What are some fun activities to do with 2 year old?

Question

I do home daycare and I'm running out of fun things to do. The kids are to little to do things by themselfs but its so hard to keep there attention on anythink. Any ideas?

Umm, Did anyone read that they are 2 years old? They put everything I give them in there mouths. I also live in Apartment type building. I do not have a outside that they can use for that stuff.

Answer 1

I recommend looking for ideas in a book such as,The Toddlers Busy Book by Trish Kuffner. This book offers many ideas for crafts, games, and indoor play that do not require messy materials--though many do because at this age messy is fun!

You can also try fingerplay and cooperative games like passing a (foam) ball and make a song out of everything!! My toddler loves the "waiting song" we made up...Just about anything is more fun if it has a song to go with it!

Try games like 'I, spy', 'Simon says', "Red. Light, Green Light' (but instead of running, have them walk like a duck, for example. Also, hide and seek; have the kids take turns hiding (you can whisper an appropriate hiding place into their ears) while the other kids count or if your apartment is too small of children to hide try hiding an item you show them beforehand, such as a favorite toy, then of course SING! I can even sing while doing the dishes and my 2 year old searches for an item in the kitchen. I sometimes hide more than one very familiar thing so if one is not so *easy* to find, I can say, "hmm, let's find the red truck now".

If these games 'fail' quickly there is no mess to clean up and you can jump into another game!

Try also making their routine things, like taking shoes and socks off, getting ready for nap time, or cleaning up toys, into a game..."Let's put the teddy bear into the basket...ok, now Timmy, you put the blocks into the box!"

Some days you may not feel like singing, but wow does it usually make a difference in just about any situation and with just about any kid!

Good luck.

Answer 2

The outdoor environment is full of rich learning experiences not found indoors. I suggest you take your boy outdoors for an hour or so each day- perhaps you have a garden in the neighbourhood or a park. These places are full of different things for children to experiment, discover, and explore. Not only can he have fun running around, he will be able to notice the weather, insects, plants, and everything going on around around him. You can talk with him about almost anything, from leaves to the sky. This environment makes them curious- it stimulates their curiousity and they want answers to their questions about the new things they discover. A good time would be in the afternoon, that way he will go to bed contented after a fun day. Before he sleeps you could read him a story of whatever he saw that day in the garden- about an insert or bird.

For some indoor activities you can play some sensory games with water in the bathtub- he can play with funnels and plastic sieves. You can also play with toy telephones- have one each-it will encourage verbal communication and how to communicate with mummy and daddy on the phone. Another activity is to have one red oval ladybug with several strips of black circular stickers. You can show him how peel the stickers off the paper and attach them to their ladybugs. You can have different activities- either sticking stickers on pictures or colouring with crayons- all this will help prepare his hand for the fine moter skills in school such as holding a pencil. Playdough is another fun activity. He might find indoor bowling fun too- small plastic balls with some pins to knock down. You need to have a special rug for a playtime area.

Answer 3

I feel for you, girl. I worked in daycare for 4 years. Barney just doesn't cut it anymore. When the 2's got bored, I would turn on the radio to an upbeat or clean song and ballroom dance or just dance with them. The housekeeping section was always the popular spot for them.So when they got bored with the kitchen toys I would add dress up clothes or "props" like kids cereal boxes. I would fill the boxes with newspaper and tape them all around with clear tape.They will eventually get inside but it will take awhile.I would make prop soda bottles filled with colored water to look real drinks and super glue them CLOSED! They always liked the audio books that I rented from the library. If they are rough on the books I would make hands on books by clipping pictures of all kinds of people everyday or famous.Paste the clippings on construction paper. Laminate it and make it a book. The most popular book was one I made with pictures of the children, teachers, and parents that came to the school. They so were proud that they were able to recall the names of all the faces in that book. Fingerpainting and watercolors are irresistable to them at this age. I hope this helps some.

Answer 4

Coloring is fun. But sidewalk chalk is good too. Its summer/fall so its good to take them outside. If they have a large area they can run around and draw and stuff. I guess if you keep talking and keep them interested they will sit down. I would recommend that you dont just quit and stuff a DVD in and make them sit. cant you do things over again, i mean will they rmember that you already did something last week? Why dont you ask the kids what they want to do. Then you can teach them about voting and a democracy. Yay!

Answer 5

I have a two year old as well! Here are a few of the things we do: Arts and crafts- this age group is fun because they can really start to do things on their own. Letting them paint as they want to is a liberating feeling for them. I also like to cut out the parts of a picture and let my 2 yr old put them in order ( example is I cut out a big circle then two eyes, a nose a mouth and hair. then I let her use the glue stick and put the parts of the face where they go. You can do the same thing with flower parts ( petals, stem, leaves) and animals. Hide and Seek- Kids love this game. You can have a simple version where you hide a favorite toy of theirs and then you help to find it or you can hide and have your child find you. Hi Hi Cherry-o. My daughter LOVES being able to play a board game with us. And this game is a great one for this age. Shaving cream- For a child who won't automatically put things int heir mouth, this is a great tactile/sensory activity. Put a few squirts of shaving cream in your bathroom sink and let your child play with it. You can add in measuring cups and spoons, too. This is a big hit with this age group Stacking and sorting games are a big hit. They love it even better if they get to sort things like buttons, silverware and other house hold items. Those are just a few! Hope you enjoy them! There are also a ton of sites online. Google search " Toddler activities" and you'll have your hearts content of fun things to do with your child.

Answer 6

Hi I am nanny and i work with a 2 and 3 year old. Our favorite activities are definatly painting. You should do messy activities with them b/c they usually dont get to do them at home. We love to finger paint. Normally we think of a topic i.e. our favorite part of today..and then try to paint pictures of it. Dont just use paint though. Get some stickers and glitter pens, popsicle sticks. They love to make pictures. Or hide and seek is our number one game. At two they like to be hands on so you could make cupcakes and then mix up some colored frosting and let them try to frost the cupcakes then get them sprinkles and let them decorate however they want. The big leggos are another hit, they could spend hours building and rebuilding things..they like it better when you are also involved in what they are doing. Dont forget Playdough..you can make it yourself, look up how to make koolaid playdough, they can help you make it and then they will have even more fun playing with it b/c they know they helped you, if you dont have playdough toys just use cookie cutters, spoons and rolling pins. 2 year olds are so fun and creative if you have patience to play with them and clean up after them!! good luck!! Email me for more tips or directions for different art projects. Im in school for teahchin and am a former preshool attendant

Answer 7

Sing songs, do puzzles, watch videos together, teach them new words, play "mommy" with a baby doll, teach them to dance, do "ring around the rosie" type games. Playing peekaboo or even chasing works too. Have fun!

Answer 8

Use coolwhip and have them smear it on large construction paper.
Let that dry. Trace their hands an paper and cut out, glue on a
paper plate and punch a hole on the top and thread a ribbon thru the hole. Makes a great mobile for parents.

Answer 9

Pour a big bag of rice into a large tupperware container.... or baking pan... hide little toys in it and go for a treasure hunt! Helps with learning words like "in" and "out" "find".... (also the names of the toys) Its almost like playing in the sand only you can do it inside... I would do it over a blanket for fast and easy clean up!

Answer 10

anything bright and colourful should keep their attention
as this is interesting to them try
dolls or teddy bears
building bricks/blocks
boo
tickles
stories
empty boxes
walkabout toys
visit the early learning center
also i dont know if theyre too young but try getting them to scribble
sing the alphabet and nursery rhymes