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Home » Blog » Parenting » 10 Creative Play Ideas for 2-Year-Olds

10 Creative Play Ideas for 2-Year-Olds

November 26, 2024 by Sammy Leave a Comment

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Looking for fun play ideas for your energetic 2-year-old? Here’s a collection of simple at home activities your toddler will love.

Whether it’s arts and crafts, outdoor games, I’ve got lots of ideas for you to keep them busy year round!

Creative Finger Painting Fun

A child finger painting with vibrant colors on a large sheet of paper.

Finger painting brings out the artist in everyone! Kids can let their imaginations run wild with colors and textures. It’s a fun way to express creativity while getting a little messy!

# Preview Product Price
1 Crayola Washable Finger Paints (6ct), Toddler... Crayola Washable Finger Paints (6ct), Toddler… $16.27Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Crayola Washable Kids Paint (6ct), Paint Set for... Crayola Washable Kids Paint (6ct), Paint Set for… $4.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 CraftyManor 4 Colors Washable Stamp Pad for Kids... CraftyManor 4 Colors Washable Stamp Pad for Kids… $6.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 ABEIER Washable Finger Paint for Toddlers, Safe... ABEIER Washable Finger Paint for Toddlers, Safe… $15.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 AROIC 8PCS Washable Finger Paint for Kids,... AROIC 8PCS Washable Finger Paint for Kids,… $7.98Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Building with Magnetic Blocks

All of my kids love magnet blocks. The best part is that they stay fun from toddlerhood to big kid.

There are so many magnet blocks to choose from. Some brands even sell themed kits with animals or cars!

I’ve shared some of my favorites below.

# Preview Product Price
1 MAGNA-TILES Classic 100-Piece Magnetic... MAGNA-TILES Classic 100-Piece Magnetic… $119.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 MAGNA-TILES microMAGS 26-Piece Travel Magnetic... MAGNA-TILES microMAGS 26-Piece Travel Magnetic… $19.97Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 Twhanpao Sprunki Figures Magnetic Blocks Set, 1... Twhanpao Sprunki Figures Magnetic Blocks Set, 1… $45.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set 100pcs Magnet Building... PicassoTiles 100 Piece Set 100pcs Magnet Building… $39.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 MAGNA-TILES Classic 32-Piece Magnetic Construction... MAGNA-TILES Classic 32-Piece Magnetic Construction… $49.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Sensory Play with Rice and Beans

Sensory bin, idea for child development.

Using rice and beans for sensory play is a fantastic way to keep kids engaged. They can scoop, pour, and mix different colors while exploring textures. This hands-on activity not only entertains but also helps develop fine motor skills.

This can be simple as putting some colored rice in a bin or ordering a done for you sensory kit like I’ve shared below.

# Preview Product Price
1 Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Outer Space Toys... Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Outer Space Toys… $19.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Construction Zone... Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Construction Zone… $19.95Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 LOLO TOYS Sensory Kit for Toddlers and Kids -... LOLO TOYS Sensory Kit for Toddlers and Kids -… Buy on Amazon
4 FIIOEOY Snow Sensory Bin, Play Sand Art Kit for... FIIOEOY Snow Sensory Bin, Play Sand Art Kit for… $22.86Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 Carolart Pet Sensory bin,Dog and Cat Sandbox for... Carolart Pet Sensory bin,Dog and Cat Sandbox for… $24.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Interactive Storytime Adventures

A father and child reading a colorful picture book together, sharing smiles and happiness.

Reading together brings joy and laughter. It’s a great way to bond with your toddler while introducing early literacy skills to them as well.

# Preview Product Price
1 Sleep Like a Tiger: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner... Sleep Like a Tiger: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner… $11.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Mel Fell: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner Mel Fell: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner $12.95Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 Waiting: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner Waiting: A Caldecott Honor Award Winner $10.56Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 Hot Dog: (Winner of the 2023 Caldecott Medal) Hot Dog: (Winner of the 2023 Caldecott Medal) $18.59Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 Watercress Watercress $11.29Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Exploring Nature Walks

Side view portrait of small toddler girl outdoors in summer nature, holding grass.

Nature walks are a great way to enjoy the beauty around us. Watching leaves fall and crunch underfoot, touching plants, and seeing animals and bugs can bring simple joy, especially for little ones. So grab your favorite jacket and head outside for some fresh air and fun!

Music and Movement Dance Party

Toddlers love music and dancing with them around the living room is magical. I always put on fun dance music when I’m cooking and cleaning and have impromptu dances with my kids… and they love it!

Simple Puzzles for Problem Solving

Puzzles are a fun way to build problem-solving skills, especially for little ones. As kids fit pieces together, they learn about shapes, colors, and critical thinking. Watching them concentrate is a joy, and it sparks their creativity too!

