Best for this moment
when your toddler needs to move and burn energy, especially when you need an indoor option.
Laundry Basket Push
At a glance: Push a laundry basket filled with toys or stuffed animals. A 7-minute, high-energy indoor activity for ages 18m–3y. No prep needed.
Heavy work activity that builds strength and provides calming sensory input. Pushing and pulling heavy objects gives toddlers proprioceptive feedback, which is the deep-pressure sensation that helps regulate the nervous system. Occupational therapists often recommend this type of 'heavy work' for children who are wound up, restless, or struggling to calm down before nap or bedtime.
Parent tip
Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.
What success looks like
A good outcome is a few minutes of engaged play, some back-and-forth with you, and a small sign of progress in body awareness.
More help for this situation
Meltdowns and tantrums
Meltdown
Start with calm regulation, then move to a simple activity that helps the moment settle.
Read the meltdown guideInstructions
- Place toys or stuffed animals in a laundry basket
- Show toddler how to push it across the floor
- Make it a delivery game: 'Push the basket to the couch!'
- Add more weight (books, pillows) for older/stronger toddlers
- Pull with a rope or belt instead of pushing
- Create a route: 'Push to the kitchen, then to your room'
- Race together with two baskets
- This is calming proprioceptive input for sensory needs
Why it helps
Pushing and pulling heavy objects gives toddlers proprioceptive feedback — deep-pressure sensation that helps regulate the nervous system. This type of 'heavy work' is recommended by occupational therapists for children who are wound up, restless, or struggling to calm down.
Variations
- Add a stuffed animal passenger and deliver them to different rooms.
- Fill the basket with heavier items like books for extra resistance.
- Pull the basket with a rope or belt instead of pushing for a different muscle challenge.
Safety tips
- Ensure the floor is clear of obstacles that could trip your toddler.
- Check that the basket is sturdy enough to push without tipping.
- Supervise to prevent climbing into the basket, which could tip over.
When to pause and seek extra support
Stop if your child becomes distressed, unsafe, or consistently frustrated by the activity. If play, behaviour, or development worries keep showing up across settings, check in with a qualified professional.
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