TinyStepper
Laughing boy running across a field with arms wide, daisies in the grass

Step Up Step Down

Practise stepping on and off a low step or thick book for balance training.

Activity details

12m–2y7 minsmediumbothNo prep

Instructions

Get ready
  • Find a low, sturdy surface: a thick book on carpet, a doorstep, or a yoga block
  • Place it on a non-slip surface
  1. Find a low, sturdy surface: a thick book on carpet, a doorstep, or a yoga block
  2. Place it on a non-slip surface
  3. Stand next to your child and hold one hand
  4. Say: ‘Step up!’ and help them step onto it
  5. Pause for balance, then: ‘Step down!’
  6. Let go of their hand gradually as confidence builds
  7. Count each step: ‘Up — one! Down — two!’
  8. Try without hand-holding once they’re ready — stay close to spot them

Parent tip

Start before you overthink it. No-prep activities work best when you begin while the moment is still recoverable.

Child smiling on a cushion after active play with a ball and scattered cushions nearby

What success looks like

Flushed cheeks, big smiles, and a calmer child afterwards. If they want to do it again, you’ve found a winner.

Find a low, sturdy surface — a thick book, a doorstep, or a yoga block — and let your toddler practise stepping up and stepping back down. This simple movement is genuinely challenging for 12–24 month olds who are still mastering the coordination of lifting one foot while balancing on the other. Repeating it builds confidence, leg strength, and the sense of ‘I can do hard things’ that early walkers crave.

Why it helps

NHS physical activity guidelines for under-5s recommend at least 180 minutes of activity a day, with running and chasing games identified as some of the best ways for toddlers to get moving. Stepping up and down develops single-leg balance, which is a prerequisite for stairs, running, and eventually hopping. It strengthens the ankle stabiliser muscles and builds proprioceptive awareness — sensing where your body is in space — that makes all movement more confident and controlled.

Variations

  • Line up several low ‘steps’ in a row for a stepping path.
  • Hold a favourite toy at the top of a step as motivation.
  • Try stepping sideways along a low kerb when outside for a balance challenge.

Safety tips

  • Use a step no higher than 10–15cm for this age group.
  • Ensure the surface is non-slip — place on a rug or use a book on carpet.
  • Hold your child’s hand until they show consistent balance.

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