Inside: Trying to keep up with your busy toddlers? Here are 25 fun and easy ideas that will help them burn their energy at home and at school!
I am often asked about ideas for busy toddlers. They have short attention spans, would rather run or climb than sit, and simply want to be on the go every moment they are awake.
Does this sound familiar? Do you have a toddler like this?
Now, older children can be just as energetic as toddlers and I did share ideas on songs that help get their wiggles out. But toddlers get frustrated more easily and need redirection during those times. So, I put together activities that have worked with our busy toddlers.
Scroll down to get your own free printable list!
25 Fun and Easy Ideas for Busy Toddlers
Squeeze Water
Go Up and Down Steps
Pour Water
Pouring water is another super soothing activity. If we have a child who needs to calm his body down, this does the trick. You don’t need a fancy water table. A kitchen sink or a bucket work fine.
You can see more about this in our Toddler Fine Motor Water Activity Post.
(Jonti Craft See-Thru Sensory Table)
Balance
All toddlers benefit from balancing activities, but busy toddlers especially enjoy them. These activities require the busy toddler to focus for an extended period of time. They also strengthen body awareness, muscular strength, and postural control.
Hop in Hoops
Get those wiggles out by placing hoops on the floor! Invite your toddlers to hop in and out of them.
Throw a Ball
Scrub with Soapy Water
Ride Scooters
A few years ago we were introduced to scooter boards. Our toddlers lie on their tummies and scoot around the room. Scooter boards strengthen both the arms and the core, important for motor development.
Move with Instruments
Pound Golf Tees
Build with Blocks
Dance with Scarves
Move Big Things
Draw Big Pictures
Scoop
Grab some kitchen utensils and give your busy toddler scooping activities! This was part of our alphabet soup activity and it was much loved.
Stamp with Paper Tubes
Roll Golf Balls
Push Carts
Stack Duplo Bricks
Just as small Lego bricks help our busy preschoolers, the larger Duplo bricks calm our busy toddlers. These are also great to take along when traveling!
Transfer Cubes with Tongs
Focusing on transferring smaller pieces is a nice activity to slow down the busy toddler. You can see more of this activity here: Color Sorting Water Bin.
Paint with Balls
Activities such as this painting one are great because they allow the toddler to hold onto a cardboard lid, moving it around. Busy toddlers love this because it works their entire upper body as they move the ball around. You can see more here: Painting with Balls.
Spin
Our toddlers have so much fun with our sit ‘n spin that we had to purchase several! It takes coordination to start the spinning motion, working the upper body.
Free List of Busy Toddler Activities
More to read:
Fine Motor Activities for Toddlers
Toddler Lesson Plans
We’ve created an entire year’s worth of themed lesson plans that are fun and build a variety of skills!
CLICK HERE to see all of the themes!
