How to handle high energy kids who act out in public classes
High-energy toddlers who refuse to be contained, sit still, or stay in class often cause intense public tantrums and embarrassing disruptions. This forces parents to constantly leave early, waste money on missed activities, and eventually stop going out altogether out of fear of getting kicked out.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Carrying both children simultaneously during class
- 2Leaving the studio early to stop outbursts
- 3Trying to accommodate sensory seeking and schedules
- 4Providing snacks, books, and crafts to distract children during sibling classes
- 5Attempting outdoor play with water tables and sprinklers
- 6Using a toddler backpack leash or harness
- 7Leaving the store or removing the child from the situation immediately
- 8Bringing snacks, toys, books, or disposable placemats to distract them
- 9Tiring the child out with physical activity before going out
- 10Limiting public outings entirely until the child is older
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“He learned to walk at 12 months and since then, doesn't want to be held or contained in any way when we go out.”source ↗
“If try to carry him, sit him in my lap, put him in the stroller, etc he cries and fusses and struggles until he's put down.”source ↗
“I pretty much just let her walk, but that also means walking where she wants to go, walking at her incredibly slow pace, picking up after her, etc.”source ↗
“Our kid struggles with sitting still.”source ↗
“It got so bad and just pointless, that I truly just did not go out with them.”source ↗
“I'm at my wits end :)))))”source ↗
“We've had to quit the 2.5yo class because my 4yo is very disruptive, sobbing, and running through the studio”source ↗
“I'm incredibly sore now. Not to mention, the amount we pay to this studio - and my 4yo gets her entire class to practice yet my son misses it every week so we can leave early as to stop the embarrassing outbursts”source ↗
“Like, I'm genuinely fearful we'll be kicked out of the studio for it.”source ↗
“I'm petite and im carrying over 1/2 my body weight carrying them both together. But I feel like if I just leave the studio early, I'm allowing my 4yo to control when and where my 2.5yo practices.”source ↗
Where this came up
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