You asked for it! Or at least one of you asked for Quiet Time activities for 2 year olds, and I am always happy to help! Even though it might take me just a little while to get the post together (if you can classify 3 weeks as just a little while … please do, you kind souls).
But low and behold I have it – 43 Quiet Time Activities for 2 year olds!
Here you have it, you lovely Mama’s, you hardworking daycare providers, you sweet Grandmas, you desperate for a minute Daddy’s …
I bring you … QUIET TIME.
I have also created this video for you, sharing exactly how to start Quiet Time in your home, my 5 BEST Quiet Time Tips, + 2 perfect FREEBIES! Check it out right here:
***Some of these ideas use small parts. Please use your own judgement and knowledge of your child and supervise when necessary***
43 Quiet Time Activities for Toddlers:
Freebie #1: Quiet Bin Labels! Make filling your quiet time bins and boxes easier than ever with these printable quiet bin labels. Know exactly what to put inside each bin and keep quiet time fun and engaging. This post shares with you that freebie and what to put in those bins to get you started!
Freebie #2: Quiet Time Play Mats! Let your little once become immersed in a world all their own with these quiet time play mats. Print out your favourite one or two, or print out all ten and create a huge dollhouse! This post has lots of ideas for how to use these FREE printable quiet time play mats.
Button Trees. These pipecleaner trees are the perfect quiet bin for practicing fine motor skills, color sorting, and counting!
Popsicle Sticks and Clothespins: This quiet time activity is great for letting little ones get creative. The clothespins are excellent for strengthening little hands as well.
Busy Bags with Straws from Powerful Mothering – Encourage toddlers’ interest in transferring items with this simple, engaging activity.
Paint the Dollhouse with Water (link no longer available) from My Nearest and Dearest – Kids will love using a small amount of water to “paint” their toys.
Color Surprise Game for Kids from Still Playing School – Children love to open and close containers, and this color game encourages that! It also focuses on colors in a fun, hands-on way.
Build with Quiet Cork Blocks from Fun-A-Day – Let the little ones create beautiful structures with quiet blocks made out of cork!
Ribbon Fine Motor Play for Toddlers from Hands-On: As We Grow – Ribbons always seem to be a hit with the kids. Let them push ribbons into a bottle, having fun while working on fine motor skills.
Cardboard Beads Threading Activity for Toddlers from The Imagination Tree – Use colorful cardboard tubes as “beads” for little ones to thread into strings or necklaces.
Shrinky Dink Pull Toy from LalyMom – Create a hands-on pulling toy using shrinky dink plastic and ribbons!
Toddler Contact Paper Art from Teaching Mama – Grab some fun craft materials and sticky paper. Let the kids create to their hearts’ content with this quiet activity.
Tong Pompoms into an Ice Cube Tray from Wildflower Ramblings – There’s just something about pom poms that children love to explore! Let them use tongs (or fingers) to fill up ice cube trays.
Printable Bear Pattern Strips from Fun-A-Day – Children use bear manipulatives to match and learn colors.
Felt Button Snake from Happy Hooligans – This homemade toy will keep the kids focused on threading felt pieces onto a piece of ribbon.
Felt Caterpillar Busy Bag from Toddler Approved – Felt and googly eyes provide endless possibilities for a toddler creating caterpillars!
Felt Imaginative Play Set from Buggy and Buddy – Use felt to create environments for favorite toys. Then let the children tell stories during quiet time.
Fine Motor Skills with Crazy Straws from Powerful Mothering – Children can work on their fine motor skills while threading felt pieces onto crazy straws!
Bunny Tails Color Matching from Twodaloo – This activity may have been created for Easter, but children can be engaged with it at any time of the year. Match colorful pom poms to the correct bunnies, over and over again.
DIY Chalkboard Table from Messy Little Monster – Children will love using chalk to draw all over a chalkboard table, or even a simple chalkboard.
Simple Color Sorting Activity for Toddlers from The Measured Mom – Let the kids explore color matching with cups, popsicle sticks, and dot stickers!
Pasta Threading Activity for Toddlers from Laughing Kids Learn – Some simple materials allow for an engaging, quiet activity for kids. What a sense of accomplishment as they thread the pasta!
DIY Fine Motor Skills Activity for Kids from Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails – Make a simple game for kids will recyclable. They can help decorate the can, then spend time adding pipe cleaners to it over and over again.
Fine Motor Play from Recyclables from Teach Me Mommy – A fun pompom drop will keep the kids busy and let them explore colours at the same time.
Playdough Play Mats – Silly Hair from No Time for Flash Cards – These homemade play dough mats are sure to bring smiles as the kids make “hair” for family members.
Button-Up Foam Craft Sticks from Mama.Papa.Bubba – So many possibilities with this quiet activity! Children can make bracelets, chains, letters, or patterns.
