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What Are the Gross Motor Milestones From 1 to 3 Years? An Age-by-Age Checklist for Indian Parents (2026)

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Written by - Mylo BabyLast updated: Sep 29, 2026

What Are the Gross Motor Milestones From 1 to 3 Years? An Age-by-Age Checklist for Indian Parents (2026)

23 min

Quick Answer

Gross motor skills are movements that use the large muscles of the arms, legs and body, like walking, running, climbing, jumping and kicking. Between 1 and 3 years, most children go from pulling up to stand (12 months) to walking alone (by about 18 months), running and kicking a ball (by 2 years), jumping with both feet (by 30 months) and pedalling a tricycle and walking up stairs with alternating feet (around 3 years). The normal range is wide. Healthy children start walking alone anywhere between about 8 and 18 months (WHO). See your pediatrician if your child isn't walking by 18 months, loses skills, falls much more than other children or uses one side of the body more than the other.

Gross Motor Milestones 1 to 3 Years at a Glance

Age	Key Gross Motor Milestones	Talk to a Doctor If
12 months	Pulls up to stand, cruises along furniture, may stand alone briefly	Can't stand even with support
15 months	Takes a few steps alone, stands without holding on, squats to pick up toys	Not bearing weight on legs
18 months	Walks alone, climbs on and off a sofa, starts to run stiffly, pulls toys while walking	Not walking alone
21 months	Walks steadily, runs, walks up stairs with help, kicks or throws a ball	Falls very often or walks only on tiptoes
24 months	Runs, kicks a ball, walks up a few stairs, climbs furniture, stands on tiptoes	Can't run or walk steadily
30 months	Jumps off the ground with both feet, climbs playground equipment	Can't jump at all or falls a lot
36 months	Walks up stairs with alternating feet, pedals a tricycle, runs easily, kicks and throws	Falls often, can't manage stairs

Sources: WHO Motor Development Study, official AAP and CDC milestone checklists (CDC), Nemours KidsHealth.

Key Facts Every Parent Should Know

8.2 to 17.6 months: The normal window for walking alone (WHO)
6.9 to 16.9 months: The normal window for standing alone (WHO)
180 minutes a day: The WHO recommends at least 3 hours of physical activity a day for children aged 1 to 4
Under 1 hour at a time: The WHO advises that young children shouldn't be strapped into prams, strollers or high chairs for more than 1 hour at a time
2022: The year crawling was removed from official milestone checklists
Baby walkers: The AAP advises against them. They cause injuries and don't help walking.

What Are Gross Motor Skills?

Short answer: Gross motor skills are big movements that use the large muscles of the legs, arms and trunk. They include sitting, standing, walking, running, climbing, jumping, kicking, throwing and balancing. They're different from fine motor skills, which use small hand and finger muscles for things like holding a crayon or picking up food.

Gross Motor Skills	Fine Motor Skills
Use large muscles of the legs, arms and body	Use small muscles of the hands and fingers
Walking, running, jumping	Picking up small objects, scribbling
Climbing stairs and furniture	Turning pages, stacking blocks
Kicking and throwing a ball	Using a spoon or fork
Balancing and pedalling a tricycle	Threading beads, opening lids

Why gross motor skills matter:

Independence: Moving around helps children explore and learn
Strength and coordination: They build muscles, balance and body awareness
Brain development: Movement supports learning and attention
Social skills: Running, chasing and ball games help children play with others
Healthy habits: Active toddlers are more likely to become active, healthy children

For drawing and other hand skills, see when your toddler will learn to scribble or draw. For the bigger picture, read physical development in children.

When Do Toddlers Walk?

Short answer: Most children take their first steps between 9 and 15 months and walk well by about 18 months. The WHO Motor Development Study found that healthy children walk alone anywhere between 8.2 and 17.6 months.

Walking Stage	Typical Age	What It Looks Like
Pulls to stand	By 12 months	Holds furniture to stand up
Cruises	By 12 months	Walks sideways holding furniture
Stands alone	7 to 17 months	Stands without support for a few seconds
First steps	9 to 15 months	Wobbly steps with arms up and legs wide
Walks alone	By about 18 months	Walks across a room without falling
Walks steadily	18 to 24 months	Fewer falls, arms down, can carry toys
Walks backwards and sideways	Around 2 years	Pulls toys while walking backwards

Is your child a late walker? Read reasons for late walking in babies.

