Some children just love to throw stuff, and it’s a powerful developmental drive. We don’t want to hurt people or break stuff, but constantly fighting a toddler with that impulse often leads to frustration for both the adult and the child.
Our immediate, instinct is to say, “Stop throwing stuff!” But what if we paused and changed that instruction. “Throw this, not that.”
Addressing the Underlying “Why”
According to The Montessori Room, we must consider the reasons a child is throwing things:
- Communication: Is the child throwing a plate to signal they are “all done” or tossing a toy when they are frustrated? The solution isn’t a new toy; it’s teaching a functional replacement, such as baby sign language for “all done” or “help.”
- Attention Seeking: If the throwing only happens when you are busy, the child may need connection. Proactively caregivers must be sure they are offering dedicated one-on-one time to each child.
- Developmental Schema: Is the child driven purely by the joy of seeing objects fall and scatter? This is the Throwing Schema in action. This is where our safe alternatives shine! Redirection can include dropping pom-poms into a container or throwing leaves outside—safe outlets that fulfill the natural impulse.
Developmental Benefits of Throwing
Throwing is not in itself a bad behavior. There are some benefits of teaching little ones to throw in an appropriate setting.
- Gross Motor Skills: The act of throwing engages the core, shoulder, and arm strength.
- Visual-Motor Skills: Aiming at a taped target or a laundry basket develops the ability to coordinate vision with movement.
- Joint Attention and back and forth turn-taking
Safe Substitutions for Indoor Throwing Playtime
Instead of “no throwing in the house,” try a “throw this, not that” approach.
| Category | Recommended Items | Developmental Benefit |
| Super Soft & Sensory | Scarves, Cotton Balls, Pom Poms, Feathers, Socks, Paper Balls | Excellent for visual tracking (due to slow fall) and gentle fine motor release. |
| Grip & Proprioception | Bean Bags, Stuffed Animals, Yarn Balls, Sponges, Tin Foil Balls | Provides varied texture, requires a better grip, and offers valuable Proprioceptive Input (sensory input to muscles/joints) due to their slight weight. |
| Air & Targets | Soft Balls, Foam Balls, Soft Frisbees, Rings | Ideal for Target Toss activities into a laundry basket or a taped area, promoting aiming and coordination. |
Our call to action, then, must be to first assess the child’s “Why” before implementing the “What.” By understanding the child’s need—whether it’s communication, connection, or exploration—we can provide a solution that truly supports their development.
References
CMAS Canada. (n.d.). Do you have a child in your program who loves to throw things? Retrieved from https://cmascanada.ca/activity-resources/throw-things/
NAPA Center. (2025). 35+ Indoor Activities for Kids That Boost Development. Retrieved from https://napacenter.org/indoor-activities-for-kids/
Rockstar Academy. (2025). Your Children Love to Throw? Here’s Throwing Activities for Toddlers. Retrieved from https://www.rockstaracademy.com/blog/throwing-activities-for-toddlers
The Montessori Room. (Accessed April 1, 2026) 4 Alternative Activities for Children Who Like to Throw. Retrieved from https://themontessoriroom.com/blogs/montessori-tips/4-alternative-activities-for-children-who-like-to-throw?srsltid=AfmBOoq1zRsPWI6RXXtUez5GrmyCGSdtc790V1dye9f8TcULSdo8Eu7k
All Things Early Intervention 