Toddlers are a bundle of joy and everlasting energy that seems to have no bounds at all. And when you’re with them in a room on a rainy, snowy, or particularly hot day limiting your choice of activities, they’ll certainly bring on the tantrums of discomfort and unease right around the corner sooner rather than later if they aren’t active enough.

So we have compiled a list of different activities that not only burn off their excess energy but also exercise and develop their sensory and motor skills.

Gross motor activities

Gross motor skills refers to a child’s ability to use their large muscle groups such as their torso, arms, and legs.

Obstacle course that can include crawling, climbing, walking, jumping and running

A room is not just a room. Ask the toddlers to build their own obstacle course that’ll have them maneuvering through different sections of the course and you’ll have them easily pleased, exercised, and calm in no time.

Yoga

Young children are more flexible than you can ever imagine. And with yoga, young children can learn to be more mindful and calm.
Learning and mimicking poses helps a child be more mindful, improve their attention span, and develop a better posture.
Research at Harvard also shows yoga is beneficial for children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as it gives a child a chance to slow down and follow instructions.

Throwing and catching

Test those upper limbs’ strength by having them throw and catch from each end of the room.

Hitting a pinata

The anticipation of hitting a pinata is always a delight for children. Removing their sense of sight will also help them heighten their other senses, if not be more aware and rely on them. It improves their awareness of their surroundings and concentration as they try to pinpoint and hit the pinata.

Fine motor activities

Fine motor skills refers to a child’s ability to control the smaller, finer muscles of their hands. Most tasks will require them to master these skills, especially in order to excel at school. Giving toddlers fine motor activities will also help them quiet down and work on concentrating in accomplishing their tasks.

Kitchen play

Using kid-safe knives, children can practice cutting ingredients. When it comes to pretend cooking, using spatula and other utensils also helps them get a better grip and control.

Using scissors to get cutouts out of a magazine

Let children help you prepare for future activities by asking them to cut out figures, shapes, and pictures out of old workbooks or magazines.

Art time

Or better yet, have them draw or trace drawings out of a workbook using a semi-transparent sheet. Coloring is another way to get those little fingers and hands busy and more familiar with holding a writing or coloring tool.

Writing

If the toddlers are already familiar with their ABC’s, writing their name, their parents name or even a short note can help them get ahead of not only their writing but also their spelling game. With toddlers concentrating on what to write, you’ll soon have an occupied toddler who’s redirected away from restlessness.

These are just a few activities you can try with your toddlers when the weather outside is too unruly for you to go out and play. With these activities, you’ll prevent any restless-related tantrums and have them move closer to developing their gross and fine motor skills!