Activities for Kids Between 2 and 3 Years of Age

Children between the ages of 2 and 3 are ready for new experiences.

Children who are 2 or 3 years old tend to stay busy, and they typically move from one activity to another quickly. Parents and teachers can engage these children in activities that are not only enjoyable, but also conducive to cultivating developmental skills. Using these activities will help broaden children's interests, keep them entertained, and encourage learning.

Activities to Encourage Gross Motor Skills

Throw a ball back and forth for entertainment and skill development.

A child between the ages of 2 and 3 is still developing his gross motor skills. Initiate an activity of throwing a ball back and forth, which is enjoyable and builds the child's coordination skills. See if the child can copy you as you play a game of Follow-the-Leader. According to the Kids' Health website, running, jumping, throwing, kicking, and balancing on one leg are all skills you can help your child develop through interactive games.

Activities to Enhance Fine Motor Skills

Practice small motor skills with crayons and paper.

Children this age don't usually sit still for long, but when they do, encourage use of their hands to develop fine motor skills. Provide plenty of paper and crayons for drawing (which might look more like scribbling at this stage). If your child doesn't like to draw, allow her to stack piles of blocks and knock them down, or to work on puzzles; both activities will help her use her hand muscles. Alternatively, work with your child to mold non-toxic clay into different-sized balls.

Plan Sensory Activities

Many children will spend a lot of time in the sandbox.

Sensory activities help children understand how to gain information from the world around them by using their senses. Encourage the development of your child's sense of touch, for example, by allowing him to play in a sandbox. Provide him with cups, bowls, spoons and buckets so he can scoop, dump and pour the sand. Alternatively, give him rice and dry beans to "plant" in a box with soil.

Outdoor Play

Children can learn to pedal on a tricycle.

On a nice day, children will enjoy going outside to play. A 2-year-old is the perfect age for learning to pedal a tricycle. Visit a local playground and let her use all her energy to run, climb and jump. Or, lead your child on a walk on a nature trail, and look for treasures such as pine cones and leaves. Time outdoors is a welcome change in routine for children, and these activities will also help develop motor skills.

Read to Children Every Day

Read to a child every day to enhance learning.

Verbal skills are developing during this year in a child's life, and one way to encourage further development is to read to your 2-year-old every day. Look for books with bright captivating pictures, and subjects that interest your child. Encourage your child to pick his own books. After reading a story, discuss the different things the child may have discovered in the book.

Classes for 2- and 3-Year-Olds

Libraries usually have programs for children of all ages.

If you are looking to get your little ones out of the house and start some socializing and learning, check your community for age-appropriate classes. Many communities offer music, dance, gymnastics, swimming lessons, or library programs for 2- to 3-year-olds. These classes provide children the opportunity to interact with other children their age and learn social interaction skills.

References

• Kids Health: "Fitness and Your 2 to 3-Year Old" August 2008
• Education: Fine Motor Skills Developmental Milestones
• Sensory Processing Disorder: Sensory Integration Activities
• Healthy Children: "Language Development: 2-Year-Olds" November 30, 2010