Chill Out Toddler Meltdowns With This Ice Cube Hack

Toddlers are like tiny storm clouds—sunny and sweet one moment, then suddenly rolling in with thunderous tears and frustration. Their big feelings can seem to come out of nowhere, leaving you scrambling for ways to help them weather the storm. While there’s no magical button for calming down your kid mid-meltdown, the ice cube hack just might help next time they’re in the middle of a spiral.

In a now viral post, mom of two and avid runner Jesse Bennett shares a revolutionary approach to toddler meltdowns. She encourages parents to stop viewing these outbursts as isolated events unique to toddlers and instead see them as similar to the anxiety attacks many adults experience.

Using this perspective, Bennett explains that instead of trying to reason with or teach a toddler during a meltdown, parents should focus on addressing the body’s immediate stress response and save the lesson for later. “One of my favorite things to do right now with my 3-year-old when he’s having just a really tough time is I will give him an ice cube and I will just let him go throw it in the bathtub,” she says. “Instantly calms him down.”

Bennett highlights why her toddler loves this hack and even shares the science behind it: “He instantly wants to do it because he’s able to throw something, and the cold from the ice cube tricks the nervous system into calming down because it distracts it,” she explains. “[It is] the best calming technique that I’ve ever found. So if you’re looking for a way to calm kids’ meltdowns, just treat it like how you would anxiety for yourself.”

The comments section quickly filled with parents applauding the sensory-based approach, noting its ability to give toddlers a sense of control and instant relief. “It’s also teaching a healthy outlet for anger/frustration/anxiety so he doesn’t let it bottle up,” wrote one commenter. “I have a four-nado. Thank you! Will definitely have to try this,” added another. “Heavy on we can talk about it later, but make sure y’all are talking to them about it later,” another chimed in. Bennett responded, “1000000%. Refuse to raise a boy that cannot regulate their emotions.”

In the thick of tantrum season? Check out these solutions for what to do in the middle of a tantrum and get advice for preventing them (as much as possible) in the first place.