Calm and busy, 2-year-olds
Quiet, absorbing setups for before nap, after dinner, or when everyone needs the volume turned down. 66 ideas
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Scarf Pull-Through
5–20 min 8 mo–2 yrs Low mess- a cardboard tube or container
- scarves or fabric strips
Learn something
Endless Pulling Box
5–20 min 7 mo–2 yrs Low mess- a box or tub with a small opening
- scarves or fabric strips
Learn something
Muffin Tin Drop
10–25 min 12 mo–3 yrs Low mess- a muffin tin or ice tray
- large objects to drop in
Learn something
Muffin Tin Pasta Sort
10–20 min 18 mo–4 yrs Low mess- a muffin tin
- three pasta shapes, mixed
Learn something
Bath Pouring Station
15–40 min 12 mo–6 yrs Low mess- a bath, sink or tub of water
- cups and containers
Learn something
Kitchen Pouring Station
15–30 min 18 mo–4 yrs Some mess- cups and a measuring cup with a spout
- a tray with a rim
- water or dry rice
Learn something
Feed the Monster
10–20 min 15 mo–4 yrs Low mess- a cardboard box
- a marker to draw the face
- monster food: pom-poms, rolled socks or soft balls
Learn something
Fizzy Drips
15–30 min 2–7 yrs Some mess- baking soda
- white vinegar
- food coloring
- droppers or a teaspoon
Learn something
Ice Paint
15–35 min 2–8 yrs Messy- an ice cube tray
- paint or food coloring
- water
- thick paper
Learn something
Rainbow Rice
20–45 min 2–6 yrs Some mess- uncooked white rice
- food coloring
- white vinegar
- zip-top bags
Learn something
Salt Dough Shapes
25–60 min 2–11 yrs Some mess- all-purpose flour
- salt
- water
- a mixing bowl
Learn something
Bath Time Brick Build
10–25 min 18 mo–5 yrs Some mess- large building bricksto buy
- a bath
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Teddy's Check-Up
10–30 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a toy doctor kitto buy
- a stuffed animal or doll
- Good for siblings
Learn something
All Aboard Passengers
10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- small people or animal figuresto buy
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Animal Footprint Fossils
10–30 min 2–7 yrs Some mess- play doughto buy
- toy animals or dinosaursto buy
Learn something
Pom-Pom Scoop
10–25 min 18 mo–4 yrs Some mess- large pom-pomsto buy
- water
- a tub or big bowl
- a strainer, cups or a slotted spoon
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Train Cargo Delivery
10–30 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- cargo: pom-poms, small blocks or buttons
Learn something
Bubble Wrap Prints
10–20 min 18 mo–6 yrs Some mess- a sheet of bubble wrapto buy
- washable paintto buy
- paper
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Numbered Parking Lot
10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- toy carsto buy
- a big sheet of paper or flattened box
- a marker
Learn something
Pom-Pom Drop
10–25 min 15 mo–3 yrs Low mess- cardboard tubes
- painter's tape
- pom-pomsto buy
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Animal Hospital
15–40 min 2–7 yrs Low mess- a toy doctor kitto buy
- stuffed animals or toy animals
- painter's tape for bandages
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Stuffed Animal Picnic
15–40 min 18 mo–5 yrs Low mess- play food or a tea setto buy
- stuffed animals
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Play Dough Birthday Cakes
15–40 min 2–6 yrs Some mess- play doughto buy
- drinking straws cut short for candles
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Cardboard Train Tunnel
15–40 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- a shoe box or cardboard box
Learn something
Paint the Toys
15–30 min 18 mo–5 yrs Messy- washable paintto buy
- plastic toys that can be washedto buy
- a tub or tray
Learn something
Toy Washing Station
15–45 min 18 mo–7 yrs Some mess- washable toysto buy
- warm water
- two tubs
- Good for siblings
Learn something
Frozen Excavation
20–60 min 2–10 yrs Messy- small figures or carsto buy
- water
- a container to freeze in
Learn something
Small World Bin
25–90 min 2–9 yrs Messy- small figuresto buy
- a shallow tub or tray
- a filler like rice or dry pasta
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