Why Gross Motor Play Matters
Gross motor skills are the foundation for movement. As toddlers master balance and coordination, they also:
Key Movement Skills at 18–24 Months
At this stage, many toddlers are learning to:
Tips for Safe Exploration
1. Create safe spaces at home
Clear floors of sharp corners or tripping hazards.
Use gates on stairs and supervise climbing activities.
2. Supervise but allow freedom
Let your toddler try new movements while staying close to support them if needed.
3. Choose the right shoes
Lightweight shoes with flexible soles help toddlers balance and move naturally.
Playful Ways to Build Movement & Coordination
🏃♀️ Obstacle Courses
Use cushions, tunnels, or low stools to climb over and crawl under. Keep it simple and safe while encouraging fun exploration.
⚽ Ball Games
Roll a ball back and forth on the floor. Practice kicking gently or tossing a ball into a basket. Celebrate every attempt — even if the ball goes sideways!
🌳 Outdoor Adventures
Trips to the park allow toddlers to climb, run, and explore different terrains. Walking on grass, sand, or soft mats challenges balance in fun ways.
🐾 Animal Walks
Pretend to be animals: crawl like a bear, hop like a bunny, or waddle like a duck. This builds coordination while sparking imagination.
🎶 Movement Songs
Songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It” combine music with movement, helping toddlers link actions to rhythm and words.
Messy Play for Movement & Coordination
Messy play isn’t just fun — it also builds gross motor strength, coordination, and sensory skills. Here are a few ideas:
👉 Pro-tip: Always set messy play up somewhere easy to clean (outdoors or with a plastic mat). Dress your toddler in old clothes and let the focus be on exploration, not the mess.
Making Movement Part of Daily Life
Encourage your toddler to carry light items (like a soft toy) while walking. Let them climb safely onto a low couch or step stool with supervision. Turn everyday moments, like walking to the car or going to the kitchen, into playful practice opportunities.
Parent Pro-Tips
✅ Keep play sessions short and fun — toddlers learn best through bursts of activity.
✅ Celebrate effort, not just success — wobbly steps or clumsy throws are part of the journey.
✅ Repeat activities often — repetition builds muscle memory and confidence.
✅ Follow your child’s lead — encourage movement but don’t push beyond their comfort.
Movement is more than just exercise — it’s how toddlers build strength, confidence, and independence. From climbing on the couch to messy foam play on the kitchen floor, every moment of gross motor play helps your child grow. By creating safe opportunities for exploration and weaving movement into daily routines, you’re setting the stage for a lifetime of active, joyful play.
Gross motor skills are the foundation for movement. As toddlers master balance and coordination, they also:
- Build strength and endurance in their muscles and core.
- Develop spatial awareness — understanding where their body is in space.
- Boost confidence and independence through active play.
- Support social skills by joining in with games and group activities.
Key Movement Skills at 18–24 Months
At this stage, many toddlers are learning to:
- Run with better control (though often still wobbly).
- Climb onto low furniture or playground steps.
- Balance while bending to pick up toys or while walking on different surfaces.
- Kick, throw, or roll a ball with growing accuracy.
- Navigate stairs with support, sometimes stepping sideways or crawling backward.
Tips for Safe Exploration
1. Create safe spaces at home
Clear floors of sharp corners or tripping hazards.
Use gates on stairs and supervise climbing activities.
2. Supervise but allow freedom
Let your toddler try new movements while staying close to support them if needed.
3. Choose the right shoes
Lightweight shoes with flexible soles help toddlers balance and move naturally.
Playful Ways to Build Movement & Coordination
🏃♀️ Obstacle Courses
Use cushions, tunnels, or low stools to climb over and crawl under. Keep it simple and safe while encouraging fun exploration.
⚽ Ball Games
Roll a ball back and forth on the floor. Practice kicking gently or tossing a ball into a basket. Celebrate every attempt — even if the ball goes sideways!
🌳 Outdoor Adventures
Trips to the park allow toddlers to climb, run, and explore different terrains. Walking on grass, sand, or soft mats challenges balance in fun ways.
🐾 Animal Walks
Pretend to be animals: crawl like a bear, hop like a bunny, or waddle like a duck. This builds coordination while sparking imagination.
🎶 Movement Songs
Songs like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” or “If You’re Happy and You Know It” combine music with movement, helping toddlers link actions to rhythm and words.
Messy Play for Movement & Coordination
Messy play isn’t just fun — it also builds gross motor strength, coordination, and sensory skills. Here are a few ideas:
- Water Play: Fill a tub or basin and let your toddler scoop, pour, and splash. Moving water-filled cups or pouring between containers strengthens both balance and control.
- Finger Painting on a Vertical Surface: Tape paper to a wall or easel and let your child paint while standing. Reaching, stretching, and swiping across the paper encourages shoulder strength and balance.
- Foam or Shaving Cream Play: Spread a safe foam or cream on a tray and let your toddler draw with their hands. Encourage big circular motions, clapping foam together, or “washing” toys in the foam.
- Sand Play: Scooping, digging, and carrying small buckets of sand engages both gross and fine motor coordination — and it feels wonderfully sensory.
- Edible Messy Play: If you prefer taste-safe options, use yogurt, mashed potatoes, or jelly for squishing, smearing, and scooping.
👉 Pro-tip: Always set messy play up somewhere easy to clean (outdoors or with a plastic mat). Dress your toddler in old clothes and let the focus be on exploration, not the mess.
Making Movement Part of Daily Life
Encourage your toddler to carry light items (like a soft toy) while walking. Let them climb safely onto a low couch or step stool with supervision. Turn everyday moments, like walking to the car or going to the kitchen, into playful practice opportunities.
Parent Pro-Tips
✅ Keep play sessions short and fun — toddlers learn best through bursts of activity.
✅ Celebrate effort, not just success — wobbly steps or clumsy throws are part of the journey.
✅ Repeat activities often — repetition builds muscle memory and confidence.
✅ Follow your child’s lead — encourage movement but don’t push beyond their comfort.
Movement is more than just exercise — it’s how toddlers build strength, confidence, and independence. From climbing on the couch to messy foam play on the kitchen floor, every moment of gross motor play helps your child grow. By creating safe opportunities for exploration and weaving movement into daily routines, you’re setting the stage for a lifetime of active, joyful play.
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