Parent tip
Set out bubble mixture before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.
Bubble Stomp and Chomp Chase
Blow bubbles in the garden and chase them — stomp the low ones, clap the high ones and chomp the air to 'eat' them. Channels biting energy into a running, jumping, chomping game.
Activity details
Instructions
- Head outside with a pot of bubble mixture and a wand.
- Blow a big stream of bubbles and shout 'Chase them!'
- Model the actions: 'Stomp the low ones!' — stamp on bubbles near the ground.
- 'Clap the high ones!' — clap bubbles at chest or head height.
- 'Chomp the air!' — pretend to munch bubbles with big silly bites.
- Let your toddler blow bubbles for you to chase too.
- Add a counting element: 'How many can we chomp before they pop?'
- Wind down by blowing bubbles gently and watching them float away.
What success looks like
Flushed cheeks, big smiles, and a calmer child afterwards. If they want to do it again, you’ve found a winner.
A high-energy outdoor game that gives biters a whole-body outlet for the oral and physical energy that often drives biting behaviour. Chasing bubbles burns gross motor energy while the chomping action provides oral motor input in a playful context. The unpredictable flight path of bubbles means constant direction changes, building agility and reaction time alongside emotional regulation.
Why it helps
NHS physical activity guidelines for under-5s recommend at least 180 minutes of activity a day, with chasing games identified as one of the best ways for toddlers to get moving. Biting is frequently driven by a combination of oral sensory seeking and unspent physical energy. This activity addresses both simultaneously — the chomping action gives the jaw muscles the proprioceptive workout they are craving, while the running and jumping burns the gross motor energy that might otherwise fuel impulsive behaviour. Channelling the bite into a game also teaches that mouths can be used for fun, silly play rather than hurting.
Variations
- Use a bubble machine for a continuous stream so you can both chase together.
- Add a 'freeze' element — when you shout 'freeze!', everyone stops mid-chomp.
- Try catching bubbles gently on wet hands instead of popping them for a calm finish.
Safety tips
- Use non-toxic bubble mixture and avoid blowing directly into your toddler's face.
- Play on soft ground (grass) to cushion any tumbles during enthusiastic chasing.
- Watch for slippery patches if bubble mixture spills on paving.
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