Toddler Dance Party Freeze Game

A phone or speaker for playing music

Open floor space for dancing safely

Pick some upbeat, kid-friendly music. Songs with a clear beat work best — think "Baby Shark," "If You're Happy and You Know It," or anything your toddler loves.

Clear the living room floor of tripping hazards. Toddlers dance with their whole bodies and don't watch where they're going.

Start the music and begin dancing yourself. Be silly. Exaggerate your movements. Your toddler will mirror you.

Encourage your toddler to move however they want — bouncing, spinning, arm waving, stomping. There is no wrong way to dance at this age.

After 20-30 seconds of dancing, pause the music and shout "Freeze!" Hold your body perfectly still like a statue.

Your toddler probably won't freeze at first, and that's completely okay. They're learning. Gently hold them still for a moment so they understand the concept.

Hold the freeze for just 3-5 seconds, then restart the music with a big "Go!" and dance again.

Keep playing through several songs. The freeze gets funnier each time, especially when someone gets caught mid-wobble.

Don't expect your toddler to master the "freeze" right away. Under 18 months, they're mostly just dancing. The freeze concept clicks around 18-24 months for most kids.

Dance along with them — modeling the movements is more effective than giving instructions.

Try different types of movement between freezes: "Now let's stomp like elephants!" or "Let's spin in circles!" This keeps the activity fresh.

This game secretly builds impulse control — stopping your body on command is hard work for a toddler brain.

Keep a favorite stuffed animal nearby. Some toddlers love dancing with a partner to hold.