for children to hold.
Next, dilute some paint in a tray, dip the straw, and dab it onto black construction paper—voilà, a fireworks pattern! It’s great fun to have several children add patterns to a large sheet of paper.
To make sure the kids can fully enjoy themselves, do this in a place and clothing that can get messy.
Display the artwork indoors and you can have your own fireworks festival! Enjoy the summer vibes together.
Hina dolls in a wash painting style
How about making Hina dolls with a coffee-filter bleeding art project? It’s perfect for two-year-olds who are starting to show interest in all sorts of things.
As preparation, the teacher makes the faces of the Emperor and Empress using construction paper or origami paper.
Have the children draw on two coffee filters with water-based markers.
If you separate the markers into warm and cool color sets, you’ll get colors that suit the Emperor and Empress.
After they enjoy drawing, wet the coffee filters with a spray bottle or by floating them in a tray of water to let the colors bleed.
Once they’re dry, attach the faces—and they’re done! It’ll be fun to see how they react as the colors spread.
Building a cardboard house
Let’s build a cardboard house together with your two-year-old, a time when “I want to try it!” moments are on the rise.
If you shape the cardboard into a house beforehand, then all you need to do is set out paints, brushes, and cardboard stamps, and let them paint however they like.
To spark their imagination, it’s helpful to have photos of colorful houses on hand.
What kind of house will be finished depends on the children’s ideas! To let them work freely and without worry, it’s best to do this outdoors where getting messy is okay.
Once the paint dries and the house is complete, they can of course play with it.
Have fun making a cardboard house together!
hamburger
Let’s make delicious hamburgers with the kids! First, roll up some newspaper into a bun shape and wrap it with origami paper.
Next, create cheese, tomato, and lettuce using construction paper.
When making the cheese and tomato, you can draw simple cutting lines so children can practice using scissors.
Make the patty the same way as the bun, using newspaper and origami paper.
Once you stack the ingredients and wrap the burger in wrapping paper, it’s done! You can have fun showing off your tasty burgers, or open a pretend shop and enjoy imaginative play in many different ways.
Pizza and ice cream
Let’s practice cutting and gluing through making pizzas and ice creams that kids love.
First, cut out circles from light orange and red paper.
Layer and glue them to give a pizza-like look, and the base is ready.
Next, have the children cut construction paper over a small container made from a plastic cup.
The key is to prepare long, narrow strips of paper.
Glue the cut pieces onto the base as toppings, and the pizza is complete! To make ice cream, use a paper cup as a cone, place tissue paper inside, and glue the cut paper pieces on top as toppings to create a delicious-looking ice cream.
ogre mask
As two-year-olds become more dexterous, they can start using their fingers to glue and make single snips with scissors.
Why not practice by making an ogre (oni) mask? First, have them make the ogre’s hair by cutting yarn with one snip.
Glue the cut yarn onto the hair backing.
Then glue on the other parts—eyes, horns, and so on—onto the ogre’s face.
Attach the finished face to a headband made from cardboard so it can be worn on the forehead.
It’s a perfect craft for the Setsubun season.
Carp streamers made with torn-paper collage
Why not enjoy making 3D carp streamers? First, the teacher wraps origami paper around a toilet paper roll and cuts the tail end to prepare the carp streamer’s body.
Next, have the children tear two kinds of origami paper.
Encourage them to enjoy the process of using their fingers to rip the paper.
Once the paper is torn, apply glue to the carp’s body and stick the torn pieces on like a collage.
When the teacher draws the eyes, it’s finished!