YOUR QUESTION. A CLEARER NEXT STEP.
My child walks but not running or climbing yet — how can I help?
Many children walk confidently for months before they run or climb, and that gap is often typical — these skills need extra strength, balance and courage that build through play. Encourage chasing games, safe climbing, stairs with a hand and uneven ground. Seek a developmental check if your child is not running by around 24 months, cannot climb stairs with help by 2–2.5 years, seems very stiff or floppy, tires quickly, walks mostly on tip-toes, or loses a skill once had — not a diagnosis, simply a wise early look.
In this answer 5 sections
Walking into the world is one big step — running and climbing are the next, and many sturdy little walkers simply take their own sweet time to leap into them.
In short
Many children walk confidently for several months before they start to run, climb stairs or scramble onto furniture — and that gap is very often completely typical. Running and climbing need extra strength, balance and confidence, and these build gradually with practice and play. The time for a gentle developmental check is if your child is not running by around 24 months, cannot climb stairs (with help) by 2–2.5 years, seems unusually stiff or floppy, tires very quickly, or loses skills they once had. None of this is a diagnosis — it simply means a calm clinician's look is wise now, because support at this age works beautifully.
What helps the running-and-climbing leap
Running and climbing are about building lower-body power, balance and the courage to move fast and high. You can nurture all three through everyday play:
- Chase and be chased — slow, giggly games of "catch me" naturally invite that first jog. Let your child be the chaser too.
- Safe things to climb — sofa cushions, a low step, a small slope, soft play. Climbing onto and off low surfaces builds the leg and core strength running needs.
- Stairs with a hand — practise going up and down holding your hand or the rail. This is one of the biggest strength-and-confidence builders at this age.
- Uneven ground — walking on grass, sand, gentle slopes or low kerbs trains the balance that fast movement demands.
- Push-and-pull and kicking — ride-on toys, pushing a laden trolley, kicking a big ball — all wake up the muscles used for running.
- Celebrate the wobble — children move boldly when they feel safe. Stay close, cheer attempts, and let small stumbles be okay.
Most children who walk well will, with these everyday invitations, find their run and climb in their own time.
When to seek a check
Arrange a developmental review if, alongside not yet running or climbing, you notice: walking only on tip-toes most of the time, legs that look very stiff or very floppy, frequent falling well beyond the early walking weeks, marked tiredness or breathlessness with movement, a strong preference for one side of the body, or any loss of a movement skill your child previously had. Trust your instinct — what you watch every day is valuable information.
The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our physiotherapy and movement teams build their own picture of your child's strength, balance and confidence, then shape playful, achievable steps around your family's day. You can also explore how we support motor development milestones, and our occupational therapy team can help if balance or body-awareness needs a gentle boost.
Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" resources on gross-motor skills in toddlers; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) guidance on movement milestones and active play; WHO framework on early childhood motor development.
Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your child's movement and confidence.
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
Seek a check if your child is not running by around 24 months, cannot climb stairs with help by 2–2.5 years, walks mostly on tip-toes, looks very stiff or floppy, falls often well beyond early walking, tires or gets breathless quickly, strongly favours one side, or loses a movement skill once had.
In everyday life
Turn play into practice: a daily giggly game of "catch me" plus climbing on and off a low cushion or step builds the leg strength, balance and confidence that running needs — no special equipment required.
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 should my child start running?
Many children begin a stiff, hurried run somewhere between 18 and 24 months, after several months of confident walking. A smoother run develops later. If your child isn't running at all by around 24 months, a gentle developmental check is wise — not as a worry, but to support strength and confidence early.
Is it normal to walk for months before running and climbing?
Yes, very often. Running and climbing need extra leg and core strength, balance, and the confidence to move fast or high — all of which build gradually. A gap between confident walking and the first run or climb is common and usually resolves with everyday active play.
What games help a toddler learn to run and climb?
Chase-and-be-chased games invite that first jog; climbing on and off low cushions, steps and soft play builds strength; stairs held by your hand build both strength and confidence; and walking on grass, slopes or low kerbs trains balance. Stay close, cheer attempts and let small stumbles be okay.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceCDC — Learn the Signs, Act Early: motor milestones
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren — movement and active play
- 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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