When my son turned one, peace packed up and left the house. 😅
Yes, literally.
This little human doesn’t nap, doesn’t stay still, and if he’s not trying to scale a chair, he’s trying to get into the kitchen — which, in my view, is the most dangerous place on earth for a toddler. If he’s not there, he’s busy scattering clothes, throwing shoes from shelves, or plotting an escape from the house like a mini Houdini.
And then there’s Cocomelon. Oh, Cocomelon.
If he had his way, that show would run 24/7. But no — I’m not letting YouTube raise my child. So the question becomes: what do you do with a one-year-old who never seems to sleep, always wants to be on the move, and still expects you to clap for him while you’re trying to get some work done or just catch a quick nap?
Here are some sanity-saving activities that have helped me manage my restless little tornado — without screens:
1. Laundry Basket Adventures
Throw some soft toys, balls, or blocks into a laundry basket and let your baby pull them out, one by one. He’ll love the “unpacking,” and you’ll love the 10 minutes of peace. Sometimes I even push him around the house in the basket pretending it’s a car. Works like magic.
2. Plastic Container Drawer
Forget expensive toys. I emptied one of my kitchen drawers (the lowest one) and filled it with plastic cups, spoons, and containers. He opens it, explores, bangs things together — and crucially, stays away from the dangerous drawers.
3. Cloth Chaos Corner
Since he’s obsessed with pulling clothes off shelves, I gave him his own mini laundry basket with a few old baby clothes. He can throw, fold (or attempt to), and scatter all he wants. It keeps him busy, and my good clothes stay safe.
4. Obstacle Course Fun
I make tiny indoor obstacle courses with pillows, cushions, and tunnels made out of chairs. He climbs, crawls, and rolls around while burning off that endless energy. Perfect for rainy days when going outside isn’t an option.
5. Outdoor Explorer Time
When he starts pacing at the door wanting to “go out,” I let him. We go for short walks, collect leaves, or chase after butterflies. He gets tired, I get my cardio — win-win. Just keep a close eye because one-year-olds have zero concept of danger.
6. Sticky Note Play
Stick colorful sticky notes on the wall and let him peel them off. He loves it, and I sneak in a few emails in peace.
7. Bubble Time
Bubbles never fail. Even on his crankiest days, bubbles bring instant smiles. I blow them; he pops them — and after 15 minutes of squealing joy, he’s usually ready for a snack or nap (on good days 😅).
8. Water Play
Set up a small basin or sink with a bit of water and a few plastic cups. Let him splash, pour, and play while you watch nearby. It’s messy — but better a wet floor than a broken TV or a trip to the kitchen stove.
9. Quiet Box for Mama’s Break
I keep a small “quiet box” filled with sensory toys — squishy balls, textured fabric, wooden blocks — for when I desperately need to work or tend to the other kids. He sits next to me, exploring the box, while I type like my life depends on it.
Raising a restless one-year-old feels like running a marathon every day — barefoot, uphill, and without snacks. 😂 But these small activities help channel that wild energy into something safer, fun, and sometimes even peaceful.
The truth is, this stage doesn’t last forever. One day, he’ll stop pulling your clothes from the shelf and start helping you fold them (I hope). Until then, let them explore, climb, and make a mess — safely, and with a bit of structure.
Because even when I’m exhausted, watching him discover the world in his own wild way reminds me that this chaos is just love in motion. ❤️
