Activities For 2 Year Olds (2024)

Hey there, fellow parents and guardians! Are you tired of racking your brains for fun and engaging activities for your energetic 2-year-olds? Fret not, because we’ve got your back! Toddlers have an insatiable curiosity and a never-ending thirst for exploration. And what better way to nurture their growth and development than through play and games? That’s why we’ve put together a list of 39 awesome activities for 2-year-olds that will help them learn, grow, and have a blast all at the same time. So, get ready to join in on the fun and watch your little ones thrive!

Video: Fun and Engaging Activities for 2 Year Olds

Also Read: Boredom Busting Activities for Toddlers

Importance of Activities For 2 Year Olds

As parents, being involved in your toddler’s development takes less effort, but has numerous advantages. Here are some advantages of developmental activities.

• Boosts problem-solving skills and allows children to think strategically
• Introduces children to new concepts and things, right from textures, colours, numbers, etc.
• Some activities require multiple tries to get right. This allows children to try hard until they succeed, along with processing emotions.
• Helps children face their fears and try new things, without the fear of failing.
• Children learn to think more flexible, with developmental activities.

Developmental Activities

Some of the developmental activities for 2-year-olds are as follows:

1. Building Blocks

This game introduces your child to letters and numbers.

How to Do?

Give your toddler a set ofcolourful blockslabelled with alphabets or numbers, and ask him/her to stack them.

What Does it Teach?

• Fine motor skills
• Dexterity

2. Simon Says

Simon Says is a simple game which keeps toddlers entertained for long, while teaching them to follow instructions.

How to Do?

• One child will be ‘Simon’, who will give commands to other children, to follow.
• The catch is, only commands beginning with ‘Simon Says’ must be followed.
• You can also try this activity with your child, without involving anyone.
• Start with easy directions like, “Simon says, place both hands on your cheeks”. And your child will have to follow the command. This way his/her motor skills improve.
• As your child gets good at this activity, you can give complex commands or instructions like, “Simon says, pull your right ear and then your left ear“.
• Many children can participate in this game, which makes it a fun group activity that keeps kids entertained.

What Does it Teach?

• Following instructions
• Gross motor skills

Also Read: Language Development Activities for Toddlers

3. Object Line Tracing

Object line tracing proves useful in preparing your kid to write, later on.

How to Do?

• Place a few objects on a white sheet and encourage your kid to trace lines around it, with chalk or crayons.

What Does it Teach?

• Self-control
• Fine motor skills

4. All Aboard

This activity helps in advancing your toddler’s imagination and creativity.

How to Do?

• Design a car out of a cardboard box.
• Let your kid pretend to drive it around the house

What Does it Teach?

• Creative imagination
• Balance

Also Read: Best Activities To Develop Gross Motor Skills in Toddlers

5. Obstacle Course

This activity boosts many useful skills in your kid.

How to Do?

• Set up an obstacle course using yourkid’s toysand allow him/her to navigate a toy car or truck through it.
• Use different textures to boost the learning experience.

What Does it Teach?

• Eye-hand coordination
• Motor skills

6. Name That Sound

Do you hear that? It’s time for a sound guessing game!

How to Do?

• Grab some household items like keys, a bell, or a whistle
• Make a sound using these objects
• Ask your toddler to identify the sound and match it with the corresponding item.

What Does it Teach?

• Listening skills
• Sound recognition.

7. Paint with Nature

An activity to bond with nature, and explore your artistic skills? Well, count us in!

How to Do?

• Take a walk outside and gather some leaves, flowers, and sticks.
• Dip them in paint and let your little ones go wild with their creativity.

What Does it Teach?

• Fine motor skills
• Appreciation for nature.

8. Play Dress Up

Dress up time isn’t just for Halloween!

How to Do?

• Get out some hats, scarves, and costumes
• Let your toddler use their imagination to become whoever they want to be.

What Does it Teach?

• Creativity, imagination
• Social Skills

Educational and Learning Activities

Some educational and learning activities at home for your 2-year-old, can be:

1. Count Everything

You can use everyday household items for this activity.

How to Do?