When Do Toddlers Start Running?

Short answer: Most toddlers start running stiffly around 18 months and run well by 2 years. By 3, most children run easily, start and stop smoothly and can change direction.

Running Stage	Typical Age
Fast walking, stiff "run"	16 to 18 months
Runs, but falls often	18 to 24 months
Runs well	By 2 years
Runs easily, stops and turns	Around 3 years

When Do Toddlers Climb Stairs?

Short answer: Many toddlers crawl up stairs from around 15 months, walk up stairs holding a hand or rail by about 2 years, and walk up stairs with alternating feet (one foot per step) around 3 years. Going down stairs usually comes later than going up.

Stairs and Climbing Stage	Typical Age
Crawls up stairs	12 to 15 months
Climbs on and off a sofa without help	By 18 months
Walks up stairs holding a hand, two feet per step	18 months to 2 years
Walks up a few stairs, with or without help	By 2 years
Climbs playground equipment	2 to 3 years
Walks up stairs with alternating feet	Around 3 years
Walks down stairs with alternating feet	3.5 to 4 years

Safety tip: Always use stair gates at the top and bottom of stairs until your child can manage stairs safely.

When Do Toddlers Jump?

Short answer: Many toddlers try to jump around 2 years, and most can jump off the ground with both feet by 30 months. By 3, many can jump forward and jump down from a low step.

Jumping Stage	Typical Age
Bounces up and down on the spot (feet stay down)	18 to 24 months
Tries to jump, one foot may leave the ground first	Around 2 years
Jumps off the ground with both feet	By 30 months
Jumps down from the bottom step	2 to 3 years
Jumps forward with both feet	Around 3 years
Hops on one foot	4 years and older

When Do Toddlers Kick and Throw a Ball?

Short answer: Many toddlers throw a ball (often underhand or while sitting) from about 18 months and kick a ball by 2 years. By 3, many throw overhand and kick with more force.

Ball Skill	Typical Age
Rolls a ball back to you while sitting	12 to 15 months
Throws a small ball, often without direction	15 to 18 months
Kicks a ball by walking into it	18 to 24 months
Kicks a ball forward	By 2 years
Throws a ball overhand	2 to 3 years
Catches a large ball with arms and body	3 years and older

When Do Toddlers Pedal a Tricycle?

Short answer: Most children learn to pedal a tricycle around 3 years. Before that, many toddlers enjoy ride-on toys they push with their feet from about 18 months.

Riding Skill	Typical Age
Sits on a ride-on toy and pushes with feet	18 months to 2 years
Steers a ride-on toy	2 to 2.5 years
Pedals a tricycle	Around 3 years
Rides a balance bike	2.5 to 4 years

Always use a helmet on tricycles, balance bikes and scooters.

What Activities Build Gross Motor Skills at Each Age?

Short answer: Simple, active play at home and outdoors builds gross motor skills best. Let your child walk, climb, run and play barefoot indoors, and give them lots of floor time instead of long periods in a pram, walker or high chair.

Age	Best Activities	Household Items to Use
12 to 18 months	Cruising along furniture, pushing a sturdy cart, climbing onto cushions, rolling a ball, walking on grass	Sofa, cushions, a cardboard box to push, a soft ball
18 to 24 months	Walking up small slopes, pulling toys, dancing, kicking a big ball, climbing on and off low furniture	Pull toys, a big light ball, music
2 to 2.5 years	Running games, jumping on the spot, stepping over pillows, ride-on toys, playground slides	Pillows, a ride-on toy, a playground
2.5 to 3 years	Jumping with both feet, walking on a line, obstacle courses, throwing into a bucket, tricycle	Chalk or tape lines, a bucket, cushions, a tricycle

Fun Indian-Style Movement Games

Pakdam-pakdai (chasing): Great for running and stopping
Kho-style tag for little ones: Taking turns and running
Ghar-ghar obstacle course: Crawl under a table, climb over cushions, walk along a dupatta laid on the floor
Dancing to rhymes: "Machli Jal Ki Rani Hai" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes"
Kite and bubble chasing: Running, reaching and jumping outdoors
Walking in the park or on the terrace: Uneven ground builds balance

How Much Activity Do Toddlers Need?

