My Toddler Can't Jump with Both Feet
The short answer
Jumping with both feet off the ground is a milestone that typically develops between 24 and 30 months. Many toddlers cannot jump until closer to their third birthday. Jumping requires significant leg strength, balance, and coordination, so it is one of the later gross motor milestones to develop.
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By Age
What to expect by age
Most toddlers cannot jump yet at this age, and that is completely normal. Your toddler may try to jump by bending their knees and going up on their toes, but they may not actually get both feet off the ground. This is a precursor to jumping and shows they are working on the skill.
This is the typical window for learning to jump. Many toddlers start by "jumping" off a low step and progress to jumping in place on flat ground. If your child is not jumping yet but is attempting it, they are developing normally. Some children simply need more time to build the leg strength and coordination required.
Most children can jump with both feet off the ground by age 3. If your child is still unable to jump by their third birthday, mention it to your pediatrician. It may indicate low muscle tone, weak leg muscles, or coordination difficulties that can be addressed with physical therapy.
If your child cannot jump at all by age 3, an evaluation is recommended. However, keep in mind that jumping skill varies widely. Your child should be able to jump in place and jump forward a few inches. Jumping from heights and hopping on one foot develop later, around age 4.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your toddler is under 30 months and is attempting to jump but can't get airborne yet.
- Your toddler can climb, squat, and kick, showing good leg strength.
- Your toddler bends knees and rises onto toes as a jumping attempt.
- Your toddler is meeting other motor milestones like running and climbing stairs.
- Your child is over 30 months and shows no interest in or ability to jump.
- Your child seems to have weak legs or difficulty with other leg-strength activities.
- Your child cannot squat and return to standing easily.
- Your child was previously able to jump and has lost this ability.
- Your child seems to have leg weakness that is affecting multiple motor skills.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
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Related Physical Concerns
My Toddler Seems Very Clumsy
Clumsiness is extremely common and normal in toddlers. Their brains are still developing the neural pathways for coordination, spatial awareness, and balance. Most toddlers appear clumsy compared to older children. However, if clumsiness is persistent, severe, or worsening after age 3, it may be worth evaluating for developmental coordination disorder.
Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)
Low muscle tone means your baby's muscles feel less firm or their body feels "floppy" when you hold them. While it can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, many babies with mildly low tone do very well with support and strengthening activities.
My Toddler Can't Navigate Stairs
Stair climbing develops in stages: crawling up stairs typically starts around 12-15 months, walking up with a hand held by 18-24 months, and walking up holding the rail by 2-3 years. Going down stairs is harder and develops later. Many toddlers need help with stairs well past their second birthday.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.