Two-year-olds are overflowing with mental and physical energy that they must exhaust. Play and activities that forge them into teens and adults start at a young age. You can fill your child’s days with fun schedules that include physical, intellectual and emotional development.
Not sure what to do with a 2-year-old?
We’re going to share 27 + fun options that will keep your child occupied for hours.
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Why Activities for 2-Year-Olds Really Matter
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents find opportunities to promote healthy behaviors in their children. Starting at a young age, it’s important to expose kids to as many stimuli as possible.
Yes, 2-year-old activities do matter because they offer:
- Brain development to making millions of neural connections. Sorting colors and stacking blocks are good options.
- Language development skills, which are refined with singing, reading books and other activities.
- Fine and gross motor skills that help with writing, sports and other activities later in life. A climbing dome for kids or a helper stool for kitchen learning are two great options.
- Social and emotional development allows children to play with others and make friends.
- Learning independence and confidence with the help of cleaning up toys, completing puzzles and enjoying parent-free playtime.
Imagination and creativity are nurtured over time with the help of the activities that you add to your child’s daily routine.
Below are more than two dozen choices for you to consider adding to your child’s schedule.
Educational Activities for 2-Year-Olds at Home
Games at this age can help spur educational development and can include:
1. Color Sorting Games
You can help build visual acuity and cognitive development with this simple activity:
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- Gather items of all colors, from socks to toys.
- Place them on the floor, in a box or in a cup.
- Have your child move the same-color items together in one pile.
2. DIY Sensory Bin
Your child’s sensory, language and fine motor skills all need refinement. This DIY option is easy to get started with:
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- Gather a large bin.
- Place rice, pasta and other items in it.
- Hide the items underneath the cups.
- Add toys and other treasures to the bin.
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Ask your child to find the treasures.
For example, “Yay, you found the car underneath the blue cup.”
3. Puzzle and Shape Sorting
Spatial reasoning and shape recognition can be honed with the help of this activity.
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- Purchase 3 or 4 puzzles.
- Make the puzzles fun (animals, cartoons, etc.).
- Show your child how to put the puzzle together.
- Allow the child to play, but be sure pieces are large enough not to be a choking hazard.
4.Number Identification
Teach your two-year-old how to identify numbers. You can:
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- Buy number blocks or create them on stationery.
- Ask the child to identify all of the numbers.
- Reinforce learning by correcting them.
Montessori Activities for 2-Year-Olds
At Little Partners, we know the importance of easy Montessori activities like:
5. Balance Beam Challenges
The Learn N’ Balance beam for kids is a fun and challenging option that is easy to start with:
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- Set up the balance beam.
- Place it in a line and hold the child’s hand.
- Walk with them as they build their balance.
- Add colored pads and create your own fun games.
6. Montessori Stepping Stones
A good balance game for children that is fun and offers bright colors is stepping stones.
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- Place the stepping stones for kids on the floor.
- Play hopping games between them.
- Ask your child to stand on one leg on the circle, heart or triangle.
7. Pikler Sets
Our pikler triangle set is one of the best Montessori activities for 2-year-olds to build strength and coordination:
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- Set the triangle up.
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Allow the child to climb up and down the set.
8. Table Cleaning
Washing tables is a vital life skill that builds independence and fine motor skills:
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- Provide the child with soap, water and a sponge.
- Show the child how to clean the table.
- Make cleaning a game that you play together.
Sensory & Fine Motor Activities for 2-Year-Olds
Strengthening little hands is one of the most fun activities to do with 2-year-olds and includes:
9. Finger Painting
Build coordination and creativity with simple finger painting activities.
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- Tape paper to a tray.
- Set out non-toxic fingerpaints.
- Show your child how to paint with their hands.
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Expand with animal and landscape paintings.
10. Playdough
A simple and easy activity.
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- Buy playdough from the store.
- Make fun creations with your child.
- Introduce rolling pins and cookie cutters.
