Fun indoor activities for a 2 year old?

Question

My daughter is a little over two. In the summer we usually go to the park, zoo, etc. But now it is getting colder and she is bored being inside all day. What are some fun things I can do with her? Games, crafts, activities?

Answer 1

Right now is a GREAT time for her to add her own touch to the Christmas tree. Look online for paper christmas ornaments. They may not be perfect but they are perfect for her. She will be SO proud of herself.

Something good is for you to cut out snowflakes from paper. Then have all sorts of beads, gliter glue, etc to add to them. Look in the local craft department. There is SO much. With the glue I suggest she doesn't use it of course. Have her pick the item she would like to put on the snowflake (place them in little bowls so she can openingly see all her options). You put the glue on and let her (with some guidance) put the decorations on. Do one side and let it dry and do the other. You can also do the same by cutting Christmas trees out of felt or construction paper.

Something REALLY cute, trace her hand on green construction paper. If you go to the local craft store (even WalMart) you can find simple wood or metal rings (the size of a wreath). You will need about 20-40 hand cutouts depending on the size of round metal you get. You can either decorate the hand cutouts before you glue them onto the rings or after. You will have your very own wreath for somewhere in the house.

You will look back on these decorations in about 10 years and be like "oh i remember when we did this...". My son is 3 years old and last Christmas and this Christmas we have made crafts for the holidays.

I am sure your daughter would LOVE to help you decorate baked goodies. Not only will she love to decorate the cookies, but she will LOVE to hand them out to family and friends. Just a simple plate with plastic wrap and bow and she will be estatic.

As for after the holidays I have provided a couple of links (on the bottom) to give you some ideas. This age is SO fun and they love to learn.

Now is a GREAT time to start teaching ABCs and 123s as well as colors. I started my son very early at about 18 months and by 2 he knew it all. They have foam floor mats (i suggest the 12 in by 12 in) that have the ABCs and 123s (come in colors so it an all in one thing) (the very last link). I suggest you take all the letters and numbers up and put them in a pile. Pick up a one at a time. Tell her what it is and have her repeat it back to you. When she repeats it back ask her if she can find where it goes (like putting a puzzle together). After a while stop telling her what they are and ask her to tell you. When she can tell you she can put it back where it belongs. If she can't remember you tell her and put it back in the pile. After 3 separate tries on the same letter if she does not get it let her put it in place anyway but make sure you have her repeat what is it called. You can usually find them at Toys R Us or many places online.

Maybe for Christmas you can get her a dressup box. They have storage boxes (usually wood or durable plastic). They come with SO many dress up outfits for girls it is unbelievable.

Puppets! EVERY child loves puppets. You can make puppets out of socks or paper bags. Baby Einstein also sells really great ones. No child can resist making a puppet show and making up a story of there own. Make sure you give a good applause at the end (even if the story makes no sense...which happens with my son). But it is SO wonderful to see him light up.

Also consider a Vsmile video game system (they even come in pink). It runs aobut $60. Games run about $20. They have even came out with a hand held. Unlike every other game system. The cartridges work same for the home console as the hand held. And you don't have to switch the game console every 1-2 years as your child grows.

Good luck hon

Answer 2

Ok it's getting colder, so bundle up and get outside, who says you HAVE to stay indoors all day? Indoors is where one is exposed to colds and flus more because the germs stay within the house for longer periods of time. So get outside, breath the fresh(?) air, open up those lungs and make the body more able to fight against those indoor germs.
While indoors drag out the blankets and sheets, make a tent with the dining room table. Have a tea party. Put on some music and dance. Sing silly songs Sit in a big comfy chair and read together.

Answer 3

Make a fort, play baby dolls, build with blocks, read stories there is also a lot of games out there you can do together that lucky ducks farm bingo. Fun matching that she should be able to catch onto easily. Just be prepared to lose they like winning. May set aside one day a week for arts in crafts you can make playdough together do finger paints. You can also go to a craft store buy a bird house and feeder and decorate them together then she can watch it everday to see if any birds can come to use it and you can use the time to teach her the differnt types. You can also visit public libaries alot have story times. Would give you both a chance to mingle with other people.

Answer 4

I have twins of 2 years and 9 months. I tend to dread the winter months too, but this year I am getting prepared.

I have a shoe box that is full of ideas for wet day activities, here are some of the ideas:
go to the garden centre and see the fish / hamsters / rabbits.
go to IKEA
finger painting at home
making cookies at home
arrange play dates at home with other kids
make musical instruments, and play music and dance
collect leaves from the forest and make them into cards / art work
grow cress on the window sill, or beans
dressing up
controlled watching of dvd's that are age appropriate

I also have a big box of art materials, including, glue, stickers, glitter etc, this means you are always prepared for art activities.
I also keep a supply of silver balls, chocolate sprinkles etc for decorating and icing cakes.

I also make sure I get out to local mum and toddler playgroups, which provides social interaction for me and the kids.

My experience is that it's necessary to be organised and plan ahead for activities, so I usually know on Monday what I'll do over the whole week. This means I do something with the kids, and don't end up just moping around at home.

It's a great time to be with your child, they love learning and love being with you. Enjoy it while you have them at home.

Answer 5

building forts are fun out of chairs and couch cushions and blankets. Play dough is fun for them and then you can make goo with corn starch and water. when done right it will be liquid when not moving but if you keep it moving in your hands it becomes solid. I don't measure so I can't tell you how much of each you will want to do so try it out that is always fun too. Reading to him is a good way to calm him down as well I don't know most of these things you probably already do so just play and have fun!

Answer 6

Ahh, now the feeling. My daughter loves being outside. She will be 3 in February. Since right now is Christmas, we have been coloring Christmas Pages like no other. She loves Christmas shows, so we pop in Charlie Brown Christmas, and watch that, she loves to cuddle up on the couch. We made a Santa Claus Countdown calendar, that was an experience, but it was a lot of fun....fingerpainting, (its messy and they love it) Painting w/water color books, Reading books (she loves reading, let them pick the books out) Or, even if I am doing laundry, dishes or whatever she loves to get out her cleaning set and start right in.

Answer 7

My son is 20 months old today, his favorite activity is doing the dishes. I slowly fill up the sink with sudsy lukewarm water and I put his plastic dishes in the water. He plays for a long time doing the dishes and playing with the bubbles. I am then able to clean other areas in the kitchen. Yes he gets wet and the floor is wet too, but his smiles are memories i will cherish forever.

Peace...Imma

Answer 8

don't forget household chores. Yes, I am serious. Chores can be fun and educational especially when done together. My kids helped with the laundry and dishes and My son even pushed an old fashioned lawn mower with his Dad while he was still in diapers. My children learned that work can be fun. matching socks and dusting with socks on their hands, etc. Make work into a game and you will be training your children in life skills that are so valuable and often missing these days.

Answer 9

Put a tarp on the floor, and butcher paper on the walls... let her go to town with paint, crayons, markers, glitter etc... put vanilla extract, or peppermint, or orange extract in the paint, the different textures and scents are a neat learning experience.... make sure she knows this is a special thing and to not color on the walls unless mommy says so...

Answer 10

painting (get messy), shaving cream mixed with non toxic paint (sort of 3D painting), jigsaw puzzles, cooking (with 2yr old helping measure and mix... leads to messy kitchen but the kid has fun and owns the food... also handy for getting child to eat healthier food, mine was always more likely to eat his own creations), playdoh (make your own to keep costs down, child can help), books... sorry its probably all obvious stuff.
Cheers,
Ruby