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

Copycat game

Let's try it with the teacher! Copycat Game♪

Let’s have fun with body mimicry! Here are some ideas for a copycat game that’s sure to make everyone smile.

While copying the teacher’s movements, strike unique poses like animals or heroes and play together.

You’ll find yourselves laughing and saying, “What is this?!” as you move your bodies.

While playing, kids build flexibility and balance, and the best part is learning through fun—“Can you really do this pose?” You might even discover some unexpected moves!

Fingerplay Quiz

Let’s turn a quick hand-play activity into a quiz to make it even more fun during little pockets of time! In preschools, there’s a familiar hand game where you make things using rock, scissors, and paper—like making a snail with a fist and scissors, or a butterfly with two open hands.

For the quiz part, after saying “Right hand is rock, left hand is scissors,” have the children think about and answer what it could be.

You might hear answers like “A snail!” or creative ones like “Ice cream!” and “A hamburger and chopsticks!” There are endless possible answers, so enjoy coming up with ideas together with the children!

Throwing honeycomb balls through a hoop

[Halloween Play] Spiderweb Ball Toss (for ages around 2 through elementary school) Halloween kids activity, kindergarten, nursery school, Halloween party, easy craft play

Great for Halloween too! Here’s an idea for a game where you make a spiderweb with a hula hoop and throw balls at it.

You’ll need a hula hoop, clear tape, black construction paper, scissors or a craft knife, and colorful balls.

Use the black construction paper to make a spiderweb and a spider.

Attach strips of clear tape across the inside of the hula hoop to create a target.

When you throw the colorful balls, it looks like they get caught in the web, which is really fun! If you don’t have a hula hoop, you can make a ring by cutting poster paper into long strips and connecting them into a loop.

[Ages 2 and up] Shadow Play

What is this!? Let’s play with shadows — a parent-child activity to feel the wonders of nature

Shadow play is something you can enjoy outdoors even on days with strong sunlight.

Wherever light shines, a shadow always appears.

For adults, it’s an obvious phenomenon, but for children it might still feel mysterious.

Try observing the direction shadows form and how their size and sharpness change when you move closer or farther away.

Children might make some new discoveries! Just be sure to watch out for heatstroke when it’s hot.

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Yoimachi Jēn

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circuit play

[Ages 1–2] Challenge Yourself with Movement Play!

Popular both as an everyday play activity and a staple event at sports days, “circuits” come in many forms, often using balance beams and vaulting boxes.

Walk across the balance beam without falling.

Cover a vaulting box with a mat to make a mountain to climb.

Jump over obstacles with both feet, or do a crab walk along tape on the floor.

Circuit activities help develop balance and overall body control.

You can tailor the content to the child’s age, or make it just a little more challenging than their current level.

And when they succeed, be sure to give them plenty of praise.

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sasashina

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sensory toy play

[Indoor Play] Sensory Toys from the Tummy Time Stage #TexturePlay #0YearOlds

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.

Treasure Hunt Game

[Showdown] Loser gets the giant balloon punishment! We tried a treasure hunt game in a room with 1,000 balloons!

A treasure hunt game is an indoor activity that children can enjoy together with their preschool teachers.

After confirming the room is safe, hide items that children will love so they can freely explore.

By searching for and finding the treasures, they can experience fun and a sense of accomplishment.

Watching them wander around looking here and there is heartwarming.

If they’re struggling and say, “I can’t find it!” the teacher should offer support and search together with them.

A treasure hunt game is a charming activity that can be enjoyed with childcare workers.

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tsukada moe

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