10 books for babies and toddlers that encourage movement
Like many other babies and toddlers, my kids devour books (figuratively and, when they’re babies, sometimes literally). Often, reading is a passive activity for young kids, as they cuddle up in a parent’s lap to hear a story. This time is invaluable: it strengthens the bond between parents and kids, and it helps develop early literacy skills.
But there are times when kids need to get their energy out. Many babies and toddlers struggle to sit still long enough to listen to a story and sometimes parents and caregivers are looking for something that gets kids up and moving. This is where active books that encourage babies and toddlers to get their wiggles out come into play. Some of these picture books ask kids to copy movements, some are written to a catchy tune that makes kids want to dance, and some are just so fun and silly that your kids will wiggle along.
While they’re having fun moving and grooving, these books also help kids develop physical literacy, developing their motor skills and helping them learn to love movement. Here are 10 of the best books for babies and toddlers to check out with your kids:
1. Are You Wiggly?
This is a favourite in our home. Each page encourages kids to wiggle, hop, slither, and make other animal movements on a quest to find out who is the wiggliest of all. In the end, the kids are the wiggliest of all, and the fun twist always results in laughter and lots of wiggles from my kids.
2. My First Yoga
Babies and toddlers can learn yoga from a very young age, and this book makes it approachable even if you as a parent don’t know much about yoga. It teaches poses, the importance of flow in yoga, how to regulate breathing during yoga, and more. The book also includes pictures of kids doing the poses, which is very engaging for babies and toddlers.
3. Stomp, Wiggle, Clap, and Tap
As evidenced by the title, kids will stomp, wiggle, clap, and tap along to the story in this book. It encourages movement, motor skills, and dynamic dancing. This book also works on many of the first gestures babies will learn, such as waving, clapping, and giving a high five.
4. Shake My Sillies Out
Inspired by the popular Raffi song, kids will sing and dance along with this catchy tune. In addition to shaking their sillies out, kids will clap their crazies out, jump their jiggles out, and yawn their sleepies out. This is a great book to read before bed to help kids get some extra energy out.
5. Gallop!
In Gallop!, kids are challenged to move like different animals—they’ll be galloping, fluttering, strutting, and more. The illustrations in this book are mesmerizing because they move as you turn the page. Seeing the animals move might encourage kids to get up and move themselves.
6. From Head to Toe
This is an interactive book that gets kids to move from head to toe by tasking them with doing the same things the animals are doing, from wiggling their toes to kicking their legs. It’s also full of iconic Eric Carle illustrations, which is always a bonus.
7. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
This book is a bit longer, so it would be good for older toddlers. It follows a little old lady who gets spooked by moving clothing: gloves that clap, pants that wiggle, and more. There is a lot of repetition with the movement, giving kids a chance to test their memory and nail down the moves.
8. Barnyard Dance!
Sandra Boynton is a beloved author of children’s books. Her stories are catchy, and Barnyard Dance! Is no exception. Kids will dance along with the barnyard animals, twirling, spinning, trotting, and more.
9. I Got the Rhythm
When reading I Got the Rhythm, kids are encouraged to not only move but also to find the music and rhythm in the world around them, just like the girl in the book. The words flow together nicely, and it encourages kids to dance, snap, clap, stomp, and more.
10. Clap Your Hands
The animals and kids in this book stomp, wiggle, roar, spin, and dance. It gives simple prompts for kids to follow, so they’re not left guessing what they’re supposed to do as they listen to the story. It includes many typical actions like clapping and stomping, as well as some fun and unique ones like rubbing your belly and patting your head. Kids will be left laughing and asking to read the book over and over again.
