YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
Is my 5-year-old moving and walking as expected?
Most 5-year-olds run, jump, hop, climb stairs with alternating feet and begin to skip and balance on one foot. Children vary in pace, so a small lag is usually fine — steady progress matters most. Seek a gentle check for frequent falls, easy tiring, persistent tiptoe walking, or any loss of a movement skill. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
Hopping, climbing, racing to the door — at five, big movement is how your child explores the whole world, and most are doing beautifully.
In short
Most 5-year-olds are confident, busy movers — they run, jump, climb, hop and are starting to skip, balance on one foot, and pedal a tricycle or small bicycle. If your child runs comfortably, climbs stairs with alternating feet, and joins in active play with friends, their gross-motor development is very likely right on track. Children vary in pace and confidence, so a small lag in one skill is usually nothing to worry about — what matters is steady progress over time.
What's typical around age 5
By this age, many children can:
- Run smoothly, change direction and stop without falling often
- Hop on one foot several times and balance on one foot for a few seconds
- Climb stairs confidently using alternating feet, up and down
- Jump forward and over small objects, and begin to skip
- Throw, catch and kick a ball with growing control
- Pedal and steer a tricycle or small bicycle
- Keep up with friends in active games without tiring unusually quickly
Remember, these are guides, not a checklist with a deadline. A cautious child who is steadily learning is doing exactly what they should.
When a gentle check helps
Consider a developmental check if your child frequently trips or falls, tires far more easily than peers, struggles to climb stairs or jump, walks on tiptoes most of the time, has noticeably stiff or floppy movements, avoids physical play altogether, or seems to have lost a movement skill they once had. Losing a previously gained skill always deserves prompt review. These point to worth looking into, not something is wrong.
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, our therapists can map your child's movement, balance and coordination through a structured, clinician-led developmental check, and gentle, play-based occupational therapy supports any skills that need a little strengthening. Explore more guidance for families on our home page.
Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestone guidance for age 5; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) on preschooler gross-motor development; WHO guidance on early childhood development and movement.
Next step — Want reassurance your 5-year-old is moving as expected? 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 frequent tripping or falling, tiring far more easily than peers, difficulty climbing stairs or jumping, persistent tiptoe walking, stiff or floppy movements, avoiding active play, or loss of a movement skill once gained — which needs prompt review.
In everyday life
Build daily active play into your routine — hopping games, balancing along a low wall, kicking a ball or pedalling a bike. These fun moments are exactly how five-year-olds strengthen balance, coordination and confidence.
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
What movement skills should a 5-year-old have?
Most 5-year-olds can run smoothly, hop on one foot, balance briefly on one foot, climb stairs with alternating feet, jump, begin to skip, throw and catch a ball, and pedal a tricycle or small bicycle. Children vary in pace, so steady progress matters more than hitting every skill on the same day.
My 5-year-old still trips a lot — should I worry?
Occasional trips are normal as children play fast and explore. Consider a gentle developmental check if your child falls very frequently, tires far more easily than peers, struggles to climb or jump, or seems unsteady most of the time. This points to worth-looking-into, not something-is-wrong.
Is tiptoe walking at 5 a concern?
Walking on tiptoes occasionally is common. If your child walks on tiptoes most of the time at age 5, it's worth a developmental check to look at muscle tone and movement, alongside your paediatrician.
When should I book an assessment?
Book a check if you notice frequent falling, easy tiring, difficulty with stairs or jumping, stiff or floppy movements, avoidance of active play, or any loss of a movement skill your child once had. A clinician-led assessment can offer reassurance or early support.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC — Milestones at 5 years
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren — preschooler development
- Organisation website · further readingWHO — early childhood development
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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FROM UNDERSTANDING TO PURPOSEFUL SUPPORT
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Your child’s self-sufficient, mainstream-included life is the purpose from the beginning. At Pinnacle, that purpose shapes what we understand, the goals we choose, the people we bring together, everyday practice and review.
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- 4Carry practice into everyday life
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- 5Track and correct
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General information supports a conversation with an appropriately qualified professional. Advice, goals and support depend on the individual child.