As a busy mom of three young children, I know firsthand how chaotic and overwhelming it can be trying to keep them entertained and calm throughout the day.
Between school drop-offs, playdates, and running errands, finding time to give my little ones the attention they need can be a challenge.
That’s why I’ve made it a priority to incorporate calming activities into our daily routine.
I’ve found that when my kids are feeling stressed or anxious, engaging in sensory play or other calming activities can help them relax and refocus.
From sensory bins and calm down jars, to blowing bubbles and playing with play dough, there are countless simple and effective ways to help little ones calm down and enjoy the moment.

27 Activities To Calm Down Your Little One
- Sensory bin play with items like rice, beans, and pom poms
- Blowing bubbles – how cute is this bubble mower?
- Hugging and squeezing a stuffed animal – this bunny is actually so soft – we have it!
- Doing yoga poses together
- Deep breathing exercises
- Creating calm down jars – or you can go premade like these.
- Playing with squeeze balls or stress balls
- Using discovery bottles filled with glitter and water
- Engaging in sensory activities like sand play or water play
- Making homemade play dough
- Reading a favorite book together
- Listening to calming instrumental music or audio books
- Creating a calm down corner or reading nook
- Engaging in quiet time activities like coloring or drawing
- Doing heavy work activities like pushing a wheelbarrow or lifting weights
- Taking a warm bath with lavender essential oils
- Creating a sensory diet plan with the help of an occupational therapist
- Playing with sensory toys like pipe cleaners or squishy balls
- Engaging in fine motor skills activities like cutting paper or stringing beads
- Doing child’s pose or other calming yoga poses
- Using a weighted blanket or bean bag chair for calming pressure
- Chewing gum or using a chew necklace for sensory input
- Doing board games or puzzles together
- Climbing a rock wall or engaging in other physical activities
- Using empty water bottles to create sensory toys
- Creating calming aromas of lavender in the room
- Engaging in deep pressure massage or brushing techniques for calming the nervous system.
Sensory Bins For Toddlers
Sensory bins have been a game-changer for my family, ever since an occupational therapist recommended them to me a couple of years ago. These are containers filled with materials like rice, beans, sand, or even water, that provide a rich sensory experience for little ones. They’re a great way to engage the senses and promote calm and focus, especially on those busy days when things feel particularly hectic.
One of the things I love about sensory bins is that there are so many different ways to use them. We’ve used them for counting and sorting, as well as for imaginative play. My kids have even used them as mini swimming pools for their stuffed animals!
Making a sensory bin is a simple way to provide a good sensory activity for your little ones, and it’s best to do it first thing in the morning, before things get too hectic. On particularly busy days, I’ll even set up a sensory bin in the playroom for my kids to explore while I’m busy with other tasks.
Lemon Lime Adventures is a great resource for sensory bin ideas and tutorials. They have some great ideas for themes, such as a farm or ocean theme, that make for a really engaging sensory experience. And, if you’re short on time, there are plenty of quick ways to make a sensory bin using materials you already have at home, like child’s play dough or empty water bottles.
Sensory bins aren’t just for toddlers, either. They can be adapted for older children too, with different materials and themes that will keep them engaged and calm. Overall, sensory bins are a great way to promote focus, imagination, and relaxation for the whole family.

