Your child's second birthday will not hold much meaning for her. Recognize that children this age often have difficulty playing together. Have different options on hand that will let your young guests play on their own if they are not ready to join the group.

Follow the Path

You will need a fairly large space for this activity. Be sure that children are supervised so that they do not pick up the rope and tangle it around a playmate or themselves.

• Use a thick rope or cord to create a path for the children to follow. The more twists and turns you can make, the better. You can tape or weigh down sections of the rope to make them stay put.

• Set up a surprise at the end of the path, such as a basket of party favors or the birthday cake.

Clap Your Hands

This is an easy music and movement activity to teach young children. Use it when you sense your guests are getting restless.

• Teach the children the following song and accompanying movements:

Clap, clap, clap your hands,

Clap your hands together.

Clap, clap, clap your hands,

Clap your hands together.

Refrain: (hold one arm over your head and spin in a circle)

La la la la la la la

La la la la la

La la la la la la la

La la la la la

Other verses:

Stomp, stomp, stomp your feet.

Shake, shake, shake your leg.

Bend, bend, bend your knees.

Nod, nod, nod your head.

Birthday Blocks

Not all birthday games need to be group activities. Two-year-olds often do best when simply playing side by side. Here is a fun play activity to have available.

• Wrap each building block like a miniature gift. Cover it in contact paper to keep the wrapping paper intact. Give the blocks to the children to build with.

Birthday Blocks

Not all birthday games need to be group activities. Two-year-olds often do best when simply playing side by side. Here is a fun play activity to have available.

• Wrap each building block like a miniature gift. Cover it in contact paper to keep the wrapping paper intact. Give the blocks to the children to build with.