how can i activate my ipad 2?

If your device is Activation Locked, this help page will provide most of the information that you’ll need:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

If you have forgotten your AppleID or associated password, these can be recovered here:

https://iforgot.apple.com

To recover your credentials, you’ll need access to one of the following:

• Your primary email address mailbox that corresponds with your AppleID
• Any of the secondary/recovery email addresses that should be configured for your AppleID account
• Any of the trusted telephone numbers (fixed line or Cellular/Mobile) that are associated with your AppleID

Unless you AppleID account has not been fully/correctly configured, or has been seriously neglected, recovery of the AppleID and password should not be difficult.

More information about recovery of your AppleID:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201354

More information about recovery of your AppleID password:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201487

When you recover access to your credentials, you would be well advised to log-in to your AppleID account from a web browser - and verify/update any email addresses and trusted telephone numbers:

https://appleid.apple.com

I wouldn’t even bother with doing anything with this over -year old iPad 2 now!

Tap and read both of my links below for my additional info about 8, 9 and 10-year old iPads.

"Sudden App Death” for Completely Res… - Apple Community

If you own OLD 8 and 9 Year Old iPad mo… - Apple Community

Sorry & Best of Luck to You!

If you mean it is disabled, this may help: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211078

If it is in Activation Lock, see here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365