Games and activities for two-year-olds

By the age of two, your little one will be hitting a plethora of exciting developmental milestones: Walking unassisted, running, using words and phrases. Here are some ways you can engage with your newly mobile and communicative youngster while assisting their development.

1. Wagons, Trains, and Toy Pets, Oh My!

At 2 years, your toddler is developing the ability to mobilize not only his or herself, but other objects as well. A big part of play during this time consists of picking up and carrying object, as well as pulling along mobile toys such as trucks, dog-on-a-leash toys, and wagons. Try motivating your child to pick up his or her stuffed animals and put them in a wagon, then take them on a train ride around the house! Even an old stuffed animal attached to a string has served many a child as a “doggie” to walk.

2. The Dump Truck Routine

Your two-year-old may be exhibiting a lot of seemingly destructive behaviors at this age that are actually crucial developmental milestones! For example, a key fine motor skill developed at this age is the ability to turn over containers and dump out their contents. If your toddler is knocking over and spilling out containers left and right, try to channel this impulse into a learning game. Incorporate carrying and dumping into the same routine by encouraging your little one to fill up the same container with toys and turn it over repeatedly.

3. Sorting and Finding Games

At this age, your child can identify and differentiate colors and shapes. Take advantage of this by motivating them to put objects with similar characteristics together in defined areas. Sorting games are useful because they also incorporate picking up and carrying. Place objects in different categories at a slightly greater distance to build cognition and gross motor skills all at once!

Your child has also developed object permanence, or the ability to know that objects still exist when out of sight. However, at 2 years, they are well past a simple game of peekaboo. Toddlers at 2 years of age are able to uncover objects from more complex hiding mechanisms, such as two or three layers of covering. A relatively simple game of hide-and-seek (with people or toys) is the perfect diversion for your child at this age!

4. Peer Bonding and Social Skills

This is also the age when your toddler will begin to show increasing interest in other children their age. Organized play dates and more spontaneous outings can deeply enrich your child’s life right now, but keep in mind this is also the age when they learn to be defiant! Therefore, it’s important to rehearse and explain social routines such as introductions, the use of “please” and “thank you”, and concepts such as taking turns at home.

5. Make Believe

Finally, perhaps the most important addition to a child’s mind at 2 years of age is the ability to imagine. Encourage your child’s make-believe play today to expand their imagination!