50 Simple Games for Toddlers
What Do Games For 2 Year Old’s Look Like
The best games for 2-year-olds are those that combine fun with educational elements, catering to their developmental needs. At this age, children benefit greatly from interactive and sensory-rich games that encourage exploration and imagination.
Cooperative board games like “Haba’s First Orchard” are excellent for introducing the concept of play rules and teamwork. Puzzles, such as simple shape sorters and animal stacking games, enhance their cognitive skills and fine motor development.
Interactive games like “Peek-a-Boo” and “Simon Says” are not only enjoyable but also aid in language and social development. For active play, “Follow the Leader” and the “Dance Party” games are perfect for improving physical coordination and balance.
Lastly, DIY games using household items, like a homemade fishing game or a simple scavenger hunt, can provide endless entertainment while fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
These games strike a balance between learning and play, making them ideal for 2-year-olds.
“Play is the highest form of research.” – Albert Einstein
Benefits Of Toddler Games
Toddler games offer a multitude of benefits that are crucial for the early stages of child development.
Engaging in playful activities enhances cognitive growth by stimulating curiosity and problem-solving skills, especially with puzzles and sorting games that challenge their minds.
Physical games like “Follow the Leader” or “Dance Party” promote motor skills development, coordination, and balance, laying the foundation for physical fitness. Social-emotional skills are nurtured through cooperative games, teaching toddlers valuable lessons in sharing, turn-taking, and empathy. Interactive games that involve singing, counting, or color recognition aid in language and cognitive development, enriching their vocabulary and comprehension.
Moreover, games that encourage imaginative play, like pretending to be different animals, foster creativity and independent thinking. Through play, toddlers also learn to understand rules and routines, which are essential life skills.
Importantly, these games provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers to bond with toddlers, creating a nurturing environment filled with joy, laughter, and learning.
Board Games, Puzzles, and Toys for Young Children:
- Wooden Magnetic Fishing Game
- Haba’s First Orchard Cooperative Game
- Interactive Pound a Mole Game
- Think Fun’s Roll and Play Game
- Obstacle Course Game for Coordination
- Kids’ Bean Bag Toss Game
- Montessori Shape Sorting Puzzle
- Animal Sorting and Stacking Game
- Peaceable Kingdom’s Monkey Around Game
- Ladybug Memory Game – Montessori Inspired
- Farm Animals Barn Set Game
- Active Movement Game with Stepping Stones
- Daniel Tiger’s Welcome to Mainstreet Game
- Elephant Stacking Tower Game
- Peaceable Kingdom’s Where’s Bear Game?
- Memory Game
- Acorn Soup Board Game
- The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game
- Toddler Scavenger Hunt Game by Mollybee
- Montessori Magnetic Worm Toy
- Wooden Music Set
- Hasbro Gaming Elefun and Friends
- Hasbro Gaming Twister Junior Game
- LiKee Wooden Pattern Blocks
- Peaceable Kingdom Feed The Woozle
- Dinosaur Dart Board with Sticky Balls
- Soggy Doggy
- Bluey Scavenger Hunt Game
- Counting Animals Matching Games
- Wooden Sorting and Stacking
DIY Games Using Household Items:
- Montessori-Inspired Games for 2-Year-Olds
- Sorting Games for Toddlers
- Alphabet Matching Game
- DIY Pool Noodle Fishing Game
- Straw Sorting Game
- Feed the Bunny Color Game
- Sock Matching Game
- Painters Tape Games
- Hand, Voice, and Body Games
- Emotion Card Games – DIY
- Printable Roll-A-Shape Game
- Sidewalk Chalk Game
Classic Games for Young Kids:
- Simon Says
- Red Light, Green Light
- Follow the Leader
- Scavenger Hunt
- Dance Party
- Count and Clap Game
- Hide and Seek
- Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes Song Game
- Freeze Dance
- Keep the Balloon Up Game
Educational Apps for Toddlers (Use Sparingly):
- PBS Kids Games
- ABC Mouse (First 30 Days Free)
- LEGO® DUPLO® World
- Peek-a-Zoo
- Toca Kitchen Monsters
- Balloon Pop
For a full list of toddler apps, visit this post!
Note: The use of technology should be balanced with physical and interactive play, especially for young children.
“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” – Kay Redfield Jamison.