[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.
- No prep needed! Indoor play and game ideas that 2-year-olds will enjoy
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- For 2-year-olds! Fun craft activities and indoor play ideas
- [Childcare] Recommended play ideas for caring for 2-year-olds
- Recommended for 3-year-olds! Fun indoor activities and group game ideas
- Useful for childcare! Today’s recommended recreational activities, including fingerplay and games!
- Toddler-approved fun! DIY toy ideas for 2-year-olds
- Ideas for performances recommended for two-year-olds’ recitals and play events
- Ideas for indoor play and physical activities recommended for 1-year-olds
- No prep needed! Indoor activities for 3-year-olds, including movement play and group games.
[Age 2] Let’s Move Our Bodies! A Collection of Exercise Play and Game Ideas (11–20)
Ball tag
Let me introduce a tag game using a soft ball, called “Ball Oni.” Once the tagger (oni) is chosen, the tagger chases the others while holding the ball.
The tagger throws the ball at the players who are running away.
The player who gets hit by the ball becomes the next tagger and they switch roles.
Running and throwing the ball provide full-body exercise.
When playing Ball Oni, be sure to use a soft ball and explain safety rules beforehand, such as not aiming at the head or face.
If you’re in a large area, it might also be good to set boundaries for where players can run.
Come-here game
Even though the rules are super simple, let’s try playing the “Come Here, Come Here Game,” which kids are guaranteed to love! Divide into a teacher and children.
The teacher gently beckons to the children, saying “Come here, come here.” While the teacher is saying it, the children move slowly toward the teacher without running.
When the teacher suddenly says, “Come here, come here…
It’s a ghost!” the children have to run away so they don’t get caught.
Once everyone gets used to it, you can make it even more exciting by faking them out with similar-sounding words to “ghost,” like “pot” or “mother.”
footrace
Running games in the playground are perfect for two-year-olds because they move their whole bodies.
It’s also recommended to incorporate various movements—like running slowly or with big motions while imitating animals such as elephants and ducks—to keep the running game engaging.
Drawing circles or other shapes in the running area can help children see where it’s fun to run.
Be sure to check the ground for dangerous stones or uneven spots, and enjoy safely.
Plastic Bottle Bowling
Let me introduce an easy and fun game: plastic bottle bowling.
Arrange plastic bottles in a bowling pin formation, then throw a ball to knock them down.
It’s a game where you compete to see how many bottles you can topple.
It’s a good idea to adjust the weight of the ball according to the players’ ages.
You can also add a little water to the bottles or try other tweaks to make it more exciting.
Writing point values on the bottles and competing for scores, or playing in teams and competing against each other, can make it even more fun!
Hoop Musical Chairs
Let’s use our bodies and brains to play! Here’s an idea for a hula hoop musical chairs game.
Prepare about 10 small hula hoops in various colors.
While everyone hums a song with a deserted-island theme, walk around the hula hoops.
When the teacher calls out “1, 2, 3,” everyone steps onto a hula hoop island.
If you gradually reduce the number of hula hoops as you play, it’ll get exciting and suspenseful! Once everyone gets used to the game, try specifying which color hoop to enter, or say objects related to a color and have everyone connect the clue to the color as they play.
Animal Role-Playing Game
Let me introduce the Animal Role-Play Game, where you pretend to be animals.
The rules are simple: you become the animal given as the prompt and play by running around cones or avoiding obstacles.
Because you move your whole body, it can really liven up parties and gatherings.
Wearing animal masks or making animal sounds while you play is also recommended.
When you start the game, make sure to secure a spacious area and play safely to avoid injuries!
[Age 2] Let's Get Moving! A Collection of Physical Activity and Game Ideas (21–30)
Moving Game
I’d like to introduce the “Moving House Game,” which has a tag-like element and can be enjoyed even by young children who only vaguely understand rules.
First, set up two safe zones some distance apart, and have the children wait in the first safe zone.
When the game starts, the person playing the Wolf says, “Moving house!” When you hear it, quickly move to the other safe zone.
The Wolf will chase you, so be careful not to get caught.
This game requires a bit of space, but with some creativity—like crawling or pretending to be rabbits to escape—it can be enjoyed even in smaller areas.
