[For 2-year-olds] Let’s get moving! A collection of ideas for physical play and movement games
By the time children are around two years old, they can do a variety of movements and their play becomes more dynamic.
Are there any teachers who want their children to play a lot but are struggling with a limited repertoire of activities?
It would be wonderful if teachers could promote children’s development by playing together with them as they grow each day.
With that in mind, we’ve gathered recommended physical activities and games for two-year-olds.
We’ve included ideas that don’t require equipment and ones you can do indoors, so please use them as a reference.
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[For 2-year-olds] Let’s get moving! A collection of ideas for exercise play and games (41–50)
Thunder Game
The “Thunder Game” is very simple but really exciting.
The rule is just this: when someone says “Thunder!” you hide your belly button.
That’s it! But the word you hear won’t always be “thunder.” After grabbing the kids’ attention with something like “Th-th-th…,” if you suddenly say “Crow!” some of them will instinctively cover their bellies.
The fun of this game is enjoying that little thrill.
Try playing with the kids by mixing in feints and confusing words.
Tail tag
“Tail Tag” is a classic game in early childhood settings.
The standard rules can be hard for two-year-olds, so try splitting into a team that wears tails and runs away and a team that chases, like a game of tag.
When a child grabs a tail, they tuck that tail into their own pants and switch to the runner role.
Conversely, the child who lost their tail becomes a chaser.
Some children may feel upset and cry when their tail is taken, but that’s an important experience too.
It helps them practice shifting gears, learn that sometimes you lose a game, and think, “I’ll try harder next time.” I believe it’s a play activity that fosters children’s emotional growth.
Target shooting game
Let’s have fun with a balloon target game! Tie yarn to inflated balloons and hang them on the room’s wall.
Once you’ve prepared several, crumple up newspaper to make balls and secure them with tape so they don’t unravel.
Now you’re ready to play.
Mark a throwing line with tape, and have the children throw the balls from that line, aiming at the balloons.
Drawing pictures on the balloons and saying, “Let’s aim for that picture!” makes it even more fun.
Target games help develop visual tracking and control, so they’re perfect to play with kids.
ball toss (traditional Japanese beanbag/ball-throwing game)
Tamaire is a classic event at sports festivals.
In the original version, you aim at a basket set up high and throw balls into it.
But when playing with infants, it’s easier if you place the basket on the floor or mount it low on a wall.
Any kind of ball works, but it’s also fun to help them crumple newspaper to make paper balls.
Encourage them by saying, “Let’s aim for the basket! How many can we get in?” and have the children throw the balls at the basket.
At the end, put everything into the basket together—tidying up becomes part of the fun!
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!