Parents of toddlers know it’s normal for toddlers to be energetic and hyper, but we wonder at times if our toddler is perhaps too hyper. Odds are, your toddler isn’t overly hyper and doesn’t have ADD or ADHD. He just needs guidance to exert his energy in appropriate ways. Toddlers will find ways to release their energy, and without constructive outlets, that can mean throwing, crashing, shouting, and generally running amuck. This is especially common when toddlers are cooped up inside because of the weather, during the winter and on rainy days. Here are some toys to help your toddler get his energy needs met without causing damage.
Exercise Trampoline
A small exercise trampoline can be purchased for about $30 at Wal-Mart or Toys ‘R Us. These can be used inside, outside, in the garage–wherever. They use bungee cables and elastic bands, not springs, so there is less risk of accidents. Assembly is quick and easy, taking only 5 minutes. Unfold the round trampoline part until it snaps, then screw on the legs. Your hyper toddler can now meet all of his jumping needs without doing any damage.
Basketball Hoop
The Little Tikes TotSports Basketball Set is appropriate for ages 18 months to 5 years. It has six heights ranging from 2 1/2 to 4 feet. It is very easy for toddlers to make baskets, because it has a large hoop and small ball. You’ll pay only $30 for this, and it will last years. You can use it inside or outside, because it is small and made of plastic. If your toddler likes to throw, give him an appropriate object and target!
Sit N Spin
My son loves to spin around in circles, often until he falls over from being dizzy. If you are tired of your toddler running in circles, buy a Sit N Spin. I got one for $5 off of Craigslist, but you’ll pay $20-$25 for a new one at places like Wal-Mart and Target. There are various models from Sound and Lights to Simon Says. Your toddler can spin himself silly while enjoying the sounds (and possibly lights).
Push and Pull Toys
If your toddler is running all over the place, give him a push toy. It will take more strength, energy, and focus to push something along, even if it’s light. This will help him exert his energy more efficiently. There are various push toys out there, most of them quite affordable. You can also let him push a box around. Filling the toy or box with something to weight it down will also help calm him more quickly. He can also pull around the weighted box or a wagon of toys. Push toys can be used outside as well.
Cars & Tricycles
The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe II resembles the one Fred Flintstone drove. These run about $50 new, but I got mine secondhand for $20. The Little Tikes Push & Ride Racer is about $25 new, but I purchased one for $5 second-hand. Both of these toys come in various colors and designs. My son uses both of these car toys every single day. They are two of his very favorite toys. If your toddler is old enough, you can get him a pedal car such as a trike or Big Wheel. Even in a small room toddlers have fun driving these, and of course they are fun outdoors, too.
Slides, Swings & More
You can purchase the Little Tikes Swing Along Castle or Junior Activity Gym for your toddler. The Little Tikes Swing Along Castle is a small swing set with a slide, telescope, steering wheel, and swing. The Junior Activity Gym is a small play cube with a slide. Your toddler can climb on it, slide down it, crawl through the holes, and hide under it. The Swing Along Castle costs around $100 at Wal-Mart, but it cost me $75 used. The Junior Activity Gym is about $50 new, but mine was only $25 secondhand. These can be used indoors or outdoors and will give your toddler a healthy way to release her energy.
A small red bean bag cost me $15 at Wal-Mart. Not only can my son sit in it while he watches TV, but he can play with it. He can jump onto it from the couch or his trampoline. He can crash into it with his cars and land on it after sliding. He can roll and push it around. He can throw it, but not very far. People underestimate bean bags, but they are quite versatile. They are also great for crashing on when it’s time for naptime after all that energy has been used up.
Inflatable Toys
For about $30 your toddler can have his very own jump house and/or ball pit. These can be purchased at Wal-Mart or any toy store. Most are small enough for indoor use and sturdy enough for outdoor use. Best of all, when you’re done playing, you can deflate them and put them away! You should probably by a $10 manual pump or $20 electric pump, though, unless you want to spend all night blowing these up by mouth!
Tents & Tunnels
For about $20 at Target you can buy a tunnel, complete with end coverings, for your child to crawl through if you’re sick of him crawling under the table. Tents featuring various characters are available for about that much as well. Many of them can be matched with tunnels that will attach to the tent. The tents don’t do much for helping a toddler release his energy, but it does give him a quiet, safe place to crash when he’s done!
If your toddler is doing something inappropriate, give him something appropriate to do. He just needs a suitable way to focus his energy most of the time. It is possible for your child to get exercise even when you are stuck indoors. I find that after doing one of these activities, my son is usually calmer and can focus on quiet activities for a while much better. He will jump or spin, and then sit still coloring or watching TV. Whatever your price range, whatever your toddlers preference, there are toys suitable for indoor play that will help her exert her energy and calm down.
