When Kids Just Love to Throw: Understanding Why and What to Do About It
If your toddler seems to throw everything (toys, food, blocks, even sippy cups) you’re not alone! Throwing can be one of those behaviors that leaves parents both amazed and exasperated. But before labeling it as “bad behavior,” it’s worth understanding why children throw and how to help channel it in more purposeful ways.
Why Kids Throw
Throwing is a powerful full-body experience. It involves large arm movements, trunk rotation, balance, and coordination — all of which give kids strong feedback through their muscles and joints (what occupational therapists call proprioceptive input).
In other words, throwing feels good in the body. It provides a clear sense of cause and effect: “I let go…and it flies!” That predictable, visual feedback, combined with the satisfying thud or crash at the end, makes throwing especially reinforcing.
Throwing can also serve other functions:
Exploration: “What happens if I throw this one?”
Communication: “I’m done with this” or “I need attention.”
Regulation: Big movement helps some children organize their bodies when they feel overstimulated or under-stimulated.
When Throwing Becomes a Problem
Throwing is developmentally normal… but sometimes it interferes with routines or becomes unsafe. Instead of trying to stop the behavior completely, aim to redirect it toward safer and more appropriate options.
What You Can Try In the Moment
When a child starts throwing:
Stay Calm and Neutral
Take a breath and use a calm tone. Avoid big reactions that can make throwing feel even more exciting.Label What’s Happening
Say: “You’re throwing! You want to see things fly!”
Acknowledging the reason behind the action helps your child feel understood and ready to hear what comes next.Redirect the Motion
Offer something appropriate right away:“You can throw this ball into the basket.”
“Let’s toss your beanbags!”
“If you want to drop, you can drop blocks in the bin.”
Giving a similar motion keeps the sensory experience but adds a clear boundary.
Change the Environment
If throwing happens at mealtime, calmly remove extra items: “Looks like you’re all done. Let’s put your plate away.”
If it’s during playtime, move to a “yes space” where it’s safe to throw soft things.Offer a Movement Break
Sometimes throwing is your child’s way of saying, “My body needs to move!”
Try:Jumping on a small trampoline or bed (with supervision and in arms reach)
Throwing rolled socks into a laundry basket
Carrying a heavy stuffed animal across the room
Pushing a bin or laundry basket full of toys or books
Use Visual Cues
Have a clear “throw basket” or mat labeled with a picture of balls. Point and say, “Balls go here for throwing.”Model and Narrate
Children learn best by watching. Say, “I’m going to throw the ball in the basket,” and show it. Then hand it to them to copy.Teach an “All Done” Signal
If throwing happens when your child is finished with a toy or snack, teach a replacement action such as putting items in a “finished bin” or handing them to you. For my daughter, we use the cup holder on her highchair for her “done” pile.Acknowledge Effort and Success
When your child redirects successfully, notice it!
“You threw the ball in the basket! That was a safe throw!”
Positive attention helps reinforce what to do, not just what not to do.
Sensory-Rich Alternatives for Frequent Throwers
If throwing is constant, your child may be craving deep pressure and movement. Try building these activities into your day:
Pushing, pulling, or carrying weighted items (“Help me push the laundry!”)
Climbing playground equipment or indoor cushions
Rolling or crawling through tunnels
Tug-of-war with a towel
Playing “crash” games into a pile of pillows (safely supervised)
These activities satisfy the same sensory needs that make throwing feel so rewarding, reducing the urge to do it at inappropriate times.
Final Thoughts
Throwing is a natural and meaningful stage of development. It tells us your child is exploring, learning about gravity, and seeking feedback from their body and environment. By staying calm, offering clear alternatives, and embedding movement opportunities throughout the day, you’ll help your child learn boundaries while supporting sensory and motor growth.
