This post is brought to you by Huggies® Little Movers. All opinions are my own.
I work with children regularly as a play therapist. Our daughter, like many toddlers I work with, was delayed in walking—she was still crawling at 17 months. Now at two years old, she is happily running around with boundless energy.
Five ways to help your toddler learn to walk
1- Teach them to cruise (walk while holding onto furniture)
Encourage cruising by placing a favorite toy or a small snack just out of reach on the other side of a low piece of furniture, such as a coffee table or ottoman. Stand behind your child and keep your hands lightly on them for balance so they feel supported but able to move independently.
2- Hold their hands… then teach them to let go
Start by holding both hands while your child practices steps. As they gain confidence, switch to holding only one hand. If your child resists letting go, give them a small object—like a rattle or toy—to hold in their free hand so they feel more secure while practicing independent steps.
3- Use a little motivator
A simple game is to stand a few feet apart from another caregiver and have your toddler walk between you. A short distance is enough—cheers and encouragement make this fun. Our daughter once took her first steps for a bite of ice cream, so don’t underestimate small rewards.
4- Play with them
Play supports motor development. One fun activity recommended by Huggies and fitness expert Nikki Glor is “Crab Scoots,” which builds upper-body strength and coordination.
Crab Scoots
- Sit on your bottom with your hands behind you and legs in front.
- Lift your body off the ground and move backward using your hands and feet, like a crab.
- Your baby will often mimic you by scooting backward on their bottom using their arms and legs.
- Scoot across the room or until you feel the burn—this helps build your child’s upper-body strength and helps parents work triceps and core.
Huggies® Little Movers are designed to support active babies: the LeakLock™ system helps keep messes contained while the SnugFit waistband and Double Grip Strips offer a comfortable, secure fit as your child moves.
More play ideas:
5- Keep them comfortable
Comfortable clothing and a well-fitting diaper make movement easier. Huggies® Little Movers with Double Grip Strips provide a snug, flexible fit that lets toddlers move freely. A comfortable fit plus reliable protection helps both baby and caregiver feel confident during these early walking practice sessions.
I submitted a photo of our toddler on the move with the caption “Chasing after her big brothers… always!” Captions and short videos can be added when sharing your own moments.
Finally, enjoy these stages. Crawling and early steps are fleeting—before long your child will be walking and running with confidence.
ps- another post you might like: 5 learning activities for your one year old.