Jumping
What a delay in jumping means for your child
Most toddlers jump with both feet leaving the ground between 22 and 30 months, with wide healthy variation. A delay in jumping alone usually means leg strength, balance and coordination are still maturing and is rarely worrying. It is worth a developmental screen when jumping lags alongside other motor differences — trouble running, climbing stairs or frequent falls. This is a reason to observe early, never a diagnosis.
Watching your toddler try to lift both feet off the ground is one of those small, joyful milestones — and noticing a delay simply means it's worth a gentle look.
In short
Most children begin to jump with both feet leaving the ground between 22 and 30 months, with plenty of healthy variation. A delay in jumping on its own usually means your child's leg strength, balance and coordination are still maturing — it is rarely a cause for alarm. It becomes worth a developmental check when jumping is delayed alongside other motor differences, such as trouble running, climbing stairs, or frequent falls. This is a reason to observe and screen early, never a diagnosis.What to watch at 12–36 months
Jumping needs strong legs, good balance and the confidence to briefly lose contact with the ground — so it usually arrives after walking, running and climbing are steady. Gentle flags worth a clinician's eye include:- By around 30 months, your child still cannot get both feet off the floor even with encouragement or holding your hands.
- Jumping is delayed together with other motor skills — not running, struggling on stairs, very frequent falls, or tiring quickly.
- Your child seems unusually stiff, floppy, or strongly favours one side of the body.
- A skill once present seems to have faded.
Many toddlers are simply cautious or busy mastering other skills first — context matters, and that is exactly what a screen helps to read.
The science
Jumping is a gross-motor milestone within the body's movement functions (ICF b7). It reflects coordinated leg power, postural control and motor planning. Because these build in sequence, an isolated lag often resolves with active play, while a pattern across several motor skills is what prompts a closer look.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 plays to build a strengths-first picture. Read more about jumping as a milestone, and how our occupational therapy team supports gross-motor confidence.Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" guidance on toddler movement; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) on gross-motor development; WHO ICF framework for movement-related functions.Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental screen with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear look at your child'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
Seek a developmental screen if, by around 30 months, your child still cannot get both feet off the floor even with help, or if jumping lags alongside other motor skills — not running, struggling on stairs, very frequent falls, unusual stiffness or floppiness, strongly favouring one side, or loss of a skill once present.
Try this at home
Make jumping playful: hold both hands and count '1-2-3-jump!', let your child bounce on a soft cushion or jump off a low step into your arms. Frequent, fun practice builds the leg strength and confidence 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 my toddler be able to jump?
Most children start jumping with both feet leaving the ground between 22 and 30 months, with plenty of healthy variation. Some master other skills like running and climbing first and jump a little later — context matters more than a single date.
Is a delay in jumping a sign of something serious?
Usually not. An isolated jumping delay often means leg strength, balance and coordination are still maturing. It is more worth checking when it appears alongside other motor differences such as trouble running, climbing stairs or frequent falls.
How can I help my child learn to jump?
Play is the best teacher. Hold both hands and count into a jump, let your child bounce on a soft surface, or jump off a low step into your arms. Active, joyful practice builds the strength and confidence jumping needs.