My Toddler Can't Jump with Both Feet
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler can't jump with both feet, here is what you need to know.
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Your toddler is under 30 months and is attempting to jump but can't get airborne yet.
- Call your doctor if: Your child was previously able to jump and has lost this ability.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines, 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. At 18-24 months, 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. It is generally considered normal when your toddler is under 30 months and is attempting to jump but can't get airborne yet. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child was previously able to jump and has lost this ability.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
18-24 months
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.
24-30 months
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.
30-36 months
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.
3-4 years
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 to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't jump with both feet and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 30 months and shows no interest in or ability to jump.
- Mention if your child seems to have weak legs or difficulty with other leg-strength activities.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
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.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler can't jump with both feet — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your toddler is under 30 months and is attempting to jump but can't get airborne yet — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 18-24 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your child was previously able to jump and has lost this ability.
Related Conditions
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.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is my toddler can't jump with both feet normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler can't jump with both feet?
When is my toddler can't jump with both feet normal?
What causes my toddler can't jump with both feet?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler can't jump with both feet?
Is my toddler can't jump with both feet normal at 18-24 months?
Is my toddler can't jump with both feet normal at 24-30 months?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler can't jump with both feet?
Does my toddler can't jump with both feet go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Can't Jump with Both Feet.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't jump with both feet and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 30 months and shows no interest in or ability to jump.
- Mention if your child seems to have weak legs or difficulty with other leg-strength activities.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- 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.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- 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.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of my toddler can't jump with both feet are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child was previously able to jump and has lost this ability.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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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.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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.