TinyStepper
East Asian toddler crouching over an ice block with frozen toys and flowers inside

Chewy Necklace Obstacle Course

Combine a safe chewy item with a physical obstacle course so toddlers get oral and full-body sensory input at once.

Activity details

12m–2y15 minshighbothBlanketsCushionsPillows

Instructions

Get ready
  • Build a simple obstacle course: two cushions to climb over, a blanket tunnel to crawl through, and a pillow 'mountain' to scramble up.
  • Offer your child a safe chewy item — a silicone teether clipped to their top, or a damp flannel to hold.
  1. Build a simple obstacle course: two cushions to climb over, a blanket tunnel to crawl through, and a pillow 'mountain' to scramble up.
  2. Offer your child a safe chewy item — a silicone teether clipped to their top, or a damp flannel to hold.
  3. Say 'Let's go on an adventure — you can chomp your chewy while you climb!'
  4. Guide them to the first obstacle and stay close for balance support, especially for early walkers.
  5. At each station, pause and narrate: 'Big climb! Your muscles are working so hard.'
  6. Repeat the circuit two or three times — the repetition builds confidence and deepens the sensory input.
  7. On the final lap, slow the pace down: 'Now we're creeping like sleepy bears through the tunnel.'
  8. Finish by flopping onto the pillow mountain together for a rest — 'All that climbing made our bodies calm.'

Parent tip

Set out blankets and cushions before inviting your toddler in so the first minute feels smooth.

Toddler sitting back from a sensory tray looking calm and satisfied after focused play

What success looks like

Watch for focused exploration — fingers digging in, pouring back and forth, or sorting by feel. Even a few minutes of this builds concentration.

For children who bite frequently, occupational therapists often recommend pairing oral sensory tools with gross motor movement — the combination satisfies the nervous system on multiple channels simultaneously. This activity gives your child something safe to chew (a silicone teether on a ribbon, or a damp flannel) while they navigate a simple cushion-and-pillow obstacle course. The heavy work of climbing and crawling floods the proprioceptive system, reducing the internal pressure that drives biting.

Why it helps

NHS physical activity guidelines for under-5s recommend at least 180 minutes of activity a day, listing climbing as one of the best forms of active play for this age group. This activity provides simultaneous oral proprioceptive input (through chewing) and whole-body proprioceptive input (through climbing and crawling), addressing the sensory-seeking behaviour that underlies much toddler biting. Heavy-work activities like pushing, pulling, and climbing are a cornerstone of sensory integration therapy because they organise the nervous system and reduce arousal. Pairing this with a safe oral outlet teaches the body that it can get the input it craves without biting people.

Variations

  • Add a 'roaring station' where your child stops to do a big lion roar before the next obstacle — this provides oral motor input through the jaw and breath.
  • For older toddlers, include a balance beam (masking tape line on the floor) that requires concentration and reduces the impulse to chew.
  • Play gentle music during the course and pause it at random — when the music stops, everyone freezes and takes a deep breath.

Safety tips

  • Ensure the chewy item is securely attached and cannot wrap around the child's neck — use a breakaway clip or short ribbon.
  • Stay within arm's reach throughout, as chewing while climbing increases the risk of stumbling.
  • Check cushions and pillows are stable and won't slide on hard floors — place them on carpet or a non-slip mat.