• Stack toys or any simple things from your home in a row.
• Count loudly and point at each item as you count.
• Let your child repeat after you until he/she memorises the numbers
• Begin from one to ten, and slowly progress to 20, 30, and so on, as the days pass.

What Does it Teach?

• Counting skills
• Cognitive skills

Also Read:Independent Activities Toddlers Can Do Well

2. Colourful Balls

Toddlers usually love kicking, throwing, and rolling balls. So, get colourful balls for your little one and let him/her play.

How to Do?

• You can provide your kid with a set of soft, plastic, colourful balls which are bound to keep him/her entertained for hours.

What Does it Teach?

• Motor skills, timing
• Hand-eye coordination

3. Sink or Float

This boosts your toddler’s scientific learning.

How to Do?

• Collect a few toys, and fill up a bucket with water. You can even do this during bath time.
• Drop the items into the water, one by one, to see which one sinks or floats.
• Use objects of different weights, so that your toddler can understand the difference between the two.

What Does it Teach?

• Cognition
• Early scientific development

4. Colour Sorting

This activity helps nurture your toddler’s love for colours.

How to Do?

• Arrange a collection of similar items, like wood blocks,Lego pieces, blocks,cars, and magnets, and prompt your kid to categorise them by colour.

What Does it Teach?

• Cognitive skills
• Hand-eye coordination

5. Matching Game

This activity can be an excellent learning tool.

How to Do?

• Draw a vertical line on a sheet of paper.
• Draw two sets of same items, like fruits or vegetables, and have your kid match them.

What Does it Teach?

• Cognitive skills
• Hand-eye coordination

6.ABC Match-Up

It’s time to learn the alphabet!

How to Do?

• Write uppercase and lowercase letters on index cards
• Ask your toddler to match them up.

What Does it Teach?

• Letter recognition
• Basic literacy skills.

7. Shape Scavenger Hunt

A fun game to explore shapes and your surroundings, this one is a sure hit!

How to Do?

• Take a walk around the house
• Find objects that match different shapes like circles, squares, and triangles.

What Does it Teach?

• Shape recognition
• Critical thinking skills.

8. Sensory Play

Sensory play is a great way to promote exploration and creativity.

How to Do?

• Fill a container with rice, beans, or sand
• Let your little one play and experiment with different textures.

What Does it Teach?

• Sensory development
• Problem-solving skills.

Art and Craft Activities

Here’s a list of the sensory art and craft activities for a 2-year-old:

1. Play Dough

Play dough is a versatile activity for kids that provides hours of fun learning

How to Do?

• Buy playdough of different colours and encourage your toddler to create various shapes and patterns with it.

What Does it Teach?

• Fine motor skills
• Eye-hand coordination

2. Colour Mixing

You can make colours more enjoyable for your child, with this activity.

How to Do?

• Show your kid how to combine and make new colours.
• Begin with primary colours, like red + blue= purple.

What Does it Teach?

• Motor skills
• Colour recognition

3. Finger Painting

A messy, yet fun activity for kids!

How to Do?

• Tape a piece of paper to the table and give your toddler small cups of paint.
• Let your kid take control and paint what his/her heart desires.
• It maybe a good idea to dress your kid in old clothes and keep wet wipes handy.

What Does it Teach?

• Motor skills
• Sensory skills

4. Paper and Glue

This activity is both, educative and entertaining.

How to Do?

• Take a sheet of coloured paper and cut small pieces out of it.
• Have your kid paste it on another piece of paper, withglue.
• You can also draw different coloured circles and cut corresponding coloured paper, to develop colour recognition in your kid.

What Does it Teach?

• Hand-eye coordination
• Fine motor skills

5. DIY Craft

DIY craft is a good activity to stimulate your toddler’s creative skills.

How to Do?

• You can try a simple craft, by utilising easily available household items, like aball ofcotton,and giving it an animal form.
• Focus more on the process of creating the art, rather than what the final result looks like.
• Exploring with new materials can make the activity more exciting for your kid.

What Does it Teach?

• Sensory skills
• Cognitive skills

6. Squishy Painting

Let your little one explore colours and textures with this fun art activity.

How to Do?

