How to Calm Hyper Toddlers: The "Wiggle and Wait" Freeze Dance Game
- Annie & Rocco
- May 22
- 3 min read
How to Manage Toddler "Jumpy Energy" with the Wiggle and Wait Game
Does your living room ever feel less like a home and more like a trampoline park? One minute you are getting ready to head out the door, and the next, your little one is spinning, jumping, and accidentally knocking over a pile of books.
When excitement takes over, telling a child to "calm down" rarely works. Their little bodies are experiencing what we call "Jumpy Energy"—and like a shaken soda bottle, those fizzy bubbles need a safe way to settle.
In our latest video, Annie and Rocco tackle this exact situation - how to calm a hyper toddler - with a fun, active mindfulness game called Wiggle and Wait. It is the perfect tool to help your child transition from high-energy chaos to focused calm so you can finally get their shoes on!
What is the "Wiggle and Wait" Game?
Wiggle and Wait is a playful twist on the classic game of freeze dance, specifically designed to build emotional regulation and body awareness. Instead of just stopping the movement, the "wait" portion invites children to look inward and listen to physical sensations.
Here is how the game works in three simple rounds:
Round 1: The Small Wiggle
Start with a playful, mid-tempo beat. Encourage your child to do small wiggles—maybe just their hands, feet, or shoulders. When the music stops, everyone freezes!
The Mindfulness Moment: Have them tune into the smallest parts of their body. Ask them, "Do you feel your toes tingling? That’s your body's energy!"
Round 2: The Big Wiggle
Turn the energy up! The beat gets faster, and it is time for a whole-body wiggle. Think jumping, arm-flailing, and the silliest dancing possible. Let them shake out all that pent-up excitement. When the music cuts out... WAIT!
The Mindfulness Moment: Have your child place a hand over their chest. Ask, "Can you feel your heart going thump-thump-thump? Let’s wait together until it feels quiet."
Round 3: The Super Silly Wiggle
This is maximum, 100% energy. Go completely wild for a few seconds. When the music stops this time, challenge them to the longest freeze yet—10 full seconds of total, beautiful silence.
The Mindfulness Moment: Notice the shift. Just like Rocco says at the end of the round, their legs will finally feel calm, grounded, and ready to cooperate.
Why This Brain-Body Connection Works
When children have too much energy, their brains and bodies are briefly disconnected. Wiggle and Wait uses co-regulation and somatic awareness to bring them back into alignment.
By intentionally wiggling hard and then pausing to notice a racing heartbeat or tingling toes, children learn how to consciously dial their nervous system up and down. It teaches them that energy isn't a bad thing; it is just something we can learn to manage.
When to Use This Game at Home
You can play Wiggle and Wait whenever your child feels too wiggly to listen or focus. It is incredibly effective for:
Before leaving the house (getting shoes and coats on)
Transitioning from playtime to lunchtime
Winding down after an exciting playdate
Shaking out the "crankies" on a rainy afternoon
Watch the Full Video!
Want to play along with us? Click the video above to let Annie and Rocco lead your little ones through the game.
Join the Conversation: If your family loved wiggling with us, make sure to give the video a thumbs up! We want to hear from you: what is your child's absolute favorite wiggle move?
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