ankle-biters
Very young children
Ankle-biters are small children, so called because their height puts them at ankle level to adults.
The term is mildly dismissive or affectionate: We can't go—we've got the ankle-biters this weekend.
The image suggests children as nuisances nipping at your heels.
In Australian slang, the term is especially common.
Very young children
- infantsVery young children
- preschoolersChildren aged three to five
- youngstersPeople not yet adult
- tykesSmall children, fondly
tots · kiddies · offspring · rugrats · moppets · urchins · bairns · nippers
Small children, fondly
- cutiesEndearing, attractive people
- sweetheartsRomantic partners, affectionately named
- darlingsTreasured people or things
- cherubsWinged infant figures
tots · kiddos · nippers · whippersnappers · bambinos · poppets · moppets · tykes
Bothersome insects or animals
- rascalsMischievous troublemakers
- terrorsIntense fears or dreads
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
- bratsIll-mannered young ones
hellions · scamps · imps · menaces · nuisances · hooligans · mischief-makers · handful
Having much vigor
- rompingPlaying with energetic movement
- gigglingLaughing in short bursts
- frolickingLighthearted energetic movement
- scamperingMoving quickly, playfully
tumbling · bouncing · squealing · running · chasing · wrestling · tickling · hide-and-seek
toddlers
Very young children
- infantsVery young children
- preschoolersChildren aged three to five
- youngstersPeople not yet adult
tykes · tots · kiddies · offspring · rugrats · moppets · urchins · bairns · nippers · littles
munchkins
Small children, fondly
- cutiesEndearing, attractive people
- sweetheartsRomantic partners, affectionately named
- darlingsTreasured people or things
cherubs · tots · kiddos · nippers · whippersnappers · bambinos · poppets · moppets · tykes · rugrats
pests
Bothersome insects or animals
- rascalsMischievous troublemakers
- terrorsIntense fears or dreads
- troublemakersThose causing problems deliberately
brats · hellions · scamps · imps · menaces · nuisances · hooligans · mischief-makers · handful · chaos
energetic
Having much vigor
- rompingPlaying with energetic movement
- gigglingLaughing in short bursts
- frolickingLighthearted energetic movement
scampering · tumbling · bouncing · squealing · running · chasing · wrestling · tickling · hide-and-seek · games
- youngsterskids, children, youngsters, toddlers, babies