The WHO guidelines for children under 5 recommend:

Age	Physical Activity	Sitting and Screens
1 to 2 years	At least 180 minutes a day of any activity, spread through the day	Don't strap them in (pram, high chair) for more than 1 hour at a time. No screen time for 1-year-olds; no more than 1 hour for 2-year-olds, and less is better.
3 to 4 years	At least 180 minutes a day, including at least 60 minutes of energetic play	No more than 1 hour of screen time; less is better

What Helps and What Hurts Gross Motor Development?

Short answer: Floor time, barefoot play, outdoor play and safe climbing help. Baby walkers, too much time in prams, car seats or high chairs, and too much screen time can slow down practice.

Helps	Hurts or Slows It Down
Barefoot play indoors	Stiff, heavy shoes indoors
Lots of floor time	Long hours in prams, bouncers or car seats
Push toys and ride-on toys	Baby walkers (AAP advises against them)
Outdoor play on grass, sand and uneven ground	Carrying the child everywhere
Safe climbing on cushions and playground equipment	Too much screen time
Dancing, chasing and ball games	Constant "no running, no climbing"

Are Bow Legs, Flat Feet and Tiptoe Walking Normal?

Short answer: Many "funny walks" are a normal part of development. Bow legs are common until about 2 years, knock knees are common between 3 and 5 years, and flat feet are normal in toddlers because the arch develops later. Tiptoe walking is common in new walkers, but should be checked if it continues all the time after age 2 to 3.

What You See	Usually Normal?	See a Doctor If
Bow legs	Yes, until about 2 years	Getting worse after 2, only on one side, or with pain or limping
Knock knees	Yes, often between 3 and 5 years	Very severe, only on one side, or with pain
Flat feet	Yes, arches develop by around 5 to 6 years	Painful, stiff feet, or affecting walking
In-toeing (pigeon toes)	Often yes	Causes frequent tripping or doesn't improve
Tiptoe walking	Common in new walkers	Walks only on tiptoes after 2 to 3 years, or can't stand flat-footed
Wide, wobbly walk	Yes, in new walkers	Still very unsteady after several months of walking
W-sitting	Common	Always sits this way and has other motor concerns

Bowed legs with other signs? Very bowed legs, delayed walking, thick wrists or bone pain can be signs of vitamin D deficiency (rickets). Talk to your pediatrician.

When Should I Worry About My Toddler's Gross Motor Skills?

Short answer: Talk to your doctor if your child isn't walking by 18 months, loses skills they had, falls much more than other children, uses one side of the body more than the other, walks only on tiptoes after 2 to 3 years, or seems very floppy or very stiff. Early physiotherapy works well.

Age	Red Flag
Any age	Loses motor skills they once had (see a doctor right away)
Any age	Uses one arm or leg much more than the other
Any age	Very floppy (low muscle tone) or very stiff
12 months	Can't stand even with support
15 months	Not bearing weight on legs
18 months	Not walking alone
2 years	Can't walk steadily, doesn't try to run, can't climb onto furniture
2 to 3 years	Walks only on tiptoes, or falls very often
3 years	Can't jump, can't manage stairs even with help, very clumsy compared with peers

Who Can Help?

Professional	How They Help
Pediatrician	First check-up, rules out medical causes, refers you
Pediatric physiotherapist	Exercises to build strength, balance and coordination
Occupational therapist	Helps with coordination, sensory issues and daily skills
Developmental pediatrician	Assesses overall development if there are several concerns
Orthopaedic specialist	For bone, joint or leg shape concerns

Free Government Support in India

Service	What It Offers
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK)	Free screening for developmental delays
District Early Intervention Centres (DEIC)	Free assessment, physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Anganwadi centres	Growth monitoring and referrals

Read our guide on identifying developmental disorders in toddlers.

How Can I Keep My Active Toddler Safe?

Short answer: As toddlers walk, run and climb, falls become the most common injury. Use stair gates, window and balcony guards, soft surfaces for play, helmets on ride-on toys and close supervision near roads and water.

Risk	How to Prevent It
Falls on stairs	Stair gates at the top and bottom
Falls from windows and balconies	Grills and guards; move furniture away from windows
Tipping furniture	Anchor furniture and TVs to the wall
Playground falls	Soft ground, age-appropriate equipment and supervision
Ride-on toy accidents	Helmet every time; keep away from roads and stairs
Drowning	Supervise near buckets, tanks and pools

Emergency number: Dial 108 for ambulance services in most states, or 112 for emergencies.

What Should Indian Parents Keep in Mind?