• Squirt different coloured paints onto a large sheet of paper
• Cover with a clear plastic sheet
• Let your toddler squish and mix the colours with their hands.

What does it teach?

• Develop their fine motor skills
• Hand-eye coordination
• Sensory exploration.

7. Sponge Stamping

Turn ordinary sponges into works of art with this easy stamping activity.

How to Do?

• Cut different shapes out of sponges
• Dip them into paint
• Let your toddler stamp them onto paper to create their own masterpiece.

What does it teach?

• Develop their creativity
• Colour recognition
• Hand-eye coordination.

8. Pipe Cleaner Sculptures

Let your toddler explore their imagination with this simple sculpture activity.

How to Do?

• Give your toddler some colourful pipe cleaners
• Let them twist and bend them into different shapes
• Now they can create their own unique sculptures.

What does it teach?

• Develop their fine motor skills
• Creativity
• Spatial awareness.

Indoor Activities

Some fun activities for2-year-oldsat home, which may retain their interest is:

1. Opposites

This activity is simple and does not require any materials.

How to Do?

• Select a few easy opposites, like sad- happy, and have your kid act them out.
• You can also encourage him/her to speak the words.

What Does it Teach?

• Vocabulary
• Cognitive development

2. Balancing

Balancing activity may tick off most boxes of yourtoddler’s growth and development.

How to Do?

• You can turn a plastic bowl upside down or use astooland have your kid balance himself on it.
• Your kid may enjoy stepping down or jumping off and, climbing over it again.
• Make sure to supervise your kid, during this activity.

What Does it Teach?

• Motor skills
• Balance

3. Zig-Zag

This activity keeps your toddler entertained, and doesn’t take much effort

How to Do?

• Stick colourful tape in various patterns, to the floor in your house.
• Tell your kid to walk on the tape, without losing balance

What Does it Teach?

• Motor Skills
• Balance

4. Straws and Cups

Your toddler will find this light-hearted activity fun.

How to Do?

• Provide your kid with an empty cup and a straw.
• Direct him to put the straw in the cup.

What Does it Teach?

• Hand-eye coordination
• Fine motor skills

5. Touchy-Feely Activity

This interesting activity can be both, informative and exciting.

How to Do?

• Gather a few items that have a different sensory feel, like soft, rough, sticky, or bumpy, in a bowl.
• Then say the word, and have your kid pick out the matching item.

What Does it Teach?

• Cognitive skills
• Sensory skills

6. “Shake It Up” Dance Party

Turn up the music and let your little one dance their heart out! Encourage them to shake their whole body, jump, twirl, and clap along.

How to Do?

• Clear some space
• Put on some music and start moving!
• You can even join in on the fun and show your little one some new dance moves.

What Does it Teach?

• Dancing helps children develop gross motor skills
• Coordination and rhythm

7. Pillow Forts

Build a cozy fort with pillows and blankets (bonus points for string lights!)

How to Do?

• Gather pillows, blankets, and some creativity.
• Use furniture as a foundation
• Layer pillows and blankets to create a cozy hideout.
• String lights can add an extra touch of magic!

What Does it Teach?

• Fine motor skills
• Spatial awareness
• Imaginative play.

8. Puzzle Play

Challenge your child’s problem-solving skills with a puzzle.

How to Do?

• Choose a puzzle that is appropriate for your child’s age and skill level
• Sit with your child and encourage them to fit the pieces together.
• Praise their efforts and celebrate their success!

What Does it Teach?

• Problem-solving skills
• Hand-eye coordination
• Perseverance.

Outdoor Activities

Some meaningful outdoor activities which help in your toddler’s development are :

1. Pouring Water in Cups

There’s always fun in simplicity.

How to Do?

• Provide your kid with few plastic cups and a pitcher.
• Allow him/her to pour water into the cups, from the pitcher.
• Refill the pitcher when it gets empty.

What Does it Teach?

• Fine motor skills
• Hand-eye coordination

2. Playing in Sandbox

Playing ina sandbox keeps your kid amused for a considerable amount of time.

How to Do?

• Create a sandbox and fill it with sand, toys, and small buckets.

What Does it Teach?

