[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
- Ideas for indoor play, physical activities, and games suited to the development of 2-year-olds
- [Childcare / Physical Play] Fun Activities to Get Moving
- [Childcare] Let’s all play! A collection of recommended ideas for group play and games
- Indoor activities that 2-year-olds can enjoy. Recommended at-home games that will keep them engaged.
- 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.
[For 2-year-olds] Let’s get moving! A collection of ideas for exercise play and games (41–50)
Abuku-tatta
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.
Musical chairs
When it comes to classic kids’ games, “musical chairs” has to be one of the top picks.
Children walk around a circle of chairs to the music, and when the music stops, they hurry to sit down.
There’s always one fewer chair than the number of participants, so someone is left without a seat.
You repeat this until the child who manages to sit in the final remaining chair is the winner.
For two-year-olds, it can help for adults to join in and guide them by saying things like, “There’s an empty chair over here.” Be careful not to let things get too intense—pushing can happen and someone might get hurt, so keep a close eye on them.
circuit 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.
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.
Signaling Game
It’s also great for a quick play during small breaks! Here’s an idea for a traffic light game.
Traffic lights are important indicators for learning traffic rules.
When crossing roads where cars and bicycles are moving, they play a crucial role in keeping yourself safe.
This time, let’s use the colors of the traffic light to play a game.
Move forward on “green,” step back on “yellow,” and stop on “red.” Through these simple rules, children can get a feel for the basic rules of “waiting” and “moving.”
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.
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!