29 Awesome Busy Bag Ideas for 2 Year Olds!
Entertaining energetic toddlers can feel like a juggling act.
Fear not! The solution lies within the magic of busy bag ideas for 2 year olds. Busy bags are a lifesaver for those moments when you’re struggling with your shoulds and musts, wanting to get things done, and need a quick distraction or a structured activity to keep little ones engaged and entertained. They’re portable, versatile, and packed with learning opportunities tailored to the unique developmental stage of toddlers.
I know you’ve been there. Maybe you’re trying to cook dinner, clean the house, or get some work done…or maybe you just want some time to sit and relax! Then you hear, “I’m bored!” or “Mommy, what can I do now?” Those are the moments when I need something readily available to occupy my children’s attention. When I’m able to set them up with a fun and engaging activity I’m able to hold onto my sanity for a bit longer.
In this blog post, I’m diving into the world of busy bag ideas specifically designed for 2-year-olds. From DIY busy bags to printable ideas to bags that are already done for you, these activities promise to captivate your little learner while providing moments of joy and discovery…and a break for you!
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Tips for Putting Together Busy Bag Ideas for 2 Year Olds
It’s not that hard to put together busy bags for 2 year olds as long as you do some prepping in advance.
1. Stock up on bags.
The first step is stocking up on some bags to store the items you need. You can use some sturdy Ziploc freezer bags or reusable zipper mesh bags.
2. Choose a few busy bag ideas that you want to set up.
Do some research and come up with a few busy bag ideas that you think your children will enjoy. This post has multiple sections – DIY busy bag ideas, printable busy bag ideas, and done for you busy bag ideas.
3. Make a list of supplies.
Lists are always helpful! Put together a list of supplies that you will need for your busy bags to make the shopping less overwhelming.
4. Purchase those supplies and assemble the bags.
Finally, go ahead and shop for the supplies you need and set up your bags! It’s up to you, but it can be good to keep the busy bags a secret from your children so the activities are new and exciting when you need to use them.
DIY Busy Bag Ideas for 2 Year Olds
Here are some busy bag ideas to put together yourself that are sure to keep your 2 year old engaged.
DIY Color Wheel
Two year olds love learning about different colors. Your toddler will have fun learning about different colors and sorting them with this DIY Color Wheel.
Penguin Felt Busy Box
My 2 year old loves animals. She loves naming them, imitating their sounds, and talking about them. This Penguin Felt Busy Box will keep your toddler entertained since they can mix and match the different colors and repeat the activity over and over again.
No Sew Button Snake
No Sew Button Snake is another great activity for animal lovers. Children will get to work on their fine motor skills as they weave the pipe cleaner through the felt.
Rainbow Color Sorting Busy Bag
The Rainbow Color Sorting Busy Bag is another engaging activity for toddlers learning about colors. This activity will also allow children to work on their fine motor skills as they put the sticks in the various pockets.
Magnetic Farm Toddler Activity
This Magnetic Farm Toddler Activity is another fun activity for animal lovers. Toddlers can create different farm scenes with their magnets. It’s an activity that can be enjoyed over and over again.
Fishing Quiet Game
The Fishing Quiet Game will keep 2 year olds engaged for quite some time! They will enjoy seeing how many fish they can catch and will also get to work on their hand-eye coordination at the same time.
Velcro Dot Craft Sticks
Velcro Dot Craft Sticks is an engaging activity for creators. Two year olds can put together different shapes or other designs. This activity is perfect for toddlers who enjoy playing with LEGOs or Magna-tiles.
Pipe Cleaners in a Bottle
The Pipe Cleaners in a Bottle activity will help 2 year olds work on their fine motor skills as they try to get the pipe cleaners through the holes. It’s an activity that will keep them entertained for a long time.
Sponge Towers
Sponge Towers are another entertaining activity for creators. 2 year olds will love building towers or other creations, knocking them over, and then starting all over again! They are sure to enjoy it for quite some time.
Paper Weaving
I’m sure you have construction paper on hand. That’s all you need for this Paper Weaving activity. This activity helps with fine motor skills. My daughters continue to ask me to set up this activity. They love it!
Clothespin Counting Activity
My 2 year old loves to practice counting. The Clothespin Counting Activity is an engaging activity for toddlers! They can learn about numbers and practice their fine motor skills by attaching the clothespins to the dots.