Bubbles For Toddlers
Blowing bubbles is one of the best calming activities that I have personally found for my little ones. Not only is it a fun way to engage their senses, but it also provides a great sensory input that helps them relax and calm down when they’re having a tough time. When my kids are feeling overwhelmed or have those REALLY big emotions, blowing bubbles can be a powerful tool to help them regulate their nervous system and bring their heart rate and blood pressure back to normal.
At a young age, I introduced my kids to blowing bubbles as part of their sensory diet. Child therapists recommend sensory activities like blowing bubbles, stress balls, or playing with pom poms and pipe cleaners to help children who experience sensory overload or have special needs.
Blowing bubbles can be done anytime and anywhere, making it a perfect way to calm down during times of stress. Whether it’s at the end of a busy day, in a calm down corner, or even during quiet time activities, blowing bubbles can be a great way to engage little minds and promote relaxation.
I’ve also found that pairing blowing bubbles with other calming strategies, like deep breathing or child’s pose(yoga poses), can be particularly effective. The calming aromas of lavender essential oils, classical music, or instrumental music can also help to create a quiet space that feels safe and calming.
If your child is having a hard time settling down at bedtime, try reading a great book together in a cozy reading nook. Another effective calming activity is sand play or discovering sensory bottles. Younger children may enjoy playing with busy bags or with a bean bag chair while older kids might prefer board games or building a rock wall.
It’s important to note that if you have medical concerns or questions about your child’s emotional responses, it’s always best to seek professional medical advice. And, as with any affiliate links in this post, it’s important to do your own research and make sure that these products are appropriate for your child’s specific needs.
Overall, blowing bubbles is just one of the many good ways to promote relaxation and calmness in your little ones. From heavy work activities to warm baths and chew gum, there are lots of effective calming strategies that can help your child thrive. By making calming activities part of your child’s daily routine, you’ll be helping them build the skills they need to manage their emotions and navigate the world around them.
Using Stuffed Animals To Calm Down
Stuffed animals are a great way to help your child feel safe and secure, and most kids have SO MANY! I have found that incorporating stuffed animal calming activities into my child’s routine can be a wonderful way to promote relaxation and calmness at the end of the day.
One of my child’s favorite ways to use stuffed animals for calming is by doing yoga poses with them. We practice deep breathing and take deep breaths together, while holding our stuffed animals. This simple activity has a powerful calming effect on my child and helps them regulate their nervous system.
Another great way to use stuffed animals for calming is by incorporating them into your child’s sensory processing disorder routine. Along with other calming activities like blowing bubbles, squeeze balls, and discovery bottles, stuffed animals can be an effective tool to help children with sensory processing disorder calm down.
Stuffed animals can also be used as part of a bedtime routine. Reading a favorite book together with a soft blanket and a stuffed animal can be a great way to help your child feel calm and secure before bed. You can also try incorporating a warm bath or listening to audio books as part of your child’s bedtime routine.
Elementary students with lots of energy can benefit from stuffed animal calming activities too. A weighted blanket paired with a favorite stuffed animal can help them feel safe and secure while they wind down after a long day.
It’s important to have a list of calm down techniques in your parenting toolkit, and incorporating stuffed animals into your child’s sensory calming activities is a good reason to keep them handy. Along with creating a safe place for your child to unwind, stuffed animals can also help develop fine motor skills through activities like squeezing and hugging.
Overall, stuffed animals are a much fun and important part of your child’s daily routine. Whether it’s practicing yoga poses, using them as a calming tool for sensory processing disorder, or snuggling up with them during bedtime, stuffed animals can be an effective way to promote relaxation and calmness in your child. If you’re unsure where to start, consider consulting a child therapist for more ideas on how to incorporate stuffed animals into your child’s sensory calming activities.

Using Calming Activities For Toddlers At Bedtime
As a busy mom, I know how challenging it can be to keep toddlers calm and focused, especially during times of stress or overstimulation. That’s why I’ve found that incorporating calming activities into our daily routine is essential for my children’s emotional and sensory development.
Whether it’s engaging in sensory bin play, doing yoga poses, or creating a calm down corner, there are so many simple and effective ways to help toddlers regulate their emotions and calm their nervous system. And the best part is that many of these activities can be done with items you already have at home!
So next time your little one is feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated, try one of these 27 calming activities for toddlers. Not only will they help your child feel more centered and calm, but they will also provide a special opportunity for you to connect and bond with your child in a meaningful way.
Remember, as parents, we play an essential role in helping our children navigate big emotions and sensory overload. By incorporating these calming strategies into our daily routine, we can help our little ones build important emotional regulation skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

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