How to Keep Your Toddler Still for a Story? Don’t. Try This Instead. Let’s be honest: once your baby gets going, they don’t stop. You finally made it through the clingy newborn stage and now you’ve got a baby who’s climbing the coffee table mid-nursery rhyme and trying to somersault during bedtime stories. We see you. And we’re here to say—this is normal. Wonderful, even.
Because movement isn’t the enemy of reading. It’s part of it. Especially when it comes to books for active toddlers.
At Adventure Babies, we believe stories should be felt, not just read. When your little one moves, wriggles, and explores during a story, they’re not being “distracted”—they’re learning. They’re engaging their whole body in the world of the book. And that’s powerful.
Here’s how to bring stories to life at home (and a peek into how we do it in class too).
Wiggles Welcome: How to Turn Storytime Into Playtime
Rather than trying to get your toddler to sit still, try meeting them where they are—on the move. These ideas work beautifully at home, especially if you’ve got a handful of favourite books you’re reading on repeat.
📘 “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” – Michael Rosen
Movement idea: Set up a mini obstacle course around the living room. Use cushions for the “swishy swashy grass,” a blanket tunnel for the “deep, dark forest,” and a tray of water (supervised!) for the “splashy river.” Let your toddler act out each part with big movements and lots of repetition.
📕 “From Head to Toe” – Eric Carle
Movement idea: This book is movement. Play along with your child, copying the animal moves—stamp like an elephant, twist like a cat. You’ll get a giggle and burn off some energy, too.
📗 “The Gruffalo” – Julia Donaldson
Movement idea: Turn your toddler into the mouse, creeping through the forest. You can play the other animals or set up puppets and props. Great for imaginative play and story sequencing!
All of these movement-rich moments help reinforce comprehension, language, and memory. It’s storytelling that sticks.
Books for Active Toddlers ? You’re in the Right Place
When parents search books for active toddlers, they’re really asking: “How do I help my child love reading when they won’t sit still?” And the answer is: let them move.
That’s the ethos behind every Adventure Babies session. We combine sensory play, physical exploration, and interactive storytelling in a way that keeps even the wriggliest baby completely hooked.
We use tunnels, lights, textures, puppets and props—not to distract, but to enhance the story. So when a toddler crawls through a rainbow ribbon forest or splashes in a (contained!) mud puddle, they’re not off-task. They’re immersed.
Our classes are built for babies on the move, designed by experts in early years development, and run by people who get it. We know your child doesn’t need to “sit nicely” to learn. They need to move, explore, and feel the magic of books in their bones.
Keep the Magic Going at Home
Want to blend storytelling and movement into your day without making it a “thing”?
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Choose books with animals or action words
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Make a “story basket” with soft props your toddler can grab and use
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Create a reading nook that lets them climb, roll, and bounce while they listen
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And remember: even 2 minutes of story-led movement matters!
So if you’re in that gloriously chaotic stage of parenting a turbo-charged toddler, don’t stress about stillness. Lean into the wriggles. Celebrate the squirms.
With the right stories (and a little imagination), movement isn’t a barrier—it’s the bridge to a lifelong love of reading.
