jumping
Is It Normal My Toddler Cannot Jump Yet?
Most toddlers learn to jump with both feet off the ground between roughly 22 and 30 months, so a child not jumping yet is often completely normal — especially if they are walking, climbing, squatting and running well. Jumping needs leg strength, balance and confidence, and usually arrives after these skills. Seek a developmental check if jumping is missing alongside delays in walking, climbing or running, frequent falling, stiff or floppy legs, or loss of a skill. This is reassurance and monitoring, not a diagnosis.
Watching your little one try to get both feet off the ground — and cheering each wobbly attempt — is exactly the loving attention they need.
In short
For most toddlers, jumping with both feet leaving the ground appears somewhere between 22 and 30 months, and many healthy children only really master it closer to their second birthday or a little after. So if your toddler is not jumping yet, it is very often completely normal — especially if they are happily walking, climbing, squatting and running. A gentle developmental check is wise only if jumping is missing alongside other movement delays, or if you simply want reassurance.What to watch at this age
Jumping is a big-effort skill — it needs leg strength, balance and the confidence to leave the ground. It usually arrives after steady walking, climbing stairs and stooping to pick up a toy. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye include:- Not yet walking independently by around 18 months — this comes well before jumping.
- Not climbing, squatting or running by 2 to 2.5 years.
- Frequent falling, very stiff or very floppy legs, or strong preference for one side of the body.
- Loss of a movement skill your child once had.
- Delays travelling together — few words, little pointing, or not responding to their name alongside the motor lag.
If your toddler is otherwise active and exploring, missing jumping alone is rarely a concern — it tends to bloom with practice and play.
When to act
If walking, climbing or running are also delayed, or your instinct says something feels off, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. What you notice every day is valuable clinical 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 clinicians watch how your child moves, balances and explores, and shape support around play. Read more about jumping and how we nurture it, and our occupational therapy team can build leg strength and balance through joyful, playful activities.Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" guidance on gross-motor skills in toddlers; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) on movement development; WHO healthy-development resources.Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental screen with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your toddler's movement milestones.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Most toddlers jump between 22 and 30 months. Seek a check if your child is not walking by ~18 months, not climbing, squatting or running by 2–2.5 years, falls very often, has very stiff or floppy legs, strongly favours one side, or has lost a movement skill — especially if motor delays travel with few words, little pointing or no response to their name.
Try this at home
Make jumping playful: hold both hands and bounce together, jump off a low cushion onto a soft mat, or pretend to be hopping bunnies and frogs. Lots of squatting, climbing and running games build the leg strength and balance that jumping needs.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 540 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
At what age should a toddler be able to jump?
Most children learn to jump with both feet leaving the ground between about 22 and 30 months, and many only master it around or after their second birthday. Jumping needs leg strength, balance and confidence, so it usually appears after steady walking, climbing and running.
Should I worry if my 2-year-old can't jump but does everything else?
Usually not. If your child is happily walking, climbing, squatting and running, jumping alone is rarely a concern — it tends to develop with practice and play. A gentle check is wise mainly if other movement skills are also delayed or your instinct says something feels off.
How can I help my toddler learn to jump?
Make it fun and low-pressure: bounce together holding both hands, jump off a low cushion onto a soft mat, or play hopping animal games like frogs and bunnies. Plenty of squatting, climbing and running builds the strength and balance jumping needs.