# Preview Product Price
1 Melissa & Doug Building Site Jumbo Jigsaw Floor... Melissa & Doug Building Site Jumbo Jigsaw Floor… $14.30Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Melissa & Doug Safari Social Jumbo Jigsaw Floor... Melissa & Doug Safari Social Jumbo Jigsaw Floor… $16.55Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 Jumbo Floor Puzzle for Kids, Large Jigsaw Puzzles... Jumbo Floor Puzzle for Kids, Large Jigsaw Puzzles… $16.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 Melissa & Doug Safari Wooden Chunky Puzzle - 8... Melissa & Doug Safari Wooden Chunky Puzzle – 8… $11.97Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 Toi 6 Packs Large Piece Toddler Jigsaw Puzzles for... Toi 6 Packs Large Piece Toddler Jigsaw Puzzles for… $19.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Outdoor Sandbox Exploration

A young child playing in a sandbox, enjoying the warm sunlight.

Sandboxes and kinetic sand play is another great way to have sensory play time with your toddler.

You can get all kinds of colored kinetic sand and use shovels and toys for more fun!

# Preview Product Price
1 Kinetic Sand, 11lb (5kg) Natural Brown Play Sand,... Kinetic Sand, 11lb (5kg) Natural Brown Play Sand,… $31.82Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Kinetic Sand, 2.5lbs Purple Play Sand, Moldable... Kinetic Sand, 2.5lbs Purple Play Sand, Moldable… $13.93Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 Kinetic Sand, 6lbs Mega Mixin’ Bag with Red,... Kinetic Sand, 6lbs Mega Mixin’ Bag with Red,… $28.81Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 Kinetic Sand, 2lbs Pink Play Sand, Moldable... Kinetic Sand, 2lbs Pink Play Sand, Moldable… $10.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 Kinetic Sand, Castle Containers 10-Color Pack of... Kinetic Sand, Castle Containers 10-Color Pack of… $19.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Water Play with Bath Toys

A joyful baby playing in a water-filled tub with colorful bath toys.

Bath time is the best for playing with your toddler. There are so many cute bath toys you can get and they even have bathtub crayons and toddler safe bath bombs.

# Preview Product Price
1 Nuby Wacky Waterworks Pipes Bath Toy - Baby... Nuby Wacky Waterworks Pipes Bath Toy – Baby… $9.97Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Munchkin® Fishin'™ Magnetic Baby and Toddler... Munchkin® Fishin’™ Magnetic Baby and Toddler… $7.19Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 Nuby Floating Octopus Toy with 3 Hoopla Rings -... Nuby Floating Octopus Toy with 3 Hoopla Rings -… $6.03Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 Munchkin® Float & Play Bubbles™ Baby and... Munchkin® Float & Play Bubbles™ Baby and… $6.15Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 KSABVAIA Bath Toys - Bathtub Basketball Hoop for... KSABVAIA Bath Toys – Bathtub Basketball Hoop for… $11.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
# Preview Product Price
1 Dabble & Dollop Bath Bombs, 100% Natural Bath... Dabble & Dollop Bath Bombs, 100% Natural Bath… $24.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Dabble & Dollop Coconut + Vanilla Body Wash &... Dabble & Dollop Coconut + Vanilla Body Wash &… $29.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 Dabble & Dollop USA Bundle, 3-in-1 Natural Bubble... Dabble & Dollop USA Bundle, 3-in-1 Natural Bubble… $41.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

Imaginative Play with Dress-Up Clothes

Honestly dress up clothes are worth their weight in gold. My littles would dress up and entertain themselves for hours. My little girl loved princess dresses from Little Adventures (below). My boys loved superhero masks and capes.

# Preview Product Price
1 Little Adventures Classic Rapunzel Princess Dress... Little Adventures Classic Rapunzel Princess Dress… $44.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Little Adventures Knight Dressup Costume Vest... Little Adventures Knight Dressup Costume Vest… $16.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 Little Adventures Ice Princess Dress up Costume... Little Adventures Ice Princess Dress up Costume… $44.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 Little Adventures Yellow Beauty Princess Dress Up... Little Adventures Yellow Beauty Princess Dress Up… $44.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 Little Adventures Sleeping Beauty Princess Dress... Little Adventures Sleeping Beauty Princess Dress… $44.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
# Preview Product Price
1 InPoTo Superhero Capes for Kids,Heroes Capes and... InPoTo Superhero Capes for Kids,Heroes Capes and… $14.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
2 Dress Up Toys - Double Side Superhero Capes and... Dress Up Toys – Double Side Superhero Capes and… $25.65Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
3 KARAZZO Superhero Capes Set and Wristbands Kids... KARAZZO Superhero Capes Set and Wristbands Kids… $23.96Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
4 RioRand Kids Superhero Capes Set Toys for Boys... RioRand Kids Superhero Capes Set Toys for Boys… $19.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon
5 AnRuk Superhero Capes Set for Kids, Hero Caps and... AnRuk Superhero Capes Set for Kids, Hero Caps and… $13.99Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

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About the Author

Samantha Ramos

Samantha Ramos has her B.A. in Special Education. She is a stay at home mom and homeschooler to 3 children in Southern California. Her biggest passion is positive parenting and helping moms find simple solutions to every day mom problems!

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Hi, I’m Sammy, a So. CA area work at home mom of three. I love that I get to use my BA in Special Education to homeschool my kids and offer more valuable parenting tips to my readers. I’m passionate about being a stay at home mom and helping other moms find simple, stress free solutions for family fun, positive parenting, travel, and food.

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