Key Takeaways
- Gross motor skills help children run, jump, climb, balance and participate confidently in everyday activities.
- Children develop gross motor skills through movement, play and everyday experiences.
- If gross motor challenges are affecting participation at home, childcare, school or in the community, Pediatric Occupational therapy may help.
What Are Gross Motor Skills?
Gross motor skills are the movements that use the large muscles of the body.
These skills allow children to:
- Sit upright
- Crawl
- Walk
- Run
- Jump
- Climb
- Balance
- Throw and catch
Gross motor skills develop gradually as children grow and gain experience moving their bodies in different ways.
While many adults rarely think about these skills, gross motor development plays an important role in a child’s ability to participate in everyday activities, learning and play.
Why Are Gross Motor Skills Important?
Gross motor skills support much more than physical activity.
Strong gross motor skills help children:
- Join in playground activities
- Participate in sport and recreation
- Develop confidence in their bodies
- Navigate school environments
- Build independence
- Develop coordination and body awareness
Children often use gross motor skills throughout the day without even realising it. Climbing onto a chair, carrying a backpack, walking across uneven ground and kicking a ball all rely on gross motor development.
As children become more confident movers, they often become more willing to explore, play and participate in new experiences.
Gross Motor Milestones by Age
Every child develops at their own pace, but there are some broad gross motor milestones that many children achieve as they grow.
Preschool Years (3–5 Years)
Many children are learning to:
- Run with increasing control
- Jump forwards and over small obstacles
- Climb playground equipment
- Balance on one foot
- Kick and throw a ball
- Begin hopping
Early Primary School Years (5–7 Years)
Children often become more confident with:
- Hopping and skipping
- Riding a bike or scooter
- Catching and throwing with greater accuracy
- Participating in organised sports
- Moving smoothly between different motor tasks
Remember that milestones are guides, not deadlines. Children may develop skills at slightly different times and still be progressing well.
If you’re wondering whether your child’s development is on track overall, our guide Is My Child on Track? When to Monitor, When to Seek Support and What to Do Next explains common developmental milestones, when it’s appropriate to monitor concerns, and when it may be helpful to seek professional advice.
Fun Ways to Build Gross Motor Skills at Home
Children develop gross motor skills best when movement feels fun and meaningful.
Some simple activities to try at home include:
Obstacle Courses
Use cushions, tunnels, chairs or masking tape lines to encourage climbing, crawling, jumping and balancing.
Animal Walks
Try:
- Bear walks
- Crab walks
- Frog jumps
- Penguin waddles
These activities help build strength, coordination and body awareness.
Dance and Movement Games
Dancing to music encourages balance, coordination and movement planning while keeping children engaged.
Balloon Games
Keeping a balloon in the air is a simple way to practise coordination, timing and movement.
For more practical activity ideas, read Occupational Therapy Activities for 3–5 Year Olds at Home.
Outdoor Activities That Build Gross Motor Skills
Outdoor environments naturally create opportunities for movement and exploration.
Activities that support gross motor development include:
- Climbing playground equipment
- Running and chasing games
- Playing catch
- Kicking a ball
- Riding bikes and scooters
- Walking on uneven surfaces
- Exploring nature trails
Outdoor play allows children to challenge themselves, develop confidence and practise a wide range of movement skills.
When Might a Child Need Extra Support?
Children develop at different rates, but sometimes parents notice that movement skills seem more difficult than expected.
Some signs that may indicate a child could benefit from additional support include:
- Frequently tripping or falling
- Avoiding playground equipment
- Difficulty keeping up with peers during physical activities
- Challenges with balance and coordination
- Difficulty learning new movement skills
- Fatiguing more quickly than other children
Having one or more of these challenges does not necessarily mean something is wrong. However, if movement difficulties are affecting participation in everyday activities, it may be worth seeking advice.
How Occupational Therapy Supports Gross Motor Development
Occupational therapists help children develop the skills they need to participate in everyday life.
When supporting gross motor development, an occupational therapist may look at:
- Balance
- Coordination
- Strength
- Motor planning
- Postural control
- Participation in daily activities
Therapy is often play-based and tailored to a child’s individual strengths, interests and goals.
Sessions may include games, obstacle courses, movement challenges and activities designed to build confidence while developing important movement skills.
If you would like to learn more about how occupational therapy supports children’s development, read our Occupational Therapy for Children: A Parent Guide.
Supporting Gross Motor Development Through Everyday Play
Gross motor skills are built through movement, practice and everyday experiences.
Whether a child is climbing at the playground, dancing in the living room, kicking a ball in the backyard or helping carry groceries, every movement opportunity contributes to their development.
Creating opportunities for active play and encouraging children to explore movement in ways they enjoy can help build confidence, coordination and independence over time.
If you have concerns about your child’s gross motor development, an occupational therapist can provide guidance, reassurance and practical strategies to support participation in everyday activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are gross motor skills?
Gross motor skills are movements that use the large muscles of the body, such as running, jumping, climbing, balancing and throwing.
Why are gross motor skills important?
Gross motor skills help children participate in everyday activities, play, sport, learning and self-care tasks while building confidence and independence.
How can I help my child develop gross motor skills at home?
Activities such as obstacle courses, dancing, balloon games, animal walks and outdoor play can all help build gross motor skills.
When should I be concerned about gross motor development?
It may be worth seeking advice if your child frequently trips or falls, avoids physical activities, struggles with balance or coordination, or has difficulty participating in age-appropriate movement activities.
Can occupational therapy help with gross motor skills?
Yes. Occupational therapists can assess gross motor development and provide play-based strategies and activities to support movement, coordination and participation in everyday life.