[Childcare] Recommended play ideas for caring for 2-year-olds

circuit

Let’s Move Our Bodies and Play a Lot! ~Circuit~ [Ages 0–2] | Minamisenrioka Yuuiku-en [Nursery/Kindergarten Event]

Here’s an idea for a circuit where kids can enjoy various activities all at once.

It’s similar to an obstacle course: children move through the course while completing different challenges.

Recommended activities include crawling through a tunnel made from mats, tossing balls into a basket, stepping over and avoiding blocks, and jumping forward like in hopscotch.

It’s great if they can move their bodies to the fullest and have fun.

Let’s start by coming up with events that they’re likely to enjoy.

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yamamoto

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Handmade toys you can play with during the New Year

[Production] Handmade toys you can play with at New Year (spinning tops/kite flying/hanetsuki)

Try making New Year’s crafts that you can enjoy and play with even after they’re finished, together as a parent-child activity.

You’ll make a spinning top, a kite, and a hanetsuki set (paddle and shuttlecock).

For the top, draw pictures on the sides of a paper cup, cut four evenly spaced slits and flare them open, then attach a plastic bottle cap as the handle.

For the kite, slightly offset and layer two sheets of origami paper and glue them together; attach sparkly tape as the tails to complete the body, then add a lactic-acid drink bottle as the handle and tie on kite string.

For the hanetsuki paddle, use cardboard and disposable chopsticks: cut two paddle-shaped pieces from cardboard, sandwich the chopsticks between them, and glue.

For the shuttlecock, tie a knot in the middle of some raffia (suzuran) tape, press a small ball of tissue onto the knot, and wrap it with origami paper.

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sasashina

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Fun for childcare! Indoor winter activities

[For 2-Year-Olds] Winter Asobi-Comi

Let me introduce some winter indoor activities that include crafts.

You can roll up cotton to look like fake snow, or put it into a plastic kiddie pool and play dynamically as if it were a bubble bath.

Use stamps on black construction paper to represent snowflakes, then glue origami penguins on top to create a winter-themed wall display.

A glowing tunnel made by sticking phosphorescent stickers onto cardboard is a space where kids will want to stay forever.

Why not fully enjoy winter indoors while incorporating children’s free ideas along the way?

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sasashina

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Abuku-tatta

[Play] 3 Play Ideas [Daycare/Kindergarten]

Let’s try playing “Abuku Tatta,” a traditional game that combines a nursery rhyme and tag.

This game needs one person to be “it,” so when playing with two-year-olds, a teacher or caregiver should take that role.

The “it” player crouches down to make themselves small, and the children hold hands and form a circle around them.

While singing the nursery rhyme “Abuku Tatta,” enjoy the call-and-response with the “it” player.

At the end, when “it” says “the sound of a ghost,” they will start chasing everyone—so run away so you don’t get caught! This game helps nurture children’s listening skills, concentration, and quick reaction time.

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sasashina

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Pool stick fountain & shower

Here’s a fun water play idea for hot summer days using a pool noodle! Secure one end of the noodle tightly to a garden hose with tape, and poke several small holes in the other end.

When you turn on the water, it sprays out of the noodle like a fountain.

Kids will have a blast chasing the spray and running through it! They can also run around, try to catch the water with their hands, and enjoy the sensory experience.

Be sure an adult supervises at all times and that you play on a non-slip surface for safety.

It’s like a little shower—highly recommended as a super fun summer activity!

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kepiko

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Handmade musical instruments

[2-year-olds] Musical instrument play ♬

Let’s have fun making sounds and playing! Here are some ideas for homemade instruments.

Try playing while getting familiar with music using DIY drums, maracas, and castanets.

You can make instruments like drums, maracas, and castanets using paper plates and paper cups, and by freely decorating them with stickers and pens, you’ll nurture children’s creativity.

As they make sounds and keep the beat, they can experience the joy of playing along with music, which also helps develop fine motor skills and a sense of rhythm.

[Dance] The Magic of SmilesYuiko Ohara

“The Magic of Smiles (Hanakappa Theme Song)” by Yuiko Ohara: ‘Easy Dance for Ages 2 and Up.’ A simple arranged dance perfect for recitals and sports days!

The theme song of the anime Hanakappa, Egao no Mahou, is a rhythmical and bright piece that leaves a strong impression.

Let’s have the children jump around with energy to this song.

If you’re dancing with two-year-olds, the key is to enjoy dancing within the childcare setting.

Start by letting each child enjoy the music and the dance, so it doesn’t turn into strict practice.

It can also be nice to incorporate changes in position depending on how the children are doing.

Seeing the children dance happily is sure to move both teachers and parents.

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tsukada moe

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