• Muscle skills
• Eye-hand coordination

3. Watering the Plants

Toddlers can indulge in their love for water play, through this activity.

How to Do?

• Give your child a plastic watering can and show him/her how to water the plants.

What Does it Teach?

• Sensory skills
• Cognitive skills

4. Planting a Seed

This activity helps inculcate in your kid, a love for nature.

How to Do?

• Assist your kid in planting a seed, and watch it grow!

What Does it Teach?

• Locomotor skills
• Object control skills

5. Sidewalk Chalk

This activity can be a fun way to present shapes and colours to your kid.

How to Do?

• Draw a sidewalk with chalk and have your kid colour it.

What Does it Teach?

• Cognitive skills
• Hand-eye coordination

6.Obstacle Course

Create a mini obstacle course in your backyard.

How to Do?

• Use household items like cones, hula hoops, and cushions
• Create a fun obstacle course for your child to navigate.
• Encourage them to crawl under or jump over objects.

What Does it Teach?

• Gross motor skills
• Problem-solving
• Coordination.

7. Picnic Time

Have a picnic outdoors for a change of scenery.

How to Do?

• Pack a lunch or snack and head outside to a nearby park or your backyard.
• Spread out a blanket and enjoy your meal together while enjoying the outdoors.

What Does it Teach?

• Socialization
• Appreciation of nature
• Exploration.

FAQs

1. How You Can Mentally Stimulate A 2 Year Old?

Here are a few ways you can mentally stimulate a 2 year old:

• Engage them in toddler activities that promote creativity and problem-solving skills, such as building blocks, coloring or playdough.
• Play games for two year olds that involve counting, sorting, or matching. Activities such as puzzles, memory games, and shape-sorters are perfect for this age group.
• Plan fun indoor activities for toddlers that encourage exploration and learning, such as sensory bins, reading books or playing with puppets.
• Remember, every child is unique and may have their own preferences when it comes to activities.

The key is to keep it fun, engaging and age-appropriate, so your little one can develop new skills while having a blast!

2. Which Cognitive Skills Should A 2 Year Old Have?

At 2 years old, a child’s cognitive skills are rapidly developing. Some of the cognitive skills that 2 year olds typically exhibit include:

• Improved memory and recall abilities.
• Basic problem-solving skills and the ability to find solutions to simple challenges.
• Enhanced language skills, such as the ability to understand basic instructions and follow simple rules.

To support your child’s cognitive development, try engaging them in toddler activities that are both fun and stimulating. This could include playing games for two year olds, reading books together, or engaging in creative play with puppets or building blocks. With a little creativity and a lot of patience, you can help your child grow and develop into a confident, capable learner!

3. How Many Hours A Day Should You Play With 2 Year Old?

As a general rule, experts recommend that toddlers engage in at least 1-2 hours of structured playtime each day, in addition to plenty of unstructured playtime as well. Structured playtime could include toddler activities such as reading books, playing games for two year olds, or doing arts and crafts together. Unstructured playtime could include free play with toys, exploring the outdoors, or simply playing together.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to follow your child’s lead and respond to their needs. If they seem to be getting bored or restless, it may be time to switch things up and engage in a new activity. Similarly, if they seem tired or overstimulated, it may be time to take a break and let them rest. With a little flexibility and a lot of love, you can help your child develop into a happy, healthy learner!

These activities will certainly keep your little one engrossed. However, there can never be enough to please him/her, once your child develops an affinity for art and craft activities! Apart from these fun activities, another great way to ensure that your little one stays away from the screen and engrossed in developmental activities is by getting him an activity box for toddlers.It will offer your child exciting and fun new ways to improve his/her ability to imagine, create and make memories. There is a different box for every month, which packs learning into challenging DIY activities, storybooks, and attractive worksheets!

Learning through play is a delightful way to get your child started off on the journey of gaining knowledge and exploring the world around him. Not only does he/she get to learn something new, your little one gets to have plenty of fun with it as well!

Also Read:

Tips for Encouraging Good Behaviour in Toddlers
Fun and Interactive Learning Activities for Toddlers
Working Ways to Overcome Obstacles during Physical Activity in Toddlers