Lovely childcare

[For 2-year-olds] Let’s get moving! A collection of ideas for physical play and movement games

20 years of experience as a nursery teacher / kindergarten teacherhiyoko sensei
I’m Hiyoko-sensei, a former nursery school teacher from Hyogo Prefecture. Ever since I was five, my dream was to become a childcare worker, and before I knew it, 20 years had passed since I achieved that dream. Through singing and playing with the children, I kept working with the spirit of someone in their twenties, even as I increasingly felt my physical limits year by year (haha). From here on, I’d like to share helpful information carefully and thoughtfully, drawing on my on-site experience.
Nursery Teacher Mom Writertsukada moe
After working for five years at an after-school childcare club and three years at a nursery school, I began working as a freelance writer. I’m a mother of two children. Inspired by playing the flute in the school wind ensemble in elementary school, I joined a jazz club at university. I’ve also incorporated ukulele and piano performance into childcare. Playing, laughing, feeling sad, feeling frustrated—through all kinds of experiences, I want children to grow.

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.

[For 2-year-olds] Let’s get moving! A collection of ideas for exercise play and games (41–50)

Goldfish Migration Circuit

Tomobe Kindergarten Sports Day Event Description No. 6: “Goldfish Moving Operation”

Goldfish Migration Circuit

Let’s reach the finish line together! Here’s an idea for a Goldfish Migration Circuit.

You’ll need handmade scoops (poi), two kiddie pools, goldfish made from colored plastic bags, and red-and-white flags.

Many children may feel nervous about the different atmosphere of sports day.

Joining the event together as parent and child can help ease those nerves.

This event requires parent–child cooperation! Work together, cheering each other on, to successfully move the goldfish.

The cute costumes are another highlight!

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Abuku-tatta

[Play] 3 Play Ideas [Daycare/Kindergarten]

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.

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Musical chairs

Musical chairs [ages 2–3]

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.

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circuit play

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

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.

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Eurhythmics play

Let's Move Our Bodies Like Animals! ~Eurhythmics~ [2-Year-Olds] | Minami Senrioka Play & Learning Nursery [Daycare/Kindergarten Event]

Eurhythmics play

Let’s play with eurhythmics—moving our bodies to music! Any song is fine, but starting with animal-themed songs may make it easier to understand.

For example, if the children’s song “Zō-san” (Mr.

Elephant) is playing, you could use your arms to show a long trunk or mimic a sumo wrestler’s stomps to express the elephant’s size.

For frog or rabbit songs, try jumping; for a dragonfly song, run with arms spread wide.

Encourage full-body movements to explore different expressions.

It also helps to add contrast by having the children freeze when the music stops—that’s a fun trick to keep them engaged.

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