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Helping Your Child Move from Walking to Running and Climbing
Children move from walking to running and climbing as they build strength, balance, coordination and confidence — usually beginning to run and climb low furniture around 18 months to 2 years. Parents help most through safe active play: slopes, low climbing frames, balance games and chasing play, while following the child's lead. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
That wobbly first walk is just the beginning — running, climbing and clambering are the next joyful chapter, and you can help your child get there through play.
In short
The move from walking to running and climbing is a natural progression that unfolds over many months as your child builds strength, balance, coordination and confidence. You help most by giving plenty of safe, active, playful practice — uneven ground, gentle slopes, low climbing frames and lots of chasing games — and by following your child's lead rather than rushing them. Most children begin running (a little stiffly at first) and climbing onto low furniture somewhere around 18 months to 2 years, with smoother, surer movement developing through the third year.
How to help, through play
- Strengthen the legs and core — squatting to pick up toys, standing back up, pushing a weighted toy cart, and walking up gentle slopes all build the power running and climbing need.
- Practise balance — walking along a low kerb, stepping over cushions, or standing on one foot during a song teaches the body control that running demands.
- Invite climbing safely — low, stable steps, soft play structures and supervised stairs (going up first, then learning to come down) let your child rehearse climbing where falls are cushioned.
- Play chasing and stopping games — "ready, steady, go!" running, freeze games and gentle catch teach starting, stopping and changing direction — the real skills of running.
- Let them be barefoot when safe — bare feet on grass, sand or carpet help little feet grip and balance better than stiff shoes.
- Follow their lead and cheer effort — confidence grows when a child feels safe to try, stumble and try again. Celebrate the wobble, not just the win.
Progress is rarely a straight line — some weeks race ahead, others pause. That is normal.
When to seek a check
Speak to a developmental professional if, by around 2 years, your child is not yet walking steadily, seems to tire very quickly, walks consistently on tiptoes, strongly favours one side of the body, frequently falls more than peers, or has clearly lost a movement skill they once had. These are reasons for a friendly check, not alarm.
The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. If you'd like reassurance or a plan to build your child's movement skills, our developmental check and AbilityScore® gives a clear picture, and our occupational and physiotherapy support helps strengthen balance, coordination and confidence through play. You can also start here to learn how we support every stage of your child's development.
Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestone guidance on gross motor skills in toddlers; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) on movement and active play; WHO guidance on early childhood physical activity and nurturing care.
Next step — Want to help your child run, climb and explore with confidence? Book a developmental check with a Pinnacle clinician.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch for not walking steadily by around 2 years, tiring very quickly, persistent tiptoe walking, strongly favouring one side, frequent falls beyond peers, or loss of a movement skill once gained — reasons for a friendly developmental check.
In everyday life
Turn movement into a game — set up a simple obstacle course with cushions to step over, a low stool to climb, and a 'ready, steady, go!' dash across the room, cheering every wobble and try.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
At what age do children usually start running and climbing?
Most children begin running — a little stiffly at first — and climbing onto low furniture somewhere around 18 months to 2 years. Smoother, surer running and confident climbing develop through the third year. Every child has their own pace, so think in ranges, not exact dates.
What activities help build running and climbing skills?
Squatting and standing to build leg strength, walking up gentle slopes, balancing on low kerbs, climbing safe low steps, and chasing or freeze games that teach starting, stopping and turning. Barefoot play on safe surfaces also helps little feet grip and balance.
When should I be concerned about my toddler's movement?
Seek a friendly check if, by around 2 years, your child is not walking steadily, tires very quickly, walks consistently on tiptoes, strongly favours one side, falls far more than peers, or has lost a skill they once had. These are reasons to ask, not to worry.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC — Developmental milestones (gross motor)
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — Movement and active play
- Organisation website · further readingWHO — Early childhood physical activity guidance
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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