Lots of two-year-olds are fascinated by all aspects of trucks — their size, their noise, and their power. Many communities actually have annual days when the town's trucks (dump-trucks, bulldozers, etc.) line up in a parking lot so children can look at — and perhaps even climb into — the trucks. You can call your local public-works agency to find out if your town sponsors these events.

Activity 1: Pretending to Drive

If you're in the house with your truck-loving child, you can build a “truck” with a pillow or large box and have your child hold a paper plate as the steering wheel. Pull the “truck” around making honking and braking noises. (This truck can also be a car, a train, or a plane.)

Activity 2: Visiting a Construction Site

When you're trying to find something to do with your two-year-old one afternoon, don't rule out taking a drive or a walk to a local construction site. It may not sound to you like a fun place to visit, but your child will enjoy watching the people working on their trucks and laying concrete, smoothing out tar, or mixing cement. Don't forget to bring a hat and sunscreen since construction workers are usually working under bright sun!

Activity 3: Draw a Street Map

Get a piece of butcher-block paper or a large piece of newsprint, and draw a road map. Be sure to draw buildings, stop signs, and traffic and street lights on it. Your child can use this as a place to roll his cars and set down his playhouses or blocks. Once you draw straight lines and curved roads on it, he may want to draw landmarks like trees and houses.