Toddlers are built to move. Watch any one-year-old discover they can take steps, or a three-year-old learn to jump with both feet, and you see something real happening: a brain and body working together, building the foundation for everything from kindergarten readiness to lifelong physical confidence.
That big whole-body movement is called gross motor development, and it’s one of the most important things you can support during the toddler years.
At Strong Start Early Care & Education, we support every child’s movement development through a Reggio Emilia-inspired approach. Schedule a tour to see our programs in action.
In this guide, we’re sharing what we’ve learned about supporting gross motor growth, including 20 activities you can do at home or in a childcare setting.
What Are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills involve the large muscle groups (legs, arms, core, and back) that power whole-body movement. They’re different from fine motor skills (like holding a crayon or buttoning a coat), which rely on smaller muscles in the hands and fingers.
For toddlers, strong gross motor development means being able to:
- Walk, run, and eventually skip or gallop
- Climb steps, playground structures, and low furniture
- Throw, kick, and catch balls
- Jump, hop, and balance on one foot
- Coordinate two sides of the body (bilateral coordination)
These abilities don’t just matter for gym class. They build core strength, body awareness, and spatial reasoning, all of which support learning, attention, and even reading readiness.
Gross Motor Milestones: What to Expect at Each Age
Every child develops at their own pace, but here’s a general picture of what gross motor development looks like across the toddler years:
12-18 months:
- Pulls to stand, cruises along furniture
- Takes first steps, walks with wide stance
- Begins to crawl up stairs on hands and knees
- Throws objects (enthusiastically)
18 months-2 years:
- Walks more steadily, begins to run
- Climbs onto low furniture
- Kicks a large ball with some aim
- Begins to jump in place (may not fully leave the ground yet)
2-3 years:
- Runs with better coordination, starts and stops
- Jumps with both feet, starts learning to hop
- Pedals a tricycle
- Walks up stairs alternating feet (holding a rail)
- Catches a large ball with arms extended
3-4 years:
- Hops on one foot for several hops
- Gallops and skips (gallop usually before skip)
- Pumps legs on a swing
- Throws and catches with more control
- Navigates obstacles and uneven terrain
4-5 years:
- Skips smoothly
- Balances briefly on one foot
- Dribbles a ball, kicks with aim
- Climbs confidently on playground structures
- Rides a balance bike or beginner bicycle
If your child is significantly behind in multiple areas, talk to their pediatrician. Occupational or physical therapy can make a real difference when started early.
20 Gross Motor Activities for Toddlers
These activities range from simple home setups to classroom-style movement experiences. Most need little to no equipment.
Indoors
1. Obstacle Course
Set up a living room course using couch cushions to jump over, pillows to crawl through, tunnels of chairs and tables, and tape lines to balance on. Kids love the challenge of navigating a path, and you can change it every time.
2. Freeze Dance
Play music and move freely. When the music stops, everyone freezes. This builds listening skills alongside coordination, and the giggles are a bonus.
3. Animal Walks
Call out animals and move like them across the room: bear crawl (hands and feet), frog jumps, crab walk (hands and feet, belly up), bunny hops. These engage different muscle groups and keep kids thinking.
4. Balloon Tapping
Give a toddler a balloon and challenge them to keep it in the air. It slows the movement enough for little ones to track and respond, with no sharp edges to worry about.
5. Rolling and Tumbling
On a soft rug or yoga mat, roll sideways like a log, do forward rolls (with support), or simply somersault. This builds vestibular awareness (the sense of body position that supports balance and attention).
6. Stair Practice
If you have stairs, supervised up-and-down practice is excellent for leg strength and alternating feet coordination. Make it a game: put a teddy bear at the top and race to reach it.
7. Indoor Basketball
A laundry basket and a soft ball make a simple hoop. Vary the distance and height. This is great for aim, throwing form, and the frustration tolerance of near-misses.
8. Pillow Mountain
Stack couch cushions into a “mountain” and let toddlers climb up and jump off onto a soft landing surface. Height judgment and landing control are real skills worth practicing.
9. Balance Beam
Lay masking tape in a straight or zigzag line on the floor. Walk along it heel to toe. You can also use a two-by-four board on the floor for more of a tactile surface. Balance practice is foundational for all movement.
10. Beanbag Toss
Toss beanbags (or rolled socks) into a bucket from different distances. Bilateral coordination, aim, and the satisfaction of a plunk: this one never gets old.
Want to see these activities in a structured early childhood setting? Visit Strong Start and schedule a tour today.
