Toddler Gross Motor Milestones: Run, Jump, Kick | Parenting Hub
From the first wobbly run at 18 months to hopping on one foot at 4, here are the gross motor milestones for toddlers and preschoolers.
Once walking is solid, the big muscles take off — running, jumping, kicking, climbing. These skills need space, time outdoors and lots of repetition.
Typical progression
- 15–18 months: runs with a stiff gait
- 2 years: jumps with two feet together, kicks a large ball
- 3 years: pedals a tricycle, climbs play equipment
- 4 years: hops on one foot, catches a large ball
- 5 years: skips, balances on one foot 10+ seconds
How to support it
- Daily active play outdoors (≥3 hours total movement for under-5s — Australian guidelines)
- Open spaces, parks and playgrounds
- Balls, ride-on toys, ribbons, low climbing frames
- Limit time strapped in prams, car seats, high chairs
When to see a doctor
Talk to your GP if your toddler isn't running by 2 years, can't jump with both feet by 2.5 years, frequently trips or loses balance, or has obvious asymmetry (one side weaker).
When to seek help
- Not running by 2 years
- Not jumping by 2.5 years
- Frequent falls or asymmetry of movement
- Loss of previously gained motor skill
Common questions
How much active play do toddlers need?
Australian 24-hour movement guidelines suggest at least 3 hours of varied physical activity spread across the day for children aged 1–5 years.