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.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Carrying both children simultaneously during classDid this help you?
- 2Leaving the studio early to stop outburstsDid this help you?
- 3Trying to accommodate sensory seeking and schedulesDid this help you?
- 4Providing snacks, books, and crafts to distract children during sibling classesDid this help you?
- 5Attempting outdoor play with water tables and sprinklersDid this help you?
- 6Using a toddler backpack leash or harnessDid this help you?
- 7Leaving the store or removing the child from the situation immediatelyDid this help you?
- 8Bringing snacks, toys, books, or disposable placemats to distract themDid this help you?
- 9Tiring the child out with physical activity before going outDid this help you?
- 10Limiting public outings entirely until the child is olderDid this help you?
- 11letting the child scream while talking to the doctorDid this help you?
- 12scheduling appointments during low-activity windows or around nap timesDid this help you?
- 13wearing the child out at a park before the appointmentDid this help you?
- 14using high-value snacks or passing treats individually to keep the child occupiedDid this help you?
- 15audio recording the doctor's visit to make up for being distractedDid this help you?
- 16Avoiding going out to meals, other people's houses, or shoppingDid this help you?
- 17Using a backpack with reins/leash to keep the child safe and within rangeDid this help you?
- 18Giving snacks like crackers or drinks to temporarily calm them downDid this help you?
- 19Using a tablet or screen during necessary appointmentsDid this help you?
- 20Giving toys or snacks to distract the childDid this help you?
- 21Letting the child walk around for a short timeDid this help you?
- 22Enrolling in formal activities like wrestling and gymnasticsDid this help you?
- 23Sending the child outside to run laps or play on bikes for hoursDid this help you?
- 24Buying indoor equipment such as home gym setups, mini trampolines, or stationary bikesDid this help you?
- 25Using interactive movement videos like GoNoodleDid this help you?
- 26Taking the child to neighborhood playgrounds or ninja warrior coursesDid this help you?
- 27Using a backpack leash for safetyDid this help you?
- 28Distracting the child with a phone or small toysDid this help you?
- 29Shopping only at small stores at quiet times and assigning a sibling watcherDid this help you?
- 30Avoiding taking toddlers to certain events like church services or letting them roam supervised nearbyDid this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“My 7 year old son is very physical. He loves running, climbing, jumping, throwing his body into the couch, handstands, flips, you name it.”source ↗
“He has a thing where when he gets overexcited he will throw himself on the ground and basically donkey kick, which can be really enthusiastic and I can just see him clipping someone’s (namely little bro) chin or face with his feet.”source ↗
“I’m struggling with alternate ideas for him in this state.”source ↗
“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 ↗
“He gets extremely distressed. I try my hardest to redirect and distract him, wherever possible, but ultimately this rarely works, if no more than for five minutes.”source ↗
“I am usually stood up with him in my arms rocking him, trying to console him, while he’s throwing his body weight around or backwards, pushing me away, biting, kicking, hitting, pulling my hair, while I am actively dripping with sweat.”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 ↗
“Sometimes he loved it, sometimes he yelled/cried about being contained.”source ↗
“When we go to the store, she wants to walk and fights when she is put in the cart. She will work herself out of the seatbelt and try to stand up.”source ↗
“twice she ran out of the sanctuary and took off. The second time she hid in a classroom under a table and I couldn’t find her.”source ↗
“She doesn’t want to sit down or even play nearby, she wants to take off.”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 ↗
“Doctors appointments are very overwhelming for me. My son loves to explore, so I am unable to sit and relax for any amount of time.”source ↗
“I spend the entire time chasing him around, trying to keep him from running away in the waiting room, then trying to keep him out of the cabinets and in the room in the office.”source ↗
“I cannot sit for more than a few seconds, and he often screams and cries when the doctor is talking to me.”source ↗
“My son is very curious and strong-willed. I feel embarrassed to bring him out in public, especially to the grocery or retail stores.”source ↗
“He does not stay seated and will wiggle his way out of the buckle of the cart.”source ↗
“Then I just feel like a bad mother because he's just doing whatever.”source ↗
“I am just tired of fighting him all day on everything lol”source ↗
Where this came up
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