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When my first child was a toddler, I combed through as many parenting books and blogs as I could to find tips on how to deal with high energy kids. Active children keep a mother very busy, and boy was that challenging!
As a first-time mother, I had previously read the standard child-discipline recommendations. When it came to obeying directions and sleeping at night, the positive discipline and positive parenting techniques worked wonders for us, though were never actually recommended by family and friends.
My high energy level son listened (pretty well), had really good intentions, appeared to have a good grasp of other children’s differences, and wanted to succeed in all the things he tried.
Here are the things I learned on high energy toddlers (now that I’ve had 3) and how to calm them down and reduce those power struggles with them too.
See also: 26 Mom And Toddler Activities To Try Today At Home
How To Help You High Energy Toddler Calm Down
High-energy toddlers can be a handful, but there are ways to help them calm down and channel their boundless energy in a positive way.
Whether you are dealing with an active toddler who has a hard time sitting still or a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the following activities can help.
Take a break together and breathe
One of the best ways to help your high energy toddler calm down is to take a break together and breathe. Toddlers need a lot of downtime, especially after a full day at school or daycare, but also in the evening before bed. For high energy toddlers, this might mean needing a break for half an hour every evening.
If you are in a household where one person stays with the child and another goes out to a job, or your child is just naturally very active, it’s a good idea to take a break to sit with them and calm down together. In the evening, you might play a game of pretend in a quiet spot, or read a book together. Alternatively, you might sit quietly in a comfortable spot (maybe with a cup of tea for two) and just be together. The key is to sit quietly and breathe.
Start with a daily routine
Having a daily routine is a great way to help your toddler feel safe with the day and know what is coming up next. It also helps you stay in control of your day and be more efficient as a parent. Having a daily routine with a high energy toddler means you can start with the things that need to be done without interruption.
Getting the important things done in the morning will save you time and stress later in the day when your toddler is fidgety and has a lot of energy to burn. This is especially true for older kids who are more able to understand and follow a schedule.
Use visuals and have your child ask for what they want
Toddlers like to feel in control, so they will naturally push back when they don’t like the rules and feel they don’t have input in their day. Having visual cues and your child asking you what they want to do next can help make your toddler feel more in control of their day. I love these routine cards from the military wife and mom. This will help them calm down and have less resistance when coming up with a visual cue to ask for something.
Visual cues can be a picture on the wall, a sticker chart, a large calendar, small visual books, or having the current day’s schedule written on a white board or magnetic board. These can be used for everything from when meals are served, to what activities will be happening on any given day, and bedtime.
Have short, simple activities at the ready in your home
When your high energy toddler needs to burn off some energy, it’s important to have short, simple activities at the ready. Building with legos, drawing, and reading are some of the basics that are great for toddlers. If your child is like mine, you will also have a high-energy child who loves to move and dance.
Having something they can do that is closed off to damage that they can jump around in, move wildly in, and use their energy on will help them calm down a lot. For example, having a small trampoline in the backyard, and a small ball pit in the living room (with soft balls) will help your toddler be calm and happy at the same time. Having activities like these ready to go will help your toddler have something to do when they are wound up and ready to move.
Utilize physical exercise as much as possible outside of the house
This might mean going for walks to the playground, going outside to play in a safe space, or meeting up with friends and taking your child along to play. It can also mean finding a local play-group or activity that your child likes to go to.
High energy toddlers are going to get restless, and having other kids to play with at a nearby play-group will help your toddler calm down. There are tons of different toddler enrichment groups around, so you will find something your child will enjoy.
Taking your toddler out and about in their community is a great way to get them to calm down without having to be inside all the time.
Teach Your Child Self-Care Skills
As much as possible, you will want to encourage your toddler to take care of themselves.
This can help with self-calming, knowing the times of day when they have to calm down, and with teaching them time-management skills.
Some ideas you can do when your toddler is starting to calm down would be to have them wash their hands, brush their teeth, put their shoes on, or buckle their seatbelt.
These are small things they can do themselves that will help them use up their energy and stay calm. They also give your child a sense of accomplishment and control over their day.
Make Physical Activity A Priority For Everyone In The House
Have you ever noticed toddlers like to walk everywhere? My first child would walk across the living room, down the hallway, and all the way to the kitchen and back, hundreds of times a day!
Having active toddlers means they are burning off energy. To help your child calm down, it might mean you need to walk with them or find other ways to use up their energy.
Active toddlers tend to like being outside so find ways to get your child moving in the fresh air and away from the television and tablet. It can also mean finding things like a jump rope, hula hoop, or a ball and playing with your child.
High energy toddlers need activity and movement to calm down. These are very basic toddler needs, yet they don’t always get them.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, calming down a high energy toddler can be a little bit of a challenge, but with the right tools and activities, it can be a fun and rewarding experience for both parent and child. Incorporating different ways of physical activity and play, such as a hula hoop, a bubble wrap road, or an indoor obstacle course, can be a great way to channel that energy in a positive way. Remember, the first step is recognizing that a little bit of extra energy is a good thing and not a problem, and also that every child is different and may respond to different activities.
It is important to note that for some children, especially inattentive type or gifted children, may require a bit more hard work and patience to find the right activities that work for them. But with the right amount of trial and error, you will find what works best for your little kid.
We also recommend checking out some local parks or even having a dance party or hot lava game in your living room, these can be a great way to have some fun and also use up that extra energy. For birthday party, or any other special event, you can also try incorporating some of these activities to keep the kids entertained and engaged, while also promoting physical activity.
It’s also important to remember that while these activities can be a great way to burn off energy, they are not the only solution. Teaching your child impulse control and encouraging quiet time can also be a big help in calming them down. A baby gate or a stationary bike in the front yard are also great options to consider.
We hope that you find these tips helpful and wish you good luck in your journey to calming down your high energy toddler. Remember that affiliate links provided in the post for related products such as air mattresses or water bottles, can also be a great resource and by making small purchase, you can support the writer with a small commission. As a perfect example, using blue painters tape to create a “road” on the floor for cars, or using a hula hoop to create a “ring toss” game, are great ways to add some fun and creativity to these activities. The most important thing is to remember that hard work and patience will pay off in the end with a happy and well-rounded kid. The right emotional brain and active play are the best thing for different ages children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my toddler have so much energy?
It’s possible that your youngster is bored or that he or she needs more time to play outside or be engaged in a higher activity level overall. Investigate when and why your child appears to be overly energetic, then devise a strategy for making a good adjustment.
How can I help my toddler with high energy?
Don’t put too much emphasis on your high energy toddler. Rather, recognise your child’s emotions (“I know you feel angry that we have to end a playdate”). Then relocate her to a different area or shift her focus to something else.
What does it mean when your toddler is very active?
Because they aren’t getting enough sleep, some toddlers become hyperactive. They may also be hyperactive when their senses are overstimulated.
Is it normal for my toddler to have so much energy?
Yes, it’s normal for toddlers to have high energy levels. Toddlers are naturally curious and active as they explore the world around them. Their boundless energy supports healthy physical and cognitive development. Providing opportunities for play and physical activity can help channel their energy in positive ways.
Does my child have ADHD or just high energy?
Determining whether a child has ADHD or simply high energy requires a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional. ADHD is characterized by specific symptoms like impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. High energy alone may not indicate ADHD. A proper assessment is essential to make an accurate diagnosis.
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