Short answer: Give your child plenty of safe floor and outdoor time, skip the baby walker, avoid carrying them everywhere, and don't compare with other children.

Common Practice	Better Approach
Baby walkers to "help" walking	Push toys and cruising along furniture
Carrying the toddler everywhere	Let them walk, even if it's slow
Keeping the child indoors on the bed	Floor play and outdoor time daily
"Don't run, you'll fall!"	Safe spaces to run and climb
Comparing with cousins	Every child has their own timeline
Tight shoes or sandals all day	Barefoot indoors, soft shoes outdoors
Screens to keep them still	Dancing, chasing and active play

Myths vs Facts About Gross Motor Milestones

Myth	Fact
"Baby walkers help babies walk sooner"	Walkers cause injuries and don't speed up walking (AAP)
"All babies must crawl before walking"	Crawling was removed from official milestones in 2022; some babies skip it
"Early walkers are smarter"	Walking age isn't linked to intelligence
"Bow legs mean my child will walk badly"	Bow legs are normal until about 2 years
"Flat feet need special shoes"	Flat feet are normal in toddlers; arches develop by 5 to 6 years
"Toddlers get enough exercise just playing indoors"	The WHO recommends at least 180 minutes of activity a day, including outdoor play (WHO)
"Shoes help babies learn to walk"	Barefoot is best for learning to walk indoors

Frequently Asked Questions About Gross Motor Milestones

What are gross motor skills?
Movements that use the large muscles of the legs, arms and body, like walking, running, climbing, jumping, kicking and balancing.

Gross motor skills kya hote hain? (Hinglish)
Gross motor skills woh harkatein hain jismein pairon, haathon aur sharir ki badi maanspeshiyan kaam aati hain, jaise chalna, daudna, chadhna, koodna, ball ko laat maarna aur santulan banana.

At what age should a toddler walk?
Most children walk alone between 9 and 18 months. See your doctor if your child isn't walking by 18 months.

When do toddlers start running?
Many start running stiffly around 18 months and run well by 2 years.

When can a toddler jump with both feet?
Most children can jump off the ground with both feet by 30 months.

When do toddlers climb stairs?
Many walk up stairs holding a hand by 2 years and walk up with alternating feet around 3 years.

When can a child pedal a tricycle?
Most children learn to pedal a tricycle around 3 years.

Mera bachcha 18 mahine ka hai aur nahi chalta, kya karein? (Hinglish)
Zyada tar bachche 18 mahine tak khud chalne lagte hain. Agar aapka bachcha abhi tak nahi chalta, toh doctor se milein. Kai baar koi badi problem nahi hoti, lekin jaanch zaroori hai. Physiotherapy se bahut madad milti hai. Baby walker ka use na karein.

Are baby walkers good for walking?
No. The AAP advises against baby walkers because they cause injuries and don't help children walk sooner.

Is it normal for my toddler to have bow legs?
Yes, bow legs are normal until about 2 years. See a doctor if they get worse after 2, affect only one side, or come with pain.

Is tiptoe walking normal?
It's common in new walkers. See a doctor if your child walks only on tiptoes after 2 to 3 years.

How much physical activity does a toddler need?
The WHO recommends at least 180 minutes of physical activity a day for children aged 1 to 4.

When should I worry about my toddler's gross motor skills?
If your child isn't walking by 18 months, loses skills, falls much more than other children, uses one side more than the other, or seems very floppy or stiff, speak to your pediatrician.

References

World Health Organization (WHO). "WHO Motor Development Study: Windows of Achievement for Six Gross Motor Development Milestones." cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/child-growth/…/who-motor-development-s…elopment-milestones.pdf?…
World Health Organization (WHO). "Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children Under 5 Years of Age." NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541173/
World Health Organization (WHO). "Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep for Children Under 5 Years of Age" (publication page). https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550536
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Where We Stand: Baby Walkers." HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Where-We-Stand-Baby-Walkers.aspx
Nemours KidsHealth. "3-Year Well-Child Checkup." https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/checkup-3yrs.html
Nemours KidsHealth. "30-Month Well-Child Checkup." https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/checkup-30mos.html
Cleveland Clinic. "When Do Babies Start Walking?" https://health.clevelandclinic.org/when-do-babies-start-walking
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "CDC's Developmental Milestones." https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/index.html

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Every child develops at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child's movement, walking, balance or leg shape, please consult your pediatrician.

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