My Toddler Can't Kick a Ball
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about my toddler can't kick a ball, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Kicking a ball forward is a milestone that typically develops between 18 and 24 months. It requires balancing on one foot while swinging the other, which is a complex motor skill. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot kick yet, this is within the normal range. Most children are kicking a ball forward by age 2.
Key takeaways
- Kicking a ball forward is a milestone that typically develops between 18 and 24 months. It requires balancing on one foot while swinging the other, which is a complex motor skill. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot kick yet, this is within the normal range. Most children are kicking a ball forward by age 2.
- Usually normal when: Your toddler is under 24 months and is still learning to balance on one foot.
- Call your doctor if: Your child was previously able to kick 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, NIH guidelines, kicking a ball forward is a milestone that typically develops between 18 and 24 months. It requires balancing on one foot while swinging the other, which is a complex motor skill. If your toddler is under 2 and cannot kick yet, this is within the normal range. Most children are kicking a ball forward by age 2. At 12-18 months, most toddlers at this age walk into a ball rather than kicking it, or they may stomp on it. This is completely normal. True kicking requires the ability to balance on one foot momentarily, which most toddlers have not developed yet. Your child is building the balance and leg strength they will need. It is generally considered normal when your toddler is under 24 months and is still learning to balance on one foot. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child was previously able to kick and has lost this ability.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
12-18 months
Most toddlers at this age walk into a ball rather than kicking it, or they may stomp on it. This is completely normal. True kicking requires the ability to balance on one foot momentarily, which most toddlers have not developed yet. Your child is building the balance and leg strength they will need.
18-24 months
Kicking a ball forward typically develops during this period. Initial kicks may be small toe pokes rather than big swings. Your toddler is learning to shift weight to one foot while moving the other. If your child is not kicking yet but can walk well and is starting to attempt it, they are on track.
24-30 months
Most children can kick a ball forward by now, even if not very far or accurately. If your child still cannot kick a ball, it may help to demonstrate and practice. If they seem to have difficulty balancing on one foot or have weak legs, mention it to your pediatrician.
30-36 months
By age 3, most children can kick a ball a few feet. If your child cannot kick at all, your pediatrician may want to assess balance, leg strength, and coordination. Physical therapy can help children who are struggling with ball skills.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't kick a ball 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 2 years old and shows no ability or interest in kicking a ball.
- Mention if your child seems to have difficulty balancing on one foot even briefly.
- 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 24 months and is still learning to balance on one foot.
- Your toddler kicks weakly but is attempting the motion.
- Your toddler walks and runs well and is developing other gross motor skills on time.
- Your toddler walks into the ball rather than kicking it.
- Your child is over 2 years old and shows no ability or interest in kicking a ball.
- Your child seems to have difficulty balancing on one foot even briefly.
- Your child has weak legs or difficulty with other leg-coordination tasks.
- Your child was previously able to kick and has lost this ability.
- Your child has leg weakness, stiffness, or pain affecting movement.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice my toddler can't kick a ball — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your toddler is under 24 months and is still learning to balance on one foot — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 12-18 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 kick and has lost this ability.
Related Conditions
My Toddler Can't Throw a Ball
Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4.
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.
My Toddler Has Poor Balance
Toddlers are naturally clumsy - learning to walk, run, and navigate the world is hard work, and falls are a normal part of the process. Most kids take months to walk confidently and years to have truly good balance. However, if your toddler falls constantly, always to one side, or seems much more unsteady than other kids their age, it's worth having their pediatrician take a look.
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 kick a ball normal?
When should I call the doctor about my toddler can't kick a ball?
When is my toddler can't kick a ball normal?
What causes my toddler can't kick a ball?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about my toddler can't kick a ball?
Is my toddler can't kick a ball normal at 12-18 months?
Is my toddler can't kick a ball normal at 18-24 months?
Should I go to the ER for my toddler can't kick a ball?
Does my toddler can't kick a ball go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Toddler Can't Kick a Ball.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed my toddler can't kick a ball 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 2 years old and shows no ability or interest in kicking a ball.
- Mention if your child seems to have difficulty balancing on one foot even briefly.
- 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 2 years old and shows no ability or interest in kicking a ball.
- Your child seems to have difficulty balancing on one foot even briefly.
- Your child has weak legs or difficulty with other leg-coordination tasks.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child was previously able to kick and has lost this ability.
- Your child has leg weakness, stiffness, or pain affecting movement.
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 kick a ball are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child was previously able to kick 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 Can't Throw a Ball
Throwing develops in stages. Most toddlers can throw underhand by 12-18 months and progress to an overhand throw by 18-24 months. Early throws are often more like dropping or pushing the ball. A true overhand throw with follow-through does not develop until around age 3-4.
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.
My Toddler Has Poor Balance
Toddlers are naturally clumsy - learning to walk, run, and navigate the world is hard work, and falls are a normal part of the process. Most kids take months to walk confidently and years to have truly good balance. However, if your toddler falls constantly, always to one side, or seems much more unsteady than other kids their age, it's worth having their pediatrician take a look.
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.