Here are some great options to get your toddler moving and to help them stay engaged while reading (it livens things up for parents too).
#1 Clap Your Hands by Cauley
This book is great because it gets kids moving and helps them to follow directions. I would use this book in my elementary classroom to work out wiggles and have a few laughs for even fifth graders, yet it is easy enough for a two year old (or younger) to participate.
#2 Shake My Sillies Out by Raffi
Based on Raffi's hit song, this is a great book to explore before bed or any other time of day! It gets the whole family moving and laughing.
#3 Tumble Bumble by Bond
This was a new one for our family and is quickly becoming a favorite! Follow a tiny bug on a walk, where he meets new friends and gets moving. It is great for getting wiggles out and also teaches about making new friends and trying new things.
#4 From Head to Toe by Carle
Another great find written by Eric Carle. This one helps your toddler learn the parts of their body, while getting up and moving. A classic favorite in our home.
#5 Don't Push the Button by Cotter
This one is a winner because it plays directly into every toddlers hands: they can't push a button. So, what do you think they want to do the entire book? Push the button. It is terrific for teaching following directions and is just wildly comical to see the look on your child's face when they are allowed to finally touch the button.
#6 How Loud is a Lion by Beaton
My toddler is obsessed with animals and their silly noises, which makes this book a hit in our home. He loves to make all of the animal sounds and we even get up and move like the animals sometimes. There is also a hidden lion on each page, making for a fun scavenger hunt!
#7 Jump Frog Jump by Kalan
We made this book into a let's get up and move book. The frog in this book finds himself in several circumstances in which he better escape fast! What does he do to escape? Jump of course! So what do we do each time the frog jumps? We jump like a frog! It is simple and fun!
#8 Are You Ticklish by Bendon Inc
This book is normally only available used now but it is worth it! Each page has a new animal to tickle (touch and feel book) and it just cracks my toddler up! He now lives to tickle his little brothers toes and he would tickle the dog as well. Lots of laughs for as young as 10 months.
#9 Little People Lift and Flap Books by Fisher-Price
There are so many Little People lift the flap books to choose from and they are all wonderful! They have one for each holiday and their books coordinate with their Little People play sets. A few of our favorites are:
- The Farm
- Let's Go to the Zoo
- Planes, Cars, Trucks, and Trains
These are great for independent play/reading once they have been explored with a parent.
#10 Slide and Find by Priddy
Priddy has put together over a dozen slide and find books which are great fun for toddlers! There are holiday themed slide and find books, as well as everyday books (trucks, colors, etc).
They are great learning tools and can be independently played with after introduced by an adult.
