From a baby’s first wobbly roll to a school-aged child skipping across the playground, gross motor skills grow steadily through childhood. These are the big movements that let children explore, play and take part in everyday life. If you have ever wondered whether your child is on track, or what you can do to help, you are not alone. This guide walks through what gross motor skills are, the milestones children tend to reach at each age, and gentle activities you can try at home to support their development.
TLDR
- Gross motor skills are the big movements that use large muscles, such as crawling, walking, running, jumping and climbing.
- They develop in a similar order for most children, though the exact timing can vary from child to child.
- Babies build head control, rolling, sitting and crawling in the first year, then take their first steps around their first birthday.
- Toddlers and preschoolers add running, jumping, climbing, kicking and balancing as their coordination grows.
- School-aged children refine skills like skipping, hopping, catching and ball games, and start to enjoy sport.
- Everyday play is one of the best ways to support movement, and small, low-pressure activities can make a real difference.
- If you have questions about your child’s movement, a child health nurse, GP or occupational therapist can help.
What are gross motor skills?
Gross motor skills are the movements that use the large muscles of the body, including the arms, legs, trunk and core. They cover things like holding the head up, sitting, crawling, walking, running, jumping, climbing and throwing a ball. These skills rely on strength, balance, coordination and the ability to plan and sequence movement.
Gross motor skills are different from fine motor skills, which involve the smaller muscles of the hands for tasks like drawing or doing up buttons. The two work together, and strong gross motor foundations often make fine motor tasks feel easier. When a child has a stable, steady body, their hands are freer to focus on the finer work.
Why gross motor skills matter
Gross motor skills do far more than help children move around. They support participation in play, sport and daily routines, and they give children the physical confidence to join in with others. Many therapists picture development as a set of layers, a bit like the pyramid of learning, where sensory and movement foundations sit underneath higher skills such as attention and learning.
When these building blocks are in place, children often find it easier to sit steadily at a desk, keep up in the playground and manage the physical demands of a school day. Supporting gross motor development early can therefore ripple out into learning, friendships and everyday independence.
Gross motor milestones by age
Children reach movement milestones in a fairly predictable order, even though the exact age can differ from one child to the next. The table below offers a general guide to what many children can do at each stage. It is meant as a friendly reference, not a checklist, so try to hold it lightly and remember that every child moves at their own pace.
| Age | Movement milestones often seen |
| Birth to 12 months | Head control, rolling over, sitting, crawling, pulling up to stand, first steps |
| 1 to 3 years | Walking steadily, running, climbing on furniture, walking up steps, kicking a ball |
| 3 to 5 years | Jumping, hopping, pedalling a trike, throwing and catching, balancing on one foot |
| 5 years and over | Skipping, hopping with control, catching smaller balls, ball games and early sport |
Babies: birth to 12 months
The first year is a busy time for movement. Babies usually build head control in the early months, then learn to roll, sit with support and later sit on their own. Many begin to crawl, pull up to stand and cruise along furniture in the second half of the year, with some taking their first independent steps around their first birthday.
Toddlers: one to three years
Toddlers are often on the move from morning to night. Walking becomes steadier, and running, climbing and walking up and down steps start to appear. Around this age many children can carry a toy while walking, squat to pick things up, and begin to push or kick a ball, all signs that balance and coordination are growing.
Preschoolers: three to five years
In the preschool years, movement becomes more skilful and playful. Children often learn to jump with both feet, hop on one foot, balance for a few seconds, pedal a tricycle and climb with more confidence. Throwing and catching also develop, so ball games become a firm favourite and a great way to practise coordination.
School-aged children: five years plus
Once children reach school age, they refine and combine the skills they have been building. Skipping, hopping with control, running lightly, balancing on a beam and catching smaller balls all become more reliable. This is often when children start to enjoy structured sport and games, which help them fine-tune timing, strength and teamwork.
Gross motor activities to try
The good news is that supporting gross motor skills does not need special equipment or a strict routine. Everyday play is one of the most powerful tools you have. Below are simple, low-pressure ideas for each stage, so you can pick what feels doable and fun for your child on any given day.
Movement play for babies
For babies, plenty of supervised time on the floor gives them room to practise the movements they are working on.
- Offer short, regular tummy time to build neck, shoulder and back strength
- Place a favourite toy just out of reach to encourage reaching and rolling
- Give safe, open floor space for wriggling, pivoting and early crawling
- Sit together and gently support your baby to practise balancing upright
Active play for toddlers
Toddlers love to explore, so activities that let them move their whole body work beautifully. If you would like tailored ideas for this stage, occupational therapy for toddlers can suggest playful strategies that suit your child.
- Set up a soft cushion course to climb over, crawl under and step across
- Roll, push and kick a large lightweight ball together
- Practise walking up and down low steps with a hand to hold
- Dance to music and copy simple big movements like stomping and reaching
Big body play for preschoolers
Preschoolers are ready for more adventurous movement that challenges their balance and coordination.
- Play hopping, jumping and animal-walk games such as frog jumps and bear walks
- Draw a chalk line or use a rope to practise balancing and walking along it
- Throw and catch a soft ball, starting close and stepping back over time
- Visit playgrounds so they can climb, swing and slide at their own pace
Skill building at school age
School-aged children enjoy activities that build strength, timing and confidence, often with a social side.
- Try skipping ropes, hopscotch and balance games in the backyard or park
- Practise ball skills like bouncing, catching and kicking towards a target
- Explore bike riding, scooting or swimming to build whole-body coordination
- Encourage active games with friends or a team sport they feel drawn to
When to reach out for support
Because children develop at their own pace, a slightly later milestone is often nothing to worry about. Still, it can help to check in with a professional if your child seems to be missing many milestones for their age, if movement looks very effortful or one-sided, or if you simply have questions on your mind. Trusting your instincts as a parent is always worthwhile.
A child health nurse, GP or paediatrician is a good first port of call, and they can guide you towards further support if it is helpful. Reaching out early does not mean something is wrong, it simply means your child can access the right encouragement at the right time.
How occupational therapy can help
Occupational therapists look at the whole picture of how a child moves, plays and takes part in daily life, then build practical, playful strategies around their strengths. For children who need a little extra help with coordination, balance or confidence, therapy for school-aged children can connect movement skills with everyday participation at home, at school and with friends.
At Learn for Life, this work is neurodiverse-affirming and family-centred, which means support is shaped around each child and the routines of the people who care for them. The aim is never to change who a child is, but to help them build the skills and confidence to take part in the activities that matter to them.
Ready to support your child’s movement?
Understanding gross motor milestones and weaving a little active play into everyday life is a wonderful place to begin. If you would value some guidance along the way, tailored support can build on those foundations with strategies matched to your child and your family. The process usually starts with the referral process, which gathers the information needed to understand your child’s goals and plan the next steps together.
This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. Milestones are a general guide and every child develops at their own pace. Please consult a qualified health professional for advice tailored to your child’s individual needs.