Learn English – verb for “to play too much”, “to play excessively”, or “to play rambunctiously”

single-word-requests

I am working to translate a language into English/using English glosses. There is one word that has a meaning roughly similar to "to play too much" or "to play excessively", but I feel these translations do not quite catch the meaning.

I am looking for a verb, rather than an adjective.

Having looked through the thesaurus, I also find a bit of an issue here because "to play", "too much", and "excessively" are either too broad or have too many synonyms, yet I have not been able to find something better to search with. Therefore, I will try to explain here and I am hoping someone will have a good suggestion for a word/short phrase that touches this feeling a bit better.

Description:
The situation best describes children who can walk and are probably between 1.5 to 6 years old on average (older is possible, but most people calm down a bit by then). During a given place and period of time, the child is overly active. S/he goes to one place in the room for a short time and plays with something, after a short time s/he goes elsewhere in the room to play, and this pattern basically repeats. This activity is likely generally noisy, but not necessarily so. The activity also distracts parents/guardians who will generally scold the child to sit still, chill out, calm down, etc.

If I can provide any additional details that may help in coming up with a good word or more succinct gloss, please let me know.

EDIT:
Based on comments and answers, I was able to get better ideas for this. Looking through the thesaurus again with these terms, I compiled a list of things that I think are reasonable contenders.

Current considerations:

  • to caper (v) Skip or dance about in a lively or playful way
  • to cavort (v) Jump or dance around excitedly
  • to gambol (v) Run or jump about playfully
  • to fool around (v) 1. to spend time idly, aimlessly, or frivolously
  • to romp (v) (especially of a child or animal) play roughly and energetically
  • to rollick (v) Act or behave in a jovial and exuberant fashion
  • to monkey (around) (v) Behave in a silly or playful way

I am leaning towards to romp currently.

Best Answer

I think you're looking for hyperactive:

(of a child) showing constantly active and sometimes disruptive behaviour.

(Oxford)

EDIT: Since you said you want a verb, the first one that comes to mind is flurry.

(of a person) move quickly in a busy or agitated way:

‘He propped himself up on his elbows and watched as she flurried around.’

I'll keep my thinking hat on.

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