Games inspired by acting and the stage are perfect for two-year-olds, who are learning the differences between reality and imagination, how to play pretend, and the joys of making others laugh. Offering them a chance to “act,” with clear and easy rules, lets them perform for others and gives them a fun, low-stakes way of putting on a show.

Try this out:

Nature play

When you’re outside with your child—or even indoors watching a storm from the comfort of a warm room—notice branches waving, the rustling of the leaves, and the drips of rainwater forming on the window and sliding down. Help your child imitate the natural world around them in rhythmic ways, and if you’re able, try to get your own body moving as well:

• Sway like a tree

• Drip like water on a pane of glass (you can act like the window, and they can be the drops—then switch!)

• Chirp the sounds of a bird

• Drum (on any available surface) to the rhythm of the rain

• Gobble up nuts like a squirrel

(Source: LOVEVERY)

Though your 2-year-old may not seem like a mathematician yet, they’re actually practicing math concepts all the time—and they’ve been doing it from the very beginning of their lives.

Here’s how to support early math concepts for your 2-year-old:

Compare size, weight, height, and other properties

Asking questions that invite comparisons introduces key math vocabulary like “less,” “more,” “bigger than” and “smaller than,” and other relational terms.

Use exaggerated hand gestures when you ask:

• “Which ball is heavier, this one or this one?”

• “Which door is open, and which one is closed?”

• “What’s bigger, the dog or the cat?”

• (Pointing at only two flowers) “Which flower is taller?”

• “Which cracker is whole, and which one is broken?”

(Source: LOVEVERY)

Scavenger hunts are great ways to keep kiddos entertained while teaching them about what they find! Scavenger hunts can be very low-cost and doesn’t require much set up!

Download an indoor scavenger hunt list from Hey, Let’s Make Stuff

Surprising though it may sound, children as young as 18 months—perhaps even younger, depending on the child—can start taking on regular household responsibilities.

5 household contributions that are just right for your toddler

• Setting the table

• Cleaning (ex. small spills & sweeping)

• Putting things away

• Helping with laundry

(Source: LOVEVERY)

With food coloring, salt and squeeze bottles, your family can hit the driveway, sidewalk or patio and make masterpieces inspired by artist Motoi Yamamoto. It's the perfect upgrade when sidewalk chalk gets boring.

Find the instructions on Buggy and Buddy

Note: Remind your child to not eat the salt, but to make art with it!

• Play snap or bingo with letters and sounds. Write letters on pieces of papers or cards, to create homemade flashcards. Make two for each letter. Use them to play snap. You could also create a bingo card with eight boxes – each one containing a letter. Put the flashcards into a pile, facing down and take it in turns to be the bingo caller.

• Play phonics fishing! Use homemade letter flashcards, add a paperclip to each, tie a magnet to some string and a stick and ask your child to ‘fish’ for a particular sound.

• Play ‘I spy’ games (for example, ‘I spy something beginning with a…’, using the letter sound) when you are out and about.

(Source: Oxford Owl)

Have you ever seen your child be so fascinated with wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape that the gift itself is almost an afterthought?

Unwrapping something—anything!—can help give your child a feeling of accomplishment, joy, and satisfaction—and it’s really fun. It also lets them practice fine motor skills, using a manipulative grasp and using both hands cooperatively.

Here are ideas of what to wrap:

• Items that make noise will be extra enticing 🔔

• Objects with smooth sides allow the paper to slide off more easily, and try to avoid excess tape

(Source: LOVEVERY)

Arts & Crafts is a wonderful way to explore the imagination and creativity of a child’s mind! Craftiments has created an awesome

Jellyfish activity for families to try! Learn how to crafted a sting-free variety out of paper bowls, yarn and glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint here.

he wonderful world of Blippi has captivated preschoolers and parents alike, making learning fun and exploration endless. With Blippi, kids can experience real-life places while discovering real-life facts as they watch. Blippi (and all his friends) help foster curiosity and wonder while demonstrating how to learn through play. He also encourages kids to ask questions about the world around them. He’s more than his iconic orange and blue -- he’s a friend to me and you!

An oldie but goodie! Sesame Street was created to spur opportunities to learn and hasn’t stopped! Check out their latest activities and sing-alongs!

Gracie's Corner is a YouTube channel for kids. It provides a combination of educational, fun, and encouraging songs for children from diverse backgrounds. Come sing and dance with Gracie as she takes a fun imaginary journey with family and friends!

Art For Kids Hub is a family-created platform that shares its love of art!

Most of our art lessons are self-contained, which means you can jump in and start drawing with us today. All you need is something to draw with, some paper, and coloring supplies!

Steve and Maddie is a UK-based educational children's show. In their engaging and interactive clips, high-spirited Steve and his cheeky friend, Maggie Magpie, introduce young children various topics including careers, colors, numbers, holidays and so much more.

Join Jessi, Mister Brown, Squeaks the Robot Lab Rat, and all their friends at the Fort as they conduct experiments, research new questions, and talk with experts to learn about the science-filled world around us.

SciShow Kids is ideal for early-elementary learners, Grades 1-3, and many episodes are structured around the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) curriculum.

Screentime that gives kids SUPERPOWERS! Hundreds of videos and stories to inspire movement, self-awareness and FUN.

Cosmic Kids helps kids build a physical, social and emotional toolkit.

BrainPOP® creates animated, curricular content that engages students, supports educators, and bolsters achievement. Our award-winning online educational resources include BrainPOP Jr.® (K-3), BrainPOP, BrainPOP Español™ , and, for English-language learners, BrainPOP ELL™. BrainPOP is also home to GameUp®, a free educational games portal for the classroom.

In traditional, blended, and "flipped" learning settings, BrainPOP supports individual, team, and whole-class learning. At school and in informal learning environments, our characters help introduce new topics and illustrate complex concepts.

Nat Geo Kids makes it fun to explore your world with weird, wild, and wacky videos! Videos featuring awesome animals, cool science, funny pets, and more, are made just for curious kids like you. So pick a topic you love and start watching today!