Creative Crafts for 2-year-olds
When I’m planning crafts for 2-year-olds, I think about what can give them free rein about how they want to do it. Teaching easy preschool craft techniques has value, however, creativity needs freedom of choice.
Butterfly Printing Crafts for 2-year-olds
Fold a piece of paper or card in half. On one side, draw and craft out a single wing starting and ending at the folded side. I cut up a new dish sponge into thirds for sponge printing crafts. I also designate rectangular tray for takeout container or ice cube tray lids for painting trays for printing. A paper/plastic plate would also work.
While still folded, let the little one sponge print one wing. I have also given toddlers poster paint and paintbrushes to decorate their butterflies instead. Then fold the wing back the other way and press down, smoothing out the wings.
Hopefully, they have similar patterns when carefully opened. I think we waited too long before doing this stage so it dried a little and didn’t transfer as well. The painting can make regular copy paper soggy and prone to rip. I’d recommend using thicker construction paper or craft card for this easy preschool craft.
Ladybug/Ladybird Collage Crafts for 2-year-olds
We only had white copy paper, so if you have red and black paper or card, then you could skip the first half of the activity. I cut a piece of paper in two. Separately, I set up the toddler to sponge print one piece red and the other black.
Another day I drew and cut out the red piece of paper in an oval and a ladybird/ladybug head shape in black. I traced a lid of a glue stick on the black paper a few times and cut them out too. I encouraged the 2-year-old to use the glue stick to stick the black pieces to the red oval. I ignored the toddler and put the head in the middle because I believe giving them creative freedom builds natural self esteem and confidence in their abilities.
Printing Options Crafts for 2-year-olds
- Toy cars
- Duplo or Mega blocks
- Wooden blocks
- Shape sorting shapes
- Hard animal toys
- Sponge (shapes or cut new dish sponge)
- Cardboard rolls
- Lids (avoid choking hazards)
Put 2 or 3 blobs of poster paint on a small tray, lid, or paper plate and stand a safe, washable/disposable item in each one. I think about how well the colours will mix in mind. I found taping the paper down helps to print and most art projects. I also use painters or masking tape to secure a laminated mat on the table for protection.
Warning: Check if the kids paint stains first, even if they claim to be washable. There are too many false claims on poster paint being washable. If you want to make the most of paint that stains, stir in some (ideally clear) washing up liquid. It's not magic, but helps a little. If I have paint that stains to use up, I also change the children into old clothing, we call messy clothes. Crayola is the only brand I trust to actually be washable.
Reused Collage Crafts for 2-year-olds
Cut out old appropriate magazines and catalog photos make great free collage materials for crafts for 2-year-olds.
Save any pretty paper that might come with gifts, balloons, flowers or buy some craft paper, shapes or pieces. I often cut out shapes but sometime simple objects. I know it basic, but I find little ones are happy to repeat these types of simple toddler for toddlers.
Painting Egg Boxes Crafts for 2-year-olds
I see crafts for 2-year-olds as an opportunity for them to develop their hand muscles and express their creativity. I found toddlers enjoy painting cardboard egg boxes. Did you know you can sterilise cardboard egg boxes by microwaving them for 10 seconds? I gave the toddler the egg box on different sides with different paint on 2 separate days.
I was planning to discreetly throw it out. However, before I did, they asked for it afterwards. So I made it into a toddler activity by pushing open scissors through the bottom of the compartment while it’s upside down in different directions. The toddler has pushed buttons or card lolly/popsicle sticks through the slots in the egg box.
Click through to explore more Activities for 2-Year-Olds.