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Experiment with making the dough flat or into a roll.
11. Sticker Play
Build dexterity and grasp by:
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- Provide easy-to-peel stickers.
- Ask the child to place them in a notebook.
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Create simple sticker tasks.
12. Bead Threading
Use large, non-chocking hazard beads for this task.
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- Buy large wooden beads.
- Show your child how to bead the beads.
- Make fun creations together.
Gross Motor & Movement Activities for Active 2-Year-Olds
Help your child build their motor skills with:
13. Animal Walks
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- Call out an animal’s name.
- Ask the child to walk like an animal.
14. Obstacle Course
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- Place pillows on the floor for the child to climb over.
- Add chairs to crawl under.
- Put tape on the floor to walk on.
15. Kick Ball
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- Roll a large ball to the child outside.
- Ask your child to kick it.
- Experiment with multiple ball sizes.
16. Jumping Games
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- Set cushioned mats on the floor.
- Ask the child to jump on one or both feet.
- Draw squares on the ground with chalk.
- Ask the child to jump in each square.
Outdoor Activities for 2-Year-Olds That Encourage Exploration
On nice days, it’s best to add in some fun outside. Outdoor activities for 2-year-olds include:
17. Scavenger Hunt
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- Provide your child with photos of things to find outside.
- Give your child a basket or bag.
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Ask them to collect the items.
18. Sand Castles
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- Go to the beach.
- Provide pails and shovels.
- Have fun making sand castles.
19. Bug Hunt
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- Grab your magnifying glass.
- Begin looking for bugs.
- Explore movements together.
Indoor Activities for 2-Year-Olds on Rainy or Busy Days
Raining or cold outside? Try these indoor activities for 2-year-olds:
20. Pillow Fort
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- Gather 10 or more pillows.
- Build a fort together.
- Decorate the inside.
21. Scavenger Hunt
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- Hide spoons, toys and blocks.
- Ask the child to find them.
- Give them clues, such as ”your teddy bear is under something red.”
22. Sock Toss
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- Place a laundry bin in the doorway.
- Roll up socks.
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Toss them in the bin.
23. Dance Party
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- Play your child’s favorite songs.
- Dance together and have fun.
- Encourage your child to make up dances.
Easy Art and Craft Activities for 2-Year-Olds
Arts and crafts are always great opportunities for children to explore and learn. These activities can help:
24. Sponge Painting
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- Cut sponges into fun shapes, such as stars.
- Dip the sponges in washable paint.
- Start painting together.
25. Drawing Party
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- Set up an easel.
- Add large drawing paper.
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Start drawing anything you see.
26. Sticker Collage
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- Buy an assortment of stickers.
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Ask your child to make a collage.
27. Paper Plate Masks
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- Give your child paper plates.
- Attach a rubber band to the back.
- Cut faces into the masks.
- Try them on.
Weekly Activity Planner Template
Print or download this template to fill in your child’s activities for the week.
FAQ
What types of activities help two‑year‑olds learn best?
Variety. Kids have different intellectual development patterns. One child may prefer STEM, while others prefer art. Mix up our activities to find ones that resonate best with your children.
How much structure should I offer vs letting them explore freely?
Balance both. Set clear boundaries and expectations that allow them to explore and develop a sense of independence. But also provide some structure for educational, physical, cognitive, creative and brain development activities for 2-year-olds.
How often should I change activities to keep my toddler engaged?
Experimentation is your best option. If you rotate in fun learning activities for 2-year-olds, you’ll be able to monitor their behavior and whether or not certain activities engage them or not.
Are outdoor activities necessary every day?
No, but it’s one of the things to do with a 2-year-old that should be on your schedule a few times a week. Whether playing a sport or trying to teach your child to be independent, spending time outside is always good for your child’s health.
How do I keep my 2-year-old busy while working from home?
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – William Butler Yeats. Follow our fun activities for 2-year-olds above that will keep your toddler occupied at home while you’re putting a roof over their head.