Outdoors
11. Bike or Scooter Riding
Balance bikes (no pedals) are excellent starting points from around age 2. Gliding teaches balance before coordination. Add a helmet and let them go.
12. Hill Rolling
Find a gentle grassy hill and roll down it. Pure joy, genuine vestibular work, and a reason to be outside.
13. Kicking Practice
Set up a soft ball and practice kicking toward a target (two cones, or a laundry basket on its side). Start close and move back as aim improves.
14. Playground Climbing
Monkey bars, climbing walls, and ladders all build upper body and grip strength along with problem-solving. Let kids move at their own pace rather than rushing them.
15. Sidewalk Hopscotch
Draw a classic hopscotch grid with sidewalk chalk. Hopping on one foot, jumping with two, and landing in squares all challenge coordination in different ways.
16. Running Races
Simple sprints across a yard or park are underrated. Short bursts of running build cardiovascular fitness and teach kids to accelerate and decelerate safely.
17. Puddle Stomping
After rain, let toddlers jump into puddles with boots on. The splashing feedback makes the experience vivid and exciting, and the unpredictable surface keeps their bodies working.
18. Bubble Chasing
Blow bubbles and have kids chase them. Running, lunging, reaching, jumping: bubble chasing pulls out a full range of movements without any instruction needed.
19. Wheelbarrow Walking
Hold a child’s legs at hip height while they walk on their hands across a short distance. This builds shoulder, core, and arm strength. Works best around age 3 and up.
20. Nature Hike
A slow walk on an uneven trail does more for gross motor development than a smooth sidewalk. Stepping over roots, navigating rocks, and climbing small hills all challenge balance and coordination naturally.
How Strong Start Supports Movement Every Day
At Strong Start, gross motor development isn’t something we schedule into a single “PE time.” Movement is woven into our daily environment: ample indoor and outdoor space, intentional design, and teachers who watch closely to know when a child is ready to try something new.
Our Reggio Emilia approach means we follow children’s lead. When a group of toddlers becomes fascinated by balance, testing every low edge, narrow ledge, and uneven surface, we extend that. We bring in wobble boards and balance beams, document what they’re trying to do, and create provocations that push their skills a little further.
This isn’t random play. It’s purposeful. Research consistently shows that strong gross motor foundations in early childhood predict better attention, academic readiness, and even social confidence. When children trust their bodies, they’re more willing to take risks in learning.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Most gross motor development follows a predictable sequence, even if the exact ages vary. Reach out to your child’s doctor if you notice:
- Significant asymmetry (only using one side of the body)
- Lack of progress in crawling, walking, or jumping over several months
- Toe-walking past age 3
- Falling frequently compared to peers
- Reluctance to participate in physical play (combined with other delays)
Early intervention through occupational or physical therapy can address motor delays effectively. The earlier, the better.
Ready to Learn More About Strong Start?
Strong Start Early Care & Education serves families in the Trumbull and Wilton, Connecticut areas with infant, toddler, preschool, and pre-K programs built on research-based, relationship-centered learning. We believe in knowing every child and family deeply, and that starts from day one.
Schedule a tour to see how we support your child’s full development, including the big whole-body movement that matters so much in these early years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best gross motor activities for 1-year-olds?
At 12-18 months, focus on walking practice, pulling to stand, crawling over soft obstacles, and simple ball play. Keep activities short, safe, and exploratory.
How much time should toddlers spend on gross motor activities each day?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day for toddlers (ages 1-3) and at least 120 minutes for preschoolers (ages 3-5). Most of that can be unstructured active play.
What is the difference between gross motor and fine motor skills?
Gross motor skills use large muscle groups for whole-body movement (walking, jumping, climbing). Fine motor skills use smaller muscles, mainly in the hands, for precise movements like writing, cutting, or buttoning.
When should toddlers be able to jump?
Most toddlers begin to jump with both feet leaving the ground between 24-30 months. If your child isn’t jumping by age 3, mention it to their pediatrician.
Can gross motor delays affect learning?
Yes. Gross motor development supports core strength, bilateral coordination, and body awareness, all of which contribute to sitting upright in school, holding a pencil, and sustained attention. Early support for motor delays can have meaningful academic benefits.
Written By
Marc Hoffman
Founder, Strong Start Early Care & Education
Marc founded Strong Start in 2014, inspired by his studies at Williams College, Yeshiva University, and research at Yale University. His child-centered, inquiry-based approach to early education has helped hundreds of families in the Trumbull and Bridgeport communities. As a parent himself, Marc understands the importance of finding a nurturing environment where every child can learn, grow, and flourish.
