My Toddler Can't Kick a Ball
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.
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By Age
What to expect by age
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
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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.
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.