Number Activity – Sorting Number Stickers from Learning 4 Kids – Children love to play with stickers, so put some out and let them go at it!
Playing with Puzzles from Craftulate – Puzzles sound like such a simple idea, but they’re a wonderful quiet activity for young children!
Make Your Own Paper Dolls (and Guys) from Toddler Approved – Create a set of paper dolls the children can tell quiet stories with.
Fun with Pipe Cleaners from Mess for Less – Give the kids some pipe cleaners and let them use household items for threading!
Five Senses Touch Activity from No Time for Flash Cards – Children explore their sense of touch with hard and soft items in a mystery box.
Pool Noodle Stringing from Money Saving Mom – What a fun threading activity on a big scale!
Busy Activity with Cotton Swabs from Peaceful Parenting – Grab some cotton swabs and let the little ones get them into a recycled container.
Sticky Wall Color Matching Game from Mama.Papa.Bubba – What a fun way to explore sticky paper and colors!
DIY Tugging Box for Toddlers from Laughing Kids Learn – Make your own tugging box with a few simple items. Then let your kids explore the box with lots of pulling and pushing.
Toddler Tubes from Teach Preschool – Make colorful tubes for two year olds to play with during quiet time.
Matching Objects from Toddler Approved – Use children’s favorite toys as homemade puzzle pieces!
Calm Down Jar from Preschool Inspirations – Put together some colorful, glittery discovery bottles (and be sure to thoroughly seal the lids). Then let the kids shake them and watch the glitter swirl and settle.
Squish Bags from Fantastic Fun and Learning – These sensory bags let children explore items in a non-messy way, and they can be customised based on what you have on-hand.
Board Book Activities for Babies and Toddlers from The Educators’ Spin On It – Board books are definitely a fun and engaging way for two-year olds to spend quiet time.
Color Matching Printables for Toddlers from Totschooling – Use recycled pouch caps and printables to encourage colour matching skills.
Simple Colour Sorting Tray from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds – Make your own colour sorting tray, then have the kids use their own toys for sorting!
Big and Little Pompom Push for Toddlers from School Time Snippets – Two year olds can work on their fine motor skills and sorting.
Building with Pool Noodles and Pipe Cleaners from And Next Comes L – Children can use quiet materials to make simple 3D sculptures!
Velcro Story Blocks from The Nature of Grace – Make quiet blocks two year olds can use in a felt-lined box. Great for telling stories and building.
Sticky Easel with Craft Supplies from Learn with Play at Home – Grab some simple craft supplies, then let children get creative on a sticky easel. Quiet, no-mess art.
Paint Sample Puzzles from The Realistic Mama – Children can assemble simple puzzles using paint samples!
Are you still here? Or are you already on the run to gather supplies? I know, the importance of Quiet Time can NOT be overstated. So please, go on ahead and get set, then come on back and browse around.
Loads of ideas for your 2 year olds in this space!
Happy Monday friends!
Wait! Before you go grab the FREE Quiet Time Guide! You will receive some guidelines and information for how to craft a perfect Quiet Time at home with your little ones, and also receive the 5 BEST Quiet Time Activities of ALL!
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The best no-cook Playdough Recipe
54 Spectacular Homemade Musical Instruments
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sana aouad says
October 6, 2015 at 4:19 pmvery interesting
C. Gresham says
October 25, 2015 at 11:14 pmI have a class of 3 yr. olds who, for the most part, are non-sleepers. I have tried books but as soon as they finish their 2, they want to get up and get more. I love the fact that they are ‘reading’ but 3 yr. olds on the move are NOT quiet and I do have a few who sleep.
I would like to try quiet bins but think I need to establish some rules otherwise they aren’t quiet, defeating the purpose of Rest time!
I need some suggestions from some of your readers who work with this age and have successfully used quiet bins. Thanks a million, CG
Sarah says
October 31, 2015 at 1:07 pmHi There, Thank you for taking the time to write to me! I actually wrote a post for ‘Pre-k Pages’ all about this topic. Perhaps you would find it helpful? You can find it right here: http://www.pre-kpages.com/preschool-quiet-bins/
Megan says
November 9, 2015 at 7:12 pmWe call them ibags or iboxes. We say that the “i” means, “I do it myself”. We cut a placement size piece of fabric to go with each kit (you could also use fabric or plastic placements, or pillowcases). When a child chooses a kit, they place it and it’s contents on their piece of fabric. The materials need to stay on the fabric, and that space is only for one child to play. It takes practice for them not to play together or mix materials, but this system gives them a simple rule for using the quiet materials.
Sarah says
December 1, 2015 at 7:42 pmHi Megan, what a great idea to define a ‘quiet space’ in that way. I can definitely see how this would be beneficial in a classroom setting! Thank you for taking the time to offer such a helpful suggestion.
