Hyper toddler - how to diffuse it?

[Clare123]

My toddler 2.6 yrs, can get really hyper - I call it "bouncing off the walls". Really hyper. He goes all silly, throws things and will not listen.

Trying to distract him or asking him to calm down does not work. Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations on how to diffuse this?

He normally gets like this if he is really tired/hungry or eaten sugary foods (which I try to avoid).

i noticed a lot of DS's meltdowns were when he was hungry or needed a sleep

does he still nap?

if not, then maybe quiet time on the sofa would be good

put him in the bath? take him out into the garden?

More food? Good run about for an hour outside (jumping in puddles atm )

DS is 2.3, and the same. I have cut out yoghurts and any chocolate (aside from a couple of smarties as a treat). He's dropping his nap so is bouncing off the walls late afternoon, but today I noticed a difference after giving him a lot more healthy snacks than usual - don't know if it stabilised his blood sugar better than I usually manage.

As much routine as you can manage, plan physical activity into the day every day, ideally for "tired" times, and follow it up with quiet time such as reading together. And make sure he gets as good a night's sleep as possible - things are always worse in this household for a few days after a late night.

Mine's like this - wild as hell and selectively deaf when he's overwrought. Much worse when there's a tooth on the way - like me you'll be almost at the end of the teething hell though!

Mine is just like this when he's tired/missed his nap. We put music on and 'dance it off' - DH is better at this than me, but basically just dancing round the living room until he's got it out of his system. Then sit quietly and read a book/watch something calming like Bagpuss for a bit.

We've noticed certain times of day seem more "hyper" for DS than others. One time is just before meals, when he is hungry. And then just before bedtime, when he is tired.

Definitely time to put the wellies on and go for a walk outside. 2 YO DS is like this when he's got cabin fever and just needs to get out. Do you have any outside space? He might like to just get out in the garden just wrapped up warm. I think it's just excess energy - toddlers are like dogs in their need for outside exercise!

do you get out for fresh air every day?

mine still need LOADS of running to burn off energy (10 and 7)

ALso the garden was never big enough, somewhere where they could run/climb/swing, y'know park/woods that sort of place.

Thank you for your replies. Some great suggestion - going to try that dancing one. I do go out a lot with him and if I can't I do soft play.

It happens a lot first thing in the morning as I am trying to get everyone out the house, and also just before bed. He has stopped napping so I think he gets over tired. Not sure why he does it in the morning. I think he is just a very "hyper" child, although he has good concentration so I am trying not worry ;-)

leave him to it, say you are at home and he's going wild, let him run it out of his system, don't try and stop it, iyswim, let him be wild as long as he does not harm you or others.

they need to be wild now and again, let him.

I have 2 DS, 3 and 7, and I have found it really helps just to leave them to it, they eventually calm down, teaches them to sort themselves out