Tongs and Pom Poms Activity
What two year old doesn’t love pom poms? They’re a fun sensory item to touch. This Tongs and Pom Poms Activity will also help them practice their fine motor skills (using the tongs!) and hand-eye coordination (getting the pom poms into the hole!)
Thread a Rainbow Busy Bag
The Thread a Rainbow Busy Bag has many learning opportunities. Two year olds can work on their sorting skills by sorting the different colors and also practice their fine motor skills by threading the caps onto the pipe cleaners.
Pipe Cleaners and Straws
This Pipe Cleaners and Straws Activity is another fun activity for creators. Two year olds can build different designs and practice their fine motor skills by putting the pipe cleaners into the straws.
Printable Busy Bag Ideas for 2 Year Olds
Here are some quick and easy busy bag ideas for 2 year olds that involve printable products.
Strawberry Counting Cards
These Strawberry Counting Cards are great for toddlers who like practicing numbers. There are many different ways to use these cards such as for matching, sorting, and counting.
Bug Color Matching Activity
The Bug Color Matching Activity is a fun printable busy bag idea for toddlers starting to identify colors. It can be played different ways such as for matching, sorting, or Memory.
Rainbow Color and Shape Learning Puzzles
This Rainbow Color and Shape Learning Puzzles printable is great for toddlers learning about colors and shapes. The printable can be used as a matching activity or Memory game.
Printable Animal Puzzles
Animal lovers will have so much fun with these Printable Animal Puzzles. Two year olds can match up the pieces to make actual animals or mix up the pieces to make silly animals!
Magnetic Mr. Potato Head
I loved playing with my Mr. Potato Head toy when I was younger. This Magnetic Mr. Potato Head printable is a safer activity for two year olds since you don’t have to worry about the tiny pieces. Toddlers can put together different faces and learn about body parts at the same time.
Done for You Busy Bag Ideas for 2 Year Olds
In case you don’t feel like setting up busy bag ideas for 2 year olds yourself, here are some travel toys for toddlers that can be great to add to busy bag ideas.
Magnetibook Match Game
My two year old is obsessed with the Magnetibook Match Game. She loves matching up the animals and also has a lot of laughs when she mixes up the different pieces.
Busy Board
This Busy Board will keep toddlers entertained for a very long time. It contains 25 different activities – buckles, tying, puzzles, numbers, and more!
Snap Pop Beads
My two year old loves her Snap Pop Beads! She enjoys making bracelets, necklaces, and putting the beads together and taking them apart. They are a great fine motor skill activity.
My First Lacing Cards
My First Lacing Cards will let two year olds practice their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination by moving the laces through the holes. It comes in multiple themes such as animals and mermaids.
My First Match It
My First Match It boxes contain multiple two-piece puzzles in themes such as animals, dinosaurs, and ice cream cones. These are great beginner puzzles for two year olds!
Reusable Sticker Book
My two year old loves playing with stickers. Reusable sticker books are great since they can be used again and again, keeping toddlers entertained for a long time.
Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game
The Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game will keep toddlers engaged as they try to move the colored balls through the maze. Two year olds can develop their fine motor and concentration skills with this game.
Learn to Dress Doll
The Learn to Dress Doll will teach two year olds dressing skills as they practice with buckles, zippers, ties, and velcro. They can improve those skills by using the doll over and over again.
My First Organic Garden Brick Box
My First Organic Garden Brick Box helps develop toddler’s self-expression and fine motor skills as they make different creations with the stackable bricks.
Water Wow! Books
My daughters love their Water Wow! Books. They can be used again once the water dries which makes them a very useful activity.
Busy bag ideas for 2 year olds offer a treasure trove of possibilities
Whether it’s exploring textures, sorting shapes, or unleashing their imagination with open-ended play, the busy bag ideas outlined in this post provide a roadmap for fun-filled learning adventures.
By incorporating these busy bag ideas into your daily routine, you’re not just keeping your little one occupied while you get some things done or take a break for yourself – you’re fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for learning that will serve them well in the years to come. So, embrace the magic of busy bags, cherish the moments of discovery, and watch as your 2 year old’s world expands with each engaging activity.
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