Sylvia Esposito says
January 16, 2016 at 8:18 pmWhen I taught Preschool we would read a chapter book to the children as they were on their cots. Then play quite music and rub backs. I now teach two year olds and when they wake up they get a pencil box with index cards and small sitckers. Also some small crayons.
Emily L. says
October 29, 2015 at 11:32 amTHANK YOU! I can do several of these with items around my house. I am really excited. I keep wanting to create different sensory bins and now I can add some quiet time bins!
Sarah says
October 31, 2015 at 1:03 pmI am very happy you have some new ideas Emily – thank you for taking the time to let me know!
Felipa Salazar says
October 29, 2015 at 11:34 pmThese are some good ideas.
Sarah says
October 31, 2015 at 1:02 pmSo happy you found them helpful.
lisa says
October 30, 2015 at 2:55 amHello. Love these ideas. Do u have similar ideas for 4yr and 6 yr olds?
Sarah says
October 31, 2015 at 1:02 pmHi Lisa, so glad you love them! You betcha – my book is LOADED with Quiet Time Activities for little ones of that age. Be sure to check it out and use the coupon code “HandsOnMom” to get my eBook for only $6! http://www.HowWeeLearn.com/my-book. Thank you so much for reading and joining me here!
nousheen says
October 30, 2015 at 10:27 pmEasy,interesting and economical activities.
something for 1 + is required.
Sarah says
October 31, 2015 at 1:09 pmGlad you like these ideas Nousheen – thank you for leaving a comment to let me know! I am afraid I don’t have ‘independent’ quiet time activities for little ones that tiny, but lots of ideas for supervised play for babies in this post: https://www.howweelearn.com/50-learning-activities-for-babies/
Wendy Cuevas says
December 26, 2015 at 1:38 amI LOVE these ideas! My two year old has a hard time with the whole “quiet time” idea, I really think these activities well help!
Sarah says
December 26, 2015 at 7:28 pmVery glad you like them Wendy. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I hope they are very helpful for you and your little one.
Simone says
January 8, 2016 at 3:40 pmThank you so much for these beautiful ideas of quiet bins, I made some for my daughter, she loves to play with my selfmade puzzles ? Greetings from Germany!
Kristen says
January 17, 2016 at 3:17 pmThank you so much for these easy ideas! I’m always looking for fun and new things to do with my boy when we are home together. Can’t wait to let him experience these!
Sarah says
January 19, 2016 at 9:47 pmSo happy you found these ideas inspiring! Thanks for taking the time to let me know Kristen.
The Little Tourist says
February 17, 2016 at 7:21 amThese ideas Rock!
I’m looking forward to using a few of them for my little guy. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing.
Planet Toddler says
June 23, 2016 at 5:59 pmGreat boredom busters!
Sarah says
June 23, 2016 at 8:43 pmIndeed – thanks for commenting!
Ruby Rabbits says
August 18, 2017 at 2:41 amPlease help me!! where can I get this book? or similar book preferably for 2 years
Sarah says
October 19, 2017 at 10:44 amHi Ruby! You can find my two Quiet Time activities books, as well as my other two books right here: http://www.HowWeeLearn.com/my-book. Thank you!
Niki at Toot's Mom is Tired says
April 8, 2018 at 1:04 pmThanks for all the great ideas! It’s been so cold recently that I have to find things to do inside to keep her busy.
Sarah says
May 13, 2018 at 12:27 pmI feel you! Glad this post could help a little Niki!
Sabra Casey says
October 5, 2018 at 11:29 pmSuch great ideas! I can’t wait to try these out!
Sarah says
October 14, 2018 at 9:00 pmThank you Sabra! I am so glad you found this compilation helpful.
Jen says
November 15, 2018 at 4:24 pmHello, my niece is turning 2 in December and I’ve decided to put together some Quiet Boxes to give to my sister-in-law for her. I know absolutely nothing about small children, and I worry about the small things like buttons – do they still put things in their mouths at 2? I want to be safe about what I give to her, so any advice on that would be great. I just bought the dollar store book from you, but I worry about many of those activities being too “old” for her to do yet.
Sarah says
January 22, 2019 at 9:21 pmSuch an important point Jen – thank you! At 2 she likely will still put small things in her mouth so will need to be supervised with any small parts at all. What a thoughtful gift!! There are quite a few ideas in this post that don’t use small parts. Many toddlers love imaginative play, so ideas like the popsicle stick paddock will be a big hit! Thank you for checking!
Cheryl says
April 3, 2019 at 10:26 amThese are great! I’ve seen some of these ideas before, but many are new to me! I run a day home and am often looking for new quiet activities to do with the older kids who don’t nap. Thanks!
Sarah says
April 4, 2019 at 8:52 pmSo happy some are new for you Cheryl! I hope they are a hit with your little non-nappers