Helping a child develop their balance

Balance allows children to have better control over their bodies. It helps them to move safely from one position to another. Once they have mastered their ability to balance, controlled movements happen naturally allowing them to move their attention and focus onto other things.

General activities that improve balance

Playing regularly in the garden, playgrounds and parks – take time to practice throwing, catching and kicking
Walking on a variety of surfaces such as gravel, sand, pebbles, wood chip
Soft play areas that allow children to experience a wide variety of challenging activities in a safe environment
Learning to ride a bike or scooter – try using a balance bike to begin with
Space hoppers, gym balls and trampolines help with strength and flexibility as well as balance
Swimming
Ballet, gymnastics and martial arts classes
Stepping stones – try making your own out of card or paper. Vary the distance apart that you place them. Walking along a line on the floor e.g. a chalk line on the playground/a piece of string at home

Postural control

Postural control is the ability to control the muscles of the tummy, back, shoulders and pelvis. Having good postural control is important in order to be able to balance. Gymnasts and ballet dancers are examples of people with excellent postural control.

Activities that improve postural control include:

Aeroplanes – the child lies on the floor on their tummy and lift their head and arms to fly like an aeroplane for 10 seconds.
Tummy skate boarding – the child lies on a skateboard and propels themselves around with their hands.
Human footballs – the child starts lying on their back. They bring their knees up to their chest and hold tight with their arms with their chin on their chest. They hold for as long as they can, up to 30 seconds.
Crab walking – the child sits on the floor with their hands on the floor behind them and their knees bent so their feet are on the floor in front. They lift their bottom and try to walk in different directions.
Bridging – the child starts lying on their back with their legs bent and feet on the floor. Ask them to make a bridge by lifting their bottom up off the floor. Roll a ball or a toy car under their bridge.
2 point balance – the child starts on hands and knees. They lift one leg straight out behind and lift the opposite arm straight out in front. They hold for 10 seconds. They can throw bean bags into a target in this position.
Half kneeling – the child starts in kneeling up position and then lifts one leg to place their foot in front of them (as if to stand up from the floor). In this position they can play throw and catch, target games etc.

Last reviewed February 2026