Toddlers are little balls of energy with absolutely no off switch. A toddler dance party at home is one of the simplest ways we’ve found to burn off that energy, especially in the final stretch before bedtime.
It’s loud, slightly chaotic, and surprisingly effective.
My Son, Robbie, loves to dance. He throws some crazy shapes and puts my Dad dancing to shame. It has now become a regular theme in our house to have a dance party just before bed to sap that last bit of energy before a good night’s sleep.
The perfect toddler dance party
Just dancing around the house is fine, but we can do better! To throw the perfect party takes a little bit of planning, here’s how we do it.
Get ready to party!
If your toddler is anything like mine, a football pitch wouldn’t be enough to control their dance moves. Get any tables, chairs and anything else moveable out of the way before the first beat drops. You may want to fuel up on coffee too!
We also like to get Robbie ready for bed at this point too. He’s never been a fan of bedtime so persuading him to get his pyjamas on so we can party is a much simpler battle than convincing him to do so for sleep. That’s a serious Dad hack.
Music for a toddler party
It always helps to know your toddlers favourite music, or at least his style. Sticking on a few nursery rhymes isn’t going to get them moving. Robbie loves his dance music, the type with no lyrics and a repetitive beat which is not exactly my first choice… But it’s his party!
I have an playlist on my phone of songs he loves, mixed in with a few that get Mum off the sofa and a couple of my favourites that he likes too. We add in a few classic dance songs for kids such as The Macarena and Time Warp (Oldies know!)
If you don’t have a playlist ready, it’s no problem. Most music services such as Apple or Amazon Music make it really simple to switch between songs in no time, even if you do have to listen to a quick ad between songs. It’s actually a good chance for both you and your toddler to catch a breath!
Lighting for a toddler dance party
I have never been afraid of screen time in my house. Whilst many may see a dance party as an opportunity for screen free time, I used it as a little piece in the party puzzle. A quick YouTube search for ‘disco ball’ will provide you the background for a real disco vibe.
We’ve raised our toddler party game recently though and now use our own disco ball instead. This gives the room a full party vibe, particularly on dark nights. These are cheap enough and you can pick them up easily online.
Now to the most important part of a sucessful party, though I do hope it doesn’t put you off. You have to join in. The most beneficial reason for this toddler activity is the quality time that you get to spend dancing around with your child in the privacy of your own home.
Nobody is watching. The world won’t know you have two left feet. This is time together that you will never get back and it’s important that you enjoy it rather than looking at the clock waiting for bedtime. You’ll have the rest of the night to relax after this!
Top tips for a toddler dance party
- Focus on the dancing. No need for sugary snacks and treats before bedtime
- Let the toddler take control. If there is a song they want, put it on. Same song 5 times, great!
- Warn them when the party is winding down. Warn them before the last somg to avoid an after-party tantrum
- Your engagement is the key. If you stop dancing with them, they may well stop too.
Once the party is over it’s time to calm down. We take Robbie straight up to bed and read a couple of books while his adrenaline goes and fatigue set in. Slip straight from the party into your own bedtime routine and hopefully, you’ll have a nicely tired out toddler to put to sleep.
FAQs
What do I need to throw a toddler party?
Nothing special. Every item in the article is easily replaceable. You can replicate most of the feel just by putting on YouTube music and turning off the lights.
What are the benefits of this toddler activity?
The greatest quality is family time though there are many others. Dancing helps with co-ordination, picking the songs teaches communication and the exercise doesn’t hurt either. (Mainly for parents!)
Does the party have to be at night?
No. We prefer to do it at night as the disco lights have more effect and it slips in nicely to bedtime. It is also a great idea before naps or any time your toddler needs something to keep them occupied.
My toddler struggles with walking, are they too young for this?
No. In fact this is the perfect age for a party! As long as you are dancing with the child and holding their hands for support, a dance party at the stage can really help them with their walking.
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